Manila Standard - 2022 May 20 - Friday

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Food output recovery bleak PCAFI: No relief for next 8 years on low production, spiraling population

By Othel V. Campos and Maricel V. Cruz

OOD production recovery for the Philippines was not within sight, at least for the next eight years, due to challenges in the local agriculture sector, the country’s biggest food group said.

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The Philippine Chamber of Agriculture Department of Agriculture—following and Food, Inc. (PCAFI) presented a bleak the COVID-19 pandemic and several outlook of the country’s food situation – animal diseases outbreaks. which faces a looming crisis starting the In a statement, PCAFI president Next page second half of this year, according to the

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 93 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Palace blames COVID for increase in poverty

By Vito Barcelo THE Palace on Thursday blamed COVID-19 for a recent Social Weather Stations survey finding that 43 percent of Filipinos —or about 10.9 million people— feel poor.

The same survey showed that 34 percent rated themselves “borderline poor” while 23 percent said they felt they were “not poor.”

"The Duterte administration has vowed a comfortable life for every Filipino family and attained a significant milestone

when poverty incidence declined from 23.3 percent in 2015 to 16.7 percent in 2018," Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said.

"However, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on income and job opportunities as reflected in the latest SWS survey, the same rating reflected in their December 2021 survey," he said.

He said this was the reason the administration is speeding up social and economic recovery efforts while managing the risk posed by COVID-19.

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STILL POPULAR. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte interacts with people outside the World Trade Center in Pasay City after attending the Puregold Sari-Sari Store Negosyo Convention 2022.

King Rodriguez/ Presidential Photo

Singapore welcomes Marcos win, invites him for state visit

By Rey E. Requejo

PDP-LABAN BACKING. Lakas-

CMD President and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez talks with PDP-Laban President and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi (inset) during the lunch meeting of the newlyelected Representatives of the ruling party at the Edsa Shangri-La in Mandaluyong City. Ver Noveno

Sotto warns halt in canvass to set off Charter crisis

By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Maricel V. Cruz, and Rey E. Requejo OUTGOING Senate President Vicente Sotto III warned Thursday of a constitutional crisis if Congress would stop the official canvass of votes of the newly elected president and vice president in the May 9 elections.

"If that happens, we will be courting a constitutional crisis from the fact that Congress can no longer meet after June 3rd," Sotto said.

"Who will then conduct the canvass as mandated by the Constitution?”

This developed as presumptive President Next page

SINGAPORE President Halimah Yacob has invited presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for a state visit, more than a month before he becomes the Philippines’ 17th president.

The invitation came barely a day after Marcos and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a lengthy talk, during which they discussed improving the two countries' bilateral ties.

In a letter sent to Marcos, the Singaporean president also congratulated

Marcos on his election victory.

Yacob said she is looking forward to closer ties with the Philippines.

“Singapore and the Philippines share a warm and longstanding relationship, underpinned by strong economic cooperation and robust people-to-people ties,” Yacob said.

“I recall fondly the warm and gracious hospitality extended to me by the Filipino people during my state visit to the Philippines in September 2019. I look forward to working with you to strengthen Next page

PDP-Laban reaffirms support for Romualdez for Speaker

By Maricel V. Cruz OFFICIALS and members of ruling party PDP-Laban on Thursday affirmed their support for House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez to be elected Speaker in the next Congress.

Led by PDP-Laban President and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, the group made their affirmation for Romualdez during a lunch meeting at EDSA Shangri-

La Hotel hosted by San Jose del Monte City Rep. Rida Robes.

The affirmation followed the statement made last Saturday by PDP-Laban that the party was supporting Romualdez for the speakership.

In announcing his party’s support for Romualdez, Cusi said: “Our 62 newly elected PDP Laban representatives are throwing their full support behind Romualdez because we believe in his Next page

TRIBUTE TO ‘LOLONG.’ House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, who is being groomed as Speaker of the 19th Congress, pays his last respects to Philippine Constitution Association chair andretired Court of Appeals Justice Manuel ‘Lolong’ Lazaro during necrological rites at the Sanctuario De San Antonio Chapel in Makati City. Ver Noveno

PH slides to 4th in medal standing House leader pays tribute to

By Riera U. Mallari Justice Lazaro

GOLDEN BOWLERS. The Philippine men’s bowling team of Merwin Tan, Christian Dychangco, Ivan Malig and Patrick Nuqui exult after delivering the country’s first gold medal of the day Thursday in the Vietnam Southeast Asian Games. PSC Photo

HANOI—Locked in a bitter fight for third place with Indonesia and Singapore, the Philippines managed just two golds courtesy of bowling and judo in yet another uneventful day for the country in the 31st Southeast Asian Games here on Thursday.

Already a gold winner in these games in the men’s singles, bowler Merwin Tan led

the team-of-4 composed of Christian Dychangco, Ivan Malig and Patrick Nuqui to the gold with 5275 pinfalls, 113 pins ahead of runner-up Malaysia at the Royal City Hanoi Bowling Lanes.

Tan, a 22-year-old lefthander, rolled 1411 pinfalls for a sixgame average of 235.17, the best among all the 24 competitors in the six-team field. Dychangco backed him up with 1377 pinfalls and an average of 229.50, including a tournament-high 278 in the sixth and final game.

But as the day wore on, Pinoy athletes stayed unusually silent, until judoka Next page

By Maricel V. Cruz HOUSE Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez led legal celebrities in paying tribute to the late Court of Appeals Associate Justice Manuel "Lolong" Lazaro Thursday at the Sanctuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati City.

Lazaro is the late chairman of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa), a non-stock and nonpartisan organization committed to defend, preserve, and protect the Constitution.

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News

FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DOH: Another COVID surge possible DOH Epidemiology Bureau chief Dr. Alethea de Guzman, in an interview, was asked if the BA.2.12.1 variant, which has been detected in 17 people in the country, could lead to a surge.

“If, number one, a new variant of

concern that is more transmissible and immune escaping, which means the vaccine is least effective, enters the country,” De Guzman told GMA News’ Unang Balita.

“And if our immunity wall brought by

full vaccination or booster shots declines, that would be the cause for a sudden increase in cases and admissions,” she said.

De Guzman said the BA.2.12.1 variant was 20 percent to 27 percent more transmissible and also immune-escaping.

She said there were some areas in the countries that reported an increase in COVID-19 cases in the previous months, but they were not sustained.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases in areas having low vaccination rate are expected to increase following the detection of more Omicron BA.2.12.1 cases in the country, an infectious disease expert said.

The unvaccinated and vulnerable

Food...

official said Thursday.

Agriculture Undersecretary Fermin Adriano seconded the statement of DA Secretary William Dar on Wednesday that a food crisis loomed for the country in the second half of the year.

According to DA’s Adriano, “In the last two decades, our productivity has only been increasing by 1.1 percent, while our population is growing annually by 1.4 percent. That’s the reason why there’s a shortage in our (agricultural) production.”

Meanwhile, Albay Rep. Jose Clemente Salceda said the incoming Marcos Jr. administration should focus on addressing agricultural smuggling in the country.

Salceda, chairperson of the House ways and means committee, has been vocal against the proliferation of agricultural smuggling in the country.

He earlier said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) should be more involved in pursuing cases against smugglers.

To mitigate the food shortage, the government is relying on the National Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization and Industrialization Plan, which includes programs to beef up the country’s food and agriculture production.

The plan was first implemented in 2021 and is expected to be continued until 2030.

“We will pass on the document to the next leadership of the department. And as I said, there's no time for a learning

curve to the next officials of agriculture,” Adriano said.

The DA also urged the public to take up urban farming to further bolster the country’s food production.

Dar said: “Every Filipino should be ready. If allowed, we should plant, breed animals, and fishes. We have to do it even in the urban areas.”

But his warning of a “looming food crisis” was "a call to develop local agriculture," a legislator said Thursday.

“Filipino food should be primarily supplied by Filipino producers to Filipino consumers,” Rep. Alan Ecleo of the Lone District of Dinagat Islands, member for the minority bloc of the House committee on agriculture and food, said in a statement.

The recently re-elected representative said the threat of a food crisis was “another reminder that there is no substitute for developing our own food production capacity.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has seen the impact of global crises to cripple the flow of goods from one country to another, as well as the need for food to be readily accessible and efficiently distributed within a nation’s borders,” said Ecleo, the incumbent vice chairperson of the House aquaculture and fisheries resources committee.

Ecleo appealed to his fellow legislators and the incoming Marcos administration “to pursue programs which will provide farmers, fisherfolk,

and agricultural cooperatives with the needed infrastructure, capital, training, and support services” not just as source of income and livelihood, but to “compete with their counterparts in Southeast Asia and the global market.”

“Our competitiveness should be measured in how well the whole value chain of food production in our country sustains our local needs first,” Ecleo said.

“We have vast natural resources and indigenous experiences to inform and improve food production at the national level.”

The Agriculture Department is also urging the government to add to the buffer stock of NFA (National Food Authority) rice for 30 days instead of seven days. The supply will be sold to members of 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) who are severely affected by rising food prices.

However, the DA admitted its proposal would require a bigger allocation.

Salceda has also eyed some amendments to the Special Safeguards Law, such that regardless of whether imported goods are smuggled or not, the safeguards will still apply.

The Senate committee of the whole had investigated the proliferation of smuggled agricultural products in the Philippine market. Four names of alleged "players" in vegetable smuggling supposedly protected by politicians were floated in a Senate inquiry.

35 percent.

According to the SWS, the national median self-rated poverty threshold (SRP Threshold)—or the average monthly budget a family needs to not see itself as poor—went up from P12,000 to P15,000.

On self-rated food poverty, based on the type of food eaten by their families, the April 2022 survey found 31 percent of families rating themselves as foodpoor, 45 percent rating themselves as borderline food-poor, and 24 percent rating themselves not food-poor.

The estimated number of self-rated food poor families stayed at 7.9 million from December 2021 to April 2022.

PDP-Laban...

President Bongbong Marcos,” Romualdez said.

The Leyte solon said the next Congress will prioritize the passage of Marcos Jr.'s legislative agenda.

"More importantly, we are trying to ensure that the priority legislation of the incoming President, President-elect BBM will be aided and supported with measures that will allow him to pursue his agenda for the people," Romualdez told reporters in an ambush interview.

Romualdez said the next Congress is eyeing the passage of Bayanihantype of legislation and the resetting of the barangay elections scheduled in December to save P8 billion that can be used to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It was [presumptive] President Marcos' initials, BBM or Bayan Bangon Muli bill stimulus package that will allow the incoming President to harness the resources available during the closing period of 2022 and [pass] measures that are needed for the pandemic, hopefully endemic stage of this COVID," Romualdez said.

"It was a complaint of the barangay chairpersons that we met from the Liga ng mga Barangay, so we shall consider that (resetting of barangay polls)," he added.

Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda said the proposed Bayan Bangon Muli stimulus bill will allow Marcos Jr. to adjust the budget that he will inherit from the Duterte administration. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

By Willie Casas

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SENIOR Department of Health official warned Thursday of a possibility of another COVID-19 surge if a new immune-escaping variant of the coronavirus entered the country and the immunity of the vaccinated people waned.

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Danilo Fausto said: “Agriculture has been considered as a key sector by successive governments in the Philippines and it’s been maintained at a low level over the past decade, oscillating between 1.3 and 1.9 percent of total government budget.”

“However, agriculture brings 8.8 to 10 percent of GDP to the country and employs nearly 35 percent of its population. As such, the country’s agricultural index is about 0.18 percent in comparison with the agricultural index of 1 in the US and 0.6 in Vietnam.”

He added that the domestic meat supply would take a while to recover, and the country will largely depend on imports for its meat requirements.

“In our 2030 outlook, pork production levels will have nearly recovered to preASF (African Swine Fever) levels despite a slightly lower herd. The majority of pork production will come from large commercial farms, either contracted to or owned by slaughter groups,” Fausto said.

This was on top of the country’s low food production and its spiraling population, which have contributed to the shortage of agricultural productivity exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic on the economy, rising fuel prices, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a ranking

Palace...

From A1

Andanar said shifting the country to COVID-19 Alert Level 1 further improved the performance of key sectors such as tourism and would allow the return to face-to-face classes.

The SWS survey found that the number of Filipino families who felt poor increased in Mindanao from 43 percent to 60 percent and in Metro Manila from 25 percent to 32 percent. But it fell in the Visayas from 59 percent to 48 percent, and in Balance Luzon from 41 percent to

Singapore...

From A1

the friendship between our two countries,” she said in her letter.

“I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to make a state visit to Singapore. I wish you every success in steering the Philippines to greater heights,” the president added.

The Singapore president joins the growing roster of world leaders who congratulated Marcos.

Marcos is expected to be proclaimed next week after garnering more than 31 million votes while his nearest rival has only received more than 14 million votes, based on 98.35 percent of election returns from the Comelec Transparency Media Server.

Meanwhile, two large business groups—the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) and the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport)—have called on the nation to “give the new administration a chance,” saying they are willing to work in partnership with the incoming government toward positive change.

The appeal came in a joint written statement signed by Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr., president of both ECOP, representing the voice of employers in the country, and Philexport, the umbrella organization of exporters.

Ortiz-Luis said that with the intense period of campaigning and national elections now over, “it is time to settle down and go back to work” amid the

Sotto...

From A1

Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. told the Supreme Court in a filing yesterday that it cannot stop Congress from canvassing of votes and the proclamation of winners in the presidential and vice presidential race.

Citing various constitutional provisions, Marcos Jr., through lawyer Estelito Mendoza, said the language and intent of the provisions show they are “mandatory and the Supreme Court is without jurisdiction to prevent their implementation."

many challenges facing the economy and the country.

“We have businesses to revive and sustain; employees to provide salaries to and an economy to nourish to progress,” the statement, issued May 12, said.

“Work also means continuing to push our recovery and reform agenda to neutralize the impacts of the still threatening COVID-19 pandemic, a fragile economic recovery, increasing fuel prices that impact on all products and services, and rising foreign debts.”

The two organizations also bared their expectations from the new government.

“We do not expect the incoming public officials to solve all these problems even in six years. But we strongly hope that having been given the mandate and consistent with their election promises, they continue to build on the strong fundamentals and gains of the outgoing administration and closely involve key stakeholders in addressing the remaining gaps and challenges,” the statement said.

“Thus, as far as business is concerned, we remain a willing government partner as engines of positive change and growth.

We expect this collaboration to continue and strengthen as we work closely with the incoming administration.”

“Together, let us give this new administration a chance. Together, let us bring to successful completion our common cause towards rebuilding better and stronger. This much we owe our country, our children, and generations to come,” the statement concluded.

Instead of a temporary restraining order, the Supreme Court on Thursday had issued a resolution giving Marcos Jr., the Commission on Elections, the Senate, and the House 15 days to file their comments on the petition of several human rights groups to stop the proclamation of winners in the recent national and local elections.

“Whereas, considering the allegations contained, the issues raised, and the arguments adduced in the petition, without necessarily giving due course thereto, it is necessary and proper to require the respondents to comment on the petition and prayer for temporary restraining order

From A1

capacity to unite and lead Congress for the passage of significant laws and initiatives for the benefit of the Filipino people.”

He said the Majority Leader’s track record “speaks for itself” as Cusi described him as “one of the mosthardworking” lawmakers.

