ILIPINO consumers continued to take out more loans as bank lending grew in January 2025, preliminary data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.
Outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks (U/KBs), net of reverse repurchase (RRP) placements with the BSP, increased by 12.8 percent year-on-year, the highest since the 13.7 percent recorded in December 2022.
The data showed bank lending grew 12.2 percent in December 2024 while it posted a growth of 7.1 percent in December 2023. On a month-on-month seasonally adjusted basis, outstanding U/KB loans, net of RRPs, rose by 1.4 percent.
Outstanding loans to residents, net of RRPs, rose by 13.3 percent in January 2025 from a 12.4-percent growth in the previous month. Meanwhile, outstanding loans to nonresidents contracted by 3.5 percent in January 2025, following a 5.7-percent increase in December 2024.
The sustained increase in lending to key industries expanded loans for production activities by 9.8 percent in January 2025 from 9.1 percent in December 2024.
These key industries are real estate, which saw lending grow by 9.8 percent; electricity, gas, steam, and air-conditioning supply, 23.6 percent; wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, 13.9 percent; transportation and storage, 21.4 percent; and manufacturing, 4.6 percent.
Meanwhile, consumer loans to residents declined to 24.4 percent in January 2025 from 25 percent in December 2024.
Credit card loans slightly contracted to 29 percent in January 2025 from 29.4 percent in December 2024. Both motor vehicle loans and salarybased general-purpose consumption loans inched down to 19 percent and 14.1 percent, respectively, from 19.5 percent and 16.5 percent.
“Looking ahead, the BSP will continue to ensure that domestic liquidity and lending conditions remain aligned with its price and financial stability mandates,” the
By Jonathan L. Mayuga
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has decided to cancel the 2002 supplemental agreement with Blue Star
Corpora-
(BSCDC), citing violations of
Joint Venture Agreement and the agreement itself, as well as several legal defects. According to Norlito Eneran, Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs and Enforcement, a letter canceling the 2002 Supplemental Agreement has been sent to Blue Star’s Ben Dumaliang. The letter also demands that the company vacate the area. The decision was announced at a hastily called press conference on Friday, capping over a decade’s
BSP said in a statement.
Domestic liquidity
MEANWHILE, domestic liquidity (M3) rose by 6.8 percent year-on-year to P18.1 trillion in January 2025 from 7.7 percent in December, preliminary data from the BSP showed.
Domestic claims increased by 10.9 percent year-on-year in January, compared to 10.4 percent in December.
Claims on the private sector grew by 13.1 percent in January from 12.2 percent in the previous month with the continued expansion in bank lending to non-financial private corporations and households.
The BSP said net claims on the central government went up by 7.4 percent, compared to 7.2 percent in the previous month, due to continued borrowings by the national government.
Moreover, net foreign assets (NFA) in peso terms rose by 2.6 percent year-on-year in January from 6 percent in December. The BSP’s NFA increased by 4.2 percent.
Meanwhile, higher foreign currency-denominated bills and bonds payable contracted the NFA of banks.
“The BSP will continue to ensure that domestic liquidity conditions remain consistent with the prevailing stance of monetary policy, in line with its price and financial stability objectives,” it said.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT ON WOMEN’S MONTH: Women still earn less in the lowest-paying jobs—PSA
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
EVEN as the country marks Women’s Month, the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show that while women earn more than men in some of the highest-paying occupations, they still lag in all of the lowest-paying jobs.
The Labor Force Survey showed unemployment rose to 4.3 percent in January 2025 from 3.1 percent in December but was slightly lower than 4.5 percent a year ago. Despite there being fewer jobs compared to December, employment reached 95.7 percent, up from 95.5 percent in January 2024. (See: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2025/03/06/jobless-rate-rises-in-january-as-holiday-hiring-fades/)
PSA data indicated that in three of the five highest-paying job categories in January, women earned more than men. However, in the bottom five, no occupation saw women receiving higher wages than their male counterparts.
Among the top-paying jobs, managers earned the highest average daily wage at P1,300, with women making P1,344—higher than men at P1,253. Armed forces occupations followed at P1,174, where men earned P1,179 and women earned P1,038, while professionals ranked third with an average of P1,173, with men earning P1,201 and women P1,159.
Technicians and associate professionals earned P855 on average, with men at P857 and women at P852. Meanwhile, clerical support workers had an average daily wage of P739, with women earning slightly more at P745 compared to men at P730.
At the other end of the spectrum, elementary occupations had
investigation triggered by a Commission on Audit report released on January 6, 2014. The COA said the 2002 Supplemental Agreement has no documents to prove that the development of additional housing units is valid.
The 2002 pact extended the coverage of the 1997 JVA between the DENR and Blue Star to include Lot 10 covering an increased land area of 300 hectares for the development of Garden Cottages.
The 2002 agreement was followed by the 2006 JVA Amendment, and a 2008 Memorandum of Agreement or Deed of Exchange. Only the 2002 pact was cancelled; while the 1997 JVA, the 2006 JVA Amendment, the 2008 MOA, and 2017 MOAs granted perpetual land rights to Masungi over 2,700
THE BEACH BECKONS: BUT SO DOES DEATH, FOR KIDS
By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco
Afamily when their daughter Sandy, 6, died from a jellyfish sting at a resort in 2023.
Sandy’s father, Edward, shared with senators on Thursday their sad experience of losing their daughter while celebrating the birthday of his wife Sarah.
The Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, chaired by Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, sought insights from stakeholders on various measures seeking to protect children, including alert mechanisms for missing kids, particularly child tourists.
In her opening statement, Hontiveros said Sandy’s Act or Senate Bill 2971 that she authored “seeks to prevent, mitigate and respond to risks affecting children and other visitors to Philippine tourist destinations by ensuring that these have access to adequate medical and emergency services as well as life-saving equipment, medicine and facilities.”
The Philippines, as an archipelago, is popular for its beaches and other tourist destinations. she noted, adding Department of Tourism (DOT) data that tourism contributed an 8.6 percent share, amounting to P2.09 trillion to the gross domestic product in 2023.
However, the senator lamented, “visitors to tourist destinations—particularly children—face risks associated with accidental drownings, jellyfish stings and animal bites, spinal injuries, and infectious diseases while on vacation.”
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, of the 3,604 deaths by accidental drowning or submersion in 2021, at least 1,056—or roughly a third—of the victims were children 1 to 14 years of age. In that year, drowning was the second leading cause of death among children 5 to 9 years old, Hontiveros pointed out.
VACATION in Palawan turned tragic for the Garovillas
The beach beckons…
“One of these unfortunate victims was 6-year-old Sandy Garovillas. However, Sandy’s isn’t my story to tell. This is why I invited, and I’m grateful for the presence of Sandy’s father and mother, Edward and Sarah Garovillas to share their daughter’s story.”
The case of the Garovillas, who named their daughter Sandy because they loved the beach, was tackled to draw attention to the utter lack of safety mechanisms, facilities, equipment and protocols to protect tourists, especially children. It is a problem that has repeatedly been flagged in the past, an unfinished business in the tourism sector that touts its spectacular views and features, whether seascapes or mountains or forest trails.
The beach for them, Edward said, is one of the “safe” places on their list, but their happy outing ended in tragedy.
That day, October 30, Edward recalled they heard their daughter, who was on the shore with her nanny, scream at around 2:30 p.m. and when they went near her, they saw “tentacles on her arms and neck.”
However, Edward said the staff of the resort couldn’t respond to their daughter who needed first aid.
The nearest hospital was 45 minutes away, but Edward was afraid to move her due to her congenital heart disease.
A French medical student offered help, a midwife also extended help by offering oxygen, and an American medic from the US army also asked if he could help. He even asked the staff if they have epinephrine, but the resort couldn’t provide one, or even just a first-aid kit.
The family later decided to bring her to the Roxas Medical Hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival. The cause of death was severe
anaphylactic shock.
Child Tourist Safety Act
SENATE Bill No. 2971 or the Child Tourist Safety Act was named “Sandy’s Bill,” and Hontiveros is pushing for this legislation to address the alarming rate of deaths and injuries of children due to tourism-related activities. Two other bills tacked were SB 2401, or the Women and Children Protection Units (WCPU) Act; and SB 2256, the Philippine Amber Alert Act. Hontiveros also honored the families of other children who died due to accidents in Philippine tourist destinations.
“After her death, we were thinking of how to make a legacy [of Sandy]. Our experience was horrible and we don’t want that to happen to another family,” said an emotional Edward.
Another grieving parent
MEANWHILE , Jahaziel Allinah Michaellie Maningding, mother and advocate for child tourist safety, is also grieving the loss of her 5-year-old daughter, Ranziel Jallinah, who died on June 28, 2024, after being stung by a jellyfish at a resort in Subic.
“I wish to express my full support for Senate Bill No. 2971, the Child Tourist Safety Act or ‘Sandy’s Act,’ and I respectfully ask that my voice be heard on behalf of my daughter and all children who deserve to be safe in tourist destinations,” said Jahaziel in a letter to Hontiveros. Jahaziel said that she couldn’t attend the hearing for she is pregnant. She said her daughter’s passing was “not an accident—it was a result of negligence. The resort was fully aware of the dangers posed by jellyfish, yet they failed to take action.”
“There were prior incidents of jellyfish stings before my daughter’s death, including one involving one of
their own staff members, who even showed his sting marks on his neck. Despite knowing the risks, the resort did nothing to warn or protect guests. There were no warning signs, no lifeguards or trained medical personnel present, and no emergency protocols in place,” she lamented.
She also recalled that when her child was stung, “assistance was delayed.”
“And it was not the resort but a pregnant guest who had to drive us to the hospital, as no emergency vehicle was provided,” she said.
Jahaziel said that even after her daughter’s death, the resort continued operating in defiance of a ceaseand-desist order, even going so far as to remove an SBMA warning sign that read “NO SWIMMING.”
What pains her more, she said, was that they were met with “confusion and unpreparedness” at the hospital. She said that her daughter was still conscious but in immense pain.
“The attending doctor did not know how to handle the case—instead of taking decisive action, she kept calling other doctors on the phone, as though unsure of what to do. The pharmacy did not have the necessary medication, and the staff appeared clueless about the treatment needed. I was forced to fill out forms and pay a deposit before they properly attended to my child. My daughter’s oxygen levels were not monitored, she was left unattended, and only after her condition worsened did the staff begin to act. By then, it was too late,” she said.
She told Hontiveros that to this day, she and her family continue to seek justice for her daughter.
No parent, she stressed, should have to experience the pain and trauma of losing a child due to neglect and incompetence.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT ON WOMEN’S MONTH: Women still earn less in the lowest-paying jobs—PSA
the highest pay among the bottom five, averaging P416 daily, with men earning P449 and women P343.
It was followed by skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery workers at P418, with men earning P420 and women P400. Meanwhile, service and sales workers earned an average of P531, though men made P591 compared to women’s P473.
Plant and machine operators and assemblers earned P572 daily on average, with men at P581 and women at P535. On one hand, craft and related trades workers earned P573, with men making P586 while women earned only P459.
Gender pay gap
ATENEO de Manila University economist Leonardo Lanzona explained to BusinessMirror that employers may offer lower wages to women despite them having the same skills as men, assuming they prioritize responsibilities beyond their careers.
“This can lead to market power on the part of the employers since women are less focused on wage earnings and building their individual careers,” he said. “Realizing this, employers tend to offer women concessions based on their needs but lower wages than men even if their skills and abilities are the same.”
With this, he suggested that the government help women earn the wages they deserve based on their skills and abilities. “Contracts
should [be] fair and equal opportunities for further career growth without sacrificing their household responsibilities,” he stated. De La Salle University economist Ella Oplas highlighted education as a key factor. “Females are more educated for jobs that require degrees, but men earn more if it’s hard labor. Basically because they are physically stronger,” she told this newspaper.
For University of the Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) economist Victor Abola, while women generally perform better academically and have good opportunities, they face disadvantages in physically demanding industries. “I think there is a lot of meritocracy and physical strength simply at work,” he told BusinessMirror
Former UA&P School of Economics dean Peter Lee U added that productivity differences also play a role. “All things equal, a male stevedore is likely to be more productive than a female stevedore and so will likely be paid more,” he told this newspaper.
However, former socioeconomic planning head Dante Canlas has a different observation. In an exclusive interview, he said wage gaps between men and women have been narrowing over time as more women invest in education and training. “Even the January 2025 figures do not show significant wage differentials,” he said.
In terms of employment, men and women had nearly identical employment rates, with males at 95.7 percent and females slightly higher at 95.8 percent. However,
underemployment was notably higher among men (15.2 percent) than women (10.7 percent). The unemployment rate also showed little difference, with men at 4.3 percent and women at 4.2 percent.
Limiting factors
The labor force participation rate (LFPR) stood at 63.9 percent in January 2025, with a stark gender gap, indicating 74.8 percent for men compared to just 52.9 percent for women.
Also, of the 28.66 million Filipinos not in the labor force, 18.6 million were women, nearly double the 10.1 million men. Canlas noted that married women, particularly those with higher education, often leave the workforce to care for children. “But [they] rejoin once the children reach schooling age,” he said. “This suggests the importance of having government programs in babysitting and child care.” Lanzona added that women’s career choices are often shaped by family responsibilities, leading them to seek jobs closer to home with flexible work arrangements. “Hence, they are more likely to engage in contracts that allow them to work near their houses and allow them to spend a substantial amount of time at home,” he said. Meanwhile, Oplas pointed to the feminization of basic education as a factor influencing job preferences. “Unique to the Philippines that boys are left out when it comes to basic education. They drop out more than their counterpart girls,” she said.
DENR cancels 2002 accord with Blue Star; Masungi Georeserve loses ecopark permit
Continued from A1
hectares of land within the Upper Marikina River Basin.
The 2006 JVA Amendment extended the implementation period of the 1997 JVA and expanded the sale of the housing units/lots to the open market. The 2008 MOA or Deed of Exchange is a negotiation of the 5,000 housing units in the 130-hectare project site—Garden Cottages—including the community center/school site, rights of way for access of roads, springs, spring mains, and its improvements—for 145 housing units in the 1.5-hectare Pueblocillo Villages in Dasmariñas, Cavite.
On January 23, 2014, DENR Special Order 2014-20 created an investigation committee on the issue raised by COA dated January 6, 2014.
The 1997 JVA involves the construction of housing units for government employees—particularly the DENR, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and other agencies.
