BusinessMirror September 02, 2023

‘GOOD FOR NOW’

By Rex Anthony Naval

HILE the United States government expressed its solid support for the Philippines during the August 5 blocking and water-cannoning incident in Ayungin Shoal and even invoked the possible use of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) should things go worse, some of its legislators seemed to think that the treaty is sufficient and does not need any amendments.

Th is stance is contrary to the views of defense experts who believe the MDT needs some upgrading to make it more adaptable to today’s complex security situations, and that it seems focused on the Pacific and may preclude the US Congress from authorizing help in case the Philippines is attacked in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The stand of these American legislators was revealed when four of them, two Republicans and two Democrats, visited the Philippines on August 24 to show their “bipartisan” support to the country in the wake of the Ayungin Shoal stand-off by Filipino supply boats and their escorts with the Chinese coast guard and maritime militia.

In an earlier report published by the BusinessMirror, these American lawmakers were identified as California Rep. Young Kim (R), Illinois Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D), Kentucky Rep. Andy Barr (R) and Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D).

The common theme that we heard was that the PRC [People’s Republic of China] has been aggressive, just because they can. But they have seen no pushback for their aggression or consequences of their actions. So, to that end, I think we’re here to show that we are going to meet strength with strength,” Kim, a member of the Republican Party, said in the same report.

Th e California representative also sits as chairperson of the

subcommittee on Indo-Pacific of the US House Foreign Relations Committee.

K im also deems it imperative to show that the US and Philippine defense alliance is strong enough to counter China’s growing aggression.

K im cited the recent announcement of the US and the Philippines to increase the number of sites where US troops can have access to Philippine military camps under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca), and increasing “joint patrols” in the WPS.

No need for amendments HOWEVER , the visiting US congressional members expressed belief that the MDT does not need any amendments.

They stressed that their visit to the Philippines demonstrates that the US Congress also supports the US’s decision to include the WPS in the MDT scope.

A rticle V of the MDT states that “an armed attack on either of the Parties is deemed to include an armed attack on the metropolitan territory of either of the Parties, or on the Island territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific Ocean, its armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific.”

This is what our presence here represents, that this is our commitment. That’s why we’ve come here in person. And we’ve taken the

time to meet with the ministers at different levels of government to show this commitment that our government has made and we will keep,” Jackson, a member of the Democratic Party, said.

3 MDT areas need updating THEN Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said three areas in the MDT need to be updated to make it more current and relevant in the existing security situation.

First is the reiteration and further clarification of the precise extent of American commitments to the Philippines under the MDT, and in accordance with the 2016 arbitral tribunal award at the Hague.

L orenzana said this is “immensely relevant” against the backdrop of rising tensions in the South China Sea, including the prospect of a Chinese Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) declaration, forcible expulsion of Filipino troops stationed over the Second Thomas Shoal (part of the Philippine continental shelf), or

reclamation and militarization of the Scarborough Shoal.

As we ramp up our efforts to improve our facilities in the Spratly features within Philippine continental shelf and control, the issue of alliance commitments will become even more important,” Lorenzana said in a September 2021 forum organized by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies regarding the then 70th anniversary of the Philippines-US MDT.

Signed on August 30, 1951, the MDT stipulates that the Philippines and the United States would support each other if either of them were attacked by an external party. L orenzana added that revisions and additions in the MDT and other relevant Philippines-US defense agreement to ensure we have maximum possible cooperation and interoperability to deal with so-called “gray zone” threats, namely state-sanctioned/supported maritime militia forces, that have been intimidating smaller claimant states and their fishermen in recent years.

Four American lawmakers see no need to amend US-PHL defense treaty amid China’s aggression

FROM left: US Rep. Jonathan Jackson (Illinois, Dem.), US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson, US Rep. Jasmine Crockett (Texas, Dem.), DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo, US Rep. Young Kim (California,

Logging is growing in a Nigerian forest home to endangered elephants. Rangers blame lax enforcement

By Taiwo Adebayo The Associated Press

The work was similar on the other side of the road, with a timber-laden truck coughing dark plumes of smoke as it pulled away. This was miles into the conservation zone of Omo Forest Reserve in southern Nigeria, a protected area where logging is prohibited because it’s home to threatened species like African elephants, pangolins and white-throated monkeys.

But forest rangers, seeing the impunity, were hesitant to act. “We see people we arrested and turned over to the government back in the forest, and they get emboldened,” ranger Sunday Abiodun told The Associated Press during a recent trip to the reserve.

Conservationists say the outer region of Omo Forest Reserve, where logging is allowed, is already heavily deforested. As trees become scarce, loggers are heading deep into the 550-square-kilome -

ter conservation area, which is also under threat from uncontrolled cocoa farming and poaching.

Conservationists and rangers blame the government for not enforcing environmental regulations or adequately replanting trees, impeding Nigeria’s pledge under the Paris climate agreement to maintain places like forests that absorb carbon from the atmosphere.

The government of Nigeria’s southwestern Ogun state, which owns the reserve, denied failing to enforce regulations. In a statement, it said it’s replanting more trees than are being cut down.

The forest’s gatekeepers and those processing the wood both dispute that assertion, insisting trees are disappearing.

Sawmillers get annual permits from the government to cut down trees until their designated area is completely deforested. Then they

can apply for a new section. They say the permit fee of 2 million naira ($2,645) is intended to cover the government’s costs to replace trees but that this rarely occurs.

“ The government is not replanting,” said Owolabi Oguntimehin, a sawmiller in Ijebu, a nearby town that has over 50 sawmilling companies relying on the reserve.

“It is not our responsibility to replant because the government collects the fee from us.”

‘Forest preservation’

BESIDES problems with replanting, authorities don’t enforce tree removal standards, even when loggers get permits, according to forest guards, who are employed by the state government.

Joseph Olaonipekun, a guard, said officials from Ogun state’s forestry department used to mark trees that could be cut and ensure “strict” enforcement to prevent others from being removed. But that’s no longer done, he said.

By implementing selective logging, the adverse effects on the biodiversity of an area can be minimized while also providing the opportunity for young trees to continue growing,” Nigerian ecologist Babajide Agboola said. “This method allows for a more sustainable approach to logging and forest management.”

Trees such as Cordia wood, mahogany and gmelina are disappearing from the forest’s periphery, according to both sawmillers

and reserve gatekeepers. There has to be massive reforestation so that the conservation zone will not be dismantled,” Agboola said.

Where’s support from govt?

BUT forest rangers hired by the nonprofit Nigerian Conservation Foundation, which is the government’s partner in managing the conservation zone, have found it a challenge to protect against illegal logging in off-limits areas.

They say loggers harvesting trees in the conservation zone brag about bypassing regulations by paying off government officials.

We want the government to support us in preserving the forest,” ranger Johnson Adejayin said. He echoed his colleagues in calling for strict enforcement and sanctions, “so that the loggers do not come back to continue their illegal acts and boast that with money they can avoid punishment.”

Th e Nigerian economy, Africa’s largest, heavily relies on agriculture, forestry and other land uses. These industries, which are responsible for 25 percent of Nigeria’s greenhouse-gas emissions, provide jobs for the majority of people in agrarian communities around the reserve.

A s a result, there is debate about the political will to enforce environmental sustainability when livelihoods are at stake.

Th at factor should be considered, said Wale Adedayo, chairman of the Ijebu East local government area where a significant part of the forest is located. He advocated for a reduction of the conservation zone to give more land to locals to farm and log.

But he also acknowledged that “there is a lot of deforestation” that should be reversed to ensure Nigeria’s contribution to fighting climate change.

For its part, the state govern-

ment said “it is incorrect” to blame the pressure to make a living “when loggers illegally find their way into the conservation area to steal parts of the conserved trees.”

Adedayo said logging in protected areas “is not possible without the connivance of the civil servants.” The government’s forest guards have seen it first hand.

“

There is too much corruption in this forest caused by greed and poverty,” Olaonipekun said. “When we say, ‘Don’t go there,’ some go through higher authorities to defy us, and we are helpless.”

The government, meanwhile, has delayed formally declaring the conservation area a wildlife sanctuary to protect it from threats like logging, farming and poaching, said Emmanuel Olabode, who manages the Nigerian Conservation Foundation’s wildlife conservation project in the forest.

Besieged

THE foundation’s rangers are focused on nearly 6.5 square kilometers of strictly protected land where elephants are believed to live and has been designated a Biosphere Reserve by Unesco.

“It is left to the government to enforce the regulations,” said Olabode, who supervises the foundation’s rangers.

L oggers have even resorted to violence to ensure their timber supply. Olabode recounted when assailants with assault rifles attacked a rangers’ patrol base in 2021, and loggers just kept cutting trees.

Our rangers escaped with injuries, and we notified the authorities, but nothing was done, and we have not gone back there due to security concerns,” Olabode said, adding that the area is now unprotected.

The government says it plans to employ the military and police to combat illegal operators. It urges loggers who follow the rules to “fight their members who are into illegalities.”

‘GOOD FOR NOW’

Continued from A1

A nd, with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) embarking on a multibillion-dollar modernization program aimed at addressing current and future security concerns in its vast maritime domain, Lorenzana said it is now perhaps time for the US to provide more assistance considering that the country is a long-time ally.

In this light, we believe it’s important that we go beyond ‘Vietnam-era’ hardware in bilateral grants and purchases and, accordingly, move towards acquisition of ever more advanced weapons systems that will allow us to have a ‘minimum deterrence’ capability against external threats and adversaries. Non-treaty ally countries have been receiving billion-dollar military aid and advanced weapons systems from the US. Perhaps, a long-time ally like the Philippines, facing major adversaries in Asia, deserves as much, if not more, assistance and commitment,” he added.

A nd, while the existing MDT has been helpful to the Philippines, Lorenzana said the agreement is not sufficient to make the country reliant to stand on its own feet; hence the need for an upgrade.

“In summary, the MDT has been beneficial to the Philippines, but not enough to make it stand on its own feet. We cannot be forever relying on others for our security. Helping the Philippines modernize its military would make it a more reliable and dependable ally to the United States in the pursuit of a free and peace -

ful Indo-Pacific,” he pointed out.

MDT ‘enhanced’ by Edca MEANWHILE, Barr said the MDT is “very clear” and further enhanced by Edca, and the recent bilateral defense guidelines.

“I can tell you as a bipartisan coalition, we’re here to affirm all of this and condemn the recent harassment by the gray-zone tactics by the bunch of these Chinese vessels,” he added.

Barr said the Republican Party, his party, is also supporting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in upholding the Philippines’ territorial integrity.

“ When it comes to the WPS, there is no daylight between the Congress of the United States and President Marcos when he says, we will not relinquish one square inch of Philippine territory in countering PRC aggression,” Barr added.

Crockett noted that in the US, it’s rare that both parties take a bipartisan stand.

But on the issue of China’s “aggressiveness” and “lawlessness” in the South China Sea, she said, they are “united.”

We are united in the House, as well as—I’ll speak for the Senate and say that we’re united against the aggressiveness not only here but the aggressiveness that we see with the PRC throughout the world right now,” Crockett added.

72nd MDT signing AS this developed, the United States on Wednesday, August 30, affirmed its “ironclad commitment” to its alliance with the Philippines as the two countries

marked 72 years since the signing of the MDT.

The MDT, signed in 1951, obligates both sides to come to each other’s defense in case an external party attacks the Philippines or the US.

“

The United States stands firm in our ironclad commitment to our alliance and partnership with the Philippines as we face new and continuing challenges,” US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said over Twitter.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III has previously reiterated that an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, aircraft and public vessels, including the Coast Guard, anywhere in the South China Sea, would invoke Washington DC’s mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the MDT.

Th e US Embassy in Manila emphasized that the pact continues to serve as the foundation for the Philippines-US’s “evolving alliance” and that their security forces would continue to strengthen their capabilities and work together to secure a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said the 72-yearold MDT is a “pillar” of the country’s security. “

The MDT is one of the pillars of our national security. The mechanisms under it shall continue to be implemented to further enhance the capability of the AFP to perform its constitutional duty of protecting our national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” military spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said.

OMO FOREST RESERVE, Nigeria—Roaring chainsaws sent trees crashing to the ground, and bare-chested men hacked away at the branches beside a muddy road. Others heaved logs onto a truck, where they were tied in place with wire.

A LOGGER walks on timber piled on a truck inside the Omo Forest Reserve in Nigeria on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. Conservationists say the outer region of Omo Forest Reserve, where logging is allowed, is already heavily deforested. As trees become scarce, loggers are heading deep into the 550-square-kilometer conservation area, which is also under threat from uncontrolled cocoa farming and poaching. AP

www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

PBBM sets nationwide cap on rice price

By Samuel P. Medenilla

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

imposed a nationwide cap on rice prices to ensure the food staple will remain affordable amid reports of widespread price manipulation and hoarding.

Citing the provision of Republic Act No.

7581 or the Price Act, the Chief Executive issued Executive Order (EO) No. 39 on Thursday imposing the following mandated price ceiling: P41.00 per kilogram for regular milled rice (RMR) and P45 per kilogram for well-milled rice (WMR).

T he mandated price ceilings will remain in effect unless earlier lifted by the President upon recommendation of the Price Coordinating Council or the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

In a statement, DTI Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said the price ceiling for imported rice would be based on the Bureau of Custom’s (BOC) reference price.

Mar cos issued EO 39 after the DA and DTI received reports of alleged rampant practice of price manipulation through hoarding by opportunistic traders and collusion among

industry cartels amid the lean season, international developments that affect prices of basic goods such the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India’s ban on rice exportation, and unpredictable price of oil.

