Philippine Daily Inquirer - July 24, 2024

PNP REMOVES ALL 75 COPS FROM VP SECURITY DETAIL

STORY BY DEMPSEY REYES AND FRANCES MANGOSING

Explainingthepullout,thePhilippineNationalPolicechiefsaidmorepersonnelwereneededforstreetpatrols.ForVicePresident SaraDuterte,thePNP’smoveshouldresultin‘lesscriesfromthepeople’amidthedrugmenaceandothercriminalthreats.

TUGUEGARAO CITY

WEATHER FORECAST

PNP removes all 75 cops from Sara security detail

lowFilipinos—especiallyinthe ruralandunderservedcommunitiesinthecountry.”

By Dempsey Reyes and Frances Mangosing @Team_Inquirer

ThechiefofthePhilippineNationalPoliceonTuesdayconfirmedtheremovalofpolice officersfromthesecuritydetail ofVicePresidentSaraDuterte, sayingtheyweretransferredto beefupstreetpatrolsespecially inMetroManila.

Earlierintheday,Duterte releasedastatementsayingthe PNPhadissueda“NoticeofRelief”to75personnelpostedundertheOfficeoftheVicePresident(OVP).

“Iwanttoassurethepublic that[thePNP]orderwillnotaffectmyworkintheOfficeofthe VicePresident,”Dutertesaid. “Ourworkwillcontinueindeliveringtheservicestoourfel-

“Idohope,however,that withthislatestdirectiveofthe ChiefPNP,wehearlesscries fromthepeopleregardingthe proliferationofdrugsinthe country,andthatevenfewer shallfallvictimtovariouscriminalactivities,”shesaid.

DayafterSonaabsence

ThereductionoftheVice President’ssecurityforcecame tolightadayafterPresident MarcosdeliveredhisthirdState oftheNationAddress,which Dutertedidnotattend.

Herabsenceattheevent— plusherearlierremarkthatshe hadappointedherself“designatedsurvivor”onSonaday,a supposedjokethatMr.Marcos’ congressionalalliesdidnot findamusing—wasseenasthe latestsignofsouredrelations

betweenherandMr.Marcos, whotookherashisrunning mateinthe2022presidential race. Inachanceinterviewwith reporters,PNPchiefGen.RommelFranciscoMarbilconfirmed thepulloutofpolicepersonnel fromtheOVPbutmaintained thatDuterte’sofficewasnotbeingsingledout.

ThePNP’sPoliceSecurity ProtectionGroup(PSPG)coordinatedwiththechiefofstaffof Duterteforthetransfer,hesaid. “Wedidn’trelievethem.We askedthemifwecouldtransfer thepersonnelbecauseweneed themintheNCR(NationalCapitalRegion),”hesaid.

“Weneedtogetourpeoplebecauseourpolicemen

arealreadysleeplessandtired workingbeyondtheirshiftand nobodywouldtaketheirplace,” heexplained.

MainlyPSC’sjob Marbilalsoexplainedthat securingtheVicePresidentis thejobmainlyofthePresidentialSecurityCommand(PSC),a militaryunit,andthatthePNP isonlytheretoaugment.

“ThesecurityoftheVice PresidentisunderthePresidentialSecurityCommand,not underthePSPG.Wearejust complementingthem,”hesaid.

Accordingtothelatest availablerecord,a2022report oftheCommissiononAuditon theOVP,Dutertehadatotalof 433securityescorts.

Shortlyaftersheassumed officein2022,theArmedForces ofthePhilippinescreatedanew unit—theVicePresidentialSecurityandProtectionGroup

(VPSPG)—justfortheOVP. TheVPSPGremainedunder PSC’ssupervision. TheremovalofthePNP componentfromDuterte’ssecurityforcealsocamejustover amonthaftersheresignedas secretaryoftheDepartment ofEducation(DepEd)andfive daysaftersheformallyturned overthepositiontoSen.Sonny Angara. Italsosuddenlyleftagap inthesecuritystructureforan officialwhohadrepeatedlycitednationalsecurityandintelligencegatheringaspartofher areasofconcern. InNovember2023,Duterte droppedherrequestforCongress togiveheranotherallocation ofconfidentialandintelligence fundsinthenationalbudget— totalingP650millionforboth theOVPandtheDepEd—asshe concededthatthematterhadbecome“divisive.”INQ

Sara Duterte Rommel Francisco Marbil

Pagcor: Pogo ban covers legal gaming hubs or IGLs

By Krixia Subingsubing, Frances Mangosing and Tina G. Santos

PresidentMarcosJr.’ssweepingdirectivetobanallPhilippineoffshoregamingoperators (Pogos)receivedthunderous applauseandastandingovationattheBatasangPambansa onMonday,butpeopletasked tocarryouthistallorderswere leftwonderingwhat,exactly, willbebanned?

ForthechairofthePhilippineAmusementandGaming Corp.(Pagcor),Mr.Marcos’ orderswerestraightforward: Thebanwillcovereventhe43 remaininglegalPogos—now calledinternetgaminglicensees(IGLs)bythegamingregulator—thathavevalidlicenses tooperate.

“Hisordersareveryclear:‘I aminstructingPagcortowind downtheoperationsofallPogos,’”TengcotoldtheHouse jointcommitteesonpublicorderandsafetyandgamesand amusementduringtheirhearingonTuesday.

“Icannotwinddownthe operationsofillegalPogosbecausethosearenotwithinmy jurisdiction.Butthe43inmy jurisdiction,that’sclear,Iwill windthemdown,”hestressed. “Congressmen,Iamnotindisagreement(withthedirective), andasItoldthiscommitteein theprevioushearing,IwillfollowthePresident’sordersand whathesaidwasveryclear.”

Tengco’sclarificationfollowedSurigaodelNorteRep. RobertAceBarbersandACT

TeachersRep.FranceCastro’s questionsaboutthedifference betweenPogosandIGLs,as

I cannot wind down the operations of illegal Pogos because those are not within my jurisdiction. But the 43 in my jurisdiction,

that’s clear, I will wind them down

theyexpressedconcernsthat theambiguityinwordingcould leaveloopholesinenforcingthe ban.

Theambiguitylefteven lawmakerslikeAlbayRep. JoeySalceda—whoispartofa Houseminoritythatprefersto continueallowinglegalPogos tooperate—tocallonthePresidenttofindawaytobanPogos withoutaffectingIGLs.

Rebranding

ButasTengcoexplainedto thepanel,thetermIGLcame intoforceafterheassumedoffice lastyear,whenheoversawthe implementationofstricterregulationsforPogosandrebranded themtoridtheseChinese-centric gamingoperatorsofthe“stigma” associatedwiththem. ThePogoindustry,which boomedduringtheDuterteadministration,hasbeenrepeatedlylinkedtocrimesyndicates engagedinhumantrafficking, kidnapping,robbery-extortion,

IGLsandsevenwithprovisionallicenses.

“Wechangedthestructure andguidelinesandthename,so thereisabigdifferenceinhow theyoperate,”Tengconoted. “That’swhyfrom298,wewere abletowhittledownthenumberto43becausemanydidnot qualify.”

InterrogatedbyCastro, TengcoconcededthatPogos andIGLswerethesameand weretheonestobebanned.

“Makesuretoclarifythat whenyoumaketherecommendationtothePresident,”Castro toldthePagcorchair.“Wedon’t wanttoendupinasituation wherePogosare‘banned’but IGLswillremain.”

moneylaundering,onlinescams andlately,espionage.

Pogousedtobetheofficial designationforfirmsoperating inthePhilippinesthatoffered onlinegamblingservicesexclusivelytomarketsoutsidethe country,specificallyChina.To belegal,theymustbelicensed byPagcorandwereobligedto baranyindividualinthePhilippines,Filipinocitizensregardlessoflocation,andpotential patronsincountriesandterritorieswhereoffshoregambling isillegalfromavailingthemselvesoftheirservices.

WhenTengcoassumedoffice,heplacedallPogolicensees onaprobationarystanceand requiredthemtoreapplyforlicensesaspartofitsnewregulatoryframework.Thisincluded theraidedPogoLuckySouth99 inPorac,Pampanga,whichpreviouslyhadavalidlicensebut failedthenewguidelines.

AsofJuly16,Pagcorsaid therewere38dulylicensed

Enoughtime

Giventhefive-monthdeadlinegivenbythePresident forallPogostoleave,Interior SecretaryBenjaminAbalosJr. saidhehadalreadytalkedto Tengcoandagreedtoholdan interagencymeetingwithotherofficesinvolvedtocarryout PresidentMarcos’order.

ThePresidentialAnti-OrganizedCrimeCommission (PAOCC)alsosaidthiswas enoughtimetoidentifythe majorplayersandforeignemployeesintheindustry.

“Thisfive-monthperiod providesampletimenotonly toidentifythebossesbut,more importantly,thiswillbeenough tocreateadatabaseofallforeign nationalsworkinginthesecompanies,”PAOCCUndersecretary GilbertCruzsaidinastatement.

Hesaidthedatabasewas crucialtoensurethatallforeignPogoworkerswould besubsequentlydeported totheircountriesoforigin.

By Tina G. Santos

SenatePresidentFrancisEscuderoonTuesdaydismissed theletterofapologysubmittedtotheUpperChamberby suspendedBamban,Tarlac MayorAliceGuo.

“AlthoughIunderstandthe understandingshewasasking for,untilsheshowsupand followstheSenate’srules,I cannotacceptanyrequestshe madeinherletter—notonly forunderstandingbutalsoto helpherconstituents,”Escuderosaidinapressbriefing.

HeaddedthatGuodidnot indicateinherletterwhetheror notshewouldattendthenext hearingbeingconductedbythe Senatecommitteeonwomen, children,familyrelationsand genderequalitychairedbySen. RisaHontiveros.

InaletterdatedJuly20, GuoapologizedtoEscudero overherstatementthatsenatorsandothergovernment officesshouldfocusonissues inthecountryinsteadofbeing “fixated”onher.

“Iwouldliketoapologize iftherehasbeenanymisunderstandingregardingmy statements.Ididnotintendto dictateorinstructtheSenate onwhatitshouldprioritize,” shesaid.“Iunderstandthat eachlawmakerhastheirown dutiesandresponsibilitiesto thecountry.Myintentionis simplytoprovidesuggestions basedontheproblemsbeing experiencedbymyfellowcitizensinBamban.”

Legaladvice

Theembattledmayoralso appealedtoEscuderotohelp herconstituents,sayingher

suspensionhaspreventedher fromfulfillingherdutiesasa mayor. “Iamrequestingyourhelp andunderstanding.Iamhopefulthatunderyourleadership, youwillnotneglectmyfellow countrymenwhoareinneed ofgovernmentsupport,”she appealedtolawmakers.

ButEscuderonotedthat theBambanvicemayorhas takenGuo’splacetocontinue thegovernment’sworkinthe Tarlactown.

Guoalsoexpressedher readinesstofaceallcharges lodgedagainstherinvarious officesofgovernment,includingtheOfficeoftheOmbudsman,theDepartmentof Justice,andtheBureauofInternalRevenue.

ButEscuderosaidGuo shouldfacetheSenatesothe warrantofarrestagainsther couldbelifted.

“Ihopethatherlawyer advisesherproperlytoface andputanendtothischapterintheSenatesothatshe canfocusandconcentrateon thecasessheisfacing,”he said,addingthattheSenate guaranteeshersafetyifshe decidestoparticipateinthe investigation.

Guowascitedincontempt andorderedarrestedfortwice refusingtoappearinthe continuingSenatehearings, whereshehadtestifiedafew timesearlier.

Shesaidthatshehadbeen traumatizedandappealedto theSupremeCourttostop Hontiverosandhercommitteefromfurtherquestioning her,claimingherconstitutionalrightstodueprocessand privacywerebeingviolated. INQ

@Team_Inquirer

@santostinaINQ

Alejandro Tengco

—RICHARD A. REYES

Marcos report on ‘bloodless’ antidrug drive disputed

By Jane Bautista

PresidentMarcosengagedin “plainandsimplepropaganda”whenhereportedinhis thirdStateoftheNationAddress(Sona)thathisadministrationhadbeenwaginga “bloodless”campaignagainst illegaldrugs.

Thiswasaccordingtothe authorsofarecentresearch projectbasedattheUniversityofthePhilippines(UP)in Diliman,whosaidtheyhadrecordedaround700drug-related killingsinthecountrysinceMr. Marcosassumedofficeinmid2022.

“Withtherhetoricofhaving abloodlessdrugwar,thetendencyofthepeopleistoforget thatallthesekillingsarestill happening,’’saidJoelAriateJr. oftheUPThirdWorldStudies Center(TWSC).

‘Butit’snot’

“Andwithoutpublicintervention,withoutinstitutions lookinginatthepractices ofthisgovernment,thenwe wouldbethinkingthatthedrug warisquiteoverbutit’snot,” hesaidinaninterviewwith

PARIS—While theParisOlympicsissettobe afestivalofsocializingandintermingling,city authoritiesarekeenforvisitors nottoencounteranyofthecapital’snotoriousfurryinhabitants. Humorouslyportrayedinthe hitanimatedfilm“Ratatouille,” theFrenchcapital’sabundant ratpopulationisnojokeforthe city’sresidents—andcouldbean embarrassmentastheOlympics spotlightfallsonParis.

“AlloftheOlympicsites andcelebrationareaswere analyzed(forrats)beforethe Games,”DeputyMayorAnneClaireBoux,whohasresponsibilityforpublichealth,told

ANConTuesday. Ariatewasreactingtoone ofthehighlightsoftheJuly22 SonawherethePresidentreported:“Ourbloodlesswaron dangerousdrugsadheres,and willcontinuetoadhere,tothe established‘8Es’ofaneffective anti-illegaldrugsstrategy.Exterminationwasneveroneof them.”

Documentedkillings

ButaccordingtotheDahasProjectoftheUPTWSC, theresearchdocumented359 drug-relatedkillingsfromJuly 2023toJune30,and342killings intheyearbefore.

TheDahasreport,which waswrittenbyresearchassociatesLarahVindadelMundo andVincentHalog,saidunidentified assailants—often maskedgunmenonmotorbikes andwhoseattackswereseenby eyewitnesses—accountedfor 135or37.6percentofthe359 deathssinceJuly2023.

Stateagents,ontheother hand,“continuetobeprominentlyinvolved”andwere “responsible”for123or34.3 percentofthekillings,thereportadded.

Killingsattributedtoiden-

tifiedprivateindividualsaccountedfor63deaths(17.5 percent).Therewerealso38 recordedcases(10.6percent) wherethevictim’sbodywas justfoundandnoonesawthe actualkilling.

‘Primaryperpetrators’ “DespiteseveralcharacterizationsbyMalacañangof a‘bloodlessdrugwar’—or,as claimedbysome,‘lessbloody’— stateagentsremaintheprimaryperpetratorsofdrug-related killingsinthetwoyearsofthe administrationofMarcosJr.,” theresearcherssaidinthereportreleasedonJuly20.

Dahas,aprojectrecognized bytheUnitedNationsOffice oftheHighCommissionerfor HumanRights,wasanoffshoot ofanearlierundertaking—the Violence,HumanRights,and Democracy Project—jointly conductedbyUPandGhent UniversityinBelgiumfrom 2018to2022,duringtheDuterte administration.

ForDahas,researchers collecteddatafromthenews mediaandsocialmediaposts fromthevariouspoliceunits andrelatedgovernmentagencies.INQ

TheDepartmentofLaborand Employment(Dole)onTuesdaysaiditwouldrollout emergencyandreemployment assistancetoworkerswhowill beaffectedbythetotalbanannouncedbyPresidentMarcos onPhilippineoffshoregaming operators(Pogos). Theyear-enddeadlinegivenbyMr.Marcostocloseall PogoswillprovideDolewitha “window”toprepareandimplementits“interventions,”Labor SecretaryBienvenidoLaguesma saidinaninterviewondwFM.

LaguesmasaidDole’s emergencyemployment,skills upgradeandretooling,train-

ingandemploymentfacilitationprogramswillbebasedon the“profiling”tobeconducted forFilipinoworkersdirectly employedbyPogos.

Thesecretarysaidthatof the79“registeredPogos”in MetroManila,28havesofar submittedthenamesoftheir employees.

Differentcount

Basedontheinitialprofilingconductedonabout10,000 employeesfromthe28Pogos, theycouldfindnewjobsininformationtechnology(IT)and businessprocessoutsourcing (BPO)companies,headded.

ItwasnotimmediatelyclearwhyDole’scountof registeredMetroManilaPo-

gosdifferedfromthatgiven bythechairofthePhilippine AmusementandGamingCorp. (Pagcor),whoonTuesdaysaid therewereonly43legalPogos remaining.

AskedifPogosandinternet gamelicensees(IGL)areone andthesame,Laguesmasaid that“basedonmyunderstanding”ofMr.Marcos’pronouncements,thetwotermsarethe samesincePagcorhadmerely “rebranded”PogosasIGLs.

Inaseparateinterviewon dzBB,Laguesmasaidmany Pogoemployeeshaveencodingskillswhichareindemand intheITsector,andthatthose withadministrativeandfinanceskillsmayalsofindjobs inothercompanies.INQ

PAGCOR: POGO BAN COVERS LEGAL GAMING HUBS OR IGLS

InCongress,SpeakerMartinRomualdezonTuesday gavemarchingorderstoCongresstodraftlegislationthat wouldgiveteethtothePresident’sdirective. Hesaidpendingmeasures intheHouseshouldbeharmonizedandresultinthefilingof asubstitutebillandrequested thechairsoftheHousecommitteesonpublicorderand safetyandgamesandamusementto“makethisthepriority.”

Romualdezaddedthe measureshouldbe“ironclad” suchthatitwouldnotonly stopPogooperationsbythe

endoftheyear,butshould alsopreventfutureadministrationsfrom“resurrect[ing] thesecriminalandillegalactivities.”

Totalbanongambling

Theleaderofthe300-strong House,however,saidthedirectivewould“notstop”ongoing Houseinvestigationonthe criminalandotherillegalactivitieslinkedtoPogo.”

SenatePresidentFrancis EscuderosaidtheirinvestigationintothePogoindustry wouldlikewisecontinue.

However,hesaidtherewas nolaw,executiveorder(EO) oradministrativeorder(AO) neededtoimplementMr.Marcos’directive.

PARIS SETS WARM OLYMPICS WELCOME—EXCEPT FOR RATS

AgenceFrance-Presse(AFP)in aninterview.

Aswellasorderingadeep cleantoremoveanyfoodresiduesthatmighttemptthescurriersfromtheirunderground lairs,themayor’srodentspecialistsalsoworkedtoclose upexitpointsfromthesewers aroundthesites.

“Wheretherewereareas withlotsofratsweputtrapsin placeaheadoftheGames,”Boux continued,addingthatbothmechanicalrattrapsandchemical solutionswereusedtoreduce troublesomepopulations.

TheparkbehindtheEiffel Tower,wherethebeachvolleyballissettotakeplace,and theLouvregardens,wherethe Olympiccauldronissettoburn,

arepopularpicnicspots—and previouslyratinfested.

“Ultimately,nooneshould aimtoexterminateParis’rats, andthey’reusefulinmaintainingthesewers,”sheadded. “Thepointisthattheyshould stayinthesewers.”

Sprucedup

Parisvermin,afeaturein Frenchliteraturefrom“Les Miserables”to“thePhantom oftheOpera,”arefrequentlydrawnintoacontemporary debateaboutcleanlinessinthe Frenchcapital.

CurrentMayorAnneHidalgo,aSocialistwhorelieson supportfromtheGreens,isregularlyaccusedbyherconservativecriticsoffailingtokeepthe

capitalfreefromthescourges ofrubbish,rodentsanddogexcrement.

Aviralsocialmediacampaignin2021called#SaccageParis(#TrashedParis)ledto residentspostingpicturesof overflowingbins,badlymaintainedstreetfurnitureorovergrowngreenspacesthathurt thecity’scultivatedreputation forelegance.

Thecityunveileda“manifestoforbeauty”afterwardin responsetothecriticism.

AheadoftheOlympics,its boulevardsandsquareshave beenthoroughlysprucedup, withmanyhistoricbuildings givenamakeover.

Bouxstressedthatratproblemswerefirstandforemost

causedbyfoodbeingleftouton theground,orfromoverflowingwastebins,manyofwhich arebeingchangedaroundParis tonewrat-proofversions.

“Themostimportantthing isthatthebinsaresealedand closed,”shesaid.

Caricature?

Thecity’srodentexterminators—knownasthe“Smash” team—havealsohadanadvisoryroletotheParisorganizing committee,suggestingwaysto designtheirsitestokeepthem cleanandorderly.

Responsibilityforwasteremovalandstreetcleaningwillfall tothecity’s7,500-strongcleaningandcollectionteams,whose three-weekstrikelastyearledto

“Anordersuffices.There wasnoEO,AOorlawthatlegalizedPogos.Alicenseissued byPagcormadethesePogos legal,sobanningthemwilljust needPagcortorevokethatlicense,”hesaidinapressbriefing. EscuderosaidTengcohad nochoicebuttoautomatically followthePresident’sorder. Headdedthatifthegovernmentreallywantedtoban gamblinginthecountry,it mustcoverallitsforms.

“Whetherit’sPogo,Pigo,or casinos—let’sbanthemaltogetherifwetrulybelievethat theyarenotdoinganygoodfor oursocietyandourfellowcitizens,”hestressed.

—WITH A REPORT FROM INQUIRER RESEARCH INQ

1stReading:Jeremiah1:1,4-10 Gospel:Matthew13:1-9

Thatsameday,Jesusleft thehouseandsatdownbythe lakeside.Manypeoplegathered

aroundhim.Sohegotintoa boat,andsatdown,whilethe crowdsstoodontheshore;and hespoketotheminparables aboutmanythings. Jesussaid,“Thesowerwent outtosow;and,ashesowed, someseedsfellalongthepath; andthebirdscameandate themup.Otherseedsfellon rockyground,wheretherewas littlesoil,andtheseedssproutedquickly,becausethesoilwas

notdeep.Butassoonasthesun rose,theplantswerescorched; andtheywithered,because theyhadnoroots.Again,other seedsfellamongthistles;and thethistlesgrewandchoked theplants.Still,otherseedsfell ongoodsoilandproduceda crop:someahundredfold,otherssixty,andothersthirty.If youhaveears,thenhear!” Reflection:

“TowelcomeGod’sWord.” Chapter13ofMatthew’s Gospelisthethirdofthefive discourses.Itiscalledtheparabolicdiscourse.Thisthird discoursetellsofseveralparablesdescribingthekingdom ofheaven.Thefirstoftheseis theparablecommonlyknown astheparableofthesower. Today’sGospeltellsthatthere aredifferentkindsofsoilupon whichtheseedsmayfall.The

seedsthatfallongoodsoilare theonesthatcanabundantly produceacrop.Wemayreflect onthefactthat,often,wereceiveinspirationuponhearing theWordofGod.However, therearealsotimeswhenwe areslowlylosingtheinspirationwereceivedfromGod’s Word.Consequently,wealso losethefervortocontinuethe beautifulthingswhichwehave started.Whenthishappens,it

anestimated10,000tonsofgarbagepileupinthestreets. Theyaresettoearnbonuses ofupto1,900eurosforworking throughtheOlympicperiod, whileprivatecontractorsare alsosettoreinforceeffortsto keepthecityclean.

“I’mnotatallworried (aboutrats),”deputymayorin chargeofwaste,AntoineGuillou,toldAFP.“Onthecontrary, theGameswillhelpusshowdefinitivelythatthisideathatyou runintolotsofratsinParisis false.

“Therearesome,wedeal withthem,butthey’renotan issuespecifictoParisnoron thescalethatissometimessuggestedinacaricaturalway,”he said. —AFP

seemsthatourheartsarenot yetreadytotrulywelcomethe WordofGod.Nonetheless,we cankeeptheinspirationwhen webearinmindthatourhearts canalwaysbepreparedsothat thewecanwelcomeGod’s Wordinourhearts.Thesoil canalwaysbepreparedforthe seeds.Asthesoilcanbecultivatedfortheseeds,ourhearts canbemadecleantoaccept God’sWord.

@janebautista

@JeromeAningINQ By Jerome Aning

GOSPEL

‘BRIGADA’ WITH BARBERS This year’s “Brigada Eskwela” campus cleanup and preparations—the first under newly installed Education Secretary Sonny Angara (last photo)—not only include the usual classroom repainting jobs and supply inventories. Officials also offered free haircuts for students in time for the opening of the new school year on July 29 Photos taken at Neptali A. Gonzales High School in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

By Frances Mangosing

@FMangosingINQ

SeparateforensicanalysisconductedbytheNationalBureau ofInvestigationandPhilippine NationalPolicesuggestedthat themansupposedlytaking drugsinaviralvideowasnot PresidentMarcos.

Atapressconferenceon Tuesday,theNBIsaiditused animagingprocesscalledvideospectralcomparatortodeterminetheauthenticityofthe

NBI SHARE SIMILAR FINDINGS: MAN IN DRUG VIDEO NOT MARCOS

video,whichwasreportedly shownatanantigovernment rallyintheUnitedStates.It showsaman,supposedlyMr. Marcos,takingwhatappearsto bewhitepowderfromasmall plasticcontainerandsniffingit.

TheNBIcomparedtheright earofthePresidentandthe maninthevideoandpointed outtheir“uniquecharacteristics”toshowthatthesewere twodifferentpeople.

JosephReuelCruzofthe NBIsaidthefeaturesofMr.

Marcos’rightearwere“more embossed”and“larger”comparedtotheunidentifiedman.

“Andthosearejusttheears. Thejawlineandthefacialstructurearealsodifferentfromeach other,”InteriorSecretaryBenjaminAbalosJr.added.

ThePNPagreedwiththe NBI’sfindingsbasedontheir separateanalysis.

“Thesepicturesshowsignificantdiscrepancyinthefacialfeatures,particularlythe sizeoftheear,shapeofthe

eyes,shapeofthenoseandthe sideburns,”PNPAnti-CybercrimeGroupdirectorBrig.Gen. RonnieCariagasaid. Accordingtohim,theyare alsoinvestigatingthosewho spreadthevideoandthesites thatre-uploadedthem.

TheDepartmentofJustice, however,couldnotsaywhether themaninthevideowasanactualpersonorcreatedbyartificialintelligence(AI)technology. “Butdefinitely,he’snotthePresident,”JusticeUndersecretary

JesseHermogenesAndressaid.

“Theintentionistomakea misrepresentation.Thisimpostoristryingtopresenthimself asanimageofthePresident doingunsavoryacts.Thisisreallymalicious,”Andressaid.

NBIDirectorJaimeSantiago saidthevideowascreatedby “disgruntledindividuals”who werebelittlingtheintelligence ofthepublic. “Theythinkweare small-minded,”hesaid.

AccordingtoAndres,they

alreadyhave“substantialleads” onthepossibleperpetratorsand theyarealsolookingintowhetherindividualswhosharedthe videomaybeheldliableforcybercrime.

“Wearelookingintothat angle—whetherthereisbad faithincirculatingthisandif youprovidedparticularcommentsasifyou’reagreeing withrespecttothisvideobeing arepresentationofthePresident,youmaybeequallyliable forcybercrime,”hesaid.INQ

TheleaderofagroupofFilipinofisherfolkexposedtoChina’sfrequentharassmentin theWestPhilippineSea(WPS) hasurgedthegovernmentto takemoreconcreteactionto allowthemtofishfreely.

“Forustobeabletotell theworldthattheWestPhilippineSeaisours,wemustget ridoftheChinaCoastGuard andChineseNavyshipspatrollinginourterritory,”RandyMegutoldtheInquireron TuesdayafterPresidentMarcosdeliveredhisthirdStateof theNationAddress(Sona).

Megu,thepresidentof BigkisngMangingisdaFederation,agroupoffishermen fromZambales,Pangasinan, BataanandPalawanprovinces,saidthatwhiletheyappreciatedthePresident’sassertionofthecountry’smaritime rightsintheWPS,theyfound itlacking.

ThefishermanfromInfantatowninPangasinansaid thatChinaCoastGuard(CCG) vesselsandChinesewarships continuetoswarmthevicinity ofPanatag(Scarborough)Shoal.

Theresource-richshoal, whichhasbeencontrolledby Beijingsince2012isabout220 kilometerswestofZambales province,wellwithinthePhilippines’370-kmexclusiveeconomiczone(EEZ).

InhisSonaonMonday, Mr.MarcoslaudedFilipino fishermenintheWPSfortheir “vigilanceandsacrifice”and saidthecountrywouldnot yieldorwaverinitsmaritime claimsintheSouthChinaSea.

“TheWestPhilippineSea isnotafigmentofourimagination;thisisours,andwill continuetobesoforaslong asthespiritofourlovefor

countrylivesoninallofus,” hesaid.

Regularpatrolspushed Megureiteratedhiscallfor thePresidenttofullyimplementtheUnitedNationsConventionontheLawoftheSea andenforcethe2016arbitral ruling“torestorethefreedom ofFilipinofishermentofishin anyshoalwithinourEEZ.”

HealsopushedforthePhilippineCoastGuard(PCG)and PhilippineNavytoconductregularpatrolsintheWPS.

OnTuesday,theArmed ForcesofthePhilippinessaid thenumberofChinesevessels intheWPShasgonedown to80,includingtwoChinese warshipsatAyungin(Second Thomas)Shoal,fromJuly16to July22.

Atotalof105ChinesevesselsweremonitoredfromJuly 9toJuly15.

TheAFPsaidthreeCCG vesselsandsevenChinese maritimemilitiashipsremain atPanatag.

TherewerefourCCGships spottedatAyungin,oneinthe vicinityofPag-asaIslands,and oneatEscoda(Sabina)Shoal.

Theworld’slargestcoast guardshipownedbyChina, nicknamed“TheMonster,”has beenanchoredatEscodasince July3,maintainingadistance ofabout580metersfromthe PCG’sBRPTeresaMagbanua, whichhasbeenstationedinthe areasinceApril.

RearAdm.RoyVincentTrinidad,thePhilippineNavyspokespersonfortheWPS,earliersaidit remainstobeseenwhetherthe dropinthenumberofChinese vesselsintheareawasrelated tothelastbilateralmeetingbetweenManilaandBeijing,which soughttode-escalatetensions arisingoverthelatter’sgrowing aggressivenessintheWPS.INQ

Kin of dead prosecutors get survivorship benefits TheDepartmentofJustice(DOJ)announcedonTuesdaythat ithadstarteddistributingsurvivorshipbenefitstoeligible familiesofdeceasedretiredprosecutorsunderRepublicAct No.11643.Thebenefitswerecreditedtothebankaccountsof thefirstbatchof25qualifiedbeneficiariescoveringtheperiod ofJan.1toJuly1,theDOJsaidinastatement.Underthelaw signedin2022,thefamiliesofeligibleprosecutorscanreceive survivorshipbenefitsthatincludeallaccruedretirementbenefitsthedeceasedprosecutorwouldhavebeenentitledto.“Our commitmenttohonoringourprosecutorsgoesbeyondlife, consideringtheyhavesacrificedsomuchintheadministration ofthecriminaljusticesystem,”JusticeSecretaryJesusCrispin Remullasaid.BasedonDOJCircularNo.38signedbyRemulla in2023,“claimsmayonlybefiledbythelegitimatesurviving spouse,dependentchild/childrenofthequalifiedprosecutor, orlegalguardianordulyauthorizedrepresentativeofthequalifiedbeneficiary/ies.” JANE BAUTISTA

By Melvin Gascon, Jerome Aning and Kathleen de Villa

@Team_Inquirer

@CatilogoIrish @NCorralesINQ @dempseyreyesINQ

US officials arriving for defense talks on July 30 ForeignSecretaryEnriqueManaloandDefenseSecretaryGilbertoTeodoroJr.willmeetwiththeirAmericancounterparts, StateSecretaryAntonyBlinkenandDefenseSecretaryLloyd AustinIII,inManilaonJuly30forthe4thPhilippines-USForeignandDefenseMinisterialDialogue.Theofficialswilldiscussbilateralcooperationonsecurityandeconomy,according totheDepartmentofForeignAffairs(DFA).“ThefourSecretariesareexpectedtodiscusshowtofurtherenhanceourtwo countries’ironcladcommitmenttothisalliancewhileenabling acommonprograminsupportoftherules-basedinternational order,enhancedeconomicties,broad-basedprosperityand solutionstoevolvingregionalandglobalsecuritychallenges,” theDFAsaid.USAssistantSecretaryforEastAsianandPacific AffairsDanielKritenbrink,inastatementonMonday,saidthat BlinkenandAustinwouldalso“continuetobuildthemomentumofUS-Japan-Philippinetrilateralcooperation.” —JACOB LAZARO

MalacañangorderedonTuesdaythesuspensionofworkin governmentofficesandclasses atalllevelsinbothpublicand privateschoolsinMetroManila amidincessantrainsbrought aboutbythecombinedeffects ofTyphoon“Carina”(internationalname:Gaemi)andthe southwestmonsoon.

Thebadweatheralsoled tothecancellationof34flights atNinoyAquinoInternational Airport(Naia)astheMetropolitanManilaDevelopment Authority(MMDA)reported floodinginsomeareasinthe NationalCapitalRegion(NCR), whichresultedinheavytraffic.

“Inviewofthecontinuous rainfallbroughtaboutbythe southwestmonsoonandTyphoon‘Carina,’workingovernmentofficesandclassesin alllevelsintheNCRarehereby suspendedat2p.m.today,July 23,”ExecutiveSecretaryLucas BersaminsaidinMemorandum Circular57.

BersaminissuedthememorandumasCarinabroughtrains toMetroManilaandthewesternpartsofLuzonasitcontinuedtointensifywhilemoving north-northwestward.

Butheclarifiedthatgovernmentagenciesinvolvedin thedeliveryofbasichealth services,disasterandcalamity preparednessandother“vital” servicesshouldcontinuewith theiroperations.

“Thesuspensionofworkfor privatecompaniesandoffices arelefttothediscretionoftheir respectiveheads,”Bersamin said.

AtNaia,34inboundand

on a

individuals arrange

on

outboundflightswerecanceled onTuesday,includingfourthat weredivertedtootherareas duetobadweatherinMetro Manila. ThesewereCebuPacificflight5J-326fromLegazpi, whichwasdivertedtoIloilo; AirAsiaflightZ2-712fromKalibo,whichwasdivertedtoClark; flightZ2-618fromDavao,which wasdivertedtoKalibo;andMalaysiaAirlinesflightMH-806 fromKualaLumpur,whichwas directedtoClark. Canceledasof5p.m.were CebuPacific,Cebgo,PALExpressandAirSwiftflightstoor fromBasco,Laoag,Tuguegarao, Busuanga,Romblon,SanJose, Naga,Tacloban,Pagadian,and Davaoairports.Oneinternationalflight,ShenzhenAirlines flightZH-9011boundforShenzhen,China,anditsreturntrip, ZH-9012,werealsocanceled. Inanadvisory,theCivil

AviationAuthorityofthePhilippinessaidtheoperationsof BascoAirportinBatanesand PalananAirportinIsabelawere suspendedduetothetyphoon. Allflightswerecanceled.