Violations listed AS a result of the investigation, the DENR, now under the leadership of Secretary Maria Antonia YuloLoyzaga, ruled to cancel the 2002 supplemental agreement and cited various violations of the 1997 JVA and the legal defects of the 2002 supplemental agreement that granted perpetual land trust for conservation of the area covered by PD 323 and Greater Masungi Karst Area or roughly 2,700 hectares.
The area where Masungi Georeserve, a low-impact ecotourism area run by Masungi Georeserve, is located in the area covered by the 2002 Supplemental Agreement.
Listed by the DENR as violations of the 1997 JVA and 2002 Supplemental Agreement are:
1. Imposition of fees not provided for in the Masungi Rock Eco-Tourism Plan; construction of various facilities inside the park without necessary permits and clearances from local and national authorities in violation of the National Building Code and issuances by the DENR.
2. Fencing a portion of the sub-
ject lot (Lot 10) titled in the name of the Republic of the Philippines in violation of Section 3(g) of Municipal Ordinance No. 2013-01, DPWH Administrative Order No. 73 series of 2014 and Section 12.1 of the Joint Venture Agreement;
3. Very restrictive access to authorized DENR Representatives over the site in violation of Section 3.11 of the JVA and Paragraph 1.0 of the Supplemental Agreement; and
4. Non-completion of the project within the stipulated period (5 years from the execution of JVA) despite extensions granted.
Cited as defects of the 2002 Supplemental Agreement were:
1. Proposed construction for an additional 5,000 housing units in Lot 10 did not go through the regular procurement/bidding process.
2. There is no basis for granting an additional 300 hectares of land and constructing 5,000 housing units more, since there was no substantial performance of obligations under the 1997 JVA.
3. No Presidential Proclamation that provides for the development of housing units in Lot 10 (PP1158 of 2006 reserved Lot 10 specifically as sites for the New Bilibid Prison and the DENR Region 4-Calabarzon field office).
“These are the reasons for the cancellation of the 2002 Supplemental Agreement and the demand to Blue Star to immediately vacate the area. In addition, we also reserved our right for civil, administrative, and criminal charges against individuals as regards other contracts in the agreements with the Blue Star Construction Development Corporation,” said Eneran.
The DENR, he said, is carefully studying the next legal move, acknowledging that Blue Star and Masungi Georeserve Foundation are also heavily invested in the area.
Eneran admitted that Masungi, a multi-awarded organization, has many supporters, including government officials and highprofile personalities and influencers here and abroad, explaining why the DENR’s every move is anchored on legalities.
However, he said, based on the letter sent to Blue Star, the company is given 15 days to vacate the area. Vacating means the company may remove all facilities it has put up as “one of the options.”
“But the general idea is that the DENR will manage the area,” he said.
The official said under the DENR’s watch, Masungi will manage the area with various stakeholders, including local governments, nongovernment organizations, community-based groups, and Indigenous Peoples.
“For now, the directive of the Department [DENR] is for them to vacate the area. The DENR’s power and regulatory power includes cancellation of agreements and enforcing environmental laws,” he said. Eneran is confident that DENR can face public scrutiny, including a congressional inquiry, and will be ready to explain and stand its ground.
According to Eneran, a special agreement on Protected Areas is also required for every development or construction activity—including an ecotourism park, within areas set aside for conservation under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act.
As for Masungi’s exemplary performance in protecting the area, Eneran said no single entity, not even the DENR, has a monopoly over environmental protection and conservation under Philippine laws. This is why the Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB) was put up to manage Protected Areas together with various stakeholders, with the DENR having only oversight function.
“No one is above the law. We must follow the law and the right process,” he said, speaking in Filipino.
Meanwhile, Eneran said the DENR is also looking at going after erring DENR employees who may have committed administrative or criminal offenses involving the controversial contracts or agreements with Blue Star and Masungi, adding that the government is not bound by the acts of its employees, especially if they are contrary to the law.
In ‘tariff wars rodeo,’ PHL must future-proof local supply chain
By Andrea E. San Juan
S a net-importing country
Anavigating global uncertainties, the Philippines should work quickly on a future-proof local supply chain to mitigate secondary effects of tariff wars on the prices of consumer goods, according to experts.
Jonathan Ravelas, senior adviser at professional services firm Reyes Tacandong & Co., said at the forum “Looking Ahead: Philippines 2025; How Geopolitics Will Affect Business” on Friday that the Philippines should build its own supply chain as it is a “netimporting country.”
“This is not the first time we’re having a rodeo with tariff wars.
There was one in 2017 to 2020, during Trump 1.0. So the question is, how can we build the supply chain here in the Philippines, especially if we’re a net-importing country? What is going to happen in the next six months is that the secondary effects of the tariff war will happen to the Philippines,” Ravelas said. He said tariff war may lead to inflation and currency depreciation.
“The problem is, the Philippines, yes, we import practically everything. The problem there is, because of this tariff war, and since the start of this talk, no one talks about the potential secondary effects of the tariff war. And that’s inflation and currency depreciation,” added Ravelas. For his part, Charlie Villaseñor,
CEO and President of Procurement and Supply Institute of Asia, Inc. (Pasia), listed recommendations on how the country can strengthen its supply chain in a time of uncertainty due to tariff threats by the US administration.
“One, government must take the lead in supply chain enhancement. There are a lot of programs that the government can do. What if there’s a war tomorrow? Do we have the right supplies to sustain war? Is somebody thinking about this right now? We didn’t do well and cope up during the pandemic. What more if there are casualties?
Or let’s say, what if there’s a big disaster that will happen? So let’s start that for the moment,” Villaseñor underscored.
As for the private sector, Villaseñor said the companies, out of their own volition, are now very aggressive in terms of strengthening their supply chains.
In fact, he said, there has been a shift in their priorities. “Before, it would be the accounting and HR. Now, the biggest companies are [prioritizing] supply chain. Because they know that if they don’t have good supply chain, they are unable to reduce the cost of goods sold.”
The supply chain expert added that it is equally important to secure supply chains to avoid the shutting down of product lines.
“It’s not only reducing the cost of goods sold. It’s supply security. The problem of companies right now is ability to produce the prod -
TUCP on Jan jobs data: No seasonal trend, but a crisis
THE uptick in unemployment and underemployment in January may have been framed as an expected seasonal trend in the jobs sector, but the country’s biggest labor alliance called it a “full-blown crisis,” and blamed the economic managers for the problem.
In a statement on Friday, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said the economic managers were “hiding behind routine job fairs, dragging [their] feet on fully implementing the Trabaho Para sa Bayan (TPB) Act, and indulging in wishful thinking that foreign investments will magically save the day.” TUCP added: “For the longest time, we’ve had a full-blown jobs crisis. What’s happening now is nothing new—just the same cyclical unemployment spike after the holidays, only much worse. Since the start of 2025, over half a million more Filipinos have lost their livelihoods, and nearly a million more are struggling to make ends meet with inadequate work and wages. Yet,
what do we get from our economic managers?
The same worn-out playbook—business-asusual job fairs, job-sharing schemes disguised as decent employment, and empty promises of foreign investments that will never come unless we fix our broken policies.”
The latest January 2025 Labor Force Survey, presented by the Philippine Statistics Agency (PSA), showed unemployment rose to 4.3 percent (2.16 million) from 3.1 percent (1.63 million) in December 2024 while underemployment surged to 13.3 percent (6.47 million), up from 10.9 percent (5.48 million) in the same period, TUCP said.
The group demanded immediate innovative intervention especially at the midpoint of the Marcos administration, calling the Filipino working class “a social volcano in the making.”
“We urge the Government to move beyond drafting plans and start delivering real jobs. The TPB Act must go beyond repeated rhetoric that much needs to be done to improve job quality and
increase income towards fully implementing to create more and better jobs—not just recycled or shared jobs, but jobs that provide living wages, security of tenure, and full respect for labor rights. Job creation demands fundamental labor reforms, infrastructure development, a just transition program, and the long-overdue legislated wage hike,” said TUCP.
Meanwhile, it noted, the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) announced 2,280 job openings through 30 investors or locators, yet the power crisis continues to cripple industries. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has placed the Luzon grid under yellow alert due to rising demand and power plant outages. Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reiterates Labor Advisory No. 8, series of 2023, urging employers to implement protective measures, adequate ventilation, adjusted rest breaks, appropriate uniforms, and free drinking water for workers.
THE International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) convened a high-level forum to evaluate the Philippines’ efforts in implementing ILO Conventions 189 and 190, which set global standards for migrant and domestic worker protection.
In discussions last week, officials and labor experts identified key enforcement gaps, challenges in fair recruitment, and the need for stronger legal protections against violence and harassment— particularly for migrant domestic workers.
“Despite their contributions, they remain among the most vulnerable workers, often facing low wages, informal employment, and exposure to violence and harassment. As aging populations drive increased demand for care services, ensuring that domestic workers enjoy decent work and robust labor protections has become even more urgent,” the organization noted in a press statement.
Over the years, the ILO has established several conventions to improve labor conditions and protect workers’ rights.
Among these, Convention No. 189—ratified by the Philippines in 2012—ensures fair wages, regulated working hours, and social security coverage for domestic workers.
Meanwhile, Convention No. 190—which the Philippines was the first in Southeast Asia to ratify—addresses workplace violence and harassment, including gender-based violence.
Despite these commitments, many domestic workers remain vulnerable to exploitation and abuse due to weak enforcement.
ILO Assistant Director-General for Governance, Rights, and Dialogue Manuela Tomei stressed the urgency of strengthening enforcement.
She added that there is a need for stricter labor inspections, better coordination among government agencies, and stronger protections for migrant workers, who are at high risk of exploitation.
The forum also tackled the country’s recruitment policies, particularly efforts to prevent contract substitution and the imposition of illegal recruitment fees on workers.
Participants shared best practices from other
countries and emphasized the need to formalize domestic work to ensure workers receive full labor and social security protections.
With over 10.7 million Filipinos overseas— including 5.7 million temporary migrants, many of whom are domestic workers—the ILO believes the Philippines plays a critical role in shaping global labor policies.
“With the Philippines set to chair Asean in 2026, the country is expected to leverage this leadership role to further advance labor rights protections at the regional level,” the organization added. At the national level, the Philippines has enacted several laws to protect migrant workers, including those in domestic work.
This includes the Batas Kasambahay (Republic Act No. 10361) which sets minimum labor standards for domestic workers, including fair wages, benefits, and social security and the amended Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act (RA No. 10022) provides legal protections against illegal recruitment, contract violations, and faster government assistance. Justine Xyrah Garcia
Alyansa bets vow support for ample budgets for agri
PILI, Camarines Sur—Administration-backed senatorial candidates from Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas on Friday vowed to push for sufficient budget allocations to support the agricultural sector in addressing the impacts of climate change.
ACT-CIS Rep. and former Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo emphasized on Friday the need for the government to provide “the correct and right amount of funds” to assist farmers and protect their produce.
Tulfo stressed that funds must be provided to establish post-harvest facilities where farmers can store their crops, ensuring that food won’t go to waste amid the adverse impacts of climate change. He also pointed out that climate change causes extreme weather events such as prolonged drought. He then said the National Irrigation Administration must be called to account for their unused fund in 2024, which should have been tapped to address the problem.
Deputy Speaker Camille Villar noted that the Philippines was among the pioneers in integrating climate change in national laws.
According to her, there were laws that
already mandated the Department of Agriculture, for instance, to consider the effects of climate change and weather disturbances on agriculture in government programs as early as the 1990s.
However, she lamented the lack of proper implementation of the laws, as she called for a review of some laws “to make sure they are relevant to the times.”
“For example, in 2009, there was the agriagrarian reform credit law, which mandated banks to give 25 percent of their capital or lend to agribusiness or agri-beneficiaries. But until now, it is not being fully implemented. As a result, farmers lack access to much-needed funding,” she said.
“So, there is a lot of legislation on this that we need to make sure is properly implemented,” she said.
Villar, likewise, noted trends in innovations worldwide that the Philippine agricultural industry can adopt, such as intercropping and the technology that allows the determination of appropriate crops to plant depending on the predicted amount of rainfall or predicted temperature.
For Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, weather forecasting must be strengthened. She lamented
the reduction of the fund for Project Noah (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards), which helps the country in disaster risk reduction and management, climate change adaptation, and mitigation.
Binay vowed to push for more funding to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
Senator Francis Tolentino, likewise, agreed that a “bigger budgetary outlay” is needed to address climate change issues, especially in areas as big as Camarines Sur.
He said he supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call to revisit the Bicol region flood control programs, as well as look into the deforestation of Mount Isarog, following the onslaught of strong tropical cyclones.
Aside from Tulfo, Villar, Binay, and Tolentino, other senatorial candidates from the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas are former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Senator Pia Cayetano, Senator Lito Lapid, Senator Imee Marcos, former Senator Manny Pacquiao, former Senator Panfilo Lacson, and former Senate President Vicente Sotto III. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz
uct. If one of your actions, like one consumer company, I was advising them, I was telling them, what’s going on? ‘Charlie, we’re shutting down product lines.’”
Villaseñor explained that some of these firms shut down product lines because they only had a “single source” for the ingredients.
“If one item is missing, they can’t produce the entire line. What do companies have to look into? They have to look into risk management about their supply chain,” the expert also noted.
With this, he said the private sector should work closely with the government.
For one, he pitched a “formal organization” that has the mandate to deliver results. These results,
he added, would have to be under a “Supply Chain Control” tower. In a Viber message sent to the BusinessMirror, Villaseñor said there is a need to “come up with an Integrated Supply Chain Organization. I have introduced supply chain control [and it] is being learned and I have not seen one that the government has yet in place.” At the forum, he also pointed out that the country has “to measure the right things if we’re going to get out, at least survive, in this type of situation that we are about to face,” added Villaseñor. Further, Ravelas underscored that while the Philippines is able to host trade fairs, he said, “We’re not working as a supply chain. We’re working as individuals.”
China’s top envoy: Every PHL move in SCS is a ‘screenplay written by external forces‘
By Malou Talosig-Bartolome
ANG
WYi, China’s Foreign Minister, has accused the Philippines of colluding with “external forces” on a “screenplay” that portrays China as the villain in the South China Sea drama.
“For every move on the sea by the Philippines, there is a screenplay written by external forces. The show is live streamed by the Western media and the plot is invariably to smear China,” the top Chinese diplomat in a press conference on the sidelines of China’s annual parliamentary meeting in Beijing.