Soaring prices

BASED on the price monitoring of DA in Metro

Manila, the retail price for local commercial RMR ranges from P42 to P55, while price for WRM ranges from P47 to P56 as of August 31, 2023.

During the same period, the price of premium rice (PR) is sold at a higher price ranging from P48 to P60, while special rice (SR) remains the most expensive with price ranging from P54 to P65.

T his despite the projection of the DA that the country will have a 10.15 million metric tons (MMT) rice supply during the second half of the year, which it noted will be sufficient to cover the current demand of 7.76 MMT.

The current surge in retail price of rice in the country has resulted in a considerable economic strain on Filipinos, particularly those who are underprivileged and marginalized,” the President said.

“In ligh t of the current situation, it is

crucial and urgent for the State to guarantee that basic necessities are not only sufficient but also reasonably priced and conveniently accessible to every Filipino,” he added.

Intensified drive

THE President ordered the DA and DTI to impose the price ceiling starting September 1, 2023 in the markets with the assistance from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“The real problem is in NCR [National Capital Region]. Not so bad outside of Metro Manila. That is why we will be focusing our efforts in Metro Manila,” Marcos said in an interview with reporters after officially declaring Palawan Island as insurgency-free on Friday.

H e urged the public to report to the DA or their local government units (LGU) any unscrupulous retailer, who will sell rice over the price ceiling under EO 39.

T he BOC will intensify its ongoing inspection raids of rice warehouses to combat hoarding and illegal importation, while the Philippine Competition Commission will go after rice cartels, which abuse their dominant position in the market.

Senate support for approval of bill on BCDA charter revisions sought I

THE Bases Conversion and Development

Authority (BCDA) is projecting a P451.26 billion to P1.45 trillion in revenues, which may be earmarked for military pension funds, among others, once the BCDA charter amendments are implemented.

The BCDA issued the revenue forecast as it welcomed the approval of House Bill 8505 on third and final reading on August 22.

House Bill 8505 is a consolidated substitute bill of former president turned Pampanga 2nd District Rep. and Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales that seeks to amend Republic Act No. 7227 or the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992.

In a sta tement released on Wednesday, the state-run firm cited the impact of the measure in the development of the economic zones managed by the BCDA and in beefing up state coffers to support the military’s pension fund.

Under the pr oposed bill, the BCDA’s corporate term will be extended for another 50 years from its current remaining corporate life of 19 years. This extension will increase the confidence of investors when transacting with BCDA, as well as allow BCDA to continue its support to the AFP Modernization Program, BCDA said.

Mor eover, the bill will increase the authorized capital of the BCDA to P400 million from P100 billion.

Our economic landscape is evolving at a tremendous pace, thus the need for BCDA to take big, bold moves to adapt with these changes and deliver the socioeconomic transformation we envision for our development areas in Clark. This bill will aptly address these gaps in our current charter and we couldn’t be more happy to express our gratitude to our friends in the House of Representatives for passing this bill

on third and final reading,” said BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer (PCEO) Joshua M. Bingcang in a recent statement.

BCDA also emphasized that the bill seeks to convert 5 percent of BCDA’s economic zones to freehold status from leasehold, authorizing the Authority to sell these properties for residential purposes.

A t present, the state-run firm said, “Lands within BCDA economic zones are only available on leasehold, preventing the entry of affordable housing developers.”

BCDA explained that converting portions of the ecozones to freehold would “liberalize” the residential market for an average Filipino and allow full ownership of the property.

Once this is implemented, workers within our economic zones will be able to have their own homes, be closer to their jobs and live comfortably with their families,” PCEO Bingcang said.

The BCDA estimates that this provision will free up 1,856 hectares of land, which can potentially generate P451.26 billion up to P1.45 trillion in revenues.

BCDA pointed out that this revenue may be “earmarked” for the military pension fund, a priority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“The amendments we seek will not only extend the life of BCDA, but allow us to further unlock the potential of our ecozones. These will give BCDA the powers to accomplish more for the government and the people, particularly in real estate, infrastructure, and sustainable development,” Bingcang said.

The BCDA chief added that the House approval provides the state-run firm “one less hurdle to overcome.” Moving forward, Bingcang said the BCDA hopes the Senate will also support the Authority’s proposed bill as this will translate to “better lives” for the Filipino people.

Andrea E. San Juan

NPC turns over rural network solar power plants to four ECs

THE National Power Corporation (NPC)

on Thursday turned over four rural network solar power plants to electric cooperatives (ECs) in Samar, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

The project is part of the European Union’s P3.8-billion grant to the Philippines through the Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (ASEP), a joint undertaking of the EU and the Department of Energy (DOE), and administered by the World Bank.

NPC said it installed four 1-megawatt peak (MWp) greenfield solar PV (photovoltaic) power plants and linked them with the ECs’ distribution networks, which have a total cost of P280 million.

The two plants connected to the distribution networks of South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO II) and Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative (SUKELCO) were switched on, while the remaining two that are connected to the networks of Samar I & II Electric Cooperatives (SAMELCO I, SAMELCO II) would be switched on by the end of September.

EU said tha t the investments in solar energy would help make energy consumption in the target locations more environmentally sustainable, contribute to diversifying energy supply, and ultimately help mitigate climate change.

At the inauguration ceremony, European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron stated that the EU is committed to supporting the Philippines’ thrust to drive the clean energy transition agenda.

“We are very proud to have financed this action that provides sustainable and clean energy solutions to remote communities in Mindanao and Visayas. Working on the transition to a greener society and climate change mitigation is a global priority for the European Union, and it will also remain at the center of our cooperation efforts with the Philippines. This was likewise confirmed just a few weeks ago in the dialogue between President Marcos and the European Commission President, Ursula van der Leyen, during her visit to the Philippines,” Veron said. Lenie Lectura

D A will share with the BOC relevant information, such as the inventory of rice stocks, the list of accredited rice importers, and the location of rice warehouses.

Artificially low

FEDERATION of Free Farmers (FFF) National Manager Raul Q. Montemayor expressed concern over the potential negative impact of EO 39 to rice farmers and traders since it made the prices of the food staple artificially low.

He noted this might compel retailers not to sell their rice stocks or to make their RMR and WMR appear to be of a higher grade, which can be sold at a higher price.

Likewise, the low price could also prompt farmers to no longer plant rice, which will further reduce the country’s supply of the food staple.

T he President, he said, may have not been given an accurate prognosis and recommendations on the appropriate price when he decided to issue EO 39.

“I think a t P22-P25 per kilo dry basis [palay], the farmers will be happy. T hat will mean retail prices of P45 to 50 per kilo,” the FFF head told B usiness M irror in a Facebook message.

Support mechanism

LAST Tuesday, Marcos assured the government would provide support to farmers and retailers, who will be affected by the “legal tools” they will use to regulate the price of rice.

The B usiness M irror sought DA’s comment on the details about the said support mechanism, but the agency is yet reply as of this writing. EO 39 did not mention any such support mechanism.

The DTI, for its part, assured the public on Friday it will perform its monitoring and enforcement functions in collaboration with DA, PCC and other concerned agencies following the issuance of the EO imposing mandated price ceilings on rice.

“R ice is an essential staple food of Filipinos. In our commitment to making it accessible and affordable, the DTI supports the implementation of Executive Order No. 39 on the Imposition of Mandated Price Ceilings on Rice,” Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said in a statement.

Pascual stressed that the price ceiling is aimed at protecting Filipino consumers from “unfair and exploitative” pricing practices. He said that both the Trade department

and the “broader Philippine government” are focused on safeguarding lower-income families and vulnerable communities, who are most affected when prices of essential goods surge unexpectedly.

“ We recognize the urgency of addressing the escalating rice prices in the market. In parallel, it is imperative to maintain stringent oversight over rice pricing and supply to preclude any potential hoarding and price manipulation by traders and retailers,” Pascual said.

Ja yson Cainglet, executive director of agriculture group SINAG lauded President Marcos’ issuance of EO 39, mandating a rice price ceiling, adding “there is no reason for any price increase these past weeks as there was/is no rice shortage in the country.”

He said traders capitalized on the initial public panic created by the statement of the National Food Authority that government buffer stock is only good for 1.5 days.

“…There is no rice shortage to justify any price increase,” he stressed. “Our stocks are good to last until the first quarter of next year. And we have yet to harvest the expected 7 million metric tons of rice this harvest season.” With Andrea E. San Juan

Think tank: New ‘map’ reflects China’s desperate attempt to legitimize sweeping territorial claims

NTERNATIONAL think tank Stratbase ADR Institute branded China’s new “standard” map as a desperate attempt to legitimize its territorial claims, which are largely unrecognized.

In a statement, Thursday, Stratbase President Victor Andres “D indo” Manhit said the 2023 version of the map is a blatant violation of international law.

The said map was released by China’s Ministry of Natural Resources last August 28.

The 2023 version of the map, which now shows a ten-dash line, is a serious insult to the 2016 Arbitral Victory of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea and a direct affront to the established United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It is a mockery of the rules-based international order and of basic decency,” he added.

Manhit also str essed that the 2016 arbitral ruling, which declared China’s nine-dash line as baseless and illegal, is clear and final.

China’s claims to sovereign and historic rights in the maritime area are contrary to the UNCLOS. The publication of the map has the dangerous potential of propagating

PHL shuts FX, bond markets as triple cyclones bring rain

PHILIPPINES currency and fixed income markets were suspended on Friday after government offices, including the central bank were shut due to monsoon rains from three cyclones.

The suspension of trading in currency and fixed income markets was announced by the Bankers Association of the Philippines and the PDS Group. There will be regular trading at the Philippine Stock Exchange, the local bourse said.

Work in government offices in the Metro Manila capital region had been halted since late afternoon Thursday and many cities suspended classes due to heavy rains and floods.

T he southwest monsoon enhanced by typhoon Goring (international code name: Saola), severe tropical storms Hannah (international code name: Haikui) and Kirogi will continue to bring rains to the main Philippine island of Luzon’s western portion, according to the weather bureau, warning of floods and landslides.

Hannah is forecast to be a typhoon on Friday, and may make landfall or pass close to northern Taiwan as early as Saturday evening, according to the Philippine weather bureau.

A t least 22 flights to and from Hong Kong were canceled as were Manila flights to Canton, Xiamen and Jinjiang, according to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Bloomberg News

disinformation by advancing the Chinese narrative that the West Philippine Sea is part of their territory. No attempt to redraw geopolitical boundaries will make this acceptable, as this is a blatant violation of international law,” he pointed out.

Manhit noted that several countries have already issued statements condemning China’s territorial expansionist standard map.

“Sinc e 2016, the Philippines’ victory at the arbitral tribunal has been repeatedly recognized and supported by numerous states that adhere to the fundamental value of the

rule of law. We applaud like-minded states that have stood up against this map representing an expansionist agenda,” he added.

The Philippines, its allies, and partners must remain firm in defending the rulesbased international order through strategic cooperation to maintain a united front against coercive and antagonistic states. Adherence to the rules-based international order is the utmost responsibility and obligation of all states to ensure stability and prosperity in the region,” Manhit emphasized.

He also urged the Philippine government

to continuously hold China accountable for its actions.

The geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape of the Indo-Pacific is uncertain, perilous, and daunting. With the support of the international community, the Philippines must hold China accountable for its actions, particularly in propagating disinformation. We are on the right side of history; therefore, we have all the reason to stand proud and to defend our well-recognized victory in the West Philippine Sea,” Manhit said.

Rex Anthony Naval

Saturday, September 2, 2023

PhilSys boosted basic deposit accounts, hiking BDA deposit value by 432%–BSP

By Cai U. Ordinario

THE number of Filipinos

owning basic deposit accounts (BDAs) more than doubled in the first quarter this year and led to a four-fold increase in BDA deposit values, thanks to the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys), according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Data from the BSP showed there was a 170 percent increase in the number of BDAs to 21.9 million in the first quarter this year from 8.1 million in the first quarter in 2022.

With this, the total value of BDA deposits reached P27 billion, a 432-percent rise from P5.1 billion

in the first quarter in 2022.

“Part of the growth was driven by the conversion to BDA of transaction accounts opened under the Philippine Identification System [PhilSys] co-location strategy in the fourth quarter in 2022, which resulted in 7.5 million additional BDAs,” BSP said.

Apart from biometrics capture such as iris scans, Step 2 of the registration process for the National ID also allowed unbanked individuals to open bank accounts with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank).

BSP said the co-location strategy employed by PSA and LandBank aimed to onboard unbanked

PhilSys registrants into the formal financial system after their biometrics capture at registration centers.

The central bank also said five more banks started offering BDAs in the first quarter this year and generated 4.3 million newly opened accounts.

Introduced by the BSP in 2018, the BDA aims to meet the needs of the unbanked and low-income sector for affordable and easy-toopen bank accounts.

It has a low opening deposit requirement of P100 or less, simple identification requirements, no maintaining balance requirement and no dormancy charges.

Amid weak demand, decline in factory jobs, manufacturing performance dips to 2-yr low

By Cai U. Ordinario

Through the BDA, more Filipinos can open a savings account that is interest-earning in selected banks and is insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation.

As of July 2023, PSA data showed 89.6 percent or 79.99 million of Filipinos registered for national IDs.

A total of 77.33 million Filipinos were given Philsys Numbers, while 41.36 million cards have been dispatched and 34.72 million have received their cards.

