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WITH A FLOURISH. President

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gestures as he makes his first State of the Nation Address to Congress on Monday, emphasizing: “The state of the nation is sound… We will endure. Let our Filipino spirit ever remain undimmed.”

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VOL. XXXVI • NO. 161 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘ We will endure’ Marcos believes nation’s state sound, resilience in hard times

By Vito Barcelo, Vince Lopez, Maricel Cruz, and Macon Ramos-Araneta

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ESPITE the challenges besetting the country, from the COVID-19 pandemic to high inflation, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed hope that the Filipino people will continue to “endure” -- armed with a resilient spirit and backed by his administration’s commitment to good governance and a clear roadmap toward recovery.

“I do not intend to diminish the risks and the challenges that we face in this turbulent time in global history, and yet, I see sunlight filtering through these dark clouds,” Marcos said in his first State of the Nation Address Monday.

“We have assembled the best Filipino minds to help navigate us through this

ANALYSIS

ECONOMY

‘Let sunlight filter through dark clouds’

By Prof. Edmund S. Tayao IT WAS as he declared in his inaugural speech, he spelled out specific program proposals to both Houses of Congress and illustrated in concrete terms how he sees the country moving forward. There was no fanfare, no flowery words, or slogans.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

time of global crisis that we are now facing.

We will endure. Let our Filipino spirit ever remain undimmed.”

“I know this in my mind, I know it in my heart, I know it in my very soul – the state of the nation is sound,” the Chief Executive said in his speech that lasted for over an hour.

HEALTH

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ENERGY

PH growth track Lockdowns nixed, Reliable supply, eyed at 6.5-7.5% ‘balance’ sought low prices seen

was all business and straightforward with what he intended to do. In fact, on the two occasions in the course of the speech that generated much applause, the first was when he mentioned that tertiary hospitals should also be available in the provinces and not only in the National Capital Region, and the second was when he

By Julito G. Rada, Darwin G. Amojelar, and Othel V. Campos

By Vito Barcelo, Vince Lopez, and Julito Rada

By Alena Mae S. Flores and Vince Lopez

THE economy is in a strong position to hit the growth target of 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent this year after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ruled out any more COVID-19 lockdowns in the coming

THE government will no longer enforce COVID-19 lockdowns, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in his first State of the Nation Address Monday, saying the country can no longer afford to put one into place.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed to increase the country’s renewable energy resources and “re-examine the strategy for building nuclear power plants” to ensure reliable supply and bring down the price of electricity.

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BBM pushes Romualdez assures leadership 19 priority bills of ‘fairness’ as House Speaker for better gov’t

By Maricel V. Cruz

By Maricel V. Cruz PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday urged Congress to pass at least 19 priority measures of his administration that would help improve government Next page

PBBM’S PRIORITY BILLS

MIGZ’S TURN. With his son beside him, Senator Juan Miguel ‘Migz’ Zubiri takes his oath as the new Senate President on Monday at the opening of the 19th Congress. Manny Marcelo

Zubiri new Senate President, vows to uphold chamber’s independence

By Macon Ramos-Araneta NEWLY installed Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Monday that the Senate under his leadership will focus on solving problems instead of finding fault.

While probes are magnets for publicity, he said it is the policies—laws patiently written line by line away from the limelight—that drive progress.

“But for us to do our role, we must

uphold the Senate’s proud tradition of being independent,” he said.

“And that is important because the Senate independence is the lynchpin of its two other hallmarks: industry and innovation.”

He recalled that generations of their predecessors exercised these to the benefit of the people.

In Monday’s session, 20 of the 24 senators supported Zubiri’s nomination by Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva.

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‘PH WON’T GIVE UP COVID-19 CASES AN INCH,’ BBM SAYS SEEN RISING TO ON FOREIGN TACK 4K/DAY NEXT WK. NEWS / A2

NEWS / A4

1. National Government Rightsizing Program 2. Budget Modernization Bill 3. Tax Package 3 Valuation Reform Bill 4. Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act 5. E-Govt Act 6. Internet Transaction Act or E-commerce law 7. GFI Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery 8. Establishment of Medical Reserve Corps 9. National Disease Prevention Management Authority 10. Creation of Virology Institute of the Philippines 11. Department of Water Resources 12. Unified System of Separation, Retirement and Pension 13. E-Governance Act 14. National Land Use Act 15. National Defense Act 16. Mandatory ROTC and National Service Training 17. Enactment of Enabling Law for Natural Gas Industry 18. Amendments to EPIRA 19. Amendments to BOT Law

NEWLY elected Speaker Martin G. Romualdez on Monday assured members of the House of Representatives and their constituents of a fair share in the distribution of national resources.

