BusinessMirror January 28, 2023

A broader look at today’s business ROTARY CLUB OF MANILA JOURNALISM AWARDS 2006 National Newspaper of the Year 2011 National Newspaper of the Year 2013 Business Newspaper of the Year 2017 Business Newspaper of the Year 2019 Business Newspaper of the Year 2021 Pro Patria Award PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY 2018 Data Champion www.businessmirror.com.ph n Saturday, January 28, 2023 Vol. 18 No. 105 P25.00 nationwide | 18 pages | 7 DAYS A WEEK

DOCTORS, HEALERS AT ‘GROUND ZERO’

After 5 years of providing medical care for Marawi siege survivors, MSF hands over task to local communities

THE medical team at Olo-Ambolong health station. MSF/REGINA LAYUG ROSERO MARAWI City, five years after the siege MSF/ELY SOK

Editor’s Note: When the infamous Marawi Siege—a dark chapter that one prays will never be repeated—happened in 2017, one of the major responders to the crisis was the Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The siege lasted five months, with over 350,000 locals forced out of their homes. In the aftermath of the siege, Doctors Without Borders responded with access to free and clean water, mental health and psycho-social support, and primary healthcare. It has worked in clinics in three transitory shelters, as well as in the main City Health Office, providing primary healthcare from 2018 onwards. As emergency needs decreased, health issues from long before the siege resurfaced, mostly non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes. Still, MSF notes, local authorities now have better capacity to provide for people’s health needs. In December 2022, five years after the siege, Doctors Without Borders closed its project and handed over its activities to local health authorities. Here, they share their experience in Marawi.

I

T has been five years since the siege of Marawi displaced 98 percent of the city’s population. Since the conflict, Doctors Without Borders/ Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has provided care for the people of Marawi, and adapted our activities to the changing needs of the communities.

In December 2022, with the acute and post-emergency phases of our medical response over, Doctors Without Borders decided to close its project and hand over activities to local health actors.

A s activities come to an end, Doctors Without Borders patients and staff look back at five years in Marawi.

The Marawi siege

By Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)FIVE months of armed conflict completely destroyed the city center. “Marawi’s city center, called ‘Ground Zero’, looked like pictures in the news from Mariupol or Mosul,” says Aurélien Sigwalt, head of mission for Doctors Without Borders in the Philippines. The conflict and destruction had a great impact on the local population. “I only really got sick after the Marawi siege, because of our problems and fears,” recalls Doctors Without Borders patient Rasmia Magompara. “We had evacuated during the siege, with no belongings, no money. All we had was what was in our pockets and what we were wearing. With all our fears and problems, every time I hear a

motorcycle, I thought it was a helicopter. Next thing I knew, it was morning, the sun had risen, and I hadn’t been able to sleep.”

Supporting the displaced BY July 2017, Doctors Without Borders launched a project to assist people who had been forced to flee their homes in the fighting. Doctors Without Borders provided support with water and sanitation and psychological first aid for a total of 11,000 people living in evacuation centers in Marawi and the surrounding region.

Continued on A2

Doctors, healers at ‘Ground Zero’

not advised for those for high blood pressure, and now I’m much better. The daily dizziness is gone.”

Continued from A1

clean water,” she says. “We distributed jerry cans and water purification tablets, repaired pipes and toilets, put up showers and built reservoirs so communities could store their water.”

“Our other priority was mental health support. We organized psychosocial activities for the children. The stress of their parents also affected them: our teams organized play therapy to make them feel like kids again. We also held one-on-one sessions for adults and children who needed it.”

From observer to health promoter

AMELIA PANDAPATAN was one of the displaced people who received support from Doctors Without Borders in 2017. “I saw Doctors Without Borders going to the shelters, doing a mental health program, giving out hygiene kits,” she recalls. W hen she heard that Doctors Without Borders was hiring, she applied to be a health promoter right away. She recalls the challenges they faced in 2017: “The medical team started with a small group of local staff. We had one doctor, one pharmacist, two nurses and one health promoter. We

managed to do our daily activities in the clinic, but it was a bit of a challenge. Health promoters would help with registration, checking vital signs. I became a translator between doctors and patients.”

Considering the region’s history of weak health indicators, the work of a health promoter is critical, and this is something Pandapatan can be proud of. “As health promoters, we deliver health education to our patients and community. I think that’s one of our achievements, seeing our patients with the ability to manage their own health.”

Disrupted lives and health needs

SLOWLY, the situation stabilized. Displaced people moved from tents to evacuation centers and temporary shelters, with the last families moving to shelters in January 2020. But many Marawi residents have been unable to move back to the city center, remaining in shelters until now. Many have not been granted a permit to return home, or they face challenges in rebuilding or repairing their houses due to financial constraints.

O f the 39 health facilities in Marawi and the surrounding areas, 15 were functioning by 2020; the others had been destroyed or were unable to reopen. Doctors Without Borders supported the rehabilitation of the Marawi Rural Health Unit (RHU) and City Health Office (CHO) facilities and clinics, as well as clinics in three of Marawi’s shelters.

In 2018, Doctors Without Borders started working in clinics in three transitory shelters, as well as in the CHO, providing free consultations and free medication for primary healthcare.

A s the emergency needs decreased, health issues that persisted long before the siege resurfaced. Hypertension and diabetes have since ranked among the 10 leading causes of mortality in Lanao del Sur, which is why Doctors Without Borders started a program focused on non-communicable diseases in 2019.

In addition to providing consultations and medication, Doctors Without Borders health promotion staff also conducted patient education sessions, where patients learned about non-communicable diseases and what they could do to stay healthy.

“ When Doctors Without Borders started working at the clinic in the Rorogagus shelter, my wife and I were very thankful because it was close to us, and we received free medicine,” says patient Said Abdullah, aged 76. “We followed the advice given to us. I’ve been exercising and avoiding foods that are not advised for those with high blood pressure, and now I’m much better. The daily dizziness is gone.”

Between 2018 and 2022, Doc-

tors Without Borders teams conducted 30,000 primary health-care consultations and over 10,000 non-communicable disease consultations in Marawi.

Handing over medical activities

to local health actors

“FIVE years after the siege, Marawi health authorities have a better capacity to manage patients with non-communicable diseases, and to provide primary healthcare to the people of Marawi,” says Sigwalt. In anticipation of the project closing, Doctors Without Borders has worked closely with the Marawi CHO to enhance local capacity to support health needs and has donated medicines to support the continued care of patients.

Patients who have been in the care of the Doctors Without Borders non-communicable disease program have gradually been transferred to the CHO over the past few months.

Sarah Ambor, Doctors Without Borders health promotion supervisor, explains: “We conducted monthly meetings with the CHO to provide updates regarding the patients, their medication and their needs in order for the patients to continue to receive the care they need.”

I n 2021 and 2022, Doctors Without Borders also implemented a mentorship program for 67 RHU staff members in the province of Lanao del Sur to transfer technical skills and knowledge on the management of non-commu -

IN addition to providing free consultations, MSF also provides free medication for patients. In the context of the closure of the MSF project in Marawi, patients care was handed over to the Marawi City Health Office (CHO) and MSF provided enough medication to last them two months, to ensure their treatment wouldn’t be disrupted by the closure of the project.

Five years later, the city of Marawi still bears the scars from the siege. Many structures remain in ruins at Ground Zero. Patient Said Abdullah’s wish is simple:

“All I can say is that we hope the Marawi siege never happens again, and for Marawi to be peaceful.”

Doctors Without Borders remains in the Philippines, running a tuberculosis program in Manila, and will continue to assess the support needs in the country in 2023.

nicable diseases.

PATIENT Rasmia Maonara Magompara, 56, with her daughter. “Before the Marawi siege, we had a restaurant and a car wash in Banggolo Plaza, and we earned P30,000 to P40,000 a month. Now, I have a garden, and I run an eatery, that’s how I make a living. Our family is working hard to make a living.” MSF/REGINA LAYUG ROSERO

PATIENT Said Abdullah, 76, has been part of MSF’s non-communicable diseases program at the Rorogagus clinic in Marawi City since January 2021. He has hypertension. He says: “When MSF started working at the clinic in the Rorogagus shelter, my wife and I were very thankful because it was close to us, and we got free medicine. We followed the advice given to us. I’ve been exercising and avoiding foods that are

MSF/REGINA LAYUG ROSERO

HEALTH promotion material and public information signs have been translated into Maranao for local needs. MSF/REGINA LAYUG ROSERO

MSF/REGINA LAYUG ROSERO

HEALTH promotion supervisor Sarah Ambor informs patients that they cannot enter the clinic without wearing a mask. While the patients wait to enter the clinic, she teaches them about proper handwashing. MSF/REGINA LAYUG ROSERO

SARAH SULTAN AMBOR is the health promotion supervisor in the Marawi project. She has been working for MSF for more than two years. MSF/REGINA LAYUG ROSERO

Perils escalate for PHL economy after best growth in half a century

Remittances

THE Philippines just notched its fastest economic growth since disco music was rattling the airwaves and Gerald Ford was US president. Sustaining that pace against a gloomy global backdrop will be a challenge.

Moro

leader: BARMM heading towards right direction on fourth Charter day

By Manuel T. Cayon

DAVAO CITY—The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is “heading towards the right direction,” its chief minister and Moro Islamic Liberation Front Chairman Ahod Ebrahim said.

“Rest assured that we will continue to devote, as we always did, whatever is left of our time here in Dunya for the Bangsamoro,” Ebrahim said, as he addressed the crowd of regional autonomy officials and business leaders in Cotabato City during its fourth foundation anniversary on January 21.

In his Report to the Bangsamoro, he said that before the installation of the region, “our people had to go through so much pain and suffering. We had to live a life filled with physical and structural violence.”

“Looking back, the path to peace was never easy,” Ebrahim said. “The mere fact that we had to work together with individuals whom we once considered as adversaries required the highest level of commitment, understanding, and submission to the will of Allah (SWT).”

“Today, as we gather to commemorate that historic plebiscite, we recall not just the triumph of the ratification, but of our cause, the Bangsamoro cause, and honor those who sacrificed for this dream,” Ebrahim said.

To better appreciate the region’s developments and overall direction was to take a look back at its predecessor, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Ebrahim said, as he talked of BARMM’s major accomplishments.

He said the comparison “does not mean to belittle the ARMM or to undermine the efforts of the past administrations.”

“Such comparison is intended to determine a benchmark to gauge the effectiveness of the policies and programs we are implementing. After all, anything less than the ARMM is unacceptable,” Ebrahim added.

He admitted though, that the Bangsamoro government still has many governance and development challenges to overcome.

“We have faced many challenges together, from the seemingly endless wars and conflicts, through the struggle, sacrifices and setbacks, the Bangsamoro has and will always prevail. In shaa Allah,” Ebrahim said.

“As the theme goes, ‘SamaSamang Pagtataguyod Sa Isang Mas Mapayapa At Mas Masaganang Bangsamoro,’ we can only be successful if we are united,” he added. “Isantabi natin ang pansiriling interes at lagi’t lagi, dapat Bangsamoro muna (Let us set aside our personal interest, and always put the Bangsamoro first).”

The economy grew 7.6 percent in 2022, data showed Thursday, its best performance since 1976. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is betting the country can keep on expanding near 7 percent this year.

Yet dark economic clouds loom across the globe, adding to the 14-year-high inflation and other domestic pressures that could keep the growth rate fragile.

Here are some of the factors to watch out for in the Philippines:

Consumption

A CLOSER look at the data shows personal consumption grew 7 percent year-on-year in the three

months to December, the slowest pace since a contraction in the first quarter of 2021 when the nation hadn’t fully reopened. That suggests that fast inflation and the central bank’s most aggressive rate tightening in two decades are beginning to clip growth.

The “initial boost from pentup demand will start to fade in the coming quarters,” said Oxford Economics Ltd.’s Makoto Tsuchiya. “Elevated inflation will continue to strain real purchasing power.”

Rising costs

THE Philippines is still grappling with soaring food prices that crimp day-to-day budgets. Costs of onions and sugar have spiked in the past months.

The policy tightening to rein in that price growth—350 basis points and counting—would continue to bring pain and spending

restraint to other parts of the economy this year. The key rate at 5.5 percent is the highest since 2008.

Exports

THE reopening of the world’s No. 2 economy is set to provide a boost especially to its neighbors, with the Philippines among those ready to welcome back Chinese travelers.

As the region’s biggest trading partner, China also is expected to breathe more life into Southeast Asian economies that have seen slower factory demand and sentiment. Philippine exports contracted in December.

But beyond China, the global growth picture is dim. The International Monetary Fund, among others, warns of recession sweeping the globe this year, and a downturn remains a hot debate in the US.

TYPICALLY resilient during crises, money sent home to the Philippines from abroad would have to stay healthy this year to keep fueling consumption.

While the central bank expects cash remittances to increase 4 percent this year, slowing economic growth in some countries remains a key risk to labor demand.