In the Senate, newly-elected Sen. Raffy Tulfo assured he will maintain his independence in the chamber although he will join the majority bloc.

Since he ran as an independent during the campaign and won as such, Tulfo stressed he will maintain his impartiality as a neophyte senator, while honoring the traditional and constitutional independence of the Senate in the 19th Congress.

"My independent stance is consistent with the enduring character of the Senate as a democratic institution separate and distinct from the House of Representatives, the Presidency, the Judiciary, and the other constitutional bodies," the popular broadcaster, who was a guest candidate on several presidential slates, added.

Meanwhile, the House leader thanked PDP-Laban members for their support.

“I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to my colleagues.

Your gesture today (Thursday) will strengthen our efforts to unify the House and the people we all represent behind the incoming administration of presumptive

sectors such as the elderly, immunocompromised, and health workers are more susceptible to the respiratory disease, said Dr. Rontgene Solante, who is also a member of the government's vaccine expert panel.

"We expect cases will increase especially in those areas with low vaccination rate. It's important we know this variant or sublineage has a high transmissibility," he said in a televised press briefing.

"There’s a possibility cases will increase, but I don't think it will be enough to affect our hospitalization rate,” he also said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Rena Furukawa Lanoy broke the silence when she edged Chu Myat Noe Wai of Myanmar, 1-0, in the finals of the women’s under 57kg class at the Hoai Duc Gymnasium.

The two golds raised the tally of Team Philippines, backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee, to 40, counting the victory of the women’s Wild Rift squad late Wednesday— the first esports gold for the country here.

Still, the Philippines slid to fourth spot in the medal table behind host and virtual overall champion Vietnam, Thailand, and

Indonesia.

As Vietnam pulled away further from the pack with a gold-silver-bronze harvest of 149-90-83 at 9 p.m., Thailand, once jostling with the Philippines for second, improved to 62-66-95, with Indonesia moving up to third with a 42-60-56.

The Filipinos also had 55 silver and 76 bronze medals, their silver medal production spelling the difference in the fight for fourth. Singapore had a 40-41-52 tally for fifth.

Help, however, is coming from the big guns on Friday from Tokyo Olympians Hidilyn Diaz and Nesthy Petecio as the Philippines makes another push to regain lost ground. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

within a period of 15 days from notice hereof,” said the SC en banc resolution.

Among the constitutional provisions Marcos Jr. cited are the conditions on judicial review under Section 1 of Article VIII of Constitution, and an Article VII provision mandating that the president and vice president’s 6-year term starts on June 30 at 12 noon and ends on June 30 at 12 noon, six years later.

Marcos Jr. also invoked Section 4 of Article VII of the Constitution, which states that the election returns for the president and vice president shall be opened by the President of the Senate “not later than 30 days after the day of the election” during

a joint public session of the Senate and the House of Representatives, which shall then canvass the votes.

“The person having the highest number of votes shall be proclaimed elected,” a portion of the provision said.

Marcos and running mate Sara DuterteCarpio dominated the recent elections, each garnering over 31 million votes in the partial and unofficial results from the Comelec’s transparency servers. Sotto speculated about what would happen if no new president or vice president is proclaimed by June 30. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

PH...

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PH high on list of displacements due to disasters THE Philippines had one of the highest numbers of internal displacements due to natural disasters in 2021, with Typhoon Odette resulting in the largest number of disaster displacements of the year worldwide, according to a joint report by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

The groups said Thursday that last year, 59.1 million people were registered as internally displaced worldwide, as conflicts and natural disasters forced them to flee within their own country — an all-time record expected to be broken again this year amid mass displacement inside war-torn Ukraine.

China, the Philippines, and India were hardest hit, together accounting for around 70 percent of all disaster-related displacements last year.

An "internal displacement," says the report, "refers to each new forced movement of a person within the borders of their country during the year."

According to the groups’ data, 808,502 individuals in the Philippines were internally displaced in 2021.

These consist of 700,039 displaced due to 5,680,991 disaster-related internal displacements and 108,463 displaced due to 140,145 conflict-related internal displacements. AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Suspend excise tax on fuels, ERC urges new gov’t

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE government is being urged to suspend the excise tax on coal and petroleum products and reduce the value-added tax (VAT) on generation charges to bring down power rates, an energy official said.

Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chairperson Agnes Devanadera said the move, once implemented, can be felt immediately by electricity consumers.

Devanadera made the proposal amid calls by presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to bring down power rates.

She said the current generation rate of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) due to the increasing coal and fuel prices is at P5.8724 per kilowatt-hour.

Before the implementation of the next excise tax rate under the TRAIN Law, the generation rate in the Meralco franchise area was at P5.8623 per kWh. Devanadera said that if the excise tax rate under the TRAIN Law is suspended, the impact is about P0.0101 per kWh in Meralco's franchise area but for missionary areas, the impact can be as high as P1.50 per kWh in the generation rate if the PhP6/li excise tax is removed.

"We at ERC, or I, would like to come up with some proposals, for example, there can be a temporary solution and there can be a permanent solution. The very immediate reason is we can go into suspension of the excise tax on the coal and the petroleum fuel products," she said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

House...

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Romualdez is the current Philconsa president.

"We are all here today and we are still in disbelief that our leading light, Justice Lolong, has gone ahead of us," he said in his eulogy for Lazaro.

Romualdez, the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president, described Lazaro as "a great man, one who exemplifies the best in public service and legal profession."

"He had set the bar so high for a former member of the Court of Appeals.

A justice par excellence," the Leyte solon said in a message.

"He belonged to that rare breed of lawyers in the country who masterfully balanced his work as justice and family man. Throughout his career in the judiciary and even in his private life, Justice Lolong served as an immovable defender of the Constitution, the likes of whom are few and far between," the leading contender for Speaker in the 19th Congress said of Lazaro.

Also delivering eulogies were former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno, Philconsa President Emeritus; lawyer Fe Barin, Philconsa governor and former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman; Jose Leviste, Philconsa Governor; and Nona Ricafort, Philconsa treasurer.

Lazaro is survived by his wife Rose Marie B. Lazaro and children Melinda L. Castillo, Matthew B. Lazaro, Maybelle L. Villadolid, Melanio B. Lazaro, and Michelle B. Lazaro.

"He will be missed, but those he has inspired among us will continue to carry the torch that he left behind. Farewell, my friend. May you continue to guide us as we toil to build a better future for our people.

And thank you, for a job well done," Romualdez said of Lazaro.

News

FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022

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Rody signs 23 laws on franchises, transport

By Vito Barcelo

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed 23 more measures that include the granting of franchises and the establishment of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) regular offices in some parts of the country.

The newly signed laws are: Republic Act No. 11758 grants the Derecho Telecommunications a franchise to construct, install, establish, operate, and maintain telecommunications systems throughout the Philippines; Republic Act No. 11757 which renewed for another 25 years the franchise granted to Sultan Kudarat Telephone System Inc.; Republic Act No. 11756 which renewed for another 25 years the franchise granted to Independent Telephone Company Inc.; Republic Act No. 11755 which converts Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur and all its campuses

INTRAMUROS BRIDGE MARKER. Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso leads the ribbon-cutting ceremonies of the Binondo Intramuros bridge marker. With Moreno are Consul General Wang Yue, PROC Embassy Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong, FFCCCII President Yang Hua Hong, chair, Federation of Filipino Chinese Associations of the Philippines.

Norman Cruz

Palace defends Duterte’s 6-year drug war to CHR

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will leave a legacy of a “safe and secure Philippines” when his term ends on June 30, Malacanang said.

Acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar made the statement after the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) reported that Duterte’s legacy will be a culture of impunity for violations in his “war on drugs.”

“While we see a rehash of old issues in the report of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) that have already been responded to, we are pleased that this body has independently exercised its mandate — a testament to how the Duterte Administration has allowed our democratic civic space to be enriched under his term,” the Palace official said in a statement.

The CHR said that Duterte will leave a government that has “failed in its obligations to protect human rights” and “encouraged a culture of impunity” by preventing investigations from independent bodies as well as bringing to trial police officers implicated in crimes committed during his six-year war against drugs.

“In contrast to what a handful of critics would want the international community to hear and read about our country, the Duterte Administration leaves a legacy of a safe and secure Philippines,” Andanar said.

“Foreigners who come to the country as tourists are seeing how safe our streets and communities are,” he said.

Andanar said this only affirms “the more than half drop in the crime rate since Duterte took office in 2016, and validated by his high satisfaction, performance, approval and trust ratings at the end of his presidency.”

IN BRIEF QC seeks prison reforms after discovery of weapons THE Quezon City government on Thursday appealed to the Department of Interior and Local Government to institute prison reforms after several deadly weapons were recently discovered inside the city’s jail facility in Barangay Kamuning.

The LGU also lauded Supt. Michelle Bonto, Quezon City Jail warden, for spearheading Operation Greyhound inside the male dormitory last Monday that led to the confiscation of guns, ammunition, marijuana, improvised bladed weapons, ice picks, Indian arrows made out of concrete nails, lighters, screw drivers and even cell phones, all hidden inside the walls.

A riot was staged by persons deprived of liberty belonging to the Batang City Jail group to force Bonto’s removal over her efforts to curb the illegal drug trade inside the jail facility.

“One of the duties provided for by jail institutions is to give them (PDLs) a new lease of life and reflect on their sins. But how can we change the lives of our PDLS if they are still hooked on drugs and are involved in riots,” the city government said.

Rio N. Araja

Navotas, Caloocan LGUs hold free medical services THE city governments of Caloocan and Navotas are now providing various free medical services including cervical cancer screening and circumcision.

Navotas City conducted free cervical cancer screening to residents including Barangay Health Workers (BHW) among the first beneficiaries.

The program was led by the Navotas City Health Office and

by Mayor Toby Tiangco in solidarity with the celebration of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

Free screening will be conducted every Tuesday, from 1 am to 3 pm for Navoteñas 21 years of age and older. The LGU said 10-20 slots are available per schedule and there is a first come, first served policy. Jun David

into a state university, integrating the North Luzon Philippine State College in Candon, Ilocos Sur to be known as the University of Ilocos Philippines; Republic Act No. 11754 recognizes the Cabiao Campus of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija as a regular campus of the PUP; Republic Act No. 11753 establishes a regular campus of the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology in Nampicuan, Nueva Ecija to be known as the NEUST-Nampicuan Campus; Republic Act No. 11752 establishes a regular campus of the Nueva

Ecija University of Science and Technology in Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija to be known as the NEUST-Sto. Domingo Campus; Republic Act No. 11751 establishes the campuses of the Cebu Technological University in Liloan and Borbon, Cebu province to be known as CTU-Liloan and CTU-Borbon campus; Republic Act No. 11727 establishes a regular LTO district office in Alicia, Isabela; Senate committee on public service Grace Poe hailed the enactment of new laws that she sponsored “to improve telecommunications and transportation services.”

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News

FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022

Congress urged to hasten PTSB bill

By Othel V. Campos and Macon Ramos-Araneta

K

EY players in the transportation industry have urged Congress to expedite the ratification of a reconciled bill proposing the creation of a non-regulatory Philippine Transportation Safety Board (PTSB) and send it to Malacanang for President Duterte’s signature.

Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe commended the enactment of new laws that she sponsored to improve telecommunications and transportation services.

In a letter sent to both houses of the legislature, the Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) called for the immediate ratification of the reconciled version of House Bill 9030 and Senate Bill 1077 seeking the establishment of the PTSB. The Safe Travel Alliance, International Air Transport Association (IATA), and Air Carriers Association of the Philippines aired similar appeals to the lawmakers.

The JFC pointed out that the measure had been pending over the past 20 years, and only during the 18th Congress where it was passed.

The proposed law seeks the creation of a non-regulatory and independent probe body attached to the Office of the President, to serve as the primary agency responsible for the conduct of impartial investigations on transportation-related accidents and incidents.

The main objectives of the PTSB include improvement of transportation safety measures that will help in the prevention of transportation accidents and mitigation of dangers to human lives and property; and, to ensure the implementation of transportation safety standards.

At present, different agencies handle different sectors of the transportation industry with regard to accident investigations.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), for instance, has authority over aviation disasters while the Maritime Industry Authority (Ma-

rina) is empowered to investigate major maritime disasters.

With respect to road accidents involving public utility vehicles, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has jurisdiction. However, road accidents may also be investigated by the Philippine National Police, the

WET SEASON BEST SELLER. Mr. Weatherman has officially announced that the rainy days are here again, thus umbrellas and rubber boots start to sell like hotcakes as exemplified by this image at the Commonwealth Market in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

7 lawmen face homicide raps on QC shootout

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved the filing of homicide charges against three Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives and four Philippine National Police (PNP) members involved in the so-called “misencounter” on February 24, 2021 in Quezon City where three law enforcers were killed.

The DOJ on Thursday said its panel of prosecutors issued a resolution last May 2 approving the indictment of PDEA agents Khee Maricar Rodas, Jeffrey Baguidudol, and Jelou Satiniaman, and direct assault charges against police Maj. Sandie Caparroso, Lt. Honey Besas, SMsg. Melvin Merida, and Cpl. Paul Christian Gandeza.

“The respective informations (criminal charge sheets) against the respondents will be filed at the proper courts in Quezon City,” the DOJ said in a statement.

It said the resolution was issued after the preliminary investigation conducted by the DOJ prosecutors on the complaints separately filed by the PDEA and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) which conducted separate investigations on the incident.

The cases arose from the February 24, 2021 firefight between the PDEA agents and the policemen who were conducting separate drug buy-bust operations along Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City.

MMDA expects heavy traffic with face-to-face classes back in June

In Loving Memory of

.· · · · · · · - · · · · · · · · - · · · - - - - - - - - - - - - - - · · · · · · · · - · · · - · - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ·.

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) expects heavy traffic with the resumption of face-to-face classes next month. At the same time, the MMDA dismissed as fake news an infographic posted on social media about the implementation of a new number coding scheme “Before the election, we conducted a volume count, the average number is 400,000 vehicles, that is only 5,000 short of the prepandemic level of 405,000,” said MMDA chair Romando Artes said in interview with AB-CBN Teleradyo on Thursday.

“But let’s remember, there is no classes yet, so if there are face-to-face classes this June, we expect more and the 405,000 pre-pandemic level will be breached,” he added.

Artes said the volume of vehicles also

went up during the two-year pandemic.

“Maybe, more or less about half a million vehicles were added on the streets-during that two year period, 60-70 percent of them entered Metro Manila or were here in Metro Manila, so let’s expect the traffic flow to be even heavier this June,” he said.

The MMDA chief is optimistic that the incoming administration would come up with a right solution to solve the traffic problem.

“In our opinion, there are two majors that the next administration should do. First, the improvement of the mass transportation system, because if our mass transport is good, we can avoid buying vehicles that will add to the volume and to the traffic on our streets,” he said. Joel E. Zurbano

Manuel ''Lolong'' M. Lazaro January 28, 1985 -May 17, 2022

YOUTH TRAINING CAMP. Some 40 youth leaders in Sarangani and Gen. Santos City in

A brilliant lawyer, res pected constitutionalist and legal counc el, beloved husband, father and friend.