TBy Justine Xyrah Garcia
HE Commission on Elections has declared the Lakas-Christian Muslim
Democrats (Lakas-CMD) and the Nacionalista Party (NP) as the two dominant national political parties for the upcoming midterm elections, granting them preferential treatment in the electoral process.
House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez leads Lakas-CMD, while business tycoon and former senator President Manny B. Villar heads NP.
In Resolution No. 11119, made public on Thursday, the Comelec en banc ruled in favor of the two parties after they earned the highest scores in the poll body’s point-based system for determining dominant parties.
As the dominant majority and minority parties, Lakas-CMD and NP will receive key privileges, including direct transmission of election returns (ERs) to their respective
“People are no longer interested in watching the same performance again and again,” Wang claimed.
He said, while Beijing continues to “safeguard” its claim over the South China Sea, “we will also take into account the actual conditions out of humanitarian spirit.”
“But let me make it clear, that infringe -
This is the first time Wang openly criticized the Philippines for bringing media on board Coast Guard vessels and aircrafts while patrolling the West Philippine Sea. His foreign ministry spokespersons and the Chinese Embassy in Manila were initially ranting against Philippine propaganda offensives.
Lakas-CMD, Nacionalista named dominant parties for midterm polls
servers from all polling precincts, including those used for overseas voting.
They will also obtain printed copies of ERs from each precinct, Certificates of Canvass, and have the right to assign official watchers in every polling place and canvassing center. This year’s elections mark the third consecutive time NP has secured the dominant minority status.
Meanwhile, Lakas-CMD regains its position as a dominant party after four election years, following the dominance of former presidents Benigno Aquino III’s Liberal Party and Rodrigo Duterte’s PDP-Laban.
Both NP and Lakas-CMD had earlier formed an alliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, creating the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia clarified that there is no issue with such “loose alliances” since they do not require accreditation from the poll body.
However, he noted that if parties choose to formalize their coalition, they would lose their individual status.
“If a party wants to form an alliance and seek Comelec approval, once accredited, the individual identities of the member parties will no longer be recognized. Only the newly accredited alliance or coalition will be acknowledged,” Garcia explained in a press forum.
Comelec also accredited nine other political parties for the elections: Akbayan Citizens Action Party, Aksyon Demokratiko, Liberal Party of the Philippines, Nationalist People’s Coalition, National Unity Party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, Partido Demokratikong Reporma, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, and United Nationalist Alliance. These parties are also allowed to deploy official watchers in polling places and canvassing centers, but Comelec emphasized that the watchers of the dominant majority
DBM to restore PhilHealth fund as 2026 subsidy if SC rules vs NG
Sment and provocation will backfire and those acting as other’s chess pieces are bound to be discarded,” Wang stressed. Wang, a member of the Politburo of Chinese Communist Party (CPC), said negotiations for a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea is nearing completion.
“With China’s facilitation, consultations on the COC are accelerating and the third reading of the text has been completed.
and minority parties will be prioritized if space is limited.
Aside from national parties, Comelec accredited 14 local parties for the May 12 elections, including Arangkada San Joseño Political Party in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan; Asenso Manileño Movement in Manila; Bileg Party in Ilocos Sur; and Hugpong ng Pagbabago in the Davao region.
Other accredited local parties represent various regions and provinces, including Bicol, Zambales, Bataan, Navotas City, Quezon City, and Maguindanao.
Comelec ranked both national and local parties based on several criteria, including the number of women candidates, ability to field a complete slate, organizational structure, number of incumbent elective officials, and established reputation in previous elections.
Chairman Garcia said the poll body will meet with the recognized dominant parties to discuss the guidelines for acquiring copies of election returns.
However, the Budget chief said this would depend on the SC decision.
We have full confidence in the prospect of concluding the COC,” he said. The COC, which China and the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has been negotiating for 22 years, aims to set the ground rules for navies and coast guard of claimant countries on how to behave to avoid conflict.
“To realize good neighborliness, lasting peace, and security in the South China Sea, one needs trust and also rules.
“The key is to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea or DOC and develop a sound COC.
“China is ready to work with Asean countries, to step up communications, stay clear of disturbances and build consensus for early conclusion of the COC so as to make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.” he said.
8 of 10 Pinoys prefer bets who believe in asserting PHL rights in WPS vs China’s aggression
EIGHT out of 10 Filipinos said they prefer candidates in the 2025 elections who believe in asserting the Philippines’ rights against China’s aggression in the West Philippines Sea, according to the latest Social Welfare Stations survey commissioned by the Stratbase Group.
The survey was conducted on February 15 to 19, several days after the official start of the national campaign period. It asked 1,800 respondents nationwide and has a 2% margin of error.
Stratbase Group President Dindo Manhit revealed the survey results during a recent forum on the Philippines-Japan-US trilateral partnership, organized by the Stratbase Institute, in partnership with the Japan Foundation Manila.
again gave the least support at 64 percent. In his speech at the forum, the Stratbase Institute president explained that the overwhelming support from Filipinos in defending the nation’s rights in the West Philippine Sea underscores the urgency of reinforcing the defense posture, upholding international law, and collaborating with allies to deter any threats.
“Filipinos recognize that a firm and united approach—through diplomacy, military readiness, and strategic partnerships—is essential in safeguarding our territorial integrity. These numbers send a clear message: the nation stands resolute in defending what is rightfully ours,” Manhit said.
HOULD the Supreme Court order the return of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) P60billion reserve fund that was transferred last year to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr), the government can restore it as a form of added subsidy in 2026.
to PhilHealth’s subsidy next year.
Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman told reporters on Thursday that the national government could allocate P60 billion
“The fiscal space will be small assuming that [the funds would be returned in the form of additional subsidies],” Pangandaman said.
To recall, PhilHealth was directed to remit P89.9 billion of its excess funds to the Treasury to finance unprogrammed appropriations after the Department of Finance (DOF) issued Circular No. 003-2024. The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) also transferred P107.23 billion.
PhilHealth’s remittance was used to fund health and “social determinants of health” projects, according to the DOF.
Of this amount, P27.45 billion was allocated to pay the remaining allowances for Filipinos who served as Covid-19 frontliners through the Health Emergency Allowance. Another P10 billion was designated for medical assistance to underprivileged Filipinos, while P3.37 billion was used to build three Department of Health (DOH) facilities.
Additionally, P4.10 billion was allocated to strengthening DOH facilities, and P1.6 billion to the Health Facilities Enhancement Program.
The remaining P13 billion went to funding the government’s share in foreign-assisted infrastructure projects and other healthrelated initiatives.
The Budget chief said it is not proper to get back the funds that are already spent on these projects. Instead, P60 billion could be added to PhilHealth’s subsidies.
The transfer eventually led to PhilHealth not receiving any subsidies from the national government this year, with the NG citing the need to use up their reserve funds first.
Under the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP), P53.134 billion was proposed as a subsidy for PhilHealth, to be used for the health insurance premiums of indirect contributors.
Meanwhile, newly-appointed PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Edwin M. Mercado also said the health insurer will abide by the decision of the Supreme Court. (See: https:// businessmirror.com.ph/2025/03/06/ philhealth-to-abide-by-scs-decision-onfund-transfer/)
The DOF said PhilHealth still has P498 billion in cash, or more than enough to continue expanding its inpatient, outpatient and special benefit packages despite returning funds. Juvierre S. Alberto
Results from the survey show that 78 percent of Filipinos prefer “a candidate who believes that the Philippines must assert our rights against China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea”, while only 22 percent prefer “a candidate who does not believe that the Philippines must assert our rights against China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea.”
Support for candidates who believe in fighting for the Philippines’ rights is highest in the National Capital Region (NCR) at 87 percent, while respondents from Mindanao, the bailiwick of the Duterte clan, gave the least support at 67 percent.
Furthermore, another survey shows that 77 percent of Filipinos agree that “the Philippine government must further strengthen its alliance with other countries through joint patrols, joint sails, and joint military exercises to assert and defend the Philippines’ territorial and economic rights in the West Philippine Sea”.
NCR respondents gave the highest support to strengthening alliance with other countries to defend the West Philippine Sea at 84 percent, while Mindanaoans once
THE Philippines and Canada have successfully concluded their negotiations for the proposed Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), the Department of National Defense (DND) announced on Friday.
In a statement, DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said the Philippine delegation was led by Defense Undersecretary Angelito De Leon while that from Canada was headed by Department of National Defense Assistant Deputy Minister Scott Millar.
He said these negotiations were supplemented by virtual meetings and inter-agency consultations to ensure that the agreement aligns with both nations’ mutual interests and priorities.
Andolong added that Philippine negotiation panel included Presidential
“The increasing tensions in the West Philippine Sea and East China Sea remind us that sovereignty and territorial integrity directly impact the security, economy, and livelihood of our people,” he added. Manhit stressed the importance of deepening the strategic collaboration among Japan, Philippines, and the United States.
“The Philippines must continue working closely with Japan and the US to ensure that international law, particularly the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, is respected. The reaffirmation of our trilateral commitments could not come at a more critical time, as geopolitical risks continue to escalate, especially in the maritime domain,” Manhit explained.
“Today’s geopolitical architecture calls for turning risks into strategic opportunities. By reinforcing our trilateral cooperation, we can chart a future where the Indo-Pacific remains free, open, and secure. Fortunately, the deep and strong diplomatic relations among our three countries are a testament to the democratic values that we like-minded partners share in the face of our common challenges,” he also said.
Commission on Visiting Forces Undersecretary Antonio Habulan Jr.; DND Assistant Secretaries Marita Yoro and Erik Lawrence Dy; Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretaries Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga and Patrick Chuasoto and Officer-in-Charge Paulo Saret; and Department of Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez and Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin Chan. The Canadian delegation was composed of representatives from the Department of National Defence and Global Affairs Canada.
Following the 75th anniversary of Philippines-Canada diplomatic relations in 2024, the two nations affirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties through the conclusion of the SOVFA. This agreement will establish a framework for increased cooperation, fostering closer collaboration between defense and military establishments, improving interoperability between forces, and facilitating more effective joint exercises and capacity-building activities. This development underscored the Philippines’ commitment to bolstering international partnerships and promoting regional security, thereby ensuring security and economic prosperity of both countries.
“The Philippines looks forward to the positive impact of the SOVFA, which is expected to contribute to peace, stability, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. The DND
Time BusinessMirror Our
Dagupan City honored as the true landing site of General Douglas MacArthur in 1945
By Hilda Austria
Camalig elderly get rewards and recognition for long lives
LBy Connie Calipay
EGAZPI CITY—Sixteen se -
nior citizens from Camalig town in Albay province recently received cash incentives from the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC).
In an interview, Tim Florece, head of the Camalig Public Information Office, said a total of P250,000 in cash incentives were distributed to the beneficiaries.
DAGUPAN CITY—Residents
of this city welcomed the claim of American archivist and historian from MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, Virginia, the United States, James Zobel that Gen. Douglas MacArthur landed at the Bonuan Blue Beach in January 1945, paving the way for the country’s liberation from Japanese invaders.
For Rex Catubig, Dagupan’s consultant on arts and culture, this revelation reinforces the city’s vital role in history.
“While his landing in Leyte happened first, on October 20, 1944, it was his landing in Bonuan Blue Beach that set the stage for the Liberation, culminating in the liberation of Manila. If the landing did not take place, if the liberation did not happen as it did, who knows where we stand now,” he said.
Dagupan was more than just a landing site—it became a strategic headquarters where military operations were planned. The city’s railroad system and coastal access made it the ideal supply depot for Allied forces, launching more than 65,000 troops into action.
the Philippine Information Agency Pangasinan said he felt happy and proud as a Dagupeño, knowing his city had played a huge role during World War II.
“I am happy and proud since this long dispute as to where Gen. MacArthur landed upon his return is finally proven to be in Dagupan. It is important since the city has been part of the way to help the US force and Filipino soldiers in their fight for freedom from invaders,” he said.
“We are grateful for the incentives provided by the NCSC to our senior citizens. This is a recognition of their long and meaningful lives,” he said.
One centenarian received P100,000 while three nonagenarians and 12 octogenarians received P10,000 each. Florece said the distribution was in accordance with Republic Act No. 11982, which amends Republic Act 10868, also known as the Centenarians Act of 2016, by enhancing the benefits available to the elderly under the law. In a statement, Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo Jr. said it is only essential to recognize and support the elderly in Camalig as reaching such an advanced age is a significant milestone in a person’s life. With a report from Alyana Amador, OJT/PNA
“Dagupan was the site of his headquarters where military strategies were hatched. Because of its strategic location, with the availability of the railroad, Dagupan provided the launching pad for the military assault and subsequent victory of the US liberation forces,” he explained.
From the point of view of the younger generation, Odie Mamaril of
On Monday, the American historian Zobel confirmed in a lecture that MacArthur landed at Bonuan Blue Beach in Dagupan City, where a memorial building will soon be constructed. His conclusion was based on journals, official records, and personal diaries.
Additional evidence includes the diary of MacArthur’s deputy chief of staff, Maj. Gen. RJ Marshall, who explicitly mentioned landing at “Blue Beach II,” and the memoir of Sloan Auchincloss from the US Army Signal Corps, who escorted MacArthur from the beach to the headquarters.
Dagupan played a vital role in www.businessmirror.com.ph
World War II as the primary supply depot for US forces in Luzon. MacArthur even established his command base in the city’s West Central School, as evidenced by a photograph he sent to his wife.
For Philippine Veterans Bank
First Vice President for Marketing Communications and Consumer Protection Mike Villa-Real, also the National Executive Vice President of the VFP Sons and Daughters Association Inc., a nationwide group of descendants of WWII veterans, such was a welcome development. It was Villa-Real who asked Zobel to study where exactly the American general landed in Pangasinan as the debate persisted for years, especially during annual commemorations of the Lingayen Gulf Landing.
“Every year we attend the Lingayen Gulf Landing, I am asked the question where he exactly landed. For over a decade, I’ve said Blue Beach based on my correspondence with James Zobel and personal research,” he said in an online interview.
“But no one seems to listen or maybe take me seriously. So having Zobel speak and confirm what we’ve
been saying all this time is a welcome development. We can close the ‘discussion’ now and move forward.”
Zobel’s research uncovered significant evidence, including MacArthur’s diary, noting his departure from the USS Boise at 2 p.m. heading to Blue Beach; photos by Carl Mydans showing terrain that matched Dagupan, not Lingayen; and eyewitnesses’ testimonies from Judge Meneses and historian Resty Basa.