Still, funds from overseas Filipinos, along with a booming outsourcing industry and government infrastructure, are “important economic bright spots” for 2023, said Michael Ricafort, economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. A commitment to enhance governance, strengthen regulation and transparency will be key to boosting sentiment, Arsenio Balisacan, the head of the National Economic and Development Authority, said on Thursday. Bloomberg News

Law eyed for ‘automatic’ resignation of incumbents running for reelection

By Butch Fernandez

SENATORS were asked to pass

an enabling law mandating “automatic” resignation of incumbent officials running for election to other positions in their mid-term.

Once enacted into law, Senate Bill 1693 sponsored by Sen. Raffy Tulfo, will declare incumbents “automatically resigned” upon filing their certificate of candidacy to regain another government position.

In crafting the enabling legislation, Tulfo aims to amend the existing Fair Elections Act that allows elected officials to file their candidacy for higher posts “even if they have no chance knowing they

DepEd joins Intl Holocaust Remembrance Day, cites essence of cultivating value of social justice

THE Department of Education (DepEd) underscored the importance of t he culture of social justice and diversity during the International Holocaust Remembrance D ay ceremony on Thursday, January 26.

“The Holocaust saw the systemic oppression and persecution of six million Jewish v ictims and millions of others. The atrocity committed by the Nazi regime and their collaborators is beyond comprehension. Still, we must remember, and we must not forget, the names and the faces of the victims, the families torn apart, and the communities destroyed. We must remember so we may never forget the dangers of hate and intolerance,” Vice President and S ecretary Sara Z. Duterte said in her message.

“We are responsible for ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust and the stories of the survivors are passed on to future generations so that it will never happen again. We must ensure that these stories are not lost so we can learn from them and prevent other atrocities from happening again,” she added.

Spearheaded by the International Cooperation Office (ICO), t he event was attended by the DepEd Executive Committee, the United Nations delegation represented by the Department of Foreign Affairs-United Na -

tions and International Organization Assistant Secretary Kira Da nganan-Azucena, the Israel Embassy headed by Ambassador Ilan Fluss, and the Department of Foreign Affairs represented by Assistant Secretary Mardomel Melicor of the Middle East a nd African Affairs.

Additionally, Undersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching Gina O. Gonong highlighted the lessons imparted by the Holocaust. “This unfortunate event i nspires us to produce peaceloving and peace-building learners and strive to transform our s chools into safe spaces for everyone where [we] keep our human values alive,” Gonong said.

D epEd also recognized the need to continue to promote Holocaust education across all schools in the county and to persuade other DepEd field offices to join these kinds of commemoration events. The department also reaffirmed its commitment to encouraging its teachers and learners to b e advocates for social justice and respect for human rights.

The DepEd chief also cited the late President Manuel Quezon’s Open-Door Policy that enabled thousands of Jewish refugees to seek temporary refuge in the Philippines, which embodies the Filipinos’ kindheartedness.

Led by VP Secretary Duterte and the various partners in attendance, six candles were lit to

remember the six million Jews that were victims of the Holocaust. A prayer was also offered b efore the ceremonial candle lighting.

Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss, in a separate statement thanked Vice P resident Duterte and her team who organized the event and made the 27th of January a formal day of commemorating the holocaust in all DepEd schools and facilities.

“The Holocaust is the darkest time in human history—especially for the Jewish people. It was an unprecedented event from 1942 to 1945 when Nazi Germany attempted to annihilate the Jewish people. Six m illion Jews—one third of the Jewish population—were murdered for the sole reason that t hey were Jewish,” Ambassador Fluss explained. “Today we are witnessing voices of denial of t he Holocaust and increasing anti-Semitism. This cannot be ignored; we can never let it happen again. We must remember, learn, teach, educate, and say— never again.”

The Israeli envoy also remembered the act of former president Q uezon of opening the country’s doors to over 1,300 Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazi regime in 1939. “President Quezon saved not only those individuals, but also their future families,” he said.

are allowed to regain their current posts even after losing.”

The lawmaker lamented this situation deprives opportunities

for others who want to run for the coveted posts.

According to Tulfo, “it is only right to correct the situation in

order to allow elected officials perform their duty to serve and not be distracted by ambition to run for other posts.”

Saturday, January 28, 2023

ILO-HLTM backs proposal for creation of Palace body on workers’ rights

By Samuel P. Medenilla

International

the promotion of Freedom of Association (FOA).

In a news conference on Friday at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) office in Quezon City, Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO) deputy secretary general Joanna Bernice Coronacion

reported that members of the mission made the announcement during the presentation of their preliminary recommendation to government, employers and labor representatives last Thursday, Jan. 26.

During the said briefing, the ILO-HLTM recommended the creation of a “presidentially mandated body” to identify and address all outstanding cases of alleged labor-related extra judicial killings (EJK) and abductions.

Coronacion said the proposed commission would greatly help in addressing labor rightsrelated violations, which may have to be addressed by the government.

Based on the monitoring of the Associated Workers Union (AWU), there are 70 recorded pending cases of killings of trade unionists as of Jan. 25, 2023.

“During the investigation (of the ILOHLTM)…the existing mechanism (to address FOA-related violations) were insufficient because in 2009 when the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council and Monitoring Body (NTIPC-MB) was formed, the group lacked resources and funds,” Coronacion said.

The NTIPC-MB was created to look into FOA through the ILO-HLTM, which was deployed in the country in 2009.

Federation of Free Workers (FFW) President Sonny Matula said they had already drafted

an executive order (EO) for the creation of the proposed commission, which they will submit to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his consideration.

The labor leader said they are hopeful the President will implement the ILO-HLTM recommendation since both the labor sector and employers jointly support it.

The other recommendations of the ILOHLTM is for the government to prioritize investigations and prosecution of people behind FOA violations; as well as providing access to victims and their families of such violations to “publicly funded compensation.”

Meanwhile, the critical findings of the mission include the government “mindset linking parts of the trade union movement to the insurgency, without due process of law leading to wrongly linking trade union activity to law breaking and overthrowing the state; a climate of impunity/no accountability; and impeding workers from exercising their rights free of fear.”

The government will be required to give updates on their compliance to the recommendations of the ILO-HLTM before or during the 2023 International Labour Conference (ILC) on June 5, 2023.

Failure on the part of the government to implement the recommendations of the ILO-

HLTM, Coronacion cautioned, may send a “bad signal” to labor groups and to the international community that the state is not serious in addressing labor rights violations.

This in turn, she said, could prompt the United States and the European Union (EU) to revoke or no longer renew the country’s inclusion in their respective General System of Preferences (GSP).

The GSPs are agreements, which exempt tariffs on Philippine exports in the markets of the US or EU.

FFW President Emeritus Allan Montaño said the government would also run the risk of being called out at ILO Committee on the Applications of Standards if the government ignores the ILO-HLTM proposals.

As of this writing on Friday, Malacañang has yet to react on the preliminary recommendations of the ILO-HLTM.

Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma deferred any comment on the said recommendations.

“ (I) will reserve my comment/reaction [until] when we are officially given copy of their final report,” Laguesma told the BusinessMirror in via text message.

ILO is expected to come out with the official report of ILO-HLTM by the end of next month.

Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) chairman Elmer

EXCELLENT HEALTH PROGRAMS TOP DRAW FOR BPO JOBSEEKERS, SITEL STUDY SHOWS

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

EXCELLENT health programs are the top draw for people considering a career in the BPO industry, a recent study conducted by Sitel Philippines revealed.

The Sitel Philippines study was undertaken by Dr. Fernando Paragas, Dean of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication, in collaboration with the company’s Employer Branding and HR department.

It in volved respondents composed of current Sitel Philippines employees and sought to determine their perception and experiences regarding career growth, as well as health and wellness in the BPO industry in general and in the organization in particular.

O ne of the respondents during the focus ground discussion session conducted for the study said, “The stress of everyday life, consequences of wrong lifestyle choices, and environmental stressors—all these can sap a person’s physical and emotional energy.”

“Moreover, they can be financially draining. What employees are looking for in order to deal with all these is a set of benefits designed to improve their health condition and foster selfcare without breaking their budget.”

Since its launching in the Philippines in 2000, Sitel Group, which currently has over 44,000 associates working in over 15 sites across the country, has been known for providing a wide range of innovative and inclusive health and wellness programs to its associates.

As a matter of fact, its HMO program is considered one of the best in the industry.

Among its features include coverage for same-gender and common-law partners, preexisting conditions prior to employment, HIV and AIDS, dental and optical, mental health, overaged dependents, unlimited formulary medicine, among others.

Bearing the hashtag #OneSmallChange, this global wellness initiative of Sitel Group aims to encourage employees to make healthier choices for a happier body and mind through simple, achievable changes.

ICC judges reopen PHL’s ‘war on

THE HAGUE, Netherlands—International Criminal Court (ICC) judges on Thursday cleared the way for the court’s prosecution office to resume its investigation into the socalled war on drugs in the Philippines.

Prosecutor Karim Khan asked judges for permission last year to reactivate his inquiry into alleged crimes against humanity between Nov. 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019, which were linked to the deadly crackdown.

The investigation was suspended in late 2021 after the Philippines said it already was examining the crimes and argued that the ICC—a court of last resort—therefore didn’t have jurisdiction.

Khan argued last year that he should be allowed to reopen the ICC investigation, saying

By Joel R. San Juan

THE Supreme Court has affirmed the constitutionality of Republic Act 10963, or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN Act), which amended R.A. No. 8424, or the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.

In a decision penned by Associate Justice Japar Dimaampao, the Court en banc did not give weight to the contention of the petitioners that the provisions of the TRAIN Act are “anti-poor.”

The SC said this claim “was not sufficiently proven and remained largely hypothetical.”

The decision was reached during the magistrates’ regular en banc session held last Tuesday.

Thirteen Justices voted to dismiss the petitions, one dissented, while the other took no part.

Among the petitioners in the case are Alliance of Concerned Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio, et al. and Laban Konsyumer,

Manila’s request for the case to be deferred to authorities there “is not warranted.”

A panel of judges agreed in their ruling on Thursday, after examining information from the Philippine government and Khan, and weighing comments from victims.

“The various domestic initiatives and proceedings, assessed collectively, do not amount to tangible, concrete and progressive investigative steps in a way that would sufficiently mirror the court’s investigation,” the judges said.

More than 6,000 drug suspects, most of them people who lived in poverty, have been reportedly killed, according to government pronouncements.

Human rights groups say the death toll is

Inc., et al.,

The Philippines currently has over 16,000 SitelFit members, the highest among all the countries with Sitel Group offices.

In the Tarlac headquarters, Sitel Group launched in 2021 a mental health awareness campaign called #MyStoryMatters.

The campaign aims to help employees to recognize feelings of uncertainty and anxiety early on so they can immediately seek help. It also equips managers to provide guidance and support.

“We go the extra mile when it comes to promoting health, happiness and productivity among our associates, and we ensure that we continuously evolve and improve our programs and benefits to answer to what matters to our people. This reinforces our people-centric culture, ” Camille Yumang, People & Culture Manager and SitelFit Country Lead, said.

“Healthy employees not only deliver optimal performance in the workplace, they also have better quality of life and a greater likelihood of contributing to their communities,” she added.

drugs’ inquiry

considerably higher and should include many unsolved killings by motorcycle-riding gunmen who may have been deployed by police.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte has defended the crackdown as “lawfully directed against drug lords and pushers who have for many years destroyed the present generation, especially the youth.”

Duterte openly threatened drug suspects with death and ordered police to shoot suspects who dangerously resisted arrest, but he has denied condoning extrajudicial killings.

Human Rights Watch’s deputy Asia director, Phil Robertson, called the ICC investigation “the only credible avenue for justice for the victims and their families” of the crackdown.

no-quorum House vote claim

Named respondents were former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, then Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and several other lawmakers.

The petitioners said the respondents committed grave abuse of discretion when they ratified the final bicameral conference committee (BCC) report on the night of December 13, 2017 despite lack of quorum necessary to vote on its passage.

The petitioners noted that Section 16 (2), Article 6 of the 1987 Constitution and Section 75 of Rule XI of the House Rules mandate the House to comply with the quorum requirement of majority of the House membership before they can do any legislative business.

The petitioners, however, claimed that around 280 out of the total 295 members of the House were absent during the ratification stage.

The petitioners also argued that these same excise taxes were confiscatory and discriminatory against the poor and violated the Filipino people’s right to due process and

Labog, for his part, said labor groups would be intensifying their calls to President Marcos to implement the ILO-HLTM recommendations in the coming weeks.

“We need to intensify our call to the Executive Department or President Marcos on the findings and conclusions and recommendations of the Mission, which includes a review of the counter insurgency policies,” Labog said.

“We are giving the President 129 days before the Philippine government reports to the ILO on June 5, 2023 at the ILC (International Labour Conference) to answer the call of workers and address the recommendation of the ILOHigh Level Tripartite Mission,” he added.