Mindanao undergo a two-day camp training aimed at providing them a better understanding of the peace process and conflict resolution spearheaded by the Equal Access International, a long-time partner of the Sarangani provincial government. Called the “MindaNow Tech Camp,” the exercise was made possible with the help of local Sangguniang Kabataan councils and the Sulong Kabataan and Sulong Kapayapaan programs of Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon.

“You lived a legendary life and your memory will live forever in our hearts .”

Rody appoints 2 new justices to CA

- Ros e Marie (wife) and children Menj u, Chuck, Manjoy, Apple and Michelle.

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In u rn me nt 4:30PM I M ay 20, 2022 1Friday in Sa n c t u ario De Sa n Antonio, Forb es Park , Makati C ity

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PRESIDENT Duterte has appointed two associate justices to the Court of Appeals (CA).

In separate transmittal letters, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea informed Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo of the President’s appointment of Eleuterio Larisma Bathan and John Zurbito Lee CA associate justices.

Bathan replaces Justice Japar B. Dimaampao who was promoted to the Supreme Court on July 2, 2021, while Lee was replacement for Associate Justice Dorothy P. Montejo Gonzaga who resigned on Nov. 3, 2021.

Prior to their CA appointments, Bathan was a judge at the regional trial court in Quezon City,

while Lee was managing partner of a law firm.

There are still two vacancies in the CA, created by the retirement of Associate Justice Gabriel T. Ingles on Feb. 27, 2022, and the retirement of Associate Justice Edgardo A. Camello today, May 19.

At the Court of Tax Appeals, there would also be a vacancy on June 24 with the retirement of Associate Justice Juanito C. Castaneda Jr. Last Wednesday, the President also appointed CA Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh as the 15th SC justice.

Justice Singh took her oath of office before Chief Justice Gesmundo on the same day she was appointed. Rey E. Requejo

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Opinion

These counsels are expected to have special legal skills, knowledge, and training to protect and advance the evolving interests of the State.

The public prosecutor’s control over all filings of pleadings and motions is made more evident by the necessity of a written conformity to all court submissions made by the private prosecutor. The requirement of a written conformity is not dispensed with by the issuance of a written authority to prosecute in favor of the private prosecutor.

The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) represents the Philippine Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, its officials and agents in a litigation, proceeding, investigation or any matter requiring the services of a lawyer. It may represent government-owned and controlled corporations, when authorized by the President or head of the office concerned (Presidential Decree No. 478, June 4, 1974).

The OSG’s power to represent the Philippine Government extends to all civil actions and special proceedings in which the government or any of its officers is a party (Presidential Decree No. 478). Examples are actions for Cancellation or Correction of Entries in the Civil Registry, Quo Warranto, or Petition for Certiorari against any branch or instrumentality of the government.

The OSG represents the government in the Supreme Court and the Court of

B1

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EDITORIAL

Counsel of the State THE public often confuses the roles, duties, and responsibilities of lawyers working in government. They also frequently hear the Prosecutor, the Solicitor General, the Government Corporate Counsel, and the Special Prosecutor, among others, being categorized as counsels of the State.

The Office of the Prosecutor, aside from conducting preliminary investigations, is duty bound to prosecute criminal cases in the trial courts. The Rules of Criminal Procedure mandates that “[a]ll criminal actions … shall be prosecuted under the direction and control of the public prosecutor” (Section 5, Rule 110, Rules of Criminal Procedure).

This control extends to court appearances and filings of pleadings and motions in courts. It applies even if the offended party retains the services of a private prosecutor for the civil aspect of the case. The control is manifested when the private prosecutor states in open court that he or she is “under the direction and control of the public prosecutor”.

Hence, if the public prosecutor is absent in a trial or hearing, the court setting will be cancelled despite the presence of the private prosecutor. However, the private prosecutor may be authorized by the Chief of the Prosecution Office or the Regional State Prosecutor to prosecute the case even in the absence of the public prosecutor, subject to the approval of the court (Section 5, Rule 110).

FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022

Appeals in all criminal cases. It is at this point where the power of control of the prosecutor over criminal cases ceases.

The OSG also appears in all proceedings involving the acquisition and loss of Philippine citizenship (Presidential Decree No. 478).

It represents the government in all land registration proceedings and has the power to commence actions for the reversion of public land to the government.

The OSG may appear or intervene in any action involving the validity of a statute, executive order, governmental regulation, or treaty (Presidential Decree No.478).

Examples of these cases are Declaratory Relief, and the constitutionality of a law, treaty, or executive agreement.

The President may instruct the OSG to represent the government in international litigation and arbitration where the legal position of the Philippines has to be represented (Presidential Decree No. 478).

Examples include the arbitration case of the Philippine International Air Terminals Co. (PIATCO) against the Philippines involving NAIA Terminal III, and the arbitral proceedings between the Philippines and China on their respective maritime claims in the West Philippine Sea. There is also the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC), which is the principal and statutory law office of all government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs), their subsidiaries, corporate offspring, and governmentacquired asset corporations, as well as government instrumentalities vested with corporate powers, or government corporate entities (OGCC Rules and Regulations).

The legal work of the OGCC covers the fields of: (1) Gaming & Allied Services; (2) Ecozones; (3) Information & Energy; (4) Environment & Water; (5) Banking & Finance; (6) Transportation, Communication & Infrastructure; (7) Agriculture & Trade; and (8) Housing & Urban Development. The OGCC shall only accept cases that have been officially endorsed by the GOCC through its duly authorized office (OGCC Rules and Regulations).

The OGCC represents GOCCs in litigating their cases in courts or quasi-judicial bodies in the Philippines and abroad.

It also handles criminal cases filed by GOCCs complaining against any party.

The legal assistance extended by the OGCC to the GOCCs shall include all aspects of private prosecution including the recovery of civil liability arising from the crime (OGCC Rules and Regulations).

The OGCC has the power to prepare and recommend revisions or modifications to the contracts of GOCCs, and to render legal opinions on questions referred by the GOCCs. The OGCC shall encourage the settlement of claims, disputes, and controversies involving GOCCs through early neutral evaluation, mediation, or arbitration (OGCC Rules and Regulations).

Another counsel of the government is the Office of the Special Prosecutor. This office is under the supervision, control, and authority of the Ombudsman. The office has the power to conduct preliminary investigation and to prosecute criminal cases within the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan. (Republic Act 6770). They are equivalent to the prosecutors in regular courts.

There are as many counsels of State as there are government and public interests.

These counsels are expected to have special legal skills, knowledge, and training to protect and advance the evolving interests of the State.

Food crisis

A

percent of the world’s wheat supply, and shipped out 15 percent of its corn and half of its sunflower oil.

GRICULTURE Secretary William Dar is not trying to be an alarmist when he warned of a looming food crisis that could start in the second half of the year due to shrinking supply and soaring costs of fertilizer.

A well-fed population ensures peace and order and leads to political stability.

The conflict has disrupted the regular land and shipping routes for Ukraine’s exports. The same is true with Russia’s food and fertilizer shipments. Economic and financial sanctions against Russia, the UN notes, are disrupting the supplies of fertilizer, wheat and other commodities from the two nations, resulting in higher food and fuel prices.

The Philippines may not directly feel the impact of soaring wheat prices, being a rice-eating nation. But the higher transportation cost and rising prices of fertilizer

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has already cautioned the world on years of mass hunger and famine once the global food crisis goes unchecked amid the war in Ukraine. The situation is being exacerbated by the war since Ukraine is considered the bread basket of the world. The Eastern European nation was exporting 4.5 million tons of agricultural produce per month through its ports before the Russian invasion. It accounted for 12

products in the world market are impacting on food and farms in the countryside.

Mr. Dar says the the only way to address the looming food crisis is through increased agriculture production. The Cabinet official spoke of a transitional plan for the farm and fisheries sectors, including a proposed P250-billion budget that the Department of Agriculture plans to forward to the government of presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The food crisis will certainly prompt the incoming administration to reboot the agricultural program. Mr. Dar has urged the next administration to put a premium on cushioning the impact of food scarcity in the global market as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Agriculture will remain a critical component of the economy despite its current dismal contribution to the gross domestic product. A well-fed population ensures peace and order and leads to political stability, while self-sufficiency in food shields the Philippines from unforeseen geopolitical upheavals.

Dissecting the data

WHILE the Commission on Elections, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting and even ABS-CBN Data Analytics have all vouched for the accuracy of the results of the May 9 presidential elections, skeptics, however, remain unconvinced.

We sought the opinion of an expert based in France who has done extensive research on Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Robotics but who prefers to remain anonymous. Here’s what she said.

The consistent 68:32 relationship between the votes for Marcos Jr. and Robredo gives an almost perfect linear equation that is absolutely incredible in any electoral context.

Since election results come in successively from various geographical regions, these should reflect variable voting bias (e.g., Marcos Jr. would have much higher results than Robredo in Ilocos and viceversa in Robredo’s home province) and therefore vary noticeably in both directions.

She cited the recent French elections as an example. There, vote proportions zigzagged visibly until they settled at the final Macron-Le Pen scores of 58.55 percent-41.45 percent—and this was the runoff where there were only 2 candidates.

The situation is more complex in the Philippines because of the presence of many other candidates in a single round, so variation should be higher.

She disputed the view that the partial election results consistently mirrored the national vote due to the random pattern of receipt of the transmitted results: It is true that sample statistics closely mirror popu-

lation proportions in highly controlled studies where polling institutes or scientific researchers exert utmost effort to ensure truly random samples (in the mathematical sense of “identically and independently distributed” samples).

The key point is this: random pattern of receipt is not the same as random sampling in the mathematical sense. On election night where the paramount goal is reporting speed, even the most advanced countries must sacrifice random sampling in the mathematical sense and live with a random pattern of receipt. That is the reason successive partial results are never constant.

What happened to the votes for the eight other candidates?

Recall that in the last US presidential elections where results were also reported as they came in, the Biden:Trump ratio oscillated based on whether they came in from red or blue states. Ditto for the Macron:Le Pen ratio in France this month.

The law of large numbers says that as sample size approaches that of the population it is deemed to represent, the target value calculated from the sample approaches that of the underlying population.

The law of large numbers explains the importance of big data in information technology and the incredible power yielded by giants like Google and Amazon who have the logistics to collect and store massive datasets. Less data-rich analysts must rely on their expertise to carefully randomize small samples so that their underlying distribution approximates that of the population. This is the standard procedure in carefully controlled scientific studies but impossible in an election context where sample statistics are reported as they come.

The earliest delivered samples are of necessity extremely small relative to that of the population (the total number of votes) and have little chance of mirroring the final result.

In the 2020 US elections, Trump led the race in the early counting stages. But as succeeding samples came in, they were integrated with previous samples and, as the aggregate sample size became larger and closer to the total population size, so did the accuracy of the election result. When Biden won in the end, Trump’s ignorance of the law of large numbers led him to cry foul and claim that his victory had been confiscated.

But that’s also the concrete proof that, contrary to the PPCRV’s claims, the random pattern of receipt of results leads to highly variable intermediate predictions.

And contrary to the PPCRV’s claims, the law of large numbers does not justify but rather casts doubt on Comelec’s 68:32 ratio which never budged as the aggregate sample size grew throughout the counting process.

Her conclusion: “The Comelec could have rigged the election results with a bit more subtlety, as this bulldozer approach is an insult to the electorate’s intelligence.”

Be that as it may, Congress convenes on May 24 to canvass the results of the election for president and vice-president. The lawmakers are expected to declare what we all know by now, that Ferdinand Marcos Jr. won as president and Sara Duterte as vice–president by a landslide, confirming opinion survey results since late last year.

With doubts raised, however, about the poll results, including the ratio of the votes counted for the two top presidential bets (68:23, or 100 percent), someone asked, correctly, if we may add: Whatever happened to the votes for the 8 other candidates? Thrown into the wastebasket?

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

Most automakers fall short on climate goals: report

By Marlowe Hood ONLY two of the world’s 12 top automakers plan to make enough electric vehicles by 2030 to stay in step with Paris Agreement climate goals, experts said Wednesday.

Globally, more than half of all new vehicles coming off of production lines in 2029 would need to be electric for the sector to be compliant with the goal of capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, according to Influence Map, a research NGO that evaluates corporate climate goals and policies.

At the same time, 11 of the 12 carmakers — while publicly supporting the Paris Agreement — have actively opposed government policies to accelerate the shift to electric vehicles, especially the phase-out internal combustion engines, Influence Map said.

Japanese auto giants Toyota, Honda and Nissan are especially far off the mark, with non-polluting cars accounting for

only 14, 18 and 22 percent, respectively, of their planned production in 2029, the report said.

South Korea’s Hyundai, US manufacturer Ford and France’s Renault — with 27, 28 and 31 percent of their global fleets projected to be electric in seven years — were only marginally more on track.

The standout exception is US-based Tesla, a “pure player” manufacturer that has only ever made electric cars and trucks.

Lagging behind “Almost all automakers are failing to keep pace with the transition to zero emissions,” said Influence Map program Manager Ben Youriev.

“Those lagging the furthest behind are also the most negative when it comes to climate policy advocacy.”

Ford, Stellantis, Volkswagen and BMW come closer to the 52 percent threshold for compatibility with Paris temperature target, with 36 to 46 percent of their fleets planned to be electric in 2029.

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‘Almost all automakers are failing to keep pace with the transition to zero emissions.’

Besides Tesla, only Mercedes-Benz — at 56 percent — is projecting a transition in keeping with that target.

To evaluate automaker trajectories, Influence Map cross-references different datasets.

Researchers used the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) scenario for decarbonising the transport sector rapidly enough to not jeopardize the 1.5C goal, which would need 57.5 percent of all cars produced in 2030 to be electric.

The IEA’s Net Zero by 2050 report also assumes the share of renewables in global electricity generation would be about 60

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

percent in 2030.

The Influence Map report then compared this goal with IHS Markit production forecasts to 2029, corresponding to a 52 percent share of electric vehicles in the IEA schema.

Collectively, the combined global production of battery electric vehicles by all automakers is forecast to only reach 32 percent by 2029.

That means the auto industry would need to boost production of zero-emission cars by 80 percent in order to hit the IEA 2030 production target.

Impact of government policy The report findings reveal the critical impact of government policy on the pace of the transition away from internal combustion engines, which account for around 16 percent of global energy-related CO2 emissions, according to the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

In the European Union, which aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 55 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, Toyota’s

produced fleet is projected to be 50 percent electric by 2029.

But in the United States, where fuel emissions standards are less stringent, that figure is only four percent.

Similarly, Ford’s EU-based production is forecast to be 65 percent electric by 2029 — nearly double its global average.

One pension fund with shares in Toyota and Volkswagen expressed concern about the Influence of the Map findings.

“As investors, we are concerned with the picture painted which confirms that some companies in the auto industry are placing themselves on the wrong side of history when actively opposing much needed climate change-related rules and regulations,” Anders Schelde, CIO of Denmark’s AkademikerPension, with $20 billion of assets under management, told AFP. “We are also worried about Toyota scoring the worst among peers on climate lobbying as the company is jeopardizing its valuable brand.” AFP

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IN BRIEF Rare monkeypox outbreaks detected

HEALTH authorities in North America and Europe have detected dozens of suspected or confirmed cases of monkeypox since early May, sparking concern the disease endemic in parts of Africa is spreading.

Canada was the latest country to report it was investigating more than a dozen suspected cases of monkeypox, after Spain and Portugal detected more than 40 possible and verified cases.