Floodedareas

BasedontheMMDA’smonitoring,theheavyrainscaused gutter-deeptoeight-inchhigh floodsonEdsa-Balintawak, DarioBridgealongEdsa,and E.RodriguezJr.Avenuecorner GregorioAranetaAvenuein QuezonCity;Edsa-ShawBoulevardinMandaluyongCity; MacArthurHighwaycorner CalleUnoinCaloocanCity;AndrewsAvenuecornerAurora BoulevardinPasay;andBonifacioDrivecorner25thStreet andEspañaBoulevardcorner M.delaFuenteStreetinManila. TheDepartmentofSocialWelfareandDevelopment (DSWD)saiditsdisasterre-

sponsecommandcenterwason “redalert”duetothetyphoon, withitsmanpowerandresourcesondutyandreadyfordeploymenttoaffectedareas. AroundP190,124worthof humanitarianaidhasbeenextendedto224familiesor975 individualsinCentralLuzon, BicolandWesternVisayas,accordingtotheDSWD’sDisaster ResponseOperationsMonitoringandInformationCenter. Toensurethatassistance wouldimmediatelybeextendedtoevacuees,P2.5billion worthofreliefgoodshavebeen stockpiledatitswarehouses andfieldoffices,inadditionto around1.5millionboxesoffamilyfoodpacksreadyfordistribution.

Weatherupdate

Carina,whichwaslocated 325kilometerseastnortheast ofBasco,Batanes,withwinds ofupto150kilometersper hour,wouldcontinuetodump “heavytointense”rainsinthe nexttwodays,accordingtothe 5p.m.forecastofthePhilippine Atmospheric,Geographicand AstronomicalServicesAdministration.

Whileexpectedtoleavethe PhilippineareaofresponsibilitybyThursdaymorningwhen itheadstowardthenorthern partofTaiwan,thetyphoon isprojectedtostrengthenthe southwestmonsoon.

“Seriousflooding”isexpectedinBabuyanIslandsand theprovincesofBatanes,Ilocos Norte,IlocosSur,LaUnionand Benguet,andheavyrainfallin theseareaswouldcontinueuntilThursday,Pagasasaid.

Strongwinds,ontheotherhand,areexpecteduntil Wednesdayinmanyprovinces, includingMetroManila.INQ

TheDepartmentofFinance (DOF)hasdefendeditsdirectiveforgovernment-owned andcontrolledcorporations (GOCCs),includingthePhilippineHealthInsuranceCorp. (PhilHealth),toremitunused subsidiestothenationaltreasury,sayingtheexcessmoney canbeusedtofundprojectsto helpboosttheeconomy.

“Firstofall,wearejustfollowingtheorderofCongress.Itsaid inthe2024budgetthattheDOF

shouldissueacirculartousethese fundsthatarepossiblyjusthibernatingorsleepingandnotbeing usedbyotherGOCCs,”Finance SecretaryRalphRectosaidatadiscussionfollowingPresidentMarcos’StateoftheNationAddress (Sona)onTuesday.

TheGoodCorporateGovernance,OfficeoftheGovernmentCorporateCounseland CommissiononAudithadalso affirmedtheDOFdirectivewas legal,hepointedout. Rectosaidthesurplusfunds wouldenhancetheeconomyby “approximately0.8percentage

points,”generatingover600,000 jobstohelpthegovernment reachitsannualgrowthtargetof sixtosevenpercent.According tohisprojection,theeconomy willgrowbysixpercentinthe secondquarter. Themoney,headded, wouldfundsomeofthepriority projectsunderunprogrammed appropriations.Theseinclude theMetroManilaSubwayProject,North-SouthCommuter RailwaySystemandPhilippine NationalRailwaysSouthLong HaulProject,amongothers. ThelatestdatafromtheBu-

reauoftheTreasuryshowedthat sofar,P50billioninunutilized subsidieshavebeenremittedto thegovernment—P20billion fromPhilHealthandP30billion fromthePhilippineDepositInsuranceCorp.RectosaidtheDOFwas lookingatcollectingaroundP200 billioninexcessfundsfromthe twoGOCCsbyyearend. PhilHealth,foritspart,assuredmembersthetransferof excessfundswouldnotaffect theirbenefits,addingthatthese wouldinsteadbeexpandedand enhancedaccordingtothebenefit planapprovedbyitsboard.INQ

By Dempsey Reyes

Morepositionswillbemade availableforteacherstospeed uptheirpromotionaspromisedbyPresidentMarcosinhis thirdStateoftheNationAddress (Sona),EducationSecretaryJuan EdgardoAngarasaidonTuesday. Atthesidelinesofa“BrigadaEskwela”eventattheNeptaliA.GonzalesHighSchoolin MandaluyongCity,Angarasaid thatinlinewiththePresident’s directive,theDepartmentofEducation(DepEd)wouldpropose thecreationofadditionalteacherpositionsbeyondtheranksof Teachers1to3. BasedonanearlierInquirerreport,undertheSalary StandardizationLaw,teachersclassifiedfromTeacher1 to3positionsfallunderSalary Grades11,12and13withwages ofP27,000,P29,165andP31,320, respectively. Angarasaidtherewasaslow turnoverofpositionsamong publicschoolteachersduetoa “block”intheTeacher3rank. “SoabovetheTeacher3 position,wewillcreateother teachingpositionstopavethe wayforthosedowntheranks,” hesaid,addingthatthenew rankswouldbe“plantilla”positions.Plantillaarepermanent positionitemsinthegovernmentwithacorrespondingauthorizedbudgetallotmentin theannualGeneralAppropriationsAct.INQ

NO FREE PASSAGE Enterprising

chairs

portion of Taft Avenue in Manila

Tuesday, charging a small fee from people who wanted to avoid wading through floodwaters caused by heavy rains due to the combined effects of Typhoon “Carina” and the southwest monsoon. —RICHARD A. REYES

By Mariedel Irish U. Catilogo

By Nestor Corrales

Round up the usual suspects!

Reforming gov’t procurement

ThenewGovernmentProcurementActsigned byPresidentMarcoslastweekpromisestobe “agame-changingpieceoflegislation”meant tooverhaultheprocurementsystemtomakeit moretransparent,efficient,andresponsiveto currentneedsandrealities.

Thisway,Filipinoswillgetthemostforevery hard-earnedpesothatthegovernmentwillspend onsuppliesandservicesthatitneedstoimplement keyprojectsandprograms,insteadofsquandered oneitherthewrongormoreexpensiveitemsor,worse,frittered awaytoenrichcorruptgovernmentofficialsandpersonnel. Amongitsmajorprovisionsistheintroductionofthe “mosteconomicallyadvantageousresponsivebid”whenconsideringcontractbids,adeparturefromtheoldlaw’sleaning onthe“lowestcalculatedandresponsivebid.”

Thisisinrecognitionoftheincontrovertiblefactthat cheaperisnotnecessarilybetter,thuscostshouldnotbethe solenorprimaryconsideration.Thequalityoftheserviceor theproductshouldindeedbegivenitsdeservedweightwhen determiningthevalueofbidsforgovernmentcontractsand decidingontheeventualcontractor.

Citizen’sparticipation

Mr.Marcossaidthisaddedfocusonqualitywouldfreethe government“fromtheobligationofselectingthelowest-priced bidwhenthereisabetterchoice.”

Among11newalternativemodesofprocurementisthe creationofan“e-marketplace”similartoonlineshopping outletswheregovernmentagenciescanordercommonly usedofficesuppliesandequipmentinasquicklyas30days fromthecurrentsixmonths.

Anotherkeyfeatureofthenewlawisthestreamlining oftheprocurementprocesstoshortentheawardingofcontractsfromthreemonths,beginningwiththeopeningbids, to60daysbystandardizingprocurementformsandinstitutionalizingelectronicprocurementtotakeadvantageofthe easeoftransactionsthattechnologycanbring.

Anotherwelcomeprovisionisthecitizen’sparticipationenshrinedinthelaw,whichmeansthatcivilsociety canparticipateasanobserverintheprocurementprocess toensuretransparency.

“Wehavesafeguardseverystepoftheway,”declared BudgetSecretaryAmenahPangandaman,whoworkedon thesereformsfromthebeginningoftheMarcosadministrationin2022,giventheadverseimpactofprocurement delaysontheexecutionofgovernmentprojects.

Beneficialowners

Thesedelays,inturn,pulldownthecountry’seconomic outputaswasseeninthesecondquarterof2023whenthe country’sgrossdomesticproduct(GDP)growthwascapped at4.3percent,deceleratingfrom7.5percentinthesameperiodin2022andamore-than-expectedslowdownfromthe 6.4percentinthefirstquarter.

Pangandamansaidthenthathadthegovernmentbeen abletodisbursethefundsontime,GDPgrowthwouldhave been5.3percent,underscoringhowcrucialitisforthegovernmenttoplanandimplementtheprojectsontime.

Thelawalsoputinsafeguardstoprotectpublicfunds,particularlythemandateonthedisclosureofbeneficialownership ortheultimateownersofsuppliers,manufacturers,distributors,contractors,andconsultantstoensurethatthoseentities arenotownedbytheheadoftheprocuringagency.

Topreventconflictofinterest,apubliclyaccessibleregistryonlinewillbesetupsothatthepublicwillseethebeneficialownersofthesecompaniesparticipatinginthebiddingof governmentprojects.

FormerfinanceundersecretaryCieloMagnosaidthis provision“willgreatlycontributetothereductionofcorruptionandincreasedaccountabilityintheprocurement processofthegovernment.”

Entrenchedcorruption

Thelaw’slaudableprovisionswillgotowasteifthese willnotbeimplementedtotheletterthroughveryclear andtransparentrulesandguidelines.Bynotbeingforcedto takethedealwiththelowestbid,thegovernmentagencies willnowhavewidediscretiontochoosewhichisthemost advantageoustothepublicinterest.Withthesamebureaucraticloopholesandentrenchedcorruption,howcanthe lawpreventthesameshenanigansfrommanipulatingthe processtolinetheirpocketswithcommissions?

Civilsocietyandcitizens’watchdogsmustalsoactively participateintheprocurementprocesstoscrutinizeevery governmentproject,fromthesmalleverydayofficesupplies tobig-ticketprojectsworthbillionsofpesos,asadeterrence tocorruptionandprocurementofsubstandardprojects.

Theunconscionablesiphoningoffofbillionsofpesosin COVID-19pandemicsuppliesbytheundercapitalizedPharmallyPharmaceuticalCorp.incahootswithhighofficialsinthe Duterteadministration,aswellastheeducationdepartment’s purchaseofoverpricedbutsubstandardlaptops,clearlyshows theneedtoreformthegovernment’sprocurementsystem.

Thenewlawshouldputanendtothiswantonandcriminalwasteoftaxpayermoney,butthisdependsonhowserious itsimplementationwillbe.

Ifyou’reofacertainageyouprobablyknow andlovethefollowingscenefrom“Casablanca.”TheNazis,humiliatedthataresistanceleaderledthepublicsingingofthe Frenchnationalanthem,demandthatRick’s CaféAmericainbeshutdown.Thecorruptyet charmingpolicechiefshrugs,blowshiswhistle,andannouncestheplaceistobeshutdown immediately.Rick,thecorruptcop’sgood friend,indignantlyasks,“Onwhatgrounds?” Strikingaheroicpose,thepolicechiefsays, “I’mshocked,shocked,thatgamblingisgoing oninhere!”Atwhichpointthecroupiergoes uptothepolicechiefand,handinghimabig wadofcash,murmurs,“Yourwinnings,sir.” “Thankyouverymuch,”saysthepolicechief, pocketingthemoneyashegoesthroughthe motionsofdirectingtheraid.

Iwasremindedofthissceneasthe BatasangPambansaroareditsapprovalwhen thePresidentdeclaredthattheeraofPhilippineoffshoregamingoperators(Pogos)is over.Mypersonalviewisthatthewholeissue hasfeaturedalotofhumbugevenonthepart ofthosesincerelyoutragedbythegangland violence,abductions,andoutrightslavery, andthelistgoesonandon,associatedwith thosebusinesses.Thathumbughastodowith thecontinuingrefusaloftoomany,torecognizethatthePogosarethemselvesviewedas organizedcrimebythegovernmentofthe People’sRepublicofChina.Instead,toofew seemcapableofresistingthetemptationto lumpanyoneofChineseethnicitytogether, asakindofcombinedYellowPeriltaking dictationfromBeijing.PogosaretoChinese citizensandbusinessesabroadasAlibaba’s disgracedfounderJackMacametobe:too successful,wealthy,andwell-connectedto betoleratedanyfurtherbyarejuvenated ChineseCommunistPartyanxiousaboutre-

THE LONG VIEW

tainingitsparamountstatus.Sobothhadto bedestroyed.

InCambodia,whichhadthegoodsenseto returntothemedievalerawherelocalkings allpaidtributetotheemperorinBeijing, whentheChinesegovernmentdemandeda crackdownonPogos,theywereruthlessly stampedout.InthePhilippineswherewe liketoblameallourbadhabitsontheWest, theSpanishprincipleof“Obedezco pero no cumplo (English:IobeybutIdonotcomply, meaningbowingtoroyalauthoritybutusingjudgmentoflocalconditionshalfaworld awayfromMadridtoignoreit)hasprevailed. AnumberoftimesduringtheDuterteadministration,theChineseambassadorstamped hisfootandseemedsurprisedManiladid littleelsebutkowtow—becauseallpolitics islocal,andinsomanylocalities,fromthe plushestMakatienclavestothelower-middle-classgatedmini-villagesofLagunaand beyond,Filipinopropertyownersfromthe uppertoalllevelsofthemiddleclasswere profitinghandsomelyfromthePogos.

AswereFilipinosfromallwalksoflife fromdriverstoshopkeepersandotherpro-

vidersofeveryconceivableservice—notto mentionbureaucratsandthepolice,localand nationalelectedofficials,andeveryotherkind ofprofessionals.Butlikeallmasshypocrisies, thiscanonlycontinuesolongasthingsaren’t toobrazen—andthingsgottoobrazen. Buthowtoconvinceathoroughlyimplicatedbusiness,professional,political,managerial,bureaucratic,class,toactagainstits ownself-interest?

InthewakeofhisbreakwithRome,HenryVIIIofEnglanddissolvedthemonasteries andnunneriesofhisrealm,seizingnotjust theabbeysandchurchesbuttheircontents andassociatedproperties:theplundermassivelyenrichedthecoffersofthestateand loyalnoblesobtainedvastestatesforasong, usingabbeysasquarriesorsimplyletting themfallintoruin.Itwasareligiousandpoliticalrevolutionbutalsooneofthebiggest transfersofwealthinthekingdom’shistory.

Forthetotallyunscrupulous,orsimply avaricious,orshrewdlyopportunistic,orall three,whathasbeenverballydecreedwill taketimetorollout.BetweenthePresident’s pronouncementandtheofficialyearend deadline,thePogoswillaslikelyfindformer friendsturnedfoesastheywillfindfriends remainingloyaltotheend.Thesameupper andmiddleclassesthatgleefullyrentedout everythingfromwarehousestomansions tofarms,rubbingtheirhandsovertherent paidnotonlyincashbutmonths,evenyears, ahead,thosewhogavethempapers,andprotection,cannowexpresstheirshock,shock, thatgambling(andmuchworse!)isgoingon here,andparticipateinthegreatcleansingof thenationfromthePogocurse.Andablanket ofracismwillbelaidoverthecrimescene. Email:mlquezon3@gmail.com;Twitter:@mlq3

The next 50 years of Philippine labor migration

Lastweek,Ispokeattheconferenceen-

titled“ThePast,Present,andFutureof PhilippineLaborMigration:50Yearsand Beyond”organizedbythePhilippineMigrationResearchNetwork.Fiftyyearsagoin 1974,thePhilippinesenactedtheLaborCode, pavingthewayforthecountry’sparticipationininternationallabormigration.Since then,nationalagenciessuchasthePhilippine OverseasEmploymentAuthoritywereestablishedtofacilitatetheorderlydeployment ofoverseasFilipinoworkers(OFWs).Today, multipleagenciesgoverningdiverseaspects oflabormigrationarenowplacedunderone roof—theDepartmentofMigrantWorkers (DMW),whichhasbeenoperatingfortwo yearsnow.

Themigrantlaborpoliciesofthepast50 yearshavebeenconsequentialnotonlyfor thelivesofindividualmigrantsthemselves buttheentirefabricofournation—andeven ourworld.OFWscontinuetoworkhardtoimprovetheirlivesandthatoftheirfamilies.In theprocess,theyalsoreshapeboththesocietiesinwhichtheywork,live,andthrive,aswell asthemotherland—forinstance,through overseasremittancesandabsenteevoting.

Duringtheconference,severalscholarsremarkedonthePhilippinesstillbeingamodel ofmigrationgovernanceamonglabor-sendingcountries.Positivefeaturescitedinclude thedifferenttypesofsupportgiventoOFWs frombeforetheyleaveuntiltheyreturn,as wellastheproactiveuseofdiplomatictools suchasbilaterallaboragreements.However, numerouscriticismswerealsoraised—for instance,inthewaynursemigrationismanagedwhilefailingtoaddressdomesticshortagesandlocalworkingconditions.

Seriousquestionswerealsoasked—for example,onwhetherlabormigrationasanationalpolicymustcontinue,andhowmigra-

COMMENTARY

tionoverseascaneventuallybecomeamatterofchoiceratherthanamatterofnecessity formostFilipinos.Ithinkfromasociological perspective,Filipinosareaglobalpeoplethat willcontinuetomoveinvariouswaysand leavebehindaworldwidefootprintnomatterwhat.Fromaneconomicpointofview, aslongasthereisscarcityofemployment opportunitiesathome,Filipinoswillalways aspiretolookforbetterjobsabroad.

TheFilipinomigrationjourneyisnot monolithic.FromfellowscholarsIheard aboutfemaledomesticworkerssuffering fromemployerabuse,butalsoaboutwomen migrantswhopursuedtheirdreamcareers andeveninvestedinsmallbusinesses.Now thatImyselfamanOFWinSingapore,Ialso witnessfirst-handthediversityofmigrant experiences—inthehospitals,financialdistrict,orLuckyPlaza.

Duringtheconference,Iofferedapublic healthperspective,whichisoftenneglected inthemigrationdiscourse.Tenyearsago,I helpedtheDepartmentofHealthestablish thePhilippineMigrantHealthNetwork,now adynamiccommunityofstakeholdersfrom thehealth,migration,labor,foreignaffairs, andothersectorsjointlypromotingthe healthrightsofFilipinomigrants.

Duringthepandemic,thegovernment assistedmorethantwomillionFilipinosto returnhome—perhapsthelargestrepatriationeffortever.WemustnotforgetthelessonsfromCOVID-19,whichtaughtushow torespondtomigrantneedsintimesof healthcrisis.

Additionally,healthpoliciescatering tomigrantworkersmustalsoberevisited, suchastheregulationofclinicsconducting pre-employmentmedicalexamsandPhilippineHealthInsuranceCorp.policiesgoverningOFWcontributionsandthebenefitsthat theyandtheirfamiliesareentitledto.

Aswelooktothefuture,Philippinelabormigrationmustbeenvisionedinlight ofthreeC’softhe21stcentury’semerging “polycrises”—climatechangewhichcandrive newformsofmigrationandvulnerabilities; COVID-likepandemicsthatcanweakenhealth systemresponsestotheneedsofmigrants; andconflictthatcanarisefromincreasingly destabilizinggeopoliticswhichmayendanger notonlyoverseasjobsbutmigrantlives.

Therewassomuchmultidisciplinaryexpertiseandintellectualenergyintheroom. Onechallengeraisedishowtoensurethat suchrichscholarshipanddeepdiscourseare translatedintopoliciesandprogramsthat benefitourFilipinomigrants.

MyrecommendationisfortheDMWto establishatechnicaladvisorygroupcomposedofmigrationscholarsfromdifferent disciplines—health,economics,thesocial sciences,amongothers.Similarmodelsalreadyexist,suchastheNationalPanelof TechnicalExpertsoftheClimateChange CommissionandtheNationalAcademyof ScienceandTechnologyoftheDepartmentof ScienceandTechnology.Establishingsucha bodywillensurethatthenext50yearsoflabormigrationinthePhilippinesareinformed byrigorousanalysis,vigorousdebate,and thebestavailablescience.

Renzo R. Guinto, M.D., Dr.P.H., is associate professor at the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute based at the National University of Singapore.

TALK OF THE TOWN

Comments on “Inhumane trade of human organs,” (Editorial, 7/23/24) via https://opinion.inquirer.net:

It is about time that lawmakers recognize that the “noble act of organ donation” is as rare as hen’s teeth nowadays. The lawmakers might as well explicitly allow compensation for organ donations except for minors and infants AND task the DOH to highlight all known dangers

and long-term risks associated with the procedure not just for the involved individuals but also including their extended families. The science of it is vastly improving and recuperation of the donor’s partially impaired organ is now a distinct possibility.

isanglahi

Let us be clear: giving up a kidney or another organ with no expectation of reward is a selfless, noble act; exploiting the poor and desperate to get them to sell theirs is the height of evil opportunism. Sino ba may gusto na maging desperado para sa kidney ng iba? Para bang ’yun lang may pera ang nangangailangan nito, e ’yung mahihirap na nangangailangan din ng kidney, mamatay na lang? Kung hindi pwersahan ang bentahan sige lang GG

MANUEL L. QUEZON III

RENZO R. GUINTO

DepEd cheat sheet

Afriendrecentlysentmea63-item“cheat sheet”postedon“DepEdTeachers’ Channel”onMetathatcoversmaterial forAralingPanlipunan,thestrangecreatureknowninEnglishas“SocialStudies.”

Fromthislist,IlearnedthatthefirstFilipino breadwas pan de regla Ithoughtitwas pan de sal,ormaybeifweenlargeourdefinition ofbreadshoulditbe puto orricecake?Italso placedGalicanoApacibleas“co-founderof theKatipunan.”That’snewstome.

Elementaryfact-checkingcouldimprovethelist.The“firstFilipinoalphabet,” thepre-Spanishsyllabary,is“Baybayin.”It isnot“alibata,”whicharethefirstthreelettersinArabic:alif,baa,taa.Thepersonwho compiledthelistisobviouslyasubscriberor readeroftheManilaBulletin,saidtobe“the oldestexistingnewspaperinthePhilippines since1900.”TheManilaTimesisolder,its firstissueisdatedOct.11,1898.

Another“first”onthelististhe“Doctrina Cristiana”saidtobethefirstbook“written” inthePhilippines.Thereweretwobooks publishedinManilain1593,bothofthem RomanCatholiccatechism,oneinChinese, theotherinTagalog.Whatmakesthelatter DoctrinamorevaluableisthattheTagalog translationsoftheSpanishcatechismand prayersarerenderedinboththeRomanalphabetandBaybayin.DoctrinaistheRosetta StonethatallowedustodecipherBaybayin. BlameforthiserrorliesnotwithteachersbutwiththeNationalHistoricalInstitute. Since1972,thegovernmentagencyresponsibleforhistoryhasbeendistributingfacsimilesoftheDoctrinaunderthetitle“The FirstBookPrintedinthePhilippines.Manila,1593.”Don’tjudgeabookbyitscover becauseonthefirstpage,inthefirstparagraphoftheintroductionbyCarlosQuirino, heclearlysaidthatthereweretwobooks printedorpublishedin1593.SotheDoctrinaisnotthefirst,butoneofthefirstbooks printedinthePhilippines.

Ifwewanttosplithairsfurther,wecan alsoquestiontheconceptofthe“book. WeareusinghereaWesterndefinitionof

Lastweek,socialmediausersweregreeted withanimageofwhatlookedliketheunholyoffspringofadeadlywaterslideand anevilrollercoaster.Thecaptionsmade thephotosevenmorebewildering:Itwasa wheelchairrampfortheEdsabusway,meant toassistpersonswithdisabilities(PWDs).

Whatfollowedwashumor-lacedflak:usersmodifiedthephototoshowvacationers floatingonlifesaversandsippingcocktails whilecruisingdowntheslide;otherschristenedtheramp“stairwaytoheaven.”Anactualwheelchair-boundPWDtestedtheramp andshowedvideosofthestruggletouseit withthehelpofsomeonealsostrugglingto keepthewheelchairstable.

Theresponsetothecriticism,ingeneral, tookthetoneof,“Atleastthegovernmentis doingsomething.”

Thisbringstomindanoft-usedword thatoncepopulatedonlineconversations, classrooms,andinformalminutesofthe meeting:“mema.”It’sashortenedversionof theFilipino“may masabi lang” (lessirritatingisitsroughEnglishtranslation:“justto saysomething”).

Itscontextisthatofapersontalkingfor thesakeoftalking,evenwhenwhattheysay simplyrepeatssomethingalreadystated, providesnocleardirectionfororcontributiontothediscussion,orhasnosenseatall. Itappliestotheinternetcommenterwho defendswrongdoingusinganadhominem ornon-sequitur(usuallyatrollorpaidhack); thestudentwhospeakssenselesslyinclass forthesakeofgettingrecitationpoints;the personinthemeetingwhodoesn’twantto looksillyforhavingattendedjustforthe food,anddecidestosaysomethingincase peopleforgotthattheyexisted.

Today,governmentagenciesandpoliticiansgivenewvariantsto mema “May masabi lang na ginawa” (forthesakeofsayingthat theydidsomething),whichcouldbeshortenedto“may magawa lang” (forthesakeof doingsomething,whichcouldalso,byextension,mean“forthesakeofspendingfunds

LOOKING BACK

abook:“awrittenorprintedworkconsistingofpagesglued,orsewntogetheralong onesideandboundincovers.”Ourearliest knownwritingisetchedonacopperplate andincisedontheneckofanearthenware jar.Whatabout ambahan fromMindoro writtenonleavesorbamboo?

Don’tgetmewrong,Iwanttogobeyond nitpickingorpokingfunatthecheatsheet. Wehavetomoveforwardandusethelistas ateachingmomentnotjustforteachersbut studentsaswell.Acheatsheetisareviewerforaquizbeethatrewardsmemorizationandrotelearning.Whatthecheatsheet shoulddevelopiscriticalthinking.Itshould encouragethestudenttoaskquestions,interrogatethelist,andvalidateindividual itemsbyresearch.Processingthefactswe teachstudentsandteacherstoarguewith facts,notopinions.Toarguefromfacts,not byauthority.

RafaelPalmaislistedasthe“FirstUniversityofthePhilippinespresident.Simple fact-checkingwillrevealthatPalmawasthe fourthUPpresident(1925-1933),thesecond FilipinoafterIgnacioVillamor(1915-1921). JuanLuna,“PainteroftheSpoliarium,”was greatbutcanhebeconsideredthe“GreatestFilipinopainter”ofalltime?Whatwas newtomewasthatLunawassupposedtobe the“GreatestjournalistofthePropaganda.” Isn’tthatatiebetweenGracianoLopezJaena (“GreatestFilipinooratorofthePropaganda

‘Mema’

QUESTION THE BOX

setasidetoaddressissuessuchaspoverty, safety,andmobility”).

ThiswassomethingIsawinmystudents’ thesislastyearwhentheyshowedLRTrepresentativesdatathatsaidthatwomenstill didn’tfeelsafeonthetrainsystems.

Theresponse:“Didn’tthewomensee ourpostersinthestations?Don’ttheyknow thattherearesecuritypersonnelonstandby? Didn’ttheyhearourannouncementsaboutreportingtheirproblems?”

Mystudentshadactuallyspokentowomenwhohadrealfearsandconcernsaboutcommuting,andwhohadexperiencedharassment.

ThiswasalsosomethingIsawinourresearchaudityearsagowhenIshowedthat peoplelivinginaflood-proneareaofthecity wouldevacuateonlywhentheyweretoldto dosobylocalofficials.Itwasnotbecausethey didn’ttrusttheweatherbureau,butbecause theylistenedtopeoplelivinginthesamearea thattheydid.

Theresponse:“Don’ttheywatchthe news?Don’ttheyseethepostersandwarnings?Whydowehavetotrainlocalofficials? Justgiveusinformationtoprint!”

Ihadactuallyconversedwithpeoplewho experiencedthefloodsasareality,ratherthan assomeabstractproblemforgovernmentauditorstoplaywithinadesignexercise.

Inboththesecases,theproblemsranfar deeperthanthepaltrymeansusedtosolve

Movement”)andMarceloH.delPilarwhois missingfromthelist?WhataboutMariano Ponce(managingeditorofLaSolidaridad)? OrevenJoseRizalwhoalsocontributedto thePropagandaMovement?PerhapsJuan Lunawasconfusedwithhisyoungerbrother AntoniowhoalsowroteforthereformistpaperLaSolidaridadbutcan’tbeknownasthe “GreatestjournalistofthePropaganda.”

AndresBonifaciohastwoentries:“Great plebeian”and“FatheroftheKatipunan.” Rizalwasonlylistedas“FounderofLaLiga Filipina”buthisfiancéeLeonorRiverawas included,aswellashiselderbrotherPacianoforbeingthe“ModelforFilosofongTasyo.”DimasalangandLaongLaan,Rizal’s pseudonymsarereferenced.Rizalissaidto havewrittenthefolktale“Monkeyandthe Turtle.”Rizalretoldthestoryinaseriesof sketchesandinanEnglishtranslationfor afolklorejournal.Heisalsosaidtobethe authorof“Tomyfellowchildren”(“SaAking MgaKababata”),whichhasbeenprovento befalse.

EmilioJacintoissaidtobethe“Brains oftheKatipunan”andApolinarioMabini the“BrainsoftheRevolution.”Whomade upthesetitlesandwhy?GregoriadeJesus, widowofBonifacio,inthelistas“Lakambini(Muse)oftheKatipunan”wouldobject. In1928,shedeclared:“Mabinishouldnotbe calledtheBrainsoftheRevolutionbecause hedidnothing,didnotserveintherevolution.”InFilipinoshewrote: Kung baga sa isang handaan ay dumating siyang luto na ang ulam, nakahanda ang dulang at siya’y kasamang mga huling nagsidulog upang tumikim at makisalo sa masarap na luto (Likeaparty,hearrivedwhenthefoodwascookedand preparedonthetable,hearrivedwithother latecomerstotasteandpartakeofthedeliciousfeast).

Historyissubversivebecauseitteachesus toaskquestionsandassertourselves.Things don’talwayshavetobethewaytheyare. Comments are welcome at aocampo@ ateneo.edu

them.Posters?Tarps?Announcementsand warningscraftedonthefly?All mema Alltokenresponses.

Theproblems?Congestedurbanspaces unmaskingthelong-standingcrisesofacultureofmisogyny,alackofeconomicopportunities,andsystemicpoverty.

Theresponsesalsobetrayalackofunderstandingofhowtoaddresspeople’s needs.Itappearedthatgovernmentagencies sawtheirdutyasoneofspeculatingonpeople’slives,executingcostlyprojectsbased onthespeculation,andthenentertaining peoplewithprettycolorsandfamousactors toconsolethemintheirmiseryathavingto dealwiththerealhorrorsandanxietiesof theeveryday.

Theirrealduty?Seekpeopleout.Talkto thevulnerable.Listentotheirconcerns.Act onthem.

Therealgoal?Makegovernanceabout humanbeingsratherthandata.Craftinfrastructurethatrespondstotheneedofpeopletomovewithbothsafetyanddignity ratherthantheneedforanofficetolegitimizeitsexistence.

Publicserviceisnotaboutlawmakersparadinginthelatestfashiondownaredcarpet sothattheycansitinahallandlistentostoriesaboutpromises,trips,andpledges,allto thetuneofP20million.

It’sacceptingthetruthofthestateofthe nation,andthatstateisnotinaspeech.It’srepresentedbyawheelchairrampthatlookslike aninfrastructuralmurdermachine;it’srepresentedbyatokenisticattitudetowhatshould begovernanceratherthanameregovernment.

ThePogobanandfirmstanceonourterritorialclaimsintheWestPhilippineSeahad bettercometofruition,orwe’reinheritinga lazygovernment’smana—notanheirloomor estate,butanordertojustbequiet.“Manahimik na lang kayo.”

Butwhystayquietwhenourtaxesare usedtofundmeretokensofduty? iponcedeleon@ateneo.edu

Like the movies

AIT isoftenanannualtraditionthatalongsidetheState oftheNationAddress(Sona), studentswouldberequired towriteareactionpaperas ananalyticalexercise.However,thereislittleconsensus onhowtodoit.Whatdowe lookforwhenwetrytojudge andevaluatethepresident’s annualaddress?Thereare timeswhenwewerefixated onthenumberoftimespeopleclappedandforhowlong, thelanguagetheyused,orthe

timeswhenthepresidentwent offscript.Sometimesthepresidentwouldinjecttheirown personalityandindividuality intothepollicalperformance. PresidentBenignoAquinoIII deliveredhisaddressesincompleteTagalog.PresidentRodrigoDuterteconstantlyswitched fromhisnativeBisayatoEnglishwhilemeanderingand cursingincoherently. Howarewetojudgethe thirdSonaofPresidentMarcos?Ifthereisonethinghe

excelsatasachiefexecutive, itisfollowingthescript.Besidestheusualapplause,there wasn’tanythingremarkablein thedeliveryofthescriptexcept forhow“clean”itwas.Given thelackofindividualpersonality,Mr.Marcos’speeches exemplifythe“Sonabycommittee”wherewecannolongerextractmeaningfrom theaudio-visualdeliveryor theritualofthespeechitself. Rather,weascitizensmust evaluatebasedonhowthetext

ofhisspeechreflectstherealityofthecountry.Intruth,the usualfixationonclaps,gaffes, language,andovationsispart ofthepageantryoftheevent thatmanyalreadyfindsuperfluous.Theevaluationrequires researchandreflection. Personally,Ihavestopped thetraditionofSonareaction papersinthecontextoftheincoherenceofDuterte’saddressesandhowstudentscreate memesmockingthefrivolous practiceofreactionpapers.I

RICHARD MUÑIZ

digitalcleanupisinevitableasatwentysomething studentduringasummerbreak.Click.Delete.Empty.Thecyclecontinues.Yet,onedocumentcaught myeye.Itwasacrossbetweenafrustratedjournal entryandaletter.It’sfunnyhowlifeat24feelslikea mosaicofmistakesandrebirths.AsIreadit,itwasclear thattheversionofmyselfwhowrotethisissixfeetunder.Itgoes:

“Whenfriendsaskme,‘Whydoyoulikegoingtothe movies?’I’dusuallysay,‘It’saplaceofmagic!’butasahopelessromantic,that’sagiven.Thetruthis,somehow,itremindsmeofyou.Throughouthistory,we’veheardtortured poetswriteaboutcrushingandblushing,authorswiththeir spellsandmagicpotions,andevengreatmindsandinventionsbornoutofdevotion.Yet,tocomparesomeonetothe mediumoffilm,whoevensaysthat?Still,ifyouletme,I’ll articulatehowbeingwithyouislikeacinemavisit.