AWU is a broad coalition of private and public sector unions, including SENTRO, FFW, KMU Trade Union Congress of the Philippines; the Philippine affiliates of global union federations—Building and Woodworkers International, Education International, IndustriALL, International Transport Federation, International Union of Food, Public Services International, UNI-Philippine Liaison Council, Nagkaisa! Labor Coalition, All Workers Unity, United Labor, Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura, Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan, among others.

₧5.6-B aqueduct to ensure adequate water supply in East Zone inaugurated

MANILA Water held the ceremonial commissioning of the Novaliches-Balara Aqueduct 4 (NBAQ4) in Quezon City.

The new aqueduct, which will convey up to 1,000 million liters of water per day (MLD), will pave the way for the inspection, assessment, and subsequent rehabilitation of three other existing aqueducts, which have been operating since 1929, 1956, and 1968, respectively, to help ensure continuous water supply for more than 7 million customers in the East Zone.

The NBAQ4, one of Manila Water’s flagship projects, is part of the water concessionaire’s improvement and expansion initiatives in the East Zone, in coordination with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).

Guest of honor during the event was Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan. Also in attendance were MWSS Board of Trustees Chairman Justice Elpidio Vega, MWSS Administrator Engr. Leonor “Bobby” Cleofas, MWSS Chief Regulator Atty. Patrick Ty, Mr. Emil Caling representing Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Deputy Chairman Undersecretary Frisco San Juan, Quezon City 5th District Councilor Joseph Visaya representing Mayor Joy Belmonte, and representatives from other national and local government offices.

equal protection of laws.

However, the SC ruled that supposed absence of a quorum was belied by the official Journal of the House of Representatives, both on the day that the TRAIN’s Bicameral Conference Report was ratified and the immediately subsequent session on January 15, 2018.

“As between the livestream video and photographs presented by the petitioners, and the Congressional Journal, the latter must prevail as to the events on the Congressional floor on that fateful day given that no less than the Constitution itself grants the Congressional Journal its imprimatur,” the SC said.

The Court also reiterated that the Constitution, in its present form, does not prohibit the imposition of regressive taxes, but merely directs Congress to evolve a progressive system of taxation.

Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa dissented in the decision while Justice Ricardo R. Rosario was on wellness leave. The SC has yet to release a copy of the decision.

“I know I have to participate in this occasion to emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving clean, reliable supply of water consistent with priorities under the ‘Build, Better, More’ infrastructure development thrust of the Administration of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos… Today is really a reason to celebrate as the Novaliches-Balara Aqueduct 4 or the NBAQ4 will be the lifeline of over 7 million customers in [Metro Manila] East Zone,” guest of honor Secretary Bonoan said during his keynote speech.

Councilor Visaya of the 5th District of Quezon City delivered Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte’s message. Visaya highlighted the conscious effort of Manila Water not to disrupt the daily activities in the city despite the sheer magnitude of the project.

“The construction of the NBAQ4 did not cause any inconvenience to our residents, our commuters, and businesses. This innovation is a testament to their commitment to provide reliable and efficient services to our constituencies,” Visaya said.

THE

Labour OrganizationHigh Level Tripartite Mission (ILO-HLTM) has adopted the proposal of local labor groups for the creation of a new Palace body for

SC upholds constitutionality of TRAIN law, nixes

City dad eyes any govt ID as elderly proof for discounts

By Perla Lena

Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna, during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod on Wednesday, proposed a resolution “strongly urging business establishments” to honor other IDs following reports establishments are requiring a senior citizens ID.

The law also provides that any sufficient proof of senior citizens status will do. Our resolution calls that any government-issued ID be recognized to avail of discounts,” he said in an interview.

However, the approval of the resolution was delayed as other members

of the council called for more discussions and the proposal was referred to the Committee on Veterans, Retirees and Elderly for further study.

T he study will be gathering the experiences of senior citizens and their other concerns relative to availing of discounts.

Cabaluna said through the resolution they would like to raise awareness that any government-issued ID can be used as proof of status.

T here are cases when it is already obvious an individual is already a senior citizen but could not avail of discount privileges without an OSCA ID.

“ We will enlighten them that it is also important that we give back to our senior citizens for their contributions to the community when they were still productive members of society,” Cabaluna said.

I loilo City has 34,000 to 35,000 estimated senior citizens registered with the OSCA. PNA

France: Over 1 million march against raising retirement age

By Sylvie Corbet & Jade Le Deley

The Associated Press

PARIS—At least 1.1 million people protested on the streets of Paris and other French cities Thursday amid nationwide strikes against plans to raise the retirement age—but President Emmanuel Macron insisted he would press ahead with the proposed pension reforms.

Emboldened by the mass show of resistance, French unions announced new strikes and protests January 31, vowing to try to get the government to back down on plans to push up the standard retirement age from 62 to 64. Macron says the measure—a central pillar of his second term—is needed to keep the pension system financially viable, but unions say it threatens hard-fought worker rights.

Out of the country for a FrenchSpanish summit in Barcelona, Macron acknowledged the public discontent but said that “we must do that reform” to “save” French pensions. We will do it with respect, in a spirit of dialogue but also determination and responsibility,” he added.

A s Macron spoke, riot police pushed back against some protesters throwing projectiles on the sidelines of the largely peaceful Paris march. Some other minor incidents

briefly flared up, leading officers to use tear gas.

Paris police said that 38 people were detained as a mass of people thronged the streets of the capital despite freezing rain, the crowd so big that it took hours to reach their destination. Retirees and college students joined the diverse crowd, united in their fear and anger over the reform.

In a country with an aging population and growing life expectancy where everyone receives a state pension, Macron’s government says the reform is the only way to keep the system solvent.

Unions propose a tax on the wealthy or more payroll contributions from employers to finance the pension system instead.

Polls suggest most French people oppose the reform, and Thursday was the first public reaction to Macron’s plan. Strikes severely disrupted transport, schools and other public services, and more than 200 rallies were staged around France.

T he Interior Ministry said more than 1.1 million people protested, including 80,000 in Paris. Unions said more than 2 million people took part nationwide, and 400,000 in Paris.

Big crowds also turned out for protests against previous efforts at retirement reform, notably during Macron’s first term and under for -

mer President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2010. But none of those drew more than 1 million people according to government estimates.

Jean Paul Cachina, 56, a worker in human resources, joined the march in the French capital—a first ever for him.

“I am not here for myself,” he said. “I am here to defend the youth and workers doing demanding jobs.

I work in the construction industry sector and I’m a first-hand witness of the suffering of employees.”

Many young people were among the Paris crowd, including high school students.

Nathan Arsac, 19, a student and member of the UNEF union, said: “I’m afraid of what’s going to happen next. Losing our social achievements could happen so fast. I’m scared of the future when I’ll be older and have to retire.”

Sylvie Béchard, a 59-year-old nurse, said that she joined the march because “we, health care workers, are physically exhausted.”

The only thing we have is to demonstrate, and to block the economy of the country,” she added.

T he economic cost of Thursday’s strikes wasn’t immediately clear, but protracted walkouts could hobble the economy just as France is struggling against inflation and trying to

boost growth.

Police unions opposed to the retirement reform also took part in the protests, while those on duty sought to contain scattered unrest.

Most train services around France were halted, including some international connections, and about 20 percent of flights out of Paris’ Orly Airport were canceled.

T he Education Ministry said more than a third of teachers were on strike, and national electricity company EDF announced that power supplies were substantially reduced Thursday amid the strikes.

T he Versailles Palace was closed Thursday while the Eiffel Tower warned about potential disruptions and the Louvre Museum closed some exhibition rooms.

Philippe Martinez, secretary general of the hard-left CGT union, urged Macron to “listen to the street.”

Laurent Berger, head of the more moderate CFDT union, called the reform “unfair” and said Thursday’s show of resistance was a warning sign.

Many French workers expressed mixed feelings about the government’s plan and pointed to the complexity of the pension system.

Quentin Coelho, 27, a Red Cross employee, felt he had to work Thursday despite understanding “most of the strikers’ demands.” Coelho said

he fears that the government will keep raising the retirement age, so is already saving money for his pension.

Others worry the reform will hit harder for low-income workers, who live less long than the wealthy.

It’s a social issue. Do you want to retire sick, broken and even some dead? Or do you want to enjoy life?” asked Fabien Villedieu, a 45-year-old railway worker.

French Labor Minister Olivier

Dussopt acknowledged “concerns” prompted by the pension plans but said the government rejected other options involving raising taxes— which he said would hurt the economy and cost jobs—or reducing pensions. T he French government is formally presenting the pension bill on Monday and it will head to Parliament next month. Its success will depend in part on the scale and duration of the strikes and protests.

My evolution as a book reader MY SIXTY-ZEN’S WORTH

IHAVE a friend, culturally minded, who used to share my love of books.

Now, for whatever reason, he lost interest in reading. When people gift him with a book, he gives it to me, with one request: “Keep it but tell me the gist of it so I can tell my friend I’ve read it.”

No one is inclined to read books anymore. Thanks to the Internet, we have been transformed into what they call “hyper readers.” Our attention span for reading has been reduced to how fast it takes to read a “meme.” On social media posts, long paragraphs of text are a turn-off. Our fingers are always swipe-ready, itching to click on to something that seems more interesting but short and easy to read.

My reading habits too have been

By Nick Tayag

transformed not only because of the prevalent technology but also for other reasons.

I am a child of traditional book reading. I used to go through one book continuously from beginning to end, not in one seating of course. I would take notes, highlight passages I like, and sometimes even pore through the bibliography at the end of the book. Then on to the next book.

It was a slow but deeper way to absorb a book. That’s why it would take me several months to finish heavy books such as Dostoevsky’s “Brothers Karamasov,” John Steinbeck’s “East of Eden” and Jose Rizal’s “Noli” and “Fili.”

W hen I landed a job after college, most of my tasks involved reading a lot

of background materials for projects. Remember that was before computers and the Internet. Many nights I stayed awake till past midnight just reading. Someone convinced me to take up Evelyn Wood’s Speed Reading lessons. It helped me breeze through my reading requirements. But then when it came to books that really interested me, I would switch to my slow reading mode, but still one book at a time.

T hat was then. Nowadays I have acquired this habit of multiple book reading. I no longer stick to one book at a time. I jump from book to book without finishing one book first. Half an hour on one book, then another book in the next half hour. I normally have two to three books for reading at home and another set of three different books in the office, which I read only there. I also have e-books on my cellphone. As of this writing, I am into at least six books, in varying stages of completion.

Other books are queued up to be taken up soon.

Have you seen a chess master playing against multiple opponents at the same time? Multiple book reading is something like that.

T here are now movies where the hero has the ability to instantly transport himself to any place or time he can imagine. “Jumper” is the title of one movie I recall. So it’s like jumping from book to book without staying too long in one book. You can move from world to world: Quantum physics science now, renaissance time next. From person to person: Lawrence of Arabia now, then later Thomas More or scientist Richard Feynman or playwright John Osborne next. From place to place: aboard a train now with Paul Theroux, then shift to traveling the desert of the Sahara and jungles of Brazil with Michael Palin and back. You have in your hands the ability to change the scene on a whim, so you never get bored.

It is like a smorgasbord of food arrayed in front of you. In the same way that a variety and contrast of the food items on your plate keeps your taste buds awake and on the alert, and even results in new dish concoctions, multiple book reading helps “spice up things” as they say.  You need not start with the first dish, you can go into the middle dishes, or the ones at the end. You can take a little from ev-

ery plate of food and then nibble on each dish alternately. Sometimes, I unconsciously mix some of the dishes and the inadvertent or improvised mixing of dishes on my plate can result in something surprisingly delicious.

One main reason why I abandoned the usual slow-burn reading mode is because of the many books on my shelves and plastic boxes. Too much choice, so little time. I have books I bought five years ago that I have yet to read. I am also into e-books, which you can download for free from the Internet. Not to mention free audio books, which are conveniently available on streaming platforms.

Someone once said, “A halfread book is a half-finished love affair.” Is it really a bad practice to juggle between too many books at a time? Maybe I like to have many half-finished love affairs.

My reading style and habits may have changed, but there’s one thing that has never changed—my love of book reading. So far, I’m enjoying it more because of multiple book reading. As I am relishing one book, I can’t wait to open the page of another.

I’ve been juggling multiple books for quite a while now that I’ve kind

of gotten the hang of it! My acquired skills in speed-reading also help me scan contents fast without any loss in comprehension. The thing is I can stop at any point and switch to slow mode if something really catches my interest.

But if there are drawbacks, I still believe that jumping or switching from one book to another makes for richer reading, which expands the mind.

In fact, new research in schools finds that “mixing it up” produces dramatic and long-lasting learning benefits. It’s a type of learning process called “Interleaving,” which involves alternating between topics during one study session. Students mix multiple subjects or topics while they study in order to encourage connections between ideas or skills and thus improve their learning. This is in direct contrast to the traditional “Blocked practice,” which consists of studying one topic very thoroughly before moving to another topic.

If this is true, then my evolution as a reader of books has been in the right direction all along.

To those who have gone this far, thanks for resisting the itch to switch. But I understand.