A Philippine Historical Committee marker, placed in 1948, already identified Bonuan Blue Beach as the landing site, further validating the claim.
Mayor Belen Fernandez said the information disclosed by Zobel strengthens the bond between the city or the country and the US.
“To the many challenges that we faced and went through in the city, there is one person whom we value the most, his words and his promise for us. For us, a promise is different from a fulfillment of a promise. For us, there is no other that reflects justice, responsibility, and trust between a leader and his people when a promise is fulfilled,” she said. PNA
How music created a lasting bond between a teacher and her students
‘ATEACHER affects eternity; you can never tell where her influence stops.” This is a commonly quoted statement by Henry B. Adams, an American historian. It took my wife, Aurit, to make me realize that it is truer than I thought. In college, she majored in piano and after graduation, people said she had a promising future as a piano concert performer. But she gave up that bright prospect because she had to earn a livelihood to support her parents and the schooling of her younger siblings. She was the eldest in a family of eight. As they say about theater people, those who can’t perform, teach. She gave private piano lessons, taught theory to music majors, and coached a few choral groups. There is, however, one brief interlude in her years as a teacher that stands out. This was before we got married. For two and a half years in the early ’70s, she handled the rondalla class of Araullo High School, a public school located along
Taft Avenue, corner UN Avenue. All that remains is a black and white picture.
At that time, rondalla was a music subject, just one of the vocational subjects such as work education, gardening or home economics, which every high school student had to take in order to pass.
When my classically trained wife came to teach rondalla lessons, it felt like a sink-or-swim situation for her, as it was her very first experience giving these lessons. Fortunately, her students were musically talented and skilled with the banduria and guitar.
The class consisted of around 30 boys and one girl, all in their mid or
late teens. With her background in classical music and thanks to the composition lessons she absorbed from her mentors Luis San Pedro and Col. Alfredo Buenaventura (both national artists), she arranged the compositions of Sergei Rachmaninoff and Francisco Santiago for the rondalla. It was an unconventional move because rondalla ensembles usually played only traditional folk music or kundimans.
Their performances were well received not only at Araullo High School but also at other schools where they were invited from time to time. They were even featured at the Concert at the Park TV show. As time went on, she and her students developed the kind of symbiosis that is much similar to a maestro conductor and his symphony orchestra.
The reverie was shattered when one day, the new head of the vocational department entered the room and made an insulting remark in front of her class, which she felt was uncalled for. It was, for her, the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. Little did the students know that underneath it all was a simmering sense of dissatisfaction in my wife, caused by jealous and resentful backbiting from school authorities who did not appreciate what she was trying to accomplish.
That very day, she submitted her irrevocable resignation and packed her things in a huff. Blinded by anger, she completely forgot about her rondalla students who suddenly found themselves abandoned. She never saw them again. Much to her regret later.
Jump cut to the Internet era. One day, she accidentally bumped into one of them on Facebook. Excited, she searched the names of her rondalla students she could remember. Like a mother hen gathering her chicks that had gone astray, she was able to round up most of them. They were only too delighted to reminisce about their rondalla years together. Every time their class had a reunion, my wife got invited, and was even made an honorary member not only of the rondalla class but the entire Araullo High School Batch 1972.
She felt guilty and remorseful for completely blocking that brief interlude of her life. It was only when she got together with her students again that she discovered that their short stint together had a lasting impact on them. And more significantly, she found out that she was highly valued.
As my wife’s designated driver and “bodyguard,” I shared her joy and went with her on these occasions and I’ve come to know them personally. For Dan, Ipe, Caloy, and Dante, the time they spent together learning and playing as a rondalla ensemble remained vivid in their minds.
Belarmino who migrated to Canada is in constant touch with my wife. He is devoted to his passion for making music more than ever. So much so that he has invested in building his own private music recording studio to do multi-layered recordings, which he sends from time to time to my wife for her mentorly assessment.
Natoy, based in Australia, never misses an opportunity to go effusive and almost ecstatic in his private messages about memories of his rondalla days and how they have kept him stay positive and optimistic in spite of the personal challenges he’s now struggling with at this point in his life.
The late, magnificent singer Aretha Franklin described what music does for people: “It’s transporting, for sure. It’s uplifting, it’s encouraging, it’s strengthening.”
While the rondalla circle has grown smaller with the passing away of some former rondalla students, my wife’s circle of alumni friends has grown bigger and bigger as other non-rondalla students like Tess, Fidel, Tess, Celia, Fem, Reg, Precy, Charito and many others whose names I can’t recall have come to embrace her virtually as their beloved teacher.
Receiving expressions of appreciation and gratitude is the best gift a teacher can get. I saw this with my own eyes when I accompanied my wife to a recent reunion of Araullo alumni where she was invited. I witnessed the sincere gestures of affection shown to her by the students who have now all
turned 70!
The poet Maya Angelou once said that people will forget what you said, or what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel. That’s what a good teacher does.
As I see it, however, there’s something else beyond my wife’s role as teacher that has kept the bond of teacher and student stay strong after all the years. It’s the love of music and the pleasure and delight of playing music.
The truth is, my wife was just an instrument of a mysterious power who put her there at that certain place at the right time to coax the music from those young hearts, which was already there. Through her dedicated teaching and patient conducting, she was the first to make them feel it.
And so, as Paul Simon pointed out, “once evoked, music should grow and mature with you, following you right on up until you die.” It’s true. The music is still very much alive in these 70-year-old hearts. So much so that I overheard them excitedly talking about playing together once again the same repertoire of exquisite melodies as a rondalla ensemble in a cherished past.
If they can pull it off, it would be an inspired gesture much like the culmination of a piece of musical composition, to recap a theme that they started more than 50 years ago. I can only pray that they make haste to do so before the hour glass runs out of sand.
AMERICAN archivist and historian from MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, Virginia, USA, James Zobel leads a lecture in Dagupan City on February 24, 2025, on Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s return to the country. He claimed that MacArthur landed at the Bonuan Blue Beach in Dagupan City, where the Gen. Douglas MacArthur Memorial building will be constructed, based on journals and other supporting documents. PHOTO COURTESY OF PIA PANGASINAN
A STAFF member of the National Commission of Senior Citizens checks the documents submitted by a beneficiary of the law-mandated cash incentive for the elderly at Barangay Bariw in Camalig, Albay, on March 3, 2025. One centenarian in the municipality received P100,000 while three nonagenarians and 12 octogenarians received P10,000 each. PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMALIG PIO
BusinessMirror
Women are #StrongLikeCoffee and other Women’s Month stories
ONE of the hottest discussions on TikTok right now is whether trans women should be included in the conversations and celebrations for International Women’s Month. One side argues that trans women have their own Pride Month while the other side says trans women are women and should be included.
If we are allies who say trans women are women, then is this still a matter for discussion? I gave birth, experienced period cramps, went through menopause, among other things, but that is my experience. Other women (including trans women) have their own experiences and struggles. We can all celebrate International Women’s Month and have meaningful conversations about what matters to us. The number of women celebrating this month will not affect me negatively.
The first International Women’s Day event I attended this year was the launch of Starbucks
POKÉMON CHAMPIONS’ FIRST VIDEO REVEAL IS OUT
THE Pokémon Company has revealed the latest news about the Nintendo Switch and mobile device (iOS/Android) software title Pokémon Champions.
The first Pokémon Champions video reveal is now available on the official Pokémon YouTube channel (youtu.be/ vmCUJE-Hrcw).
In Pokémon Champions, players will enjoy Pokémon battles like those in previous Pokémon series games. These battles will utilize familiar mechanics, such as Pokémon types, abilities, and moves—enabling the rich and varied battle strategies that players know and love. In addition, these battles cross-platform between the Nintendo Switch and mobile devices. Players can compete in different parts of the world for the highest rank in Ranked Battles, or some easygoing fun in Casual Battles. If players would rather play together with friends and family, they can have Private Battles, too. Players can also meet the trainers who will be their avatars. Pokémon Champions will be compatible with Pokémon HOME, the cloud service for Nintendo Switch and mobile devices. too.
Philippines’ #StrongLikeCoffee campaign at its community store in Tondo.
The campaign features Filipino artists who have brought some of Starbucks’ iconic store artworks to life. A special set of #StrongLikeCoffee notecards, with designs by each artist, are sold exclusively at Starbucks Abad Santos Tondo and Starbucks Maysilo Circle Community Stores. A portion of the proceeds will support youth education through the company’s nonprofit partners.
The #StrongLikeCoffee event’s highlight was a chat moderated by Jamie Silva, senior marketing manager at Starbucks Philippines, with artists Anina Rubio, Aze Ong, Tara Soriano, and Alab Pagarigan.
Pagarigan’s inspiration for his art is his mother. He translates his emotions into his art. The son of an artist, Pagarigan saw how his father would struggle to provide for the family.
“I witnessed how patient my mother was. She never nagged. When I started making money, I made sure to treat her to a good meal. She died in 2012. It was painful because I really loved her,” said Pagarigan.
Pagarigan’s featured notecard design, Roots, was an inverted coffee tree symbolizing the journey of coffee beans from farm to cup, and the love that goes into each stage of the process.
The piece that Tara Soriano chose for International Women’s Month, Peacock’s Paradise, is a tribute to a dear friend. It blends tropical vibrance with the grace and confidence of her favorite animal, the peacock.
Soriano’s mural, titled Of Books and Beans, which
depicts coffee and books coming together, can be seen at the Maysilo Community Store.
“I believe that doing murals for other people is like a dance. It celebrates individuality,” said Soriano.
Anina Rubio’s design for International Women’s Month, Flourish with Grace, celebrates the resilience and growth of women.
Rubio’s work at Starbucks Abad Santos Tondo is a striking flora and fauna mural.
Aze Ong is a contemporary artist specializing in fiber art. She created the unique wall art installations at Starbucks Reserve Hiraya. For this collaboration, her featured piece, Light of Beings, uses crocheted leaves to symbolize the diverse individuals who come together over coffee.
Ong talked about the challenges of her art.
“In 2010, nobody considered that gantsilyo [crochet] would be an art form. At that time, galleries would not accept my art. But I persevered so what I would like to say, through my work, is that there are endless possibilities.”
“By bringing together talented Filipino artists and youth from our Community Store nonprofit partners, we’ve created a space for dialogue and empowerment. We believe that art, like coffee, connects us, sparks creativity, and inspires positive change,” said Jamie Silva.
■ To be updated on Starbucks Philippines’ initiatives, visit www.starbucks.ph/stories and follow Starbucks Philippines on their social media pages.
Microsoft shutting down Skype in May
MICROSOFT is closing down Skype, the videocalling service it bought for $8.5 billion in 2011, which had helped spark a transformation in how people communicate online.
The tech giant said on Friday it will retire Skype in May and shift some of its services to Microsoft Teams, its flagship videoconferencing and team applications platform. Skype users will be able to use their existing accounts to log into Teams.
Microsoft has for years prioritized Teams over Skype and the decision to fold the brand reflects the tech giant’s desire to streamline its main communications app as it faces a host of competitors.
The ability to bypass expensive international phone calls to connect with far-flung coworkers was a boon for startups, but also people outside of the business world.
By 2011, when Microsoft bought it from eBay, Skype had about 170 million users worldwide, then-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said in an event announcing the planned merger.
“The Skype brand has become a verb, nearly synonymous with video and voice communications,” Ballmer said at the time.
BY RIZAL RAOUL S. REYES
DIGITAL technology has revolutionized both media consumption and consumer behavior, according to a study by government think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).
In a study, titled Analysis of the Competition Landscape of Philippine Mass Media, authored by PIDS senior research fellow Ramonette B. Serafica and research specialist Queen Cel A. Oren, digital platforms were game-changers as streaming services, social media platforms, and over-the-top (OTT) content as a huge number of Filipinos used these avenues to engage with media. Furthermore, the authors said these platforms offer personalized, on-demand content that appeals to younger audiences, often prioritizing speed and accessibility over accuracy.
As a result, the shift in consumer preferences resulted in the decline in the demand for traditional outlets, which continue to emphasize professional journalism, fact-checking, and reliable news coverage.
As a result, the Philippine media market is undergoing a monumental shift in revenue generation. According to the authors, the Philippine media market is expected to produce $6.5 billion in total revenue in 2024, with approximately 42 percent of this revenue coming from digital media.
“Many media companies are increasing their digital presence to capture content and advertising revenue,” the authors explained.
With digital platforms dominating the market as consumers shifted to online material, Serafica and Oren said the result is a declining demand for traditional TV broadcasts and printed newspapers.
Nevertheless, this shift in consumer behavior is not pervasive as millions of Filipinos residing outside the National Capital Region (NCR) still are challenged by continued lack of access to reliable and affordable internet services, limiting their ability to participate in the digital media landscape.
“The markets for wired and wireless internet access services outside the NCR remain highly concentrated,” resulting in high costs and slow speeds, the authors emphasized.
Meanwhile, the authors also called for democratization of media as huge business interests controlled by elite families or religious organizations dominate the media landscape, limiting competition and content diversity, particularly in television and print media. “This concentration of ownership is further exacerbated by barriers to entry for smaller players, particularly in the telecommunications sector,” the authors said.
Moreover, the study urged the removal of barriers such as restrictive licensing requirements and foreign ownership restrictions, which could encourage more competition, particularly in underserved regions where access to quality media is limited.
Founded in 2003 by a group of engineers in Tallinn, Estonia, Skype was a pioneer in making telephone calls using the internet instead of landlines. It relied on VOIP (voice over internet protocol) technology that converts audio into a digital signal transmitted online.
Skype added video calls after online retailer eBay bought the service in 2005.
“You no longer had to be a senior manager in a Fortune 500 company to have a good quality video call with someone else,” said Barbara Larson, a management professor at Northeastern University who studies the history of virtual and remote work. “It brought a lot of people around the world closer.”
Skype was still considered high-tech in 2017 when recently inaugurated US President Donald J. Trump’s administration used it to field questions from journalists far from the White House press briefing room. It was a month later when Microsoft launched Teams, an attempt to catch up to the growing demand for workplace chatting services sparked by upstart rival Slack Technologies. Slack and Teams, along with newer video platforms such as Zoom, saw explosive growth during the Covid-19 pandemic as companies scrambled to shift to remote work, and even families and friends looked for new tools for virtual gatherings.