The PSA data also showed 38.6 million Filipinos were issued printed PhilIDs and 1.23 million downloaded their PhilIDs.

PHINMA Education reports 52% revenue jump in H1

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

PHINMA Education on Thursday reported

a 30 percent increase in second semester enrollment compared to the same period last year, resulting in a 52 percent year-on-year growth in revenues for the first half of 2023.

The network also reported that a threefold jump in its consolidated net income to P307.47 million in the first half of 2023 compared to P96.88 million during the first half of 2022. The increase in costs and operating expenses

to support the increase in enrollment and face-to-face classes were offset by lower credit loss provisions as a result of higher collection efficiency.

Currently composed of 10 schools serving over 124,000 students, PHINMA Education is committed to improving student success across a number of areas, including retention, licensure exam passing rates, and employability. It boasts a 79.06 percent passing rate for first-time takers across various licensure exams. Meanwhile, 71 percent of

its graduates are employed within one year of graduation, a number expected to rise as the economy recovers.

In response to the increase in the enrollment of students taking their classes in person, PHINMA Education recently opened PHINMA COC Iligan Campus, PHINMA Araullo University (AU) San Jose Campus, and a Dentistry building in SWU PHINMA. It also completed renovations in PHINMA Saint Jude College Quezon City (SJC QC), PHINMA Rizal College of Laguna (RCL), and

Horizon Karawang in West Java, Indonesia. Another new building is underway in PHINMA University of Pangasinan (UPang).

“This year is a convergence of our model continuing to show promise, the growing need for the services we provide, and our business doing well on all aspects. We hope to be able to reach more and more underserved students who need quality education the most, so that they can uplift themselves, their families, and communities,” said PHINMA Education President and CEO Dr. Chito Salazar.

Rep. Co: DILG’s ’24 budget to ensure delivery of services and LGU security

THE P262.01 billion proposed budget allocated to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will ensure the delivery of services and the maintenance of the peace and order situation over the country, Ako Bicol party-

list Rep. Elizaldy Co said on Thursday.

Co, who heads the House Committee on Appropriations, said that the DILG is a “vital pillar” of the country’s government as it is also at the forefront of public safety maintenance and quick response needs.

“ The Department of the Interior and Local Government is a vital pillar of governance in the Philippines. It plays a multifaceted role in maintaining peace and order, efficient local governance, and provide services in times of disaster. The DILG is the cornerstone in the nation’s pursuit of stability, progress, and resilience,” Co said in his speech at the start of the committee hearing on the department’s budget.

“ Overall, the DILG is always the first responder of the government in times of disaster, an implementer of good governance and shared responsibility to create a just, accountable, and participatory society,” he added.

DILG’s P262.01 billion proposed budget is 1.0 percent higher compared to the P259.4 billion in 2023. However, Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said during the panel discussions that they actually requested for a P294 billion allocation from the Department of Budget and

Management (DBM).

Co said this budget would support the UNITE Agenda: Ang Tugon sa Makabagong Panahon of DILG, which lists down focus areas for the department.

DILG’s presentation showed that UNITE stands for: Unleashing the maximum potential of good local governance; Nourish the bonds of national and local governments to address key sectoral concerns; Intensify efforts to ensure public order and safety; Transform governance through technology and innovation, and Enhance the capability of the Department.

This amount will support the Department’s Six-Year Priority Thrusts UNITE AGENDA: Ang Tugon sa Makabagong Panahon; anchored on social local governance to address key sectoral concerns, ensure public order and safety, transform local governance through technology innovation, and enhance the capabilities of the Department,” the appropriations panel’s chair said.

AMID weak demand and the decline in manufacturing jobs, the country’s Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) dropped to its lowest in two years.

The S&P Global Market Intelligence PMI showed the country’s manufacturing performance fell below the neutral 50 threshold at 49.7. This was the first contraction or below 50 since 2021.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort noted that prior to this, the country’s PMI was above the 50mark for 23 months or since September 2021.

“Weak underlying demand trends as pointed by the first drop in new orders in a year and the ongoing reductions in staffing levels show visible cracks in the sector,” S&P Global Market Intelligence Economist Maryam Baluch said.

“Moreover, headwinds from the high interest rate environment and inflation, as well as China’s less-than-expected post-Covid growth, could potentially result in subdued growth in the coming months,” she added.

Ricafort also blamed high inflation which dampened consumption and spending for the manufacturing sector. The high interest rate environment also discouraged investments for the sector.

“Softer manufacturing and services PMI data for many developed countries around the world, also mostly in contraction mode or below 50, also partly reduced the demand for exports and dragged on local manufacturing activities,” he added.

However, Baluch said many companies were already gearing up for higher sales in the coming months, with buying activity and stocks raised in August.

The report also stated that manufacturers expect growth in the next 12 months. S&P Global Market Intelligence said confidence levels rose to a seven-month high, as 60 percent of panelists predict an expansion toward the end of the year.

The firms, the think tank said, remain hopeful that the launch of new products will spur manufacturing sector growth in the coming months.

“Firms were keen to build on their stocks and create buffers in anticipation of greater sales in the months ahead. Pre-production holdings registered a fresh expansion, albeit only a fractional one, while holdings of finished goods were raised for the second straight month and at a rate that was quicker than that seen in July,” the report stated.

Earlier, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed the Volume of Production Index (VoPI) posted a 3.4-percent growth in June 2023.

This was slower than the 7.7 percent in May 2023 but was an improvement compared to the contraction of 0.04 percent in June 2022. Based on the data, the manufacture of food products contracted 3.2 percent; fabricated metals, 36.4 percent; and beverages, 7.7 percent in June 2023.

Go: Newly enacted Regional Specialty Centers Act to boost health-care accessibility for poor

SENATOR Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, announced Republic Act No. 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which he principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate, was already signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on August 24.

The new legislation marked a significant stride towards bringing advanced medical care closer to Filipinos, particularly those residing in underserved rural areas, Go said in a radio interview on Tuesday, August 29.

The law mandates the establishment of regional specialty centers within existing Department of Health (DOH) regional hospitals. It stands as a testament to the

commitment of the government to uplift the nation’s health infrastructure.

Go, an advocate for improved health-care services, highlighted the importance of the law and emphasized how it aligns with his priority measures to fortify the health sector and address the long-standing challenges faced by many Filipinos in accessing specialized medical treatment.

The legislation is also an integral part of the health-related legislative agenda of the Marcos administration, as outlined in the Philippine Development Plan 2023 to 2028, said Go.

Considering the evolving landscape of health-care reform, the Regional Specialty Centers Act assumes a crucial role by addressing the critical issue of specialized medical care, he added.

Negrense woman, 103, dies night before receiving birth certificate

Jinggoy welcomes new law increasing veterans’ pension

President Marcos has signed the bill seeking to increase the disability pension of military veterans and their beneficiaries into law, senator Jinggoy estrada announced on Friday.

By Nanette Guadalquiver

BACOLOD CITY—A

103-year-old woman from Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental died the night before she was supposed to receive her birth certificate in official security paper from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) earlier this month.

Eufronia Pitong Fernandez, who was born on August 5, 1920, was set to become the province’s oldest beneficiary of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Birth Registration Assistance Project, data obtained by the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday showed.

“Mrs. Fernandez passed away on August 9 at 7 p.m., the night before her authenticated birth certificate would have been provided,” Luis Gonzales, chief statistical specialist of PSA-Negros Occidental, said in a statement.

On August 10, the team from the PSA and the City Civil Registry Office (CCRO) went to the Fernandez house in Hacienda Ruiz, Purok 12, Barangay Libacao to award her birth certificate, and it was then they learned of the centenarian’s passing.

Still, they proceeded with the awarding rites, where Fernandez’s children, Constancio Meñeza and Mercedes Tico, received

their mother’s birth certificate from Gonzales, in the presence of Mayor Rogelio Raymund Tongson and City Civil Registrar Valentina Guancia.

Last month, one of the centenarian’s children sought assistance for her to obtain a birth certificate during the mobile registration by the CCRO, with the assistance of a PSA agent.

Staff of the CCRO visited her on July 18 as part of the process for the issuance of her birth certificate.

A few days earlier, on July 13, the PSA also awarded the birth certificate of a 101-year-old woman in the neighboring Kabankalan City.

Enriquita Quillano Olitan, who was born on September 5, 1921, received her birth document in the official security paper at her residence in Purok Narra 1, Barangay Tampalon.

The PhilSys Birth Registration Assistance Project, being implemented by the PSA in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the local government units, aims to increase civil registration, especially in marginalized communities such as the indigenous peoples, Muslim Filipinos and the poorest sector to ensure that all births of Filipinos are registered in the Local Civil Registry Offices. PNA

The senator said the long-awaited enactment of the bill increasing veterans’ disability pension by as much as 488 percent marks a significant milestone in recognizing and honoring those who have dedicated their lives to the service of our nation.

The valor and dedication displayed by our veterans are immeasurable. It is only just and fitting that we reciprocate their selflessness with genuine care and support, especially when they face challenges arising from their service, Estrada said.

He added: “Let us remember that

this law represents a promise fulfilled and a reminder of our ongoing commitment to our veterans. It is our duty to ensure that the services and assistance we provide continuously evolve to address their changing needs.”

“Malaking tulong pinansyal ito para sa kanila at sa kanilang mga dependents dahil sa bawat piso na ipinangtutustos nila sa mga pambili ng gamot  at pangangailangang medikal, napapalawig natin ang panahon na makapiling nila ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay,” the senator said.

Estrada said it is vital to empha-

size that this law is not just about numbers on paper. It’s about the lives we are impacting and the families we are uplifting. By supporting our veterans, we honor their legacy, strengthen their dignity, and provide them the comfort they deserve in their golden years.

“I want to convey my sincere gratitude to President Marcos for

enacting this significant bill into law. This action signifies a powerful message that our veterans’ sacrifices are highly regarded and their welfare is still a primary concern. It may serve as a lasting legacy of the Marcos administration’s dedication to those who have protected and defended our nation,” Estrada said.

Redefining senior living with exceptional care

VIENNA, Va.—Sunrise Senior Living, the leading provider of personalized senior living services, recently announced the grand opening of its newest community, Sunrise of Vienna. The new 81,755-square-foot, 4-story property was designed to offer topnotch assisted living and memory care services, accommodating more than 100 residents.

Sunrise of Vienna boasts meticulously designed suites and thoughtfully crafted common areas. Its inhouse design team has taken great care to create an environment that prioritizes both comfort and safety, incorporating features in the community such as custom finishes and an advanced emergency response system. Combining modern elegance with inviting interior design elements, the community features a harmonious blend of shared spaces and private quarters, all adorned

Why you need to be like a ‘spork’

I admire the ingenuity of a spork, which is a spoon and fork fused into one utensil.

By Nick Tayag

my sixty-zen’s WORtH

with furniture tailored to meet residents’ unique needs.

In an effort to become fully integrated with the local community, Sunrise of Vienna showcased a custom painted mural and two custom painted benches. The artistic elements are a testament to Sunrise’s commitment to embracing the creative spirit of the Town of Vienna and fostering a sense of belonging within the neighborhood. Renowned artist Chad Bradley was chosen for his exceptional talent in capturing the organic aesthetic of the building and its interiors. The custom painted images depict scenes inspired by outdoor living, local birds, and native trees, adding a touch of natural beauty to Sunrise of Vienna.

Tango Pastry, a café open to residents, families and the general public was added to bring the warmth of bakery delicacies from Argentina to the washington DC area, delighting

palates with fresh, unique flavors. In addition to bakery delights, the café serves delicious lunch and dinner options, including the beloved empanada—a culinary icon celebrated for its varied fillings and fantastic taste.

“ we are excited to unveil Sunrise of Vienna, a community that goes beyond traditional senior living by blending artistry, culture and exceptional experiences to create the preferred lifestyle for residents to enjoy longer, healthier, happier lives,” said Adriane Oliver, Sunrise of Vienna Executive Director. “ with the addition of the custom painted mural by Chad Bradley and the inviting Tango Pastry café, Sunrise of Vienna aims to create an inclusive and vibrant environment where residents and the local community can come together, celebrate life, and forge lasting connections.”

Sunrise of Vienna is poised to redefine senior living standards in the

Vienna area, offering a continuum of care allowing residents to live life on their terms. The community will provide a wide range of amenities and services, including personalized care plans, enriching activities, delicious chef-prepared meals, and a dedicated team of trained caregivers available 24/7.

The community offers an array of inviting amenities, ensuring residents’ comfort and enjoyment.

Residents can gather in the multifunctional bistro area for socializing, relax in the welcoming lounge, or indulge in the entertainment room equipped with theater accommodations. An activity room provides space for engaging pursuits, while common and private dining rooms offer delightful settings for shared meals. In addition, residents can savor the tranquility of the secure rooftop garden or visit the onsite beauty salon for pampering. AP/Business Wires

AFEw old timers will probably recognize the name Hedy Lamarr, who was considered “the most beautiful woman in the world” during her time in the 1940s and 1950s.

But I just discovered that she was more than just a beautiful face. She also possessed a beautiful mind, the brilliant mind of a

scientist. Her invention called free hopping technology at the height of world wa r II helped pave the way for today’s wi-Fi and Blue Tooth Technology, which we now take for granted in our digital age. Beauty and brains—what a combination, what a legacy.

w ho says you can’t be several amazing beings in one? This is why

Held with just one hand, this versatile and flexible utensil enables you both to scoop up soup, rice, small food bits and morsels, sauce and then skewer bigger pieces of food as well as salad and leafy vegetables.