ILOILO CITY—A city councilor here is pushing for business establishments to accept any government-issued identification cards as proof of senior citizen status to avail of discounts and not just those issued by the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs Office (OSCA).

PEOPLE gather on Place de la Republique during a demonstration against proposed pension changes on January 19, 2023, in Paris. Workers in many French cities took to the streets Thursday to reject proposed pension changes that would push back the retirement age, amid a day of nationwide strikes and protests seen as a major test for Emmanuel Macron and his presidency.

EU-led tech-voc training to benefit ex-MILF rebels

The effort is part of the EU’s greater plan to convert former rebel camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) into peaceful and productive locales.

“The decommissioned MILF will undergo training through the EU’s ‘Programme on Assistance for Camp Transformation through Inclusion, Violence Prevention and Economic Empowerment,’ [or PROACTIVE],” said Minister Mohagher Iqbal of the Bangsamoro Region’s Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE).

This unfolded after the cer -

emonial signing of an agreement between MBHTE and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

According to Iqbal, PROACTIVE aims to enhance local capacities in facilitating the transition and transformation of MILF’s six major declared camps into peaceful and productive communities.

Meanwhile, UNDP resident representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran said the $4.6-million project will run for two years. It aims to enable “social cohesion and community resil -

ience,” as it aspires to increase the participation of women, youth and faith-based leaders in peacebuilding in their respective communities, while promoting a culture of peace, and conflict transformation.

Ramachandran added that vocational skill-development training and

accreditation will also provide a richer environment for income sources for the 600 decommissioned combatants.

Iqbal lauded the bloc’s persistent support of the Bangsamoro and Mindanao peace process: “The participation and role of the EU are very crucial.” Edwin

Fernandez/PNA

MCU teams up with Palafox for renovation master plan

AFTER more than a century of educating young minds, MCU is gearing up for the future.

In addition to exciting modern upgrades in system and tools, the university will undergo an overall renovation by coming up with a new conceptual master plan for its overall look. At the same time, it will integrate clean, modern elements for a visually inspiring experience, and an engaging connection with the people walking its grounds.

The new design, in partnership with widely renowned architecture firm Palafox Associates, embraces the essence of university life. The MCU x Palafox team ideated a beautiful setting where students can hangout, interact, learn, form memories and most of all, make

dreams come true.

“The conceptual master plan was developed to embody MCU as a center of educational excellence integrating academic, health care and wellness in its design. With a smart, historically-rich, and sustainable campus…incorporating

natural greenery into expansive school grounds, it was easy to implement our design principle of ‘integral ecology.’ This is balancing social equity with protecting and conserving natural environments, inclusive economic growth, culture, history, and interfaith spirituality,” expounded Felino “Jun” Palafox

Jr., FUAP, principal architect at Palafox Associates.

“The university has been embracing nature for years. We are tucked in charming hectares of land, surrounded by around 499 trees. So, now, with this new aesthetic, we’ve woven this aspect into the university’s overall design, while at the same time providing wide breathing spaces that [are] both aesthetically pleasing and beneficial for safety in the new normal,” explained MCU’s vice president for Planning and External Affairs Dr. Renato C. Tanchoco.

The new facade design is expected to be completed before School Year 20232024, while the whole developmental plan will take around 20 years to finish. MCU assures its students that the renovation will not interfere or distract from the current face-to-face classes and activities.

Collins Aerospace single out Filipino industrial-design students in hackathon

EXCITING milestones are happening at EdVenture:

the newest educationaltechnology start-up from Globe’s 917Ventures.

The company ended 2022 with over 1,100 tutors who are helping uplift the lives of Filipino educators while providing high-quality, affordable and personalized online tutorials for students from preschool to Grade 10.

Since its launch in May 2021 EdVenture has logged over 10,000 learning hours, with more than 10,000 parents placing their trust in the platform.

The start-up’s vision is to enable every student to reach their full potential by accompanying them on their education journey, with engaging one-on-one learning experiences.

For Filipino tutors, working with EdVenture provides them an opportunity to not only earn extra income, but also make a positive impact on the lives of students.

Teacher Jiem Mangussad-Cruz, an EdVenture resident tutor, said “being able to see each student’s progress is heartwarming. Whenever the students tell me about their achievements, I feel so proud of helping them achieve their goals.”

Mangussad-Cruz has already engaged with 100-plus students with whom she was able to cultivate a bond of respect and collaboration. At the same time, watching and guiding students in their academic

journey has made her realize the importance of perseverance and hard work.

The start-up boasts of well-vetted tutors who have gone through a rigorous selection process, and can handle all subjects aligned with the Department of Education curriculum such as reading, math, science, English, Filipino, and Araling Panlipunan (social studies).

In addition to expanding its team of tutors, EdVenture is constantly evolving to meet the needs of its customers. This includes the introduction of new products such as Singapore Math, an improved customer experience through updates to the web site, and a rebranding campaign with a new logo, brand colors, and mascots.

Ina Gervasio, EdVenture entrepreneur in residence, said: “Improving our customer’s experience on the platform has always been [our] high priority….We’ve revamped our web site with various enhancements to improve user experience.

Aside from updating our branding, parents can expect a more intuitive experience from registration, searching for their favorite tutors, booking sessions for their kids as well as visual improvements.”

EdVenture is currently offering a New Year promo where parents can get 50-percent discount on sessions until January 29, 2023. They may be accessed using the promo code: “HELLOEDV.” Customers can book their sessions via https://edventure.ph/.

INDUSTRY leader in aerospace and defense products Collins Aerospace has tapped young Filipino innovators from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) to develop and design aircraft cabin proposals.

A hackathon challenged DLS-CSB’s School of Environment and Design-Industrial Design program students to create cabin interiors for an A320 Airbus. Under the mentorship of Collins Aerospace engineers, as well as Benilde Industrial Design Program experts and educators, the contenders were grouped to create spatial product systems and platform solutions.

Based on the given problem statement, participants were tasked to submit proposals with ergonomics and creative spaces in mind. An overview of the design, conceptual sketches, as well as proof of feasibility, were likewise required.

To prepare for the main competition, the students visited the newest SkyArt aircraft cabin installation at the Benilde School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management. They were also treated to an exclusive tour of the facility and manufacturing factory at the Collins Aerospace Headquarters in Batangas.

Entries were rated based on novelty, feasibility, usability, business impact, and fulfillment of specific requirements by a roster of specialists, who included Collins Aerospace’s Head Industrial Designer Glenn Johnson, Executive Director of Engineering Sabharish Seenivasen, Engineering Manager Luisa Carmen, Engineering Project Manager Grothian Paguyo, and Fellow for Mechanical Design Mark Dowty. Certification Engineer and Project Manager Jorainne Razal served as their host.

“Team Halo,” composed of Benildeans Josh Habal, Duke Habal and Luke Habal emerged as the winner. They were guided by faculty member Patrick Sunico. “Team #0047AB,” comprised of Mikaela Asuncion, Justin Osorio and Laurence Hernandez who were under Mary Nobleza; and “Team Raptors,” namely Camilla Reyes, Trisha Caralian and John Dence Flores who were guided by Industrial Design Chairperson Romeo Catap Jr. finished as runners-up.

The partnership has opened curricular and internship opportunities for all learners under the Benilde Industrial Design program.

Editor: Mike Policarpio

Youth org: Arrest DepEd officials in laptop fiasco

By Roderick L. Abad

APROGRESSIVE youth movement

applauded the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee for recommending last January 19 the filing of graft and perjury cases for violation of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, against several figures— including high-ranking officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) involved in the agency’s botched purchase of laptops in May 2021.

“We assert that the people involved…are guilty of depriving nearly 29,000 teachers of vital support for the conduct of online classes,” Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (Spark) said in a statement.

Based on its 197-page report, the Senate’s investigative body discovered that the contract supply and delivery of the almost 40,000 computing devices for public-school teachers in the project two years ago was overpriced by at least P979 million.

The committee report was signed by 12 senators, including Sen. Francis Tolentino as its chairman and the two minority legislators: Senators Aquilino Pimentel III and Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros.

Spark added that the laptop units bought at “ridiculous markup prices” were found to be way slower in performance vis-a-vis other similarly priced gadgets.

“In other words, while we suffered heavily at the height of the… pandemic, they directly worsened the education crisis and made thousands of teachers’ lives a living hell—all for a bit of extra profit,” it explained.

“This is a severe crime against …teachers who were directly affected, their students, and the

Philippine education sector as a whole,” the group decried. It wants the involved officials “stripped of all effective power, and [be] held to account for their crimes.”

It stressed, though, that the committee’s recommendation to sue those behind the controversy should not be the end of the process. “We demand that…appropriate charges are actually filed immediately, as opposed to countless other cases in recent history where those who have wronged the Filipino people were simply allowed to go on with their lives,” Spark reiterated. “A prompt trial for these criminals must be the next step.”

Other than the immediate respondents, the group claimed that private contractors who benefited from the defective laptops deal must be also held accountable for swindling the masses.

“Officials from DepEd and [the Department of Budget and Management’s Procurement Service] were clearly not the only individuals involved, as…private contractors who actually provided the laptops must also be investigated,” it urged.

“These contractors have profited in the tens of millions from the suffering of the Filipino people; they cannot be allowed to run free, either. The Blue Ribbon Committee must dig deeper and further question those whom…the corrupt officials dealt with,” Spark said.

According to the organization, anyone found involved in the worsening of the education crisis must be punished for their wrongdoings.

“Dozens of students took their own lives, and millions more went through hell, as a result of the education crisis…All those complicit in worsening it must be held to account,” Spark stressed.

Grab Phils., BagoSphere get scholarship program going

GRAB Phils. recently launched the GrabScholar: a threepronged program facilitated with online human-skills school BagoSphere.

The former’s country head Grace

Vera Cruz said GrabScholar covers fulltime college scholarships in partnership with PHINMA Education, bursary support for educational requirements, and a career acceleration program for aspiring business-process outsourcing (BPO) professionals with BagoSphere.

“Many of our kababayans still lack access to necessary resources to attain their educational goals…[This] has impacted their growth opportunities…”

Vera Cruz said in a statement. “…With our partners from BagoSphere and PHINMA Education, [we are here] to offer inclusive educational opportunities to Filipinos who are eager to change their lives for the better.”

The GrabScholar program, she shared, will be supporting six full-time college students with four-year meritbased scholarships; 300 elementary and high-school pupils with a one-time bursary for school supplies, books, and uniforms; and more than 150 adults with the Ateneo Center for Educational Development-BagoSphere BPO Fellowship Program. The program, according to her, is open to everyone—including Grab’s own driver-partners, merchantpartners and their families.

Further, she said GrabScholar matches its broader “GrabForGood” agenda, which is geared at creating a positive impact on local communities through Grab’s technology and platform. Grab Phils. has also launched other social-impact projects like its basic digital literacy effort with Microsoft for driver-partners, and financial-literacy program with the International Finance Corp. for small businesses.

Vera Cruz disclosed that Grab Phils. and PHINMA Education are currently

accepting applications for the GrabScholar college-scholarship grant until February 3, 2023. After a rigorous appraisal process with both Grab and PHINMA Education, six students will be selected and granted a full fouryear scholarship at any of the partner PHINMA Education affiliate schools: St. Jude College, Republican College, Rizal College of Laguna, Union College of Laguna, and University of Iloilo. The grant covers tuition plus miscellaneous fees, and also entitles the grantee to allowance and school supplies.

“Throughout the past 18 years, PHINMA Education has catered, by intent and design, to the underserved youth: students whose families live on less than $300 per month who, despite odds, are often…first in their families to go to college,” PHINMA Education Phils. country head Christopher A. Tan revealed. “While we provide the Hawak Kamay scholarship…to around 60 percent of our students, GrabScholar will empower even more underserved youth to lift their families out of poverty.”

Tan went further that this school year, they were fortunate to gain more than 124,000 students’ trust: “While it is the highest [number of] enrollment in our history, our mission does not stop there. This partnership with Grab Phils. and BagoSphere showcases how collaboration among like-minded organizations will allow us to reach more students, and make even more lives better [via] education.”

First-year college students currently enrolled for Academic Year 2022-2023 are qualified to apply. They must have a general percentage average of at least 88 or 1.5 in the first semester to be eligible. For more information on other requirements and qualifications, interested applicants may visit https://www.grab.com/ph/ about/grab-for-good-fund/education/

COTABATO CITY—The European Union (EU) will provide technical-vocational training to some 600 ex-combatants in Mindanao.

UNITED Nations Development Programme representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran (second from left), European Union envoy Luc Véron (center) and Bangsamoro Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal (right) during the ceremonial signing of the partnership MICHAEL CAMSA/BANGSAMORO INFORMATION OFFICE

EdVenture: Improving lives through high-quality, personalized education

BENILDE’S Young Innovators and Industrial Design program industry experts

THE university’s new design embraces its century-old heritage by integrating the school’s logo at the center of its grounds.