Skype, by then, was already on the wane but had paved the way for strengthening the connections people can build remotely. AP
“The highly concentrated market for wired and wireless internet access services must be addressed,” the authors also emphasized. They recommended the approval of the Open Access to Data Transmission Act, which intends to remove entry barriers for smaller internet providers. Moreover, they stress the importance of improving media and digital literacy across all age groups as a key complement to developing a more inclusive media sector.
To support the vital role of media organizations, the authors urged the government to recognize their contributions and provide tax incentives, which is the more appropriate form of support than subsidies or funding, ensuring that editorial independence remains intact. “Fiscal incentives could be considered, along with other measures to deal with the operational costs of transitioning to digitalization, for example,” the authors urged.
A6 Saturday, March 8, 2025 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos
OPPO LAUNCHES WORLD’S THINNEST BOOKSTYLE FOLDABLE WITH UNPRECEDENTED FEATURES
OPPO, the world’s leading smart device brand, has announced the global availability of its Find N5 flagship foldable smartphone. Delivering unrivaled experiences with its thin and light design, the largest inner screen of any bookstyle foldable, class-leading battery life and next-generation AI-powered performance, Find N5 redefines foldable excellence.
“The Find N5 unlocks the potential of folding phones, putting tablet and laptop experiences in our hands. It’s impossibly thin and light, and ColorOS 15 is precision-tuned to do more across two immersive displays, with AI-powered tools, and advanced integration with Macs. Find N5 doesn’t close doors, it opens them, unfolding the potential of all your tech while keeping you connected all day and beyond,” said Pete Lau, SVP and chief product officer, OPPO. Find N5 is the world’s thinnest book-style foldable when closed. Measuring just 8.93mm, it’s no thicker than a traditional phone, and at a featherweight 229g it’s uncompromisingly light. Premium design and a rich feel combine with flat sides to create a secure grip, with contoured metal and balanced weighting for a tailored hold like no other.
Turn Find N5 around, and OPPO’s striking flagship design flourish—the Cosmos Ring—teases the Hasselblad Master Camera System within, and showcases an evolved aesthetic that elegantly rises from the aircraft-grade fibre back. Choose between two Find N5 color options: Cosmic Black combines a classic, demure, frosted black finish with a mature, matte black metal frame, and Misty White shimmers as its rich, layered back catches the light and its silver frame glints enticingly. Beautiful and durable, Find N5 is the world’s first IPX9rated foldable. In addition to its IPX8 water resistance, it has been tested to withstand water jets at extreme temperatures. OPPO’s Armour Shield architecture fortifies Find N5’s structural integrity. The frame is crafted from a composite of 7000 series aluminium alloy, resulting in a 30 percent increase in strength. With ultra-durable nanocrystal glass, the cover display benefits from up to a 20 percent improvement in drop resistance.
Find N5’s world-class durability extends to its Titanium Flexion Hinge, which is 26 percent smaller yet 36 percent more rigid than the previous generation, thanks to an overhauled structure and upgraded materials.
Both Find N5’s hinge cover, which protects the internal folding components, and the wing plate that connects the hinge to the folding display are made of Grade 5 titanium alloy, 3D printed to achieve the perfect shape. The hinge’s load-bearing components are made using Ultra-High Strength Steel (UHSS) exclusively customised by OPPO, with an industry-leading yield strength of 2000 MPa, so you can be confident Find N5 will last, even after years of folding and unfolding. At 8.12” when open, Find N5 has the largest inner display of any book-style foldable, and when closed, the 6.62-inch, 20.7:9 cover display is expansive, familiar and comfortable. Despite its slender, pocketable design, Find N5’s 8.12” unfolded screen is larger than some popular tablets on the market. It creates two-in-one functionality and gives you space for next-level productivity, creativity and entertainment. And with a class-leading shallow, narrow crease, it invites flow as you navigate across it, free from interruption. Find N5 is also the first smartphone to earn TÜV Rheinland’s Minimized Crease Certification, further cementing its industry-leading status.
Moreover, Find N5 lasts longer, delivering the best battery life of any folding phone. Made possible by its ultra-high capacity 5600mAh dual-cell battery, it sets a new bar, lasting beyond a full day and beating both folding and non-folding competition. Find N5 marks a new phase in OPPO’s global expansion. With over 700 million users across 70 markets, OPPO ranks fourth in global smartphone shipments for 2024, while 60 percent of its shipments come from markets outside of Mainland China. OPPO is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for premium devices, spanning both traditional
MWC 2025: Xiaomi and realme showcase add-on lenses; Honor unveils Alpha plan
PEOPLE usually hate show-offs—unless they’re flexing the future of tech, and that’s exactly what the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 was all about.
Held in the heart of Barcelona, the world’s biggest mobile tech event once again brought together the best minds in the industry, unveiling groundbreaking AI-powered smartphones, revolutionary imaging technology, and next-gen mobile ecosystems.
Xiaomi made waves with the global debut of the Xiaomi 15 Series, headlined by the Xiaomi 15 Ultra and surprised everyone with its Modular Optical System that attaches a separate lens unit to the back of your phone, giving you a proper digital camera experience.
Not to be outdone realme likewise showcased its Interchangeable-Lens concept phone, while also launching the realme 14 Pro Series—the world’s first cold-sensitive color-changing smartphone.
Honor meanwhile announced its industryleading initiative to provide 7 years of Android OS and security updates for its flagship Honor Magic series and the Honor Alpha Plan, a multi-year strategy aimed at transforming smartphones into an intelligent ecosystem in the AI arena.
Not to be outdone by these mobile smartphone brands, other innovative tech companies also made quite an impact. Lenovo’s solar-powered Yoga laptop pointed toward a more sustainable future, while Anker’s Solix Cloak, a wearable solar-charging jacket, just gave us a glimpse of the possibility of techintegrated fashion.
XIAOMI 15 ULTRA: PINNACLE OF MOBILE PHOTOGRAPHY
DESIGNED for creative enthusiasts who want to take their mobile photography game to the next level, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra brings DSLR-level imaging to smartphones with its Leica Summilux quad-camera system with focal lengths ranging from 14mm to 200mm. At the heart of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s camera system is an industry-leading 23mm Leica 1-inch main camera, equipped with a 50MP Sony LYT-900 image sensor for exceptional clarity and detail. Paired with a Leica Summilux optical lens, it features a large ƒ/1.63 aperture, variable focal lengths of 23mm, 28mm, and 35mm, and an impressive 14EV high dynamic range.
For portrait and street photography, a 70mm Leica floating telephoto camera operates at the golden focal length, delivering natural and flattering shots. Its large sensor also excels in macro photography, allowing users to capture intricate details from as close as 10cm.
An industry-leading 100mm Leica 200MP ultra telephoto camera makes it easy to capture shots of distant objects with a focal length of 100mm, extendable to 200mm using in-sensor zoom technology. Completing the quad camera system is the 14mm Leica ultra-wide camera, offering expansive perspectives for capturing breathtaking landscapes and group shots. For videography, it supports 4K 120fps slowmotion recording, Dolby Vision 4K 60fps support, and 10-bit Log video across all focal lengths, enhanced by OIS, EIS, and an industry-first ACES certification for professional-grade color accuracy.
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra features a 6.73-inch WQHD+ AMOLED display with 3200 x 1440 resolution, 522 ppi, and 3200 nits peak brightness, ensuring crisp visuals in any lighting condition. Built for durability,
it boasts of Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0, a CNCcrafted aluminum frame, and Gorilla Glass 7i. Performance-wise, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, combined with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage. Xiaomi’s Guardian Structure ensures top-tier durability with Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0, aerospacegrade glass fiber, and a CNC-milled aluminum frame. The 5410mAh battery supports 90W HyperCharge and 80W wireless HyperCharge.
XIAOMI 15: COMPACT FLAGSHIP
BALANCING flagship performance with a more compact form, the Xiaomi 15 boasts a 6.36-inch CrystalRes AMOLED display with 3200 nits peak brightness for superior outdoor visibility. Its Leica triple-camera system covers focal lengths from 14mm to 120mm, with a 50MP Leica Summilux main camera featuring AI-driven image processing for vibrant, detailed shots. The Fastshot mode captures images in 0.6 seconds, ideal for street photography. Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, LPDDR5X RAM, and UFS 4.0 storage deliver unparalleled speed and efficiency. The 5240mAh battery supports 90W wired and 50W wireless HyperCharge, ensuring all-day power.
BEYOND SMARTPHONES:
XIAOMI EXPANDS ITS ECOSYSTEM
XIAOMI also introduced the Xiaomi Pad 7 Series, including the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro, featuring an 11.2-inch 3.2K display, 144Hz refresh rate, and Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset for high-performance multitasking. The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro promises Hi-Fi audio and adaptive noise cancellation, while the Xiaomi Watch S4 combines AI-powered health tracking with premium design. Lastly, Xiaomi continues its commitment to smart mobility with the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5 Max, designed for enhanced safety and efficiency.
REALME’S TEASES
INTERCHANGEABLE-LENS CONCEPT
XIAOMI wasn’t the only brand pushing mobile imaging boundaries at MWC 2025. realme also made a statement with its Interchangeable-Lens Concept phone, a revolutionary prototype that allows users to swap DSLR-style lenses onto a smartphone. Featuring a 1-inch custom Sony sensor, this concept introduces a modular lens mount system with two professionalgrade lens options—a 73mm portrait lens and a 234mm telephoto lens—delivering optical clarity and lossless zoom previously unseen in smartphones. But the one we are going to see real soon is the realme 14 Pro Series which introduces the world’s first cold-sensitive color-changing smartphones. Developed in partnership with Valeur Designers,
these devices feature thermochromic pigments that shift from pearl white to deep blue in colder temperatures.
This striking aesthetic innovation is complemented by realme’s MagicGlow Triple Flash, designed for pro-level nighttime portraits. Additionally, the realme 14 Pro+ comes with TÜV Rheinland Rugged Smartphone Certification, boasting IP69, IP68, and IP66 ratings, making it one of the most durable devices in the market.
HONOR ALPHA PLAN: A BOLD LEAP INTO AI HONOR took a different approach at MWC 2025, emphasizing long-term software support and AI integration over hardware innovations. The company introduced the Honor Alpha Plan, a transformative strategy aimed at evolving from a smartphone brand into a global AI-powered ecosystem leader.
Central to this initiative is Honor’s unprecedented seven-year software update commitment for its flagship Honor Magic series, ensuring long-term security, performance, and AI enhancements. The Honor Magic 7 Pro and Magic 7 RSR will be the first devices to benefit from this extended support, placing Honor alongside Samsung and Google in software longevity.
In collaboration with Google and Qualcomm, Honor also announced a $10 billion investment over the next five years to develop an intelligent ecosystem where smartphones, tablets, and wearables seamlessly communicate. This initiative aims to rival Apple’s ecosystem approach but with an open collaboration model.
Beyond software innovations, Honor is also expanding its wearable and tablet lineup with three new global releases. The Honor Earbuds Open offer an open-ear design with built-in ear hooks, AIpowered Live Translation, and a three-microphone hybrid noise cancellation system for clearer calls. Meanwhile, the Honor Watch 5 Ultra boasts a 1.5-inch AMOLED display, IP68 dust and water resistance, and 15-day battery life, housed in a titanium alloy frame.
Honor is also stepping up its tablet game with the Honor Pad V9, featuring an 11.5-inch 144Hz LCD display, MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Elite processor, and up to 12GB RAM with 256GB storage, with a 10,100mAh battery, 8MP front camera, and 13MP rear camera. ■
THE OPPO Find N5 flagship foldable.
Editor: Mike Policarpio
TESDA, DOLE finalize rules on ‘EBET Framework Act’
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
THE governing rules for an enterprise-based training program aimed at improving the employability of technicalvocational graduates have been signed by two lead agencies.
DA shall approve EBET programs not later than 30 days from the submission of correct, complete and compliant documents,” the guidelines stated.
The IRR provides a structured framework for EBET, which consists of three components: general EBET for entry-level skills training, apprenticeships for those seeking national certification, and upskilling programs for employees looking to improve or shift careers.
ing 3 years.
Apprentices must be at least 18-years old and receive a training allowance of no less than 75 percent of the prevailing regional minimum wage, plus 25 percent for every hour of overtime.
Lastly, EBET’s upskilling programs cater to employees seeking career advancement or transition. Participants must be at least 15-years old; they will receive full wages and benefits equivalent to regular employees.
yields “transformative” impact, as he confirmed that “when trainees gain real-world experience, they find jobs faster, their skills are more refined, and they become more competitive.”
The EBET Framework Act, signed into law by Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in November 2024, aims to expand enterprise-based learning, strengthen industry participation in curriculum development, and enhance apprenticeship programs.
LAST month, De La Salle University celebrated its golden jubilee since attaining its University Charter on February 19, 1975. This was a pivotal moment for the “green-and-white,” as its role was solidified as a key player in nation-building through transformative education.
“Our University Charter enabled us to expand our academic offerings and strengthen our commitment to addressing the nation’s needs,” shared Br. Bernard Oca FSC who is DLSU’s president. “We continue to shape leaders and changemakers who contribute meaningfully to society.”
Transformative education
Officials from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have formalized the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the “EnterpriseBased Education and Training [EBET] Framework Act” on February 28, which set new standards for hands-on training in partnership with private companies. Under the IRR, all enterprise-based training must be registered with TESDA, as participating firms must comply with competency-based training standards.
General EBET covers low- to mid-level skills with a 6-month full duration. Trainees must be at least 15-years old, and they are entitled to a training allowance.
“The rigor, process and timeline of the review of program applications shall vary depending on the type of EBET program…TES -
Meanwhile, apprenticeships focus on higher-level competencies, including programs under National Certificate III and above, with a duration based on skill complexity but not exceed -
To streamline registration, a new online portal will be launched to serve as a “one-stop shop” for enterprises joining the program.
Joining ventures will also receive additional tax deductions for expenses.
At the signing event, Sec. Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez of TESDA underscored the program’s potential, as on-the-job training
Benitez noted that among TESDA’s three training modalities that are community-based, institution-based and enterprisebased, EBET has the highest success rate, with 85.48 percent of trainees securing jobs.
The EBET Law has been in the making for more than a decade. Its first version was filed in the 15th Congress by former representative Sherwin N. Tugna.
FEU receives AUN-QA Institutional Certification
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY (FEU) has earned the “Asean University NetworkQuality Assurance (AUN-QA) Institutional Certification,” which reaffirms the higher educational institution’s commitment to quality education, sustainability and community engagement.