I thought that the spork is a recent idea. But it turns out it has a long history. In the 1800s, people first combined the spoon and fork to make digging into ice cream easier. KFC helped popularize sporks in the early 1970s when it adopted them as the utensil of choice in all Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants.

Originally, of course, sporks were made of silver, not plastic like what we now use in some fast food outlets, which easily breaks. That’s probably why some people hate using it. I still find it very handy even if it has its limitations.

w h ile contemplating on the merits of the spork, I asked myself, why can’t we be more spork-like? w hy be content and stagnate with being just a uni-purposed person? Or a one-trick pony?

There’s always another useful side in everyone that’s underdeveloped or unexplored. It could be something you thought you didn’t have in you—a hidden talent, an interest or ability you’ve set aside because you were fully focused on other plans or preoccupations.

In the post pandemic world, persons with multi-capabilities are now regarded as rising in value. The future belongs to those who are not stuck to a single area of knowledge and skill, but are exploring different opportunities by taking advantage of the circumstances offered by new technology.

One reason why you need to be spork-like is multi-tasking, which is the ability to deal with more than one task at the same time.

It seems that multi-tasking is now becoming a way of life. Most companies nowadays have this qualification in their wanted ads: “the job requires a person who is good at multitasking.” Their rationale is: better to get just one multi-skilled person who can do the tasks of two or three persons.

The growing practice of task outsourcing is one reason why being multi-skilled and multi-talented can get you more jobs. In fact, the new buzzword is “fractional work employment.” This is an arrangement whereby a person works parttime for several different employers during the week. A fractional employee offers the same kind of work as a full-time employee but on a shortened timeline. The benefit to the employer is he saves money by not having to pay overtime, social security and other added expenses, not to mention big office rentals.

During the pre-outsourcing

days, “freelancer” was how we used to call a self-employed individual offering specialized services to clients. It was a struggle because employers would treat freelancers as job mendicants and would only use them to scrimp on their budgets. A young freelancer would euphemistically describe himself as “in between jobs.” Friends would call them “free lunch-ers” behind their backs because they would drop by the office during noon break to mooch lunch and a little money. Older freelancers would describe themselves as doing consulting jobs.

Today, seasoned and reliable freelancers, now called fractional employees, are in demand. Take my case, for example. Notwithstanding my advanced age, people still like to get me as a fractional hiree on a monthly retainer or per project basis.

Some of my employers consider me as an idea factory and an all-around swiss knife for various writing assignments. I’m doing all the work at home using my old Mac mini. Of course, from time to time I have a physical meeting with my “employers” because some of them, by force of habit, still prefer to talk with someone physically present.

I can do gigs, free-lancing, fractional work because I keep expanding my creative abilities and knowhow and I’m having fun. It keeps my senior mind agile and alert and

drives me to be constantly in touch with current trends.

In the spirit of developing myself into a better spork-like person, I am now exploring other interests to help hidden talents to emerge. I am trying to enhance my visual design quotient by using my smart phone to take pictures of ordinary objects, practicing the art of contemplative photography. I’m also trying to coax my green thumb to emerge by going into composting, burying heaps of organic wastes from our kitchen in our back yard, hoping to get into planting as the next step.

But even if you’re retired or no longer interested in seeking employment, being spork-like can make you useful in many ways. Spork-like persons enrich their families and their friends with their diverse knowledge and multiple abilities. They can be intellectual bridges between groups of people with specialized knowledge and practices, such as doctors and musicians in one room. In organizations or communities, they can function as generators of new ideas because their minds are not confined in a box. Best of all, they have a greater willingness and capacity to learn and change even late in life. Be a spork and be a spark that not only enlivens up work or conversations in your daily life but perhaps even help ignite a new future like Hedy Lamarr.

Estrada

Eufronia Pitong fErnandEz (left), who was born on august 5, 1920, was set to become the oldest beneficiary of the Philsys Birth registration assistance Project in negros occidental, at age 103. a resident of Himamaylan City, she died on the night of august 9, 2023 hours before she was supposed to receive her birth certificate in the official security paper from the Philippine statistics authority. Photos courtesy of PsA-Negros occideNtAl /himAmAyl AN ccro

DepEd sees more learners enrolling in coming days

Department of Education (DepEd)

Education Undersecretary and Spokesperson Michael Poa explained that, while some schools suspended classes due to heavy rains and flooding, DepEd believes more learners chose to enroll on the first day or first week of classes.

Poa confirmed that only Kindergarten, Grades 1, 4, 7 and 11 students need to register: “That’s why we have early registration for them. In other grade levels, they are immediately pre-registered.”

The DepEd official explained that the process of enrolling is just a confirmation of their registered

status: “So usually [they do it on the first day].”

“Let’s observe till Monday next week [what the figures will be. There were also classes suspended] due to Typhoon ‘Goring’ and flooding,” he added.

As of 9:05 a.m. last Tuesday, the number of enrollments in public and private schools, including state and local universities and colleges, reached 22,917,725, according to DepEd’s Learner Information System.

The highest number of enrolments among regions was recorded

in Region 4-A/Calabarzon with 3,488,180; followed by Region 3/ Central Luzon with 2,626,684; and National Capital Region with 2,497,178.

Meanwhile, the least number of enrollees was tallied in the Cordillera Administrative Region with

Chinese Embassy gives Valenzuela library a big boost with books, TV set

355,728; followed by Caraga Region with 650,421; and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with 699,007.

Last school year, the DepEd recorded a total of 28,035,042 enrolments nationwide. Wilnard Bacelonia/PNA

Film students gear up for ‘CinePanalo’ festival

SUPERMARKET chain Puregold is currently searching for 25 talented and motivated student-directors who will form part of its “CinePanalo Film Festival,” where a select few will each be given a grant of P100,000 to fund their short-film production. Filmmaking remains one of the most financially challenging among all creative pursuits. Costs can be daunting: location and equipment rentals, plus the professional fees of the cast and crew. For many students, it’s money that can be hard to find. Even seasoned professional directors speak of the difficulty

in securing funding for projects.

As such, it is a struggle for aspiring filmmakers to raise the monetary resources they need for their art. Lack of funds likewise deter many film students from completing their final thesis projects.

Creating opportunities for the Filipino youth is Puregold’s key advocacy. With its latest endeavor, the company looks to help student filmmakers fulfill their aspirations and get a headstart in their careers.

Vincent Co, president of Puregold Price Club Inc., affirms the company’s intention to reach out to aspirants

through Puregold CinePanalo: “Education, complemented with hands-on experience, opens doors for our youth,” he said. “We are proud to extend this support to students seeking to tell their stories. And we anticipate seeing their works at the upcoming Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival.”

Co shared that most film fest applicants cite their final thesis as their main driver for taking on the feat: “There’s a whole [lot of potential talents out there just waiting for a break…We hope CinePanalo will provide a platform for these budding filmmakers to

DepEd Reg. 6 Farm Schools, Maggi partner for healthy cooking, sustainable farming, biz mngt among youth

THE Department of EducationWestern Visayas (DepEd Region 6) and Nestlé Phils food and flavoring brand Maggi have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to jointly undertake the “Sarap Sustansya” Farm Schools program.

Under this collaboration, Maggi has pledged to provide DepEd Farm Schools’ teachers with training and learning materials on Sarap-Sustansya cooking, regenerative farming, and entrepreneurial skills. The brand will also send essential basic farming tools and implements that will assist faculty and students in propagating their school farms and vegetable gardens.

“This partnership with Maggi is a timely initiative that will help us equip our students with new skills that are essential at this time when food insecurity and nutritional deficiencies continue to impact Filipinos’ quality of life,” said Regional Director Ramir B. Uytico of DepEd Region 6. “I believe this collaboration will help bring to life [our] farm schools’ goal of producing the next generation of Filipino food production champions and leaders in agricultural innovation.”

The Western Visayas Region was the first to establish Farm Schools in 2021. Now in its second school year, they are regarded as “Gulayan sa Paaralan” show windows, seed capital and agricultural learning hubs of public schools nationwide.

Sarap Sustansya is a pioneering initiative to enable DepEd to elevate the quality of basic education and provide best practices for future farm schools.

“We are thrilled that the Maggi Sarap Sustansya advocacy is very much aligned with DepEd Farm Schools’ thrust to promote food sufficiency and

good eating habits, while cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset among the youth,” said Nestlé Phils. senior vice president and business executive officer (Food and Dairy Culinary) Rosalyn Simba. “Maggi [will work with partners like DepEd in creating a food-secure future, where families and communities have better access to fresh ingredients, and benefit from tasty] meals that are vegetable-rich and affordable.”

Through the Sarap Sustansya Farm School Program, Maggi is adopting a multi-pronged approach to aid DepEd Region 6 in its goals of promoting agricultural productivity, food security and rural development.

Basic, yet valuable life skill

WHILE cooking may be viewed as a basic skill, the ability to prepare food with taste, nutrition and affordability in mind requires more than just instinct. Using learning resources from the “Maggi Sarap Sustansya Kusinask -

wela” modules, students can be adept at preparing tasty and healthy meals on a modest budget.

DepEd teachers will receive training and learning tools on Sarap Sustansya cooking, so they can instruct students on ways to determine adequate portions based on the “Pinggang Pinoy” recommendations for a balanced plate, and plan a menu using a diverse range of ingredients for a more nutritionally complete diet.

The basic cookery module also intends to promote good eating habits among students, since the meals they will learn to cook will include the same vegetables that they grow and harvest in their Farm School. An expanding body of research shows that youth who plant vegetables are more likely to eat them. This experience aims to promote the consumption of more vegetables daily, as students learn to prepare a wide variety of plant-based dishes.

showcase] their craft, and acquire the means to finish their studies.”

The completed student shorts will be screened alongside five featurelength films at Gateway Cinemas from March 8 to 10, 2024. They will also be posted across Puregold’s official social media pages on YouTube and TikTok.

Interested participants may email thesecretariat@cinepanalo.com to receive the materials needed to apply. All applications and requirements must be sent back by October 27, 2023. A shortlist of selected directors is expected to be released by November 6, 2023.

THE Embassy of China recently donated volumes of books and a TV set to the Valenzuela City library.

Ambassador Huang Xilian, along with embassy officials plus members of the Chinese communities and enterprises, led the turn over to Mayor Wes Gatchalian and officials of the city’s local government.

“The [embassy] is honored to turn over books and TV to the Valenzuela City Library,” said the ambassador, as he expressed that “people-to-people and cultural exchanges are one of the most important boosters for China-Philippines relations.”

Earlier, Huang was with representatives of China’s Zhejiang College of Construction (ZCC), the Antipolo Institute of Technology (AIT), and the China-Philippines Silk Road Institute Foundation at the Scholars,

Employers and Affiliates Revitalized Conversations for Higher Education or SEARCHEd I—a tie-up between the two colleges aimed at sharing knowledge, learning best practices, and finding future collaborations among significant stakeholders in the construction and architectural industries.

Upon the invitation of the AIT, the ZCC shared Chinese cutting-edge technologies like building information modeling, drones, and other construction innovation technologies. Additionally, a Chinese architectural culture exhibit gained much fascination and enthusiasm from all attendees.

“I hope the impactful engagements of the [AIT and ZCC students and teachers will] lead to mutual talent development and vocational education upgrading for both the Philippines and China,” expressed Huang.

Mapúa MCM exhibits advantage in Mindanao’s health sciences

DAVAO CITY—The Bureau of Labor and Statistics states that employment in the local health-care field is projected to grow by 13 percent from 2021 to 2031.

This increase indicates the creation of 2 million jobs over a decade—much higher than the average for all occupations. With it, students who wish to pursue a medical-field career have a plethora of options waiting for them locally and abroad.

There are various routes one can take to pursue a career in the medical field. One of them is health sciences, which prepares them to take on a great variety of roles in both clinical and non-clinical settings.

Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao (Mapúa MCM) establishes its mastery in health education through its College of Health Sciences. Its programs include Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology, BS Psychology, BS Pharmacy, and BS Physical Therapy. Harmonizing its knowledge in health-care and its strong reputation in tech and engineering, Mapúa MCM provides students numerous opportunities through global learning, advanced research, and digital technology.

Mapúa MCM’s College of Health Sciences has collaborated with Arizona State University to prime the quality of education it offers. Through this link-up, Mapúa MCM pre-med students are honed to be globally ready, proficient with advanced and immersive facilities, and digital mastery. The groundbreaking nexus between Mapúa schools and ASU is focused on health sciences, as well as business programs.

ASU is ranked first in innovation by US News and World Report, ahead of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University for eight consecutive years. It is also among the Top

1 percent of universities worldwide by the Center for World University Ranking 2022-2023, and among the leading 150 universities worldwide by the Shanghai Ranking 2022.

Solid ethics, human values

MAPÚA MCM College of Health Sciences is one of the few schools in the region that boasts of immersive simulation rooms where students can work on 3-D anatomical models, virtual dissection tables, and human-body projections via artificial intelligence. These technologies allow them to have a significant advantage in the field of health sciences and knowledge in tune with the modern world.

Above and beyond technological innovations, Mapúa MCM College of Health Sciences ensures that its students are anchored on solid ethics and human values via hands-on experiences and realworld exposure. They all undergo internships in hospitals, clinics, and community centers where they learn about promotion, prevention, treatment, and intervention as they get to interact with

real patients.