Tourism&Entertainment

Editor: Carla Mortel-Baricaua

Saturday, January 28, 2023

The 2nd Camiguin Dive Festival revisits stunning marine life, boosts dive tourism in Region 10

Story by Arabelle Jimenez

Underwater Photos by Ram Yoro

The 2nd Camiguin Dive Festival recently concluded its monthlong underwater photography competition, which was participated by 20 divers from different parts of the Philippines. The event was also an opportunity to re-visit and capture the beauty of Camiguin’s lush marine life.

The event is organized by the Department of Tourism-Northern Mindanao headed by DOT 10 Regional Director Marie Elaine Salvana-Unchuan, in partnership with its local government unit represented by the Provincial Governor of Camiguin Hon. Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo. The governor provided a big role in making the event happen, embracing dive tourism as one of its major economy booster, after the pandemic lockdowns in the province. The 2nd Camiguin Dive Fes -

tival is also supported by the Camiguin Tourism Office headed by Candice Borromeo-Dael, including the municipal mayors of Catarman, Guinsiliban, Mambajao, Mahinog, and Sagay, with the assistance of DOT Region 10 Project Coordinator, Kurt Chan. “I would like to commend our Dive Tourism Stakeholders who have shown immense passion, appreciation, and concern for our dive sites here in Region 10,” Department of Tourism Region 10 Director Marie

Elaine Salvana-Unchuan reveals.

“Your love for diving equates to its sustainability and the preservation of our treasured dive sites will forever be a source of honor and pride for all of us,” she added.

The 2nd Camiguin Dive Festival’s main event was the Underwater Photography Contest. This was open to all UW photo enthusiasts and hobbyists aged 18 years old and above using any camera of their choice. This year’s champions were Franca Wermuth for the Open Macro Category, Topo Yasay for the Open Wide Category, Vince Yves Zamoro for the Freediving Category, and Fra-And Quimpo for the Compact Macro and Wide Categories.

The distinguished panel of judges are luminaries in the Philippine scuba diving industry, who are also multi-awarded international underwater photographers composed of Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD) Commissioner Yvette C. Lee, award-winning marine cinematographer Bo Mancao, and renowned underwater photographer and tech diver Ram Yoro.

DOT Region 10’s Camiguin Dive Festival was first mounted in 2019,

signaling its deeper involvement in the growing dive tourism market. It also showcases Camiguin’s rich biodiversity, and aims to promote the area as a world-class diving destination. It’s truly extra special diving in Northern Mindanao, another bucket list fulfilled for many participants. notable dive sites in Camiguin

W H EN d iving in Northern Mindanao, it is most convenient to stay at resorts with its own dive tour operators. During our visit, our group stayed at the sprawling Mantangale Alibuag Dive Resort, which is around two hours away by car from Cagayan De Oro City. Meanwhile, in Camiguin Island, the laid-back Kokomo Dive Resort in the Municipality of Mambajao that is now in partnership with Scuba De Oro, was our home for the next four days. Both resorts mainly cater to divers from all over the Philippines and abroad, with a competitive price range. Most importantly, they are the most knowledgeable in bringing divers safely to the best sites around NorthMin and Camiguin Islands.

Mantigue Island

A TRIP to Camiguin is never complete

w ithout a dive to the nearby Mantigue Island. It features a long wall dive filled with colors and life. Also a sea turtle sanctuary, expect plenty of them to accompany you during the dive. One can really go partying with sea turtles. I saw eight of them in one dive.

old volcano

T HE O ld Volcano is located on the Catamaran side of Camiguin Island. The amazing rock formation underwater are dramatic extensions of the cliff on this side of the island. Here, amazing soft corals with a mixture of solid rock formations is a sight to behold.

burias shoal

A favorite AMONG DIVERS IS THE

B u rias Shoal. It is not for the faint of heart because surely, the breathtaking lush marine life will make your heart skip a beat. These lush, colorful scenes are typical with an abundance of marine life encounters like a school of jack fish that swirls around you.

Cabuan

O N Cabuan dive site, you get to en -

j oy plenty of huge green tubastrea scattered along the slope. When the current picks up, the tubastreas come alive with small schooling fish taking shelter in them.

Cantaan

T H E Cantaan dive site is one of Camiguin’s best kept secrets. This seldom visited site is known for being a giant clam sanctuary, but just a few fin kicks away, you will find amazing branching coral cover peppered with countless small schooling fish.

Matangale House reef

T HE B anaug, or black coral is an atoll 300-sq-m wide, and seen 15 meters deep studded with hard and soft corals. Schools of various fish, and a resident snowflake eel which rests behind hard corals will not be shy to welcome diving visitors.

The success of the second edition of the Camiguin Dive Festival is an important step in promoting responsible dive tourism in Misamis Oriental and Camiguin. The psychedelic, aquarium-like underwaters in this part of Northern Mindanao is truly what divers’ dreams are made of.

Kabayan Hotel Innovates and elevates to Celebrate tHe FIlIpIno suCCess Journey

Kabayan Hotel opened its doors 22 years ago, during which it has built a solid reputation among its patrons and guests for its value for money proposition.

With its prime location along EDS a - Pasay and its close proximity to both domestic and international airports, transport terminals, government offices, and employment agencies, it quickly became the hotel of choice for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and balikbayans, providing its own signature brand of warm Filipino hospitality at accessible rates.

Through the years, Kabayan Hotel has transformed the hospitality landscape with various innovations such as Dorm Rooms and team accommodations, Pad Rooms for backpackers and seamen, and Japanese-style Kapsule Rooms.

This 2023, it launched another exciting new type of accommodation with the opening of its Kabayan Suites located at the top floor of its newly-constructed building. Each Kabayan Suite offers luxurious room space, well-appointed bathroom, and a relaxing resort ambience perfect for family staycations. What’s more, guests get to enjoy all this at a price that’s easy on the pocket. The new building also has brand-new Pad and Mabuhay Suites for travelers who would like to enjoy room amenities that are designed for a comfortable stay in the heart of the busy Metro.

Filipiniana feel

T HE n ew Kabayan Hotel building features local elements that showcase Filipino culture

and craftsmanship. Guests are welcomed to the spacious lobby through an elegant revolving glass door. Panels of handcrafted sulihiya made from banaca adorn the walls of the reception area. Slabs of pristine marble and natural hardwood were used to furnish the front desk while piña embroidery and mother of pearl inlays accentuate the charming elevators.

Traditional Filipino food also comes to the fore at the Salo restaurant, which offers bestsellers such as crispy pata, kare-kare, and beef mechado for a true taste of home.

It also has daily merienda buffets from 2 to 5p.m. serving comfort food favorites such as arroz caldo, ginataang mais, and garlic sotanghon, along with popular street food like fishballs, kikiam and kakanin (rice cakes)

for only P249/pax. For special occasions and business functions, the new building also hosts a Salo function room that can accommodate up to 150 guests, with a new roofdeck launching soon as a venue for memorable celebrations.

a t the center of all this remains the hotel’s continued commitment to provide genuine, guest-centered Pinoy hospitality.

a t K abayan hotel, we welcome our guests much like we welcome visitors at home. We want to make their stay as convenient for them as possible,” says General Manager Raymund a v es. Friendly staff are on hand to help them with their needs, and there are also services that are tailor-fit for OFW kababayans. One of these is an OFW Help Desk than can refer their government agency-re -

lated inquiries or assist them with processing

and printing their documents on-site. There are even weighing scales available at their convenient luggage packing area located at the lobby. “We have noticed our guests struggling to pack their belongings before leaving for the airport, and we want to be able to help them start their journey with less worries,” a v es adds.

Growing together

aT K abayan Hotel, our tagline has been ‘kasabayan niyo kami,’ whether they are at the start of their journey as aspiring OFWs staying at our Dorms and Kapsules, or returning overseas workers who have been able to save up for our Standard Superior Rooms and now, our Suite rooms, we are

able to host them as they relax and bond with their families,” a v es says. a s w e embark on the next 22 years, we are continuously innovating our trusted Filipino hospitality brand, offering improved services and brand-new rooms to fellow Filipinos, while keeping to our promise of ‘sulit’ and ‘alaga’. To continue serving and growing our market, we are evolving our hotel products and services with the tagline, ‘ b a gong Kabayan Para sa b a gong Makabayan.’ We would like to invite and welcome more guests who are looking for a relaxing, safe, and comfortable stay at every stage of their success journey,” av es adds.

For more information about Kabayan Hotel’s offerings and to book your stay, visit www.kabayanhotel.com.ph

dot 10 regional director Marie elaine salvana-unchuan is surrounded by a school of jackfish in burias shoal. a s C H o ol of Jackfish in Mantigue dive site.

a sea turtle in Mantigue dive site.

tH e author, arabelle Jimenez poses by a pink soft coral in Mantangale House reef. Green tubastreas teeming with fish in Cabuan dive site. d elIC ate branching corals in Cantaan dive site.

lusH marine life in burias shoal.

Kabayan Hotel facade welcomes oFWs and guests.

present at the ribbon cutting ceremony are (from left) engineer edgar dupo, regional director dot sharlene batin, Mayor Imelda Calixto-rubiano, Chairman Kabayan Wyden King, Ms. emma King, Coo Kabayan Celine Marie King, and Hotel property Manager raymond ares. spaC I o us and comfortable pad suite at Kabayan Hotel.

• Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

K-pop group Super Junior gets candid in 2-part documentary

IF you know me, you’d know that I’ve been a fan of Korean pop culture for a long time and the first K-pop act I saw live in 2010 was Super Junior. My daughter was just a teenager then and I got to bring her along. This started her love for K-pop, of which she’s still a fan of to this day.

Thus, it was an honor to get the chance to review the documentary Super Junior: The Last Man Standing the Disney+ streaming service.

Super Junior is an SM Entertainment group that debuted in 2005. The boyband has a rich history filled with challenges but there’s no doubt that their fans have remained loyal to them. There are nine active Super Junior’s members: Lee Teuk, Hee-chul, Ye-sung, Shin-dong, Eun-hyuk, Dong-hae, Si-won, Ryeo-wook, and Kyu-hyun.

The group and its members have not been without its critics but there is no doubt that even 18 years later, they are still relevant. Most of them, aside from being idols, work as variety show MCs, comedians, concert and music directors, actors, and YouTuber content creators. They are still successful. Their concerts still sell-out. They are still big stars in Korea and overseas.

The documentary Super Junior: The Last Man Standing is a surprisingly candid look at the group’s history with even more surprising insights from the members.  I use the word “surprising” because it’s not common to see K-pop idols being candid.

How candid? In the documentary, you will see video clips from the archives featuring Hangeng, Kangin, Sungmin, Kibum, Zhoumi and Henry without any blurring. I remember that my daughter and I once watched a Super Show with Henry still part of the Super Junior line-up and she said, “I want to marry him.” She still loves Henry and continues to support his career.

I love how the song “Superman” introduces all the members to the viewer, without assuming that we know them already. I watched the documentary through the eyes of a stranger. I tried to look at the members as if I was seeing them for the first time. Also, it was nice to see a young Hee-chul. Although Kyu-hyun is my favorite because of his lovely voice, I’ve always said that Hee-chul is the best-looking member.

It was heartwarming to see Super Junior’s first-

documentary and what they think of their younger and less confident selves.

Seeing old and new stages brought back a lot of memories and comparisons between K-pop then and now. For instance, when I started watching K-pop concerts, there were no lightsticks yet. All we had were the light-up bracelets. No one cared where you sat during a concert. Securing a ticket was not that difficult. Most people still laughed at K-pop fans because our interests were deemed not classy.

At the time, everyone was asking, “How can so many people debut?” They also wanted to know, “How can so many people sing together?”

But Super Junior did it. They sang and danced together and they were a big success. They have made their mark in K-pop and they are still big stars.

If “Sorry, Sorry” is the only Super Junior song that you know, please watch this documentary and you’ll realize that the group has a rich discography. Their popular songs, aside from “Sorry, Sorry” include “U,” “Miracle,” “Twins,” and “Mamacita.” Even their B-sides are worth listening to.

If you’re an OG fan of the group, then the documentary will not tell you anything new, but it will give you insights from the members themselves. It’s so heartwarming to hear the members talk about their personal and professional struggles, and how

family was in debt.

The two-part documentary has so many dramatic moments. But perhaps one of the most impactful statements was when leader Leeteuk said, in reference to their debut, “I’ve debuted. I’m a pro now.” It is not easy for any singer or group to debut. Some artists train for years and never debut.

The documentary also touches on the not-sogood things that happened to Super Junior, including accidents and members’ loved ones passing away.

If you’re someone who has never heard of the group or casually knows them, Super Junior: The Last Man Standing is a good way to get to know one of K-pop’s pioneers.

So what’s new from Disney+?

On February 17, it will air j-hope IN THE BOX, a behind-the-scenes documentary special showcasing the creation of j-hope’s first solo album.