An overwhelming show of support from his colleagues lifted Romualdez in the speakership race during Monday’s session, thus making him the 24th Speaker of the House of Representatives.

He was

24TH SPEAKER. Leyte 1st

District Rep. Martin Romualdez thanks his fellow congressmen after they elect him as the 24th Speaker of the House of Representatives at the start of the 19th Congress on Monday.

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unopposed in the speakership race, and with a vote of 282, Romualdez, president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), ascended to the top spot in the chamber after serving for three years as its Majority Leader in the previous 18th Congress.

Lawmakers said Romualdez is the most qualified member of the House of Representatives to lead the chamber.

Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, son of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., nominated Next page

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TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2022

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Marcos: PH ‘not giving up an inch’

By Rey E. Requejo and Vito Barcelo

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RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday took a strong stand that the Philippines would not lose even an inch of its territory as he declared the foreign policy under his administration.

“I will not preside over any process that will abandon even one square inch of territory of the Republic of the Philippines to any foreign power,” Marcos said in his first State of the Nation Address as President.

Marcos’ remarks earned the President resounding applause and cheers from the gallery and lawmakers who attended his first SONA. The President made the statement after China continues to reject the 2016

Arbitral Ruling that invalidated ninedash-line claims over the disputed South China Sea. “With respect to our place in the community of nations, the Philippines shall continue to be a friend to all, an enemy to none,” Marcos stressed.

“The Philippines has always been open and welcoming to all our foreign friends and visitors. That is our world view, and that is our culture,” he said.

On Monday, China’s Foreign Minis-

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was unequivocal in declaring he “will not preside” in the giving up any inch of the country’s territory, he seemed determined to just continue his address and not just bask in the adulation of the people.

This is made apparent if one were to look at his facial expression. He appreciated that the people received his message well, that they understood what he envisions, but the smile was cautious as if to note the tall order that is ahead. He notes that while the plans all sound good, they cannot be done overnight.

As therefore expected, the first order of the day is housecleaning; putting things in order and in proper perspective. Revenue collection was primordial, everyone seems to have thought the same, what with the strain that was brought by the pandemic.

More than that however was the need to “enhance productivity”. Quite a notable management principle; there will always be a need to raise revenues, but the purpose should not be lost, that is for the government to “bring together resources” and maximize their use.

The government needs more resources, but it can only have more resources if it can make good use of what is available now, affect the development of the economy, of everyone in the economy, then additional revenues would be raised.

Perhaps it is again a plus that we have a national executive who has seen and experienced how and what it is in the countryside. For development to be holistic, felt not just by a few, and seen not only in the NCR but there must also be “strategic investments” to optimize the use of new technologies with the end in mind that growth is to be facilitated outside Metro Manila. Much of the country’s economic woes even before the pandemic is the rather myopic view of development in the NCR. It should be noted in the first place that production does not take place in Metro Manila but the provinces. This is a potent formula as it is bound to be not only inclusive but also comprehensive.

What is paramount is to achieve macro-fiscal sustainability. Quite obviously, this can only be done with a comprehensive approach to economic development. Much effort seems to have been undertaken to know more about the country’s economy and the strategy points out the need to develop specific sectors. This appears to be the overall anchor of the focus on agriculture and the inclusion of other sectors to complement and converge, especially tourism.

His 70-minute speech was applauded about 30 times, twice with a standing ovation from over 1,300 officials invited to witness the event.

The SONA was headlined by his administration’s economic roadmap that included measures to increase revenues by imposing Value Added Tax on digital service providers and ensuring tax compliance by promoting ease of paying taxes.

Marcos said one of his administration’s medium-term macroeconomic and fiscal objectives was to bring down the poverty rate to “9 percent or singledigit poverty rate by 2028” (see related stories below – Editors).

“I have instructed the NEDA to coordinate with other agencies and work on the Philippine Development Plan for 2023 to 2028 and to submit to me the complete blueprint and progress of its implementation not later than yearend,” the President said.

Marcos also focused on agriculture and agrarian reform, disclosing his plan to issue an executive order that will impose a one-year moratorium on the payment of land amortization and interest payments for agrarian reform beneficiaries.