Britain has confirmed nine cases since May 6, and the United States verified its first on Wednesday, saying a man in the eastern state of Massachusetts had tested positive for the virus after visiting Canada.

The illness, from which most people recover within several weeks and has only been fatal in rare cases, has infected thousands of people in parts of Central and Western Africa in recent years but is rare in Europe and North Africa.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday it was coordinating with UK and European health officials over the new outbreaks.

“We really need to better understand the extent of monkeypox in endemic countries... to really understand how much is circulating and the risk that it poses for people who are living there, as well as the risk of exportation,” infectious disease epidemiologist Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove said at a WHO press conference on Tuesday on global health issues.

The first case in Britain was someone who had traveled from Nigeria, though later cases were possibly through community transmission, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said in a statement. AFP

‘North Korea ready for nuke weapon test’

NORTH Korea has completed preparations for a nuclear test and is seeking the best moment to carry it out, a South Korean lawmaker said Thursday, a day before US President Joe Biden is due to arrive in Seoul.

Despite North Korea’s recent COVID-19 outbreak, “preparations for a nuclear test have been completed and they are only looking for the right time,” lawmaker Ha Tae-keung told reporters after being briefed by Seoul’s National Intelligence Service.

The United States said earlier it believes there is a “genuine possibility” that North Korea could conduct a nuclear test while Biden is on his first trip as president to Asia.

Biden will arrive in Seoul late Friday for a series of summits.

“Our intelligence does reflect the genuine possibility” of nuclear-capable missile tests or a nuclear weapon test around the time of Biden’s trip, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said.

Satellite imagery indicates North Korea is preparing to conduct a nuclear test, and the United States and South Korea have been warning for weeks that it could come any day.

North Korea announced its first COVID-19 cases last week.

It is now reporting hundreds of thousands of cases of “fever” daily, with analysts saying a test could help distract the regime from the outbreak. AFP NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late NAZARIO CONCEPCION ABEJON has been extra judicially settled among his heirs consisting of: · Land property located at Lalaan 1, Silang Cavite (OCT/TCT/CCT/ CLOA # 076-2019008004) · Land property located at Gainesville Subd., Old Bulihan, Silang Cavite (OCT/TCT/CCT/ CLOA # 076-2019006781) · Bank maintained with Silang, Cavite Branch of Metrobank (Pesos and Dollar Savings Account) As per Doc. No. 165; Page No. 34; Book No. VIII; Series of 2022 before Notary Public ATTY. TOMAS B. BAGA, JR.

US backs Nordic NATO bids, Ukraine starts war crime trial U

S President Joe Biden will host the leaders of Finland and Sweden to discuss their NATO membership bids, while Ukraine said no military option was left to rescue the soldiers still inside a steel plant besieged by Russian forces.

DEFIANT OPENING. Employees raise the flag outside the US embassy in Kyiv on May 18, 2022 as the embassy reopens after closing it for three months due to the Russian invasion. AFP

Nearly 60 million people internally displaced in 2021

CONFLICTS and natural disasters forced tens of millions to flee within their own country last year, pushing the number of internally displaced people to a record high, monitors said Thursday.

Some 59.1 million people were registered as internally displaced worldwide in 2021 – an all-time record expected to be broken again this year amid mass displacement inside war-torn Ukraine.

Around 38 million new internal displacements were reported in 2021, with some people forced to flee multiple times during the year, according to a joint report by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

That marks the second-highest annual number of new internal displace-

ments in a decade after 2020, which saw record-breaking movement due to a string of natural disasters.

Last year, new internal displacements from conflict surged to 14.4 million – marking a 50-percent jump from 2020 and more than doubling since 2012, the report showed.

And global internal displacement figures are only expected to grow this year, driven in particular by the war in Ukraine.

More than eight million people have already been displaced within the warravaged country since Russia’s fullscale invasion began on February 24, in addition to the more than six million who have fled Ukraine as refugees.

“2022 is looking bleak,” IDMC di-

rector Alexandra Bilak told reporters.

The record numbers seen in 2021, she said, marked “a tragic indictment really on the state of the world and on peace-building efforts in particular.”

NRC chief Jan Egeland agreed, warning: “It has never been as bad as this.”

“The world is falling apart,” he told reporters.

“The situation today is phenomenally worse than even our record figure suggests.”

In 2021, sub-Saharan Africa counted the most internal movements, with more than five million displacements reported in Ethiopia alone, as the country grappled with the raging and expanding Tigray conflict and a devastating drought. AFP

POSTCARD PRETTY. Chilean flamingos are seen in the Chaxa Lake at the Salt Flat of Atacama, Los Flamencos national reserve, in San Pedro de Atacama.

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NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION MEGAHARMONY INC. Notice is hereby given that the Amended Articles of MEGAHARMONY INC. with the TIN of 756-284-545-000, shortening the term of its existence and thereby dissolving the said corporation as of January 24, 2022. a Balance Sheet showing that no creditors thereof will be affected by such dissolution, have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All persons having claims against the corporation are required to present the same at its principal office at UNIT 802 PENINSULA COURT BLDG., 8745 PASEO DE ROXAS AVE., BEL-AIR MAKATI CITY for immediate settlement.

This announcement will serve as a notice to all parties concerned of the legal dissolution of the said corporation.

Makati City. Philippines. January 24, 2022 (SGD) ARIEL DELA CRUZ FELICIANO Corporate Secretary (MS-MAY 13, 20 & 27, 2022)

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION ONEBLUESTAR CORP. Notice is hereby given that the Amended Articles of ONEBLUESTAR CORP. with the TIN of 745-044-729-000, shortening the term of its existence and thereby dissolving the said corporation as of March 9, 2022. a Balance Sheet showing that no creditors thereof will be affected by such dissolution, have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All persons having claims against the corporation are required to present the same at its principal office at UNIT 204 PENINSULA COURT BLDG., 8735 PASEO DE ROXAS AVE., BEL-AIR MAKATI CITY for immediate settlement.

This announcement will serve as a notice to all parties concerned of the legal dissolution of the said corporation.

Makati City. Philippines. March 9, 2022 (SGD) AL MICHAEL M. PATRICIO

Corporate Secretary

(MS-MAY 13, 20 & 27, 2022)

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION ALTEXPRIME INC. Notice is hereby given that the Amended Articles of ALTEXPRIME INC. with the TIN of 756-583-133-000, shortening the term of its existence and thereby dissolving the said corporation as of March 9, 2022. a Balance Sheet showing that no creditors thereof will be affected by such dissolution, have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All persons having claims against the corporation are required to present the same at its principal office at UNIT 708 MEDICAL TOWERS MAKATI., 103 V.A. RUPINO ST., LEGASPI VILLAGE, SAN LORENZO CITY OF MAKATI for immediate settlement.

This announcement will serve as a notice to all parties concerned of the legal dissolution of the said corporation.

Makati City. Philippines. March 9, 2022

(MS-MAY 13, 20 & 27, 2022)

(SGD) ROXAN ROLEN BARCELLANO Corporate Secretary

Moscow’s troops have been accused of widespread atrocities against civilians during their devastating campaign, and Ukraine began its first war crimes trial of the conflict on Wednesday with a Russian soldier pleading guilty.

The brutality of the invasion that began on February 24 shook Sweden and Finland, and the neighbors – after decades of military non-alignment – decided to seek NATO membership despite warnings from the Kremlin.

“I warmly welcome and strongly support the historic applications from Finland and Sweden for membership in NATO,” Biden said in a statement Wednesday, offering US support against any “aggression” while their bids are considered.

Biden will meet President Sauli Niinisto of Finland and Sweden’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson in Washington on Thursday for consultations.

Their bids face stiff resistance from NATO member Turkey, which accuses the two nations of harboring anti-Turkish extremists.

But Western allies remain optimistic they can overcome Ankara’s objections.

In an effort to lower the diplomatic heat, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu at the United Nations, who called the faceto-face discussion “extremely positive.”

Applications for entry into the alliance require the approval of all members.

For now, several including Britain have offered security guarantees to Finland and Sweden to guard against any Russian aggression.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said these applications would not have been expected recently “but Putin’s appalling ambitions have transformed the geopolitical contours of our continent.”

On the ground, in the ruined port city of Mariupol, more than 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers including senior commanders remained inside the besieged Azovstal steel plant, a pro-Russian separatist leader said.

Moscow said 959 of the troops had surrendered this week.

Ukraine’s defense ministry pledged to do “everything necessary” to rescue those still in the sprawling plant’s tunnels but admitted there was no military option available. AFP

Biden set for first Asia trip with N. Korea nuclear fears looming PRESIDENT Joe Biden leaves Thursday for South Korea and Japan to cement US leadership in Asia at a time when the White House’s attention has been pulled back to Russia and Europe – and amid fears of North Korean nuclear tests overshadowing the trip.

The visits are being touted as proof that the United States is building on recent moves to cement its years-long pivot to Asia, where rising Chinese commercial and military power is undercutting decades of US dominance.

But highlighting competing demands

from two sides of the world, Biden will meet at the White House with the leaders of Finland and Sweden to celebrate their applications for joining NATO before he boards Air Force One for Seoul.

The Democrat is headed to South Korea, then Japan on Sunday to hold summits with the leaders of both countries, as well as joining a regional summit of the Quad – a grouping of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States – while in Tokyo.

During the first leg, he will visit US and South Korean troops, but will not make the traditional presidential trek to the fortified

frontier known as the DMZ between South and North Korea, the White House said.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan insisted there was no “tension” between the European and Asian issues, calling them “mutually reinforcing.”

“There’s something quite evocative about going from meeting with the president of Finland and the prime minister of Sweden to reinforce the momentum behind the NATO alliance and the free world’s response to Ukraine, then getting on a plane and flying out to the Indo-Pacific,” Sullivan said.

Gay couples seek foreign marriage okay in Taiwan TAIWAN’S LGBTQ community celebrated the third year of gay marriage being legal this week, but for Vincent Chuang it was a bittersweet reminder that he still cannot wed because he fell in love with a foreigner.

Socially progressive Taiwan is at the vanguard of Asia’s gay rights movement, and became the first in the region to legalize same-sex unions on May 17, 2019.

But the law still contains restrictions that heterosexual couples do not face, including limits on which foreigners same-sex couples can wed.

Under the current rules, Taiwanese nationals can only marry those from the roughly 30 countries and territories where same-sex marriage is also legal.

Activists say that discriminates against most

In this photo taken on May 12, 2022, Vincent Chuang, a Taiwanese teacher, shows pictures with his Filipino partner Andrew Espera at home in New Taipei City.

Taiwan’s LGBTQ community celebrated the third year of gay marriage being legal this week but for Chuang, it was a bittersweet reminder that he still cannot wed because he fell in love with a foreigner. AFP

transnational couples and keeps them apart, especially during the pandemic, which has seen partners unable to cross borders and enter Taiwan as dependents or spouses.

For Chuang, a 36-year-old teacher, the enforced split from his Filipino partner Andrew Espera has been painful.

“We are just two people who love each other and who want to be with each other. We are not asking for anything extravagant, only this small right,” he told AFP. Chuang met Espera, a cook, six years ago during a trip to the Philippines. AFP

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4 5 6 7

ION COL MONDE CPM

0.64 3.68 15.7 2.7

0.04 0.2 0.76 0.13

6.67% 5.75% 5.09% 5.06%

8

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7.1

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FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market declines; Monde Nissin, BDO up

T

HE stock market retreated Thursday along with the rest of Asia on profit taking and after Wall Street suffered one of its worst batterings in two years.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index fell 67.55 points, or 1 percent, to 6,660.05 on a value turnover of P8 billion. Losers beat gainers, 105 to 79, with 36 issues unchanged.

SM Investments Corp. of the Sy Group dropped 3.6 percent to P839, while major property developer Ayala Land Inc. of the Ayala Group declined 3 percent to P27.95.

Noodles maker Monde Nissin Corp., however, advanced 5.1 percent to P15.70, while BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender in terms of assets rose 3.8 percent to P131.80.

Markets in Europe and Asia also posted losses Thursday.

Downcast earnings reports from retailers had exacerbated worries about consumer resilience and corporate profitability Wednesday, sparking a rough day’s trade.

Hong Kong slumped 2.5 percent, while Tokyo closed down by 1.89 percent.

Among the biggest losers in Hong Kong were Chinese tech giants after Tencent reported lackluster profits, fueling wider concerns for a grim earnings season as China’s economic outlook worsens.

Tencent plunged more than eight percent in early trading before paring losses slightly, a day after it posted its slowest revenue gain since going public in 2004.

Alibaba dropped more than six percent, while Baidu and Xiaomi were also down.

Elsewhere in the region, Austra-

lia posted its lowest jobless rate in 48 years, in a potential boost to Prime Minister Scott Morrison two days ahead of a tightly contested federal election.

The unemployment rate dipped to 3.9 percent, the official statistics body said, the lowest rate since 1974.

But stocks in Sydney were still down, as were those in Singapore, Seoul and Taipei.

Jakarta and Shanghai eked out small gains.

“Sentiment... is highly negative as traders and investors are largely concerned about an economic downturn and soaring inflation,” said AvaTrade analyst Naeem Aslam.

Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management called Wednesday’s losses “the most significant daily decline since June 2020.”

“The weakness came as Target’s quarterly earnings added fuel to the recession risk narrative,” he added. With AFP

MOST ACTIVE

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29,993,400 3,469,640 2,012,710

456,460,032 450,653,673 428,541,794

6 7 8 9 10

SM ALI GLO AC TEL

512,330 14,678,100 153,075 454,750 143,680

427,855,445 415,208,520 379,935,460 309,014,060 281,716,275

LIVESTOCK CHECK. A cow looks on after being checked by a vet against foot-and-mouth disease at a livestock in Lambaro, Indonesia’s Aceh province on May 19, 2022. AFP

3 brothers keep Switzerland’s picturesque mountains in high spirits

By Agnes Pedrero

ing and, as in Souboz, the schools are shutting, too, as the population gradually shifts ever more towards the lower-lying towns and cities.

The population of Souboz has dropped from 135 in 2012 to 85 last year.

Faced with the slow-motion exodus, some villages are trying everything they can to reverse the tide, including financial incentives to attract newcomers, such as offering empty houses for a symbolic sum of one Swiss franc. AFP

SOUBOZ, Switzerland—Depopulation threatens the future of Switzerland’s picturesque mountain villages, but three brothers are trying to keep theirs alive by capturing its essence in a bottle.

In the one-road hamlet of Souboz, nearly 900 meters(2,950 feet) up in the Jura mountains, the nature-loving Gyger brothers distill whatever they forage, such as gentian roots and juniper, in a bid to sustain the local economy.

Switzerland is trying to stave off the slow-motion extinction of its remote communities as young people move to the cities for jobs and opportunities.

Thanks to a grant from the Swiss Mountain Aid foundation, the Gygers were able transform their grandfather’s old home into the Gagygnole distillery, turning professional a couple of years ago.

The name comes from eldest brother Gaetan’s nickname Gagy, and gnole— French slang for a drop of the hard stuff.

On the ground floor of an old farmhouse, the scent of coriander and juniper berries hangs in the air, while warmth emanates from the 2.5-meter-high copThe Gyger brothers (from left) Gaetan, Tim and Luca of Gagygnole distillery stand on the way to collect per still in which Gaetan distills gin over sweet woodruff in a forest near Souboz, northern Switzerland on May 10, 2022. AFP a wood fire.