Starring j-hope of the 21st century pop icons BTS, j-hope IN THE BOX, a documentary special produced by HYBE, follows the international music sensation every step of the way as he works to release his firstever solo album Jack In The Box. Viewers will get a never-before-seen look at the creative challenges faced during the album’s preparation process, as well as front row seats to j-hope’s 2022 Lollapalooza performance and the album’s listening party. ■

growth of real estate

BY RIZAL RAOUL S. REYES

PROPERTY technology, also known as proptech, is

the future of the real estate sector.

In a recent press briefing, Andy Roberts, the chief operations officer and digital co-founder of PropertyAccess, said the evolution of Web 3.0 and associated technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain and 3D visualization will play a major role in the property sector in the property market in the next five to 10 years.

Roberts noted some elements such as smart contracts, property securitization, and property virtualization are already being used and driving the real estate industry into the next era.

Roberts said PropertyAccess is implementing a technology expansion through its online platforms that support borderless transactions.

“We have created a structure that enables quick deployment of web assets appropriated across different global markets—namely, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines—by utilizing a centralized data of content, translations and data collection.

“With this, PropertyAccess guarantees to deliver their promise of finding properties faster, buying smarter, and investing bigger in their local and overseas communities,” Roberts said.

LEADING South Korea-based privileged access management (PAM) solution provider NETAND says cybersecurity solutions in the Philippines need to keep up with the country’s rapidly evolving digital transformation.

NETAND participated in the recently concluded

1st CyberSecPhil (CSP) Conference 2023 held in Manila. Themed “Cyber Security in the Age of Digital Transformation,” the first CSP Conference gathered 150 cybersecurity experts from various sectors in the Philippines to discuss and debate the problems and solutions associated with its digitalization. NETAND shared insights on data security and payment and transaction security.

“There’s no doubt that digitalization in the Philippines is heading in the right direction. In fact, the pandemic may have accelerated the country’s digital transformation. Now that the world is slowly ushering in a post-pandemic era, the global market is paying attention to access management solutions since major IT infrastructure systems require thorough control and management of user access and authority. It is, therefore, imperative for the Philippines to fast-track its cybersecurity infrastructure and policies,” said Hochul Shin, CEO of NETAND.

The Philippines recorded 68 percent Internet penetration rate—representing more than 76 million Filipino Internet users—in January 2022. The country’s digital competitiveness showed improvement last year, with knowledge and

technology taking 62nd and 54th spots, respectively, according to the World’s Digital Competitiveness Ranking. Last year’s ITU Global Security Index, however, placed the Philippines 61st out of 194 countries.

Shin noted that the rapid digitalization can also serve as an entry point for cyber threats to evolve, making digital trust a big concern. Efficient solutions and infrastructure are essential in combating cyber threats and ensuring business survival.

“PAM solution is one of the best ways to protect and secure the digital transformation of any business. It is essential as an identity security solution that helps guard organizations against insider threats, cyber-attacks, and compliance risks by monitoring, detecting and preventing unauthorized privileged access to critical resources,” Shin explained.

NETAND demonstrated its flagship product, HIWARE, its knowledge and experience in continuing to assist customers with their identity and access security needs. HIWARE is an industryleading solution that is widely used by financial and government institutions in Korea to protect information from internal and external security threats such as information leakage.

By going digital, Roberts said PropertyAccess expects the proptech to expand their real estate market especially overseas and build a stronger branding.

During the pandemic, Roberts said the online property platform founded by its CEO Hiroki Kazato and chief revenue officer and co-founder Sheila Baylon had to go online. Moreover, PropertyAccess’ showrooms had transitioned into online 3D models. “Open house events have turned into webinars and video tours,” he said.

“Online property selling is the new norm in real estate,” he added.

For real estate professionals, the areas of interest are smart contracts and fractionalization, and building information modeling and virtual property.

Roberts said PropertyAccess developed a nextgeneration platform to enable the organization to quickly deploy web assets in a number of markets off the same platform, utilizing a central database of listings, translations and data collection. Each platform is designed for each market.

He said the web site is user-friendly because it can load in under three seconds, can accommodate thousands of unique viewers, can still provide access to users even with weak Internet access, and designed for mobile users and every Filipino.

PHL NEEDS TO STRENGTHEN CYBERSECURITY, SAYS SOUTH KOREA-BASED PAM SOLUTION PROVIDER

BusinessMirror

AI tools can create new images, but who is the real artist?

BY MATT O’BRIEN & ARIJETA LAJKA

The Associated Press

NEW YORK—Countless artists have taken inspiration from The Starry Night since Vincent Van Gogh painted the swirling scene in 1889.

Now artificial intelligence systems are doing the same, training themselves on a vast collection of digitized artworks to produce new images you can conjure in seconds from a smartphone app.

The images generated by tools such as DALL-E, Midjourney and Stable Diffusion can be weird and otherworldly but also increasingly realistic and customizable—ask for a “peacock owl in the style of Van Gogh” and they can churn out something that might look similar to what you imagined.

ENGINEERING CAPABILITIES, PARTNERSHIP ECOSYSTEM AND DIGITAL CHANNELS REINFORCE CLOUD PROVIDER’S REGIONAL LEADERSHIP

THE digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, Alibaba Cloud has been recognized as a Visionary in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Cloud Infrastructure and Platform Services (Magic Quadrant for CIPS) 2022 report for the second consecutive year.

Alibaba Cloud believes the recognition for two years in a row demonstrates its key strengths in regional and engineering leadership, technology partner ecosystem, and data analytics capabilities.

According to Gartner, “Visionaries have an ambitious vision of the future, and are making significant investments in the development of unique technologies.”

“We’re pleased to have once again been named a Visionary in this year’s Magic Quadrant for CIPS. We see this as an important recognition of our efforts to continuously enhance our cloud capabilities and reinforce our regional market leadership, as well as expand our corporate vision,” said Jiangwei Jiang, senior researcher and general manager of infrastructure products, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence.

“We will continue to broaden our international offerings and strengthen our core IaaS and PaaS features, aiming to bring greater value to our customers on their digital journeys.”

The scope of the Magic Quadrant for CIPS includes Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and integrated Platform as a Service (PaaS) offerings. The report analyzed each provider based on their Ability to Execute and the Completeness of Vision, and the evaluation criteria include Product or Service, Market Responsiveness, Business Model, Innovation and etc.

Alibaba Cloud retained a leading position in engineering capabilities, reflecting its progress in sustainable data center initiatives. By adopting selfdeveloped immersion cooling technology, the company has significantly reduced the energy consumption of its data centers, with power usage effectiveness (PUE) reaching as low as 1.09—a world-leading level.

Drawing on its big data and analytics capabilities, Alibaba Cloud has positioned itself as a provider of choice among businesses in Asia looking for a digital transformation partner. Alibaba Cloud is a good fit for cloud-first digital business workloads for customers that are based in China or Southeast Asia.

But while Van Gogh and other long-dead master painters aren’t complaining, some living artists and photographers are starting to fight back against the AI software companies creating images derived from their works.

Two new lawsuits—one this week from the Seattlebased photography giant Getty Images—take aim at popular image-generating services for allegedly copying and processing millions of copyrightprotected images without a license.

Getty said it has begun legal proceedings in the High Court of Justice in London against Stability AI—the maker of Stable Diffusion—for infringing intellectual property rights to benefit the Londonbased startup’s commercial interests.

Another lawsuit in a US federal court in San Francisco describes AI image-generators as “21stcentury collage tools that violate the rights of millions of artists.” The lawsuit, filed on January 13 by three working artists on behalf of others like them, also names Stability AI as a defendant, along with San Francisco-based image-generator startup Midjourney, and the online gallery DeviantArt.

The lawsuit alleges that AI-generated images “compete in the marketplace with the original images. Until now, when a purchaser seeks a new image ‘in the style’ of a given artist, they must pay to commission or license an original image from that artist.”

Companies that provide image-generating services typically charge users a fee. After a free trial of Midjourney through the chatting app Discord, for instance, users must buy a subscription that starts at $10 per month or up to $600 a year for corporate memberships. The startup OpenAI also charges for use of its DALL-E image generator, and StabilityAI offers a paid service called DreamStudio.

Stability AI said in a statement that “Anyone that believes that this isn’t fair use does not understand the technology and misunderstands the law.”

In a December interview with The Associated Press, before the lawsuits were filed, Midjourney CEO David Holz described his image-making service as “kind of like a search engine” pulling in a wide swath of images from across the internet. He compared copyright concerns about the technology with how such laws have adapted to human creativity.

“Can a person look at somebody else’s picture and learn from it and make a similar picture?” Holz said.

“Obviously, it’s allowed for people and if it wasn’t, then it would destroy the whole professional art industry, probably the nonprofessional industry too. To the extent that AIs are learning like people, it’s sort of the same thing and if the images come out differently then it seems like it’s fine.”

The copyright disputes mark the beginning of a backlash against a new generation of impressive tools—some of them introduced just last year—that can generate new visual media, readable text and computer code on command.

They also raise broader concerns about the propensity of AI tools to amplify misinformation or cause other harm. For AI image generators, that includes the creation of nonconsensual sexual imagery.

Some systems produce photorealistic images that can be impossible to trace, making it difficult to tell the difference between what’s real and what’s AI. And

while some have safeguards in place to block offensive or harmful content, experts fear it’s only a matter of time until people utilize these tools to spread disinformation and further erode public trust.

“Once we lose this capability of telling what’s real and what’s fake, everything will suddenly become fake because you lose confidence of anything and everything,” said Wael Abd-Almageed, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Southern California.

As a test, the AP submitted a text prompt on Stable Diffusion featuring the keywords “Ukraine war” and “Getty Images.” The tool created photo-like images of soldiers in combat with warped faces and hands, pointing and carrying guns. Some of the images also featured the Getty watermark, but with garbled text.

AI can also get things wrong, like feet and fingers or details on ears that can sometimes give away that they’re not real, but there’s no set pattern to look out for. Those visual clues can also be edited. On Midjourney, users often post on the Discord chat asking for advice on how to fix distorted faces and hands.

With some generated images traveling on social networks and potentially going viral, they can be challenging to debunk since they can’t be traced back to a specific tool or data source, according to Chirag Shah, a professor at the Information School at the University of Washington, who uses these tools for research.

“You could make some guesses if you have enough experience working with these tools,” Shah said. “But beyond that, there is no easy or scientific way to really do this.”

For all the backlash, there are many people who embrace the new AI tools and the creativity they unleash. Some use them as a hobby to create intricate landscapes, portraits and art; others to brainstorm marketing materials, video game scenery or other

Filipinos urged to continue supporting local businesses

AS the new year unfolds, Globe encourages Filipinos to continue supporting local businesses, just as it wrapped up a holiday celebration of giving back. Through the Globe of Good umbrella program, Globe (www.globe. com.ph) brings together an ecosystem of impact where stakeholders can connect and work together to help communities in need move forward from the adverse effects of the pandemic. Under this initiative, the company revived its annual December tradition of holding The Purpose Tree campaign and the Gift Local bazaar with a face-to-face engagement for the first time after two years of virtual activities.

The Purpose Tree is an internal fundraising effort for employees to give back to a worthy cause. Contributions go to the Hapag Movement, Globe’s banner program for hunger alleviation through technology. As a program, the Hapag Movement aims to

VISITORS look at artist Refik Anadol’s Unsupervised exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art, on January 11, 2023, in New York. The new AI-generated installation is meant to be a thought-provoking interpretation of the New York City museum’s prestigious collection. AP

ideas related to their professions.

There’s plenty of room for fear, but “what can else can we do with them?” asked the artist Refik Anadol this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he displayed an exhibit of climatethemed work created by training AI models on a trove of publicly available images of coral.

At the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Anadol designed Unsupervised, which draws from artworks in the museum’s prestigious collection— including The Starry Night—and feeds them into a digital installation generating animations of mesmerizing colors and shapes in the museum lobby.

The installation is “constantly changing, evolving and dreaming 138,000 old artworks at MoMA’s archive,” Anadol said. “From Van Gogh to Picasso to Kandinsky, incredible, inspiring artists who defined and pioneered different techniques exist in this artwork, in this AI dream world.”

Anadol, who builds his own AI models, said in an interview that he prefers to look at the bright side of the technology. But he hopes future commercial applications can be fine-tuned so artists can more easily opt out.

“I totally hear and agree that certain artists or creators are very uncomfortable about their work being used,” he said.

For painter Erin Hanson, whose impressionist landscapes are so popular and easy to find online that she has seen their influence in AI-produced visuals, the concern is not about her own prolific output, which makes $3 million a year.

She does, however, worry about the art community as a whole.

“The original artist needs to be acknowledged in some way or compensated,” Hanson said. “That’s what copyright laws are all about. And if artists aren’t acknowledged, then it’s going to make it hard for artists to make a living in the future.” ■

address involuntary hunger through technology, including the use of electronic donation platforms, and connects multi-sectoral partners to achieve social impact at scale. It also provides livelihood training for a sustainable source of income for beneficiaries.