“Yourpresenceislikesittinginamovietheater:calming,reassuring,andjustcomfortablesilence.Ourconversationsareliketrailers:excitingandlessstressfulthana 100-itemtest.It’slikewhenyou’dtalkaboutnewhorror films,andI’dimmediatelywatchitthenextday.Ifound myselfgivingyoueverydropofmyattention.Asnerdyas itsounds,lovingyoualltheseyearsfeltlikethemovies, andisn’tlovejustlikefilmgenres?

“Loveoftenfeelslikearomanticcomedy,withahint oftragedyandasplashofmisery.Iknow,Iknow,you’re notfondofrom-coms,buthearmeout.There’ssomethingwiththelongingglancesandchanceencounters. Myfavoriteishowevenmundaneactsfeellikethegrandestgestureswhensomeone’sintoodeep.There’salsothe cleverjokes,wittybanter,andeventheawkwardconversationsthatmorphintoNewYear’sEveconfessions.At best,we’relike‘MyBestFriend’sWedding’since,despite thechaosofitall,there’llbedancing.Atworst,we’relike ‘10ThingsIHateAboutYou’withmyinabilitytohateyou.

“Lovecanfeellikeasci-fiblockbuster,embracinguncertaintyinaforeignland.Takingtherisktopouryour heartout,evenifyouknowfateisn’tsetinstone,isa massiveleapoffaith.Justimaginethecosmicdramain ‘StarWars’orthetangledpropheciesin‘Dune.’Isn’tlove oneofthegreatmysteriesofthecosmos?Sometimes, whenyou’reclose,Iwonderaboutthegravitythatdraws metowardyou.

“Lovecancreepuplikeahorrorfilm,swarmingwith scenesoffear.It’sterrifying!Thetypeofjumpscarethat couldactivateyourfightorflightmode.Therealityof fallingforsomeonemirroredahorrorsequence—like thenail-bitingtensionin‘Scream,’whereyou’dpickup thephonedespitethedangerofthecaller’sgames.Love setsupbutterfliesinyourstomach,sweatypalms,and shakinghands.It’sahauntingexperience.

“Lovecouldbeacoming-of-agestory,adocumented journeyofthepagesofone’syouth.It’sunapologeticallyembracingyourtruth.There’samixofoxytocinand nostalgia,likehowmemoriesat19rushbackinwiththe touchofacherishedmemento.It’sthepoetictimingof windinyourhairasyouspeedthroughatunnel—yes, likethat‘Andatthismoment,Iswear,weareinfinite’ scenefrom‘ThePerksofBeingaWallflower.’

“Yet,afteryearsofmoviegoing,Irealizedlovecould belikecomingoutofthetheater.Theclashingimagery ofthesuninmyfaceaskingmetofacerealityandthe cold-hardfactsdemandingmetoseethroughthegaps andthecracks.Itwastruthslappingmetowakeup.For ahopelessromantic,itfeltanticlimactic.Ourstory’sstill writingitself,butsinceDay1,anyonecouldseeitsend fromamileaway.Iwillneverbeatthetopofyourmind, maybenoteveninthetopfive.

“So,maybelovefeelslikebuyingamovieticket,as youdon’texpectarefund.Youpaytheprice,enjoythe show,andknowwhenit’stimetogo.AndIthinkit’s timetoletyougo.

“Whenfriendsaskme,‘Whydoyoulikegoingtothe movies?’I’dsayitremindsmeoflovingyou.We’rearomanticcomedywheretheleadswerenevermeanttobe together.We’reasciencefictionblockbusterwhereinan alternateuniverse,youlikedmetoo.We’reahorrorflick whereyouhauntmeforyearstocome.We’reacomingof-agestorywhereIlearnedwe’rebetteroffasfriends.

“Weallwantthatcinematicromance,butreallife isfarfromthat.Irealized,eitherway,Iwon’tfindthat withyou.Justasthefinalcreditsroll,Iknewitwastime toletyougo.Despiteeverything,Ihopeyoufindsolace becauseyouwereworththecheersandthetears.

“Likethemovies.”

IrecalledwhyIwroteit,butperhapsthemusewas notthemostimportanttakeaway.Instead,itwasthe lessonsacquiredandtheheartsmended.Idecidedsome letterswerebestleftunsentandclosedthefile.

Richard Muñiz, 24, is a medical student at the University of Santo Tomas.

suddenlythinkthatwiththe clinicallyproducednatureof Mr.Marcos’addresses,wemay needtorevisittheseSonareactionpapersbutwithgreater diligenceonthetextandrealityratherthanthepageantry andperformance.However,we shouldnotleavetheanalysis onlytostudentsbuttrytosit onthespeechdiligentlyourselvesasadultcitizens. Thepunditsmayhavetheir saybuttoproperlyevaluate thespeechmaytakedays,even

weeks.Thisisapracticewe musthoneMrMarcosmay havereturneddecorumanda semblanceofdignitytopresidentialspeecheswhichwas lostwithDuterte.However, wemustnotmistakedecorum foractualstatesmanship.As citizens,wemustcontinueto vigilantlyscruntinizethepresident’sspeechesnomatterhow polishedthedelivery MATTHEW DAVID ORDONEZ

INEZ PONCE DE LEON

AMBETH R. OCAMPO

AMIDWPSTENSION,ZAMBALES FISHERSSEEKLIVELIHOODPLAN

By Joanna Rose Aglibot and Ansbert Joaquin

SAN ANTONIO, ZAM-

BALES—Somefishermenhere weredismayedafterPresident Marcos,duringhisthirdState oftheNationAddress(Sona), failedtomentionhisplansfor fishermenwhoseliveswere affectedbythepresenceofthe ChineseCoastGuardinthe WestPhilippineSea(WPS).

Inatelephoneinterview onMonday,LeonardoCuaresma,presidentoftheNewMasinlocFishermenAssociation, acknowledgedthePresident’s effortstopaytributetoFilipinofishermenandsoldiers guardingtheWPS.

ButCuaresmasaidMr. Marcosdidnotindicatehis plansforfishermenamidthe tensionintheirtraditional fishinggroundthatincludedareaswithinthePanatag (Scarborough)Shoal.

“Hedidnotmention anyconcreteprogramsfor fishermen,suchasalternativelivelihoodsthatcanbe provideddespitewhatthey continuetoexperience,” Cuaresmasaid.

BeforetheSona,Cuaresmawashopefulthathewould hearthegovernment’splan forthefisheriessectorsince theyhadseenthatthisadministrationwasfightingfor thecountry’ssovereignty.He watchedthelivebroadcast ofSonatogetherwithother membersofthegroup,who werealsodisappointed.

Duringhisspeech,Mr. Marcossaidthecountry’s ownershipoftheWestPhilippineSeawas“notafigmentof theimagination”butareality. HethenthankedtheArmed ForcesofthePhilippines,the PhilippineCoastGuardandthe Filipinofishersfortheirsacrificesinguardingthecountry’s territory.

Hisremarksdrewapplauseandastandingovationfromlawmakersand

guestsattheBatasangPambansa.

‘Unclearresponse’

ButJoeyMarabe,Pamalakaya-Zambalescoordinator whojoinedthosewhotraveledtoMetroManilaforthe multisectoralprotest,saidhe couldnotapplaudMr.Marcos becausetherewas“noclear responsetotheirpleafora peacefulreturntoWPS.”

“Asidefrombrieflymentioningit,thereisalsonoconcreteprogramforthefishermen ofZambaleswhoselivelihoods aregreatlyaffectedbytheextensivepresenceofChineseshipsin ourfisheries,”Marabesaid.

AccordingtoMarabe,what isimportanttofishermennow ishowtheycouldbeabletofish intheWPS“uncontested.”

HeassailedtheMarcosadministrationforrelyingonmilitaryinterventionbytheUnited States,whichonlyexacerbates thetensioninthearea.

ForRonnelArambulo, Pamalakayavicechair,the hardshipsufferedbyFilipino fishersintherisingtensionin theWPS“isespeciallynotan imagination.”

“Thisisadailystruggleof thefishermenthatcannotbe solvedinthesimpleflowery wordsofPresidentMarcos duringhisSona,”Arambulo saidinastatement.

HesaidtheyweredisappointedthatMr.Marcosdid notevenmentionhowto“concretelyandpeacefullyassert thecountry’snationalsovereigntyandfishingrights.”

Pamalakayaearlierreportedthattheincomeper vesselofFilipinofishermen fellby60percentduetothe fishingbanimposedbyChina, butuntilnow,theyhavenot feltthegovernment’sassistanceforFilipinofishermen.

“WhatistheuseofMarcos’gratitudetoourfishermenifitdoesn’thaveaclear responsetowhatwearefacingintheWPS?”Arambulo lamented.INQ

Luzon folk flee as ‘Carina’ triggers floods, landslides

By Inquirer Luzon

By Inquirer Mindanao @InquirerLuzon

ILIGANCITY—LiliaCabahug,68, whoretiredfromtheprivatesector,looksforwardtotheopeningthisyearofthe3.17-kilometerPanguilBayBridgebetween Tubod,LanaodelNorteandTangubCity,MisamisOccidental,to boostherfoodbusiness. Inthepast12years,Cabahug said,shehasbeenconstrained byhighlogisticscostssoshecan sellcakes,pastriesandpastato customersinMisamisOccidental,whichrequireshertocross thebayviaferrythatalsohasa longwaitingtime. MichaelBuhisan,35,who

isengagedintheprintingbusiness,alsoseesexpansionof themarketofhisservicesifthe bridgeisfinallyopened.

BothBuhisanandCabahug saidtheywerethankfulthat PresidentMarcoshadcommittedduringhisStateoftheNationAddress(Sona)onMonday tocompletethebridgeproject thisyear.

MindanaoDevelopmentAuthority(MinDA)ChairLeoTeresoMagnosaid“bigMindanao projects”suchasthePanguil BayBridge“exemplifythekind ofinfrastructureadvancements thatwillsignificantlyboostconnectivityandeconomicactivity inMindanao.”

TUGUEGARAO CITY—AlthoughTyphoon“Carina”(internationalname:Gaemi)wasnot forecasttomakelandfallwhile movingnorth-northwestward onTuesday,itcontinuedtoenhancethe“habagat“(southwest monsoon),dumpingheavyrain overthewesternsideofLuzon.

Thegovernmentweather bureauraisedTropicalCyclone WindSignalNo.2overparts ofBatanesascontinuousrain causedwidespreadflooding acrossnorthernandcentralLuzon,displacinghundredsofresidentsincoastalandlow-lying areas,accordingtolocaldisaster riskreductionmanagementoffices.

InMetroManila,theNationalDisasterRiskReductionandManagementCouncil (NDRRMC)reportedonTuesdaythatatleastsevenpeoplein Mindanaodiedfromincidents relatedtotheonslaughtofCarinaandTropicalDepression “Butchoy,”whichhittheregion lastweek.

TheNDRRMCsaidfour deathswerereportedinZamboangaPeninsulaandoneeach inNorthernMindanaoregion, DavaoregionandBangsamoro AutonomousRegioninMuslim Mindanao.

InCagayanprovince,at least96peoplesoughtshelterin evacuationcentersafterfloods submergedtheircommunities.

TheCagayanProvincial DisasterRiskReductionand ManagementOffice(PDRRMO) reportedthatasof6a.m.on Tuesday,thedisplacedfamilies werestayinginsheltersinthe townsofPeñablanca,Gonzaga andSantaAna.

Severallow-lyingbridgesin theprovincewerealsoflooded, includingBagunotandTaytay-SanIsidrobridgesinBaggao;Natallagoverflowbridgein

issuedat1:19p.m.onTuesday. Thecontinuousrainsalso triggeredfloodinginatleasttwo villagesinJuban,Sorsogon,on Tuesday.Someclassroomsbeingpreparedfortheopeningof classeswerealsohitbyfloods.

Class,worksuspension DuetoCarina’sonslaught, classesandgovernmentwork weresuspendedinCaviteprovince,CaviteCityandBaguio City.

Peñablanca;andMapurao-CapanickianbridgeinAllacapan. FloodedroadsincludeTamucco-Balagan-Abariongan RuarRoadinSto.Niño,anda farm-to-marketroadandbridge inSitioLaoc,Gonzaga,Cagayan. InPampanga,heavy downpoursinceMonday nightflooded36villagesin thetownsofMasantol,Macabebe,Minalin,Sto.Tomas andtheCityofSanFernando, accordingtoPDRRMOChief AngelinaBlancoinareporton Tuesdaynoon. Floodwatersreachedupto .91meter(3feet)inthelow-lyingareasofDelCarmenandSan AgustinvillagesintheCityof SanFernando. SanFernandoMayorVilma CaluagreportedthatfourfamiliesfromPurok7inBarangay SanJuanwereevacuatedtothe village’smultipurposecenteras thecreekthereoverflowedon Mondaynight.

Hightide

Hightideandmonsoonrains alsocausedwaterlevelstorise ashighas.97meter(3.2feet)in MasantolandMacabebetowns. InBulacan,ahightideofup to1.49meter(4.92feet)onMondaycausedfloodsinthecoastal townsofHagonoyandBulakan,

aswellaslow-lyingareasin theCityofMalolos,including Guiguinto.

Atleast30familiesfromSitio LibisinBulakanwereevacuated toTaliptipElementarySchool aroundnoonafterhightideinundatedtheircommunity,accordingtoBulacanPDRRMO.

Itsaidtheweeklonghightide beganonJuly19at1.28meter(4.2 feet)andisexpectedtorecedeto .88meter(2.89feet)bySaturday.

Rainsoverthepastseveral weeks,includingthosefromCarinasinceMonday,prevented thefurtherdepletionofthevolumeofAngatDaminBulacan.

AsofTuesday,thedam’selevationwasrecordedat177.55metersabovesealevel(masl),just over2metersbelowtheminimumoperatinglevelof180masl.

Swollenrivers

InZambalesprovince,waterlevelinSta.FeRiverinSan Marcelinotowncontinuedto riseduetoheavyrains.

Althoughthewaterlevelremainswithinnormallimits,the localDisasterRiskReduction ManagementOffice(DRRMO) continuesitssandbaggingeffortsasaprecaution.

InOlongapoCity,awarning ontherisingwaterlevelinariver traversingBarangayKalaklanwas

Thestrongrainscaused landslidesinBaguio,affecting residentialareasatPurok8in BarangayAsinRoadandBarangayGabrielaSilang. AlandslidealsohitKennon RoadatCamp4inTuba,Benguet,damagingandtrapping severalvehiclesgoingtoand leavingBaguioonTuesday.

InQuezonprovince,the PhilippineCoastGuardsuspendedseatravelonTuesday forallvesselsplyingLamon BayfacingthePacificOceanin Maubantown.

AccordingtothePhilippine Atmospheric,Geophysicaland AstronomicalServicesAdministration,Carinaslightlyintensifiedasitpackedmaximum sustainedwindsof140kilometersperhournearthecenter withgustinessofupto170km perhour.

Theweatherbureausaid thetyphoonwasspottedat320 kmeastofBasco,BatanesbeforenoononTuesday. SignalNo.1remainedhoistedovertherestofBatanes, CagayanincludingBabuyanIslands,easternportionofIsabela,northernApayao,northern IlocosNorte,northernAurora, PolilloIslands,CalaguasIsland andnorthernCatanduanes.

—WITH REPORTS FROM VILLAMOR VISAYA JR., TONETTE. T. OREJAS, CARMELA REYES-ESTROPE, JOANNA ROSE AGLIBOT, MA. APRIL MIER-MANJARES, DELFIN T. MALLARI JR., ALLAN MACATUNO AND NESTOR CORRALES INQ

Apartfromthebridge,MarcosalsomentionedtheMalitbog-MaridagaoirrigationsysteminCotabatoprovinceand theGuicambridgeprojectin ZamboangaSibugayprovince amongthebig-ticketprojectsin hisadministration’spriorities.

“Theseinitiativesarenot justinfrastructureimprovements;theyarelifelinesthatwill linkcommunities,openupmarkets,andenhancethequalityof lifeforcountlessMindanaoans,” Magnosaidinastatement.

“Theemphasisoninfrastructuredevelopment,economicrecoveryandsocialservicesresonatesdeeplywithour missioninMinDA.[President

Marcos’]commitmenttoenhancingconnectivity,improvingpublicservicesandfostering economicgrowthiscrucialfor theinclusivedevelopmentof Mindanaoanditspeople,”Magnoadded.

Concreteclimateactions Climateactivistshailthe President’s pronouncements abouttheissueofclimatechange, althoughtheywantedtohear moreconcreteactionsoutlined.

“WewelcomethePresident’srecognitionofclimate andenergyasimportantissues forthePhilippines,andtheurgencyforactioninthisyear’s Sona,”saidastatementfrom

AngeloKairosdelaCruz,executivedirectoroftheInstitutefor ClimateandSustainableCities (ICSC),anongovernmentgroup advocatingforclimate,energyandlow-carbonsolutionsto enablefairandclimate-resilient developmentatthenationaland internationallevels. ICSC,DelaCruzsaid,hopes thatthePresident’spronouncement“signalsabroaderagreementthatclimateactionis betterdevelopment,anddoing otherwiseisnotonlycounterintuitivebutalsodetrimentalto ourcollectivedevelopment.”

Recognizingtheadverse impactofclimatechange-inducedextremeweatherevents

inMindanao,MinDAhadsetan ambitioustargetofreducingthe region’sdependenceonfossil fuel-fedcapacitiesforitsenergy needs.By2030,MinDAhopesto seerenewableenergycapacities comprisingatleast50percent ofMindanao’senergymix. DelaCruzsaideffortsto helpeasethepaymentsofelectriccostsforconsumerswould onlyhavetheeffectofa“BandAidsolution”ifthereis“the continuedprevalence”offossil fuel-basedpowersourcesas these“canstilldriveupthecost ofelectricityandsetbacktrue progress.”

Editor Maria Edralyn L. Benedicto

PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

PLEA Fisherfolk in Zambales, including those from the village of Matalvis in Masinloc town, rely on their catch from the West Philippine Sea to support their families With Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, their traditional fishing ground, being patrolled by the Chinese, they are turning to the government for security and livelihood aid. —RICHARD A. REYES

@InquirerLuzon

NATURE’S WRATH A fallen tree blocks a street in Baguio City following continuous rains dumped by Typhoon “Carina” on Tuesday. The heavy downpour also caused landslides in the city but no injuries were reported —PHOTO COURTESY OF BAGUIO

Editor Francis T. J. Ochoa

@ftjochoaINQ

AssistantEditor Musong R. Castillo @musongINQ

OLY SPIRIT

Okaroswitches to‘destroymode’ aftertwo-set deficitandfuels ‘passionate’ Chargers comeback

By Angel B. Dukha III

@ThirdyINQ

Akarihadsomesetbacksbeforeandduringitsbattle againstChocoMucho.

TheChargershadschedulingissuesintheirpractices.The Titansseemedtohavefiguredout whattodoagainstoneofAkari’s mainguns,IvyLacsina.Andthen therewasthattwo-setdeficitthe Chargersfaced.

NoneofthosebrokeOlyOkaro’sspirit.

“Ijustcamereadytofight,” shesaid.“Iknowthatthere’sno wayIamleavingwithoutfighting, aswellastherestoftheteam.”

Okarowilledherwayto38 pointsonTuesdayandenergizedAkari’sreversesweepof ChocoMucho,18-25,16-25,2521,25-23,15-13,fora2-0startin thePVLReinforcedConference.

“Weallhavethatsameidea inmindsoevenafterwelostthe firsttwosets,itturnedfroma physicalgametoamentalgame aswelljustknowingthatyou needtostaystrongmentallybecausenowit’sgonnabealong game,”Okarosaidaftermatching theseason’ssinglegamescoring recordsetbyTotsCarlosinthe lastAll-FilipinoConference.

“SoIthinkweexecutedit prettywell,”sheadded.

FacingformercogDindinSantiago-Manabat,Akari lookedlikeitwasinforashort anduglynight. ButwiththeChargers’playmakersbeganunlockingOkaro

evenwhenshewasintheback row,andtherevampedcrewinsteadaccomplishedtheirbest startsincejoiningtheproleague.

“IwasindestroymodebecauseIwasjustthinkingeven

TO DEPED

BACHMANN BACKS INCREASED PE HOURS

By June Navarro

@junavINQ

PhilippineSportsCommission (PSC)ChairRichardBachmann willpushforthereturnofextensivePhysicalEducation (PE)hoursinthehopesoftappingintoawiderbasefortalent-identification.

“Moreathletescanbediscoveredbygivingpriorityto PE,[athletes]whocansomedaycompeteforourcountry ininternationalcompetitions,’’saidBachmann.

Bachmannplanstositwith newEducationSecretarySonnyAngaratopitchforthereturnofPE’sdailyscheduleto schoolcurriculum.

“WhenIgrewupit’sat leastonehoureveryday.I rememberperspiringaswe wenttothenextclassafter PE.WealwayslookedforwardtothesePEclasses,’’ saidBachmann.

Bachmannisridingthe momentumofPresidentMarcos’StateoftheNationAddress,wherethechiefexecutivesaidit’shightimethatthe calltoincreasethephysical educationhoursinschools shouldbetakenseriously.

“Wewillcontinuetosupportthesehealth-enhancing sportsprograms,’’saidMr. Marcos.“Throughthese,we willalsosendforthouryouth onthesamewell-established paththathastakensomeof ournationalchampionsand renownedathletestosporting greatness.’’ PEwasastapleindailyschoolactivitiesuntilthe

1980sbeforetheEducation department,thenknownas DepartmentofEducation, CultureandSports,reduced PEhoursdramatically.

Collaborate

“IheardthatPEclasses havedecreasedovertheyears withsomeschoolsallowing theirstudentstoplayand competeinsportsforonly45 minuteseverytwoweeks,’’ saidBachmann.

TheDepartmentofEducation(DepEd)continuestohost andorganizetheannualPalarongPambansathatshowcasesthetopstudent-athletes acrossthecountryintheelementaryandsecondarylevels.

It’sthebiggestgathering ofpromisingathletesfromthe 17regionsinthecountrywith amassiveattendanceofover 10,000athletes,coachesand officialsinatleast20sports inaweeklongmeetthatCebu Cityhostedearlythismonth. BachmannsaidthePSC, thegovernment’sarmin sports,iswillingtocollaborate withtheDepEdonthetrainingofcoachesthatcouldmold thesekidsproperly.

“Wehopewecouldhelp thePEteachersbecomecertifiedcoachesthroughthe NSAs(nationalsportsassociations),’’saidBachmann.INQ

By Rommel Fuertes Jr.

With four Filipinoathletes vying formedalsin the2024ParisOlympics’ gymnastics events, InquirerSportsbreaksdown howtheycouldfareinthe SummerGames. Belowareeverything youneedtoknowforCarlos Yulo,AleahFinnegan,Levi Jung-RuivivarandEmma Malabuyo’striptotheFrench capital.

WHENANDWHERE ARETHEEVENTS

FromJuly27toAug.5,gymnastswillcompeteatBercy Arenaforalltheevents.

thoughwelostthefirsttwosets, itdidn’tmeananythingtome.I justreallywantedtowin,I wantedtodoeverythingthatwe couldtowin,”Okarosaid.

thefirsttwosets, anythingtome.I wantedtowin,Ijust everythingthatwe Okarosaid.

40errors

WithOkaroasthespear head,theChargersovercame ahefty40-errormishapinthe

“Ithinkwealsoused setbacks]toouradvantagebecausewecametogetherand rememberwhattheendgoalis andfight,

patientbecause wasgonnabealonggame; anditwas,”shesaid.

WiththeFlyingTitanslimitingLacsinatoaquiet10points, theAmericanimportstepped fromherdebutperformanceof 17pointsagainstCapital1.

“IknewthatIcouldput [balls]away,atleastmost them,soIwantedtotakesome loadofffromIvycauseIvy’s doingreallywellbutIwanted toalsostepupinmyposition,” Okarosaid.“SoIwascommu nicatingwiththesetter,letting herknowthatinthisgamefeel freetofindme,justkeeplook ingformeIamgonnabeready,

errors asthespearChargersovercame mishapinthe two-hour-24-minuteclash. alsoused[the advantagebetogetherandjust theendgoalis andfight,just remindedthe teamofthat andtostay focusedand patientbecauseit alonggame; said. FlyingTitanslimitquiet10points, importsteppedup performanceof Capital1. Icouldput leastmostof wantedtotakesome IvycauseIvy’s butIwanted myposition,” wascommusetter,letting thisgamefeel justkeeplookgonnabeready, justkeepthrowingitmyway.”

“Iwouldsaythatthecharacteroftheteamisavery strongandpassionatefighting attitudebecauseeventhough we’redown,collectivelywe cometogethersoweallknow thatwedon’twannalosethis game,atleastwe’renotgonnaloseitwithoutafight,”she added.INQ

Themen’sgymnastswill becompetingonsixapparatus: floor,pommelhorse,rings,vault, parallelbarsandhorizontalbars. Meanwhile,thewomenwill

competeonfour:vault,asymmetricbars,balancebeamandfloor. Qualificationroundsdecidewhomovesontotheteam, individualallaroundandindividualapparatusfinals,with eightteamsadvancingtothefinals.

Havingwoncollegiatetitles fortwodifferentschoolsin twodifferentleagues,Evan Nelleispoisedtoenterthe PhilippineBasketballAssociation(PBA)withadifferent kindofedgeinhand.

Interestingly,that’snot theonlyadvantagehehas.

Nellewasabletopickthe brainsofthedecoratedJimmy Alapagandeventrainedwith thePBAlegendweeksbefore hisnamewascalled14thoverall(No.2inthesecondround) bytheNorthPortfranchise duringtheRookieDraft.

“CoachJimmyopenednew perspectivesforme,”hetold theInquireroftheshortbut immenselyproductiveworkoutwiththesix-timePBA champion,2011MostValuable Player(MVP),andformerGilasPilipinasskipperinSacramento,California.

“Hetaughtmewhatit takestobemoregreat,what elseIhavetodotoreachnew goals,”Nellewenton.

AsidefromAlapag,Nelle alsohadhelpfromMaurice Hernandez,thestrengthand conditioningcoachofPower PackFitnessalsoinSacramento,whomadesurethattheLa Salleplaymaker’sfitnessison parwiththekindofopponents thatawaitedhiminAsia’spioneeringproleague.

“Theyopenedmyeyes toseethatinthepros,it’sall abouthowlongyoucanstay (intheleague),andit’sthe workyouputin[alongwith] theconfidenceyouhavein

HOWMANYMEDALS AREATSTAKEINPARIS? 14medalswillbeupfor grabsinParis. Twomedalswillbedeterminedfromteamevents.The

yourwork,”saidNelle.

“Ijusthopeitalltranslates onceIgettoplay.” Nelle,whoalsowent throughthestoriedSanBeda programbeforejoiningthe GreenArchers,waxedcandid whenaskedabouthowhandsonAlapagwaswithhimduring hisweeklongtraininginthe UnitedStates.

“WheneverImissedmy shots,coachJimmywouldtell metojustkeepgoing,toplay throughitall,”herecalled.“He sawthatI’memotional—and thatIgetfrustratedeasily.So hekepttelling‘ontothenext.’”

“TohearthatfromJimmy Alapag,who’salreadyacoach intheNBA?Togetactuallessonsfromhim?It’shumbling,” Nelleadded.“IfIcouldtrain thereforamonthorsomething,Iwould’ve.” Alapagiscurrentlyaplayerdevelopmentcoachforthe SacramentoKings. Nowathomeandfarfrom Alapag’sguidance,Nelleintendstoimprovehissmarts onthecourt.

“Moreondecision-making,”hesaidwhenasked aboutpointsofimprovement. “IknowIlackthat.Sometimes I’mtooconfident,andsometimesIoverthink.IfIgetthat aspectsorted,Iknowthat’ll translateintomygameand helpthegametobeeasier,and helptheteamwin.”INQ

a better position to succeed in the PBA. —UAAP MEDIA

other12willbecompetedfor individually.

PLAYERSTOWATCH HouseholdnameYulowillbe competingafteratremendous outinginthe2024AsianArtistic GymnasticsChampionship. Thetwo-timeworld championiswidelyre-

gardedasoneofthefavorites tolandamedal,possiblygold, intheSummerGames. Finneganwillalsoget achancetoshineafterher gold-medalrunintheUSNCAA withLouisianaStateUniversity. Eighteen-year-oldJung-Ruivivar,oneoftheyoungestforTeam Philippines,willalsoshowcase hertalentsafterasilver-medal wininthe2024DohaWorldCup fortheunevenbarsevents. Malabuyo,whoalsoshowed outintheAsianArtisticsGymnasticsChampionship,willalso beagymnasttolookoutfor.

HOWTOWATCHTHEM

CignalTVwillairtheParis OlympicsthroughfreeTVchannelsOneSports,RPTVandTV5 andpay-TVchannelOneSports+. Livestreamingwillbevia thePilipinasLiveappand SmartLiveStream.INQ

inZeerRangsit,Thailand.

“I’mhappytowin,”the 13-year-oldGalvez,whowas comingoffatrainingcampin Taiwan,saidofherfeat.

“Itwasperfecttimingthat aftertheTaiwantrainingcamp wejoinedatournamentinThailand.Itgavemeconfidenceand atthesametimeIwasableto applythelessons,”sheadded. YuanCanlaswononegold fortheCanlasFencingteam thatcompetedinThailand. Galvez,whorepresented CanlasFencing,dominated topseedHeiShunKeungof HongKong15-8inthefinals oftheUnder-14girl’sfoillast Saturday—hersecondgold medalinthesamecategoryin internationalmeetjustsevenmonthsafterherbreak-

throughvictoryinKualaLumpur,Malaysia. TheincomingGrade8studentalsowonthegoldinthe Girls’under-14epeewitha nail-biting15-13winopposite PawichayaThongngaramof Thailandinthefinals. Canlas,anincomingfreshmanfortheRedWarriors, capturedthegoldmedalinUnder-12girl’sepeeonthefinal dayofcompetitionMonday afterbeatingLenaXiaofSingapore,10-5,inthefinals.She alsoearnedtwobronzemedals (U-14andU-12foil)inthethreedaytournament.

By Denison Rey A. Dalupang

@sonrdINQ

BASICSOFTHESPORT

Evan Nelle (No. 10) hopes all that hard work with Jimmy Alapag will put him in

Carlos Yulo is one of the athletes looked upon to deliver a medal for Team Philippines —REUTERS

Akari’s Oly Okaro towered over everyone else on Tuesday.

—AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Consumer groups, firms back call for Epira review

By Lisbet K. Esmael

PresidentMarcos’callforCongresstoreviewtheElectric PowerIndustryReformAct. (Epira)hasgainedsupportfrom consumerwelfareadvocates andotherstakeholdersamid powerissuesthatcontinueto hauntFilipinoconsumers.

ThePeopleforPowerCoalition(P4P)welcomedthe ChiefExecutive’srecognitionof problemsinthesector,butsaid a“comprehensive”reviewof thecountry’skeylawonelectricityhasbeen“longoverdue.”

DuringhisthirdStateofthe NationAddress,Marcosurged bothchambersofthelegislaturetodetermineifthelaw neededrevisionstoimprove thelocalpowersector.

Enactedin2001,Epiraseeks toensurecompetitiveratesin thepowermarket.

However,whenasked,P4P didnotpointoutwhichprovisionsofthelawneededtobe amended.Instead,thegroup stressed“theurgencyofanam-

bitiousshifttorenewableenergyforclean,affordable,andreliableenergyforallFilipinos.”

Anotherconsumergroup, PartnersforAffordable&ReliableEnergyorPARE,also backedapossiblemoveofCongresstoreviewtheEpira.

PAREhopestoseereforms relatedtotheimprovement inthemanagementofelectric andtelecommunicationslines toaddressissuesonefficiency andsafetyaswellasabanon cross-ownershipamongdistributionutilitiesandpowergenerationcompanies.

Itisalsopushingforreformsonstrengtheningthe regulatorypowersoftheDepartmentofEnergyandthe EnergyRegulationCommission intermsofprotectingconsumers’rights;andfairandcompetitivebiddingprocessesby requiringrepresentationfrom anERC-accreditedconsumer groupduringauctions.

NicSaturJr.,chiefadvocate officerofPARE,earliersaidthat areviewofEpiraisneededto determinewhatreformsshould

bepursuedtoresolveissues suchasthehighcostofelectricityaswellas“consistentpower outages.”

“WhileEPIRAwasenvisionedasthesolutiontoend allenergyissuesbackthen, thatvisionhasnotturnedinto reality,”Satursaid.“Therefore,reformsareneedednow toenhancethelawandbring abetterqualityoflifetoFilipinos.”

JoseLayugJr.,president ofDevelopersofRenewable EnergyforAdvancementInc., alsovoicedhissupportforthe plannedreviewofEpira.

“Ifnecessary,wewillsupportanyamendmentofEPIRA thatisgearedtowardsthesame goaltoachieveoptimalcostof power,”LayugsaidinamessagesenttotheInquirer.

Meanwhile,ManilaElectric Co.(Meralco)andAboitizPowerCorp.bothbackedtheMarcosadministration’seffortsto addressrisingpowercostsand toensurethatconsumershave secureandreliableelectricity systems.

“Wewillcontinuetoadvanceprogramsincoordinationwiththegovernmentin ordertohelpusachievestable,reliableandcompetitivelypricedelectricitythatwill benefitelectricityend-users anddrivethecountry’seconomicgrowth,”Meralcosaid Tuesday.

AboitizPoweralsohighlightedtheneedtohaveabalancedpowergenerationmix, whichincludesrenewableenergysources.

“LikethePresident,the company[we]welcomesthe significantprogressintransmissioninfrastructureinthe pastyear,asthiswillunlock capacitythatismeanttomeet therequirementsofdemand centers,hencepropellingthe economyforward,”itadded.INQ

SILICON VALLEY FIRM BUYS 3 PHILIPPINE DATA CENTERS

Globaldigitalinfrastructure companyEquinixisgearingup foritsentryintothelocalmarketwiththeacquisitionofthree datacenters—partofitsexpansionplanacrosstheAsia-Pacific region. InastatementonTuesday, Equinixannounceditspurchase ofdatacentersfromtechnology solutionsproviderTotalInformationManagement(TIM). Thesehubshousingcriticalserversandnetworkshave over1,000cabinetsincapacity. Theyarealsocarrier-neutral, whichmeanstheycancaterto anyclient.

“Wearethrilledtoannounce ourexpansionintothePhilippines,avibrantandrapidlyexpandingdigitaleconomythat presentsimmenseopportunities forourvaluedcustomersand partners,”Equinixpresidentfor Asia-PacificJeremyDeutschsaid.