The recognition indicates the university’s overall quality and governance, ensuring it meets Asean standards. It strengthens FEU’s standing not only as an institution of higher learning, but also complements its 18 AUN-QA program accreditations which assess the quality of specific academic programs.
The AUN-QA Institutional Assessment highlighted FEU’s core values, along with its academic excellence, strong governance and innovative approach to holistic
THE United Kingdom, in collaboration with the Asean Secretariat, recently opened applications for the second year of “Women in STEM Scholarships” under the “AseanUK Supporting the Advancement of Girls’ Education [ASEAN-UK SAGE]” program. This initiative reaffirms the UK’s commitment to empower women in Southeast Asia and Timor-Leste to overcome barriers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), enabling more women to lead in these fields. The fully funded scholarship programme offers 11 exceptional women from 10 Asean member-states (AMS) and Timor-Leste the opportunity to pursue Master’s degrees at two of the UK’s leading universities: The University of Warwick, and the University of Manchester.
The Asean-UK SAGE offer complements the “British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM” which was also launched simultaneously. In AMS, there is a mixed picture of gender parity in access and performance in STEM subjects, according to the British Council. Despite outperforming boys in mathematics and science in pri -
student development. The university’s Community Extension Services were commended for their research-based alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Experts of AUN-QA explored two of FEU’s flagship community initiatives. One is the partnership with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology which equips female inmates with life and work skills to help them reintegrate into society. Another is “Project Mangyan:” an initiative dedicated to preserving indigenous traditions while providing community members with sustainable livelihood training and essential resources.
The university’s environmental sustainability efforts were also cited. Its 4.4-hectare Manila campus, known as a “green campus” both literally and figuratively, fea -
tures lush gardens, quiet spaces, and five Art Deco buildings cited by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organi -
zation or UNESCO. The university leads in sustainable practices, having pioneered a chilled water district cooling system and
now a centralized potable water filtration and distribution plant reducing its overall carbon footprint significantly. In addition, electricity in FEU is 100-percent supplied from renewable power providers.
“It’s very pleasing to note that we have in place, first and foremost the right personnel and organization, that our facilities are high level and that our systems and governance practices robust to deliver consistent quality education,” said FEU president Juan Miguel Montinola.
The certification solidifies FEU’s standing as a premier university in Southeast Asia, complementing its distinction as one of only three Philippine universities in the Quacquarelli Symonds Rankings with “AUN Institutional Accreditation.”
VICE president for Lasallian Mission Fritzie Ian de Vera explained that the university’s educational approach is both holistic and deeply rooted in the Lasallian mission of service to the poor: “Service-learning is a core component of the DLSU experience. Our holistic curriculum develops culturally sensitive critical thinkers, effective communicators, and engaged, service-driven citizens. Students apply their knowledge to real-world challenges faced by marginalized communities—a truly transformative experience.”
De Vera said the approach is manifested in initiatives like the student-produced documentary powered by artificial intelligence or AI featured on I-Witness , showcasing the way technology can be harnessed for social good. DLSU’s commitment to service-learning has also earned it recognition as the “ServiceLearning Hub for Asia and Oceania” by UNISERVITATE, with 100 percent of undergraduate programs incorporating this pedagogy. De Vera added that “these immersive experiences foster personal growth while empowering students to become agents of societal change.”
mary and secondary education, women remain underrepresented in STEM in tertiary education at only 19.3 percent participation, compared with 39.8 percent of men obtaining STEM degrees. Women-doctoral degree students are a minority. According to the United Nations Economic, Scientific and Cultural Office or UNESCO, women account for a minority of the world’s researchers. In 2019, fewer than 30 percent of researchers worldwide were women, and only 30 percent of female students selected STEM-related fields in higher education. Specifically for East Asia and the Pacific, women-researchers accounted for 25 percent.
This disparity continues into the workforce, with the 2022 UN Progress Report on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Gender Equality indicating that only 20 percent of jobs in the STEM sector are held by women globally, while only 16.5 percent of women inventors are associated with a patent.
According to the British Council, the Asean-UK SAGE program tackles gender barriers to basic digital skills for work, aimed at supporting the development of basic digital skills for marginalized groups to boost employment
chances and therefore quality of life, which helps narrow the region’s development gap. The scholarships aid this goal by providing financial assistance to disadvantaged women from AMS and Timor-Leste to access UK education in key STEM-related fields.
In 2024, in the breakthrough year of the Asean-UK SAGE scholarships, 12 women from nine countries: (Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste) studied in a range of STEM subjects in the UK: from Environmental Data Science and Machine Learning to Engineering Business Management at Master’s level in Imperial CollegeLondon and the University of Warwick. They will be returning home after the end of the host-country’s academic year.
Secretary-general of Asean Dr. Kao Kim Hourn said “[the region’s] workforce is vast, and it is imperative to harness the full potential of humanity by encouraging both girls and boys, men and women, to pursue and excel in STEM education, which is critical for the future world of work. By doing so, we ensure that Asean remains at the forefront of global economic
and technological progress.”
For Hourn, the scholarship comes at a timely moment, as Asean looks toward increasing the involvement of the region’s women in STEM fields, “reinforcing our commitment to gender inclusivity and sustainable development in alignment with regional and global priorities.”
Amb. Laure Beaufils said: “The UK is proud to support women in STEM in Asean. The [scholarships] demonstrate the UK’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development through education and women-empowerment. They are yet another example of the thriving partnership between the UK and ASEAN.”
She furthered that “the exceptional women who are undertaking the scholarships this year will return to their home countries to launch their STEM careers, driving science and innovation. They will advocate for women and inspire the next generation… We hope they will build on their experience to develop research collaborations between Asean and the UK, where our universities are known for topnotch STEM programs.”
Director Lotus Postrado of British Council-Philippines said: “Recognizing the vital role of women in
shaping the future of science and innovation, we are proud to also launch the fifth year of the British Council Women in STEM Scholarships. This program offers over 65 scholarships globally—including 25 for outstanding women from East Asian countries this year. These prestigious scholarships are more than just financial support— they are a gateway to world-class education, cutting-edge research, and a powerful global network of women leaders in STEM.”
He added: “With both scholarship programs, we want to equip talented women with the skills, knowledge and confidence to thrive [and] invest in a future where they will break barriers, drive discoveries and inspire the next generation.”
Applications for both are now open until mid-April 2025, covering tuition fees, stipends, travel costs, visa fees and health coverage.
Visit https://www.britishcouncil.id/en/programmes/education/ sage for more details on the Asean–UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships; while for British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM, visit: https://www.britishcouncil. org/study-work-abroad/in-uk/scholarship-women-stem.
Commitment to nation-building BEYOND academic excellence, DLSU actively contributes to national development through research and policy engagement. The university plays a vital role in shaping education reform through the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), focusing on improvements in Philippine education. It also fosters civic engagement through its Committee on National Issues and Concerns or CONIC which mobilizes students, faculty and alumni to respond to pressing social challenges. This dedication to service and leadership ensures that DLSU graduates are not only “industry-ready,” but also “nation-ready.”
Renewed commitment to impact MARKING its golden jubilee, Br. Roca said the university looks ahead to an even greater role in shaping the country’s future. Its efforts are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals SDGs, reinforcing its mission to drive sustainable and inclusive progress.
“We are setting new strategic goals to create impact both locally and globally,” the university’s president said. “Through research, social engagement, and strong industry-academe partnerships, we aim to prepare our students and alumni to be catalysts for positive change.”
Br. Oca said the milestone is a reaffirmation of DLSU’s unyielding commitment to excellence, service and nation-building. As the university enters its next 50 years, it remains steadfast in its mission to develop future leaders who will shape a better Philippines and a better world. Rizal Raoul S. Reyes
FEU president Juan Miguel Montinola (center) receives the AUN-QA Institutional Certification. FEU MEDIA CENTER
Tourism Editor: Edwin P. Sallan
A GLOWING WELCOME
ExpErIENCING TAIWAN’s LANTErN fEsTIvAL ANd hErITAGE
by Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
Story &
Taiwan is the first international destination i’ve traveled to.
The plane ride to Taiwan was brief—only one and a half hours away from the Philippines. Our neighbor, Taiwan, is just right on top of the Philippines with Japan in the northeast and the People’s Republic of China in the northwest. It stretches for just about 36,000 square kilometers with two-thirds of its area covered by tall and lush mountains. Much like the Philippines, Taiwan is a melting pot. It has been called “Formosa” or “beautiful island” by the Portuguese who were drawn to Taiwan in the 16th century. Since then, it has been colonized by the Japanese, Spanish, Dutch and Chinese nationalists. It also has been influenced by its immigrants who came from Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. Yet, the self-ruled country, officially known as the Republic of China and separated from the mainland by the Taiwan Strait, continues to assert its distinct identity.
The majestic Taiwan Lantern Festival
F OR one, the recently held Taiwan Lantern Festival, now in its 36th year, demonstrates the country’s thrust in letting the world know about its vibrant culture.
Despite the cold and wet evening brought by the rain, nearly 700,000 spectators flocked to the opening ceremony held in Taoyuan City. The main lantern exhibition is located just in front of the Taoyuan Airport MRT
A18 Station while the “Light Playground” is near the Taoyuan Sports Park Station.
After nine years, Taoyuan City hosted the festival again, symbolizing Taiwan’s baseball culture and as an international transportation hub. This year’s theme is “Light Gathers in Thousand Ponds and Strings Through Taoyuan,” creating a visual feast and incorporating Taoyuan’s unique culture. Eleven theme lantern areas, exhibiting more than 300 works, created a sensory feast for the festival-goers.
The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month in the lunar calendar. This year, it welcomes
the “Year of the Snake” with the main lantern “Infinite Paradise” shaped as an infinity symbol resembling the reptile.
The infinity-shaped lantern, made up of LED panels, glowed under the rainy night sky. The integration of technology into traditional lanternmaking reflects Taiwan’s unique ability to honor its heritage while embracing the future.
As it rotated, the digital canvas showcased Taiwan’s traditions and innovations. The futuristic display mesmerized visitors with its changing visuals, from telling the Taiwanese folklore to demonstrating its advanced technologies, it also pushed to restore and boost its tourism inflows.
As airplanes circled through the lantern, welcome greetings in various foreign languages appeared, followed by the blossoming of cherry blossoms and other radiant flowers. Serene landscapes, such as Taiwan’s mountain ranges and marine life, were also shown to entice more foreign tourists to visit and experience Taiwan.
President Lai Ching-te was present and asked if everyone had eaten yuanxiao, glutinous rice dumplings stuffed with sweet or savory fillings served during the lantern festival.
“Many friends at home and abroad came to join in the celebration… This is the result of the joint efforts of many people. I believe that serving the people and the country, regardless of party affiliation, is the duty of all political parties and politicians,” Lai said.
Beyond its visual spectacle, made even more magical by the lanterns’ reflections on the rain-slicked ground, the lantern festival embodied a deeper meaning. The infinity symbol represents boundless possibilities. Like a string, it brings people from various countries together to connect with each other through their cultures.
The past lives on TAI wA n never turned its back on its history. Apart from the lantern festival, our familiarization trip, organized by the Taiwan Tourism Administration, in Taoyuan exposed us to its
rich past, from wandering through old streets to blazing through ravaged train lines.
At the Zhongzhen n ew Village, we were told the story of the brave “Lost Army” soldiers who fought against the Chinese Communist Party in the borderlands between Yunnan, Burma and Thailand for more than thirty years during the Chinese Civil war.
walking through the exhibits in the Lost Army Story Museum guided by the enthusiastic 75-year-old war veteran Simon wang, I could feel the same weight they carried through the years—rifles and bodies of their comrades—reminding us of their perseverance despite the unfamiliarity in
Bambanti Festival levels up
Last January (a month busy with festivals dedicated to the s anto Nino), the province of Isabela again honored the scarecrow, the unheralded hero of the rice fields (Isabela is the country’s second largest rice producer), through the Bambanti Festival, a three-time a liw awardee (2015 to 2017) for Best Festival Practices and Performance. a gain, in the forefront of the celebration was Governor Rodolfo “Rodito” a lbano III and Vice-Governor Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III, director general of the Bambanti Festival 2025. t his year’s 13th edition, whose theme was “a ng Piyesta ng Bagong Pilipinas” (“ t he Festival of a New Philippines”), took on an international flavor when, from January 24 to 25, the province also hosted a distinguished delegation of diplomats (21 ambassadors, 2 Charge d’a ffaires and one Deputy Chief of Mission) from 24 nations, from a sia, Europe, a frica and the a mericas, for a 2-day familiarization tour where they witnessed a cooking demonstration of binallay (rice cake) and Pancit Cabagan and toured the Bambanti Village and Mr. Moo’s Dairy Farm, all in the City of Ilagan; as well as the Philippine Crocodile Conservation Center in s an Mariano; Universal Leaf Philippines, Inc. in Reina Mercedes; the Church of st. Matthias in tumauini; and the NMI aC Rice Mill
in Cauayan City. Incidentally, Miss Mylene Garcia- a lbano, the wife of the governor, is the Philippine ambassador to Japan. t he grand coronation night for the s earch for Queen Isabela 2025 (with 33 stunning candidates), was also held, for the first time, indoors, at the newly-opened, 10,000-seat Ilagan City Capitol a rena. a lso, for the first time in the history of the pageant, the winner will also represent the province in the Miss Universe Philippines 2025. Hosting the event was Filipino actor and singer Rayver Cruz and 2019 Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental Emma t iglao. It was a night of surprises as crowned Queen Isabela 2025 was the 21-year old Ms. Jarina Kumari s andhu of Cauayan City, an exquisite mix of Filipino and Indian. t his year’s Makan ken Mainom (the Ilocano term for “food” and “drinks”), again chaired by Chef Mary a nn a rcega-Dy, also embraced inclusivity. t he ninth edition of the contest now required the 22 participating municipalities and cities to include at least one member of the LGB tQ community as part of their team. a side from highlighting local products from Isabela, cacao (in the Mainum category) plus two secret ingredients (in the Makan category, revealed through a “secret” box) - pinilisa rice (from Jones) and squash; were required to be used as main ingredients in the contestant’s recipes. t he competition was won by tumauini and Luna in the Makan and Mainum category, respectively.
t he longstanding highlights of the Bambanti Festival were also still around - the Bambanti Village a gro-Ecotourism trade Exhibit and the much-awaited, high-energy street Dance Parade Competition. t he former featured 34 eco-tourism booths (11 first-class municipalities and 2 cities in Category a and 23 second and third-class municipalities in Category B) where each participating municipality and city sold its local specialties in booths decorated with giant bambanti (Ilocano word for “scarecrow”) built with natural, organic, and biodegradable materials indigenous to the province. t he Best agri-tourism Booth and Best Giant Bambanti Installation was both won by the City of Ilagan, in Category a ; and Cordon and Gamu, respectively, in Category B. t he latter, held at the Isabela s ports Complex (I s C), featured thirteen contingents who performed 3-minute sequences featuring lifts, quick costume changes and intricate hand and foot movements. Jones secured a back-to-back championship in Category a while Luna won in Category B. t he Festival Dance s howdown, participated in by 13 contingents at the s C Main s tage, featured solid choreography and compelling storytelling. t he winners were the City of Ilagan, in Category a , and Luna in Category B.
the jungles and uncertainty of the war. 70 years later, after the army’s repatriation to Zhongzheng n ew Village, the area has now turned vibrant as restaurants, niche stores and vertical residential areas have sprawled around.