He said the tourism industry will also be crucial in achieving economic recovery.

“They say that each brand has a story.

As for the Filipino brand, ours is deeply rooted in our rich cultural heritage and the tourism sector plays an invaluable role in the promotion of the Filipino brand.

Tourism is not only an important economic development tool but the abundance of opportunities that the sector creates in terms of regular employment and even job creation at the grassroots level is undeniable,” he said.

On the social protection aspect, Marcos said the Department of Social Welfare and

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“We will comply of course with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regulations for nuclear power plants as they have been strengthened after Fukushima.

In the area of nuclear power, there have been new technologies developed that allow smaller scale modular nuclear plants and other derivations,” he added.

The President maintained that the search for new power sources should always be with an eye to improving the energy mix supply between traditional and renewable sources.

“In the interim, natural gas will hold the key. We will provide investment incentives by clarifying the uncertain policy in upstream gas, particularly in the area close to Malampaya,” he said.

“This requires clarification of the processes and review of the service contracts policy,” he added.

Marcos said renewable energy technology is progressing rapidly, which is appropriate for the Philippines.

“At present, our demand for energy far exceeds our reliable supply. We must increase the level of energy production.

We must look at every possible option that would be appropriate for the Philippine situation,” he said in his first State of the Nation Address on Monday.

“We must examine the entire transmission and distribution for finding ways to lower the price of energy to the consumer and to the industry. We must expand the network of our transmission lines while examining the scheme to improve the operation of our electrical cooperatives. All this in aid of reducing energy cost especially but not limited to households.”

Marcos said the construction of new nuclear power plants can be done through public-private partnership agreements “as funding in this period is limited.”

Lockdowns...

From A1 “The threat of COVID-19 remains, especially as new variants are being discovered. But we can no longer afford another lockdown,” he said.

“We will no longer implement lockdowns,” the President added.

Last year, the economy grew by 5.7 percent, a turnaround from the 9.6-per-

Zubiri...

From A1 Villanueva’s nomination was seconded by Senators Loren Legarda, Jinggoy Estrada, Grace Poe, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, and JV Ejercito.

No one objected when Villanueva later moved to elect Zubiri as the new

VP Sara: Help PBBM achieve plans for nation

ter Wang Yi said the South China Sea is not a “safari park” for countries outside the region or a “fighting arena” for major powers to compete in.

The issue should be handled by countries in the region themselves, Wang said in opening remarks at a virtual seminar commemorating the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. But the President said the Philippines, under his leadership, will be a good neighbor that looks for ways to collaborate and cooperate with the end goal of mutually beneficial outcomes.

“If we agree, we will cooperate, and we will work together. And if we differ, let us talk some more until we develop a consensus. After all, that is the Fili-

pino way,” he said.

“But we will not waver. We will stand firm in our independent foreign policy, with the national interest as our primordial guide,” he added.

Nonetheless, President Marcos emphasized the Philippines remains committed to maintaining a good relationship with the rest of the world, especially after witnessing the good that collaboration has done to address the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

“It is my sincere belief that the need for strong bonds and collaboration among nations emerges in the direst of times, such as in a pandemic,” he said.

“The partnerships and alliances that we make with all will provide the stability that all nations will need as we emerge into this new global economy,” Marcos added.

Development will continue cleansing the list of beneficiaries under the 4Ps or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program to ensure that more poor families are able to “graduate” from poverty.

The President said his administration will observe a “balance” between ensuring the health of Filipinos amid the pandemic and keeping the economy open.

He also underscored the need to resume full face-to-face classes as the government makes a renewed push for COVID-19 vaccine booster uptake.

Infrastructure projects – especially those started by his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte – “must not only continue but, wherever possible, be expanded,” Marcos said.

“The backbone of an economy is its infrastructure. We shall confidently build on this firm foundation established by my predecessor. As it is in building an edifice, we must keep the momentum and aspire to build better more,” the President said.

He likewise directed the Department of Transportation to move “full speed ahead” in its efforts to improve roads and transportation systems across the country.

Under the category of “ease of doing business,” Marcos underscored the need to ensure the availability of cheap and reliable energy.

“There is some room to expand our present power supply through existing power sources, but this is only to a very limited extent. We must build new power plants. We must take advantage of all the best technology that is now available, especially in the areas of renewable energy,” he said.

The President also reiterated his foreign policy that the Philippines will continue to be “a friend to all, an enemy to none” but with a stern warning that there will be no giving up of even a square inch of territory.