Deutschsaidtheacquisition wouldalsoenabletheircustomersto“thriveandembracedigitaltransformation,harnessing thepotentialofemergingtechnologieslikeartificialintelligence,”whichrequirehigher datastoragerequirements.

“Equinix’sglobalplatform andextensivenetworkwillprovideenhancedconnectivity, scalabilityandaccesstoathrivingecosystemofpartners,”TIM

chairJoseMariAntunezsaid.

FoundedinSiliconValleyin 1998,Equinixoperates260data centersacross33countries,56 ofwhichareinAsia-Pacific.It aimstoexpandfurthertonew marketssuchasJakarta,IndonesiaandChennai,India,this year. Thedemandfordatacentersisontheriseduetothe growingneedsofhyperscalers, orentitiesprovidingcloud,networkingandinternetservices suchasAmazonAWS,MicrosoftAzure,GoogleGCP,Alibaba AliCloud,IBMandOracle.

TelcoplayerslikePLDTInc. andGlobeTelecomhavealso beeninvestingheavilytobuild uptheirdatacentercapacities

inrecentyears. PLDThascompletedits 50-megawatt(MW)datacenterinLagunabythismonth. Globe’sdatacenterarm,meanwhile,brokegroundforits124MWdatacenterinFairview, QuezonCitylastyear. Lastyear,DigitalEdge(Singapore)Holdingslaunchedits firstfacility,a10-MWdatacenter,inLaguna. In2023,theDepartmentof InformationandCommunicationsTechnologysaiditwas expectingthelocaldatacenter capacityof60MWtogrowby 500percentinthenexttwo yearswithmoreplayerssetting upshopshereorexpandingexistingfacilities.INQ

AboitizPowerCorp.,theflagshipbusinessoftheAboitiz Group,sawa4-percentdrop incorenetincomeinthefirst sixmonthsof2024,blamed ondepreciationandinterest expensesontwounitsofits coal-firedpowerplantGNPowerDinginin.

Excludingnonrecurring itemssuchasforeignexchangeandhedginggains, AboitizPowersaidinadisclosuretothelocalbourseon Tuesdaythatitsfirstsemester bottomlinehadreachedP17.1 billion,downfromayearago’s P17.8billion.

Cashflowasmeasuredby earningsbeforeinterest,taxes, depreciationandamortization (Ebitda)climbed8percentto P36.3billionfortheJanuary toJuneperiod,propelledby highergenerationportfolio margins.

ThefilingdidnotincludeAboitizPower’srevenuefigures.Thefirmhas yettodiscloseitsfinancial statement.

“Ourfinancialperformanceinthefirsthalfof2024 isatestamenttoourstrategic focusonoperationalefficiencyandadaptabilitytomarketconditions,”AboitizPowerpresidentandCEODanel Aboitizsaid.

“ThegrowthinEbitda, fueledbyimprovedmargins andstrategicbusinessexpansion,positionsusforcontinuedsuccessinsupportofthe country’seconomicgrowth andprosperity,”theexecutive added.

Thecompanyreporteda 10-percentimprovementin cashflowfromitsgenerationandretailsupplybusiness.BeneficialEbitdafrom thissegmentgrewtoP33 billionfromP30billionin thesameperiodlastyear,attributedtotheactivationof itsCayangaandLaoagsolar plants.Energysoldreached 17,758gigawatt-hours(GWh).

However,cashflowfrom itsdistributionbusiness plungedby16percenttoP4.2 billionfromthepreviousyear despitea9-percentgrowth inenergysalesto3,256GWh. Thiswasbecauseinthecomparableperiodlastyear,sharp decreasesinoilpricesaffected pass-throughcharges.

Energysalesfromtheresidentialsegmentwentupby17 percentwhilethecommercial andindustrialsegmentsgrew by6percent.

Asofend-June,interest-bearingliabilitiesamountedtoP247.4billion. —LISBET K.

By Alden M. Monzon

Sika,aSwitzerland-basedspecialtychemicalscompany,has completeditsnewP980-millionmanufacturingplantinthe Philippines.

TheunveilingofSika’s 12,000-squaremeterfacilityin Taguigcoincidedwiththe30th anniversaryofthecompany’s

Therecentappreciation ofthepesohasprovidedatemporaryboostto thestockmarket,leading thePhilippineStockExchange (PSE)Indextorallyandchallengehigherresistancelevels above6,700.However,despite thecurrentwaveofoptimism, weneedtorecognizethatthis strengthisprimarilydrivenby short-termmarketdynamics.

Severalunderlyingfundamentalandstructuralissues suggestthatthepesoappreciationisunlikelytobesustainableinthelongrun.Oncethe correctionintheexchangerate stabilizes,thepesoisexpected toweakenagain.

Thereareseveralreasons whythepesowillcontinueto depreciateinthelongrun.One factoristhepersistenttrade deficit,whichcreatesacontinuousdemandforforeigncurrencies,particularlytheUSdollar, topayforimports.Whenan economyimportsmorethanit exports,ithastosellitscurrencytobuyUSdollars,leadingto adepreciationofthepeso.

presenceinthecountry.

“Overthelastsixyears,we havemorethandoubledour businessinAsia-Pacificregion andmadetwomajoracquisitions[of]ParexandMBCC,”said PhilippeJost,presidentofSika Asia-Pacific.

“ThisnewTaguigplant givesusgreathopethatthe futureisbrightforthePhilippineconstructionandin-

frastructure,”Jostsaidina statement.

Inafollowupmessageto theInquirer,thecompanysaid thatitwillbeproducingconstructionchemicals,suchas adhesivesandsealants,inthe Taguigplant.

Additionally,thefacilitywillalsobemanufacturinggrouts,suchasstructural strengtheningproducts,crack

repairproducts,waterproofingproducts,buildingfinishingandskimcoatproducts, tileadhesivesandflooring products.

Todate,Sikahas273employeesinthePhilippines.

Acrosstheglobe,ithassubsidiariesin103countriesand hasover400factoriesthatengageaworkforceofmorethan 33,000people.INQ

Why the peso will continue to fall

Ifweexaminetherelationshipbetweentheexchangerate andthetradedeficit,wefinda positivecorrelationbetween thetwo.Thismeansthatasthe tradedeficitincreases,theexchangeratealsotendstorise andviceversa.

Since2000,thestrengthof thiscorrelationhasaveraged20 percent.However,ifwetakea closerlookinthepast10years since2013,weseethatthis correlationhassignificantly increasedto84.6percent.This meansthatcurrentfluctuations ofthepesoareexplainedby

movementsinthetradedeficit 84.6percentofthetime.

Thecurrentaccount,which includesthetradebalance,net incomefromabroadandnet currenttransfers,alsoexhibits asimilartrend.Whenacountry experiencesacurrentaccount deficit,itindicatesthatthenationisspendingmoreonforeigntradethanitisearning.

Thisdeficitnecessitates borrowingordrawingdownreservestofinanceit,whichnegativelyimpactsthepeso.The ongoingcurrentaccountdeficit reflectsstructuraleconomicissuesthatarenoteasilyresolved intheshortterm,whichsuggestscontinueddepreciation pressuresonthepeso.

Lastmonth,ourheadline inflationratefellto3.7percent from3.9percentinMay,but thisisstillhigherthantheUS inflationrateof2.97percent. Whenacountry’sinflationrate ishigherthanthatoftheUS, itmeansthatthepurchasing powerofthepesorelativeto thedollarislower. Thisoftenleadstoadjust-

mentsintherealexchange rate,usuallythroughnominal depreciation,tomaintaincompetitiveness.Higherinflation canleadtodepreciationofthe pesoasforeigninvestorsseek toholdcurrencieswithhigherpurchasingpowerandmore stableprices.

Currently,theinterest rateinthePhilippinesishigherthanintheUnitedStates. TheBangkoSentralngPilipinas(BSP)hasmaintainedthe benchmarkinterestrateat6.5 percentfollowingaseriesof ratehikesaimedatcombating inflationandstabilizingthe peso.Incomparison,theUS FederalReserve’sinterestrate isbetween5.25percentand5.5 percent.

Giventheinterestratedifferentials,ifthePhilippines cutsinterestratesaheadofthe US,itcouldleadtofurtherdepreciationofthepeso.Lower interestrateswouldmakethe pesolessattractivetoinvestorsseekinghigherreturns, promptingthemtomovetheir fundstomarketswithhigher

interestratesliketheUS.This capitaloutflowwouldincrease demandfortheUSdollar,resultinginthedepreciationof thepesoagainstthegreenback. Anotherfactoristherisk ofpoliticalinstabilityandeconomicuncertaintythatcan significantlyimpactinvestor confidence.Investorstypicallypreferstableenvironments, andanyperceptionofinstabilityinthecountrycanleadto capitalflight.Thisoutflowof capitalreducesdemandforthe pesoandleadstodepreciation.

Speculativeactivitiesinthe foreignexchangemarketcan amplifyvolatility.Duringtimes ofuncertainty,speculativesellingofthepesocanleadtorapid depreciation.Speculatorsmay alsobetagainstthepesoifthey anticipatefurtherweakening, whichoftencreatesaself-fulfillingprophecy.

Ifweapplythequantitative modelderivedfromthehistoricalmovementsofthepeso andthePSEi,whichshowsa62 percentcorrelation,wecanes-

PSEibasedonthevalueofthe peso. Assumingthatthepesodepreciatesto60:$1holdingotherthingsequal,thePSEicould fallto6,247.Ifthepesofurther depreciatesto65:$1,theindex maydeclineto5,576.Ofcourse, thesearejustestimates.TheactualPSEivaluescouldbelower orhigherdependingonmarket sentiment.

Markethistorysuggests thatrisingcurrencyriskfrom pesodepreciationcouldlead toastockmarketdecline.As thepesoisexpectedtoweaken,investorsmightconsider takingprofitsandexercising cautioninanticipationoffurtherdepreciation.INQ

@TyronePiad

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

JOIN THE IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION business.inquirer.net

PH agri sector still on track to hit ʼ24 growth target

lastmonth.

Thegovernmentisstilloptimisticthattheagricultureandfisheriessectorwillhititsgrowth targetof1to2percentin2024 despitetheElNiñophenomenon wreakinghavoconcropsand fishingareasearlierthisyear.

AgricultureSecretaryFranciscoTiuLaurelJr.said,however,thatachievingthetarget growthexpansionwouldbe “nottooeasy”sincethesectorsufferedfromthedrought causedbyElNiño,whichended

“WestartedwithElNiñong January tapos katatapos lang ng Junethenwe’recomingwithLa Niña,”hesaidduringaconferenceonTuesday,adayafterthe StateoftheNationAddressof PresidentMarcos.

Cropdamage ElNiñoisaweatherphenomenoncharacterizedbybelownormalrainfallconditions. LaNiña,meanwhile,istheopposite.

Asidefromwidespread poweroutageshittingthou-

RATE

CUT ON THE HORIZON

[A]s long as there are no strong typhoons, I think we will have higher production volume

FranciscoTiuLaurelJr. Agriculture Secretary

sandsofhouseholdsacrossthe country,theDepartmentof Agriculture(DA)previouslyreportedthatagriculturaldamage

duetoElNiñoreachedP6.3billionasofMay. Thericesector,itsaid,sufferedthemostwithP3.3billion

T-BOND RATES RISE; GOV’T RAISES P 25B

theoriginalofferingby1.8times.

Thegovernmentwasabletofullyborrowitsplannedamount oflong-dateddebtsecurities onTuesday’ssaleofTreasury bonds(T-bonds)aheadofa widelyexpectedpolicyratecut nextmonth,whichdroveinvestorstolockinhigherratesof debtsecurities.

Auctionresultsshowed thattheBureauoftheTreasurymadeafullawardofP25 billioninreissuedT-bonds, whichhavearemaininglifeof 19yearsand10months.

Thetotalbidsamountedto P45billion,exceedingthesizeof

Thedebtpaperfetchedan averagerateof6.430percent, moreexpensivethanthe6.391 percentquotedforthesame tenorinthesecondarymarket asofJuly22.

Highyields MichaelRicafort,chief economistatRizalCommercialBankingCorp.,attributed thehigheryieldtoinvestors seekingtolockinhighyields ondebtsecuritiesasapossible cutofthelocalpolicyrateby 25basispointsdrawscloser.

TheMonetaryBoardhintedthatitmaycutratesby25 bpsasearlyasAugustandan-

other25bpsbeforetheendof theyear—possiblyevenahead ofanydovishmovebytheUS FederalReserve.

Tohelpbringdowninflation,theBangkoSentralngPilipinashasraiseditsbenchmark rate,whichstandsat6.5percent, byacumulative450bps—or4.5 percentagepoints—fromMay 2022toOctober2023.

TheMonetaryBoardisset toholditspolicyreviewon Aug.15.

Thegovernmentborrows fromlocalandforeignsources tohelpfunditsbudgetdeficit, whichiscappedatP1.48trillionor5.6percentoftheeconomicoutputthisyear.INQ

INVESTORS DUMP PROPERTY STOCKS ON NEW MARCOS POLICY

investmenttrust armofdeveloperDoubleDragon Corp.

PogosandPagcor-accreditedBPOsaccountedfor51 percentofDDMPR’sP1.81-billionrentalincomelastyear.

DDMPR’ssharesdippedby 5.17percenttoP1.10eachon Tuesdayasinvestorspricedin theanticipatednegativeimpactofthePresident’sorder.

Atthesametime,COL FinancialanalystRichardLanedanotedthatPogos’exit wouldalsoresultinhigher vacancyratesacrosstheofficesegment.

DatafromrealestatebrokeragefirmLeechiuProperty

ConsultantsshowthatPogos accountedfor75,000square meters(sqm)ofleasedoffice spaceinthefirsthalfoftheyear. Thisisdownfrom88,000sqm lastyear.

Contractions

Leechiualsosaidinits first-semesterpropertyreportthatleaseterminations duringtheperiodeaseddueto the“absenceofcontractions causedbythePogoindustry.”

Thevacanciescausedby thebanwilllikewiseaddtothe 786,000sqmofofficespace thatwillbeaddedtothemarketsupplybythesecondhalf oftheyear.

AccordingtoCipres,there

mayalsobeanuptickinresidentialvacancies,particularly intheBayArea,asPogoworkersstarttoleave.

“Whiletheeffectismostly isolated,thismaytemperthe currentuptrendthatweare seeingintheindex,mostespeciallygiventhefactthatthe propertysectoriswhatweare expectingtospearheadtheindex’srun-upmovingforward,” hesaid.

Analystsearlierprojected propertyfirmstohelpliftthe localbourse,especiallywith theanticipatedinterestrate cutsthatcouldmeanbetter borrowingtermsforprospectivebuyers. —WITH A REPORT FROM CZASHAINE MAI T. ABELLA INQ

BUSINESS GROUPS CHEER POGO BAN

calledonthe Presidenttosupportcriticallegislationthatpromotesinclusive growththroughjobgeneration,povertyreductionand globalcompetitiveness.

“Weappreciatethattoday, thePresidenthighlightedthe Epira(ElectricPowerIndustry ReformAct)amendmentstohelp boostenergysecurityandeconomicdevelopmentandCREATE MORE(CorporateRecoveryand TaxIncentivesforEnterprises toMaximizeOpportunitiesfor ReinvigoratingtheEconomy)to updatethecountry’sinvestment incentivepoliciestostrengthen competitiveness,”AmCHamsaid inastatementlateMondaynight.

“Wealsoreiteratesupport forLegislativeExecutiveDevelopmentAdvisoryCouncil

prioritymeasuressuchasthe KonektadongPinoyBill,which willexpandinternetconnectivityandbenefitthemanydigitalizationeffortsraisedduringthe President’sspeech.

AmChamisalsobackingthe creationofaDepartmentofWaterResources,whichitsaidwill addressthecountry’slong-runningwatersecurityandsupply concerns.

Newdepartments Additionally,thebusiness chambernotedairportgovernancereformbills,whichitsees ascrucialtoimprovethePhilippines’aviationandtourism sectors.

Meanwhile,theEuropean ChamberofCommerceofthe Philippines(ECCP)saiditappreciateswhatitdescribedasa“com-

prehensive”and“forward-looking”Sona.

“Thechamberrecognizesthe administration’scontinuedeffortstoaddresscriticalissuesand fosterathrivingeconomicenvironmentinthePhilippines,”the ECCPsaidinastatementwhichit alsoreleasedlateMondaynight.

“TheECCPisencouraged bythePresident’semphasison keypriorities,includingboostingtheagriculturesector,advancingenvironmentalprotectionandthefightagainst climatechange,promoting industrygrowth,accelerating infrastructuredevelopment anddigitaltransformation, advancinghumancapitaldevelopment,promotingjob generation,andensuringsocialwelfareandprotection,”it added.INQ

BIZ BUZZ: MVP IN TALKS TO BUY HOSPITAL IN AGUSAN

“We are thrilledtowelcomeRheaVizcarratoourseniorleadership team,”saidRahulHorapresidentandchiefexecutiveofficerofManulifePhilippines.

“Herextensiveexperienceand

expertiseindrivingoperationalexcellenceamidarapidly evolvinginsurancelandscape, whilesolidifyinghealthprotectionpropositionandbusiness transformation,willbeinstrumentalinoureffortstoward digitalcustomerleadership.

Iamconfidentthatshewill deliveronourprioritiesand ongoinginitiativeswithour long-termstrategicgoals,aswe furtherstrengthenourposition asoneoftheleadinggloballife insurersinthePhilippines.”

worthofdamage. Mimaropahadthehighest reporteddamageatP1.7billion, followedbyWesternVisayas withP1.5billion,andtheCordilleraAdministrativeRegionwith almostP800million.

Moreland However,Laurelwasconfidentthatlocalfarmerscouldstill increasetheirproductionwith moreirrigatedland,including 45,000hectaresofnewland.

“Ofcourse,ElNiño mas mababa ang production nang konti. Sa LaNiñaaslongas

walang malaking bagyo, Ithink masmataasangproduction(Of course,lowerproductionwas recordedduringElNiño.InLa Niña,aslongasthereareno strongtyphoons,Ithinkwewill havehigherproductionvolume),headded. Lastyear,theagriculturesectorgrewat1.2percent,buoyedby higherpoultryandlivestockproduction,aswellastheincreasein fruitandriceharvest. Riceharvestin2023reached 20.06millionmetrictons,accordingtoapreviousstatement fromDA.INQ

By Lisbet K. Esmael @lisbetesmael

By Mariedel Irish U. Catilogo

FROM A12

FROM A12

FROM A12

By Meg J. Adonis

Whileinvestorsseemtoberushingtoshedtheirpropertystocks afterPresidentMarcos’sweepingordertobanPhilippineoffshoregamingoperators(Pogo) inthecountry,mostrealestate firmsmaynotbehurtforlong, accordingtoanalysts.

Propertyfirmswereinthered onTuesday,shedding1.62percent, asseveralindexheavyweights suchasAyalaLandInc.(ALI)and SMPrimeHoldingsInc.declined.

However,expertssaidthis mayonlybea“knee-jerkreaction”toMr.Marcos’thirdState oftheNationAddress(Sona), duringwhichheorderedthe PhilippineAmusementand GamingCorp.(Pagcor)toacton hisorderbanningPogos,whose presenceinthecountrysteadily increasedduringformerPresi-

dentRodrigoDuterte’sterm.

“Long-term,wethinkthat[the ban]won’thavealargeeffect,as majorityofthedevelopershave alreadystartedshiftingtocater BPOs(businessprocessoutsourcing)fortheirofficesegment,”Jose AntonioCipres,researchanalyst atAPSecuritiesInc.,saidinaViber message.

Onto6,800

Thelocalbourselookedunaffectedbythedeclinesinthe propertysectorasitresumed itsmarchtoward6,800.

ThebenchmarkPhilippine StockExchangeIndex(PSEi) gained0.61percent,or41.07 points,tocloseat6,753.12.

Likewise,thebroaderAll SharesIndexclimbedby1.07 percent,or38.50points,to 3,638.48.

ALI,whosePogoexposure islessthan5percent,wasthe

top-tradedstockasitdippedby 0.94percenttoP31.60.Notably, SMPrime,whichnolongerhas Pogosexposure,alsodropped by2.45percenttoP29.90.

ClaireAlviar,researchanalyst atPhilstocksFinancialInc.,pointedoutthatmostpropertyfirms hadminimalexposuretoPogos. Asaresult,theban’simpacton revenues“couldbeminimalto insignificantforsome;theycould alsooffsetorcoverthisthrough theirotherbusinesses.”

COLFinancialdatashowthat MegaworldCorp.,Robinsons LandCorp.,FilinvestLandInc. andRLCommercialREITallhave lessthan5-percentexposure,as Pogopresencehas“significantly decreasedsinceitspeakin2019.”

Butiftherewasacompany thatmaybesignificantlyimpacted bytheban,Cipressaidthis wouldbeDDMPREITInc. (DDMPR),therealestate

Business groups cheer Pogo ban

By Alden M. Monzon

Thecountry’slargestbusiness groupshavebackedPresident Marcos’movetobanPhilippineoffshoregamingoperators (Pogo),witheffortsunderwayto helpfindjobsforFilipinoworkerswhowillbedisplacedby theirdeparture.

“[ThePhilippineChamberofCommerceandIndustry(PCCI)]hasbeenworking withtheDepartmentofLabor andEmployment,thePrivate SectorAdvisoryCouncil,the EmployersConfederationof thePhilippinesandindustry associationsontheJobsprojectandwehopetohelpthese displacedworkers,”Enunina Mangio,presidentofthePCCI, saidinamessagesenttothe Inquirer.

Theprivatesector-led ProjectJobsaimstogiveemploymentto1millionpeople thisyear.

“Wealsohopeournationalandlocalgovernment atthefrontlineofbusiness processingandlicensingsystemscouldfurthereasesuch processestofacilitatetheentryoflegitimatenewinvest-

mentsandexpansionofold ones,”Mangioadded.

Positiveresponse

Fortheirpart,Federation ofFilipinoChineseChambers ofCommerceandIndustryInc. presidentCecilioPedrosaidina vibermessagethat:“Weareso positivewiththeSona(Stateof theNationAddress)speechof [Mr.Marcos]especiallywithregardstothede-escalationofthe tensionintheWestPhilippine SeaandbanningofPogosbythe endoftheyear.”

“Theseareverycrucial issuesthatneededattention anddecisionswhichwereactedupon.Weareverypositive thatthecountrywillmoveforwardinthecomingdaysand lookforwardtoaverypositive yearaheadofus,”headded.

RobertoClaudio,president ofthePhilippineRetailersAssociation,toldtheInquirer thathefoundthePresident’s speech“verypowerful,”citing thatitgaveadetaileddescriptionofthegovernment’sprogramsthatwereachieved,as wellasthefutureprioritiesof theadministration.

Askedwhetherhethinks thePogoshutdownwillaffect

theretailindustry,Claudio saidhebelievesthemovewill havenoimpactontheirsector.

“Theybringintheirfood andsupplies.TheyconsumeChina-madeproducts [brought]intothecountryin thesamemannertheybring theirfinancialassets,”hesaid.

Meanwhile,Federationof PhilippineIndustrieschairJesusArranzasaidthatthePresident’smovetobanPogosis therightmove,notingthatany economiccontributionthatthe sectorbringsisoutweighedby associatedcrimes.

“It’s(Pogos)asourceofcorruption,asourceofallsortsof crime.ItisoutlawedinChina andyetwearereceivingthem here,”Arranzasaidinaphone interviewwiththeInquirer.

Hesaidthateventhesector’s contributiontojobgeneration isquestionable,notingthatthe majorityofPogoworkersareChineseandarenotFilipinos.

Aleasttwoforeignbusiness chambershaveexpressedrenewedoptimismfollowingthe President’sSona.

TheAmericanChamberof CommerceofthePhilippines(AmCham)noted thattheyhadpreviously

SOverhalfofmonthlyretail paymenttransactionsin thePhilippinesweredone throughdigitalchannels, smashingtheBangkoSentral ngPilipinas’(BSP)expectationsandbodingwellforthe government’sfinancialinclusiongoals. Latestdatareleasedby theBSPonTuesdayshowed theshareofdigitalpayments tototalretailpaymenttransactionsinthecountrygrew to52.8percentin2023,from 42.1percentin2022.That meansoutofthe5billiontotalmonthlytransactionsrecordedlastyear,morethan 2.6billionofthemweresuccessfullyconvertedtodigital form.

Itwasafeatthatblew awaytheexpectationsofthe centralbank,whichwashopingtodigitalize50percentof retailpaymentsinthecountryby2023. TheBSPsaidpandemiclockdownsthatkeptFilipinosintheirhomesfor monthsandspurredthe needforcontactlesstransactionsacceleratedtheshiftto digitalpayments.Beforethe healthcrisisstruckin2019, theproportionofdigital paymentsinthecountrywas onlyat14percent.INQ

omemaythinkthat brownfieldopportunities inthehospitalspacemay begettingscarce. Butwhilethehuntismore challengingthesedays,the groupoftycoonManuelV. Pangilinanisnonethelessstill ontheprowlfor—andstill getstofind—newacquisition opportunities.

Severalreliablesources confirmedtoBizBuzzthat thenextacquisitioncouldexpandtheMetroPacificHealth (MPH)networkinMindanao. Talksareunderwaytotakeover 100-bedSanFranciscoDoctors’ Hospital(SFDHI)inAgusandel Sur,potentiallybringingto25 thenumberofmedicalfacilities initsportfolio.

Duediligenceauditisnow ongoing,andthatdealclosing mayhappensoon,oursources said.

Basedonitswebsite,SFDHI startedfulloperationsin2013.It occupiesatwo-storystructure standingonan8,000-square meterlotatBarangayHubang, “geographicallypositionedin thenoncoastalareaofCaraga Region,alongMaharlikaHighwaythatlinksLuzon,Visayas andMindanao.” Itsstockholdersaremedicalspecialistsindifferentfields likesurgery,internalmedicine, pediatrics,obstetricsandgynecology,anesthesiology,radiologyandpathology.

EarlierBloombergreports suggestedthatMPHispreparinganewforalong-delayed

stockmarketdebut,whileprivateequityfirmKKR,which hadinvestedinthehealth-care chainalongwithSingaporean wealthfundGICin2019,isnow consideringtosellitsstake.

Todate,MPHhas24hospitalswithatotalof4,025beds thatservemorethanfourmillionpatientsayear. Itwon’thurttofurther bulkuptheportfolioahead ofahealth-carepure-play maidenoffering. —DORIS DUMLAO-ABADILLA

ManulifePHhasnewCOO

Theflurryofappointmentsisnotlettingupinthe Philippinecorporateworld withManulifePhilippines, thePhilippinearmofleading globalfinancialservicesproviderManulife,announcing theappointmentofRachel Marie“Rhea”Vizcarraasthe company’snewchiefoperationsofficer(COO).

Shehasover25yearsof experienceintheinsurance industry,particularlyinoperationsandbusinesstransformation.

Manulifesaidinastatementthatunderherleadership,theteamwillcontinue itskeyinitiativestotransform andelevatethecompany’s claimsexperience;enhance operationalperformanceand overallcustomersatisfaction efforts;anddriveinnovation. Theseincludestreamlining processes,managingrisk, improvingproductivityand drivingstrategicinitiatives toachievesustainable growthandmarket leadership.

By Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral

@AldenMonzonINQ

@ipcigaral

Laguna: PH’s largest provincial

LAGUNA: PH’S LARGEST PROVINCIAL ECONOMY

FROM B1

By Lisbet K. Esmael

Onlyanhourawayfrom thecapitalregion,Laguna, whichhousesindustrialestatesandresidentialdevelopments,hasbeencementing itsstatusasoneofthecountry’s fast-growingeconomichubs.

DatafromthePhilippineStatisticsAuthority(PSA)showedin AprilthattheeconomyofCalabarzon—composedofBatangas,Cavite,Laguna,Quezon,and Rizal—showedrobustgrowthat P3.10trillionin2023,upfroma yearago’sP2.94trillion.

Amongthecountry’s82 provinces,Lagunaalsodominatedasthelargestprovincial economyin2022,contributing 5percenttothegrossdomesticproduct.This,despitethe lockdownsbroughtaboutby theCOVID-19pandemic,which shutterednearlyallsectors from2020tomid-2022.

LagunaGov.RamilHernandezisoptimisticaboutthe prospectsofhisprovincemaintainingitsleadandbecoming aneconomicpowerhouse.To sustainthemomentum,hesaid theprovincialgovernmentof Lagunaisbentonadvancing keyprojectsanchoredonthe currentadministration’seightpointSerbisyongTamaProgram:health,socialwelfareservices,education,employment, agricultureandfoodsecurity, infrastructure,peaceandorder, andatransformativeandprofessionalizedbureaucracy.

“Thesefutureplansrepresentacomprehensiveand forward-lookingvisionforthe province,withafocusoninfrastructure,healthcare,tourism, andeconomicdiversification,” Hernandezsaid.

Investinginpeople

AccordingtoHernandez, morethanhalfofLaguna’sfunds everyyearareearmarkedfor socialservices,rangingfrom“financial,medicalandburialtothe technical,requestsforcourtesy calls,andeventhemundane.”

Intheeducationsector,the numberofLagunensestudents receivingfinancialassistance fromtheprovincialgovernment hasballoonedtomorethan 20,000in2023from3,000in2015.

Totriggereconomicdevelopmentatthelocallevel,Laguna hasprovidedlivelihoodtraining toover36,000individuals,with potentialventuresinmeatprocessing,detergentandcleanser making,handicrafts,aswellas theproductionofdelicaciesand othernonbakefoodproducts.

Theprovincialgovernment hasworkedcloselywithother agencies,suchastheDepart-

mentofLaborandEmployment, tohelpjump-startLagunenses’ careers,Hernandezsaid.“These programsformacomprehensivestrategyaimednotonlyat addressingimmediateeconomicchallengesbutatlayingthe groundworkforsustainedcommunitydevelopment.”

Boostingagriculture

MirroringtheMarcosadministration’spushtomodernizeandstrengthentheagriculturesector,Hernandezsaid thelocalgovernmenthasfunds allocatedtoprovide“robust” infrastructureforthesector,includingvitalpost-harvestfacilitiesandirrigationcanals.

Thegovernorhighlightedhisplantoprovideefficient transportationfortheprovince’slocalfarmersthroughan integratedfarm-to-marketroad networkdesignedtolinkagriculturalareastomarketsand ensurethe“cost-effective”deliveryofagriculturalproducts.

“Byinvestinginruralinfrastructure,weaimtoimprove marketaccessandenhancethe overallresilienceoftheagriculturalsupplychain,”hesaid.

Anagro-industrialparkwill alsobepartoftheplan,integratingagriculturalactivitieswithindustrialprocesses.Thehubwill encourageactivitiesfocusedon agribusinessaswellastechnologytransferandresearch.

However,thegovernor stressedtheneedtocomplementboostedagriculturewith practicesaimedatenvironmentalprotection.

“Bypromotingtechniques thatprioritizeenvironmental conservation,soilhealthand watermanagement,weaimto ensurethatouragriculturalen-

deavorsnotonlymeetimmediateneedsbutalsosafeguardthe long-termhealthofourecosystem,”hesaid.

Beefinguphealthcare

Continuingitscommitment tobeefuphealthcare,HernandezsaidtheprovincialgovernmentwillbuildaLagunaregionalhospitalwith“advanced”and “comprehensive”medicalcare. Whenthefacilitybecomesoperational,hesaiditshouldbeable

toremovebarrierstoaccessing qualityhealth-careservices.

Fornow,thelocalgovernmenthaslaunchedanoutreach programtobringmedicalassistancetoremotebarangays acrosstheprovince.Through thisinitiative,residentscanhave receivecheck-ups,vaccinations, andmedicaltestslikeECG,Pap smearandlaboratorytests.

Awellnesscenterfocused onwomen,providinggynecologicalservices,familyplan-

Plans represent a comprehensive and forwardlooking vision for the province, with a focus on infrastructure, health care, tourism, and economic diversification

Commencingsoonisthe constructionoftheCalambato Bayviaduct,partoftheprovince’s“significantfuturedevelopment,”accordingtothe governor.Theprojectaimsto decongesttrafficandboostconnectivitywithinLaguna.

Thelocalgovernmentis alsosteppinguppromotionsof Lagunaasatouristdestination, giventheprovince’srichculturalheritageandnaturalbeauty. Acomprehensivetourismplan includestheestablishmentof theLagunaHeritage,Cultural andTradeCenter.

“ByhighlightingLaguna’s uniqueattractionsandcreating infrastructuretosupporttourism,weaspiretostimulateeconomicgrowth,createjobopportunities,andshowcasethe province’sculturalandnatural treasurestoawideraudience,” Hernandezsaid.

ningconsultationsandwellnessactivitieslikenutrition andstressmanagement,isalso intheworks.

Hernandezsaidtheywould continueprioritizing“strategic resourceallocation,infrastructuredevelopmentandcommunityengagement”toensure robustpublichealthandthe residents’overallwellness.

Moreinfrastructure Hernandezisspearheading morethan1,400infrastructure projectsfortheprovince,from communityfacilitiesandhospitalstoanextensivenetworkof roads,alldesignedtobolsterLaguna’seconomicadvancement.

Anumberofthecountry’s influentialbusinessgroupsalso joinedthelocalgovernment lastFebruaryinlaunchinga centerinCalambathatwillpromotejointventuresbetween thepublicandprivatesectors. Andtoensurethattheprovincialgovernmentisalwaysin touchwiththeconcernsofits constituents,Hernandezhas beenimplementinga“People’s Day”toenhancethepeople’s accesstotheirleaders.Thisinitiative,hesaid,shouldpavethe wayforthecreationof“amore inclusiveandresponsiveframeworkforessentialservices withinourcommunity.”INQ

Laguna believes in the power of technology to transform agriculture.

Laguna ensures that agriculture projects meet immediate needs and also safeguard the long-term health of the ecosystem

Laguna Gov. Ramil Hernandez (second from left) says funds are regularly set aside to provide “robust” infrastructure for the agriculture sector —PHOTOS FROM THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF LAGUNA

Laguna Gov. Ramil Hernandez has implemented various programs related to agriculture, a pillar of the province’s economy.

Free skills training is part of the province’s social services

@lisbetesmael

RamilHernandez Governor of Laguna

Nuvali’s Green Revolution: Spurring Sustainable Growth in Laguna

Fifteen years since its development, Nuvali, the master-planned mixed-use eco-city by Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI), continues to be one of the biggest economic drivers of the province of Laguna, all while maintaining a complementing blend of sustainable and lifestyle components for residents and businesses alike.

Laguna,knownforits richhistory,hasalsogained recognitionforitsthriving business sector. Along this,thereisalsoagreen revolutiontransformingthree majorcitiesinLagunainto sustainableeco-cities.