“This production site has been in our lives since we were very young. We really have roots anchored in our village,” he told AFP. An agronomist by GMA HOLDINGS, HOLDINGS, INC. INC. GMA training, Gaetan, now 30, had studied in Geneva.

“We didn’t want to set up in the city,” he said, despite the bigger potential client base.

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NOTICE TO TO NOTICE STOCKHOLDERS STOCKHOLDERS

UK inflation accelerated to 40-year peak of 9% in April LONDON, United Kingdom—Britain’s inflation rate has surged to a 40year high on soaring energy costs, official data showed Wednesday, sparking calls for an emergency government budget to combat a worsening cost-of-living crisis.

Annual inflation soared to 9.0 percent in April from 7.0 percent in March, the Office for National Statistics said, delivering another heavy blow to Britons whose wages were already failing to keep pace with surging prices.

April’s headline figure marked the highest inflation rate since 1982, the ONS added.

Major economies are being hit by decades-high inflation as the Ukraine war and lifting of COVID lockdowns fuels especially energy and food prices.

This in turn has forced central banks including the Federal Reserve and Bank of England to hike interest rates.

According to the ONS, the squeeze on UK household budgets tightened further in April also on a British tax hike as the government looks to improve state coffers battered by COVID support.

Despite rising calls for Britain’s Conservative government to ease the pain of soaring inflation, finance minister Rishi Sunak insisted the state “cannot protect people completely.”

Reacting to Wednesday’s data, he blamed the situation on “global challenges” and noted Britain was not alone in dealing with rocketing prices.

Speaking at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) annual dinner, Sunak said “we have a collective responsibility to help the most vulnerable” and that “we stand ready to do more.”

However, he warned “the economic situation is extremely serious. The next few months will be tough.”

The main opposition Labor party again demanded an emergency budget to help Britons cope with a threat of recession.

“Our country faces a cost-ofliving crisis, and a growth crisis,” said Labor finance spokeswoman Rachel Reeves. AFP

21STFLOOR FLOORPACIFIC PACIFICSTAR STARBLDG., BLDG.,SEN. SEN.GIL GILPUYAT PUYATAVENUE AVENUECORNER CORNERMAKATI MAKATIAVENUE, AVENUE, 21ST MAKATICITY, CITY,PHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES1200 1200 MAKATI TELEPHONE:(632) (632)793-5500 793-5500TO TO0404FAX: FAX:(632) (632)811-5588 811-5588 TELEPHONE:

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10.Adjournment Adjournment 10. light ofof the the current current conditions conditions and and inin support support ofof the the measures measures toto InIn light prevent the the spread spread ofof COVID-19, COVID-19, there there will will be be no no physical physical meeting. meeting. prevent Stockholders may may only only attend attend and and participate participate inin the the meeting meeting by by remote remote Stockholders communication.Stockholders Stockholdersmay mayvote voteelectronically electronicallyininabsentia, absentia,subject subject communication. validationprocedures. procedures. totovalidation Stockholders who who intend intend toto attend attend by by remote remote communication communication are are Stockholders required toto REGISTER REGISTER via via https://www.century-properties.com/ https://www.century-properties.com/ required asm2022/on onororbefore beforeJune June15, 15,2022 2022 asm2022/ Theinstructions, instructions,procedures proceduresand andrequirements requirementsfor forelectronic electronicvoting votinginin The absentiaand andparticipation participationby byremote remotecommunication communicationshall shallbe besent senttotothe the absentia emailaddress addressprovided providedininthe thestockholder’s stockholder’sregistration registrationfrom. from. email Thelink linkthrough throughwhich whichthe theMeeting Meetingmay maybe beaccessed accessedshall shallbe besent sent The the email email address address ofof the the registered registered stockholder stockholder after after validation. validation. The The toto the proceduresfor forparticipating participatingininthe themeeting meetingthrough throughremote remotecommunication communication procedures andfor forcasting castingofofvotes votesininabsentia absentiawill willbe beset setforth forthand anddiscussed discussedinindetails details and theCompany’s Company’sDefinitive DefinitiveInformation InformationStatement Statement(SEC (SECForm Form20-IS).

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Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

B4

FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022

Bloomberry acquiring P7.5-b Puerto Azul lot for casino dev’t

By Jenniffer B. Austria BLOOMBERRY Resorts Corp. of ports and gaming tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. is acquiring a huge property in Ternate, Cavite for P7.5 billion for a new integrated resort and casino complex.

Bloomberry said in a disclosure to the stock exchange newly-formed subsidiary Solaire Entertainment Property Holdings Inc. signed an agreement to acquire 2.797 million square meters of property owned by Boulevard Holdings Inc., Puerto Azul Land Inc., Ternate Development Corp. and Monte Sol Development Corp. It will buy the property at an average price of P2,000 per sq. m.

The gaming firm said SEPHI would develop the Paniman property into an integrated resort and entertainment complex with a world class casino, hotel, golf course, commercial, residential and mixed-use development.

“This Paniman project is expected to commence after the Solaire North in Vertis, Quezon City has started its commercial operations,” Bloomberry said.

BHI said in a separate disclosure to the stock exchange it signed an agreement with SEPHI for the sale of 281,932 sq. m. of land in Cavite at P5,050 per sq. m.

The Puerto Azul property is a bailiwick of the Panlilios. The group has long been looking for a new investor to unlock values out of its vast seaside property in Cavite.

Ayala Land in 2014 planned to acquire several properties in Cavite owned by BHI. The property firm, however, terminated its plan.

Aside from the deal, Bloomberry also reported that it signed a term sheet agreement to invest in businessman Dennis Uy’s casino developments in Cebu and Pampanga.

Bloomberry reported a net income of P679.4 million in the first quarter, a sharp reversal of the P780.8-million net loss in the same period last year amid easing mobility restrictions.

BPI board approves issuance of P100-b worth of CP, bonds BANK of the Philippine Islands said Thursday it will issue up to P100 billion worth of peso-denominated bank bonds as it diversifies funding sources to support sustainability strategy.

“Please be advised that on May 18, 2022, the board of directors of Bank of the Philippine Islands approved the issuance of up to P100 billion in peso-denominated bank bonds and commercial papers under a new peso bond and commercial paper program following full utilization of the bank’s bank bond program previously established in 2019,” BPI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

It said the actual issuance of bonds and commercial papers under the program would be subject to market conditions and determined by requirements of the bank’s business.

“The objective of the program is to diversify the bank’s funding sources and support, when possible, the Bank’s sustainability strategy,” it said.

The bank remains one of the largest in terms of assets. The Ayala-led bank is bullish on the growth prospects in 2022 amid the sustained strength of its core businesses and the reopening of the economy that could further boost consumer and business confidence.

BPI president and chief executive Teodoro Limcaoco, in a previous briefing, expressed confidence that the growth momentum from closing 2021 and the positive numbers in the first quarter this year could be carried over to the rest of the year.

The bank plans to spend a substantial amount for technology this year— around P13.5 billion—as digitalization becomes the trend in the banking industry.

BPI posted a net income of P8.0 billion in the first quarter, up 59.6 percent from a year ago, on higher net interest income, lower loss provisions and normalized tax expenses. Julito G. Rada

Business BSP raises interest rate to 2.25% to tame prices T

By Julito G. Rada

HE Monetary Board, the policy-making body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, on Thursday raised the overnight borrowing rate by 25 basis points to 2.25 percent to rein in inflation amid the continued economic recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The policy rate adjustment was the first time in 18 months since the MB cut it by 25 basis points to a record low of 2 percent in November 2020.

BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said in an online briefing the Monetary Board’s decision to raise the policy rate will take effect Friday. The interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were also raised to 1.75 percent

and 2.75 percent, respectively.

“The Monetary Board believes that a timely increase in the BSP’s policy interest rate will help arrest further second-round effects and temper the buildup in inflation expectations. The Monetary Board likewise reiterates its support for the sustained implementation of non-monetary interventions to mitigate the impact of persistent supplyside factors on inflation, particularly food supply and prices,” Diokno said.

He said the policy rate hike incorporated the latest wage increase and the US Fed’s plan to increase interest rates further, although he said that future policy decisions would continue to be data driven.

Diokno said the strong rebound in domestic economic activity and labor market conditions in the first quarter of 2022 provided scope for the BSP to continue rolling back its pandemic-induced interventions, consistent with its exit strategy from monetary accommodation.

The economy expanded by 8.3 percent in the first quarter, a sharp reversal of the 3.8-percent contraction a year ago, as the economy continued to reopen

amid the massive vaccination program to contain the spread of the pandemic, which, in turn, boosted consumer and business confidence.

He said with the provisional advances to the national government reduced from P540 billion in 2020 and 2021 to P300 billion in January 2022, the national government would fully settle these loans on May 20, ahead of the maturity schedule of June 11, 2022.

“Moreover, given ample liquidity, a gradual recovery in credit activity, and stable financial market conditions, the Monetary Board has decided to reconfigure the BSP’s government securities purchasing window from a crisis intervention measure into a regular liquidity facility under our interest rate corridor framework,” he said.

“As part of the BSP’s standard monetary operations toolkit for injecting liquidity into the financial market, the recalibrated government securities purchasing window shall enhance the BSP’s ability to manage domestic liquidity conditions and ensure the sustainability of its balance sheet,” Diokno said.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Thursday, May 19, 2022

-67.55 PTS. 6,660.05

TOTAL VOLUME

1,686,130,625

TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES

111,782 8,007,755,216.58 79

DECLINES

105

UNCHANGED

36

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

52.4220

Japan

Yen

0.007794

0.4086

UK

Pound

1.234500

64.7150

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127408

6.6790

Switzerland

Franc

1.012248

53.0641

Canada

Dollar

0.776036

40.6814

Singapore

Dollar

0.718959

37.6893

Australia

Dollar

0.695500

36.4595

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652872

139.0689

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266596

13.9755

Brunei

Dollar

0.716384

37.5543

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000068

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.028860

1.5129

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

14.2738

Euro

Euro

1.046400

54.8544

Korea

Won

0.000784

0.0411

China

Yuan

0.148082

7.7628

India

Rupee

0.012852

0.6737

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.227609

11.9317

New Zealand

Dollar

0.629700

33.0101

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033584

1.7605 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF

Cebu Pacific resumes Cebu foreign flights

CEBU Pacific announced Thursday the resumption of international flights from Cebu, beginning with Cebu to South Korea.

The carrier said that on July 3, it will start twice-weekly flights from Cebu to Seoul (Incheon), every Thursday and Sunday.

Flight 5J 128 is estimated to depart the Mactan Cebu International Airport at 12:25 p.m. and is set to arrive at Seoul International Airport at 6:10 p.m.. Its return flight, 5J 129, is scheduled to leave Seoul at 6:55 p.m. and will arrive in Cebu at 10:50 p.m.

This is the first international destination that the airline is restarting from its Cebu hub, following the reopening of South Korea for tourists.

“We are very happy to restart this flight as we know passengers in the Visayas and Mindanao have been looking forward to travel internationally again, without needing to pass by Manila. We hope to expand our international network more in the coming months as we’ve already stabilized operating over 100% of our pre-pandemic domestic capacity,” said CEB chief commercial officer Xander Lao.

Raslag pegs maximum IPO price at P2 apiece

RENEWABLE energy producer Raslag Corp. set the final offer price for its initial public offering at a maximum of P2 per share despite the market volatility.

Raslag is expected to raise P805 million in proceeds from the sale of 350 million primary common shares with an overallotment option for another 52.5 million secondary shares.

Raslag, a Pampanga-based solar producer, is scheduled to hold the offering period from May 23 to 27, 2022. The company will be listed on the main board of the PSE under the symbol ASLAG on June 6.

The company is conducting its maiden share offering amid volatile trading conditions with the index down more than 10 percent since the start of the year because of concerns on higher inflation and interest rates.

Regina Capital Development Corp. said global pressure to shift to cleaner source of energy and near term lack of supply will bode well for Raslag. Jenniffer B. Austria

LANDBANK CENTER. Land Bank of the Philippines inaugurates a three-story corporate center along McArthur Highway in Barangay Dakila, Malolos City to provide Bulaceños convenient access to a wide array of banking services. Leading the ribbon-cutting ceremony are (front row, from left) LandBank executive vice president Julio Climaco Jr., LandBank president and chief executive Cecilia Borromeo and Bulacan State University president Dr. Cecilia Navasero-Gascon. With them are (second row, from left) LandBank senior vice president Randolph Montesa, Dr. Yanga’s Colleges Inc. president Michael Yanga and LandBank executive vice president Alan Bornas.

Chamber of Mines welcomes reopening of Tampakan

By Othel V. Campos THE Chamber of Mines of the Philippines said Thursday it looks forward to the reopening of the stalled Tampakan copper-gold project following the lifting of the ban on open pit mining in South Cotabato province.

COMP said the local government unit’s environment code is now aligned with national laws on mining, allowing open pit extraction method used by thousands of mines worldwide.

“We laud this decision by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of South Cotabato as it paves the way for the development of the Tampakan Copper Gold Project,” said Chamber of Mines of the Philippines chairman Michael Toledo.

Chamber of Mines of the Philippines chairman Michael Toledo

COMP said global practices allow open pit mines to be operated safely and

can be rehabilitated properly to create alternative and productive land use after the life of mine.

Toledo said Tampakan could be another powerful project that would lift the local and regional economy in South Cotabato, adding to the benefits of similar mining tenements in Silangan and Kingking.

The mining project is expected to spur economic activities, create employment, open up new business opportunities and promote social development programs in education and health.

“When these projects go full swing, they can increase yearly national government revenues by P12 billion a year, local government revenues by P1.5 billion, exports by almost $2 billion and social expenditures by close to P800 million per year,” Toledo said.

PLDT to test satellite broadband service

PLDT and wireless unit Smart Communications Inc., along with technology collaborator AST SpaceMobile, informed the government that they will conduct space-based cellular broadband testing.

PLDT Group met with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the National Telecommunications Commission to express their support for the government’s overall thrust to provide connectivity to Filipinos across the country, including those in far-flung areas.

Smart and AST SpaceMobile presented their plans to conduct tests of AST SpaceMobile’s BlueWalker 3 satellite, which is being designed to communicate directly with unmodified mobile phones from low Earth orbit satellite. Smart will be the first to test this technology in the Philippines.

“The digital divide is a massive concern that was further highlighted by the restrictions brought about by the pandemic. Given our country’s archipelagic nature, deploying typical terrestrial broadband infrastructure across the Philippines has been a challenge, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas,” DICT acting Secretary Emmanuel Rey Caintic said.

Darwin G. Amojelar

More ASEAN countries eye tobacco option MORE countries in Southeast Asia are considering tobacco harm reduction as state policy, looking at regulating smoke-free alternatives to cigarettes to address the smoking epidemic following the Philippine Congress’ passage of the Vaporized Nicotine Bill.

Clarisse Virgino, the Philippine representative to the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates, said more Southeast Asian countries are expected to follow the Philippines in “welcoming tobacco harm reduction as the most effective public health strategy to address the smoking problem.”

Thailand is now considering THR as a public health strategy, with a draft legislation to legalize e-cigarettes filed at a sub-committee of Thailand’s Parliament.