The medical track is one of the most competitive fields to be in. But by choosing a program and institution that align with one’s personal goals, students can have a huge leg-up that will benefit them in the future.

“The medical field is an everevolving industry, and the demand for health-care workers is stronger now than ever. We build our capacity to address this gap through a collaboration with the Healthway network, where we streamline [our students’ career paths]: from school to internships, and handson clinical rotations, straight to career opportunities,” said Dr. Adorico M. Aya-ay, Mapúa MCMCollege of Health Sciences dean. The institution also certifies that its faculty members stay updated with the latest advancements and industry trends by sending them to training programs and seminars abroad, while learning from experts worldwide.

Read more about Mapúa MCMCollege of Health Sciences through its web site.

MAPÚA Malayan Colleges Mindanao (Mapúa MCM) establishes its mastery in health education through its College of Health Sciences.

THE

anticipates the number of enrollments in basic education to increase in the next few weeks.

AMBASSADOR Huang Xilian and Mayor Wes Gatchalian FB: CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO THE PHILIPPINES

TEACHER Vivian Ramos leads her Kindergarten pupils in prayer during the opening of classes at the Bagong Silang Elementary School in Barangay 176, Caloocan City on Tuesday. Ramos said 18 of her 25 pupils in the first batch attended the first day of school. PNA/BEN BRIONES

Tourism Editor: Edwin P. Sallan

ASIA’S WORLD CITY

As a hotspot for overseas Filipino workers since the 1970s, the Filipino diaspora has been taking root. Today, there are about 200,000 Filipinos either working or permanently residing in Hong Kong. As a tourist destination, post-pandemic Hong Kong is the most popular destination for Filipino tourists—whether they are first-time travelers who want to get their first visa stamp in their passports; weary urbanites who want a quick weekend getaway; or families who want to take their kids to the happiest place on earth that’s closest to the Philippines.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has been aggressively promoting travel to the former British colony.

“Hello, Hong Kong” promotes a tour of the bustling metropolis, a stroll along Victoria Harbour and its popular lightand-sound show, the iconic Victoria Peak; the arts and culture showcases at M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum; and of course, Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park. But beyond the usual places most Filipinos do and see, there is much more to the fragrant harbor that would make repeat visits a different experience each and every time.

Hong Kong is an archipelago

HO ng Kong is comprised of 234 islands, plus the Kowloon Peninsula and new Territories that border mainland China. While Hong Kong Island is the center of government and business and Kowloon is a shopping haven, the neighboring islands offer a taste of its pre-colonial past as a fishing vil -

lage—some with dramatic seascapes and unique rock formations.

Island-hopping is a breeze with direct connections either by ferry, train or bus. Lantau Island for one, is not just the jump-off point for the Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong Disneyland; it also boasts of historical landmarks such as the Tai O Fishing Village—with its stilt houses and remnants of its shady past as a haven for smugglers; and the old silver mine and family-owned seafood eateries in Mui Wo.

A popular weekend destination for hiking, watersports and the popular “junk” or yacht parties, Sai Kung is a charming, laid-back district that traces its roots to the Song Dynasty. Take a kayak out to sea and explore islets, rock caves and majestic rock formations—including a U n E SCO g l obal g e opark. My personal favorite is a “walk on water experience” in Sharp Island where one can talk on a natural tombolo that only emerges during low tide, and cross to neighboring Kiu Tau Island (only that when the tide sets in, you might end up swimming).

Hong Kong’s southernmost island, Po Toi, boasts of an easy, scenic hike amidst ancient rock carvings, strange rock formations and dried seaweed, served in a noodle soup cooked by the handful of residents who still call the island home.

Happy Tummy, Cocktails and Dreams

E V E n post-protest actions and pan -

demic, Hong Kong has one of the highest density of bars and restaurants in the world. It’s also one of the cities with the most Michelin-starred and recommended restaurants in the world—with prices that will not necessarily break the bank. Experience contemporary French cuisine at the three-starred L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, brainchild of the late culinary great Joël Robuchon, try a traditional Cha Chaan Teng, or a tea/dining place; or eat like a local at a family-style Cantonese restaurant. For the latter, my favorite is the 62-year-old Yixin Restaurant, located in Wan Chai, which serves classic Cantonese roasts and dim sum.

At night, enjoy unique cocktails created by award-winning mixologists from some of the best bars in the world.

Start Happy Hour at Ozone—the highest rooftop bar in the world. Located at the 118th floor of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Ozone is designed by renowned Japanese architect Masamichi Katayama. Enjoy one of Ozone’s signature

cocktails while gazing out at the majestic Hong Kong skyline from 480 meters above sea level. Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the Victoria Harbour, step into Dark Side—located inside the posh Rosewood Hotel. Darkside focuses on dark spirits and hand-made chocolate, combined with live music and elegant décor.

Feel proud to be a Pinoy with two relatively recent additions to Hong Kong’s bar scene. The Social Den is a modern tiki bar that serves cocktails infused with exotic fruits like jackfruit and mangosteen. It’s the first venture of Filipino mixologists Joe Villanueva—co-founder of the award-winning bar The Wise King, and bar veteran Bryson Rivera, who spent a decade at the JW Marriott Hong Kong’s Bar Q88. On the other hand, Vivere, a hip restobar in Causeway Bay, opened in December 2022. Serving Italian-inspired cuisine, adrenaline-pumping music and shows by some of Hong Kong’s top drag

queens (many of whom are Filipinos), Vivere is owned by Jay Venn, more popularly known as drag queen Mocha Diva, who appeared in the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race in Thailand and regularly performs at RuPaul’s DragCon in the United States.

Heritage Walks

OnE great thing to do in Hong Kong is to walk and bask in wanderlust. On foot, Hong Kong is a melting pot of old and new—with heritage properties repurposed while keeping its historical value and colonial charm.

Tai Kwun used to house the old Victoria Prison where Ho Chi Minh was once incarcerated. A multi-billiondollar renovation turned the derelict structure into a bustling center for art and dining, with galleries, artisanal shops and restaurants lining what used to be prison cells and police offices.

From Tai Kwun, a walk along Queens Road Central will bring you to PMQ, short for Police Married Quarters,

which was transformed into a mixeduse arts and design venue. Shop for antiques or pose for those chinoise-inspired photos in Sheung Wan, one of the oldest settlements in Hong Kong. It is home to Hollywood Road with its rows and rows of antique shops and art galleries, the historic Man Mo Temple, and Tai Ping Shan— ground zero for the bubonic plague in the 19th century, with its mix of old temples and shops that give off a relaxed, bohemian vibe.

Postscript

W I TH so much to do (and so little time), best to do research and decide which places you want to see. TimeOut Hong Kong offers comprehensive reviews, features and even a guide to the best bars. google Maps works quite efficiently so you can time travel and group attractions that are in the same area. Bus routes and numbers are also accurate, so you don’t really need a tour guide to get around. All photos by Charo Logarta

Bacolod City unmasks upcoming three-week Masskara Festival

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

Abigger, better, and brighter Masskara Festival awaits both local and international tourists in b ac olod City, the City of Smiles, this 2023.

i nstead of just one day or a weekendlong celebration, the highly-anticipated annual Masskara Festival will be held for three weeks from October 7 to 22, b a colod City’s Mayor Albee b e nitez revealed during the 4th g e neral Membership Meeting of the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PH LTOA).

“This is almost three weeks of festivities which we’ve broken down,” b e nitez told the B usiness M irror and others as he detailed the city’s special plans for the event.

With the Festival considered as b ac olod’s major tourist attraction, each week will highlight the key drivers of the city’s flourishing tourism industry which travelers can all get to experience.

To kick off the celebration, the first week will focus on sports through the “Masskaralympics,” in which spectators can expect sports competitions on a national level, with some tournaments even bringing in

international athletes to compete.

For the second week, foodies are in for a delight in “Masskara Namit,” a food festival featuring b ac olod’s gastronomic specialties. They will set up areas for each nationally recognized delicacy, such as the flavorful, famous chicken inasal, irresistible desserts like the puffy napoleones with layers of creamy custard and the flaky piaya and spirits, specifically rum since b a colod is the home of the Philippines’ largest rum product.

Highlighting the food industry in b a colod, City Councilor Jason Villarosa added: “We are also famous because of our food tourism, so we will give importance to the small businesses, especially our small restaurant owners, to showcase and highlight their specialties in the field of food and spirits.”

The last week of the festival will give the spotlight to the rich and vibrant culture of b a colod City, which will even be better as the e lectric Masskara event, a parade consisting of floats with music and decored with neon and L e D l ights, will be Mardi g r as-style.

i t w ill have more excitement in terms of dancers na naka -costumes, we’ll high -

light the spirit [of] that festivity,” the mayor announced.

Apart from the city’s latest tourism developments on food, art, culture, and heritage, it has also geared up to accommodate meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (M i C e )

Mayor b e nitez brought to light b ac olod’s new and exciting offerings such as the upcoming b a colod Convention Center, which can hold up to 10,000 people for M i C e e vents; the b ac olod Masskara Museum/ Trade Center; and the Orange Project, the city’s biggest art gallery combining education and entertainment.

The Masskara Festival’s logo and soundtrack, meanwhile, was revealed by b a colod Yuhom Foundation i ncorporated, the event organizer, in a public presentation.

The official festival soundtrack is titled “Sinadya Sa b ac olod,” which the organizers said captures the fun and experience spectators will feel during the event. The song was performed by Kyle e c harri, Janeena Chan, and Anthony r o saldo and composed by Neocolours’s Marvin Querido.

Meanwhile, this year’s Masskara logo, created by multimedia designer Myish e n -

dolina, features nine species of endemic Kingfisher of Negros i s land in comparison to the ability of b a colodnon’s to conceal behind their masks the upcoming tragedies.

The history of the Masskara Festival, despite its fun and color, is actually a tragic one. i n 1980, Negros Occidental suffered from economic challenges during the Marcos Sr. administration when the province’s primary agricultural crop was sugar cane and sugar prices were at a low point. i n t he same year, Negrenses were mourning for the death of their fellows when the inter-island vessel MV Don Juan collided with a tanker and sank in Tablas Strait in Mindoro, resulting in 18 lives lost and 115 people missing.

To put a smile on their faces, b a colodnons wore their maskaras (Filipino word for mask) and the Masskara Festival was created. The initial festival was held in October 1980 as a way to lift the spirits of the residents due to the tragedy.

From the word mass (multitude of people) and Spanish word cara (face), MassKara (multitude

Time has literally flown by and August has come and gone. Along with it, scores of Filipinos making their way to what is probably the closest and most accessible international travel destination—Hong Kong.

of faces) was coined by e ly Santiago, artist and then-president of the Arts Association of b a colod.

T H e “Monster Building” located in Quarry Bay, where scenes from “Transformers: Age of e x tinction” was filmed.

Fres H seafood sold on boats in sa Kung C An To nese favorites from Yixin restaurant

e shop Po Toi Island

Tai Ping shan

or sailing with a group aboard a boat or yacht in sa Kung

Benitez

A8 Saturday, September 2,

Online concerts pave the way for hybrid events

AS someone who likes K-pop and is always watching concerts, I can probably say with finality that I will never watch another concert online again. Online concerts and fanmeetings featuring K-pop idols and actors were abundant during the pandemic. In fact, somewhere in my archives is a screen capture of a Park Seo-joon during a Smart-sponsored fanmeeting beside a wall of screens. I was in one of those many screens so I can actually boast that I have a selfie with him.

Seriously though, those online concerts and fanmeetings were traumatic for me because they were uncertain and dark times for many of us.

I don’t even remember the concerts I watched in lockdown except for the first one (SF9’s) and the first fanmeeting I went to when face-to-face events resumed (Hwang In-youp’s).

But what online concerts and fanmeetings paved the way for was the possibility that hybrid events could be staged by organizers and if there was a concert in Seoul or Japan, people in the Philippines or other countries could also watch. For example, Suga of BTS’ D-Day encore concerts in Seoul’s KSPO Dome were streamed live online.

So, yes, these online events have made the world smaller.

One of the things that also happened in the music scene during the pandemic is the rise of P-pop and there is no doubt that the movement is led by the phenomenal boy group SB19. The group’s fans are very active in social media platforms and they’re really supportive of their idols’ activities.

Fresh from their second world tour, SB19 is one of the performers in Watsons Playlist: The Feel Great Concert with Ben&Ben and Zack Tabudlo on September 24

BY KELVIN CHAN

The Associated Press

LONDON—British competition regulators opened a new investigation on Tuesday into Microsoft’s revamped bid to buy video game maker Activision Blizzard, representing the last major hurdle to closing one of the biggest deals in tech history.

The Competition and Markets Authority said it has until October 18 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its preliminary investigation into an indepth review. The companies agreed earlier to extend the transaction’s deadline to that same date.

Xbox maker Microsoft has been on a quest to acquire Activision, maker of the popular “Call of Duty” game franchise since announcing the $69 billion deal in January 2022. The companies have secured approvals from antitrust authorities covering 40 countries, including the European Union. The blockbuster deal faced pushback in the United States, but the Federal Trade Commission lost a court fight to stop it, effectively clearing the way for it to proceed.

The purchase is now only held up in Britain, where authorities moved to block it earlier this year over worries about competition being stifled in the emerging cloud gaming market, where players can avoid buying pricey consoles and stream games to their tablets or phones.