Ayala Land’s largest estateandeco-city,Nuvali, whichencompassescities ofSantaRosa,Calambaand Cabuyao,isnotjustchanging thelandscape—it’sreshaping thefutureofurbanlivingin thePhilippines.Bysetting newbenchmarks,Nuvaliis turningLagunaintoamodel forsustainabledevelopment, inspiringothercitiesthroughout thecountry.Thisambitious endeavorisreshapingthefuture andpavingthewayforamore environmentally conscious society.

FromAgricultureto Industrialization

ThecitiesofSantaRosa, Calamba,andCabuyao, wereonceprimarilyreliant onagricultureandsmallscalefamilybusinesses.But theirlandscapeunderwent asignificanttransformation duringthe1980swiththe adventofindustrialization. Thisshiftbroughtabout anewsynergytothelocal economiesthroughbothlocal andforeigninvestments.

Over the following decades,thesemunicipalities experiencedrapidgrowth, propelling them from municipalitiestofull-fledged cities. Their increasing incomesplayedapivotalrole inelevatingthemtothestatus offirst-classcities.

Fromthe1990stothe 2000s,Laguna’sprovincial revenue income grew exponentiallydueinpartto theinfluxofmanufacturing andrealestatedevelopments.

Inthe“LionCityofSouth Luzon,”SantaRosaalone, theeconomyshiftedfrom agriculture-toindustrybasedwithinadecade.Today, thecityishometosomeof thebiggestmultinational corporationsandthemost covetedmixed-userealestate projectsincludingAyala Land’slargesteco-city,the 2,400-hectareestateNuvali launchedinthelate2000s.

AcloserlookatLaguna’s economicboom

FuelingLaguna’seconomic engine Nuvali,alongwithother developments,helpedbolster localemploymentthrough thecreationofthousandsof jobs.Withtheintroductionof high-valueproperties,areal estateboomsoonfollowed, subsequentlyenticingpopulationstosetrootthere,facilitatingtheneedfortheestablishmentoftop-tierschools anduniversitieswithinits vicinity.Becauseofthese,localannualrevenueincomes fromSantaRosa,Calamba, andCabuyaogrewfromP200 millioneachatthestartof thenewmillenniumtoclose toP1billionrespectivelyby 2010.Anditisstillcontinuing togrowwiththethirdwave ofeconomicinfluxbrought aboutbyinformationtechnologycompaniesandstartups, forgingafuture-readycity.

Yet,Nuvalihasmaintained itsappeal.Fifteenyearsafteritsinception,itremains synonymouswithprogressivedevelopmentinthe south,groundedinitsvision ofarecreation-focusedand eco-friendlylifestyle.

Ahavenforresidentsand businesses Today,itcontinuestokeep upwiththecity’sever-evolvingnature.Theestatemoves towarditsmissiontobecome CALABARZON’s regional growthcenter.Ontherealestatefront,itoffersadiverse rangeoflivingoptionswith over20,000residentialunits byAyalaLand’sresidential brandsAyalaLandPremier, Alveo,Avida,andAmaia,and 356hotelroomsatSedaHotel. Itsbusinesspotentialis highlightedbyprimecommerciallotsavailableinthe upcomingEastBlocdistrict andthelow-densityCentral Blocneighborhood.Strategi-

callylocatedretailandoffice spaces,alongwithbusiness processoutsourcingbuildings,providerichopportunitiesforentrepreneursand investorsaimingtobreakinto newmarketsinthesouth.

Nuvalihasstayedtrueto itspromisetoitsresidents:a lifelivedinproximityandin

harmonywithnature,acallbacktothevisionAyalaLand hadwhentheyfirstjourneyed towardscreatingthisvibrant communityintheearly2000s.

Harmoniousblend ofsustainableliving communitiesandnature Expandedrecreationaland community-firstopenand greenspacesmakehealthy andengagedresidents,which iswhyNuvalihasalwaysintegratedtheseintoitsproperties. There’stheAyalaMalls’Solenad lifestylemallforshopping,dining,andentertainment;the world-classNuvaliSandCourts, promotingsportsandfostering community-building;theNuvaliDrivingRangedesignedto beamulti-purposehubforthe community;whichalsodouble astouristdestinations,bringinginmoreoptionsandcharactertothestoriedaddressinthe south.

Astandoutattractionat Nuvaliisthehighlyanticipatedannual“Fountain

show,ahallmarkoftheholiday season.Thispopulartradition hasflourishedinrecentyears, drawingcrowdstoexperience adisplayoflightprojections, soundscapes,andwaterelements.Theshowtransforms thespaceintoavibrant,immersivespectacle,creatinganatmospherethatfosterscommunityengagementandspreads holidaycheer.ItssuccessunderscoresNuvali’scommitment

toofferingunique,high-quality experiencesthatresonatewith residentsandvisitorsalike. AlloftheseareseamlesslyintegratedthroughAyala Land’smasterfulurbanplanning,wherekeysupportfacilitiesincludingprestigious schoolslikeXavier,Miriam,and EverestAcademy,retail/commercialestablishmentssuch asS&R,Landers,Robinsons Supermarket,Landmark,Uniqloandsoon,MerryMart,and HealthwayHospitalareincorporatedintothemasterplan.

Nuvaliisathrivinghub southofMetroManila,offeringconvenientaccessforresidents,businesses,students,and professionalstravelingtoand frommajorcentralbusiness districtslikeMakati.Nuvali’s transportationinfrastructure alsosupportsitsgrowthambitions.Theestatebenefitsfrom itswell-connectednetworkof roadslinkedtomajorthoroughfaressuchastheSouthLuzon ExpresswayandCavite-Laguna Expressway(CALAX).Commutingismademoreconvenient withP2PbusesconnectingdirectlytoMakatiandBonifacio GlobalCityinTaguig.

SustainabilityatItsCore Amidtheseadvancements, AyalaLandremainssteadfastin itscommitmenttoitsoriginal visionofcreatingthecountry’s firstandlargesteco-city.Since 2008,AyalaLandhasbeenfuture-proofingNuvalithrough advancedsustainableinitiatives,suchasallocating50percentoflandtoopenspacesand naturereserves,implementing rainwatercollectionsystems, introducingwaterrecyclingfacilitiesandpromotingcommunity-centricmobilityalternativestoencourageeco-friendly transportation.Inaddition,the EVChargingStationatNuvaliispartofALI’scommitment tosustainabilitythroughencouragingeco-friendlytravel, sustainabletransportationand reducingemissions.

AModelfortheFuture AsNuvalicontinuesto evolve,itsimpactonLaguna— andthePhilippines—becomes increasinglysignificant.This eco-cityexemplifieswhaturbandevelopmentcanachieve whensustainabilityandinnovationareprioritized.Ayala Land’sNuvalistandsasatestamenttohowthoughtfulurban planningcandrivetransformativechange,provingthatcities canthrivewhilenurturingboth peopleandtheplanet.

Lookingahead,it’sclear: AyalaLandisn’tjusttransformingLaguna—it’sleadingthe waytowardamoresustainable Philippines,oneeco-friendly innovationatatime.

More details about Nuvali and its developments can be found at Nuvali.ph.

Nuvali is an integrated master-planned estate, offering residents and visitors convenient access to a variety of retail and lifestyle options, all while staying connected to nature

ofLights”

Nuvali is designed for seamless mobility and connectivity offering diverse transit options and open spaces that blend with nature

Seda Nuvali provides visitors with a harmonious blend of comfort, convenience, and exceptional service next to nature

The Driving Range Nuvali is a golf haven, where people can come together and enjoy various recreational activities

Experience the excitement of beach volleyball at Nuvali Sand Courts

Toyota conducts reforestation, livelihood development in Siniloan

ToyotaMotorPhilippines (TMP)Corp.,thecountry’s automotiveleader,hasexpandeditsnatureconservationeffortswithitsupland treeplantingina50-hectareadoptedareainSiniloan,Laguna.

Thecompanyrecentlymobilizedagroupofvolunteers toplant1,000nativetreeseedlingswiththeaimofboosting potentiallivelihoodsourcefor thelocals,enhancingbiodiversityanddevelopingfuturecarbonsinksatthesametime.

Some56volunteersrepresentingTMP’sworkforce, GTCapitalHoldingsInc.,DepartmentofEnvironment andNaturalResources(DENR)-CommunityEnvironment andNaturalResourcesOffice Sta.Cruz,Laguna,andthePeople’sOrganizationofSiniloan ascendedtotheuplandsofBarangayMagsaysayinSiniloan thatispartoftheSierraMadre MountainRange.

Thisterrestrialsiteispart ofacriticalecosystem,being hometothePhilippines’oldest forestsandahabitatformegadiverseendemicfloraandfauna.

ThisinitiativeconvergeswiththeDENR’sNational GreeningProgram(NGP),a massiveforestrehabilitation programaimedatreducing poverty,promotingfoodsecurity,conservingbiodiversity andmitigatingclimatechange inthecountry.

Initsfive-yearimplementation,TMPwillprovideupfrontfinancialcompensation tothePeople’sOrganizationof Siniloanforeveryhectarethat thelocalmemberswillnurture, monitorandmaintain.Upon successfulcompletionwitha highsurvivalrate,thetreespeciesthatwereselectedbythe DENRareexpectedtoeventuallygenerateincomefortheresidentsthroughagroforestry.

Fifty-Six volunteers representing Toyota Motor

Todate,TMPhasplanted 21,000outofthe25,000-targettotalnumberofnative fruit-bearingandtimbertree seedlingssinceTMPbeganits initialrehabilitationeffortson thesamesitein2022.

VolunteersduringtheuplandtreeplantinginSiniloan, LagunaReforestationisone oftheprimeexamplesofnature-basedsolutions,particularlyincarbonsequestration.

AccordingtotheWorld

Toyota is driven to actively pursue carbon neutrality and coexist in harmony with nature

MasandoHashimoto TMP President

gratitudetoourpartners fromtheDENR,thelocal communityofSiniloan, andvolunteersfor dedicatingtheirtime andexertingeffortsto makeaclimateaction andimpacttoday.”

GreenWaveProject TMP’sextensivenature conservationefforts,includandmangroveplanting activitiesandcoastalandriversideclean-ups,areintegrated intothe‘AllToyotaGreenWave Project.’

Launchedin2015underthe ‘ToyotaGlobalEnvironmental Challenge2050,’thisprojectis aglobalinitiativethataimsto connectToyota’sstakeholder networktonatureandcommunitieswhileaddressingenvironmentalissuesandsupporting locallivelihoods.

Bank,thesesolutionscould deliverupto37percentofthe emissionreductionstheworld needsby2030tomaintain globaltemperatureincreases below2degreesCelsius.

“Recognizingtheurgencyto

addressthecurrenteffectsof climatechange,Toyotaisdriventoactivelypursuecarbon neutralityandcoexistinharmonywithnature,”TMPpresidentMasandoHashimotosaid.

“Iwouldliketoexpressmy

CREATIVE WELLNESS TOURISM OPENS PATHWAYS IN SAN PABLO CITY

Asmall,artsybedandbreakfast(B&B)inSanPablo,Laguna,isofferingupnewandintimatewaystorelaxandunwind throughcreativeexperiences.

Locatedwithinthesprawling pinegardensofafamilyestate, CasaSanPabloispositioning itselfasacreativewellnessgetawaywithahomestylecafeand avibrantcommunityartspace.

Throughcreativeactivities likepaintingsessions,writing workshops,potteryclassesand nativecookingtours,theB&Bis drawingtravelerswhoareseekinginteractivetravelexperiencesthatliftuptheirspirits,relax theirminds,andconnectwith thepeopleinthecommunity.

The16-roomLagunadestinationdrawsitsinspiration fromUnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCultural Organization’spushtoward creativetourism,described as“traveldirectedtowardan engagedandauthenticexperience,withparticipativelearninginthearts,heritage,orspecialcharacterofaplace,and itprovidesaconnectionwith thosewhoresideinthisplace andcreatethislivingculture.”

TMPcurrentlyhasatotalof 108hectaresofactiveNGPsites, includingthosemangroveareasinLianandCalataganin Batangasprovince,aswellasa rainforestblockinMaragondon inCaviteprovince.

HarnessingthecreativecommunitiesthatalreadyexistinSan PabloCity,theofferingsinclude watercolormasterclasssessions byaward-winningpainterandSan PablonativeLitoBallaran,aswell aspotterysessionsbySanPablo-basedartisanJaninaVillapando, writingworkshopsbyNational BookawardeeRofelBrion,andheritagecookingsessionsbyinnkeeperAnMercado-Alcantara.

Claystorytellers

TheB&Bisalsothehome ofthehandmadeterracottafiguresknownasCasaSanPablo claystorytellers.

Thecreativewell-beingactivitiesattractsolotravelers,who wanttospendtheirtimeaway doingmindfulcrafts,groupsof friendswhowanttobondover anauthenticexperience,and corporateteamslookingfornew waystolearnteamwork. Theactivitiesarealsowindows toSanPablo’sheritageandculture, andarealignedwithSanPablo City’stourismmasterplan,which definesculinaryheritageandcreativeexperiencesastwooffourpillarsoftourism,whichalsoinclude agricultureandeco-tourism.MercadoAlcantara,whorunsCasaSan PablowithherhusbandBootsAlcantara,believesinteractivewell-beingactivitieslikethesearetheway forwardforsmalltownshopingto attractmoretourists.

“Creativity-basedtourism strategiesshouldreallyplaya bigroleinourcity’sdevelopmentagenda,”sheexplained. WhenTourismSecretaryChristinaGarciaFrasco launchedthe“PhilippineExperience:Culture,Heritageand theArtsCaravan,”CasaSan Pablo’screativeandculinary activitieswereamongthestops shehighlightedasaworthy effortinshowcasingthecountry’suniqueexperiences.

CASA SAN PABLO

Philippines’ (TMP) workforce, GT Capital Holdings Inc. Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Commu ty Environment and Natural Resources Office Sta. Cruz, Laguna, and the People’s Organization of Siniloan ascended to the uplands of Barangay Magsaysay in Siniloan

FOR MOTHER EARTH TMP president Masando Hashimoto (top photo) leads volunteers in planting 5,000 native tree seedlings in Siniloan Laguna

Casa San Pablo is positioning itself as a creative wellness getaway in Laguna —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Casa San Pablo is a regular cooking tour stop

Casa San Pablo is drawing travelers looking for interactive travel experiences that lift up their spirits

Creativity finds expression here

Editor Tina Arceo-Dumlao

AssistantBusinessEditor

Doris Dumlao-Abadilla

Booming Sta. Rosa eyes sustainable future

By Renz Palalimpa @renzreportsINQ

IttakesasimpledrivetoSta. Rosa,Laguna,tounderstand whyitisapowerhousecity.

Theindustrialsitesand recreationalspotsthatmarkSta. Rosa’slandscapefuelitsfastpacedeconomicgrowth.And now,thecityisshiftinggearstowardasustainablefuture.

Thiscomponentcityof Lagunaprovinceisashort tripawayfromMetroManila throughoneofitsconnecting thoroughfares,theSouthLuzon Expressway(SLEx).Takethe exclusiverampdowntheSta. Rosa-TagaytayRoad,andyou willcomefacetofacewiththe industrialvigorofthecity.

Justnearthehighwayexit arethemanufacturingplants ofMonde-NissinCorp.,andthe neighboringfactoriesofSan MiguelBreweryandtheCoca-Colacompany,itslargestin thePhilippines.

Sta.Rosa’s“MotorCity”

monikerbecomescleardown theroute,asyouspotthe Toyotaspecialeconomiczone (SEZ)whichhousesthecompany’sheadofficeandmanufacturingplant,andthatof MitsubishiMotorsinGreenfieldAutomotivePark.

“It’sgreattoinvestinSta. Rosamainlybecauseofaccessibility,”CityInformation OfficerTugarisZapantatold theInquirer.“Ifyou’reamanufacturingplant,it’seasyto traveltothesouthandnorth [ofLuzon]becauseofthe SLEx,”headded.

Thecityisalsoabooming hubforthebusinessprocess outsourcing(BPO)industry, hostingcompanieslikeIQor, Teletech,andConcentrix.In 2013,IBMopenedafacilityin Sta.Rosa,oneofits“nextwave cities”inthePhilippines.In May,BPOmarketplaceOutsourceAcceleratorrankedSta. RosaasthefourthtopBPO destinationafterManila,Cebu, andDavao.

“Sta.Rosahasgrownsignificantlycomparedtonearby citiesinLagunaandCalabarzon,”MarlonNatividadofthe NationalEconomicDevelopmentAuthority(Neda)inthe regiontoldtheInquirerinan email.[Its]advantageouslocationhasspurreditsdevelopment,makingitaprominent city,”headded.

Sta.RosahasreapedtherewardsofitseffortswithaP4.99 billionincomein2022,thehighestrevenueamongLaguna’slocalgovernmentunits(LGU)that year,accordingtotheCommissiononAudit. Sta.RosaMayorArleneArcillasattributesthisprogress toa“business-friendlyenvironment”thatwelcomescompanies“dueto[MetroManila] providingaccesstoalarge consumermarketandbusinessopportunities.” Thebenefitsprovidedby SEZsplayabigpartin attractingcompaniesto locateinthecity.SEZs

Built in

Santa Rosa de Lima Parish is part of Sta. Rosa City’s

BOOMING STA. ROSA EYES SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

areoperatedby thePhilippine EconomicZone Authority,whichassists,registersandgrantsincentivesto investors.EnabledbyRepublicActNo.7916,SEZsstreamlineregulatoryprocessesto attractinvestments.

Thelocalgovernmenthas alsostreamlinedtheprocess ofacquiringandrenewing businesspermitsbycreating a“one-stopshop”inthecity andanonlineoptiontoobtain thedocuments.

“What’suniquewithSta. Rosaisitsrelationshipwiththe businessesandprivateestablishments,”saidCityTourism officerinchargeGinaMadin. “Thecityisverycompetitive. Thereisapooloftalent—investorslookatthat.”

Sta.RosahaswonthePhilippineChamberofCommerce andIndustry’sMostBusiness-FriendlyLGUawardfor theCityLevel2Categoryin 2020,andisamongtheLGUs frequentlycitedintheawards.

Recreation Sidebysidewiththecity’s economicboomisitsrecreationalandresidentialthrust.

WhenvisitingSta.Rosa, guestsaretreatedtoabreezy welcomeviatheCavite-LagunaExpressway.Theycanexplorefirst-classcommunities likethe2,290-hectare(ha)Nuvali,AyalaLand’slargest“ecocity,”andthe600-haEtonCity, atownshipprojectbyLucio Tan’sLTGroup,featuringresidential,commercial,andrecreationalsites.

and private establishments

asakeyentrypointtoCalabarzonand[accommodate] therisingpopulationinflux duetoin-migration.”

“Thisclusterprovidesopportunitiestomeethousingdemandandofferamoreaffordablealternativeforbusiness locationscomparedtoMetro Manila,”headded.

Touristscanmakeastopat thethemeparkEnchantedKingdom,whichcanhostupto25,000 guestsinits25-hapropertyfilled withridesandattractions;or shopatSMSta.Rosa,which openedin2006asthemallgiant’sfirst“supermall”inLaguna province.SMCorp.isalsosetting itssightsonanSMPremierMall nearNuvali.

Zapantasaid.Thesquarealso hostsvariousgovernmentofficesandheritagehousesthat enclosethecity’sSpanish-era poblacion.

Protectingthecity’shistoric heritagewouldnotonlyfoster culturalgrowthbutalsoopen thedoortofurthereconomicadvancement,thecityofficialssaid.

“Wewantpeople,residents, andtouriststo[know]Sta.Rosa andhowitevolvedfrombasicallyagriculturallandinthe1980’s toitshighlyurbanizedpresent,” Madinsaid.“Astheysay,you can’tloveaplaceifyoudon’t knowwhatitwasandhowit cametobe.”

Sustainability

Withitsdeeprootsinthe pastbolsteringathrivingpresent,thecityisacceleratingtowardthefuture.

InpartnershipwiththeDepartmentofScienceandTechnologyRegion4A,Sta.Rosa isbecominga“smartcity”focusedonefficiencyandsustainability.Thecityhasalsoteamed upwiththeUnitedNations EconomicandSocialCommissionforAsiaandthePacificto integratetheUnitedNations’ SustainableDevelopmentGoals intoitsprograms.

“Sta.Rosaiscontinuously strivingforexcellence.Westill thinkofwaystoinnovateand improve,”Madinsaid.

centerusesstate-of-the-art equipmentformonitoringroad incidentsandflooding,”said Madin.

NatividadseesabrightfutureforSta.Rosaasit“will remainakeyplayerintheCalabarzoneconomy.Through initiativeslikethe[smartcity goal],Sta.Rosaissettobecome oneofCalabarzon’sleadingcities,leveragingadvancedtechnologyandinnovationtodrive economicgrowth.”

SustainabilityisakeyaspectofArcillas’“four-pillar framework,”alongwitheconomicgrowth,socialdevelopmentandgoodgovernance.

“Sta.Rosa,asbothanindustrialcenterandemergingrecreationalhub,showcasesthe city’sdynamicevolutionand thegovernment’seffortsfor sustainabledevelopmentand economicgrowth,”shesaid.

Sta.Rosa’shistoryand growtharehighlightedevery yearattheSikhayanFestival, whichwascelebratedthis yearonJuly10.Namedaftertheword“sikhay,”which meansdiligenceorpersistence,thefestivalsalutes thehardworkofthecity’s residentsindrivingtheeconomicvibrancyandcultural richnessofSta.Rosa.

Whilethecityscalesnew heights,thelocalgovernment hasnotabandoneditshistoric heart.Emancipatedasitsown municipalityin1792,Sta.Rosa becameakeysiteinthePhilippinerevolutionagainstthe Spanishoccupation,becoming afull-fledgedcityin2004under RepublicActNo.9264.Itcelebratedits20-yearcityhoodanniversarythismonth.

Sta.Rosaisdevelopingits Spanish-eracitycenterintoa “heritagesquare”thatwould “createabalancedatmosphere” betweenthepastandmodern society,accordingtoa2019city ordinance.

Onesuchsustainability goaliscleanenergy.Thelocal governmentisinstallingsolar panelsinitsofficestoshiftto renewablepower,andofficials encourageresidentsandbusinessestoadoptsolarenergyif theyareable.

Inthisyear’sfestival,many privatecompaniesjoinedinthe streetdancingfestivities.“It’s anotherwayofengagement [between]theprivatesector andtheSta.Rosagovernment,” saidMadin.

Thecityprovides“[a]relativelypeacefulandsuburban lifestylecomparedtothehustle andbustleofMetroManila,” saidArcillas.“Thecity’saccessibility[enhances]itsappeal asaresidentialdestinationfor MetroManila’sworkforce.” Natividadviewsthecity asaprimelocationinNeda Calabarzon’sSouthernLuzon “strategicdevelopmentcluster”thatwould “[serve]

“Wehaveacityengineering [office]thatplanshowtoconserveenergy.Theplannowis tomakethe[Sta.RosaCityHall] buildingagreenbuilding,”said Zapanta.

Theclosecooperationbetweenthegovernment,individuals,andbusinessesiswhat accountsforSta.Rosa’seconomicgrowth.ForArcillasand otherofficials,thestrongcivic consciousnessandcapacityfor hardworkamongSta.Rosa’s residentsensurethatthecity hasanevenmoredynamicfutureaheadofit.

“Wearecurrentlydevelopingtheplaza—the church,theheritagehouses, andthemuseare

Thecityofficialsalsosaid theyareinvestingindisaster preparednessandwatertesting.Sta.Rosahassetupits ownwatertestinglaboratory thatcananalyzewastewater andambientwater,withthe facilitysettoopenthisyear tocatertoprivateestablishments. “Our

“Ifpeoplearen’tinvolved inplanning,implementingand monitoring,wewouldn’tbe abletoachievethis[growth],” Madinsaid.“Thereasonwe havethismuchprogressisbecauseofthepeople whoworkhard. Nagsikhayan sila.”

Ayala group’s Nuvali, a sprawling “eco-city” of residential and recreational and commercial spots

The city’s environmental testing laboratory, which can study wastewater samples

Sta. Rosa’s city market, renovated in 2023 to improve its 140-stall wet goods section

World-class theme park Enchanted Kingdom

The city museum, featuring Sta. Rosa’s extensive history as a crucial part of the colonial era

The Cavite-Laguna Expressway exit to Sta. Rosa which links the city to key areas in Calabarzon and Metro Manila

The Sta. Rosa manufacturing plant of San Miguel Brewery —PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE STA. ROSA CITY LOCAL GOVERNMENT

What’s unique with Sta. Rosa is its relationship with the businesses

GinaMadin City Tourism officer in charge

FROM B2-1

SM City Sta. Rosa, the first “supermall” in Laguna province

An 18.3-meter pylon in the city dedicated to Jose Rizal, among the tallest of its kind in the country

Investing in community health

Investinginhealthcarehas neverbeenmoreimportant thannowwiththetoughlessonsoftherecentpandemic.

COVID-19revealedthevulnerabilityofhealthsystems, whichcanquicklybuckleunderthestrainofhugemedical demands.

Whileboththepublicand privatesectorsnowknowthey needtostepup,thereisaneven biggerneedtoanticipate— morethanjustrespondto—any futurehealthcrisis.

Thisbringstolighttheimportanceofaccessandwhatthe privatesectorhasbeendoingto helpbridgethehealthcaresocioeconomicgap.

ForSManditsfoundations, thismeansbettercommunity accesstoqualityprimaryhealthcareinpartnershipwithnational andlocalgovernments.

Missionnotimpossible

Medicalmissionsallowaccess,especiallyofremoteor economically disadvantaged communities,tomedicalcare, educationandsupport.SM Foundation’s(SMFI)medical missionsprovidefreeconsultations,basiclaboratorytests,dentalcheckupsandproperdosage ofappropriatemedicine.

SMFoundationreachedan importantmilestonebyconductingmorethan1,600medicalmissions,benefitingnearly1.3millionpatientsyear-to-date.

“Patientswhoonceendured longqueuesatcrowdedhealthcarefacilitiesnowfindreliefaswe bringhealth-careservicestoremotebarangaysorprovidethem

FOR THE GREATER GOOD The birthing facility in Barangay Irawan, Palawan, was given a new lease on life with the improvements done by SM Foundation, enabling the facility to secure necessary licenses to resume operations. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

convenientlyatourmallsand properties,”ConnieAngeles,SM FoundationExecutiveDirectorfor HealthandMedicalProgramssaid.

Andmorethan justastructure Whilehealthfacilitiesoffer avenuefortheconductofmedicalservices,fixingitupthrough thoughtfulandmeaningfuldesigncoulddomoreforthecommunitythanjustprovidespace.

Ruralhealthcentersareconsideredaslifelines,offeringacomprehensiverangeofhealthservicesataminimalcostoreven freetothemostvulnerable.

“Theseopportunitiestorebuildhealthcentersdomorefor humanwell-being.Therefurbishmentofpublichealth-care facilitiesnotonlyenhancetheir capabilitiesbywayofimprove-

mentsandnewequipmentbut alsomakethesefacilitiesmore responsiveandconducivetothe healthneedsandrecoveryof thosetheyserve,”Angelessaid.

Furthermore,therenovation allowspublichealthcentersto meetPhilHealthAccreditation standards,resultinginanincreaseinPhilHealthutilization andhelpingdecongestcityhospitalsandminimizingthespread ofcommunicablediseases.

Throughtheseaccredited healthcenters,patientscould availthemselvesofPhilHealth benefitssuchasprimarycare, maternitycareandpharmacyneedsatthebarangaylevel. Theseeffortsalsoresultinincreasedcapitalizationforlocal governments.

Manysectorsalsobenefit fromtheserenovationsinclud-

MORE ROADS, INTERCHANGES CHANGES TO LAGUNA LAKESHORE ROAD NETWORK PROJECT OKAYED

By Mariedel Irish U. Catilogo

@CatilogoIrish

TheNationalEconomicand DevelopmentAuthority(Neda) hasapprovedmajorchanges totheLagunaLakeshoreRoad Network(LLRN)Project.

Inastatement,theNeda saidthatitsboardhadapproved “modificationstothePhase1 scopeoftheLLRNProject,which nowincludesthedevelopment ofconnectingroadsandinterchangesinvariouslocations.”

Theselocationsinclude BarangayTunasaninMuntinlupaCity,aswellasSanPedro, Biñan,andCabuyaoinLaguna.

Initiallyapprovedin2021, theprojectconsistsoftheconstructionofa37.5-kilometer primaryroadanda12.0-km viaductfromLowerBicutan, Taguig,toTunasan,Muntinlu-

pa,alongwitha25.5-kmshorelineviaductandembankment fromTunasan,Muntinlupa,to Calamba,Laguna.

“TheNedaBoardrecognizes thesignificantpotentialofthis projectinreducingtransportationconstraintsonexisting roadnetworks,promotingeconomicdevelopmentintheregion,andprovidingsafer,more convenient,andfastertravel forroaduserscomingfromthe northandsouthtovarioustouristandbusinessdestinationsin Lagunaandnearbyprovinces,” SocioeconomicPlanningSecretaryArsenioBalisacansaid.

Meanwhile,thefeasibilityofthesecondphaseofthe project,whichwilltraverse theeasternportionofLaguna LakefromBinangonan,Rizal, toCalamba,Laguna,isbeing studiedandtheresultsshould

beoutbytheendoftheyear.

Theentireprojectisexpectedtospanatotalof71.5 km.

Scheduledtobecompleted by2027,theprojectisexpected tofurtherstimulateeconomic activityinMetroManila,CalabarzonandCentralLuzon.

Asidefromthechangesto thekeyLagunaproject,theNeda boardalsorecentlyapproved thenegotiatedparameters, terms,andconditions(PTCs)for theBohol-PanglaoInternational AirportProject,andchangesto thePTCsfortheLaguindingan InternationalAirportProject.

TheapprovedPTCsforthe upgradeoftheBohol-Panglao InternationalAirportseekto resolveambiguitiesincompliancewiththerecentlyenactedPublic-PrivatePartnership Code.INQ

SAN PEDRO MOVING TO BECOME ‘SMART CITY’ BY 2032

FROM B2-4

TheLGUaims tobuildvertical structuressuch ascallcentersandITbusinessestomakeupforthelackof space,andtoprovidemorejob opportunitiesforresidents.

“Whenpeopleaskmewhatis thereinSanPedroIalways proudlysaythatourpeople arehardworkingandtalented,”saidMercado. Thisplangoeshand-inhandwiththeLGU’scommitmenttoeducation.

Themayorsaidtheyare planningtopreparethecitycollegetofocusonITcoursesso that,upongraduation,residents willbereadyforemployment onceSanPedro’sITparkscome tofruition.

Thecity’sbiggesteconomic boosteratpresentarebusinesses,withAlaskaMilkCorporation(AMC)itsbiggesttaxpayer.

“We’reverythankfulto havethem(AMC).Theyhave beenourpartnerforaverylong

time.Theircorporatesocialresponsibility[program]isabig help,”saidMercado.

TheLGUandAMChave partneredonvariousprogramssuchasthe“Alaska xGawadKalinga,”which helpedbuildcomfortable homesforover120families andgavenumerouslivelihoodprojectsandopportunitiestohomeowners;andthe cleanupactivity“ALASKALIKASANProject.”

Meanwhile,thecitygovernmentisalsoexpeditingthecompletionofkeyinfrastructure projects,suchastherehabilitationoftheSanPedroCityPlaza, theSanPedroMedicalCenterin BarangayNarra,andthedevelopmentofaSanPedroSports Complex.

IntheDTI’s2023rankingof componentcities,wherecities andmunicipalitiesareevaluatedbasedonthesumoftheir scoresinfourpillars(Economic Dynamism,GovernmentEffi-

ciency,Infrastructure,ResiliencyandInnovation),SanPedro ranked24thoutof114,moving upfourranksfromits2022positionof26th.

“ThebiggestattractionIsee forinvestorstoinvesthereis thestateofthecity.Ifyouarean investor,youwouldfirstlookat theLGUandhowitisperforming.Westartedbychangingthe cultureofSanPedro,andthen therestwillfollow,”saidMercado,whose2022mayoralwin endedtheCataquizpolitical clan’sdecades-longholdonthe city.

Duringhismayoralcampaign,Mercadopromised “change”forthecity.“Good governanceisveryimportant whenitcomestoattracting investors,”hesaid.Whilehe acknowledgedthatitwould nothappenquickly,hesaidthe citywouldachieveit“onestep atatime”—steady,purposefulprogressthatappearstobe happeningnow.INQ

ofHealth’s(DOH)guidelines,SM FoundationelevatedtheSCRHU.

Therehabilitationtransformedthecenterintoawelcomingspace,featuringcomfortable waitingareas,areceptionarea forhealthworkersanddesignatedfacilitiesforbreastfeeding mothers,theelderly,andperwithdisabilities.Ithas mobileplaycabinetfor childrencopingwith illnesses.

ing the Armed Forcesofthe Philippines,thePhilippineNationalPolice,terminallyillpatientsandwomenandchildren, tonameafew.

SMFoundation’s200thrural healthcenterinLagunaisaclassicexample.

“Marami kaming programa na hindi namin malagyan ng lugar kasi kulang ang space kaya’t naghahagilap kami kung saan ito ipu-pwesto,”saidElmiraMontesa,wholeadstheSantaCruz RuralHealthUnit(SCRHU).[We havemanyprogramsthatwe can’taccommodatebecause thereisnotenoughspaceand wearescramblingforplacesfor these.]

FollowingtheDepartment

SMalsoincludedarainwater catchmentsystemtotherenovatedfacilityto contributetowaterconservation.

In 2023, SMFoundation breathednewlife intoUP-PGH’spostCOVID&PulmoCare

Priortotherehabilitation, UP-PGHDivisionofPulmonary MedicinechiefLenoraFernandez recalledthatthefacilitystruggled toexpanditsservicestomeetthe growingneedsofthecommunity.

“PGHdoeshavemanydonorsbuttheyhavesomany competingpriorities,too.Those patientswhocontinuedtosufferfromdebilitatingshortness ofbreathinsilencestilllacked essentialservicessuchaspulmonaryrehabilitationequipment,”Dr.Fernandezsaid.

Thenewlyrefurbishedfacilitynowhasanewlobbyto receivepatientsandspacious roomswithdedicatedareasfor rehabilitation,ultrasound,cardiopulmonaryexercisetesting

andvirtualconsultation.Dr. Fernandezexpressedoptimism aboutthefutureofthehuband seesthenumberofpatients servedgrowingeveryyear.

InBrgy.Irawan,Puerto Princesa,acommunitybirthingfacilityservingthousands ofresidentsandindigenous people,hadtohaltoperations in2018asitwasunableto meetgovernmenthealthrequirements.

SMFoundationsupported thecommunitybyrevamping thebirthingfacilityin2023,enablingittoobtaintherequired licensestoresumeoperations. AnotherSMaffiliate,BDO Foundation,alsoachieveda majormilestoneasitrehabilitatedits160thruralhealthunit (RHU)in2023.