Several top officials of Thailand, including Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, expressed support for the legalization.

Asa Saligupta, director of ENDS

Cigarette Smoke Thailand, said that with draft legislation now before a sub-committee, he is confident that the countries vaping bill will be passed by Thailand’s Parliament this year.

Thailand’s likely shift in smokefree product regulation came after the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives’ approval of the Vape Bill which awaits President Rodrigo Duterte’s signing into a law.

Nicotine Consumers Union of the Philippines president Anton Israel said this means that more countries now realize that the best way to reduce the harm from smoking is to provide consumers with better alternatives such as electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

“Asian consumers deserve the same access to smoke-free cigarette alternatives as what consumers in the US and Europe get. We hope that more Southeast Asian nations will adopt the more pragmatic and scientific approach to reduce the harm from smoking,” said Israel.

LOWER RATES. Manila Electric Company announces a P0.12-per-kilowatt hour reduction in power rates this month. The downward adjustment equates to P24 in total savings for a typical household consuming 200 kWh. Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications Joe Zaldarriaga says the overall rate reduction is primarily due to the implementation of a refund of distribution-related charges starting this month. This offsets the increase in generation charge for May.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022

PH bowlers deliver 2nd SEAG gold The Philippines’ Eumir Marcial gave Thailand’s Peerapat Yeasungnoen a taste of his power as the Tokyo Olympics’ bronze medalist came through with a Referee Stopped Contest (5-0) in the Men’s 69kg - 75kg of the boxing competitions of the 31st SEA Games. Marcial barged into the finals.

Big guns coming: Diaz, Petecio try to bring hope to PH campaign

By Riera U. Mallari

H

ANOI—Tokyo Olympians Hidilyn Diaz and Nesthy Petecio lead the charge of the big guns on Friday as the Philippines makes another push to regain lost ground in the 31st Southeast Asian Games.

Diaz steps into the Hanoi Sports Training and Competition Center weightlifting stage at 1 p.m. (Manila time), her first competition in eight months since winning the country’s first and only gold medal in the Tokyo Olympic Games “I will give my best po. Nood po kayo at suportahan ang mga Pinoy weightlifters,” said the 31-year-old Diaz, who will try to defend the women’s 55-kg crown she won during the 2019 Philippine edition of the biennial meet.

The Philippines at 7 p.m. on Thursday

Remaining PH bets urged not to let health guards down HANOI—National team chef de mission Ramon Fernandez on Thursday urged the county’s remaining campaigners in the 31st Vietnam Southeast Asian Games not to let their health and safety guards down as the sportsfest enters its critical homestretch.

“I urge our remaining athletes to remain vigilant and not be complacent PSC commissioner with regards to Ramon Fernandez the health and safety protocols they must follow to compete in the Vietnam SEA Games. They cannot let their guards down,” said Fernandez.

“Let not all of their hard work, sacrifice, time and effort go to waste. They trained intensively and came here to compete and not wind up as mere tourists,” the Philippine delegation point man stressed.

He was grateful that there have been no reports of athletes and coaches testing positive for COVID-19 since the action in the 31st edition of the regional meet went full blast six days ago.

As a standard procedure, athletes and coaches are required to take antigen tests for the virus a day before their performances so they can participate in their respective events once the results show they are negative, according to Fernandez.

He said that the contributions of the remaining athletes were important in fueling the Philippine drive to hit the target of finishing third overall in the medal standings with hostilities winding up on Sunday.

Despite a paltry four-gold haul last Tuesday, the Filipino bets clung to third spot with 38 golds, 50 silvers and 66 bronzes.

slid to fourth spot in the medal table behind host and virtual overall champion Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.

Hoping to pull the rug from under Diaz are Vietnam’s Nguyen Thu Hien, Indonesia’s Natasya Beteyob, Thailand’s Tanasan Sanikun, Malaysia’s Cassendra Engelbert Elly and Cambodia’s Tan Poch.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said he expects Diaz to retain her gold medal.

“I’m looking forward to Hidilyn re-

taining her title, she’s an elite athlete and an Olympic champion,” Tolentino said.

Petecio, Tokyo Olympics’ silver medalist, battles Vietnamese Tran Thi Linh on Friday, eyeing a decisive victory to avoid a controversial decision in the women’s featherweight boxing event at the Bac Ninh Stadium here.

The 30-year-old Petecio of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, will go into the match assured of the bronze medal after scoring a unanimous decision victory over Kay Thwe Nyein of Myanmar in the quarterfinals last Wednesday.

Another Tokyo Olympian in Irish Magno, faces Indonesia’s Novita Sinadia in the women’s flyweight semifinals.

Linh, showing great boxing skills, also scored a unanimous decision victory over Thai Sudaporn Seeondee in the quarterfinals.

Association of Boxing Alliances in

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the Philippines Secretary-General Marcus Jarwin Manalo said Petecio, the 2019 world champion, has not faced Linh before, but they were together in training camp in Muak Lek, Thailand, with the rest of the Philippine team.

“I don’t think they already fought each other in the past, but they were together in Thailand so I think she’s familiar with her,” said Manalo, who added Petecio has what it takes to retain her SEA Games title.

Also on Friday, Ian Clark Bautista fights Cambodian Rangsey Sao in the semifinals while Marjon Piañar, coming off a bye, battles Indonesian Sarohatua Lumbantobing or Cambodia’s Vy Sophors in the welterweight class.

All nine Filipino boxers competing here have advanced to the semis as of Wednesday night and are expected to boost the country’s hunt for more gold medals.

HANOI—With singles gold medalist Merwin Tan leading the way, the men’s bowling team sparkled Thursday, adding a second victory to the Philippine campaign in the 31st Southeast Asian Games here by ruling the team-of-4 event.

Three days after Tan ended the country’s golden drought in bowling in the biennial games, the Philippine flag was raised and national anthem heard anew at the Royal City Hanoi Bowling Lanes as the Pinoy keglers dominated action, finishing with 5275 pinfalls, 113 pins ahead of runner-up Malaysia.

The gold was the Philippines’ 39th overall, counting the mint delivered by the women’s squad in the Wild Rift event of esports late Wednesday.

Tan, a 22-year-old left-hander, rolled 1411 pinfalls for a six-game average of 235.17, the best among all the 24 competitors in the six-team field, while Christian Dychangco backed him up with 1377 pinfalls and an average of 229.50, including a tournament-high 278 in the sixth and final game.

Ivan Malig carded 1285 pinfalls for an average of 214.17 while the fourth member of the winning team, Patrick Neil Nuqui, shot 1202 for an average of 200.33.

“Masayang-masaya po sa second gold. Hindi namin inaasahang mananalo, basta inin-joy lang namin ang game,” said Tan, a former junior bowler competing in his third SEA Games.

Tan’s singles win ended the country’s long gold medal drought in SEA Games bowling, with Frederick Ong last doing the trick in the 2011 Indonesia Games.

Tan and Dychango bounced back from a seventh-place finish in men’s doubles last Wednesday, two rungs lower than the tandem of Malig and Nuqui.

“Between team and individual gold medal, mas gusto ko ‘yung team kasi kami lahat uuwi ng medalya,” said Tan, who rolled a total of 1292 last Monday, propped up by a six-bagger in the sixth game where he scored 249.

Coach Biboy Rivera echoed Tan’s sentiments, saying: “Talagang ito ‘yung event na gusto naming mapanalunan, more than the individual. Kasi sa bowling, ‘yung team event ang pinaka-prestigious. Mas mahirap panalunin. “Kailangan lahat ng players mag-sabay-sabay, mag-unite, tapos magkaroon ng teamwork. Kasi hindi lahat ng games ay maganda ang laro ng lahat.

May sasalo dun sa nahihirapan. Dito ninyo makikita ‘yung gelling nun team, ‘yung camaraderie, ‘yung unity nung team.”

PH-Sibol wins esports gold in Wild Rift, expects more

By Peter Atencio HANOI—Team Sibol came through with the Philippines’ first esports gold late Wednesday night and is expecting more medals in 31st Southeast Asian Games at the Vietnam National Convention Center.

“Four to five, high chance natin for podium finish,” said overall esports head coach Ralph Andrei Llabres, whose prediction of a gold-medal finish in the Wild Rift event came true.

Eighteen-year-old Charize “Yugen” Doble utilized the Corki hero twice to help lift Team Philippines-Sibol, represented by Grindsky Eris, to a historic 3-0 triumph over Singapore for the gold at the end of the threeround League of Legends: Wild Rift finals late Wednesday night.

The team, also composed of Christine “RAY RAY” Natividad, Rose Ann “HELL GIRL” Robles, Giana

“JEEYA” Llanes, April “AEAE” Sotto and Angel “ANGELAILAILA” Lozada, became the first female medalists in SEA Games esports’ history.

Team Sibol, represented by Blacklist in the Games Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, is already in the semifinals awaiting its next opponent late Thursday, with the finals slated on Friday.

The Philippines, which won three golds, a silver and a bronze during esports’ debut into the SEA Games’ calendar in the 2019 edition, is taking part in the nine of the 11 events slated in these games, with its strongest teams entered in Wild Rift, Mobile Legends and Cross Fire.

Doble’s Corki character did a lot of damage as at Team Sibol eventually swept its clash with the Singaporeans with scores of 16-9, 17-8, 27-21.

In Game 2, Corki delivered nine kills after respawning only once.

Claiming the SEA Games gold

has handed Doble one of her biggest achievements after she earlier rallied her team Grand Sky Eris to the Southeast Asian Esports Championship this year, while claiming Most Valuable Player honors along the way.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino was on hand to award the members of the Philippine Sibol team their gold medals.

Doble’s Corki, which is a bombardier, gives at least 20% physical damage with Hextech munition, long distance capabilities with the Valkyrie and short range attacks with the Gatling Gun. In Game 3, Doble had some difficulty as she had only six kills, and a need to respawn four times as well.

Team Sibol reached the finals after sweeping the four-team group stage, and hurdled Thailand, 3-1, in the semifinals.

POC president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino awards the members of the Philippine Sibol Wild Rift team for winning the gold medal.

Manila Standard’s Bautista adds 2 trophies to his car show awards collection FERNANDO “Boy” Bautista, editorial assistant of the English-language Manila Standard newspaper, added two more trophies to his collection of car awards, at the Bumper to Bumper Car Show XVII at the SM Mall of Asia Concerts Grounds in Pasay City.

Bautista’s Blue 2000 Toyota Corolla (entry no. 111), with a Toyota Sprinter Carib facelift, won the Best Toyota in the Mild Modification category and the Best Contemporary Car in the Medium Modification category.

“Kahit umulan noong awards night, hindi pa rin natinag ang mga kasama ko sa Brusco Car Club na nanalo ng 2nd Best Car Club na pinamumunuan ni Bryan Sinoy,” said Bautista, recalling the rain-drenched car show after humid 29°C day.

The car, according to Bautista, is a combination of two different Toyota vehicles— the 8th generation Toyota Corolla and Toyota Sprinter Carib, which share parts and are interchangeable.

The car’s setup includes Carib front bumper with overrider, Carib hood and fenders,

Fernando “Boy” Bautista’s Blue 2000 Toyota Corolla entry and his two awards (inset)

Carib 2-piece rear bumper, Carib headlights with LED bulbs, Carib amber corner lights and Carib fog lights with LED bulbs, Carib thick body side moldings and Carib

OEM privacy glass, JDM trunk, OEM chrome inner and outer door handles, Silver’s Neomax fully adjustable coilover that has 24 levels of dampening adjustability

and adjustable pillow ball upper mount.

The setup is also made up of Toyota Levin BZ-R front seats and 16” WORK Meister S1 two-piece construction wheels designed for use on the race track. The rear drum brakes were replaced with slotted brake rotors to increase stopping power and for excellent braking performance. The OEM front brakes were also upgraded to big rotors.

Also installed were a JBL sound system, including the GT-12BP subwoofer, TRD strut bar, TRD shift knob, OEM pedal pads, Broadway anti-glare rear-view mirror, FGK chambered muffler and Mitsuba Arena II horn with echo function.

The car previously won the 1st place in the Best in Paint category and 1st place in the Best Compact Car category and was also the top awardee in the Best Toyota Heavy Modification of the Bumper to Bumper-Pampanga last February 5, 2022 at the Clark International Speedway.

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Sports

FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022

Warriors bottle up Doncic, outgun Mavericks in opener

S

AN FRANCISCO —Stephen Curry scored 21 points as the Golden State Warriors bottled up Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks to win their Western Conference finals series opener 112-87 on Wednesday.

Three days after Doncic destroyed the Phoenix Suns with a virtuoso performance, the Slovenian found the going harder against a ruthless Golden State at San Francisco’s Chase Center.

Dallas had rained in buckets against Phoenix in Arizona on Sunday, but the scoring dried up against the six-time NBA champions.

The Warriors started slowly but pulled clear decisively in the second half after leading 54-45 at half-time.

With Doncic appearing to be nursing a sore shoulder, the Warriors outscored the visitors 34-24 in the third quarter to lead by 19 points heading into the final period.

An 8-0 start to the fourth quarter left the Warriors cruising 27 points clear at 96-69 to effectively put the game out of reach.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr was able to withdraw his starters with five min-

utes left in the game, earning valuable rest for what could be a long series.

Curry led the scoring with 21 points, 12 rebounds and four assists, while Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins had 19 points apiece.

“We did what we were supposed to do—we won the first game, but there’s a lot of work left,” Curry said.

“We had a specific game plan coming in and for the most part we executed it.

It’s going to take that same effort three more times to beat this team.”

Kerr praised the defensive performance of Wiggins in shutting down Doncic.

“Wiggs was fantastic,” Kerr said.

“Doncic is as difficult a cover as there

is in this league.

“We just asked Andrew to hound him and guard him as best as he could, try to keep the pressure on him. He did a fantastic job.”

Disconsolate Doncic Klay Thompson failed to score a point in the first two quarters but got into the groove in the second half with 15 points. Seven Warriors players finished in double figures.

Doncic led the Mavericks’ scoring with 20 points, but cut a disconsolate figure after a defeat where Dallas trailed for almost the entirety of the game.

The 23-year-old insisted however that there was still time to turn the series around. AFP

IRONMAN 70.3 bets to take on Philippines’ longest bridge THE IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines marks its return to Cebu in post-pandemic times in grand fashion with a new bike route on the longest and tallest bridge in the country.

The Aug. 7, 2022 race in Mactan will see more than 1,500 triathletes tackle the country’s newest superstructure and Visayas’ new iconic landmark for the 90.1km bike leg of the race that includes the 1.9 km swim and 21.1 km run events.

The Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), an engineering marvel, is an 8.9-km modern toll road in Metro Cebu, designed to withstand winds of up to 250km/h and hovers 52 meters above the Mactan Channel, as it links Cebu City and Municipality of Cordova.

This also marks the first time the CCLEX will be used as a race route for a sporting event since it started operations on April 30, 2022. Past IRONMAN 70.3 staging used the Marcelo Fernan Bridge or the second bridge in bike stages.

“What makes the IRONMAN 70.3 doubly exciting is that the new bike route will provide a new experience not just for the triathletes but for the Cebuanos and local and foreign tourists as well, the CCLEX being one of the newest attractions in the Visayas region,” said Fred Uytengsu, IRONMAN Brand Ambassador.