History remains from straits to mountains
A LO n G the coast of the Guanyin, the Baishajia Lighthouse, standing tall at 37 meters, tells the island’s maritime past. The snow-white lighthouse was constructed in 1901 during the Japanese colonial period using red bricks and stones to make it earthquakeresistant.
The lighthouse, which used to guide ships sailing south from Keelung or Tamsui, is now preserved and recognized as Taoyuan’s second national monument.
n earby, we strolled along a rainbow bridge headed to Zhuwei Fishing Harbor. Local fishermen lined up on the coast with rods in their hands hoping to catch a fish, an old practice persisting despite modern fishing techniques.
n ext day, we went to Xiaowulai Skywalk. Fuxing District’s picturesque green valleys and Xiao w ulai’s falls offered a relaxing and healing breather. Apparently, the phytoncide emanating from the forest cleanses
of Hakka’s settlement from the 18th century stood against the backdrop of tall condominiums in Hsinchu. w hile the place protects and promotes Hakka heritage, it also embraces the future as cafés, a bookstore and a weekend market have been established. Just like this year’s infinity lantern, Taiwan has never turned its back on its history. Instead, it finds ways to weave its past into the present so that tradition and innovation coexist. w hether through a high-tech lantern at a festival or visiting old streets, Taiwan’s story is one of continuity— a nation that moves forward while always remembering where it came from.
photos
Story & photos by Benjamin Locsin Layug
The World
Trump renews attacks on US-Japan Security Treaty amid trade tensions
By Sakura Murakami
NITED STATES President
UDonald Trump on Thursday criticized the US-Japan Security Treaty, highlighting the fact that the US is obliged to defend Japan under the agreement but Japan does not offer the same security guarantees in return, even as Tokyo benefits from the trade relationship.
“We have a great relationship with Japan, but we have an interesting deal with Japan that we have to protect them, but they don’t have to protect us,” Trump said to reporters after signing an executive order in the Oval Office.
“And by the way, they make a fortune with us economically,” Trump added. “I actually asked who makes these deals?”
Trump’s displeasure with the treaty is likely to stoke fears in Japan that he will eventually set his sights on extracting a new security or trade deal from Tokyo, which has so far managed to avoid becoming
a focus of his dissatisfaction since he took office for the second time in January. The country’s trade surplus against the US is likely to remain a source of irritation for the US president.
The comments echo similar complaints made by Trump during his first term. He is said to have mused about withdrawing from the treaty given the perceived imbalance. Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba countered the claim in parliament Friday, saying that Japan bears the burden of providing bases to the US.
“Our relationship is not just one where the US unilaterally protects Japan and Japan is unilaterally protected by the US,” he said. Ishiba added that it was important to explain how much Japan, with its economy and pro-American sentiment, has contributed to US global strategy, and said that he wasn’t fretting about Trump’s comments.
Japan’s top government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi also
stressed the importance of the longstanding Japan-US alliance in a regular press briefing held Friday.
“We have the utmost confidence that the US will use all its capabilities, including its nuclear capabilities, to fulfill its obligations under the Japan-US Security Treaty,” he said.
Hayashi also touched on a separate law that interprets Japan’s self-defense rules to be applied to collective self-defense, saying that it “has enabled Japan and the US to seamlessly assist each other in any situation in order to protect Japan.”
First signed in 1951 and revised in 1960, the security treaty grants the US the right to base military forces in Japan in exchange for the promise that America will defend the territories Tokyo controls if they come under attack.
The treaty was signed as part of the US strategic interest in maintaining a foothold against the communist bloc in Asia during the Cold War, and has remained in place as
the region’s security becomes increasingly tense with China’s military ambitions and the threat of a nuclear-armed North Korea.
It also serves as the basis for the largest overseas US military presence in the world, with some 60,000 military members currently stationed in Japan, according to US Forces Japan.
Japan has a pacifist clause in its constitution that effectively bars the nation from getting involved in foreign conflicts, but a decade ago Prime Minister Shinzo Abe loosened restrictions to allow Japan’s military to help defend allies when they are under attack near Japan.
Japan foots some of the bill of maintaining US bases on its land, earmarking some ¥430 billion ($2.9 billion) from its government budget last year. But whether that is enough has also been a point of contention in the past, with Trump reportedly pressuring Tokyo to increase its annual contribution to $8 billion. Bloomberg News
Impeached South Korean President Yoon freed, Constitutional Court weighs ouster
By Hyung-Jin Kim The Associated Press
SEOUL, South Korea—A South Korean court on Friday ordered impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol to be released from jail, more than a month after he was arrested and indicted over his short-lived imposition of martial law.
The decision by the Seoul Central District Court would allow Yoon stand trial while not being physically detained. The hearings in his separate impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court concluded in late February and the court is expected to rule soon on whether to formally remove him from office or reinstate him.
The Seoul Central District Court said it accepted Yoon’s request to be released from jail because the legal period of his formal arrest expired before he was indicted in late January. The court said the investigative agency that detained Yoon before his formal arrest didn’t have legal rights to investigate the criminal rebellion charges.
Yoon’s defense team welcomed the court’s decision and urged prosecutors to release him immediately. The presidential office also welcomed the court’s decision, saying it hopes Yoon will swiftly return to work.
However, South Korea law allows
prosecutors to hold a suspect temporarily while they pursue an appeal. Investigators have alleged that the martial-law decree amounted to rebellion. If he’s convicted of that offense, he would face the death penalty or life imprisonment. Yoon’s martial law decree, which involved the dispatch of troops and police forces to the National Assembly, evoked traumatic memories of past military rules among many South Koreans. The decree lasted only six hours as enough lawmakers managed to get into an assembly hall and voted to overturn it unanimously.
Yoon later argued his decree was only meant to inform the people of the danger of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, which undermined his agenda and impeached top officials, and said he dispatched troops to the assembly only in order to maintain order. But some top military and police officers sent to the assembly have told Constitutional Court hearings or investigators that Yoon ordered them to drag out lawmakers to obstruct a vote on his decree or detain politicians.
If the Constitutional Court upholds Yoon’s impeachment, he will be officially thrown out of office and a national election will be held to choose his successor within two months.
Wall Street tumbles as tariff whiplash, falling AI stocks drag Nasdaq
By Stan Choe Ap Business Writer
Nother tariffs scheduled to take effect April 2. And the growing pile of dizzying backand-forth moves on tariffs is only amping up the uncertainty. It was just on Monday that Trump said there was “no room” left for negotiations to avert the tariffs on Mexico and Canada that took effect Tuesday.
“These exemptions don’t do much to resolve the general air of uncertainty,” said Yung-Yu Ma, chief investment officer at BMO Wealth Management. “Businesses will still be cautious in the current environment until a lot more of the tariff picture is clear.”
US businesses are already saying they’re confronting “chaos” because of all the uncertainty coming out of Washington, while US households are bracing for higher inflation because of the tariffs, which is sapping their confidence.
“Much will depend on whether these new tariffs prove temporary or are toned down,” according to strategists at BNP Paribas. “But even if they are ultimately removed, we anticipate lasting damage to global economic activity.”
When asked whether his delays on tariffs reflected the slump for the stock market, Trump said Thursday, “I’m not even looking at the market.” He earlier in the Oval Office blamed the falling prices on “globalist countries and companies that won’t be
doing as well because we’re taking back things that have been taken from us many years ago.”
Next up for Wall Street is a report coming Friday from the US Labor Department on how many workers US employers hired last month. A solid job market so far, along with the solid spending by US households that it’s allowed, have been linchpins in preventing a recession. Economists are expecting to see an acceleration in hiring for February.
Some big retailers have been offering warning signals recently about how much US consumers can keep spending.
Macy’s on Thursday reported slightly weaker revenue for the end of 2024 than analysts expected, though its profit topped expectations. It also gave a forecast for profit in 2025 that fell short of analysts’. Its shares fell 0.7 percent.
It was a similar story for Victoria’s Secret, which beat Wall Street’s fourthquarter sales and profit forecasts but gave a revenue forecast for the upcoming year that fell short of analysts’ expectations. Its stock fell 8.2 percent.
Making things worse for the US stock market, some of its biggest stars are seeing
their glow dim.
Semiconductor companies and their suppliers were particularly heavy weights, after soaring to staggering heights because of the frenzy around artificial-intelligence technology.
Marvell Technology lost nearly a fifth of its value and dropped 19.8 percent even though it reported results for the latest quarter that edged past analysts’ forecasts.
It also said it expects revenue growth in the current quarter of more than 60 percent from the prior year, give or take a bit.
But that wasn’t enough for investors, who have grown used to AI-related companies trouncing expectations.
The poster child of the AI boom, Nvidia, fell 5.7 percent, while Broadcom lost 6.3 percent ahead of the release of its earnings report.
AI superstars had been dominating Wall Street for years and helped it run to record after record. But those soaring performances, including a nearly 820 percent surge for Nvidia from 2023 into 2024, had critics saying prices had grown too expensive. They’re also facing threats as Chinese companies develop their own AI offerings, with DeepSeek famously saying it didn’t need to use the industry’s most expensive chips.
Business Writers Matt Ott, Elaine Kurtenbach, Christopher Rugaber and Josh Boak contributed.
March 8, 2025
Pope Francis delivers 1st public message with a feeble voice after hospitalization
By Colleen Barry & Nicole Winfield The Associated Press
ROME—A weak and breathless
Pope Francis thanked people for their prayers for his recovery in a remarkable audio message broadcast Thursday, the first public sign of life from the 88-year-old pope since he was hospitalized three weeks ago with double pneumonia.
Francis’ feeble voice, discernible through his labored breaths and in his native Spanish, was recorded Thursday from the hospital and broadcast to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square who had gathered for the nightly recitation of the rosary prayer.
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the square, I accompany you from here,” he said, his soft voice piercing the hushed square.
“May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you.”
For anyone used to hearing Francis’ voice, which is often so soft it sounds like a whisper, the audio was an emotional punch to the gut that hammered home just how sick he is.
The cardinal presiding over the prayer, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, had told the crowd at the
start of the service that he had “beautiful news, a beautiful gift” to share. The clearly surprised crowd broke into applause and then applauded again after Francis’ final “Gracias.” Fernández Artime, for his part, bowed his head as he listened.
The 88-year-old pope has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man.
The Vatican has given twice-daily updates on Francis’ medical condition, but has distributed no photos or video of him since the morning of Feb. 14, when he held a handful of audiences at the Vatican before being admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital for what was then just a bad case of bronchitis.
The infection progressed into a complex respiratory tract infection and double pneumonia that has
sidelined Francis for the longest period of his 12-year papacy and raised questions about the future of his papacy.
Francis has issued written messages from the Gemelli, including some that sounded very much like him. But even Vatican officials had been clamoring to hear his voice, saying the pope’s calls for peace are particularly needed at a time of such global conflict and war.
More than any pope before him, Francis has mastered the art of informal and direct communication, often recording cell phone videos for visitors to bring home to their communities. For the considerable effort it must have taken, the audio message made clear that he understood the power of his voice, even in its weakened state.
Doctors on Thursday reported that Francis was in stable condition, with no new respiratory crises or fever. He continued his respiratory and other physical therapy Thursday, worked, rested and prayed from the 10th floor papal suite at Rome’s
Gemelli hospital.
Given the continued stability of Francis’ condition, doctors said they didn’t expect to provide a new medical update until Saturday. His prognosis remains guarded, meaning he is not out of danger.
The pope has been sleeping with a non-invasive mechanical mask to guarantee that his lungs expand properly overnight and help his recovery. He has been transitioning to receiving high-flow oxygen with a nasal tube during the day. His routine now includes physical therapy, along with treatment for double pneumonia and respiratory therapy, Vatican officials said.
The 88-year-old pope has been stable for three full days after suffering a pair of respiratory crises Monday.
The pope was supposed to attend a spiritual retreat this weekend with the rest of the Holy See hierarchy. On Tuesday, the Vatican said the retreat would go ahead without Francis but in “spiritual communion” with him.
The theme, selected before Francis got sick, was “Hope in eternal life.”
Gaza humanitarian crisis worsens as US cuts hundreds of millions in aid funding
By Julia Frankel The Associated Press
JERUSALEM—The Trump administration’s cuts to USAID have frozen hundreds of millions of dollars in contractual payments to aid groups, leaving them paying out of pocket to preserve a fragile ceasefire, according to officials from the U.S. humanitarian agency.
The cutbacks threaten to halt the small gains aid workers have made combatting Gaza’s humanitarian crisis during the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. They also could endanger the tenuous truce, which the Trump administration helped cement.
USAID was supposed to fund much of the aid to Gaza as the ceasefire progressed, and the Trump administration approved over $383 million on Jan. 31 to that end, according to three USAID officials.
But since then, there have been no confirmed payments to any partners in the Middle East, they said. The officials, who have survived multiple rounds of furloughs, spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.
Two senior officials at aid organizations confirmed they have not received any of the promised funds, after spending millions of dollars on supplies and services. They said they could not afford to continue aid operations indefinitely.
Some organizations have already reported laying off workers and scaling down operations, according to internal USAID information shared with the AP.
That could imperil the ceasefire, under which Hamas is supposed to release hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners and ramping up the entry of humanitarian assistance.