Thisinvolvedrenovating exteriors,layoutandinteriordesign,lobbiesandwaiting areas,offices,birthingclinics, consultationrooms,treatment roomsandpharmaciesaswell asinstallingbreastfeedingstationsfornursingmothers,play areasforchildrenandwaiting loungesforseniorcitizens.

Combined,SMFoundation andBDOFoundationhaverefurbishedandbuiltatotalof 364healthcentersandmedical facilities.

Asthegroupreachesoutto morecommunities,itaimsto effectivelycontributetoSustainableDevelopmentGoal3 (GoodHealth&Wellbeing)by consistentlyprovidingequitableaccesstoqualitybasic servicestowardsabetterand healthiertomorrow.

San Pedro moving to become ‘smart city’ by 2032

By Gabryelle Dumalag @gabdumalagINQ

Oftenreferredtoasthe

“dormitorytown”ofMet-

roManila,theCityofSan Pedro,Laguna,aimsto veerawayfromthemoniker andreintroducewhatitcan offertoresidents,touristsand investors.

“‘That’swhatwe’reknown forrightnow—asaresidential communitywithplentyofresidentsworkinginothercities. Thatiswhatwewanttochange,” MayorArtJosephFrancisMercadotoldtheInquirer.

SanPedro,athird-class componentcityintheprovince ofLaguna,planstochangethis notionbyattractingbusinessesandinvestorstothecityto generateincomeandgiveemploymentopportunitiestoits residentswithinthecity.

Despitebeingoneofthe smallestunitsintheentireLagunaprovinceintermsofland areawithonly780hectares, SanPedroisthefifthmostpopulouscityinLaguna.Italsohas thehighestpopulationdensity inLagunaprovinceandtheentireCalabarzonregion,with 14,000peoplepersquarekilometer.

“Myvisionisforthem toworkhereinourcity [and]toincreasethecity’s income,”saidthemayor.

Mercadonotedthatthe strategiclocationofthecity isagoodreasonwhyinvestorsshouldinvestinthe city.LodgedbetweenMetro ManilaandLaguna,SanPedro sharesboundarieswithMetro Manila’ssouthernmostcity, Muntinlupa.

“Businessesalsoseethat theexpansionisgearingto-

Good governance is very important when it comes to attracting investors

wardthesouth.Weknowthat thevalueofpropertiesinMetroManilaisexpensiveSo,it isawin-winsituationforthem. Thepropertyischeaper,the landischeaperandthesalary, theminimumwageherein[region]4A,islowercomparedto NCR,”saidMercado.saidMercado.

“OurgoalisforSanPedro tobecomea‘smartcity’by 2032,”headded.headded. Inlinewiththisgoal,the cityhasbeentakingsteps tointegratetheuseoftechnologyinitsoperationsto improvepublicservices. services.

Innovation,digitalizationInnovation, Whilethecity’sstrategiclocationoffersadvantages,italso presentsdisadvantages.Being situatedinthemiddleofthe

WestValleyFaultSystemand nearLagunadeBayexposesits 326,000residentstorisksof earthquakesandflooding.

Toaddresstheserisks,the localgovernmentunit(LGU)recentlyinauguratedaP300-millionCommandCenterthatwill serveasthenewheadquarters oftheCityDisasterRiskReductionandManagementOffice (CDRRMO).

Thesix-storybuildinghas anearlywarningandmonitoringsystem,enablingtheCDRRMOtoefficientlymonitorand respondtoemergencies.The centerisalsoequippedwith generators,solarpanelsand satelliteinternetservicepoweredbyStarlink.

Mercadosaidduringhis speechatthebuilding’sinau-

gurationthatthe“state-of-theart”CommandCenter“marks afulfillmentnotonlyofour dreamofupgradingourDRRM capabilitiesbutalsoofourvisionofmakingSanPedroa smartcitythatissustainable andresilientfromdisasters.”

Anotherkeyinitiativeofthe cityinpursuitofitssmartcity visionisthedigitalizationof governmentservices,withthe supportofthenationalgovernmentandtheprivatesector.

Theseeffortsincludesigning amemorandumofagreement withtheDepartmentofTrade andIndustry(DTI)tostreamline itsbusinessregistrationservices. ThepartnershipaimstofacilitatetheintegrationoftheDTI’s businessnameregistrationsystemintothecitygovernmentof SanPedro’sBusinessPermits andLicensingSystem. The

During

By Meg J. Adonis @MegINQ

Thejointventurecompany ofAyalaLandLogisticsHoldingsCorp.(ALLHC)andFLOW DigitalInfrastructurewillget afreshP2.4-billionloanfrom LandBankofthePhilippines tofundthedevelopmentof whatistoutedtobethelargest “carrier-neutral”datacenter campusinLagunaprovinceas thedigitaleconomycontinues itsrapidexpansion.

ALLHC,asubsidiaryof propertygiantAyalaLand Inc.thatfocusesonindustrial estates,saidinarecentstatementthatA-FLOWProperties Corp.’sloanrepresentedthe firsttrancheofitsP10.8-billion 10-yearloanprogram.

“Thisagreementmarksa significantstepforwardinour sharedcommitmenttodevelopthelargestcarrier-neutral datacentercampusinthePhilippines,”A-FLOWpresident AmandineWangsaid.

“Weareexcitedtobuild anecosystemtoattractacombinationofinternationalhyperscalecustomersandlocal enterprisecustomers,”Amandineadded. Acarrier-neutraldata centerhasnorestrictionson whichtelecommunications companycanprovideinternet connectionwithinthefacility.

Phase1AofA-FLOW’s three-buildingdatacenter campusinBiñanwillhave 6megawatts(MW)ininformationtechnology(IT)load capacityandisscheduledfor completionbytheendofthe year. ALLHCandFLOW,which currentlyfocusesondevelopingphysicalassetsthatmake upthedigitalinfrastructure ecosystemintheAsia-Pacific, announcedtheirpartnership inOctober2022“tomeetthe rapidlyexpandingneedsofthe digitaleconomy.” InDecemberthatyear, theybrokegroundforthedata centerprojectthatisexpectedtoaccommodateatotal36 MW-ITin

Telco

Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) and Land Bank of the Philippines officials led by ALI president and CEO and AyalaLandLogistics Holdings Corp chair Anna Ma Margarita Dy (third from left) and Landbank president and CEO Ma Lynette V. Ortiz (fourth from right) mark the signing of a P2.4-billion loan agreement. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Mayor Art Mercado says his administration is working to change the culture in San Pedro to bring in more investors and raise the city’s income —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

ArtJoseph FrancisMercado Mayor of San Pedro, Laguna

Nature, culture, crafts: Experience the best of Laguna

By Annelle Tayao-Juego

COMMUNE WITH NATURE Located in Barangay Tala, Rizal, Laguna, Tanaw de Rizal Park is also known as Tayak Hill, a great hiking spot in a lush forest The park also has the best panoramic view of San Pablo City, Laguna de Bay and nearby towns. —PHOTOS FROM THE LAGUNA TOURISM, CULTURE, ARTS AND TRADE OFFICE

Quiet and peaceful Esmeris Farm allows you to reconnect with nature with its fresh air and vast greenery far from the busy town proper of Liliw.

Have some Baguio feels at KM 90 Ecopark in Santa Maria @InquirerBiz

j

Hartwood Village

By Vaughn Geuseppe Alviar

ThenewestFederalLand

horizontaldevelopment

SouthofMetroManila revolutionizeshomeby highlightingthedwellerasits heartandsoul.Withitshighly anticipatedproject,Hartwood VillageinBiñan,Laguna,the respecteddeveloperheeds thedemandsofhomeowners through human-centered design.

Hartwood Village is builtwithanintimate understandingoftheneeds, behaviorsandpreferencesof itsfutureinhabitants.That valueleadstoasustainable community and joyful residents.FederalLanduses aspecificwordforthatjoy: hygge OriginatinginDanish culture,itisacozinessand conviviality emanating frompeoplewhoexperience profoundcontentmentand comfort.

Thevillagewilloffera modern-contemporarycommunityon11.3haofprime land,bankingonthethree qualitiesofconnectivity,circulationandopenspaceto achieve hygge

Connected:Achievethe enviedlifestyle FederalLand’sadvocacy for15-minutecommunities makesitintotheveryDNA ofHartwoodVillage.Youcan walkinunder15minutesto otherresidentialvillages, mixed-useareasandvarious accesspoints.Onabike,the sameamountoftimecanget youtoaschool,amall,orother pointsofinterest.Thatalready makesthisnewaddressa gatewaytoadistinct,envied lifestyle.

Nottoofarawayare urbanconveniences.You areneighborswithatleast sixretailandshopping destinations,thefarthestjust a20-minutedrive.Lagunais apopulardestinationamong vacationersbecauseofleisure

hubsandplacesofworship; andclosebyaremultiplegolf courses,respectedhotelsand historicchurches.

Growingfamilieswill delightinthenumberoftoptierschoolsaroundtheir neighborhood.Closesttothem istheLagunacampusofDeLa SalleUniversitywhichisaround akilometerawaywhiletop institutionslikeAteneoSanta Rosa,St.Scholastica’sCollege Westgrove,BrentInternational SchoolManila,XavierSchool Nuvali,andUniversityofSanto Tomas-Sta.RosaCampusare justafewkilometersfarther. Healthisimportanttofamilies ofanykindsothenearness ofmedicalfacilitieslikeThe MedicalCitywouldappealto evenmorehomebuyers.Some

areascloseas7minutesbycar. Itdoesnotstopthere, however.HartwoodVillage belongstoanevenbigger FederalLandendeavornamed Meadowcrest.Thevillage ispartofthe48-hamasterplanneddevelopmentby FederalLandCommunities withmixed-use,retailand residentialcomponents.Thus, inafewyears,live-work-play elementswillbeevencloser totheresidents.Thatwill includeaneighborhoodmall withclinics,restaurantsand cafes,evenflexspacesfor picnicsandfairs.

Circulation:Movearound, experiencemore Inatropicalcountrylike ours,theheatandhumidity

canbepunishing.Forthat reason,peopletendtotravel inair-conditionedcarsrather thanmovearoundbywalking andbiking.Toaddressthis, HartwoodVillageputsa premiumtowalkabilityby employingtheLivingStreet Concept.Theinternalroad networkoftheneighborhood wasdesignedtoaccommodate notonlycars,butalsobikes andpedestrians.Themain road,forinstance,is28meters wide,withonly14metersfor motorvehicles.Thenetwork featuresornamentalplants, bikelanesandsidewalks. Protectedbyfoliage,people canwalkorbikecomfortably atanytimeoftheday.

TheamenitiesattheCentral AmenityParkareanother

reasontomovearound.The centerofthedevelopment,it isanacknowledgmentofthe humanneedforconnection. Thecomplexcovers1,200 sqmofspace,andpacks multifariouschoicesforleisure andrecreation.Itincludes14 features,includingaclubhouse,a lappool,akiddiepool,apetpark, aplayspaceandamultipurpose court.Theclubhouseitselfhas amultifunctionhall,function rooms,agameroomanda meetingroom.

Openspace: Communewithnature HartwoodVillage’sCentral AmenityParkrepresentsthe importanceofopenspace there.Muchofthe10,481sqm thatitcoverswillbeopen spaceslikethemultipurpose lawn,thegreatlawnandthe meditationgarden.Infact,44 percentofthewholevillage isdedicatedtoopenspace. Alloverthedevelopmentare smallerlinkageandpocket parks.Thespaces–andthe benefitstheybringinwellness, socialcohesionandsomuch more–arewithina150-meter radiusofthehomes. Consistentwiththat nature-bound philosophy isMeadowcrestatlarge.It creativelyencouragespeople tospendtimeoutdoors.The neighborhoodmallwillfeature afusionofurbanandnatural spaces;parkletswillcarveout pleasantrecreationalareas alongstreets.Roadside,you willfindmicroparks,terraces orbicycleparking,among others.

Thelotsareanother opportunitytoembraceopen space.Withsizesranging between300and542sqm, homebuyerscanalways designtheirhomeswithyards andgreenery.UnderPhase 1,theprojectnowoffers110 ofjust186totallots.Alowdensityvillageofjust16 unitsperhectarewouldhelp householdsembracenature.

Capitalappreciation: Reaprewards HartwoodVillagefocuses onconnectivity,circulation andopenspacetoensure hygge foritsfuturedwellers.Butthe economicbenefitsofowning propertyinBiñan,Lagunacan alsocontributetothatsenseof comfortandcontentment. Lagunaisamongthemost progressiveprovincesin thePhilippinesinlargepart becauseofcitieslikeBiñan.Itis afirst-classcityboomingwith opportunitiesforstudyand work,recreationandenterprise. Thecountry’sfourthmost competitivecomponentcity, ithostslocalandinternational brandsamongitsindustrial parksandoffices. AhomeatHartwoodVillage isstillpractical,especiallyfor thoseworkingfromhomeorin hybridsettings.Locationisless than2.5-kmfromthenearest CALAXexitandlessthan8-km fromtheSLEXSta.RosaExit whichprovideseasyaccessibility toLuzon’scentralbusiness districtsandkeydestinations. TheFederalLandname addsconsequencetoHartwood Village.Forover51years,it hasbuiltasolidtrackrecord indeliveringiconiclandmarks anddynamiccommunities. It’sbuiltastrongportfolioof residentialandcommercial developments,amongthem102 completedresidentialprojects thatnowdelivermeaningful lives,unparalleledsecurityand significantcapitalappreciationto thousandsofresidents.Reapthe samerewards–thesamehygge–withahomeinHartwoodVillage. Learn more about Hartwood Village by visiting www. federalland.ph. Book a private viewing at the Hartwood Village Visitor Center in Biñan, Laguna, by sending an e-mail to invest@ federalland.ph. For a sneak peek of the development, visit the Hartwood Priority Selling Event on July 28, 2024, Sunday at Grand Hyatt Manila, BGC.on July 28, 2024, Sunday at Grand Hyatt Manila, BGC.

Hartwood Village’s Greenways. Artist’s Perspective

Hartwood Village’s Central Amenity Park Artist’s Perspective

Hartwood Village’s Swimming Pool Artist’s Perspective

Hartwood Village’s Great Lawn Artist’s Perspective

MorethanbeingthePhil-

ippines’nationalflower, MegaworldHotelsandRe-

sorts(MHR),thecountry’s largesthoteloperator,hasadoptedtheSampaguitaasasymbolof itssignaturebrandofservice.

Witheightbrands,13hotelpropertiesandmorethan 8,500roomkeysincluding thoseinthepipeline,MegaworldHotelsandResorts seekstoprovidememorable servicetoitsgueststhougha programwithauniquelyand proudlyFilipinoapproach. Theideaistomakeitspatrons feelandappreciatethesampaguitaservicethroughsight,smell, taste,soundandtouch.

“Weresonatewiththevaluesofthecountry’snational flower—love,honor,dignityand healing,”saysMegaworldHotel’s andResort’smanagingdirector CleofeAlbiso.

Sheadds,“Wereallydesire forourbrandtostandoutand touchtheheartofeveryFilipino,bethebrandthatonecanbe trulyproudof.It’sourgoalto bethehospitalitychainwhose storypeoplecanreckonwithbecausetheyhaveseenthestruggles,theyhaveseenthejourney, whichencompasseswhatevery Filipinoundergoesyetcomesout strongerfrom.”

Engagingyoursenses

“There’ssomuchmoretoa guest’sstaythanmerebedand breakfast,thatiswhyweaimto enhanceeverytouchwithinthe guestjourney,”saysJunJusto, MHRclustergeneralmanager fortheGreaterNationalCapital Region(NCR).

Startingoffwithwhatone sees,thehotelgroupwillshowcasetheflowerintheirlobbies andfeatureitinartworksboth ongroundandonline.

SinceJuly2023,theteamsof MHRhavealsoalreadystarted wearingwithpridetheirSampaguitapinsreflectiveoftheirassociatesservicevaluestraining.

FROM B3-1

Sampaguita: An icon for hospitality

Justonotesthatthepinalso carriesthecolorsofthePhilippineflag.Plus,thetipofthefive petalspointstowardtheheart, remindingthewearertoalways beproudofhisorherheritage.

Enteringthelobby,guests canalreadygetawhiffofthesignaturecoolsampaguitascent,a specialconcoctionthatcombines thescentoffreshherbs,eucalyptusandpeppermintandinvigoratesandrelaxesanyoneinneed ofaquickpick-me-up.

Duringdowntimeorwhile waitingforserviceatthelobby andotherpublicareasofthe hotels,guestswillhearoriginalFilipinomusictoentertain them.Soothinginstrumental musiccanbeheardplayingin themorningduringbreakfast

andatendofthedaywhile guestsareenjoyingtheirdinner.

Enrichingexperience Asawayofhealing,asoothingmassagewillalwaysbea welcomeluxuryforanyone. MHRguestsnowhavetheoption tousetheirsignaturesampaguitamassageoilstohelpthem relaxafteralongday.Theymay alsoopttoendtheirsessionwith acupofSaMaRra,acombination ofsampaguita,mango,andtarragonteathatpromiseshealing fromtheinside.

Addingtoanenrichingexperience,chefsofMHRthroughthe FoodandBeverageCouncilled byclustergeneralmanagerSocrates“Sonny”Alvarohavestart-

edservingdishesinfusedwith theessenceofthenationalflower,fromsalads,soupsandmains todesserts.

Aftermonthsofservingsampaguitainspireddishes,Alvaro shares,“It’sadifferentexperienceforeachguest.”

Talkingabouttheirculinary vision,headdsthatthegroup providesguestsanopportunitytotryoutnewdishesinfused withtheessenceofthedelicate sampaguita.

Magichappenswhenjustthe rightamountoftheessenceis addedtocomplementthedish.

Withtheguestshehimself haveattendedto,heshares “you’dbesurprisedthatalot ofourguestsareintriguedand findnostalgiaineverybiteplus

theopportunitytoaddnew memories[basedon]howwe lookatSampaguita.”

TheSampaguitabrandof servicecanbefeltacrossthe groupthatincludesBelmont HotelManilaorSavoyHotel ManilawithinNewportCityin PasayacrossNinoyAquinoInternationalAirportTerminal3; KingsfordHotelManilalocated intheEntertainmentCityof Parañaque,HotelLuckyChinatowninBinondo,Eastwood RichmondeHotelinQuezon CityandRichmondeHotelOrtigasinPasig.

OutsideMetroManila,the MHRnetworkincludesTwin LakesHotelnearTagaytay, RichmondeHotelIloiloinIloiloBusinessParkofIloiloCity,

the

inSavoyHotelMactanNewtowninCebuorinthenewly openedBelmontHotelMactan Newtown.

Envisioningtherevival ofSampaguita

SeeinghowtheSampaguitahashelpedmakeMegaworld HotelsandResorts’servicestand out,thegrouphasextendedits relationshipwiththenational flowertoincludetouchingthe livesofpeoplewhorelyonthe flower.

Albisosaystheprojectthat tiesintothegroup’sfocuson sustainabilityhasledtoenthusiasticdiscussionsonhowto increasethepopularityanduse oftheSampaguita.

“Thisprojectis[now]amovement,”sheadds.

MHRhas,forinstance,partneredwiththelocalgovernment ofSanPedro,Laguna,theSampaguitacapitalofthePhilippines. Duringarecentimmersionprogram,MayorArtMercadoand KingLayolafromtheCityAgricultureOfficehighlightedthe impactofMHR’seffortsonthe industry. Duetotheproject’saimto diversifytheuseofSampaguita,opportunitieshaveopened upforfarmerstoplantmoreso thattheycanmeettheneedforits essenceforsoaps,scentsandfood gradeadditives.

Beyondthepremisesof MHRsownproperties,Megaworld,throughitsMEGreen Sustainabilityprogram,has alsocommittedtosetasideareaswithinitstownshipsforthe plantingofSampaguita.

SharleneZabala-Batin,tourismregionaldirectorofNCR, saidthiswasa“genius”moveas itisan“embodimentofPhilippinecultureandheritage”and celebratesSampaguitaasan essentialingredientinMHR’s service.

NATURE, CULTURE, CRAFTS: EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF LAGUNA

Cavinti Underground River and Cave Complex

Cavinti

Whattodo:Channelyour innerspelunkerinsidethe caves! Asthenewestecotourism destinationinthemunicipalityofCavinti,thiscomplexis oneofthemostwell-regarded cavesinthecountrybecause ofitsamazingrockformations.Therearedifferentcave sectionstoexplore,depending onthedifficultylevelonecan tolerate.

Pueblo El Salvador Nature’s Park and Picnic Grove

Cavinti Whattodo:Usethisasyour jump-offpointtoPagsanjan Falls.

PuebloElSalvadorNature’s ParkandPicnicGroveisthe gatewaytotheMagdapioor PagsanjanFalls.Choosebetweentrekkingtothefalls,or rappellingviaPuebloElSalvador.Eitheroptionisagreat (read:budget-friendly)alternativetoshootingtherapids,with hikingpricedatonlyP270and lastingfrom20to30minutesto thefalls,andanother45minutes toanhourgoingback.Ifyoudon’t wanttohikeback,youcaneasily hireaboatthatwilltakeyouon anotherscenictourforjustP350, andyouwillbedroppedoffatBumunganEcoPark.

Whattodo:Goonabamboo raftride;takeaswim;hikeand trekaroundthelake;haveapicniclunch.

Outdoorenthusiastswho wanttotaketheirfamilyand friendstoanature-friendly destinationwillenjoyadayat LakePandin,oneofthepopular SevenLakesofSanPablo.

Hulugan Falls Luisiana

Whattodo:Takeadipin thefalls’coolwaters. Asoneofthemostvisitedplacesintheprovince,the charmingandmajesticHuluganFallsattractsthousandsof touristseveryyear,sinceitis alsoclosetotwootherwaterfalls:TalayFallsandHidden Falls.

HuluganFallsisoneofthe tallestfallsinLagunaat235 feet.Itissaidthatthefalls weresonamedbecauseacarabaooncefellfromitduetothe strongwatercurrent.

Liliw Town Proper Liliw

Whattodo:Buysomecute footwearforyou,yourfamily andfriends!

Liliw’smainattractionisits iconicfootwearindustry.Take aquickwalkaroundthetown anddiscoverthemanystores sellingslippersandsandals,as wellasleathergoodsandhandbags.It’s

BelmontHotelBoracayorSa-

HotelBoracaylocatedat

NewcoastBoracayoreven

FOR LOVE OF THE PHILIPPINES’ NATIONAL FLOWER Megaworld team members plant sampaguita seedlings in the conglomerate’s central nursery in Tanza, Cavite —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Megaworld’s Arnie Batac plants a tree

Experience the healing elements of the national flower through MHR’s signature “hilot” using sampaguita oil.

Chef Ariel Castañeda creates dishes featuring the Sampaguita.

Megaworld associates and volunteers take part in the sampaguita planting project.

These caves are the newest ecotourism destination in the municipality of Cavinti

The majestic Hulugan Falls in Luisiana attracts thousands of tourists every year

Pueblo El Salvador Nature’s Park and Picnic Grove is the gateway to the Magdapio or Pagsanjan Falls.

Editor Jong R. Arcano

WritingEditor Ronald de los Reyes

PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

aren’t on MO

MOTORING

Donuts aren’t quite so tasty on public roads

By VJ Bacungan

Idoenjoyagooddonut.

Afteraheartymeal,I sometimeslikehavingachocolate-glazedonefordessert (nosprinkles,please,I’mfat enough).Ialsoenjoydonutsin apowerfulrear-wheel-drive car,applyingjustenoughoppositesteeringlocktokeepthe frontendjustwhereitshould be.

Adonutoftheautomotive kindiswhatappearedtobe happeninginaFacebookReel thatIwatchedafewdaysago. Thebright-redmusclecarwas bouncingofftherevlimiter, producingmassiveplumesof tiresmokeandleavingburnt rubberonapublicroad–commentssuggestthatitwasnota closedevent,sotherewouldbe

abevyoftrafficviolationshere. Anddon’tthinkthissortof phenomenonisuniquetothe Philippines.TikTokhasabevy ofvideosfromabroadshowingcarsdrivingrecklesslyon publicroads,rangingfromdonutstospeedingbetweencars onthehighwayto“takeovers” wheregroupsjusttakeaparkinglotorpieceofpublicroad anddoastheyplease.

Delectabledanger Thehazardsofthissortof automotiveanarchyarepainfullyclear.

OneofthestoriesthatIdid whenIfirststartedatMobilityPHwasaboutaviralvideoshowingagroupofyoung peoplespeedinginaToyota Innova.Despitethedriver’sat-

temptsatimitatingaFormula Onedriver,heandhispassengerscollidedintoagutterand careeneddownaravine,sendingsomeofthemtoapainful andpriceytriptotheemergencyroom.

Indeed,theWorldHealth Organizationnotedinits 2018GlobalStatusReporton RoadSafetythatroadcrashes werethenumber-onekillerof youngpeopleaged5to29.This doesn’tjustincludedrivers,but alsopassengers,cyclistsand pedestrianswhomayhappen tobeinthewayofsomeone’s auditionfortheFastandthe Furiousfranchise.

Buttheappealofsuchdrivingbehaviorislargelybecause oftwofactors.Oneislackluster enforcement(thisisthePhilip-

Italkedtowhodo

pines,remember)andtheother is,well,thethrill. Someofthe youngpeoplethat Italkedtowho thissortofthing (andshallremain anonymous)said thevideo-game-like feelingcanbeintoxicating–theythink coolplayingcat withlawenforcers believecan’treally plustheygetto ofattention,sometimes ofeternitywhenit’s

– it’s mouse they much, center ofattention,sometimesforall of whenit’sonvideo. thestreet

Tastieroff

Butstrangelyenough, meandmyfriends ingcommunityinvite

Butstrangelyenough,when meandmyfriendsintheracingcommunityinvitemanyof

HYUNDAI UNVEILS TWO NEW HYBRID MODELS

SKID MARKS

TheHyundaibrandisfinally backonitsfeetandpushingforsignificantmarket share.Thebrand’straditionalinternalcombustionenginedmodelsareimpressive coveringalmosteveryvehicle segment.TheFilipinobuyers arefindingconfidencetogive thebrand,onceknownasabargainalternative,asecondlook asthesexy,spicyandexciting option. Withastrongtraditionalinternalcombustionengineand batteryelectricvehiclelineup, Hyundaiisseekingtocapture themiddleground,aswell,a halfstepintoanelectrifiedfu-

tureformobility. Enter,thenewhybrid HyundaimodelsforthePhilippines.

IntroducingtheHybrid SantaFe7-seatcrossoverSUV andtheTucson5-seatcrossoverSUV.Bothmodelsarevery muchinhighdemand,inhighly competitivesegmentsofthelocalautomotiveindustry.

ThelatestTucsonhybrid variantalsoreceivesamildvisualupdatewithsmoothened headlights,revisedbumpers, andanew19-inchwheeldesign. Thedashisnowdominated byanewsinglepaneofcurved glassthathousestwo12.3-inch

displays,anewandsportier three-spokesteeringwheel withacolumn-mountedshifterandlastly,afloatingcenter consolethathousesthewirelesschargingpadforyourmobiledevices.

HyundaiSmartSenseADAS isstandard,whichincludes blind-spotmonitoring,automaticemergencybraking, lane-keepingassist,adaptive cruisecontrol,sideparkingdistancewarning,anda360°cameratoensureimpressivesafety andsecurity.

TheTucsonHybrid,priced atP2.29million,becomesthe topvariantinthelineup,join-

ingthetwotraditionalICE powertrains.Thedieselis pricedatP1.98million,andthe gasolinemodelisP1.68million. Itrepresentsasignificantjump, butiswellworthitconsideringitsadvantagesoflowerfuel cost,betterefficiencyandcodingexemptionbenefit.

ThenewSantaFeHybrid, ontheotherhand,isbasedon therange-toppingCalligraphy varianttrimlevel,meaningit’s fullyloadedwithfeatureslike Nappaleather,UV-Csterilization,dualwirelesscharging pads,dual12.3-inchscreens, andtheHyundaiSmartSense ADASsuite.

Settingitapartareunique 20-inchwheels,captain’s chairsfortheinterior,giving itamoreluxuriousandexclusiveambiancewithits6-seaterformat,plustheadditionof thehybriddrivetrain.It’svery wellpricedatP3.330million, onlymarginallyhigherthan thestandardCalligraphyvariant.

ThesamehybriddrivetrainpowersbothHyundais: a1.6-litergasolineengineand anelectricmotorforacombinedsystempoweroutput of231hpand350N-mforthe Tucson,and231hpand365NmfortheSantaFe.

Asix-speedautomaticsends powertothefrontwheels,and additionaltechsuchasthe e-DynamicDrivesystemimproveshandling,withfeatures likeevasivehandlingassist, torquevectoring,andregenerativebraking.

Bothhybridshavefiveyears (or200,000km)ofwarranty, andeightyears(or160,000km) forthehigh-voltagebattery.

BothHyundaisarefavorites inourteam.Theadditionofa hybriddrivetrainonlymakes themmoredesirable,addinga newlevelofmotoringexperiencemadespicierthankstoits Koreanorigin!

2024 BYD SEALION 6 DM-I FIRST DRIVE

BYD’slatestofferingwiththeinnovativeSuperDM-isystemisaferociouspredatorintheseaofhybridcrossovers

By VJ Bacungan

Sealionsarerenownedforbeingamongthecleverestofall marinecreatures.

Althoughtheymayresembleseals,thesebeady-eyed mammalshaveahostofdifferences,suchastheabilitytowalk (insteadofbouncearound)on land.Combinethiswiththeir greatintelligenceandyouwon’t havetowonderwhysealions arethestarsofmanyaquarium shows.

Itisfitting,then,thatBYD Philippineshaschosentocallits latestelectrifiedcrossoverthe Sealion6DM-i.Andthatwasn’t amisprint–thisnewaquatic friendfromoneoftheworld’s largestbattery-electricvehicle (EV)manufacturersis“electrified”becauseithasalittlehelp fromagasolinerangeextender.

Despitethis,theSealion 6DM-idoesn’treallyfitthe traditionaldefinitionofahybrid-electricvehicle(HEV).And basedonthetricksthatthisnew BYDcrossovershowedus,it’s abouttooutsmartitstraditionalHEVrivals,allforapricethat yousimplywon’tbelieve.

AnEVmodethatisn’tlip service

TheheartoftheSealion6is theinnovativeSuperDM-isystem.

Thisiscomposedofarechargeable18.3-kWhUltra-Safe BladeBatterywithanelectric motoranda1.5-liter4-cylinder gasolineengine.Combinedoutputisahealthy217horsepowerand325Newton-metersof

torque.

UnlikemanyHEVsinthe market,theSealion6DM-iruns onEVmodebydefault,instead ofhavingtopressaswitchmanually.AndunlikemanyHEVsin themarket,theEVmodeisn’t justforafive-minutestroll–BYDPhilippinesclaimsupto 105kilometersofEVrange.

Ontheroad,itfeelslike drivingatraditionalBYDEV, withalltheinstantpepthatyou wouldexpect.Evenatfullthrottle,thegasolineenginesimply refusestoparticipateinthemotivationofthiscrossoveruntil yougopastaround85km/h, whereitkicksinjusttocharge thebattery.

Putanotherway,thevast majorityofyourlow-speedcity drivingcanrealisticallybedone withoutburningasingledrop

offossilfuel.Andifyouwantto goonalong,long,longjourney, theSealion6DM-ihasaclaimed maximumextendedrangeof 1,200kilometers,whichcanbe furtherextendedbyaquick triptothepumpsand/oranEV chargingstation.

Fabulouslypremiumcabin

Andyouwouldcertainly enjoyeveryjourneyinthecapaciouscabinoftheSealion6 DM-i.

That’sbecauseit’sbeen loadedwiththesortofstandard equipmentthatwouldrequire youtosellnearlyallofyourinternalorganstohaveinaJapaneserival.

Theseincludeimitation two-toneleather,electrically operatedandair-conditioned seats,apanoramicmoonroof,

soundprooffrontdoorglass, 360-degreecamera,dualwirelesschargingpads,a15.6-inch touchscreeninfotainmentsystemwithwirelessAppleCarPlayandAndroidAutomatedtoa10-speakerInfinity surround-soundsystemandthe BYDVoiceAssistant. There’salsoaseaofsofttouchmaterialsandbeautifullycraftedcenterconsolethat holdsswitchesthatfeellike they’remadeofcrystal.Frankly, I’msurprisedthatthisvehicle doesn’tcomewithwingsanda flightattendant.

IthelpsthattheSealion6 DM-ihasverysupplesuspension,absorbingbumpswiththe adroitnessthatnearsevenEuropeanluxurycars.Justdon’t hurlthisbigcrossoverintothe cornersasyouwillencounter

quiteabitofbodyroll.

Unrivaledsafetyandconvenience

TheSealion6DM-ilikewise doesn’tskimponsafety.

Front,sideandcurtainairbagsarestandard,aswellas ISOFIXchild-restraintanchors andthelifepreservers,suchas theelectronicstabilitycontrol withAnti-RolloverControlSystem.Andtopreventyoufrom gettingintotroubleinthefirst place,theSealion6DM-icomes standardwiththeDiPilotADAS active-safetysuite.

Thisincludesthingslike theautomaticemergencybrakingsystem,lane-keepingassist, lanedepartureassistance,front collisionwarning,trafficcongestionassistance,trafficsign recognition,intelligentspeed

DONUTS AREN’T QUITE SO TASTY ON PUBLIC ROADS

limitinformationandintelligentspeedlimitcontrol.

Indeed,thisall-newBYD hasthesortofsafetyandconveniencefeaturesthatwould makeevensomepilotsenvious.

Everyoneelseisprey

WhatBYDhasaccomplishedwiththeSealion6DM-i istoshoweverybodywhat HEVsshouldhavebeeninthe firstplace.

TheDM-isystemmakes thiscrossoverfirstandforemostanEV,withtherangeextenderonlykickingintocharge thebattery.Andyoucando awaywiththeenginealtogetherifyouchoosetochargefrom aplug–allSealion6DM-icome withafree7-kWhhomecharger, andaType2ACportcompatible withACMobility’sextensiveEV chargingstationnetwork.