For details and registration, visit https://www.ironman.com/im703-cebuphilippines.

“With its well-maintained roads, patrol personnel, and a slew of other services, CCLEX is sure to provide the ultimate expressway experience to all motorists while guaranteeing safe and convenient travel.

This smooth experience is something we’re looking forward to giving to IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines triathletes,” said Allan Alfon, Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corp. president and general manager.

Reality checks THE Philippines’ bids in the football competitions of the 31st South East Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam didn’t go as expected as of now.

The Men’s Under-23 team gassed out in its last game in Group against Indonesia, 4-0 to end its campaign for a podium finish while the women’s side fell to Thailand, 3-0 in the semifinals to settle for the bronze medal match against Myanmar.

Despite the disappointing results, I’m still hoping that these reality checks, no matter how painful, will teach our teams valuable lessons for the future.

Like what U-23 catch Norman “Noy” Fegidero Jr. said earlier, “there is no shortcut in football.”

And the U-23 team can start doing the preparations as early as now. A three month preparation before a major tournament such as the SEA Games is no longer a viable option. Which is easier said and done, right? But then again must we continue to expect so much from a team that

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors is defended by Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks during the third quarter in Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. AFP

Lady Bulldogs stretch win run to 7 games in women’s volley NATIONAL University extended its unblemished streak to seven games, —its best start in school history, after dominating University of the Philippines, 25-10, 25-20, 25-15, in the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball tournament, Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Lady Bulldogs’ previous best start was 6-1, achieving the feat during Seasons 76 and 80.

UP zoomed to a 6-1 start in the third set, but the ever-composed NU responded with a 20-5 counter-blitz to build an insurmountable 21-11 lead en route to the win.

“Kailangan din namin itong panalo na to going to second round kasi momentum namin ito para makapag prepare pa kami sa mas mahirap na darating na second round,” NU head coach Karl Dimaculangan said.

After a forgettable first frame, the Fighting Maroons were able to keep in step with NU in the second, trailing by just three late, 20-23 after a 5-1 UP run but Cess Robles and Erin Pangilinan closed the door with back-to-back hits to move a set away from the sweep.

Mhicaela Belen led the balanced attacks for the Lady Bulldogs with 13 points, all from attacks, while Robles chimed in 12 points of her own. “’Yung team namin is bata pero [itong first round sweep] yung kailangan namin para mamotivate kami lalo sa preparation namin for next round. ‘Yung ibang team marami nang adjustment and familiarity kaya kailangan namin mas mag prepare,” said Dimaculangan.

Middle blocker Ivy Lacsina gathered 11 points while libero Jen Nierva held the fort in defense with 17 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions. She even scored a point off a free ball.

None scored double figures for UP as Niña Ytang and Jewel Encarnacion tallied seven points apiece.

After a hot three-game winning streak to start the tournament, the Fighting Maroons dropped their next four to fall to 3-4 at sixth.

Hallasgo caps athletics’SEA Games campaign with marathon silver HANOI—Christine Hallasgo capped the Philippine athletics team’s campaign in the 31st Southeast Asian Games here at the My Dihn National Stadium with a silver in the marathon.

Still in contention in the final 600 meters, Hallasgo was slowed down by cramps the rest of the way but soldiered on to pull through with the runner-up finish in the event she ruled during the 2019 edition in the Philippines.

Hallasgo finished with a time of 2:56.07 behind winner Odekta Naibaho Elvina (2:55.280). Vietnam’s Ngoc Hoa Hoang Thi finished third at 2:57.350.

Hallasgo’s silver was the seventh for Team PH in these games, to go with five golds and 14 bronze medals.

“Malaki po ang pasasalamat ko, is not really equipped to meet the powerhouse squads in the region and gnash our teeth when they fail?

On the good side, team manager Josef Malinay said the team will form the core of the Philippine Azkals that will compete in the AFF Suzuki Cup. With the tournament not under FIFA days, assembling the Azkals based abroad will be a challenge.

“We are looking at the next big tournaments, like the Suzuki Cup, na hindi magiging available ang mga international players natin. So ito ‘yung pool of players na puwede natin i-train nang mas matagal.

Matagal na rin sila magkakasama. At sila talaga ang available,” he said.

In the women’s side, Vietnam and Thailand reminded our women’s team that earning a spot in the FIFA Women’s World Cup is not a guarantee for a podium finish in the SEA Games.

The setbacks brought the team back to earth but respect to Coach Alen Stajcic for not making any excuses. Both Vietnam and Thailand are expected to go all out against the Malditas, Filipinas or whatever makes you tick. And we got the scores to remind the team that qualifying to the World Cup is just the start of more work and sacrifices.

Stajcic acknowledged that Thailand was the better team last Wednesday in Cam Pha. The Thais were simply too much for the Filipinas with better passing, better defense and better teamwork. Hopefully, the team can make the necessary adjustments soon.

unang una sa Panginoon. Kahit hindi man po ganu’n kahaba ‘yung pag-eensayo namin, at least nakalaban po ako at nakuha ko ang silver. Hindi man po gold pero malaking bagay na sa akin na na-represent ko ang Pilipinas,” said Hallasgo.

The team failed to match or surpass its 11 gold, 8 silver and 8 bronze medals in the 2019 SEAG held at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Tarlac, but Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association head corach Joeffrey Chua still considers the tracksters’ stint here a success.

“This version of the SEA Games is by far the most challenging because of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But with 1 SEAG record, 5 new PhilOn the brighter side though, the losses and the hard lessons learned are part of the preparations for the World Cup better know them now and adjust as soon as possible rather than absorb the beatdown when the biggest football tournament happens in Australia and New Zealand in July to August next year.

The Filipinas can apply the takeaways they will learn from Hanoi in their next tournaments in the coming months.

But for now, the possibility of a podium finish remains within reach tomorrow.

But please, no more games against Tonga and Fiji for the meantime. It will help the team more if they will face bigger, faster and better teams in the build up for the World Cup next year.

Which brings us to the domestic league.

Kaya FC Iloilo and United City FC will dispute the 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara crown after nosing out their respected and worthy opponents in the semifinals.

Kaya, the defending champs, leaned on the heroics of Daizo Horikoshi in the 85th minute to beat a game Stallion FC Laguna, 1-0.

United City, on the other hand, bagged the other ticket to the finals courtesy of Simen Lyngbo’s goal in the 60th minute against Dynamic Herb Cebu FC in the other semis match.

For sure, the finals will be a match to watch out for.

Philippines Football League Commissioner Coco Torre says the finals promises

ippine national records recorded, and 8 personal records established, this can be considered as a very successful campaign for PATAFA national athletes,” said Chua.

The team was led by Asia’s best pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, whose goldwinning feat set a new SEAG record of 5.46 meters.

Other gold medalists were William Morrison in the men’s shot put (18.14 meters), Clinton Bautista, who set a new national record in the 110m hurdles at 13.78 seconds; Eric Cray, who won a fifth straight 400m hurdles SEAG crown and Kayla Richardson, who regained the 100-meter tiara (11.60 seconds) that she won in the 2015 Singapore edition. a very exciting affair.

“The match between Kaya FC and UCFC is a highly anticipated one and we expect a high quality match with plenty of drama and hopefully a lot of goals that fans will enjoy. Both squads proved to be the top 2 clubs in the country at the moment, and on Sunday, May 22, we will know who reign supreme,” he said.

Kaya, the defending champs, leaned on the heroics of Daizo Horikoshi in the 85th minute to beat a game Stallion FC Laguna, 1-0.

United City, on the other hand, bagged the other ticket to the finals courtesy of Simen Lyngbo’s goal in the 60th minute against Dynamic Herb Cebu FC in the other semis match.

The two sides are currently the dominant teams in the league and a rivalry is fast shaping between the two sides.

“This year, we saw how tight the contest was among the Clubs. The games were quite unpredictable as the quality of football has really improved. But at the end of the day, there can only be one champion,” he explained.

Regardless of the result of the finals, Torre says efforts to bring back the domestic league are paying off.

“I am happy because football is finally back. The players and officials are healthy and we hope it continues and improves.

Currently, the league is in a rehabilitation phase as everyone is recovering from the pandemic. Although the games can be eas-

Christine Hallasgo

ily watched by fans through our Facebook and Youtube livestreams, certainly we can not wait to play matches in stadiums which are nearer to the fans. This is something the clubs are preparing to do after things stabilize,” Torre added.

There are so many things to watch out for this coming June. The Azkals will fly out to Mongolia and go back home with a spot in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. Incidentally, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, China begged off in hosting the continent’s biggest football event next year.

In a statement, the AFC said it acknowledges “the exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the relinquishment by China PR of its hosting rights.”

The U-19 Boys National Championship is also underway. This where the future U-23 team can scout promising talents coming from football teams all over the country.

And of course, everyone or at least most of us are keen on what the next administration will do. With the country facing so many challenges, I wonder what will be the priority concerns that it will address in its first 100 days in the office?

The election is over— time to show what you got, sir.

Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!

For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_ cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat

Entertainment

Nickie Wang,, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022

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Innovative web series makes viewers laugh and want to fall in love

Tomas (Anton Nolasco) (left) and Ming (Queen Semana) share a moment of kilig in the new ‘Ming Loves Tomas’ web series

RECOGNIZING the fact that watching a romcom feels worthwhile because they rekindle our hope for love and the best that life can offer with its fair share of laughs in store for the viewers, Mang Tomas recently launched a three-episode series titled Ming Loves Tomas.

The series delivers the thrills that every kilig-hunter hopes to take comfort in. It offers viewers everything that one should expect from the genre: a cast of lovably authentic characters that follow a storyline with the perfect emotional hook and laughs that will keep men and women of all ages glued to their screen.

Ming Loves Tomas shows how fate brings together two individuals on different life paths to fall in love. On one hand, we

have Ming, a sweet and dainty girl blessed with a good appetite, proving that anyone regardless of gender and physical build can be a true “macho ganado” with the perfect meal partner like Mang Tomas. On the other hand, we have Tomas, a hardworking boy who has more sides than meets the eye. Each episode reveals several twists and turns to their love story that makes you excited and curious about what’s going to happen next.

At the helm of the project are awardwinning directors Joel Ferrer and Chris Cahilig. Shot exclusively on mobile phones with the guidance of Tristan Cua who’s dubbed as the father of mobile filmmaking in the Philippines, the video offers us a more intimate and immersive view into the lives

of the characters. As a format, using mobile phone for filming made the series feel very authentic, almost as if you’re with the characters. Beyond sharing conversations over dinner, is there a more intimate experience these days than connecting through the phone screen?

Catch the first two episodes of Ming Loves Tomas for free on the Mang Tomas Facebook page and NutriAsia YouTube page, with the first episode “AngMANGhuhula” and the second episode “Ang GANAduo.” You may also answer the question at the end of the episodes for a chance to win #MachoGanado gift packs. Like and follow the Mang Tomas Facebook and Instagram pages for more updates.

Revolutionalizing the Filipino TV experience N

EW revolutionary TV and digital channel PIE, short for Pinoy Interactive Entertainment, was formally launched on May 18 to give the traditional viewing experience a digital upgrade.

Starting May 23, viewers can prepare to have the ride of their life with PIE’s exuberant jocks and be among the winners of cash prizes from a total pot of P10 million by tuning in to BEAM on TV or via the PIE website.

Get ready to win the day as everyone’s favorite neighbor, “Mayora” Frances Cabatuando of Home Buddies Facebook community, brings you relevant information, inspiring stories, and positive energy every 7:00 a.m. in Piesilog. With her are resident “Kikay” Sela Guia, “Kwelang Kuya ng Lahat” Tristan Ramirez, “Bibong Artist” Raco Ruiz, “Good Boy Charmer” Jae Miranda, and “VJ na Laging May Say” Eryka Lucas.

Come noon, Barangay Pie will be your jolly lunch buddy. Join the antics of “Ang Tito Mong Mayor” Mayor TV, “Ang Muse ng Barangay” Abby Trinidad, “Barangay Talak-Tokerist” Ruth Paga, “Sawsawera ng Barangay” Sunshine Teodoro, “Barangay Queen Sirena” Inah Evans, “Barangay Sexy-Tary” Patsy Reyes, and “Sizt-mosa ng Barangay” Coco Cordero.

This mix of personalities found in an ordinary Pinoy community offers offcenter news in amusing and witty ways– the perfect break from tiresome work and school stuff.

The excitement continues at 4:00 p.m. daily. Piegalingan, a different kind of talent variety show, runs on air to celebrate the uniqueness of contestants not usually highlighted on TV. Piegalingan hosts “G sa Lahat ng Gimik” and “Try-It” actor/ streamer Ralph Malibunas, “Reynang All-Out ang Support” beauty queen/ actress Sam Bernardo, and “Bidabro” and “Promotor ng Trip” actor/host Eris

Aragoza will be around to cheer on the achievements of contestants, may they be big or small.

Aside from non-stop fun and entertainment, PIE’s winning block Pienalo offers an interactive experience wherever you may be in the Philippines, with numerous prizes at stake.

You can e n j o y this interactive experience via your mobile phone with “Goal-Oriented Achiever” Eian Rances, “Ang Raketerang Breadwinner ng Visayas” Nicki Morena, “Happy-GoLucky Bunso ng TroPIE” K e v i n Montillano, and wellloved chef, Ninong Ry. These Pienalo jocks understand how difficult certain choices can be and the realities of those from various backgrounds.

Classic game show Pera o Bayong levels up on PIE with a new interactive format, with prizes given away every hour to viewers at home. On Palong Follow, PIE viewers will work together to find the Philippines’ next big digital content creator.

If you have the inner “Marites” in you, then PIE Night Long is your perfect evening partner. The program

New revolutionary TV and digital channel PIE starts airing on May 23 with an assembly of exuberant jocks who will deliver a brand new entertainment experience to the Filipino audience ‘‘Uzi’ is the country’s first interactive teleserye

features buzz-worthy, modern Pinoy stories where you can share your views and feelings and be involved in the storytelling process. On UZI, the country’s first interactive teleserye, viewers have a say on what happens next and write the story together.

Hosted by “Fun-Loving and Woke Gen Z” Aaron Maniego, “The Hopeless Romantic Love Guru” Karen Bordador, and “The Sweet and Conservative Musician” Renee Dominique, PIE Night Long is a place where you can

(From left) ABS-CBN Head of Digital Jamie Lopez, Kroma Entertainment CEO Ian Monsod, and 917Ventures Managing Director Vince Yamat mark the launch of tradigital and interactive channel PIE

comfortably share your deepest fears and insecurities or your life’s greatest highs.

To celebrate the launch, PIE is giving away P10 million in cash prizes to viewers for three months, starting from its launch date. The channel will also launch its official song and station ID on May 22, featuring artists KD Estrada, Alexa Ilacad, P-Pop Girl Group BINI, Renee Dominique, and John Roa. “Filipinos long for collective fun, and PIE hopes to fill that gap. On PIE, those who watch become not just viewers but a well-engaged community that plays an active role in storytelling, game shows, and talk shows. Whether on their TV sets, laptops, desktops, or mobile devices, PIE is accessible to Filipinos who want to try a new way to consume—and play with— the shows they love,” said KROMA Entertainment Chief Executive Officer Ian Monsod.