“On the area of foreign policy, I will not

preside over any process that will abandon even one square inch of territory of the Republic of the Philippines to any foreign power,” Marcos said, earning him a standing ovation from the more than a thousand guests inside the plenary hall of the House of Representatives.

“The Philippines has always been open and welcoming to all our foreign friends and visitors. That is our world view, that is our culture. But let me be clear: We are very jealous of all that is Filipino,” he said.

Monday also enumerated his administration’s priority legislative agenda – 19 measures which he hoped Congress would pass, including a national government rightsizing program, the setting up of a medical reserve corps, as well as the creation of a Department of Water Resources as well as a Virology Institute of the Philippines.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez congratulated Marcos on his successful SONA as he vowed to ensure the passage of the priority measures listed by the President.

“We in the House of Representatives expect to buckle down to work the soonest time possible in order to make President Marcos’ vision of a better nation a reality,” Romualdez said in a statement.

“We are also in full support of his entire legislative agenda, including the key priority measures that he asked Congress to consider for legislation. We will act on these measures with dispatch,” he added.

At the Upper Chamber, Senator Grace Poe described the SONA as having confronted gut issues head-on.

Sen. Loren Legarda said the speech was comprehensive and laid out clearly the work that must be done.

Sen. Joel Villanueva said lawmakers look forward to the first Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council meeting to take up the 19 priority measures enumerated by the President.

cent contraction in 2020 when the hardest lockdowns were imposed.

Marcos underscored the need to “balance health and the well-being of our people on one hand, and the economy on the other hand.”

The President said the alert level system for COVID-19 will remain as he expressed a renewed push for the vaccine booster rollout.

He also vowed to build more hospitals, clinics, and regional health

units as he called on Congress to hasten the passage of measures for the establishment of a Center for Disease Control and Prevention as well as a Vaccine Institute.

“Beyond the issues that the pandemic has brought, the need for a stronger health care system is self-evident. We must bring medical services to the people and not wait for them to come to our hospitals and health care centers,” Marcos said.

months, an economist said Monday.

In his first State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA), Marcos said the economic growth momentum “remained firm,” as demonstrated by the 8.3-percent growth in the first quarter alone.

Marcos emphasized the need to balance the health of the people and the economy.

“This is good for economic growth,” said Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort, who said lockdowns are costly, reduce tax collections, widen the budget deficit and increase the country’s debt.

With none of these concerns and good fiscal and debt management, the gross domestic product (GDP) growth target this year is achievable as the economy reopens toward greater normalcy versus some pockets of lockdowns last year, Ricafort said.

Business groups also welcomed the President’s promise of no more lockdowns and applauded his focus on food and energy security.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno earlier said economic growth in the second quarter might be higher than the first quarter, with the absence of any COVID surges in the April-toJune period.

Last year, the economy managed to grow by 5.7 percent, a turnaround from the 9.6-percent contraction a year ago, despite the imposition of some alert level restrictions in the National Capital Region and other parts of the country to prevent the further spread of the pandemic.

Senate leader.

Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and his sister, Pia Cayetano, and Senators Aquilino Pimentel III and Risa Hontiveros, the lone opposition senator who won in the last May 9 elections, did not cast their votes for Zubiri.

The Cayetano siblings said they did not participate in the voting because they want to remain independent.

Earlier, Alan Cayetano said he would join the Majority only if he would be given the chairmanship of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee.

But Senator Francis Tolentino will head the committee after Zubiri offered it to him.

While he abstained from voting, Pimentel congratulated Zubiri and vowed to help the Senate succeed in

the 19th Congress.

Hontiveros also abstained and later nominated Pimentel as Senate Minority Leader.

She said Pimentel, a former Senate President, will make an excellent minority leader.

Senator Loren Legarda and Villanueva were elected as Senate President Pro Tempore and Senate Majority Leader, respectively.

The Marcos administration’s priority bills include the proposed National Government Rightsizing Program (NGRP), the Budget Modernization bill, and the proposed E-Government Act The NGRP is a reform mechanism that aims to enhance the government’s institutional capacity to perform its mandate and provide better services while ensuring optimal and efficient use of resources.

The President said the rightsizing efforts will involve the conduct of a

“comprehensive” strategic review of functions, programs, and projects that will cut across various agencies.