Under the restructured deal, Microsoft will sell cloud streaming rights outside of the European Economic Area for all current and new Activision games released over the next 15 years to French game studio Ubisoft Entertainment, Microsoft president Brad Smith said in a blog post. The European Economic Area includes the EU’s 27 nations, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick said in a blog post

Indian lending platform provider enters PHL to penetrate Asean market further

BY RODERICK L. ABAD Contributor

MARKING its entry into Southeast Asia, Lentra, a leading Indian digital lending software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform provider, has set up operations in the Philippines.

“We are looking at transforming lending and for us, the Philippines is a great geography of choice because of the demographic dividends and the fact that it’s going to be a high growth economy as we move forward. With financial inclusion playing out here, more and more people are going to come in the credit circle,” Lentra co-founder and chief product officer Ankur Handa told BUSINESSMIRRO� in an interview during The Lentra Global Digital Lending Summit at Dusit Thani Manila on August 24.

Currently, the country’s population stands at 110 million, a significant portion of which, however, remains unbanked and underserved mainly due to complex and tedious application and approval processes to open an account and avail of financial services like loans from the banks and financial institutions.

“We see a big gap right now, and that’s the motivation why Lentra is here to address that,” Lentra Philippines country general manager Joel del Valle said. “As most of the banks right now in the Philippines invested in big systems, we see a lot of business painpoints.”

These problems, including the time-consuming policy change for credit decisioning and varying loan management systems (LMS), are what inspired the four-year-old fintech company to offer loan tools, such as the Business Rules Engine (BREx), 1LMS, Lentra Lending Cloud, and GoNoGo platform, among others.

Ben&Ben and SB19 will also take the stage together for the first time ever to perform their collaboration song “MAPA!” live!

Tickets are exclusively available on the Watsons App. All you have to do is purchase products with a

at P7,200, and patron at P8,500. Get a chance to meet and greet your favorite artists up close and personal when you purchase the VIP Seated with Soundcheck

Built on an open source architecture, its platform is simple, configurable and secure that helps accelerate embedded banking with speed at scale. Its SaaS model makes digital inclusion easy, credit approvals quick and seamless than ever.

Powered by cutting-edge technologies, it enables banks and financial institution-clients to create tailored lending products and elevate customers’ overall loan experiences with over 90 percent Straight-Through Processing or STP rate. This leads to increased access to new clients, reduced nonperforming assets, enhanced operational efficiencies and accelerated business growth.

“Our desire is not just to make the life of a bank easier but also its end customers,” Lentra executive vice president for Asia Pacific Sanjay Kao noted. With over 150 bank partners, its offerings specializing in retail and small and medium enterprise loans lead to financial inclusion of the country’s growing digital-savvy population. The firm, which became operational here on August 28, has already gained two clients: Union Digital and GCash. It now engages with the top 25 banks and financial institutions, as well as reaches out to rural banks and cooperatives nationwide.

“We want to aggressively grow the traction here in the Philippines,” Handa said of their target of 20 clients.

Lentra recently received its Series B Funding of $78 million led by investors like MUFG Bank, Bessemer Venture Partners and SIG Venture Capital, and Citi Ventures. This will fuel its growth in Southeast Asia— now with operations in the Philippines and soon in Indonesia and Vietnam—and the United States moving forward.

that “nothing substantially changes” by selling off the streaming rights. In an unprecedented move, the UK watchdog had delayed its final order to block the deal.

That allowed it to consider an EU decision to accept Microsoft’s pledge to automatically license Activision games to cloud gaming platforms and a licensing deal between Microsoft and rival Sony, maker of the PlayStation console.

The CMA said on Tuesday that it found those developments wouldn’t have changed its original decision and imposed an order to block the deal. At the same time, it’s considering the new Microsoft proposal, which “is substantially different from what was put on the table previously,” said Sarah Cardell,

“This is not a green light,” Cardell said. “We will carefully and objectively assess the details of the restructured deal and its impact on competition, including in light of third-party comments.”

The regulator’s decision to launch a new investigation instead of approving the deal was an unexpected move and raises the prospect of another lengthy review, said Alex Haffner, competition partner at UK law firm Fladgate. “In reality, however, it is hard to believe Microsoft would have taken this new course without a high degree of confidence it will now in due course [finally] get a regulatory green light from the CMA,” he said by e-mail.

“From a revenue standpoint, we’re working towards a $100 million annualized revenue, which is on the back of our Opex [operational expenditure] model,” he shared.

“In about three years time, we expect to be running at a revenue of about $20 million for the Philippines [alone]. The whole digitization conversion that every bank or finance company is looking at, the government support at digitizing and reaching out to a much larger population, and a younger population coming into the market—all will drive this growth,” Kao added.

Gen Zs are changing the game and brands should be willing to play

AFTER dealing with “boomer” bosses most of my career, I realized I need to understand a totally different generation when it comes to content creation—the “zoomers.”

Generation Z or “zoomers” refers to the generation born between 1997 and 2012, following millennials and in a few years, they will become the largest group of consumers and brands who want a piece of this opportunity will need to understand their preferences and digital expectations.

Last week, together with a select group of international media, we flew to Bangkok, Thailand, for the POCO Partners Southeast Asia Forum 2023. The forum gathered industry experts who provided their insights into the evolving nature of the habits and preferences of South East Asia’s Gen Z mobile user. The forum also discussed the results of a survey conducted by global public opinion and data company YouGov on behalf of POCO, on how Gen Zs are changing the game in consumer mobile phone usage habits and preferences, with striking changes in the last five years.

Primetime...

CONTINUED FROM A8

YouGov’s survey covered 2,500 consumers at P10,000, and VIP Standing with Soundcheck at P10,000. Patron Ticket Holders can also win signed posters from their favorite artists.

Watsons Playlist: The Feel Great Concert is sponsored by Watsons Brand, Collagen by Watsons, Luxe Organix, Silk Secrets, Flormar, BYS, Maybelline, Pretty Secret, Kiss, Dazzle Me, Hairfix, Dermaid, Some By Mi, Bioten, Revox, Deoproce, Pond’s, Nivea, AXE, CloseUp, Med Guard, Trust, Enervon, Conzace, and Ceelin Plus. For information on how to redeem your tickets, go to tinyurl.com/bdfrf7za.

Another concert I am watching out for is that of K-pop idol and actor Hwang Min-hyun on October 8 at the New Frontier Theater.

The former member of K-pop boy band NU’EST and project group Wanna One will have his 2023 Hwang Min-hyun Mini Concert ‘Unveil’ in Manila.

After his stint in NU’EST, Hwang Min-hyun launched his solo career, releasing the album Truth or Lie in February this year.

He has also branched out into acting, appearing in the dramas Live On and Alchemy of Souls. He is currently starring in the drama My Lovely Liar with actress Kim So-hyun.

Hwang Min-hyun became popular among Filipino Korean drama fans for his role in Alchemy of Souls.

His show in Manila, which is part of his Asian tour, is presented by Pledis Entertainment, Tonz Entertainment, Pulp Live World, and Happee Hour. Meanwhile, 2PM member and actor Ok Taecyeon will bring his SpecialTY fanmeeting to the Philippines on September 23 at the New Frontier Theater.

Taecyeon made the announcement on his social media platforms. “Who’s EXCITED???? ME!!!” he said on Twitter, referring to his tour.

Taecyeon debuted in 2008 as a member of 2PM, a boy goup known for songs, such as “Again & Again,” “Heartbeat” and “My House.” His latest drama is titled Heartbeat, where he plays a halfman half-vampire. Taecyeon made his acting debut in 2010 through the series Cinderella’s Stepsister and has since starred in several other K-dramas, including Dream High, Secret Royal Inspector & Joy and Vincenzo ■

Entertainment drivers such as watching videos (81 percent) and playing online games (60 percent) rank highest in daily activities, with only just over half (56 percent) using their phones for daily voice calls and under half (47 percent) for taking photos and videos on a daily basis. When focusing on mobile activities conducted throughout the week, almost nine in 10 played games with photo and video taking activity increasing.

This “smartphone” generation also spends more hours engaged in mobile activities. They spend more hours per week than their Millennial counterparts for all online leisure activities, such as messaging and social media interactions, and intend to spend even more time on their mobiles in the future. About four in every 10 also say they are likely to actually increase the amount of time spent each day on mobile-based activity, with social media (53 percent), browsing the internet (56 percent) and, interestingly, work-related tasks registering as the high-growth usage activities. With the changes in flexible working post-pandemic, utilizing mobile devices for work and business use is seen as the significant area of highest future growth (59 percent). The growth in entertainment activities

OVER the years, mobile data has truly become essential in the daily life of Filipinos. Many rely on their phone’s mobile data connection for work, education, livelihood, and entertainment. In this era of countless apps and data-heavy activities, understanding your data consumption can empower you to save and maximize your usage.

Mobile leader Globe shares tips on how you can conserve your data so you can make the most of your browsing experience.

■ CHOOSE THE BEST DATA PROMO. Globe has the best data promos for your needs, regardless of your budget.

If you are budget-conscious and want to make the best of your data for streaming, learning, earning and other activities, try Go50 with 5GB data for all sites and unlimited all-net texts for P50, valid for 3 days.

If you’re willing to splurge a bit more, go for Super Xclusive Go+99 with up to 10GB for all sites, 8GB for your choice of apps, and unlimited all-net texts for P99, valid for up to 8 days. Both promos are available on the GlobeOne app.

needs without the need for excessive features (50 percent).

Almost half of the respondents say they intend to replace their current mobile phone before the end of 2024 in SEA, with affordability a top motivator dictating young consumers switch to a mid-range brand for almost half of the respondents.

After the forum, we got the chance to sit down with Angus Ng, Head of Product Marketing at POCO Global. He said the findings present a lot of opportunities for the brand, allowing them to focus on specific market needs and working closely with partners to adapt their product offerings.

“Two to three years ago, the performance between midrange and flagship was so separated that when you’re playing the same game, it’s like two different worlds,” Ng pointed out. “But right now, it’s all the same. Everything is consistently improving, which is good for the midrangers to be honest.”

Gaming capability and performance is also a key factor in this next new phone purchase decision, with 44 percent of those surveyed stating it as “very important” with the emphasis on long battery life, high-performance processors and larger storage

usage is largely behavioral. If you are a heavy streamer, whether it be videos, music, or games, your data consumption will inevitably be higher than a recreational or casual user. Make sure you keep yourself in check when browsing.

■ BE CONSCIOUS OF USAGE WHILE VIDEO-STREAMING. High-resolution videos in applications may lead to more data consumed. The higher the quality of the video, the more data it would likely require. Make sure to adjust the video quality in apps like Facebook, YouTube, Netflix, Tiktok, and Zoom to conserve data. To get a sulit deal for streaming sites, you can register to Go+99 with GoWATCH to get 8GB for all sites, plus 8GB for video apps, and unlimited all-net texts, valid for 7 days.

■ CONTROL APP UPDATES. Automatic app updates and other app activities may consume a significant amount of data. Turn on your phone’s Low Data Mode or Data Saver to stop automatic app updates and other activities from using your mobile data.

■ KNOW YOUR DATA LIMIT. Keep in mind that it’s possible to exhaust all your data before the end of your

To live up to its philosophy of offering “everything you need, nothing you don’t.” Ng said that one of the strategies they use is N-1.

“It means ‘newest minus one,’ or right before the newest. We don’t use the latest chipsets. We don’t use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or MediaTek Dimensity 9200. For the POCO F5 Pro, we used the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 as long as consumers and you (media) consider that a really good chipset, we deem that good enough.”

Still, it doesn’t mean that POCO will always use an older chipset. “If the next generation of super-flagship chipsets might actually fit our price point, if we can control our price point, then we’ll use the newest chipset.” Ng even teased the possibility of having a device with a 1TB storage in the future if needed be.

But the one thing he was certain of is that POCO will not enter a higher price category. “Are we going to build it like a super flagship? No. A device might be higher in terms of configuration of the RAM and ROM, but we are not going to jump from $500 to $799 or $899. We won’t touch that. I don’t think we have that ability from a brand perspective.” ■

promo period depending on usage. Some customers might think that their data, such as 5GB under Go50 on GlobeOne, will last for 3 days, and are surprised when it gets fully consumed before the validity ends. You may keep track of your data usage using the GlobeOne app.

■ KNOW WHERE TO GET HELP. If you have concerns about data, you may access GlobeOne app and go to the Help section. GlobeOne is your digital life companion.

“Putting our customers first, we recognize the importance of every megabyte of data, and more so, the value of the money they spend on it. We believe every byte matters! Actively listening to their browsing experiences forms a vital part of our service improvement. We hope that this information serves as a valuable tool for our customers, enabling them to make the most out of their data without any worries,” said Aileen Burgos, head of customer experience.

Stay connected, stay informed, and enjoy your browsing experience with Globe and TM. Visit www.globe.com.ph to know more.

6 tips to make the best of your mobile data

Asia’s manufacturing slump worsens amid weak demand

Factories in North Asia experienced weaker new orders, output and export sales, according to manufacturing purchasing managers’ surveys published Friday by S&P Global and au Jibun Bank.

The purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for trade bellwether

Taiwan was little changed at a subdued level of 44.3 last month from 44.1 in July, while South Korea’s gauge slumped to 48.9 from 49.4 during the same period.

Seoul reported a similarly gloomy reading on industrial production on Thursday, showing a bigger-than-expected drop in July, marking its longest stretch of output decline yet.