“Christmas at Globe has always been about giving back. As we pass on our gratitude, compassion and care to our employees, we implore them to do the same by sharing their blessings with our kababayans. With the Hapag Movement as our main advocacy, we hoped to make the Christmas season just as special for those in our partner communities,” said Ato Jiao, chief human resource officer, Globe Group. The Purpose Tree launch at The Globe Tower was attended by Hapag Movement partners Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines and World Vision Philippines, and Globe executives led by Globe group president and CEO Ernest L. Cu,

chief customer experience officer and strategy management head Rebecca Eclipse, and chief sustainability and corporate communications officer Yoly Crisanto, and Jiao.

Meanwhile, Globe Business MSME Group organized the Gift Local bazaar for its clients. The annual activity allows some of their key clients to participate and sell their products to Globe’s employees this season.

“Through Gift Local, we were able to showcase more homegrown brands and products in the market; and now, as we go into our fifth year, we’ve moved from online selling to creating a more hybrid customer experience,” said KD Dizon, MSME group head, Globe Business. As a contribution to the Hapag Movement, the MSMEs donated their joining fees to the advocacy, which was then matched by Globe Business. The total raised and pledged donations reached P200,000.

EU official: Russia shifts war focus to ‘Nato and the West’

By Mari Yamaguchi The Associated Press

Stefano Sannino, Secretary General of the European Union’s European External Action Service, defended German and US provisions of the military equipment to Ukraine, and criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for waging a war on Nato and the West. Sannino, speaking at a news conference in Tokyo as part of an Asia-Pacific tour, said Putin had “moved from a concept of special

operation to a concept now of a war against Nato and the West.”

He said German and US tank provisions are meant to help Ukrainians defend themselves in the war, rather than making them attackers.

“I think that this latest development in terms of armed supply is just an evolution of the situation and of the way Russia started moving the war into a different stage,” Sannino said. He added that Rus -

SECRETARY General of the European Union’s European External Action Service Stefano Sannino speaks during a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club Friday, January 27, 2023, in Tokyo. Sannino said that Russia has taken its war against Ukraine to a “a different stage” by making indiscriminate attacks on civilians and non-military targets, while criticizing Moscow for triggering recent moves by Germany and the United States to send advanced tanks to Ukraine. AP/EUGENE

HOSHIKO

sia is making “indiscriminate attacks” on civilians and cities and no longer military targets.

The EU is not moving the war into a different stage but is “just giving the possibility of saving lives and allowing the Ukrainians to defend (themselves) from these barbaric attacks,” Sannino said.

Germany and the US announced Wednesday they will send advanced battle tanks to Ukraine, offering what one expert called an “armored punching force” to help Kyiv break combat stalemates as the Russian invasion enters its 12th month.

The announcement marked the first stage of a coordinated effort by the West to provide dozens of the heavy weapons, which Ukrainian military commanders said would enable counter-offensives, reduce casualties and help restore dwindling ammunition supplies.

US President Joe Biden said his country will send 31 M1 Abrams tanks, reversing months of persistent arguments by Washington that they were too difficult for Ukrainian troops to operate and maintain.

The US decision followed Germany’s agreement to send 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks from its own stocks.

Sannino was in Japan this week to discuss further strengthening cooperation between the EU and Japan and other Asia-Pacific nations as they face growing challenges that also affect the region.

Japan and Netherlands to join US in chip controls on China

By Jenny Leonard

JAPAN and the Netherlands are poised to join the US in limiting China’s access to advanced semiconductor machinery, forging a powerful alliance that will undercut Beijing’s ambitions to build its own domestic chip capabilities, according to people familiar with the negotiations.  US, Dutch and Japanese officials are set to conclude talks as soon as Friday US time on a new set of limits to what can be supplied to Chinese companies, the people said, asking not to be named because the talks are private. Negotiations were ongoing as of late Thursday in Washington. There is no plan for a public announcement of restrictions that will likely be just implemented, the people said.

The Netherlands will expand restrictions on ASML Holding NV, which will prevent it from selling at least some of its so-called deep ultraviolet lithography machines,

crucial to making some types of advanced chips and without which attempts to set up production lines may be impossible. Japan will set similar limits on Nikon Corp.

A spokeswoman for the National Security Council declined to comment.

The joint effort expands on restrictions the Biden administration unveiled in October that were aimed at curtailing China’s ability to manufacture its own advanced semiconductors or buy cutting-edge chips from abroad that would aid military and artificial-intelligence capabilities. The three countries are home to the most important companies that produce equipment for manufacturing chips, including ASML, Japan’s Tokyo Electron Ltd. and the US’s Applied Materials Inc.  US equipment makers have complained that the unilateral action by the Biden administration allowed overseas competitors to continue to operate in one of the biggest markets for

their products and undermined the aim of restricting China’s military advancements.

Tokyo Electron, which has sold chip-making equipment to China, reversed gains and fell about 1 percent after Bloomberg’s report.

China’s chipmakers dropped too. Shanghai’s Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. extended declines to as much as 2.1 percent, while Hua Hong Semiconductor Ltd. slid as much as 1.5 percent.

In addition, China’s offshore yuan reversed earlier gains against the dollar, weakening 0.1 percent to 6.7448 after the report. The currency had rallied to the strongest level in two weeks on signs of revived tourism and consumption during the Lunar New Year holidays. Thinner trading has also amplified moves in the foreign exchange market with mainland markets shut.

“This sets the next escalating move in the US-China tech war a bit more meaningfully and could

weaken yuan sentiment a tad in the near-term,” says Fiona Lim, a foreign-exchange strategist at Malayan Banking Berhard in Singapore.

China has fought back against the US effort. Beijing filed a dispute with the World Trade Organization in December aimed at overturning the US-imposed export controls.

Even ASML’s chief executive officer has warned that the US campaign could have unintended consequences. On Jan. 25, CEO Peter Wennink said the US-led export control measures against China could eventually push Beijing to successfully develop its own technology in advanced chipmaking gear.

“If they cannot get those machines, they will develop them themselves,” he said in an interview with Bloomberg News. “That will take time, but ultimately they will get there.” With assistance from Debby Wu, Cagan Koc, Ian King and Tania Chen/Bloomberg.

Myanmar junta plans polls with tough rules for political parties

By Khine Lin Kyaw

MYANMAR’S military government

took an early step toward holding parliamentary elections, but it did so by imposing strict rules on political parties that may make fair balloting difficult.

The country has been under sanctions, including by the US and EU, since the coup in 2021 that toppled the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Seeking to ease international pressure, coup leader Min Aung Hlaing had previously said parliamentary elections would likely be held by August this year.

As an early step in the election process, the military issued a 20-page law prescribing complicated and rigorous rules for political

parties hoping to compete.

These rules could block Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, which won the 2020 election by a landslide despite the junta’s claim of voter fraud dismissed by international observers. For instance, a party could be dissolved if it is declared unlawful or is alleged to have communications with terrorist organizations.

T he junta has handed 33-year imprisonment to Suu Kyi and jailed a number of other key leaders at her party including former president Win Myint, keeping them out of national politics. The shadow National Unity Government aligned with Suu Kyi urged people to oppose “sham” elections.

In another sign that elections are drawing close, the National Defense and Security Council will meet next week in which Min Aung Hlaing is likely to hand over power to the council as no further extensions on the state of emergency can be permitted under the constitution. Elections have to be carried out within six months after the end of emergency rule.

In N ovember, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged the international community to deny the military any credibility it sought by holding a national election that didn’t “meaningfully engage with pro-democracy leaders.” Bloomberg

By Paul Wiseman AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON—The US economy expanded at a 2.9 percent annual pace from October through December, ending 2022 with momentum despite the pressure of high interest rates and widespread fears of a looming recession.

Thursday’s estimate from the Commerce Department showed that the nation’s gross domestic product—the broadest gauge of economic output—decelerated last quarter from the 3.2 percent annual growth rate it had posted from July through September. Most economists think the economy will slow further in the current quarter and slide into at least a mild recession by midyear.

The economy got a boost last quarter from resilient consumer spending and the restocking of supplies by businesses. Federal government spending also helped lift GDP. But with higher mortgage rates undercutting residential real estate, investment in housing plummeted at a 27 percent annual rate for a second straight quarter.

For all of 2022, GDP expanded 2.1 percent after growing 5.9 percent in 2021.

The economy’s expected slowdown in the months ahead is an intended consequence of the Federal Reserve’s aggressive series of rate increases. The Fed’s hikes are meant to reduce growth, cool spending and crush the worst inflation bout in four decades. Last year, the Fed raised its benchmark rate seven times. It is set to do so again next week, though this time by a smaller amount.

The resilience of the US job market has been a major surprise. Last year, employers added 4.5 million jobs, second only to the 6.7 million that were added in 2021 in government records going back to 1940. And last month’s unemployment rate, 3.5 percent, matched a 53-year low.

“The news couldn’t have been any better,” President Joe Biden said of Thursday’s GDP report. “We’re moving in the right direction. Now, we’ve got to protect those gains.”

Yet the good times for America’s workers aren’t likely to last. As higher rates make borrowing and spending increasingly expensive across the economy, many consumers will spend less and employers will likely hire less.

“Recent data suggest that the pace of expansion could slow sharply in (the current quarter) as the effects of restrictive monetary policy take hold,” Rubeela Farooqi, chief US economist at High Frequency Economics, wrote in a research report. “From the Fed’s perspective, a desired slowdown in the economy will be welcome news.”

Consumer spending, which fuels about 70 percent of the entire economy, rose at a sturdy 2.1 percent annual rate from October through December, down slightly from 2.3 percent in the previous quarter.

More recent numbers, including a 1.1 percent drop in retail sales last month, indicate that consumers have begun to pull back.

“That suggests higher rates were starting to take a bigger toll and sets the stage for weaker growth in the first quarter of this year,’’ said Andrew Hunter, senior US economist at Capital Economics.

Economists at Bank of America expect growth to slow to a 1.5 percent annual rate in the January-March quarter and then to contract for the rest of the year—by a 0.5 percent rate in the second quarter, 2 percent in the third and 1.5 percent in the fourth.

The Fed has been responding to an inflation rate that remains stubbornly high even though it has been gradually easing. Year-over-year inflation was raging at a 9.1 percent rate in June, the highest level in more than 40 years. It has since cooled—to 6.5 percent in December—but is still far above the Fed’s 2 percent annual target.

“The US economy isn’t falling off a cliff, but it is losing stamina and risks contracting early this year,’’ said Sal Guatieri, senior economist at BMO Capital Economics. “That should limit the Fed to just two more small rate increases in coming months.’’

One additional threat to the economy this year is rooted in politics: House Republicans could refuse to raise the federal debt limit if the Biden administration rejects their demand for broad spending cuts. A failure to raise the borrowing cap would prevent the federal government from being able to pay all its obligations and could shatter its credit.

Moody’s Analytics estimates that the resulting upheaval could wipe out nearly 6 million American jobs in a recession similar to the devastating one that was triggered by the 2007-2009 financial crisis.

At least the economy is likely beginning the year on firmer footing than it did at the start of 2022. Last year, the economy shrank at an annual pace of 1.6 percent from January through March and by a further 0.6 percent from April through June. Those two consecutive quarters of economic contraction raised fears that a recession might have begun.

On corporate earnings calls for the April-June quarter of 2022, nearly half of companies in the S&P 500 had cited a “recession”—the highest such proportion since 2010—according to the data provider FactSet. Forecasters at Bank of America and Nomura had predicted that a recession would hit by the October-December quarter.

But the economy regained strength over the summer, propelled by resilient consumer spending and higher exports.

AP Writers Christopher Rugaber and Josh Boak contributed to this report.

TOKYO—A senior EU official said Friday that Russia has taken its war against Ukraine to “a different stage” by making indiscriminate attacks on civilians and non-military targets, while criticizing Moscow for triggering recent moves by Germany and the United States to send advanced tanks to Ukraine.

VINEYARD worker Gerardo Solano loads bins of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes onto a trailer during harvest at Inglenook in Rutherford, California on September 21, 2022. On Thursday, the Commerce Department issues its first of three estimates of how the US economy performed in the fourth quarter of 2022. AP/ERIC RISBERG

US economy slowed but still grew at 2.9% rate last quarter

A12 SAturdAy, JAnuAry 28, 2023 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

Editor: Jun Lomibao

POC seals ‘French Connection’ for PHL athletes in Paris 2024

THE Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) established on Thursday its “French Connection” whose mission is to help guarantee the preparedness both physically and mentally of Filipino athletes who qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics. We in the POC are making sure our qualified athletes are wellprepared and acclimatized for the Paris Olympics,” said POC president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino after sealing the partnership with officials of the City of Metz in France.

Tolentino and La Moselle

President Patrick Weiten signed the memorandum of understanding in a ceremony intended to be formal and simple but turned as a press event with local French media covering the event.

Tsitsipas makes 1st Aussie Open final; Rybakina, Sabalenka in women’s duel

MELBOURNE—Stefano

Tsitsipas had a harder time strictly following all of the rules than he did outplaying his opponent in the early going, then recovered after blowing two match points late in the third set, and eventually reached the final at the Australian Open for the first time by beating Karen Khachanov, 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3, on Friday.