“The US established very specific, concrete commitments for aid delivery under the ceasefire, and there is no way ... to fulfill those as long as the funding freeze is in place,” said Jeremy Konyndyk, president of Refugees International and a former USAID official.
USAID has been one of the biggest targets of a broad campaign by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to slash the size of the federal government.
USAID payments frozen, some NGOs scale down Gaza response BEFORE Trump took office, USAID had roughly $446 million to disperse to partner organizations in Gaza in 2025, the USAID officials said.
But after Trump froze global foreign assistance, USAID’s Gaza team had to submit
a waiver to ensure the funds for Gaza aid could continue to flow. They received approval Jan. 31 to secure over $383 million in funding, less than two weeks after the US-brokered ceasefire was reached.
Some $40 million was subsequently cut under a measure that no money be provided for aid in the form of direct cash assistance.
USAID then signed contracts with eight partner organizations, including prominent NGOs and U.N. agencies, awarding them money to flood supplies and services into Gaza. Then, the officials said, they began hearing that organizations were not receiving the promised payments—even as they had already spent millions, expecting USAID reimbursement.
Some of those organizations are now spending less and scaling back programs.
The International Medical Corps, a global nonprofit that provides medical and development assistance, was awarded $12 million to continue operations at two hospitals in Gaza. These include the largest field hospital in Gaza, whose construction was funded by USAID at the request of the Israeli government, according to internal USAID information.
It has now requested payback of over $1 million, said one USAID official, adding that the freeze has forced the organization to lay off some 700 staff members and offer only basic services at the hospitals, with a skeletal crew.
A former IMC staffer, who quit citing lack of stability, said the program providing life-saving treatment for malnutrition was almost frozen for lack of funds. The former staffer, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the organization’s details, said the current nutrition services were at a minimum level. Meanwhile, termination letters severing the contracts between USAID and Gaza partners were also sent out to organizations that were major providers of shelter, child protection and logistical support in the Gaza aid operation, a USAID official said.
Some of the termination letters seen by the AP were signed by new USAID deputy chief Peter Marocco—a returning political appointee from Trump’s first term. They instruct organizations to “immediately cease” all activities and “avoid additional spending chargeable to the award,” citing a directive from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
AP correspondents Josef Federman in Jerusalem, Sarah El Deeb in Cairo and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed reporting.
CATHOLIC nuns attend a nightly rosary prayer service for Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Thursday, March 6, 2025. AP/FRANCISCO SECO
www.businessmirror.com.ph
Trump sows discord with NATO allies, suggests US may abandon alliance
By Michelle L. Price The Associated Press
ASHINGTON—President Donald
WTrump on Thursday expressed uncertainty that NATO would come to the United States’ defense if the country were attacked, though the alliance did just that after Sept. 11—the only time in its history
that the defense guarantee has been invoked.
Trump also suggested that the US might abandon its commitments to the alliance if member countries don’t meet defense spending targets, a day after his pick for NATO ambassador assured senators that the administration’s commitment to the military alliance was “ironclad.”
Trump’s comments denigrating NATO,
which was formed to counter Soviet aggression during the Cold War, are largely in line with his yearslong criticism of the alliance, which he has accused of not paying its fair share toward the cost of defense. But they come at a time of heightened concern in the Western world over Trump’s cozy relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has long seen NATO as a threat, and as the US president seeks to pressure Ukraine into agreeing to a peace deal with the country that invaded it three years ago.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sent the alliance into upheaval last month when he said
in a speech that the US would not participate in any peacekeeping force in Ukraine, which is not a NATO member, and would not defend any country that participated in it if attacked by Russia.
Trump said Thursday in the Oval Office that other countries would not come to the defense of the US—though they have done exactly that, in the only instance that the Article 5 defense guarantee was invoked.
“You know the biggest problem I have with NATO? I really, I mean, I know the guys very well. They’re friends of mine. But if the United States was in trouble, and we called them,
we said, ‘We got a problem, France. We got a problem, couple of others I won’t mention.’ Do you think they’re going to come and protect us? They’re supposed to. I’m not so sure.”
Article 5 was invoked after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, leading to NATO’s largest operation in Afghanistan. France’s military participated in the operation.
“We are loyal and faithful allies,” French President Emmanuel Macron responded Thursday, expressing “respect and friendship” towards US leaders.
“I think we’re entitled to expect the same,” he said.
Macron invoked “centuries-old history,” namechecking the Marquis de Lafayette, a 19-year-old French nobleman, who was a major-general in the American Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, and Gen. John Pershing, commander of the American army in France during World War I. Macron added that a few days ago, he met American World War II veterans who landed on Omaha Beach as part of the D-Day invasion of Nazi-occupied France.
The Associated Press writer Sylvie Corbet in Brussels contributed to this report.
Fabled Tour of Luzon returns this summer
By Josef Ramos
PHILIPPINE cycling comes to life big time once more with the return of the Tour of Luzon multi-stage race this April.
A summer tradition in Philippine sports in the past, the Tour of Luzon will undergo a “Great Revival” via an eight-stage race starting on April 24 in Laoag City and finishing on May 1 inside Camp John Hay in Baguio City.
A technical race designed by the PhilCycling, the bikathon—organized by DuckWorld PH and the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) of the MVP Group—offers a P1 million prize for the overall team champion, plus a perpetual trophy, and P500,000 to the individual champion.
“The Tour of Luzon is not just a race, it is a symbol of grandness and nobility. Its greatness lies in its vision—a vision that dared to conquer the impossible through sheer force of will, discipline, and determination,’’ MPTC Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said.
“It has been my lifelong dream to see the first Filipino cyclist compete in the Tour de France. Reviving the Tour of Luzon is a vital step toward achieving that dream,” Pangilinan said. “It is about breaking barrriers, one ‘impossible’ challenge at a time.’’
The Tour of Luzon was officially launched in a well-attended press conference at the Lighthouse of
the Meralco Building along Ortigas Avenue on Wednesday by DuckWorld PH chairman Patrick “Patò” Gregorio, MPTC Chief Regulatory Officer Arrey Perez, Philippine Olympic Committee and PhilCycling president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann.
“Today, the Great Revival of the Tour of Luzon realizes a great dream for Philippine cycling,” Gregorio said. “It is a privilege to work with the MVP Group and PhilCycling to rebuild this legacy. We cannot ask for better partners who truly appreciate the value and potential of this sport.”
Filipino riders from 12 localbased teams have already confirmed participation with three foreign squads from Southeast Asia are asking to be invited to the race that stretched over 1,000 kilometers over vibrant scenery on high-speed routes, coastal roads, mountain passes and even urban areas in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Benguet.
“On behalf of the entire cycling community, we would like to express our gratitude to the MVP Group and DuckWorld for reviving the Tour of Luzon,” Tolentino said. “This historic race will help us discover more talents for the national team.”
Stage 1 an out-and-back ride for 170 kilometers along the coastline of Ilocos Norte from Laoag all the way to Pagudpud and the Patapat viaduct
before returning to the province’s capital on the same route.
Shoo-ins to the race are continental teams 7-Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines, Standard Insurance Philippines, Victoria Sports Cycling Team and Go For Gold, as well as club teams Excellent Noodles, D’ Reyna and Dandex Multi-Sports and the Tom N’ Toms Philippines under-23 squad from Tagaytay City.
These teams, featuring homegrown talents, will figure in the Team Time Trial (TTT) on the second stage on April 25 covering 80 kilometers from Laoag to Vigan City.
From Vigan, the riders will race on a relatively flat course to Agoo, La Union, (170 kms) in Stage 3 before they ride to Clark in Pampanga via the SCTEX in Stage 4.
Stage 5 will takes the Tour entourage to Clark New City in Tarlac and will return to Clark after riding 120 kms on April 28 prior to Stage 6 on April 29 from Clark to Lingayen, Pangasinan (150 kms).
The penultimate seventh stage is an individual team trial covering 30 kms race in and around the seaside municipality of Lingayen.
The Tour champion will be crowned after the final stage—a 180-km ride, including a grueling trek on Kennon Road going to Camp John Hay in Baguio City.
The Singapore National Team, ASC Monsters Indonesia, Vietnam National Team and three club teams from Thailand also asked to be invited to the Tour supported by the Philippine National Police, DPWH, Games and Amusements Board and the participating local government units.
The Tour of Luzon is one of Asia’s oldest and most challenging cycling races since its inception in 1955, which pedaled annually until 1998.
The summer spectacle on two wheels was revived in 2002 after a fouryear hiatus and continued as Le Tour de Filipinas prior to the pandemic in 2020 when it was shelved anew.
DLSZ’s Alas, UST’s Dajao lead UAAP Jrs stats race
IEFFER Alas of De La SalleZobel (DLSZ) and Barby Dajao of University of Santo Tomas (UST) capped the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 87 high school basketball action for boys and girls as the top Filipino performers in the statistical points (SPs) race at the end of the elimination round. Alas, a 6-foot-2 Grade 11 guard, was the top local student-athlete in the boys’ division with 91.429 SPs with his numbers—20.07 points, 11.14 rebounds, 4.93 assists and 1.07 steals per game in 14 outings—leading the Junior Archers to a 6-8 win-loss record that placed them at sixth in the standings. Dajao, a Grade 12 guard from Bacolod City, led the girls’ division with 105.5 SPs on averages of 15.17 points, 10.17 rebounds, 6.17 assists and 4.33 steals while steering the Junior Growling Tigresses to an impressive 6-0 sweep of the elimination round.
Alas and Dajao needed standout performances on the final day of eliminations to secure the top spot. In the boys’ division, Alas battled Far Eastern University-Diliman’s (FEU-D) Cabs Cabonilas, who held a slight lead in the race before their final matchup. With the lead in the SP race on the line, Alas delivered 16 points, 14 rebounds and
five steals, while Cabonilas recorded nine points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal.
DLSZ also secured a 71-61 victory over FEU-D that solidified Alas’s place atop the local rankings. A similar scenario unfolded in the girls’ division where Dajao trailed National University Nazareth School’s Zaydhen Rosano heading into the final game.
But Dajao put up a 15-point, 15-rebound, 11-assist triple-double that went with a steal and a block in UST’s 91-66 win over the Lady Bullpups, to surpass Rosano in the standings. Rosano finished with eight points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and three steals.
Cabonilas placed third in the boys’ division—second among locals—with 90.071 SPs, while Rosano settled for second in the girls’ division with 105.167 SPs. Leading the overall SP race was NUNS’s Nigerian center Collins Akowe, who tallied 105.786 SPs with the Season 86 MVP averaging 20.79 points, 19.21 rebounds, 2.71 assists,and 1.79 blocks per game.
UST’s Senegalese forward Racine Kane ranked fourth in the boys’ division with 88.0 SPs, followed by Adamson University’s Mark Esperanza (76.385 SPs) in fifth and University of the Philippines Integrated School’s Ethan Egea (66.643 SPs) in sixth.
In the girls’ division, DLSZ’s Erica De Luna finished third with 102.167 SPs, UST’s Rhiane Perez placed fourth with 98.25, NUNS’s Aubrey Lapasaran came in fifth with 91.167 and UST’s Katrina Insoy rounded out the top six with 68.667 SPs.
THE month of February was truly special for Philippine sports as the country’s men’s curling team made history
KEFFER ALAS and Barby Dajao averaged double-doubles in the eliminations.
Dawn shines bright for Cignal Libero Dawn Catindig is named Best Player of the Game following her stellar defensive performance of 18 excellent digs as Cignal proved its championship pedigree anew with a 25-21, 22-25, 25-17, 25-15 victory over Capital1 in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Play-In Tournament at the PhilSports Arena on Thursday night.
Delarmente
Rejigged Abra collides with Binan; Ilagan Isabela battles Sarangani
Lakers stretch win streak to eight, sit second in West
NEW-LOOK Abra and newcomer Ilagan Isabela test their strength against Biñan and Sarangani, respectively, at the start of the Manny Pacquiao presents 1XBetMaharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2025 Season on Saturday at The Capital Arena in Ilagan, Isabela.
The Abra Solid North Weavers— with only three of last year’s regulars retained—swept a pocket tournament held at their homecourt recently and are slightly favored over the veteranladen Biñan Tatak Gel squad in the 6 p.m. opener.
The Ilagan Isabela Cowboys, on the other hand, are projected to encounter stiff resistance from the Sarangani Marlins, who boosted their stock with the return of Kyt Jimenez and the acquisition of Orin Catacutan in their 8 p.m. tussle. After making the playoffs in their
maiden stint last year, the Weavers intend to go all the way in the MPBL’s seventh season. They acquired scorers Encho Serrano and Jason Brickman, varsity stars Dave Ildefonso, Raven Gonzales, CJ Austria and Jack Cruz-Dumont, high-flyer John Uduba, towering Yousef Taha, reliable Leo Najorda and shooter Marwin Taywan.
Together with returnees Mark Yee, Alfred Batino and Paul Desiderio, homegrown Will Kean Lee and Jayson Apolonio, they make the Weavers highly charged against the Binan Tatak Gel, which will draw offense from Carlo Lastimosa, Kenny Roger Rocacurva, Pamboy Raymundo, Ryan Sual, Jaymar Gimpayan and Jonathan Gray. They will be backed by accomplished players KG Canaleta, Marc Pingris and Mac Cardona, and defensive pillar Jason Ballesteros.
World Cup to feature 64 teams?
ENEVA—FIFA is looking at a surprise proposal from South American soccer to expand the men’s 2030 World Cup to 64 teams—double the size of the 2022 edition in Qatar.
“A proposal to analyze a 64-team FIFA World Cup to celebrate the centenary of the FIFA World Cup in 2030 was spontaneously raised by a FIFA Council member in the ‘miscellaneous’ agenda item near the end of the FIFA Council meeting,” soccer’s governing body said Thursday, one day after the meeting.
“The idea was acknowledged as FIFA has a duty to analyze any proposal from one of its Council members,” FIFA said about the remote online meeting. It was suggested by the elected delegate from Uruguay, Ignacio Alonso, two people familiar with the move told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussion was confidential. Uruguay was the original World Cup host—and trophy winner—in 1930 and is scheduled to host one game at the centenary tournament. The
THE Tour of Luzon is now officially launched through (from left) Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. Chief Regulatory Officer Arrey Perez, Philippine Olympic Committee and PhilCycling president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Tour of Luzon organizer and DuckWorld PH chairman Patrick Gregorio. ROY DOMINGO