Japan’s PMI was unchanged at 49.6, below the 50 mark that

UN chief sends Russia new proposals to revive Black Sea grain deal but

Moscow isn’t satisfied

UNITED NATIONS—The United Nations chief sent Russia a new proposal aimed at getting its grain and fertilizer to global markets in hopes of reviving the deal that allowed Ukraine to ship almost 33,000 tons of grain at a time of growing global hunger.

Data from the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul, which organized the Ukraine shipments, showed that 57 percent of the grain from Ukraine went to developing nations, with the top destination being China, which received nearly a quarter of the food.

separates expansion from contraction.

Southeast Asia, which until recently was a bright spot, showed the weak sentiment was rubbing off on factories in the region. The Philippines and Thailand saw their gauges slip into the red for the first time since 2021, pulling back on new orders amid disappointing demand. Malaysia’s reading was unchanged at 47.8, while Indonesia was an outlier, with a region’s best 53.9.

The latest data dashes hopes of an easy turnaround for the region despite increasing signs of a soft landing in the US.

The stubborn weakness of goods trade is dampened by the prospect of high borrowing costs in the US and Europe.

Closer to home, China’s economic slowdown is curbing demand for exports in the region. Many Asian economies count China as their biggest trading partner.

China’s manufacturing activity fell for a fifth consecutive month in August, data showed Thursday. However, pickups in new orders and output provided hope the worst of a factory slump dragging on the nation’s economy may be ending.

The headwinds are picking up in the region. Japan grappled with higher raw material prices and labor costs, while South Korea saw a return of shipping delays and

semiconductor shortages, S&P Global said.

In Taiwan, companies grew pessimistic for the next 12 months, trimming inventories and staff numbers in anticipation of a weaker market ahead.

“Until we see an improvement in global economic conditions, which have been under pressure from stubborn inflation and higher interest rates, it’s unlikely that Taiwan’s manufacturing sector will swing back into growth territory any time soon,” said Annabel Fiddes, economics associate director at S&P Global Market Intelligence. Bloomberg News

US providing up to $12 billion to retrofit auto plants for EVs

THE Biden administration is making up to $12 billion available for automakers to retrofit their facilities to make electric vehicles and hybrids.

The funding comes amid tense negotiations between Detroit auto companies and the United Auto Workers (UAW), which has raised concerns the transition to EVs may threaten union jobs. It includes $10 billion in newly announced funds from a US Energy Department loan program for clean vehicles. The Energy Department also said it’s planning to make available an additional $3.5 billion in financing to expand domestic battery manufacturing for vehicles and the nation’s power grid.

US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm vowed Thursday the US wouldn’t leave American autoworkers behind, telling reporters the funding will support projects in longstanding auto making communities to help retain workers

amid the transition.

The financing signals the Biden administration is doubling down on efforts to support carmakers’ transition to EVs, even as it seeks to retain support from labor groups pushing for more autoworker job security and higher wages.

“This funding will help existing workers keep their jobs and have the first shot to fill new good jobs as the car industry transforms for future generations,” President Joe Biden said in a statement.

The UAW’s new president, Shawn Fain, cautiously welcomed the measure, noting it came with language favoring projects offering higher pay and union representation. Fain had warned the White House earlier this month not to push EVs at the expense of blue collar jobs.

The union, which is in the middle of contentious talks with the

three legacy Detroit automakers over a new four-year contract, blasted a June announcement of a $9.2 billion federal loan to a Ford joint venture as a gateway to “low-road jobs.”

“The EV transition must be a just transition that ensures auto workers have a place in the new economy,” Fain said Thursday in an emailed statement.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents most major auto manufacturers in Washington, said in a statement the incentives and grants from the Department of Energy “will further advance the domestic automotive supply chain and globally competitive battery manufacturing platform that automakers have already made sizable investments.”

A spokesperson for General Motors Co., which has pledged to electrify its entire fleet by 2035,

said the carmaker supports public funding that promotes “domestic investment in manufacturing.” Representatives for Ford and Stellantis NV, which owns the Jeep and Ram brands, said their companies were reviewing the announcement.

Shares of GM and Ford closed up less than 1 percent in regular trading Thursday in New York. Stellantis fell less than 1 percent.

In addition to electric vehicles, the financing can be used for factories that make efficient hybrid, plug-in electric hybrid, plug-in electric drive and hydrogen fuelcell vehicles, the department said.

The funding, which also includes $2 billion in “manufacturing conversion grants” from Biden’s signature climate law, comes amid a broader administration goal of having EVs represent at least half of all new car sales in the US by 2030. Bloomberg News

Freight rates surge as Mississippi River water levels continue to drop

THE cost to transport America’s harvest from the Midwest to the rest of the world is soaring as shrinking water levels

on the Mississippi River drive up barge freight rates—and the forecast for below-than-average rainfall offers no relief.

Barge spot rates as of August 29 in St. Louis are up 49 percent from last week and 42 percent from last year at $23.34 a ton. That’s up 85 percent

from the past 3-year average, according to data from the Department of Agriculture released Wednesday.

The data comes just as the US prepares to begin its soybean and corn harvest, signaling another tough year for US farmers who already are struggling with drought and fierce competition from Brazil and Russia. Last year, extremely low water levels on the Mississippi River stranded more than 2,000 barges, crippling commerce on the vital waterway.

Water levels on the Mississippi River, which carries more than 45 percent of US agricultural exports, have been dropping since June, restricting the amount of grain allowed on each barge. This led to a tightening of barge supply as more barges are required to transport the same amount of grain.

Transportation companies are “proactively reducing drafts as they are aware of the problems that heavier barges caused last time around,” said Susan David, a grain analyst for No Bull in St. Louis. “This year it feels like the market is better prepared to handle it.”  Bloomberg News

But Moscow wasn’t satisfied with the letter that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier this week.

Speaking at a press conference Thursday after meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Lavrov said he had given Ankara a list of actions that the West would have to take in order to resume Ukrainian shipments.

The United Nations and Turkey brokered the deal in July 2022 that allowed Ukraine to ship grain and other foodstuffs from three Black Sea ports. A separate memorandum between the UN and Russia pledged to overcome obstacles to Moscow’s shipment of food and fertilizer to world markets.

The deal followed Russia’s Feb. 24, 2022, invasion of Ukraine which sent global food prices skyrocketing because the two countries are major “breadbaskets” for the world.

Guterres told UN reporters on Thursday that he had written a letter to Lavrov with “a set of concrete proposals, allowing to create the conditions for the renewal of the Black Sea initiative.” He did not give any details other than to say, “we have some concrete solutions for the concerns allowing for an effective, or more effective access of Russian food and fertilizers to global markets at adequate prices.”

Russia suspended the Black Sea grain initiative in July. It repeatedly complained that the Ukraine deal largely benefitted richer nations, and that Russia still had difficulties obtaining financing, insurance and shipping for its fertilizer and grain shipments.

Turkey’s Fidan told reporters his meeting with Lavrov in Moscow was “preparation” for an upcoming meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi.

Describing the grain deal as “quite a complicated and laborious job,” Fidan said when Erdogan and Putin get together, they “will take a more strategic and political view.”

Fidan is also due to meet with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who was involved in the deal’s negotiations, on September 1.

Lavrov told reporters: “As soon as talks turn into concrete decisions, we’ll be ready to resume the Ukrainian part of the grain package that same day.”

The UN’s Guterres said a renewed Black Sea initiative must be “stable”—and not move “from crisis to crisis, from suspension to suspension.” The original agreement for 120 days was extended once for 120 days and twice for 60 days.

“I believe that working seriously we can have a positive solution for everybody—for the Ukraine, for the Russian Federation, but more important than everything else for the world in a moment in which so many countries are facing enormous difficulties in relation to guarantee the food security of their populations,” he told reporters.

Guterres said that he saw little prospect of peace in Ukraine before the General Assembly’s annual meeting of world leaders starting September 18. He said that’s why he stressed the need to “take measures to reduce the dramatically negative impacts of this war in relation to the world.” AP

Taliban say they have signed mining deals worth $6.5 billion in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan—Af -

ghanistan’s ruling Taliban government said it signed seven mining contracts Thursday amounting to $6.5 billion in investment, in the biggest such round of deals since seizing power two years ago. The seven contracts are with locally based companies, many of whom have foreign partners in countries, including China, Iran, and Turkey. They include the extraction and processing of iron ore, lead, zinc and gold in four provinces: Herat, Ghor, Logar and Takhar.

A statement on the contracts from Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund gave few details, but said they would create thousands of jobs and significantly improve the economic situation of the country.

Any figures given for the deals could be misleading unless they lead to fully realized mining operations on the ground, which could take years, said Javed Noorani, an expert in Afghanistan’s mining sector.

“The Taliban know Afghanistan has minerals and this is cash, but it’s not easy cash,” Noorani told The Associated

Press. “Mineral mining is an incredibly complicated operation. It requires a proper framework, strategies, institutions and infrastructure. You open up the sector slowly and start with lowhanging fruit.”

Nobody from the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum was available to provide further information on the contracts or the companies. The AP contacted the Kabulbased Sahil Middle East Mining & Logistics Ltd, which signed an iron ore deal according to the official statement, but received no immediate response.

The Taliban have been courting foreign investment to revitalize the economy since their takeover.

Nearly 80 percent of the previous, Western-backed Afghan government’s budget came from the international community. That money, now largely cut off, financed hospitals, schools, factories and government ministries.

The Taliban, like previous administrations in Afghanistan, are pinning their hopes on the country’s vast and untapped mineral resources to line the nation’s coffers. Logar province is believed to hold the world’s largest copper deposit. AP

MANUFACTURING activity in Asia’s major export powerhouses slumped further in August as weak demand persisted in the region’s key trade markets, particularly in China.

The World

Xi planning to skip G-20 summit while China-India tensions mount

China and Modi’s push to move closer into the orbit of the US and its allies.

The US has made concerted efforts to woo India, with President Joe Biden hosting Modi at the White House in June, when Secretary of State Antony Blinken hailed the potential of US-Indian cooperation as “boundless.” India has been a prime beneficiary of efforts by western companies including Apple Inc. to diversify its Chinese operations.

Tensions between China and India—the world’s two most populous countries—already threaten to prevent G-20 leaders from issuing a joint communique for the first time since the forum was created in 1999, according to separate people familiar with the situation. Xi’s non-attendance would be a further blow for the host, Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Xi is not intending to travel to the Indian capital for the summit, diplomats from several countries involved in the planning said. Chinese Premier Li Qiang will attend in his place, according to one of the people, while a second said it would be another yet-to-be-named government official. All asked not to be named discussing internal deliberations.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said he had “nothing to offer at the moment” when asked at a regular news briefing in Beijing on Thursday if Xi or Li would attend the G-20. India’s Ministry of External Affairs declined to comment.

US President Joe Biden on Thursday said he wanted Xi to

show up. “The answer is: I hope he attends,” Biden said when asked if he expected Xi to travel to India.

As of earlier Thursday, Indian officials said they were still preparing as if Xi would attend in terms of security protocols and other formalities, even although it remained unclear if he would show up. Xi had yet to confirm to the government whether he’d attend, they added. It was first reported that the Chinese leader was likely to skip the meeting.

China questions

HIS absence would mark the first time Xi has skipped a G-20 summit since taking power, raising more questions about China’s global clout as its economy slows. It would also draw a contrast with his attendance last week at the BRICS summit in South Africa, where he met with Modi.

Despite their brief encounter then, there are signs of bilateral tensions. In the run-up to the G-20 summit, China has blocked draft proposals on language regarding emerging-market debt and condemning Russia’s war on Ukraine, according to the people familiar

with the situation. Russian President Vladimir Putin also has no plans to attend the G-20 for the second year running.

One of the people said China has been particularly belligerent in opposing Modi’s theme for the conference being written in Sanskrit, an ancient language associated with Hinduism.

India and China remain at loggerheads over flashpoints including a border dispute in the Himalayas. India lodged a diplomatic protest with Beijing this week over the publication of an official map that shows China claiming Indian territory in the Himalayas.

In addition to strains between China and India, the people said, differences are also emerging between the US-aligned Group of Seven nations and the wider G-20 over a new commitment of funding for developing countries to meet United Nations-backed targets on everything from hunger and education to clean

Top South Korea and China envoys aim for three-way talks with Japan

CHINESE Foreign Minister

Wang Yi told his South Korean counterpart that he supports Seoul’s efforts to resume three-way summits that include Japan, a sign Beijing is trying to counter a US push to forge closer ties with its two Asian allies. Wang told Park Jin that China backs South Korea—the current chair of the stalled trilateral summit—in playing an “active role” to push forward cooperation with Japan, according to a statement late Thursday from Beijing.  Park said in the call with Wang that he would like to see a return to shuttle diplomacy between the

two, according to a statement from South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

South Korea’s Presidential Office has said in recent days it is working to resume the summit with China and Japan. Summits among the leaders of the three economic powerhouses haven’t taken place since 2019 due initially to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, Japan and South Korea have been encouraged by the US, a mutual ally, to curb high-tech exports to China, their biggest trade partner.

Cooperation among Seoul, Tokyo and Washington grew stronger when Yoon Suk Yeol became

Korea looks to foreign nannies to help lift low fertility rate

SOUTH Korea will bring in foreign domestic helpers in its latest effort to tackle the world’s lowest fertility rate.

A pilot program in Seoul will allow 100 foreign employees to work in childcare and housekeeping for at least six months either full time or part time starting December, the Ministry of Employment and Labor said Friday.

The program is South Korea’s latest move to ease labor shortages and the rising economic burden of raising children, factors that are often cited among reasons for the world’s lowest fertility rate.