The No. 3-seeded Tsitsipas had been 0-3 in semifinals at Melbourne Park, but he finally went a step further to get to the second Grand Slam championship match of his career.

It looked easy for the better part of three sets against Khachanov, but Tsitsipas got broken when serving for the match at 5-4 in the third, then failed to convert either chance to end it when he went up 6-4 in the ensuing tiebreaker. Khachanov collected four consecutive points there, erasing the match points with a pair of booming forehands. Tsitsipas, though, regained his footing quickly, grabbing a 3-0 lead in the fourth.

N ow Tsitsipas will face Novak

Djokovic or  unseeded American

Tommy Paul  in the men›s singles final on Sunday.

D jokovic has won the Australian Open nine times and owns 21 Grand Slam titles in all—only Rafael Nadal, with 22, has more among men—and carried a 26-match winning streak at Melbourne Park into  Friday’s second semifinal

E lena Rybakina, a 23-year-old who represents Kazakhstan, meanwhile, reached her second final in a span of three major tournaments by beating Victoria Azarenka, 7-6 (4), 6-3 also on Thursday, signaling a rapid rise toward the top of tennis.

Everything was new at Wimbledon,” Rybakina said after hitting nine aces in the semifinals to raise her tournament-leading total to 44. “Now I more or less understand what to expect.”

Th at could come in handy Saturday, when she will face No. 5 seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus. Sabalenka reached her first Grand Slam title match at age 24 by beating unseeded Magda Linette, 7-6 (1), 6-2, in Thursday’s second semifinal.

Sabalenka improved to 10-0 in 2023, winning all 20 sets she has contested this season. AP

Serna,

RUSSIA, BELARUS IN ASIAN GAMES

LAUSANNE, Switzerland— Russia’s path to sending a team to the Paris Olympics next year became clearer on Thursday amid fierce objections from Ukraine.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) indicated on Wednesday it favors officially neutral teams from Russia and its ally Belarus at the 2024 Olympics despite a plea from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to exclude them entirely.

A d ay later, Russia and Belarus were invited to compete at the Asian Games, a key Olympic qualifier. Russia normally competes as part of Europe but has a tense relationship with many of the countries set to host qualifying events there. Russia and Belarus have been barred from almost all international competitions in Olympic sports following the invasion of Ukraine.

The Asian Games will be in Hangzhou, China, in September and October, and function as Olympic qualifiers in several sports including archery and boxing. Some other sports host their own Asia-specific qualifying competitions.

The OCA believes in the unifying power of sport and that all athletes, regardless of their nationality or the passport they hold, should be able to compete in sports competitions,” the OCA said in a statement.

The long-time director general of Kuwait-based OCA, Husain al-

By Josef Ramos

steadied

SHAWN GLOVER

Blackwater at crunch time as the Bossing withstood the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 108-105, on Friday in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

We treated this just like a championship game because we cannot allow ourselves to go

0-2,” Blackwater head coach Ariel Vanguardia said. “It’s very hard to get back from a hole.”

Glover proved to be the steadier import in the game that went down the wire. He scored 10 of his 31 points in the pivotal fourth period in addition to his 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.

Musallam , is also the president of World Aquatics, which is overseeing the core Olympic sport of swimming in the IOC home city Lausanne.

“

The OCA has offered to give eligible Russian and Belarusian athletes the opportunity to take part in competitions in Asia, including the Asian Games,” the organization said.

The OCA added it “remains on standby” until the IOC and the individual sports’ governing bodies finalize the conditions for Russia and Belarus to compete.

Z elenskyy has said he told French President Emmanuel Macron, whose country is hosting the Olympics, that Russia should have “no place” there. Ukraine is seeking to rally support against the IOC-brokered plan.

IOC has been disregarding Russian war crimes, claiming that ‘No athlete should be prevented from competing just because of their passport’, while Ukrainian athletes continue to be killed by Russia because of their passports. I urge all sports figures to make their stance known,” Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter on Thursday.

U kraine boycotted an Olympic qualifier in judo last year when Russians were allowed to compete as neutrals.

I n Russia, there was praise for the IOC’s approach from Igor Levitin, an aide to President Vladimir Putin who holds influential government and sports posts.

I think it is already a success.

Olympic society understands that the Olympic Games cannot be staged without Russia,” said Levitin, who is the senior vice-president of the Russian Olympic Committee, in comments reported by state news agency Tass. Some Russian officials expressed unhappiness at the IOC declaring it would not allow athletes found to be “actively supporting the war in Ukraine.” ROC president Stanislav Pozdnyakov said on Wednesday he opposed “any restrictions, extra requirements or sanctions.”

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said she backs Russians competing as neutral athletes when her city hosts the Games, without the Russian flag.

I think it’s a time for athletes and that you shouldn’t deprive athletes of their competition. But I think and I plead, like a large part of the sporting movement, that there isn’t a delegation behind the Russian banner,” she told France 2 television.

“Of course the Games are taking place in a geopolitical time. I hope the war in Ukraine will be behind us when we welcome the Paris Games.”

There was no immediate response from the French government, even as other European countries criticized the IOC. British Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan said the IOC’s stance was “a world away from the reality of war being felt by the Ukrainian people.”

I n Germany, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser called it “the wrong path.” AP

Bossing survive Fuel Masters

Ato Ular also rose to the ocassion with 14 points and 11 rebounds and Yousef Taha chalked up for 10 points and 13 rebounds for the Bosing who’re now 1-1 won-lost.

Vanguardia said they’re glad they won as they were scheduled for a post-Chinese New Year dinner on Friday.

We won’t enjoy the noodles if we lost this one,” added Vanguardia, who also drew 17 points from shooting guard Baser Amer.

T he Fuel Masters seized the lead for the first time in the game at 98-97, but Glover steadied the Bossing with five crucial baskets at crunch time.

Cabaral hoping to stop Baisa’s streak

VINCE SERNA goes all out for redemption while Ariel Cabaral tries to live up to his top billing as they try to prick Brice Baisa’s growing bubble in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala (PPS-PEPP) National Tennis Juniors Championships, which resumed in Bacolod City Thursday.

The top seeded Serna dropped a 5-7, 3-6 setback to Baisa in the 18-under finals of the PPS-PEPP leg in Roxas City, completing the latter’s stirring back-to-back title romps in the premier division and the 16-under class after first scoring a twinkill in Iloilo.

But Serna, from Butuan City, has re-calibrated to guarantee a successful shot at the crown with Cabaral, along with Herman Illusorio and Kirby Ramacho also vying in the centerpiece division of the Group 2 tournament where Baisa is one of the unranked entries.

C abaral also gets the top seeding

in 16-under play with Baisa earning the No. 8 seed in the 32-player draw that includes No. 3 Kurt Barrera, third ranked Kenzo Brodeth, Reign Maravilla, Bonavent Castillo, Jeremy Napiere and Ramacho. The country’s longest talent-search, put up by Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro, moves to Bais City, Negros Oriental from February 2 to 7. For registration and details, contact tournament organizer Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464. The chase for top honors in the distaff side at the Helvetia and Panaad courts is also expected to be fierce with Jufe-Ann Cocoy, Hannah Divinagracia, Therese Gauran and Louchelaj Estember tipped to dispute the 18-under trophy in the weeklong event presented by Dunlop and sponsored by Mayor Albee Benitez.

D ivinagracia also heads the cast 16-under cast, along with Masters Top 8 and PPS-Roxas leg MVP Jana

Diaz, Gauran and Estember while Alexa Cruspero, Queen Villa, Kathlyn Bugna and Andrea Agravante lead the 14-U field in the event backed by Claudio Puentevella, president of the Bacolod City Tennis Association. Meanwhile, Benitez, in his effort to boost the sport and discover and develop players who could represent the country in future international competitions, has linked up with former mayor and sportsman Monico Puentevella to bring back the glory days of Negros Occidental Tennis Association, which has hosted major championships in the 80s and 90s that featured the country’s top netters, including the Davis Cuppers.

Veteran Jayvee Casio played his usual role as fireman, too, when he sank a long one for Blackwater in the final 43 seconds that gave them a 102-97 cushion.

It was another forgettable close defeat to Phoenix after losing to TNT Tropang Giga last Wednesday, 123119, that gave them a 0-2 mark under Jamike Jarin is now 0-2 in his head coaching debut for Phoenix.

D’Vaughn Maxwell led Phoenix with 37 points, 17 rebounds and six blocks. He made 14 of them in the fourth period.

The MOA covers the use of sports facilities for practically all sports as well as accommodation and food for Filipino

athletes who qualify for the Games. The qualified athletes will train here for two months before the Olympics open,” Tolentino said.

The Paris Olympics are set 545 days away from July 26 to August 11.

T he two-month pre-Olympic training is a never-done-before endeavor by the POC, according to Tolentino.

Metz is some 300 kms west of Paris and boasts of an environment well suited for athletes’ training.

It has a 3,000-year rich historical, cultural and architectural background that put it on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. Weiten, on the other hand, is a veteran community leader in France and is a noted urban engineer. Tolentino said the POC aims to help qualify for Paris more than the 19 athletes that competed at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Obiena

ERNEST JOHN OBIENA crossed border from Germany to France to compete in the third edition of the Perche en Or indoor meet in Roubaix on Saturday.

Obiena debuted in the indoor season with a silver medal finish on a 5.77-meter effort at the Internationales Springer-Meeting in Cottbus, Germany, only on Thursday.

Obiena will also compete in the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships set February 10 to 12 in Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan, hoping not only to win his first indoor continental title, but also to make the Paris 2024 Olympics qualifying standard of 5.82 meters.

He owns the Asian men’s pole vault record of 5.94 meters. Josef Ramos

BADO BAGS GOLD IN ASIAN U22

AARON JUDE

BADO

stunned hometown bet and favorite Thanarat Saengphet, 3-2, to snatch the men’s flyweight gold medal at the Asian Boxing Confederation Asian U22 Championships on Thursday at the Huamark Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

It was a major upset by the 19-year-old Bado, whose claim to fame so far is a gold medal at the Palarong Pambansa in 2019.

He, too, competed in his first international tournament.

Saengphet? The 20-year-old Thai already owns a world championships bronze medal in Belgrade last year.

“ I just kept thinking about my family in the tournament. Up to my last fight, I always thought about them and told myself that my fights here are for them,” said Bado,

whose father Norberto is a government employee and a former head coach of their native Iligan City. “ They are my greatest motivations,” added Bado, also referring to his mother Adelyn, who works as a cinema checker also in Iligan City, and younger brother John Michael.

F lint Jara, meanwhile, yielded to Kazakhstan’s Nursultan Altunbek, 5-0, to settle for the men’s bantamweight silver medal.

Featherweight Jericho Acaylar and minimum weight Mark Lester Durens clinched bronze medals for the eight-member Philippine team.

Saengphet was the aggressive boxer in the first round until Bado found his range in the next two to reverse the bout’s outcome.

T he Southeast Asian Games, and eventually the Olympics, rank high in Bado’s goals. “Step by step, I want to compete in SEA Games and someday in the Olympics,” he said. “That’s my dream so this win is a big boost to my morale.”

Josef Ramos

Davao LGUs IM 70.3 tasks sealed

By Manuel T. Cayon

AVAO City—Local government units—including two cities and one town in Davao del Norte— formalized their partnerships and management responsibilities with their Davao City counterparts for the Ironman 70.3.

Governor Edwin Jubahib

led the partnership meeting with his Provincial Admistrator

Engr. Josie Jean Rabanoz, Chief of the Provincial Sports and Youth Development Office

Giovanni Gulanes, Davao City

Assistant Administrator for

Administration Atty. Dwight Tristan Domingo, Chief of the Davao City Sports Development Office Mikey

Aportadera and Ironman Philippines General Manager and Regional

Director Princess Galura.

D iscussions delved on logistics, security and safety and other preparatory details for the race set on March 26.

DThe event consists of a 1.9-kilometer swim in Davao Gulf, a 90-km bike ride from Bajada in Davao City to Tagum City and back and a half-marathon 21-km run from Victoria Plaza to Azuela Cove and back.

The race requires full cooperation from the city government of Davao, Panabo and Tagum and the municipal government of Carmen.

A portadera said the city and its partner LGUs “are at least 90 percent ready to host the event in March and will only have to finalize minute details in the coming weeks.”

Gulanes said Davao del Norte is fully committed to the joint effort of hosting the event.

Since a template from the past two hostings are already at hand, some of the biggest challenges have been minimized,” Gulanes said.

A t otal of 1,488 athletes from 44 countries have signed up for the race with registration still ongoing.

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee (POC) president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino (right) signs the memorandum of understanding with La Moselle President Patrick Weiten.

THE women’s final cast of Aryna Sabalenka (center) and Elena Rybakina, while Stefano Tsitsipas awaits his opponent for the crown. AP

PHOENIX’S Jason Perkins challenges Blackwater’s Ato Ular.