“Here at PIE we are excited to introduce to you a new kind of viewing experience that combines the strengths of content and technology. We designed our shows for the young and young-at-heart! We made our programs interactive so viewers

can participate through TV and mobile devices because we believe that they are integral slices of the PIE. Get ready for 21 hours of fun game shows, talent and variety programs, series, and talk shows every day in this new entertainment channel,” said Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN Chief Operating Officer of Broadcast.

PIE, the Philippines’ first multiscreen, real-time interactive TV channel, brings together BEAM, 917Ventures, tradigital entertainment company KROMA, and the country’s leading storyteller and content creator ABS-CBN. It starts airing on May 23, from 5:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. daily, accessible to 11 million digital TV households in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Zamboanga, Naga, Baguio, and nearby provinces through partner station BEAM. Find the PIE channel by scanning your digibox, watch via its website pie.com.ph, YouTube (http://youtube.com/iampieofficial) or via Sky Cable Channel 21. You can also watch PIE live on GCash GLife beginning May 28. Follow PIE (@iamPIEofficial) on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok for updates.

Tom Cruise receives honorary Palme as ‘Top Gun’ jets into Cannes Beauty queens, celebrities honored as exceptional men and women

Tom Cruise holding his honorary Palme d’Or award

HOLLYWOOD A-lister Tom Cruise received an honorary Palme d’Or and gushed about his passion for cinema as he made his first visit in 30 years to the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday for the launch of Top Gun: Maverick.

The French Air Force display team streaked across the sky over the red carpet as the stars headed into the screening for the long-awaited sequel to Cruise’s superstar-making 1986 blockbuster.

The movie was supposed to premiere at the French Riviera film fest back in 2020 before it was canceled by the CPVID pandemic and

…are talking about

the film’s release delayed multiple times.

Cruise was adamant it was worth waiting for cinemas to be back in full swing and said he never considered releasing “Top Gun: Maverick” via a streaming platform.

“That was not going to happen, ever,” he told a Cannes audience in a talk ahead of the premiere.

“I make movies for the big screen. Cinema is my love, my passion. I always go to movies when they come out. I’ll put my cap on and sit in the audience with everyone.”

Fans lined balconies and stood on roofs along the Cannes seafront to catch a glimpse of the stars, while others held up signs begging for a last-minute ticket to the screening. AFP

PEOPLE

James Reid There’s a rumor circulating on TikTok that James has a boyfriend.

It all started with a video from James’s birthday party where he kissed and hugged a man who was just a good friend. People were quick to form a judgment about James’s love life and put meaning to a simple gesture of gratitude.

James also made fun of the situation by asking if it was true instead of shutting down the rumor mill.

Rayver Cruz After some time and speculation, the actor and dancer finally revealed his relationship with Julie Anne San Jose. During the latter’s 28th birthday, Rayver admitted his affection toward the multi-talented star. He’s also very respectful of Julie and her parents’ conditions, and he plans to wait until they’re all ready for a commitment. Hopefully, he lives up to his promise of waiting for the actress. After all, saying “mahal kita” to someone shouldn’t be taken lightly.

...are not talking about Skusta Clee

Last week, vlogger Zeinab Harake spoke up about her relationship with Skusta Clee.

Now, it’s the rapper’s turn to tell his side. He admits to some inadequacies as a partner and is currently focusing on selflove. However, bashers continue to hound him because of his treatment of Zeinab. Maybe his self-love journey will bring him new insights on how to be a better partner for his next relationship.

Chie Filomeno Fake news strikes again as former Pinoy Big Brother housemates Chie Filomeno and Zeus Collins allegedly have a scandalous video circulating online. The controversy has been around a while, and Chie has had enough of it. Good on her for fighting for the truth and realizing that silence isn’t always the best answer—especially when it comes to the truth.

DAYDREAMING in Spring: A Gala Fashion Show and the Philippines’ Most Exceptional Men & Women 2022 Awards were held at the Grand Ballroom of Okada Manila on April 27. The star-studded, fashion show, and awards ceremony were produced and presented by Mrs. Universe Philippines Foundation, headed by national director Maria Charo Calalo, for the benefit of Bahay Parola, an institution that serves as a sanctuary for abused women and children.

(From left) Comedienne Runway Aiai delas Alas, Mrs. m o d e l s Universe Philippines wore the 2019 & President of Mrs. collections Universe Philippines f r o m Foundation Charo Christine Calalo, and former Lam, Julie chief presidential legal Villapaz, counsel Salvador and Fantasy

Mrs. Universe Philippines 2021 Claudeline Cuntapay-Molero, Mrs. Philippines World Germany 2019 Daphne Chloe Villamor, and Mrs. Classic Universe Eurasia 2020 Joyce Penas Pilarsky.

Awardees from film, tv, broadcast media and politics include Ai-Ai delas Alas, Vivian Velez, Tonton Gutierrez, Glydel Mercado, Wendell Ramos, Lala Aunor, Ali Sotto, Arnell Ignacio, Lhar Santiago, Ivan Mayrina, Sandra Aguinaldo, former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, Senator Vicente Sotto III, and Senator Bong Revilla.

Read full story on manilastandard.net

Panelo

Conceptional Artist Mars Galang.

The Philippines’ Most Exceptional Men & Women 2022 awardees were from film, television, mass media, politics, and beauty pageants.

Beauty queens honored were Mrs. Philippines Face of Beauty International 2019 Riza Oben Dormiendo, Mrs. Philippines AsiaPacific Tourism 2021 Monaliza Hernandez-Salenga, Mrs. Glamour Look of the Year Int’l World 20192022 Joy Ann Santos, Mrs. Model Mom Universe Arlene Jane Camus Knof, Mrs. Tourism Ambassador International 2020 Myla V. Tsutaichi, Mrs. Universe North Pacific Asia The winners of the Philippines’ Most Exceptional 2021 Marissan Belangel-Conche, Men & Women 2022

Life

Nickie Wang, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

C4

FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022

T

HE log houses we all wish our parents own plus Baguio’s pine trees and gorgeous mountain views fill the backdrop of the emotional roller coaster hit drama series that is The Broken Marriage Vow. Almost every episode lands on the trending pages of social media platforms.

The show has become so popular it’s now one of the top titles on streaming platform Viu, made more accessible through a Viu Premium account powered by PLDT Home.

The marriage of Dr. Jill Victorino (Jodi Sta. Maria) and David Ilustre (Zanjoe Marudo) may have crumbled because of his affair with Lexy Lucero (Sue Ramirez). Yet, as we’re watching the frustrating and heartbreaking moments, we can’t help but think, “Tara, let’s go to Baguio.”

Beyond the riveting drama, we also find ourselves captivated by the sights found within our Summer Capital. Raring to travel again? Here are a few of the series’ most iconic filming locations you, too, can visit while channeling your inner drama heroine.

Burnham Park

Located in downtown Baguio, Burnham Park is the city’s most famous park. Here, you can go boating on colorful swan boats, people-watch by the lake, even ride a bike. If you’re Dr. Jill, however, the park designed by Daniel Burnham may just be the perfect place for you to take a walk to clear your mind — and maybe plan your revenge — after discovering your husband is into some monkey business.

The Baguio Country Club is a famous 117-year-old landmark

Baguio’s breathtaking sites showcased in ‘The Broken Marriage Vow’

Camp John Hay

Surrounded by pine trees, fresh air, and the most amazing log cabins, Camp John Hay is a no-brainer must-visit for anyone visiting Baguio. To really complete the healing nature-filled experience, go enjoy the green scene and have a meal in Chef Billie King’s Le Chef Restaurant at the Manor.

Camp John Hay is more than just a sanctuary for our The Broken Marriage Vow family — in fact, it’s where most of the drama goes down.

White House of the Lord of Scents

In real life, the White House of the Lord of Scents is the abode of fragrance mogul Joel Cruz in Camp John Hay. While not a public tourist destination, it has become

Burnham Park is Baguio City’s most famous park

an attraction of its own because of its signature floor-to-ceiling windows that highlight its sweeping spiral staircase.

This is also where the show’s most iconic scene (colloquially called the batukan scene) happens. Knowing her husband is cheating with the daughter of the wealthy Luceros, Jill decides to invite themselves to dinner at the Lucero house for a grand confrontation.

Camp John Hay is a must-visit location in Baguio

hanging out over lunch or in later episodes as enemies trading barbs as they are too civilized to go at each other’s throats.

The famous 117-year-old landmark isn’t just home to the best raisin bread and banana bread in the country, it also offers some of Baguio’s most breathtaking views!

bracket the narrow road, making for a very steep fall if one is not careful.

The tragedy snaking through this beauty fits the outwardly perfect Ilustre family finally succumbing to its own troubles.

In a scene shot along Kennon Road, Gio confronts his mother for not having time for him while Jill tries to console Kennon Road him. Jill soon realizes the gravity of Baguio Country Club While definitely picturesque, Kennon the situation, now taking a toll on her This is where Lexy Lucero’s parents Road is also among the country’s conflicted child. It’s a raw moment that often meet Jill — either as friends most hazardous thoroughfares. Cliffs zooms in on children often becoming

I find joy in small wins like having sorbetes (ice cream) while standing in line for hours

the biggest victims of a broken family.

We live for the nonstop scandal and drama of The Broken Marriage Vow, but we also find comfort in how directors Connie Macatuno and Andoy Ranay handle touchier subjects on the show.

See the drama in The Broken Marriage Vow unfold further in Baguio’s sights to behold — through a Viu Premium access powered by PLDT Home’s fastest and most reliable connections. Learn more by visiting pldthome.com/viu.

Educating Filipinos while exploring the world of cryptocurrency

Grow and let go with gratitude IT HAS been more than a week since the 2022 national elections. While my legs have just recovered after standing in line for more than five hours, my heart has yet to find peace. Vote counting is not yet over and some technical issues have yet to be resolved. With so many things happening around, distractions abound. I find myself repeatedly having feelings of frustration or engaging in endless group chat sessions.

Yesterday’s free virtual session with a group of volunteer psychologists and life coaches proved helpful in alleviating the emotional pain of not having things your way. In the midst of feeling hopeless, I was reminded of a basic thought I often take for granted - Every day is a gift.

The opportunity to spend another 24 hours alive is reason enough to celebrate and move forward with what we can do. I was reminded that the sooner we realize this and the more we incorporate the feeling of being thankful for each day, we’ll notice that more good things happen.

How exactly are we supposed to shift our ways? Here are some simple suggestions I took note of.

Say “Thank You.” Express yourself in words by saying «Thank you» to people who deserve your gratitude no matter how small their acts of love or kindness may be. Letting others know you appreciate them or what they have done to you will ignite a positive feeling a n d

The picturesque yet dangerous Kennon Road

previously created such popular games as Last Descendant of Dragon, Glory THE cryptocurrency was invented in Battlefield, and Glory Battlefield – Middle 2008 and utilized a year later. Although Ages, to produce a new NFT game titled the public was skeptical about this new Place War. Place War, according to the Block development at first, cryptocurrency proved to be a gateway to exciting Tides founder, was designed to create a opportunities in the online space. Western gamified and open-internet metaverse. countries wasted almost no time studying AC Capital, an investment firm focusing its basics and leveraging cryptocurrency’s on the blockchain and finance market, potential to create new and exciting also supports the game while investing in Ramos’s company. experiences for everyone.

The inception and inspiration for Place Continuous innovation allowed cryptocurrency to develop and cater to the War are Worms and Our Place by Reddit. demands of various users, thus attracting Place War is also a play-and-earn game. It more developers, investors, and users to also allows users to immerse themselves into the world of epic tank battles and use the space.

Filipinos are among those who display a unique combat machines.

“It’s a play-and-earn—we don’t want keen interest in cryptocurrency. Although the technology is somewhat new to the a play-to-earn concept—but it’s all about country, it didn’t take long before local having fun. It’s not just about the money individuals and organizations joined the when it comes to games,” Ramos said.

She added that Place War maintains bandwagon.

Among the platforms worth mentioning the standards of gaming even though it is Block Tides, an award-winning provides incentives that users can use to blockchain, crypto, defi, NFT, IoT, AI, and tap into the potential of cryptocurrency. metaverse PR firm. Founded by Myrtle Place War follows action-packed combat Anne Ramos, Block Tides started in 2017 gameplay where users need to build their army from a wide range of combat during its first inception.

“Block Tides is focused on growth machines and make the right decisions to hacking, sales, social media management, win the battle.

Place War also encourages a safe and media distribution services, and public relations. We want to help educate comfortable space for gamers, where they a lot of Filipinos, at the same time, can choose their gameplay style according to check the opportunities in the world of their preference. Some players can even build cryptocurrency,” Ramos said during the an army to attack other players and take their resources. Meanwhile, other online media conference players can take a defensive titled NFT, Metaverse, and stance and acquire resources Gamify 2022. without attacking fellow Ramos added that the online users. platform aims to clarify the While gamers enjoy public’s speculations about Place War while creating cryptocurrency to provide unique NFT content, freedom and inform Filipinos Ramos shared that she that such a technology exists. and the developers will Other than creating continue to create new opportunities for Filipinos updates to enhance to learn and utilize the gaming experience cryptocurrency, Ramos Myrtle Anne Ramos, CEO introducing a recently collaborated and founder of Block Tides, while cryptocurrency to a larger with the developers of during the online media audience.

Mega Game Studio, who conference

By Patricia Taculao

A gratitude journal serves as my brain dump for all the good and bad things I have to be grateful for

The author has yet to find peace after the 2022 national elections

possibly start the ripples of gratitude.

Keep a gratitude journal Maintaining a gratitude journal is like having a vitamin kit within reach. Whenever we are down or hitting low moments in life, the gratitude journal is what we can instantly run to. Seeing a list of the things that made us feel good or positive will provide us with the extra boost we need. All we have to do is jot down the things that we feel thankful for during the day (no matter how simple).

We may add smileys and doodles to keep the feeling alive. Our journals will serve as our repository of the good stuff we can easily go back to.

When we give ourselves the task to fill up a space in the journal at the end of the day, we will be more conscious of things around us and watchful of every moment that brings us joy. Before we realize it, appreciation for the simplest

things (e.g. driving without traffic or finding a P100-bill in your pocket) will come out naturally.

Visualize your blessings. While it is often advised to start the day with mental snapshots of our goals or the things we wish to happen, we believe it is also crucial to end the day in a similar manner. This time, focus should be on the positive things that transpired. Right before going to sleep, keep happy thoughts and playback in your mind all the wonderful reasons to feel grateful.

As recommended, visualize as if you are watching a film inside your head. This daily habit trains you in the process and aids in giving you a more relaxed sleep.

Utter a silent prayer. No matter what your faith is, it is said to be important to express your gratitude to the One who makes all the good things possible. A simple thank you uttered in silence will surely mean so much. This simple exercise will hopefully inspire one to pay it forward and be an instrument in doing things others will also be thankful for. For non-believers, it is said that prayer can be in the form of meditation or having silent moments for deep reflection.

My friend’s takeaway from her own virtual healing session struck me big time. It is a quote from Australian activist, evangelist, and international speaker Christine Caine. Caine reminded, “Sometimes when you’re in a dark place, you think you’ve been buried, but you’ve actually been planted.”

At this point, we need to embrace the uncertainties beyond our control.

We have no way to go but grow.

For your random thoughts, email the author at randomrepublika@gmail.com.

Place War follows a play-andearn concept instead of a play-to-earn one