The rate, which refers to the number of children a woman is estimated to bear during her lifetime, slid to a low of 0.7 in the second quarter from 0.78 in 2022 and 0.81 in 2021 when the OECD’s average rate was 1.58.

Foreign workers who are part of the pilot will be paid at least the legal minimum wage and earn about 2 million won ($1,513) per month if they work full time. Hiring a live-in Korean housekeeper costs about 3.5 to 4.5 million won ($2,648 to $3,405) per month. South Korea currently only allows local workers and some Chi -

South Korea’s president in May 2022, backing hawkish security policies that were in line with those of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

This resulted in boosting joint military drills and a landmark summit last month hosted by President Joe Biden that led to measures to reduce global supply chain exposure to China and moves to bind the trilateral relationship so tightly that it would be hard to unravel.

China’s Foreign Ministry criticized the summit, saying it would only “start division and confrontation.” Bloomberg News

nese nationals of Korean descent to become nannies.

Priority for hiring foreign domestic helpers will be given to households with working couples between their 20s to 40s and single-parent households or households with multiple children, according to the labor ministry.

The foreign helpers of 24 years of age or more, will be required to take language tests and will also need to go through verification for criminal records and drug tests.

The introduction of foreign helpers may also help South Korea, which is struggling with an aging work force, to increase labor supply. 92 percent of the nation’s child-care work force is aged 50 or older, according to the labor ministry.  Bloomberg News

energy and climate change.

Financing fudge

A DRAFT version of a G-20 communique circulated before the summit called for an extra $500 billion of financing for countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, according to people familiar with its contents. However, G-7 nations were unlikely to agree to that demand, the people said, potentially fuel -

ing a narrative of a deeper split between some of the world’s wealthiest countries and emerging markets.

Modi faces perhaps his biggest diplomatic test yet in seeking to smooth over the divisions on a range of issues. Whereas host Indonesia managed an 11th-hour compromise last year on the language over Russia’s war, India will likely face a trickier time due to the heightened tensions with

In addition to military tensions along their border, China and India are both vying to be the leader of the so-called Global South, which has emerged as a key swing vote as divisions grow starker over global rules espoused by the US and its allies on one hand, and the world view of China and Russia on the other.   Disagreements are typically rife ahead of G-20 summits, and there’s still time for a compromise on a concluding statement. The agreement last year in Bali, Indonesia, came together even after other ministerial meetings in the summit’s lead-up failed. Bloomberg News

CHINESE President Xi Jinping is planning to skip next week’s Group of 20 summit in New Delhi, according to officials familiar with preparations for the meeting, a snub that’s likely to aggravate an already rocky relationship with India.

XI JINPING (left), with Narendra Modi, second right, at the BRICS summit in South Africa August 24. BLOOMBERG

Fast, furious action in ‘Best of the Best’ taekwondo tilt up

EXPECT fast and furious action when around 900 blackbelters from all over the country compete in the 2023 Smart/MVP Sports Foundation Best of the Best Taekwondo Championships this Saturday and Sunday at the Ayala Malls-Manila Bay.

T he Philippine Taekwondo Association said all 19 regions in the country will be represented but the National Capital Region (NCR) fighters are fancied to dominate the two-day event.

C ategories on tap in the event fully supported by Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman of Smart Communications and PLDT, are Senior, Junior, Cadet and Grade School—both for male and female competitors.

C ompetitions in Poomsae (student blackbelters) are in recognized poomsae individual and free styled individual.

O nly gold medal winners in the national events earlier held in NCR, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao as well as in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine National Police Olympics and all PTAsanctioned competitions in Metro Manila and other regions are qualified to join the competition.

A lso joining the event are the top fighters from the Taekwondo Blackbelt Brotherhood, Taekwondo Blackbelt Sorority and Philippine Taekwondo Contingent.

A s in the past, the event will utilize the taekwondo officiating system with the PSS or Protective Scoring System and ESS or Electronic Scoring System electronic armors and socks all in place together with the IVR or Instant Video Replay system to eliminate human error.

Th at will also ensure fair scoring and a spectator-friendly tournament.

Matches start at 9 a.m. onwards.

By Josef Ramos

THE Philippines squares off with China deadset on nailing its first and only win to be able to exit the FIBA World Cup with pride and, in the words of beleaguered national team coach Chot Reyes, achieve “something larger” in the tournament the country is primarily hosting.

We are doing this for flag and country and we’re doing this as our way to serve the country, the Philippines,” Reyes said. “It’s more than just a ballgame or a just a win, but something larger—hopefully ending on a winning note.”

Gilas Pilipinas lost to emerging African basketball power South Sudan, 87-68, on Thursday night and crashed out of the best Asian team race for an automatic berth in next year’s Paris Olympics.

C hina won its first game in the World Cup, 83-76, also Thursday in Day 1 of the classification round and

is going for a second victory for a possible shot at that Olympic berth.

B ut the Philippines vowed to sabotage the Chinese’s mission in the 8 p.m. match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

We will win this last game against China at all cost,” Gilas guard CJ Perez said. “We’ll be fighting for pride in that last game.”

The Philippines opened the World Cup with an 87-81 loss to the Dominican Republic before a FIBA record crowd at the Philippine Arena, yielded to Angola, 70-80, and Italy, 83-90, in Group A.

R eyes, again, became the basketball-loving Filipinos’ most hated man at the moment. But he’s

Mondilla seeks to triumph on home course as tour resumes in Del Monte

CLYDE MONDILLA has spent the last 10 weeks at home and away from the course awaiting his second child and held up his preparations for the Philippine Golf Tour’s (PGT) last leg preceding his emphatic victory at Forest Hills last June.

He also abandoned plans to vie on the Asian Development Tour during the PGT break but has whipped himself back into fighting form three weeks before the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Del Monte Championship starting Tuesday at Del Monte Golf Club in Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon.

“ I didn’t play abroad during the break. Family time first because we just had our second child last July,” Mondilla said. “I went back home to Bukidnon three weeks before the tournament to hone up since I didn’t play in any tournament.”

Save for one from the rest of the 59-player field, all are coming into the P2.5-million championship lacking competitive play following the long Tour respite although each went through their own method of keeping themselves in shape and ready for another stab at PGT glory.

They include leg winners Ira Alido (Bacolod), Rupert Zaragosa (Iloilo), Tony Lascuña (Caliraya Springs), Jhonnel Ababa (Villamor) and Reymon Jaraula (Valley), along with back-toback The Country Club Invitational champion Guido van der Valk.

Justin Quiban, a two-time winner on PGT and PGT Asia, is also in the fold coming off stints on the Asian Tour, including the International

teeming with talents.

There’s my familiarity of the course, here’s where I learned to play golf,” Mondilla said. “But I couldn’t say I’m 100 percent confident. The feel’s different in practice and competition.”

A lso competing are Gerald Rosales, Jerson Balasabas, Dino Villanueva, Marvin Dumandan, Anthony Fernando, Albin Engino, Enrico Gallardo, Mars Pucay and Ferdie Aunzo, young guns Gabriel Manotoc, Josh Jorge, Kristoffer Arevalo, Jonas Magcalayo, Leandro Bagtas, Elee Bisera and Ivan Monsalve.

Bonmati: Fight abuse of power, disrespect

MONACO—Spanish soccer star Aitana Bonmatí used her acceptance speech at a UEFA awards ceremony on Thursday to voice support for her teammate who was forcibly kissed by the country’s soccer federation president after the Women’s World Cup final.

B onmatí was named women’s player of the year at the annual gala held amid a crisis for European soccer’s governing body caused by the behavior of its vice president Luis Rubiales at the Women’s World Cup final.

Rubiales has refused to resign as Spanish soccer federation president despite a furor over his behavior toward Jenni Hermoso at the trophy presentation after Spain’s victory over England in Sydney, Australia.

As a society, we cannot allow the abuse of power in a working environment or disrespect,” Bonmatí said on stage as UEFA leaders watched

we’re here, we’re doing it, and hopefully we can come in and get to play our best [against China],” added Reyes, who after the loss to South Sudan told reporters—amid all the criticisms thrown at him—that he’s leaving his fate to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the country’s governing body for the sport.

A v ictory could see the Philippines finishing from No. 20 or to No. 28 in this World Cup. A loss, however, could see Gilas falling to No. 29 to 32, the same finish the Yeng Guiao-coached team achieved in the 2019 tournament in China.

We’re all really down but we can’t let ourselves plunge deeper with these setbacks and frustration,” Perez told BusinessMirror at the Grand

This is the time when everybody needs each other.”

The Philippines has not beaten China in nine games since they faced each other in the 2019 Foshan World Cup. The Chinese are also the reigning Asian Games champion from 1986 in Seoul to 2018 in Jakarta.

The Chinese also have a naturalized player, Kyle Anderson who’s now named Kaier Li in China. He averaged 12 points and 4.8 rebounds in four games.

A nderson is aware of a potential explosive performance by Jordan Clarkson and is wary of the large crowd expected to pack the Big Dome.

Jordan [Clarkson] is an explosive scorer, he’s a really good player,”

Japan beat Venezuela, 86-77, on Thursday night and has the best chance of nailing the automatic Olympic berth with two wins in the World Cup. The Japanese take on Cave Verde, the lowest ranked team in the tournament, on Saturday. L ebanon, with its 1-3 record, is the other Asian Team that has a shot at the Olympics. The team faces fellow Asian squad, Iran, also winless, on Saturday in Jakarta. Jordan, also out of the Paris race, battles Mexico at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. I f the Philippines loses to China, it drops to the company of Qatar, which went winless as host of the FIFA Men’s World Cup last November.

EJ couldn’t fly high enough in Zurich

ERNEST JOHN “EJ” OBIENA misses the podium by finishing 10th and last at the Wanda Diamond League in Zurich. AP

e made the podium in all the other championships in Budapest last Sunday

in the convention hall in high-end Monte Carlo. “To all women who are suffering the same thing as Jenni, we’re with you.”

R ubiales could not attend the event because he was suspended Saturday by FIFA, two days after the world governing body opened a disciplinary case against him.

UEFA has not taken any action against Rubiales, who gets paid €250,000 ($270,000) for his role as a vice president.

Spanish soccer is going through bad moments right now,” Bonmatí said. “We won the World Cup, but we’re not talking a lot about that because of some things I rather not ignore.”

The issue was also raised on stage by the winner of the coaching award in women’s soccer, Sarina Wiegman.

W iegman praised the Spanish players who beat her England team 1-0 in the final for playing “such great football that everyone enjoyed.” AP

championships silver medalist Ernest John “EJ” Obiena who missed the podium at the Wanda Diamond League’s Zurich leg on Friday.

Obiena could do no better than 5.60 meters to finish last in the competition won by back-to-back world champion Armand Duplantis, who sailed to 6.0m.

He’s still too tired,” Obiena’s physiotherapist Antonio Guglietta told BusinessMirror via chat message Friday. “He was unable to recover after the world championships, but fortunately, this was not an important match since he already qualified for the Diamond League final.”

Eugene, Oregon—host of last year’s world championships where the Filipino ace got bronze—on September 16 and 17.

Obiena has 20 points entering the series which will only feature six pole vaulters with Duplantis ahead with 37, followed by Kendricks (24), Nilsen (24), Marshall (17) and either Broeders, Norway’s Pal Haugen or Germany’s Bo Kanda Lita Baehre who each has 10 points.

The winner in Eugene will get $30,000. Obiena will again compete in Brussels on September 8. Josef Ramos

Fiery chase up in 1st Dapitan 5150 triathlon

JOHN ALCALA goes for another shot at triathlon glory as he leads a stellar cast out to foil his drive for a third straight win in endurance racing in the 5150 Dapitan set September 10 in Zamboanga del Norte.

The Digos City native upstaged a tough international cast in the first Ironman 70.3 Puerto Princesa late last year then ruled the 5150 Subic last June, making him the top pick for the overall championship in the Olympicdistance 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-km bike and 10-km run race.

But while Alcala looms as the man to beat, seasoned campaigners are also joining the blue-ribbon event all geared up. They are last year’s Bohol 5150 winner Satar Salem, Andrew Remolino, Jailani Lamama, Jonathan Pagaura, Jorry Ycong and Southeast Asican Games gold medalist Fernando Casares.

Th at ensures a spirited battle for top honors in the very first triathlon that the historic Dapitan

City is hosting with Mayor Seth Jalosjos guaranteeing a memorable racing experience for the competing international field that also includes those vying in the Go for Gold

Sunrise Sprint.

A sub-category to the 5150 triathlon series, the short-distance triathlon series, also dubbed as S2, will be disputed over the 750m openwater swim, 20km bike ride and a 5km run. It provides fun and friendly racing experience present in all Sunrise brand of triathlon but with lesser of the challenges offered in the longer-distance races, like the 5150.

Ushering in the main event is the Noli Run, a 3km fun run on September 9, according to the organizing The Ironman Group/Sunrise Events Inc. The men’s and women’s 5150 Dapitan winners will receive P175,000 each while those who will top the Go for Gold Sunrise Sprint will each get P75,000. Also on tap is the relay event with 16 teams making up the early roster.

For details and listup, log on to www.ironman.com/5150-dapitanphilippines-register

JOHN ALCALA has a target on his back.

AITANA BONMATI stands up for teammate at UEFA awards.

HEAD coach Chot Reyes vows to go all out for that one and only win in this World Cup. FIBA PHOTO

CLYDE MONDILLA returns to action.