AllthisforaroundP1.6million–myjawdroppedlikea pianooffaskyscraperbecause Iwasexpectingthistogotoeto-toewithitsKoreanandJapaneserivals,noneofwhichgo belowP2.2million. Addtothistheonce-a-year preventivemaintenanceschedule,andtheabilitytopower appliancesusingyourSealion6 DM-i,andthevalue-for-money proposition,sendsatidalwave, no,atsunamithroughoutthe seaofhybridcrossoversonsale inthePhilippinestoday. DidImentionthatsealions arealsooneofthemostskilled andferociousmarinepredators?ForBYD’snewestoffering, thenamemakesmoresense thanever.

theseyoung peopletothe racetrack,theysaynobecause they’rescared. Theironyissimply mind-boggling–theyhaveno fearofkillinginnocentroad users,damagingpublicpropertyorburdeningournational economywiththeirhealthcare costsshouldthingsgoawry, buttheyarepositivelyterrified

ofdrivingfastinaplacewhere theyareallowedtodrivefastin completesafety. Andnowadays,there’s evenlessexcuseforhooning onpublicroadswiththerise ofvariousgrassrootsmotorsportsanddrivingevents, wheredoingdonutsandgoing fastareactuallyencouraged. Thebrilliantteambehind SuperSprintconductsregu-

larcompetitionsandclinics sothatdriversofallbackgroundscanunderstandand trulyenjoyperformancedriving.MyfriendsandIalsohave thesamegoalwiththeGeneralPetroleumPhilippines GymkhanaPilipinas,which hasattractedaconsiderable followingsincewestarted earlierthisyear. Andhugeopenspaceslike

theR33DriftTrackinSanSimon,Pampangaletyoulive outyourwildestdrivingfantasiesforaminimalfee,all withoutoncomingtraffic,pedestrians,lightposts,bridges andotherhazards. Donutsarealwaysmuch moreenjoyableattheright placeandtime,especially whenpotentiallykillingsomeoneisn’tafactor.

BOTCHI SANTOS

FROM B4-1

On the road the Sealion feels like driving with all the instant pep that is expected. Even at full throttle the gasoline engine simply refuses to participate in the motivation of this crossover until it passes around 85 km/h, wherein charging of the battery usually occurs

PHOTO BY TOPE CRISOSTOMO

SIXTH SENSE

Honda’sSensingtechnologyisnowintegratedintothe newCity,offeringmorepeace-of-minddriving

IhavetwoniecesandanephewlivinginSydneyinAustralia,andIsometimesworryaboutthemdrivingby themselves.They’refairlynew behindthewheel,andtheygo aroundtowninaHondaCity.I guessIwon’thavetoworrytoo muchifonlytheywouldupgradetheirCitytotheonethat nowincorporatestheJapanese carmaker’spatentedSensing technology.

Iwasabletofamiliarize myselfmorewiththeSensing technologylastJuly17whenI joinedHondaCarsPhilippines’ mediaride-and-driveofthe newCityHatchbackandSedan variants,startingfromHonda CarsManilaBay,totwoother dealerships,HondaCarsAngeles-ClarkinPampanga,and HondaCarsBaliuaginBulacan.Theride-and-driveisa follow-uptotheofficialpublic launchofthemodellastJune 14.TheCityhatchbackandsedannowjoinHonda’slineupof modelsequippedwiththeSensing’sarrayofsafetyfeatures.

IcalltheHondaSensing technologythebrand’s“sixth sense,”becauseitssystemscan figureout,orsee,wellinad-

vancewhatourordinarysensescan’t.TheHondaSensing includesthefollowingfeatures thatcanbeliterallylifesavers: 1)leadcardeparturenotificationsystem;2)adaptivecruise control(ACC);3)collisionmitigationbrakingsystem(CMBS); 4)lanekeepingassistsystem (LKAs);5)roaddeparturemitigation(RDM)withlanedeparturewarning(LDW),and;6) autohighbeam. IimagineHondaSensing astheextrasensesthatkeep yousafeandalerteverytime yougetbehindthewheelofa Hondacar,andnowmoreHondaownerscanhavetheseextrasenses.Perhapsitwasjust amatteroftimebeforeHonda equippeditsmorerelatively affordablemodelssuchasthe CitywiththeSensing,asthe

techwaspreviouslyexclusive tothemorehigh-endmodels.

Itwasquitefascinatingto experiencetheHondaSensing atworkwhileactuallydriving thenewCity.JustasinstructorGeorgesRamirezsuggested,wetriedthedifferentfeaturesoftheSensing,except fortheCMBS,ofcourse.Ifelt liketherewasabackseatdrivereverytimeoneofthealerts litup,orwhenthesteering wheelofferedtangibleresistancewhenIwentoffmylane withoutflickingtheturnsignal.Unlikeannoyinghuman backseatdrivers,though,these alertsandsystem“overrides” feltassuringandaddedtomy owndrivingconfidence.

Forinstance,ontherun alongtheNorthLuzonExpressway,Iwouldberemindedbythe

systemtostayinmylane(the LKAsfeature).Ofcourse,this onlyworkswhenthelanemarkingsareclear.Thedrivercanalso chooseamongthreesafedistancesettings:Short,middleand long.Thissafedistancesettingis partoftheACC’sfeatureswhich allowsthedrivertomaintaina safedistancewiththevehicle aheaddespitechangesinspeed, asthesystemtakesovertheaccelerationandbrakingduties.

Thedaytourtookour groupofCityHatchbacksand sedanstotwodistinctiveHondaCarsdealerships,asidefrom ourstartingpointatHonda CarsManilaBay.Thefirststop, HondaCarsAngeles-Clarkin Pampanga,featureda270-degreeviewofitsexpansive showroom,whilethenext stop,HondaCarsBaliuagin

Bulacan,offeredazen-likeJapanese-themedcaféloungebetweenthedealership’sshowroomanditsafter-salesoffices. TheadditionoftheNew CityHatchbackandsedan totheHondaSensinglineup meansthatmostmodelsthat HCPIcarriesarenowequipped withthecarmaker’ssignature safetytechnology,marking amajorsteptowardHonda’s globalgoalofacollision-free societyby2050.

Everyyear,morethan1.3 millionpeopledieinroad trafficcrashesworldwide.In thePhilippines,roadtraffic deathsareincreasing.Data fromthePhilippineStatistics Authorityshowthatroadtrafficdeathshaveincreasedby 39percent,from7,938fatalitiesin2011to11,096in2021. TheWorldHealthOrganizationsaidthatroadtrafficinjuriesaretheleadingcauseof deathamongFilipinos15-29 yearsold,andamajorkiller amongchildren. Ontopofitsvehicles’engineeringanddesign,HondaCars’ Sensingtechnologyisakeycom-

ponentofHCPI’s“SafetyforEveryone”campaign,whichemphasizesthecarmaker’scommitment tosafetyforall,notjustforits vehicles’driversandoccupants. ThisinclusivityiscrucialasHondaworldwideannouncedinApril 2021thatitwouldaimforamobilitysociety,freefromfatalities by2050,whentheseaccidents involvedthebrand’smotorcycles andautomobiles.

TheNewCityHatchbackis availableinSonicGrayPearl, IgniteRedMetallic,Platinum WhitePearl,MeteoroidGray MetallicandBrilliantSporty BlueMetallic.TheNewCity HatchbackretailsatP1,189,000.

So,ifyoufeellikeyouneed a“thirdeye”foryoursafety andthoseofyourlovedones wheneveryou’reoutdriving, thenewCityHatchbackand sedancanbethecartohavein mind.Testdriveforyourselfthe newCityatyournearestHondaCarsdealership,orlogonto https://www.hondaphil.com/ dealer-finder.Learnmoreabout HondaSensingandotherlatest technologiesathttps://www. hondaphil.com/technology.

AUDI PH OFFERS HUGE DISCOUNTS ON E-TRON MODELS

Discoverthefutureofdriving withAudiPhilippines’Electric DreamsPromo,featuringexclusivediscountsofoveramillionpesos.Availableonlyatthe PGACarsStudioinGreenhills fromJuly26to28,2024,this limited-timeofferisthebest chanceofturningadreamof owninganAudiintoreality.

DrivetheAudiQ8e-tron, wheretheeleganceofanSUV meetsunmatchedefficiency andluxury.TheAudiQ8e-tron 50featuresanelectricmotor withamaximumoutputof335

horsepowerandupto491km ofrange,alongwith664Nm oftorque,ensuringexhilaratingperformanceandefficient long-distancecapability.For thoseseekingevenmorepower,theAudiQ8e-tron55boasts arobust408horsepower,the same664Nmoftorque,and extendsitsrangeupto582km, blendingdynamicdrivingwith extendedpracticality.

Beyonddiscounts,thislimited-timeeventpromisesan enhancedownershipexperience.Everypurchaseincludes

complimentaryhomecharger installation,ensuringyour Audie-tronisalwaysreadyto hittheroadeffortlessly.Drive withpeaceofmindthankstoa comprehensive5-yearwarrantythatcoversyouthroughout everyjourney.Additionally,enjoyAudi’spremiumservicefor 5years,providingscheduled maintenanceandtop-tiercare duringthisperiod.

“Aschampionsofsustainablemobility,AudiPhilippinesisproudtointroduce theElectricDreamsPromo,

makingelectricvehicleownershipmoreaccessibleand rewardingthaneverbefore,” sharedGianPaoloBrambilla, ManagingDirectorofAudi Philippines. ExplorethefutureofautomotiveinnovationandGermanengineeringexcellence andtakethefirstelectrifying steptowardsasustainable drivingexperience. For more information, please contact Audi Philippines at 09178361379 and 09178431885.

By

Themuch-anticipatedPhilippine InternationalMotorShow(PIMS) returnsforits9theditionatthe WorldTradeCenterMetroManilainPasayCity.Slatedfrom October24to27withthetheme: “Dare.Drive.TheFutureRedefined,”theeventisexpectedto have15automotivebrandsshowcasingtheirnewestandupcomingmodelsinthe4-dayevent, highlightingtheirlatesttechand innovationsthatwillhelpredefinethefutureoftheindustry.

“Wearethrilledforthereturn ofthe9thPhilippineInternationalMotorShowthisOctober,”said ChamberofAutomotiveManufacturersofthePhilippines(CAMPI) PresidentAtty.RommelGutierrez.“Theindustryhasshifted immenselyinthelast2years.So, throughthismotorshow,wewill daretodriveinbringingthebest andmostexcitingPIMS,yet.”

The8theditionofPIMSwas heldin2022,withthebiennialmotorshowaimingtounify theindustry’spremierbrandsby chartingthepathforthecountry’smobilitysolutionneeds.“As wefacenewchallenges,CAMPI standsattheforefrontofthisshift inmobilitybyprovidingequitable

solutionstothetransportation needsofeveryFilipino,”Atty. Gutierrezexplains.

TheChamberofAutomotive ManufacturersofthePhilippines(CAMPI)isthecountry’s automotiveindustryassociation thatworksinpartnershipwith thePhilippinegovernmentand otherstakeholders,advocating thedevelopmentofaviableand self-sustaininglocalautomotive industryasadriverforeconomicgrowth.

Furthermore,PIMS2024 aimstohighlightthefutureof mobilitywithastrongemphasisonelectricvehicles(EVs),

autonomousdrivingaidtechnologies,andsustainableautomotivesolutions.Carbrandsare expectedtolaunchtheirupcomingmodels,giveexcitingpromos anddealswithveryaffordable financingplansandvisitorswill gettotestdrivewhatthemarket hastooffer.

Moreinformationanddetails aboutthe9thPhilippineInternationalMotorShowwillbeshared inthecomingweeksastheWorld TradeCenterMetroManilaonce againwillbetransformedintoa hubofinnovation,sustainability,andcutting-edgeautomotive technology.

SuzukiPhilippinesproudlyshowcasedits dynamiccommercialvehiclelineupatthe 2024PhilippineCommercialVehicleShow (PCVS)heldattheSMXConventionCenter Manilaovertheweekend.

OndisplayweretheinnovativeErtiga HybridGApresentedasataxi,thepeople carrierCarryPUVClass1,thepracticalCarryUtilityVan(UV),andthedependable APVGA.Eachofthesevehiclesexemplifies Suzuki’scommitmenttodeliveringefficiency,reliability,andfunctionality,makingthemidealchoicesforcommercialuse inthedynamicanddemandingPhilippine market.

TheErtigaHybridGATaxifeaturesa hybridpowertrainthatcombinesafuel-efficientgasolineenginewithanelectricmotor,offeringenhancedfueleconomyand reducedemissions.Thismakesitanideal choicefortaxioperatorsseekingtominimizeoperatingcostswhilecontributingto environmentalsustainability.

TheErtigaHybridalsoboastsmodern amenitiesandsafetyfeatures,ensuring acomfortableandsecureride.Whilethe ErtigaHybridGATaxishowcasesSuzuki’s innovativeapproachtosustainableandefficientcommercialtransportsolutions,itis importanttonotethatthisparticularmodeliscurrentlynotforsaleandwasusedfor displayonlyatthe2024PCVS.

TheSuzukiErtigaHybridGAhasbeen speciallymodifiedintoa5-seaterTaxi.This variantmaintainsthesamespecifications asthestandardGAmodelbutisuniquely configuredtoaccommodatefivepassengers,ensuringamplespaceandcomfortfor bothdriverandpassengerswithexpanded luggagespace.

Alvin Uy

TESSA R. SALAZAR

Media participants, together with HCPI executives and dealer principals, pose beside the allnew Honda City hatch and sedan at the Honda Baliuag dealership in Bulacan.

The Honda convoy of Sensing-equipped City hatches and sedans traverses the Skyway

PHOTOS BY TESSA R. SALAZAR

The Secret Service has thousands of employees and a significant budget. But it has now become the face of incompetence

JamesComers

Harris claims Democratic nomination

Vicepresidentsaysshehasenoughdelegatestobecometheparty’spresidentialcandidate

WASHINGTON—USVicePresidentKamalaHarrisappeared poisedtoclinchherparty’spresidentialnominationafterreceivingsupportfromenoughDemocraticdelegatesMonday,asshe launchedablisteringcampaign againstDonaldTrump.

TheformalnominationprocessforaUSpresidentialcandidateoccurswhendelegatesfrom acrosstheUnitedStatesgather toofficiallyanointanominee chosenbyvotersduringtheprimaries.

ButwhenPresidentJoeBiden droppedoutoftheraceonSunday,thefateofthosedelegates, whohadbeenslatedtovotefor him,cameintoquestion.

Withthesupportofaslew ofDemocraticheavyweights, includingBidenhimself,and massivevoterdonations,Harris quicklyclosedinastheDemocraticparty’sheirapparent,and delegatesbeganfallinginlineto pledgetheirsupport.

“Tonight,Iamproudtohave securedthebroadsupportneededtobecomeourparty’snom-

inee,”Harriswroteinastatement,afterUSmediareported shehadsailedpastthenumber ofdelegatesneeded—1,976out ofnearly4,000—inordertodecisivelysecuretheDemocratic presidentialnominationduring votinginthecomingweeks.

ThenewscameafterHarris, inherfirstspeechtocampaign workerssinceBiden’sannouncement,lashedoutatRepublican nomineeTrumponMondayat campaignheadquartersinWilmington,Delaware.

‘Perpetratorsofallkinds’ Tellingthecrowdofworkers shehadcometoaddressthem personallyafterthe“rollercoaster” ofthelastfewdays,shereminded themthatinherpastroleasCalifornia’schiefprosecutor,she“took onperpetratorsofallkinds.”

“Predatorswhoabused women.Fraudsterswhoripped offconsumers.Cheaterswho broketherulesfortheirown gain.SohearmewhenIsayI knowDonaldTrump’stype,”she saidtoapplause.

the“rightthingtodo”andhe praisedHarrisas“thebest.”

OnTuesdayHarristakesher fightagainstTrumptoMilwaukee,Wisconsin,whereshewill holdarallyhopingtobolsterher followinginthecriticalswing state.

BidendroppedoutandendorsedHarrisafterthreeweeks ofintensifyingpressure,triggeredbyadisastrousdebateperformanceagainstTrump.

Pelosiendorsement

Aimingtobecomethefirst womanpresidentinUShistory, the59-year-oldHarriswonthe backingofaseeminglyunassailablenumberofDemocrats.

haulwasthelargestone-day suminpresidentialhistory—and that,amongthe888,000grassrootsdonors,some60percent weremakingtheirfirst2024contribution.

Biden’sstunningwithdrawalhascompletelyupendedthe 2024race,transformingalong slogbetweentwounpopularelderlymenintooneofthemost compellingracesinmodernUS history.

“WearegoingtowininNovember,”asmilingHarristold theworkers.

Shealsopledgedtofocuson thepoliticallyexplosiveissueof abortion,afterTrumppraised theSupremeCourt’s2022decisiontooverturnthelong-held federalrighttotheprocedure.

NOT RESIGNING

Biden,81,meanwhilemade hisfirstpublicremarksinnearly aweekasherecoveredfroma boutofCOVID-19

Hecalledintothecampaign meetingtosaythatdropping out—aftermountingpartyand voterconcernsoverhishealth andmentalacuity—hadbeen

US SECRET SERVICE CHIEF ADMITS FAILURE IN PROTECTING TRUMP

WASHINGTON—USSecretServicedirectorKimberlyCheatle admittedtoCongressonMonday thatsheandheragencyfailed whenawould-beassassinwoundedRepublicanpresidentialcandidateDonaldTrump,butrebuffed bipartisancallstoresign.

“Wefailed,”CheatlesaidbeforetheHouseofRepresentativesOversightCommittee.“The assassinationattemptonformer PresidentDonaldTrumponJuly 13thisthemostsignificantoperationalfailureattheSecretServiceindecades.” RepublicanandDemocratic lawmakerscalledonhertoresign,callsthatsherebuffed,sayingatonepoint,“IthinkthatIam thebestpersontoleadtheSecret Serviceatthistime.”

InthefaceofRepublican claimsthattheSecretServicedeniedresourcestoprotectTrump, Cheatlesaidsecurityfortheformerpresidenthadgrownahead oftheshooting.

“Thelevelofsecurityprovidedfortheformerpresidentincreasedwellbeforethecampaign andhasbeensteadilyincreasing asthreatsevolve,”Cheatlesaid.

SheaddedthattheSecret

Serviceprovidedthesecurity soughtbytheTrumpcampaign fortherally.

Noanswer

Shedeclinedtoanswerspecificquestionsabouttheday’s securityplanfromopenlyfrustratedRepublicansandDemocrats,sayingthematterwasbeinginvestigatedinternally.

Monday’shearingmarked thefirstroundofcongressional oversightoftheattemptedassassination.

OnWednesday,FBIdirector ChristopherWraywillappear beforetheHouseJudiciaryCommittee.AndHouseSpeakerMike Johnsonisalsoduetounveila bipartisantaskforcetoserveas anexuspointforHouseinvestigations.

RepublicanHouseOversightCommitteeJamesComer calledforCheatletostepdown.

“Itismyfirmbelief,DirectorCheatle,thatyoushouldresign,”theKentuckyRepublican toldher.“TheSecretService hasthousandsofemployees andasignificantbudget.Butit hasnowbecomethefaceofincompetence.”

DemocraticRep.RoKhanna alsocalledforhertoresign.

“Ifyouhaveanassassinationattemptonapresident, formerpresidentoracandidate,youneedtoresign,”the CaliforniaDemocratsaid.“You cannotgoleadingtheSecret Serviceagency,whenthereis anassassinationattemptona presidentialcandidate.”

AnotherDemocrat,Rep. GerryConnolly,saidtheshootinghighlightedtheincreasingly polarizedstateofanationex-

periencingheightenedpoliticaltensions.Butheexpressed exasperationwhenCheatledeclinedtosayherjobwascomplicatedbytheeasyavailability ofguns,especiallyassaultrifles liketheoneusedintheTrump shooting.

Unknownmotive

“Andyouwonderwhywe mighthavealackofconfidenceinyourcontinuedabilitytodirectthisagency,”Connollysaid.

Theshootingatanoutdoor campaignrallyinButler,Pennsylvania,woundedTrumpin theear,killedonerallyattendeeandinjuredanother.

Thesuspectedshooter, 20-year-oldnursinghomeaide ThomasCrooks,waskilledby lawenforcement.Itisnotclear whathismotivewasforthe shooting.

TheHouseJudiciaryCommitteesaidlastweekthatit hasevidencetheSecretService wasnotproperlyresourcedfor Trump’srally,becauseofstaffingshortagescreatedbyarival campaigneventinPittsburgh withJillBiden. —REUTERS

Notablyamongthemwas powerfulformerUSHouse SpeakerNancyPelosi,whosaid sheendorsedHarris“withimmenseprideandlimitlessoptimism.”

DonorshavealsoralliedbehindHarris,pouringarecord$81 millionintohercampaigninthe 24hoursafterBidenstoodaside.

Thecampaignclaimedthe

HarrissteppingupforBiden hasalsohitRepublicanshard, withformerpresidentTrump, 78—nowtheoldestpresidentialnomineeinUShistory— havingtoretoolastrategythat hadbeenbuiltaroundattacking Bidenoverhisageandphysical frailty.

AndTrumphasseemingly foundithardtomoveonfrom Biden.

Helaunchedaseriesofinvective-filledsocialmediaposts afterBidenquit,mockingthe president’sageandsayingheand Harrisposeda“threattodemocracy.” —AFP

Bushehr,alongwithits12crewmembers,who areofIndianandSriLankannationality,”itadded.Iranian navalforcesfrequentlyannouncethedetentionofvessels transportingfuelintheGulf. —AFP

Blinken to reaffirm ties with Southeast Asian allies WASHINGTON—USSecretaryofStateAntonyBlinkenheads toSoutheastAsiathisweektodeepentieswithhiscountry’s strategicallies,anofficialsaidMonday,withtheUnitedStates seekingtobolsteritsregionalstanceagainstanincreasingly assertiveChina.Ona10-daytripthatwillseehimvisitVietnam,Laos,Japan,thePhilippines,SingaporeandMongolia, BlinkenwillcarryamessageofUScommitmenttoitsalliesin theregion,saidDanielKritenbrink,aseniorUSStateDepartmentofficial.“We’redeepeningourbilateralrelationships, we’reexpandingouralliedandpartnerrelationships,which havereachedunprecedentedheights,andwearecreatinga latticeworkofmutuallyreinforcingpartnershipstogether,”he said. —AFP

Assange reappears in smiling beachside photo

SYDNEY—ThewifeofWikiLeaksfounderJulianAssange hasofferedarareglimpseintohispostprisonlife,releasing acandidfamilyphotoshowinghimbaskinginfreedomona desertedbeach.Assange,53,returnedtohisnativeAustralia inJuneafteradealwasstrucktoendhis14-yearlegalstrugglewiththeUSDepartmentofJustice.Hehasshunnedthe spotlightsincehisreunionwithwifeStellaatCanberraAirport inAustralia’scapital.Simplycaptioned“Familyphoto!”,Stella releasedapictureonsocialmediaovernightshowingasmiling AssangeonabeachwithyoungsonsGabrielandMax. —AFP

CARACAS—Venezuela’sPresidentNicolasMaduro,seekingreelectionamidclaimsof oppositionsuppression,on Mondaylashedoutatinternationalmedia,includingAgence France-Presse(AFP),accusing themofbeing“hitmenoflies.”

“They’vetriedtomakeus invisibleathousandtimes,now theoperationisrunbyhitmen, thehitmenoflies,theEFEagencyinSpain,theAFPagency,the APagency,CNNandseveral televisionstationshere,”hesaid atarallyinSanCristobalinthe westernTachirastate.

JustdaysaheadoftheJuly 28presidentialvote,Madu-

roclaimedthemediacensor and“manipulate”information abouthiscampaign,towhich accesshasbeenlimited.

“Theyarealreadyshouting fraud,”hesaid.“Nobodyisgoingtostainthepoliticalprocess. Iftheyruntheredlight,they willregretitfor200yearsand itwillbethelastmistakethey makeitwillbetheirlastpoliticalerror,therewillbejustice againstthefascists!”

News‘trash’ Lastweek,thepresident alsorailedagainstnewsorganizationshecalled“trash.” Maduro,61,onSundayfaces

offagainstoppositioncandidate

EdmundoGonzalezUrrutia, whostandsintheplaceofwildlypopularMariaCorinaMachado—whohasbeendisqualified fromtherace.

Mostpolls,whichMaduro rejectsasfake,putGonzalezUrrutia,74,farahead. Lastweek,Venezuelan rightsgroupForoPenalreported102arreststhisyearofpeople linkedtotheoppositioncampaign.

TheVenezuelanForeign PressAssociationhascalledfor itsmembersnottobedragged into“politicaldebateorunfoundedaccusations.” —AFP

ASIA’S DAUGHTER A man walks past a poster of US Vice President Kamala Harris in her ancestral village of Thulasendrapuram in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu on July 23 —AFP

US Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle —AFP

Theme park takes novel bid to fix SoKor youth unemployment

SunemployedSouthKoreanis searchingforhisfuturecareer.

PartofaMexican-owned globalchain,KidZaniatypicallyoffersyoungchildrenthe chancetoplayatdozensofdifferentjobs,fromfirefighterto dentist,ingiantindoorcenters, includingoneinSeoulthatreceiveshundredsofthousands ofvisitorsayear.

ButKidZaniaSouthKorea hasbeenpioneeringanewuse foritsSeoulvenue:helpingunemployedyoungpeoplefind theirreal-lifecalling,atnostalgia-laced,wildlypopular, adults-onlyevents. Despitelaborshortages linkedtoitssuperlowbirthrate, youthunemploymentinSouth Koreaisstubbornlyhigh—the result,expertssay,ofamismatchbetweenthehighlyeducatedyouthandtherealitiesof thecountry’slabormarket. Parkhasadegreeinbusi-

nessadministrationbuthasnot beenable

mighthavecometothepark whenitfirstopenedin2010.

“Thekidswhowere7years oldwhentheyfirstcamehere arenow21,”Kangsaid.

Hiscolleagueswereskepticalabouttheideaandheinitiallyfacedinternalopposition, hesaid,butticketsforthefirst eventsoldoutimmediately.

Kangsaidthatmanyyoung

SouthKoreanadultsneedtotap intotheirinnatesenseoffun, andnottakeworkinglifetoo seriously.

“Ijustwantthemtorememberwhattheywantedto dowhentheywereyoung,”said Kang,addingthatitwasimportant“nottocrushchildren’s dreams.”

LeeSoo-min,20,hasmemo-

WAR IN MYANMAR HEARTLANDS SILENCES VOLCANO SHRINE

POPA, MYANMAR— shrine perchedonanextinctvolca

noinMyanmaroncethronged withthebustleofpilgrims prayingtoflower-eatingspirit PopaMaedaw,butcivilwarhas cutthecomplexofffromthe faithful. Now,theprayershavefallen silentattheTaungKalatshrine, theplainsarounditabattle zoneandthefaithfulmostly blockedfromaccessbyfighting andcheckpointsmannedbyall sidesintheconflict.

Myanmarhasbeeninturmoilsince2021,whenthemilitaryoustedAungSanSuuKyi’s government,endinga10-year experimentwithdemocracyand sparkingnationwideprotests.

Thejunta’scrackdownon dissentsparkedrenewedfightingwithethnicminorityarmed

groupsintheborderlandsand sentthousandstojoinnewer“People’sDefenseForces” formedtobattlethemilitary.

ofsesame,pulsesandbeans— studdedwiththegoldenspires ofBuddhistpagodas—isabattlezone.

“Therearenotmanyyoung peoplehereanymore,”saidone shopownerontheroadthat windsupthroughthickforest tothesummitofMountPopa, theextinctvolcano.

“Theyhavegonetojointhe PDF.”

Untouchedplains

riesofgoingtoKidZaniaand saidtheplaceseemedthesame whenshereturnedoveradecadelater.

“ButitseemsI’vechanged,” shesaid.

Standinginlineataradio studiototryherhandatbeing aDJ,Lee,auniversitystudent whosaidshewastryingtofigureoutwhattodowithherlife, toldAFP:“Now,Ibegintotake theseexperiencesseriously.”

Aspirationsvsreality

Withtheworld’slowest birthrate,SouthKorea’spopulationhaslongbeenshrinking.

Thecountry’sworking-age populationwillbeginfallingoff from2028,officialprojections show,andmanysectorsofthe economy,fromagricultureto restaurantsandcarehomes,alreadysufferfromwidespread laborshortages,withimmigrationtightlylimited.

Evenso,thecountryhas persistentlyhighyouthunemployment,currentlyat6.2 percent,morethandoublethe overallrateof2.9percent,offi-

cialfiguresshow.

Thenumberofyoungpeopleclassifiedas“resting”— neitheremployednoractively seekingwork—hit426,000last month,thesecond-highestrate sincerecordsbeganin2003. Thehighestwasduringthe pandemic.

Theproblem,expertssay, isthatyoungSouthKoreans wouldrathernotworkthan workinajobperceivedasunpopularorbeneaththem.

Forexample,nearlyhalfof youngSouthKoreansarereluctanttojoinsmallormedium-sizedenterprises(SMEs),officialfiguresshow—eventhough suchbusinessesmakeupsome 98percentoftheeconomy,with high-profilecorporationssuchas Samsungjust2percent. Thismismatchbetweenthe aspirationsofhighlyeducated youngpeopleandtherealities ofthelabormarket“gradually deepensunemploymentamong highlyeducatedyouth,”said HwangGwang-hoonoftheKoreaEmploymentInformation Service. —AFP

PDFfightersusehomemade minestoambushmilitaryconvoysandregularlyassassinate localofficialsaccusedofworkingwiththejunta.

Thejuntahasarmedand trainedcivilianmilitiasandits troopsareaccusedofrazing villagesandmassacringinhabitantssuspectedofsupporting thePDFs.

Theplainssurrounding MountPopaarehometothe Bamarethnicmajorityand werelargelyuntouchedbydecadesofpreviousconflictbetweenthemilitaryandminorityarmedgroupsintheremote junglesandhills.

Now region of fields

of pilgrims praying to a flower-eating spirit. —PHOTOS BY AFP

Thewarringsidesuse checkpointsalongroadsthey controltolevy“taxes”ontravelers.

Ontheroadtoneighboring Myingyandistrict,agroupof villagerstoldAFPtoturn back.

“Thesituationisbad ifyougothatway,”said one.

InMayPDFfighterskilled dozensofpeople,includingcivilians,inaraidonapromilitary villageinMyingyan,accordingto localmediareports. Dayslater,northofsecond cityMandalay,thewell-known abbotofamonasterywasshot deadbysecurityforcesata

Thejuntainitiallyblamed PDFfighters,but

tatroopstowithinaround50 kilometersofthetown. Atthebaseoftheshrine, therewerefewcustomersto buytheflowerofferings,toysor T-shirtssetoutinstalls.

eliteofficertrainingacademy. Inrecentdaysethnicmi

norityfightershavebattledjun

DELICIOUS

THE HUNGER IS REAL Above, Buddhist monks comprise the small number of visitors to Mount Popa. At left, monkeys have lost weight due to the missing tourists.

By Nastasha Verayo de Villa @tashvdv

Thereweretwothingsthat seemedparticularlyimportanttoattendeesof thisyear’sStateofthe NationAddress(Sona):culture andcomfort.

ForKusugTausugRep. SherneeTan-Tambut,who sparkledinaFrancisLibiran creation,her batawi pantsuit representedherconstituents. WearingthenativeformalattireofTausugwomentothe Sonawasherwayofsaying that“Suluhascomesofarand wearereadyfortheworld, wearereadyforinvestors,we arereadyfortouristsandthis isourwayofwelcomingthe wholePhilippinestoSulu.” Sheadded,“It’snotjust aboutfashion.Fordistrictrepresentativesandpartylistrepresentatives,whenwewear

somethinglikethis,it’sourway ofshowingtheculturesofour provinces.Likeme,myprovince isSulu.We’recalledTausug. Andthisismywayofshowing ourculture.WhereelseamIgoingtowearthis? Itodo na!”

Sen.LorenLegardaopened her baul andputherexpansive piñafabriccollection—andher trust—inPueyQuiñones’deft handsforherSonalook.Differentpiñafabricslayeredtogethercreatedabeautifulmishmashoftexturesthatbreathed freshairintotheoldtextiles.

“IproudlywearpiñabecauseitisanintangibleculturalheritageinUnesco,”said Legarda.“I’vebeencollecting piñafromthetimeofmymother.Itlookslike[Puey]layered mycollectiononeontopofthe other.Socreative!”

CreatedbyJoRubio, ManilaMayorHoneyLacuna’sensemblehadgold

By Nastasha Verayo

Villa

Jaja Chiongbian-Rama in Cary Santiago

Rep. Len Alonte in Michael Leyva —PHOTOS FROM @MICHAELLEYVA_ INSTAGRAM

Malacañang deputy Social Secretary Dina Tantoco in Michael Leyva

Bianca Manalo in Jo Rubio —@BIANCAMANALO INSTAGRAM

Dr. Aivee Teo in Michael Leyva —@DRAIVEE INSTAGRAM

Em Villar in Mark Bumgarner

Editor Rachelle V. Moral

Young music prodigies balance dreams with financial hurdles

By Marge C. Enriquez @InquirerLifestyle

FourtalentedyoungFilipino musicians,allonvacation frominternationalmusicschools,areusingtheir timeathometoinspireothers. Whiletheircareeraspirations rangefromjoiningworld-renownedorchestrastonurturing thenextgenerationofFilipino musicians,theyallshareadeep passionformusic.

ViolinistAdrianNicolas Ong,24,astudentatTheGlenn GouldSchoolinToronto,once captivatedstreetchildrenatthe MuseoPambatawithhisperformanceofWesternclassical music.Thechildren’smesmerizedfacesleftanimpressionon Ong,strengtheninghisbelief inmusic’sabilitytotranscend socialandculturalboundaries. UponcompletinghisArtist’s Diplomanextyear,Ongaspires tosecureapositionwithamajorinternationalorchestra.

SharingOng’sglobalambitionsisAidanEzraBaracol, 19,apianomajoratLondon’s RoyalAcademyofMusic(RAM). Baracoldreamsofacareerasa concertartist.

Evenbeforedepartingfor RAM,sopranoLizzieBettEstrada,21,wasturningheadswith herpowerfulvoice.Aftergraduating,shehopestojoinaninternationaloperacompany.

Whilehisfellowscholarsset theirsightsontheworldstage, flutistMarkKenedyRocas,29, isdrawntoadifferentpath. Rocas,astudentattheLongy SchoolofMusicofBardCollege inMassachusetts,planstosettleinthePhilippinesaftercompletinghisstudies.Heplansto becomeamusiceducatorwho willhelpclassicalmusicflourishhere.

Theseyoungartists,allrecipientsoftheCulturalCenter ofthePhilippines’(CCP)InternationalScholarshipprogram,

andpearldetails, inspiredbytheFilipinoChinesewho aretheoriginalmerchantsof Binondo.Whileshedoesn’tgive muchimportancetofashion duringSona,sheagreedthat “itshowcasesallourvery,very goodfashiondesignersherein thePhilippines.”

Promotingpiña

Sen.NancyBinay’sRandy Ortizgownsaidsomuchinits elegance:Italsopromotedthe piñafabric,whichisnowpartof UnescoWorldHeritageandthe ricebeadworksubtlyhighlight-

Despitechallenges,CCPscholarsfindinspirationandsuccessinint’lmusicschools

willperformonJuly27forafree performance,“YoungPeople’s Concert,”atRizalPark.Joining themonstagewillbethePhilippinePhilharmonicOrchestra.

Hurdlingchallenges Beyondtheglamourof studyingatprestigiousschools abroad,thepressconference alsoshedlightonthechallenges thesescholarsface.Theintense competition,demandingfacultyexpectationsandadvanced musictheorypushthemtonew heights,butnoneismorepressingthanthefinancialstrain.

“Thecostoflivingishigh,” admittedBaracol.“It’sastruggleeventobudgetfood.Managingresourcesproperlyhas beenaconstantchallengein London.”

Fortunately,notallscholarsfacethesamefinancialhurdles.Estradastandsoutasthe luckiest.Beforeleavingforthe UnitedKingdom,shereceived supportfromthelateoperapatronessZenaidaTantocoand theAyalaFoundation.Currently,sheenjoysadditionalaid

fromRustan’s,CCPvicechairpersonMargieMoranandLyca Balita,ownerofanaccounting reviewcenter.

Ongalsobenefitsfromthe supplementarysupportfrom theFriendsforCulturalConcernsofthePhilippines.

Rocaspaintsadifferentpicture.Tokeepupwiththehigh costoflivingintheUS,hisparents,abackyardpiggeryowner andahealthsupplementseller, hadtosellaproperty.Duringhis vacation,Rocashasbeenholding fundraisingconcertstobridge thefinancialgap.Embracinghis futureteachingaspirations,he alsovolunteeredasanassistant instructorforthePhilippine YouthSymphonicBandcamp.

Despitethedifficulties, theseinternationalscholarshipshavebeentransformative. ForRocas,LongySchoolofMusicopenedhiseyestodiverse flute-playingstyles.Hecredits hisKoreanAmericanteacher, Soo-yunKim,forshapinghim intoabetterartist.

“Shetaughtmehowtoconnectwiththemusicandthe

AT THE SONA, WEAR YOUR

edournation’scurrentproblem withrice.

ForBinay,fashionplaysa bigroleinSona.“Fashionis anindustry.Therearefarmerswhoplantthepiña.They harvestit,thenanothergroup doestheweavingandanother doestheembroidery.Soit’san industry,it’sasustainabletype ofindustryanditreachesthe grassroots.” (See sidebar.)

KalingaRep.AllenJesseMangaoang’sentirefamilyworecreationsbythehand weaversofLubuagan.“[Fashion’sroleintheSona]isvery importantbecauseeveryone

wouldliketopromotetheir ownlocallymadeproducts,”he toldLifestyle.

PBApartylistRep.MargaritaNogralesandDavaoOriental Rep.CheenoMiguelAlmario fromMindanaobothrocked LouverdelCastillodesigns, puttinga“tribal”twisttotheir modernoutfits.

ForAlmario,theirmatchingensembleformedaconnectiontotheirheritage.“Itreally showcasesusfromMindanao, fromtheDavaoregion,”said Nograles.

EmphasizingthatSonais notafashionshow,Nograles

composer,”Rocassaid.“Having agoodteachermakesaworldof difference.Everythingbecomes clearer,andprogresshappens muchfaster.”

InToronto,Ongrealizedthe importanceofartistrybeyond technicalskill.Hismentorinstilledinhimthevalueofabalancedlife,acontrasttohisdays atthePhilippineHighSchool fortheArtswherehepracticed violinrelentlessly.Now,heincorporatestheateranddance appreciation,fosteringadeeper understandingofperformance.

“Musiciansarelikeactorsonstage,”Ongexplained. “Knowingthenotesisjustone part.Weneedtoconnectwith theemotionsbehindthem,to delveintothecharacterofthe pieceandnotjustdelivera cleanperformance.”

Thisapproachpaidoff whenOng’sschoolorchestra performedattheIsaacStern Auditorium,themainstage ofCarnegieHallinNewYork. Theexperienceofcaptivatinga sold-outaudienceof2,480was unforgettable.

CULTURE—AND

neverthelesssaidthatit’sa waytoexpressoneself.“Itexpressesourstyleandourheritage.It’ssomethingtoshowcasewhatyouareproudof, sincewehailfromMindanao. Wecanshowwherewecame frominawaythatpeoplewill see,thatit’spossibletodo that.Wecanchangethingsup abittoshowourpersonalityas well.”

Comfortable

ThebestthingaboutQuezonCityCouncilorAikoMelendez’sblack-and-whiteMarlon Tuazonwasthatitwascom-

LifeinLondon

FortheFilipinoscholars attheRoyalAcademyofMusic,theopportunitiesforperformanceprovidedavaluable learningground.Baracolenduredintenserehearsalsfor excerptsofaLeošJanáčekpiece duringtheschool’ssummer festival.Hecherishedtheexperienceofbeingchosenforasolo afterplayingwiththegroup.

“Itwasmyfirsttimeperformingabroad,”Baracolsaid. “Theexposuretaughtmeso muchmorethanjustbeing agoodsoloist.Asachamber musician,communicationand teamworkarecrucialforasuccessfulperformance.It’sanexperiencethatshapesyouasa person.”

Baracol’steacherrecognizedhismusicalsensitivity andmotivatedhimtohonehis techniquetomeetworld-class standards.Thisconstantpursuitofartisticgrowthandtechnicalrefinementpaintsapictureofthededicationrequired tosucceedintheinternational musicscene.

COMFORT

fortable,shesaid.

“Ijustwantedtokeepit simpleandclassy,”shesaid. “Ithinkthisistheonlyday whereFilipinoternosarebeingdisplayed.Itcanshowcase thegreatnessofourFilipino designers.

“Andit’scomfortable,”she added.“SowhenIsitdown,I won’thaveahardtime.”

Thesamecouldbesaidof Sen.GracePoe’simmaculate whiteterno.Shelaughingly saidherfavoritethingabout hergownwasthatitwascomfortableandsimple.

“Morethananything,we

ClassicalsingerEstradaexemplifiesthetransformative poweroftheseopportunities. ThroughTantoco’ssupport,Estradagainedvaluableexposure toManila’ssocialcircles.Now, inLondon,sherecentlywonthe grandprizeattheKathleenFerrierBursaryforYoungSingers, anationaljuniorcompetition.

Estradaattributedher successtoovercomingthe Filipinoculturaltraitof hiya (shyness).Shesaidsheworked hardtoconnectwiththeaudienceandconveythemessage ofthemusic.

Londonlife,however,comes withitssacrifices.Pubsarea socializingmediuminBritish culture,butEstradamaintains astrictregimentoprotecther voice.“Idon’tunderstandhow othersingersspendnightsat pubs,”shewondered.“Their voicesarenoticeablyhuskythe nextday,andtheykeepclearing theirthroats.”

Thededicationofthese youngartistsextendsbeyond personalsuccess.Uponcompletingtheirscholarships,they plantosharetheirknowledge toenrichthePhilippineclassicalmusicscene.

Rocasembodiedthisspirit:“Hindi tayo nabubuhay para sa sarili natin kung hindi para sa bayan, sa Taas. Maraming salamat sa CCP sa tulong, at paniniwala sa mga pangarap ng bawa’t isa—para mismo namnamin ng kultura at musika ng Pilipinas (Wedon’tlivefor ourselves,butforthecountry, andtheOneonHigh.Many thankstoCCPforthesupport, andthefaithineveryone’saspirations—tosavortheculture andmusicofthePhilippines).”

—CONTRIBUTED INQ

“Young People’s Concert” will be held on July 27, 5 p.m. at the Rizal Park Open-Air Auditorium. Open to the public.

werealsohighlightingthetalentsofourlocalcoutureindustryaswellasthematerialsfrom thePhilippines,”Poesaid.“We don’tneedtobetooextravagant.Itshouldbejustright.”

CreatedbyPaulCabral,the beadworkonPoe’sgownresembledleaves.

“EverytimewehaveaSona, we’returninganewleaf,”Poe said.“We’remorehopeful, andhopefully,we’llbemore inspiredthenwe’llbeableto moveforward.”INQ

Aidan Baracol and Lizzie Bett Estrada of Royal Academy of Music

—CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Flutist Marc Kenedy Rocas

Violinist Adrian Nicolas Ong

More photos in InquirerPlus

FROM C1

COMIC RELIEF

CRAZY JHENNY | By Albert G.Rodriguez

LOVE KNOTS | Elizabeth Chionglo

KIKO MACHINE | By Manix Abrera

TULDOK | By Pia Maria Coll

Grief and gourmands: ‘The Bear’ cooks up Emmys comedy record

LOS ANGELES, UNITED

—Setinthechaot-

STATES

icworldofatoprestaurant

kitchen,whereeachchef hashisownuniqueskillset andemotionalbaggage,“The Bear”onWednesdaybrokethe Emmysrecordwiththemost nominationsforacomedyina singleyear.

Whatmakestheshow’slatesthaulof23nodsevenmore remarkableisthat,formany critics,“TheBear”isbarely acomedyatall,dealingwith hard-hittingissuesfromdeath andmourningtobetrayaland emotionalabuse.

“Youfindlaughteringrief,” saidEbonMoss-Bachrach,the actorwhowonanEmmyat thelastgalaplayingrestaurant managerRichie,andisnominatedagainthistimearound.

“Oneofthestrengthsof theshow—andoneofthereasonsthatit’sconnectedwithso manypeople—isIthinkgrief istheriverthatrunsthrough allofus,”hetoldapressconferencebeforeWednesday’s announcement.

Theshow’slatest,historicnominationscountwasfor Season2of“TheBear,”which airedlastsummer.

Nominally,itchartedthe racetoopenadaring,experimentalnewfine-diningrestaurant,fromtheashesofadisheveledfamily-runsandwich joint.

Butcharactersdealtwitha lovedone’ssuicide,attended addictioncounseling,caredfor terminallyillrelatives,experiencedpanicattacksandgenerallytoreeachotherapart.

“Theshowdoeshaveits moments,butitalsohasvery lightmoments,verybeautiful moments,too,”insistedAyo Edebiri,whohasalsowonan Emmy,andisnominatedagain, asSydney.

Thequestionofwhether“TheBear”isacomedyhas beenendlesslydebatedinentertainmentindustrycircles.

ThedesignationisimportantbecausetheEmmys—the small-screenversionofthe Oscars—splits contenders intodrama,comedyandlimitedseries.

Somehaveclaimedentering“TheBear”asacomedywas astrategicmovebyproducers, allowingittobypassbighitters indramalikerecentEmmys juggernaut“Succession,”and thereforeamassmoreawards.

‘Chucklefests’

Butthecomedycategory moregenerally,“hastakena moreseriousturn,”notedVariety’sClaytonDavis. Gonearethedaysof“clearcut,humor-filledchucklefests” like“Frasier”and“Seinfeld.”

Showslike“Fleabag”and “Barry”havestraddledtheline withdrama,andtakenviewers todarkplaces,withenormous success,hewroterecently.

Still,accordingtoTheDaily Beast,“TheBear”isatruecomedy,asit“consistentlyfinds humorinhorribleevents.”

WriterSarahJohnpointed toscenesinwhichacharacter deadpansthatshedoesn’tknow herlatemomverywellbecause “ofthewholedeadthing,”and anotherinwhichacharacteris accidentallystabbedinafastpaced“comedyoferrors.”

“Morecomediesshould embracethefactthathumor canstillbefoundintimesof realstrife,”shewrote.

‘Awardsseason’

Regardless,thedebatehas nothurt“TheBear”inawards terms.

Itsthirdseason,shotearly thisyear,launchedintheUnitedStateslastmonth.

Reportsthatafourthseasonhadbeenfilmedback-tobackwiththethirdwere“not exactly”confirmedbythecast, whoadmitted:“Wedidsomethinglikethat.”

“We’djustkindofcome offthesuccessofawardsseasonandstuff,andsoyeah,I wasveryanxious,”theshow’s star,JeremyAllenWhite,said ofreturningtothesetinFebruary.

Whitetookhomethelead actorprizeatthelastEmmys, andisthefirmfavoritetorepeatinSeptember.

“Thepressureisveryreal. Butthenafterweeksofgetting backaroundtheseguysand ourbeautifulcrewitfeels funagainanditallfeelspossibleagain.” —AFP

OriginalPilipinoMusic(OPM) singerNoelCabangonisthe featuredperformerinaonenight-onlyconcertonJuly31 at9p.m.atCityofDreamsManila’sCenterPlay.Themulti awarded,folksinger-songwriterfromLaUnionisknownfor hissoothingvoiceandmastery ofguitarchords.HissongsreflectFilipinosociety,culture andheritage. Cabangoniswell-knownfor timelessrecordssuchas“Kanlungan,”amongothers.HisrenditionoftheReyValerasong “KahitMaputiNaangBuhok Ko”wonhimAwitAwards’Best PerformancebyaMaleRecordingArtist.Hisotherawards includeBestSongWrittenfor Movie/TV/StagePlayfor“Ang BuhayngaNaman”andBest WorldRecordingfor“Binibini.”

“NoelCabangonLiveat CenterPlay”followsthesuccessfulsold-outconcertshows stagedmonthlyatthecircular stageatCityofDreamsManila’smaingamingfloor.OPM iconspreviouslyfeaturedat CenterPlay’sConcertSeriesinclude:Neocolours,JinkyVidal, YengConstatntino,Raymond Lauchengco,JannoGibbs,Rey Valera,IceSeguerra,Nina,and TheCompanY.Theupcoming concertalsoshowcasesthe HighschoolPlaylistbandand otherDJswhowillperform alternatelyfrom8p.m.to1:30 a.m. Formoreinformationon upcomingperformancesat CenterPlay,call8800-8080, e-mailguestservices@cod-manila.com,orvisitwww.cityofdreamsmanila.com.

Noel Cabangon —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO D

NICHOLAS LEWIS

Editor Rito P. Asilo

ENTERTAINMENT

Jennylyn on Dennis’ hacking incident, preserving embryo for next baby

By Marinel Cruz @marinelcruzINQ

ActressJennylynMercadohasadmittedthatshe

felt“bothered”whenshe firstreadthenow-controversialpostsonherhusband DennisTrillo’ssocialmedia account,whichhappenedsome twoweeksago,butimmediatelydismissedthemafterlearningthatitwasdonebyahacker. “Iwasatapictorialthen.I said,‘Whathappenedhere?It’s impossibleforDennistopost this.’I’veknownhimforalong time,andwe’vebeentogetherforyears.Idon’tthinkhe wouldeverpostsuchthings,” Jennylynrecentlytoldreportersduringherlaunchasanambassadoroftheskincarebrand Beautederm.

“WhenIfinallyspoketo him,hesimplylaugheditoff.He said,‘Ganoon talaga WhatcanI do?’Myonlyadvicetohimthen was, Hirapan mo nga ang password mo!”Jennlynrecalled. both by

Jennylyn

inGMA7’sstationID.“Idon’t knowanythingabouttheprocess—itwasourmanagement thathandledit—butDennis wasabletorestorehisaccount,”Jennylyndeclared.

Askedhowthecoupleis adjustingtoraisingtheirchild, Dylan,whoisnow2,Jennylyn said:“We’reenjoyingevery minutewithher.Dennisisvery hands-on.It’scommonforDads tobecomeveryfocusedonbeingabletoprovidefortheir family,butDennisdoesboth equally.SinceDylanwasborn, weadaptedtoashiftingschedule.ItakecareofDylanduring thedayandheletsmesleepat night.Hewatchesoverher,and evenchangesherdiapers.”

ThiswaswhyJennylynsaid shehasmanagedtohandle stresseffectively.“Igotusedto it.IfyouknowwhatI’vebeen throughinmylife,youwillunderstandwhyIsaidthat.Italso helpsthatDennisisagoodlife partner.Wehaveaneffective tandem.WhenheseesthatI’m

AguilaEntertainment,the managementagencyhandling Dennis’andJennylyn’s careers,saidtheactor’sTikTok accountwashackedafterdrawingcriticismsforsome comments posted againstABS-CBN. Itwassupposedly Dennis’reaction toaquestion aTikTok userastowhy was notincluded feelingtoostressed,hewould tellmetorelaxorsleep.He asksmewhatIwantthathe couldgiveme.IfIseethathe’s stressed,Itakeover,”shesaid. Whenevertheyhave misunderstandings, it’snormalforthem tostayindifferent roomstobeableto letoffsteam,said Jennylyn.“Iwill lockmyselfinside oneroomwhilehe spendsthenightin

Mercado —KATE ADAJAR

LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES—Universal’sweather thriller“Twisters”spunupa hugemaidenweekend,earning anestimated$80.5millionto toptheNorthAmericanboxoffice,industrywatcherExhibitor RelationssaidonSunday. Thestand-alonefollowupto 1996’spopular“Twister”—undertheseeminglyunlikelydirectionofthemanwhohelmed sweetKorean-Americanfamilydrama“Minari,”LeeIsaac Chung—hadbeenprojectedto makecloserto$50million. Butstrongreviewsanda castledbyGlenPowelland DaisyEdgar-Joneshelpedpropelthefilm—aboutstorm chaserscaughtinthemiddleof fast-convergingtornadoes—to whatTheHollywoodReportersaidwasthetopdomestic openingeverforanaturaldisasterfilm.

Biggerandbetter “Thespectacle,thespecialeffectsandthesetpieces arebiggerandbetter[thanthe originalfilm],”saidanalystDavidA.Gross.“It’sperfectsummerentertainment.” “Twisters”oustedthe previoustopearner,another

another.Wealreadyknowhow tohandlefights.It’salsogood thatwe’vebeentogetherfora longtime.Ofcourse,it’simpossibleforonetonotfeelaffected. We’realsothankfulforpeople arounduswhoarealwaysready tohelp,tocalmusdown,especiallyTitaBecky(Aguila).”

Noplans Jennylynpointedoutthat theyhavenoplansforanother babyanytimesoon.“Iwanther tobeabletoexperiencechildhoodwithmecloseby.Thisis somethingthatIwasnotable

toexperiencewithJazz(her childwithactorPatrickGarcia) becauseIneededtoreturnto workimmediatelysinceIwasa singlemom.Now,Iplantotake time,relaxandenjoybeingwith Dylanwhilesheisstillyoung. AlsoattheBeautedermmediagathering,Jennylynclarified thatsheandDennishadnoplans tomigratetotheUnitedStatesin 2021.Shesaidtheyhadbeentryingtohaveanotherchildsince 2018butwereunabletoconceive duetofertilityissues.“Wetried somanytimeshereinthePhilippines,butnothinghappened.We

decidedtogoabroadtotryIVF (invitrofertilization),because it’smoreacceptedtherecomparedtohereinthePhilippines,” shebegan.“Theyharvestedan egg,developedanembryo,froze it,andstoredit.It’sstillthere uptonow. Naunahan na siya ni Dylan.Ifwedecidetohaveanotherbaby,it’sjustthere.It’sactuallyaboy.”

Thecoupleisbusyworking ontheirfilmproductionoutfit calledBrightburnProductions.

Jennylynsaidthegoalistoapplywhatthey’velearnedworkingasactorsforover20years

We’re enjoying every minute with [our daughter]. I take care of Dylan during the day and Dennis lets me sleep at night

JennylynMercado Actress

andcomeupwithprojectsthat theycanbereallyproudof.

“Wealreadyknowhowalotof thingsworkintheindustrybecausewe’vebeenpartofitfor solong,sowesaid,‘Whydon’t weproduceourown?’Thatis oneofthepassionsIsharewith Dennis,”sheexplained.

Fullsupport

“Wewanttomakesure we’reworkingwithgood scriptwritersandproduction people,thataparticularproject’sreleaseiswell-executed andthroughaplatformthatwe knowwecanrelyon.Whilewe can’ttalkaboutitsfirstproject yet,it’ssafetosaythatGMA 7,ourhomenetwork,isinfull support[ofit].We’rereallyexcitedaboutthis,”saidJennylyn. SpeakingofGMA7,Jennylynalsopointedoutthat AguilaEntertainmentisstill negotiatingspecificdetailsin hernetworkcontractandso sheis,therefore,afreelancer. Theactressalsodeniedrumors thatshereceivedanofferto transfertorivalcompany,ABSCBN,orthathermanagement companyofferedherservices tothempriortorenegotiating withGMA7.“WhatIknowis thatthenegotiationhasalways beenwithGMA7fromthestart. I’mloyaltomyhomenetwork. Therearejustcertainthingsin thecontractthatarestillbeing discussed,”shepointedout.INQ

Daisy Ed-

ers” —UNIVERSAL

Jennylyn Mercado —JENNYLYN MERCADO/ INSTAGRAM

From left:

gar-Jones, Anthony Ramos and Glen Powell in “Twist

PICTURES

Scene from “Despicable Me 4” —UNIVERSAL PICTURES

Scene from “Inside Out 2” —DISNEY/ PIXAR

‘SHOGUN,’ ‘THE BEAR’ PILE UP NOMINATIONS FOR TV EMMYS

OS ANGELES—Historicaldrama

L“Shogun,”thesweepingstoryof astruggleforpowerinfeudal Japan,rackedup25nominations onWednesdaytoleadthisyear’s contendersfortelevision’sEmmy Awards.

ThefirstseasonoftheFXnetwork serieswillcompeteforbestdrama, thetopEmmytrophy,withthefinal installmentofNetflix’sBritishroyalsaga“TheCrown,”“TheMorning Show”fromAppleTV+,amongothers.

AnotherFXshow,nail-biting restauranttale“TheBear,”earned23 nominations,arecordforacomedy. Itssecondseason,whichexplores thequesttoturnaChicagosandwich shopintoaworld-classdiningdestination,willcompeteagainforbest comedy,acategoryitwonatthelast Emmys.

OthercomedynomineesincludedABC’s“AbbottElementary,”setin anunderfundedPhiladelphiaschool, andHBO’s“Hacks,”aboutaseptuagenariancomedienneandamillennialwriter.

“BabyReindeer,”theNetflixseriesaboutabartenderstalkedbya customer,wasnominatedforbest limitedseries,oneofits11nods.CreatorandstarRichardGaddhassaid thetalereflectsatruestory,though adefamationlawsuitarguesitsportrayalofthestalkerisexaggerated.

Competitorsforlimitedseries includeNetflix’spsychologicalthriller“Ripley,”FX’s“Fargo”andHBO’s “TrueDetective:NightCountry.” Netflixtoppedallnetworkswith 107nominations,including18for “TheCrown.”FXfollowedwith93 nods,justaheadofthe91forWarner BrosDiscovery’sHBOandstreaming serviceMax.

WinnersoftheEmmys,thehighesthonorsintelevision,willbeannouncedatared-carpetceremony broadcastliveonWaltDisney’sABC onSept.15.Thehonoreeswillbecho-

senbythenearly22,000performers, directors,producersandothermembersoftheTelevisionAcademy.

Diversityamongnominees

ThelastEmmyswereheldjust sixmonthsago,inJanuary,when strikesbyHollywoodwritersandac-

torspromptedadelayinlastyear’s ceremony. Fortheupcomingawards,36performersvyingfortrophiesarefirsttimenominees. Theyincludefive“Shogun”actors,includingJapanesestarsHiroyukiSanadaandAnnaSawaiinthelead

dramaactorandactresscategories.

Theseries,aremakeofa1980miniseries,issetintheyear1600withdialogueinEnglishandJapanese.

“Wesawincreasesinrepresentationacrosstheboardthisyear,”said AngeliqueJackson,seniorentertainmentwriterforVariety.

DID YOU KNOW?

“We

CarrieCoon,starofbest

nominee“TheGildedAge,”praised thecrewmemberswhobroughtthe perioddramatolife.

“Theindustry’sreallybeenstrugglingsincethestrike,”saidCoon,a bestdramaactressnominee.“Itwas hardoneverybody,Iwouldsay,especiallyourutilityplayersbehindthe scenes.Thehourstheyworkareunbelievable.”

Otheractingnomineesinclude

“TheBear”starJeremyAllenWhite, JeanSmartfor“Hacks”andJennifer AnistonandReeseWitherspoonfor “TheMorningShow.” “CurbYourEnthusiasm”starLarryDavid,whoplaysacurmudgeon whodeliversbluntcritiquesofbothersomebehavior,wasnominatedfor leadcomedyactorandtheseriesfor bestcomedy.

“Itwarmsmy

KARDASHIANS IN INDIA FOR BILLIONAIRE WEDDING GALA

Fellowcelebrityguestsincluding actorJohnCenaposedforcameras ontheredcarpetupontheirarrivalat thevenue,ahugeconventioncenter ownedbytheAmbanifamily’sconglomerate.

FormerBritishPrimeMinisters BorisJohnsonandTonyBlairwere alsospottedbyreportersarrivingat Mumbaiairportaheadoftheparty beginninglateronFriday. InJune,thecoupleembarkedon afour-dayMediterraneancruise, wheresingerKatyPerryperformed atamasqueradeballata

Imelda Staunton (left) and Jonathan Pryce in “The Crown” —NETFLIX

Jennifer Aniston (left) and Reese Witherspoon in “The Morning Show —APPLE TV+

Kim Kardashian —REUTERS

Jeremy Allen White in “The Bear” —FX

Hiroyuki Sanada

“Shogun” —FX

‘Triple Threats’: Leading ladies light up CCP stage with solo concerts

By Dexter R. Matilla @InquirerLifestyle

Atamediapreviewthathadmaybe around30inattendance,thethree artistsheadliningthisyear’s“TripleThreats”concertsurelygave memorableperformancesthatprove whytheyareamongtheleadingwomeninPhilippinemusicaltheater.

CarlaGuevara-Laforteza,ShielaValderrama-MartinezandTanya Manalang-Ataderofitthebillperfectly,astheyallexcelinsinging,acting, anddancingandtheyareeachsetto showcasetheirtalentsinsolooutings forthisyear’sannualconcertseries producedbytheCulturalCenterofthe Philippines(CCP).

Inheropeningremarks,CCPpresidentKayeC.Tiñgahighlightedtheinstitution’scommitmenttoprovidinga nurturingspaceandarobustplatform forartiststoflourish.

Makingtheconcertsuniqueand excitingisthattheartistsaregiven freereignonthesongsthattheywill perform,showcasingsidesoftheir repertoirethattheirfansmaynothave yetseenbefore.

Guevara-Laforteza,whoiscelebratingher30thyearintheindustry, isamultiawardedleadingladyand characteractressandhasgracedthe internationalmusicaltheaterscene withrolesincludingKimandGigiin “MissSaigon”attheTheatreRoyalDrearyLaneinLondon.Sheisalso currentlyontourwith“DisneyinConcert,”andsomeofhermorenotable localtheaterproductionsincluderoles in“AngHulingElBimbo,”whereshe wonthe2019LEAFAwardsforMost OutstandingActressinaMusical,and “RakofAegis,”whereshereceivedthe GEMAwardforBestFeaturedArtist andrecentlyin“OneMoreChanceThe Musical.”

Journey Shegaveamovingrenditionof “HeOpensaWindow”from“Joseph theDreamer”duringthepresscon, andsheherselfopenstheserieson July25withhershow“AlaCarlotta,” whichsheexplainsroughlymeans

CarlaGuevara-Laforteza,ShielaValderrama-Martinez andTanyaManalang-Ataderoshowcasediverserepertoires inseriesthatkicksoffJuly25

“accordingtome.”

“WhenIturned45,Ididaconcert at12MonkeyswhereIdidallthesolosI’vedoneinmycareeruptothat point,”shesaid.“SoIsaidIdon’twant todomusicals,IwanttosingsongsI

bopmyheadtowhenIlistentoiton theradio—pop,dance,somethingyou wouldn’texpectmetodo.Andplease wearallblackbecauseit’sgoingto affecttheentireshow.”

WithRonyFortichonthepiano,

Valderrama-MartinezsangaDisney medleyasanodtohertimeasaperformerfortheglobalentertainment company.HerconcertonOct.17will talkaboutherjourneythroughthe songsshehasalwayswantedtosing.

“Andothersareasurprise,”she says.“IhaveMenchu(Lauchengco-Yulo)andRonyandI’mprettyconfident thatwe’llputonsomethingamazing. I’mingoodhands.”

Valderrama-Martinezisalsothree decadesdeepintheindustry,havingwonawardsincludingtheLEAF AwardsforBestActressinaMusical, AwitAwardsforBestNewFemale RecordingArtistandAliwAwardsfor ExcellenceinDramaticPerformance. Sheplayednotablerolesin“Binondo,” “DaniGirl,”“RakofAegis”andinStephenSondheim’s“Passion.”

Bringeverybodyup Theyoungestinthegroup,

Manalang-Ataderoclosestheseries onDec.12.Consideredoneofthemost accomplishedactressesonthemusicaltheaterstage,shesang“I’dGive MyLifeforYou”from“MissSaigon,” wheresheplayedKimintheWestEnd revival.Whileclearlyanervousbundleofenergyduringtheopenforum, Manalang-Ataderomadeconstantjokes aboutherconcert’sartisticteam—or thelackthereof—atthattime.

“Whyme?I’veneverdoneashow withCCPbutI’vealwayswantedto. Totoo ba ito?(Isthisforreal?)And thenIaskedmyfriendsandtheysaid onething, Bobo ka lang kapag hindi mo ginawa iyan (you’dbedumbnottodo it),’”shesaid.

“Tohavebeenaskedtodothisisinsane.RightnowI’mjustthinkingofthe songsIwanttosing,andalsobeableto reintroducethepeoplewhohavebeen partofmyjourneyintheaterandin anythingIdo.Thisisreallyanexciting thingtodothatwouldsummarizeeverythingI’vedonesofar.”

Shehasbeeninotherwell-loved productionssuchas“TheSoundof Music,”“InTheHeights,”“AllOutof Love”and“RakofAegis,”winningBest ActressinaMusicalfromAliwAwards andGEMSAwards,respectively. Askedwhethertheywillbe watchingeachother’sconcerts,Guevara-Lafortezasaidthatwhilethere mayhavebeenrivalriesinthepast, everyoneshouldjustworkandbe supportiveofeachothertomake thingsmorepleasant.

“Weareallinthesamecircleandwe areinasmallcommunity,”shesaid.“Afterthepandemic, nakakabaliw (itwas crazy).Solet’sdoeverythingrightand bringeverybodyup. Gandahan natin ang localproductions natin (Let’smakeour localproductions)becauseattheendof theday, ang kalaban natin ay iyong mga (we’recompetingwith)international showssowehavetobeatpar,ifnotbetterthanthem.” —CONTRIBUTED INQ

By Ruth L. Navarra @InquirerLifestyle

Collector’sitem

bersofBTS,buttheyhavetheirown personalitiesandbackstories.AsBTS’ brainchild,theprojectgaineditsown followingamongthefans. HanabishicollaboratedwithLine, hopingtoreintroducetheFilipino brandtoayoungeraudience.The originalMiniJumbofancomeswith awhitebodyandblackstand,but BT21reintroducedsevencolorsfor theproduct.Eachcolorrepresentsa characterwhoseimageisontheface ofafan.TheBT21charactersareKoya (blue),RJ(white),Shooky(brown), Mang(purple),Chimmy(yellow),Tata (red)andCooky(pink).ThespecialeditionispricedatP1,299.

HanabishipresidentandCEOJasperOnghintedthatthisispossiblythe firstofmanycollaborationswithLine.

Asfarasacollector’sitemgoes,it’s verycute.Thevibrantcandycolorsand theboxthatindicatesthecharacterwill makeaniceadditiontoaK-popwall. Inourhome,it’sappreciatedasan appliance.MydaughterchoseMang,a purplecreaturethatlookslikeachipmunkwithblueears.They’vebeen inseparablesincesheunboxedit.She carriesitwithherunderthemakeshift castlethatshebuiltwithtablesand blankets.It’snexttoherwhensheeats orwhenshe’sansweringherKumon worksheets.Thesizeisperfectforher. Thebreezehitsherdirectly,unlikethe tallerstandfansthatwehaveinour house.Theairitblowsisstrong,too. Sheenjoysthethree-speedoption controldial,anoveltybecauseour fansallhavebuttons.The90-degree tiltfunctionreceivespraiseforitsflex-

ibility,especiallytheflatangle.She discoveredthatshecouldeasilycreateBernoulli’sprinciplewithit.It’sa conceptshelearnedduringoneofour visitstotheMindMuseum:Balloons arepumpedtoapalmsizebeforeshe mumblesaseriesofsyllables,herversionofabracadabra,beforereleasingit ontopofthefan.

“Thisismymagic,”shedeclares, proudlypresentingaballoonsteadily floatinginmidair.

Ifshehasonecomplaint,it’sthat thefandoesn’thaveabatteryorwirelessoption,butitscordextendslonger thanourexistingstandfans.

K-popmerchisoftencollectedto showaconnectiontoafandomandflex theidol.Somearemeanttobeusedon specificoccasionslikeconcertsorfan gatherings.Thisoneisdifferentbecause it’smeantforeverydayheavyuse.INQ

CebuPacific(CEB)markedthecelebrationofNationalDisabilityPrevention andRehabilitation(NDPR)Weekby rampingupitscommitmenttoinclusiveairtravelthroughacomprehensivesensitivitytrainingprogramforits employees.

Theprogram,conductedbyAutismSocietyPhilippines(ASP),Down SyndromeAssociationofthePhilippinesInc.(DSAPI)andTheVanguard Academy(TVA),coveredessentialaspectsofdisabilityawareness.Thisincludesunderstandingdifferenttypes ofdisabilities,effectivecommunicationstrategiesandpracticalassistance techniques.

EmployeesfromvariousCEB departments,includingcabincrew, groundstaffandcustomerservice representatives,participatedinthe training.

“Earlierthisyear,wesigneda memorandumofunderstandingwith DSAPItoadvanceoureffortsinofferingsafe,reliableandinclusiveairtravelexperience,”saidCandiceIyog,CEB marketingandcustomerexperience

officer.“Thissensitivitytrainingisan outcomeofthatagreement,andwe arenowextendingtheprogramtoincludeotherdisabilityadvocacygroups. ThisinitiativeisacrucialstepinequippingCebuPacificemployeeswiththe knowledgeandskillsnecessarytoassistandsupportpersonswithdisabilitiescompassionately.”

ElmerLapeña,DSAPIchairperson, emphasizedtheimportanceofsuch initiatives.“CollaborationwithorganizationslikeCebuPacificisessential inpromotingdisabilityawarenessand fosteringaninclusivesociety.Weare pleasedtosupporttheireffortsinmakingairtravelmoreaccessibleandacceptableforpersonswithdisabilities,” hesaid.

CEBhasalong-standingcommitmenttocorporatesocialresponsibility, andthislatestinitiativeispartofits broadereffortstopromotediversity, equity,inclusion,andbelongingwithin itsoperations.Theairlinecontinuesto workcloselywithadvocacygroupsand stakeholderstoensurethatitsservices meettheneedsofallpassengers.

The Hanabishi

AT THE SONA, WEAR YOUR CULTURE—AND COMFORT

Aiko Melendez in Marlon Tuazon

Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano

Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman

Rep. Camille Villar in Ivarluski Aseron

Sen. Loren Legarda in Puey

Isabelle Daza in Dennis Lustico —NASTASHA DE VILLA

Nicole Andersson in Mark Bumgarner

Sen. Grace Poe in Paul Cabral