“Compared to previous government reorganization efforts, the NGRP will entail a comprehensive strategic review of the functions, operations, organization, systems, and processes of the different agencies, and massive and transformational initiatives in agencies concerned, such as merger, consolidation, splitting, transfer, and abolition of some offices,” he said.

culture which tempts many to become show horses.”

“As your Speaker, I vow to attend to all the concerns of your constituents. I shall try to be as fair as possible and favor no one,” Romualdez told his colleagues after thanking them for electing him as their leader.

“There will be fair and equitable dis-

tribution of resources for development of our regions, regardless of political affiliation. Every Filipino family must be included in any development agenda. No one gets left behind,” he said.

The new House leader said his office would be “always available to all Representatives of our people,” be they from the Majority or from the Minority.

BBM...

From A1 services under his leadership.

Marcos enumerated his administration’s priority legislative measures in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“As I am here today addressing the legislature, let me propose legislation that we would like for you to pass,” he said in his SONA delivered before lawmakers at the plenary of the House of Representatives.

Romualdez...

From A1 Romualdez, while several other colleagues, including Rep. Ralph Recto of Batangas, seconded the nomination.

Recto described the former Majority Leader as “a workhorse, in a political

VICE President Sara Duterte-Carpio called on administration supporters to help President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. fulfill the programs he had cited in his maiden State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Duterte-Carpio met with pro-Marcos groups that gathered along IBP Road in Quezon City on Monday shortly after the Chief Executive delivered his first SONA at the nearby Batasang Pambansa.

“Hopefully, we will be united in executing the plans outlined by the President of our country,” she said, addressing the 20,000-strong crowd at the “Kilos Suporta para sa Pagbangon at Pagkakaisa - PBBM SONA.” The Vice President also conveyed her gratitude to those who backed the BBM-Sara ticket in the 2022 national polls.

Marcos and Duterte-Carpio won by landslide after getting more than 30 million votes each, the biggest mandate so far in recent Philippine elections.

“Thank you for supporting PBBM in his State of the Nation Address. And thank you for helping the BBM-Sara UniTeam in the last elections,” Duterte-Carpio said in her brief speech.

“We are all praying that we won’t fail in our recovery efforts for our country,” she added.

PH...

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SONA 2022 SIDELIGHTS

WARM WELCOME. Leyte 1st District Rep Martin Romualdez warmly welcomes Vice President and DepEd Sec. Sara Duterte at the House of Representatives before the opening of 19th Congress. Ver Noveno SIBLINGS. Davao 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte poses with sister, Vice President Sara Duterte inside the halls of Congress.

FIRST SONA. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. delivers his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Batasan.

Revoli Cortez

GROUP PIC. Senators of the 19th Congress pose for a group photo at the Senate in Pasay City on

Monday. Angie de Silva/Senate pool

NEW HOUSE SPEAKER. Martin Romualdez, representative for the 1st district of Leyte takes oath as the newly-elected as house speaker of the 19th Congress. Revoli Cortez

Party atmosphere seen before SONA

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IFFERENT performances from artists, mascots, dancers, and bands, among others, entertained the crowd of supporters during President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The even started around 1 p.m. and featured mascots of Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte on stage dancing to campaign chants and inviting supporters to dance and take “selfies.”

Mascots danced to the popular song on Tiktok called “Zoom.”

Bands such as Inner Voices and

Plethora also performed and played.

Karla Estrada, one of the prominent SONA attendees said she is “very proud’ to sing the national anthem at the opening of 19th Congress. The actress, singer, and host is part of the Tingog Sinirangan Party-List as its third nominee.

“We are just happy here. No more politics. We only have one color. One goal, this is for the unity and harmony of our country, helping together so the Philippines will recover and unite,” Edwin Rodriguez, one of the organizers and president of Malayang Quezon City said, quoted by a GMA News report.

When the video of Marcos delivering his SONA speech started to broadcast on the screen at the venue around 4 p.m., some of the audience were seen leaving the area, GMA News reported.

Militant groups meanwhile voluntarily dispersed before the start of

Marcos’ SONA Authorities said the rallyists left the area at noontime. The rally permit issued to the progressive groups was only until 12 noon. Authorities said the rallyists are “all cooperative.”

“We have not allowed them on Tandang Sora, 500 to 700 meters from the Batasang Pambansa,” the police said.

The protesters – Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Karapatan, Anakbayan and Alliance of Health Workers – marched to Commonwealth Avenue after gathering at the University of the Philippines-Diliman early yesterday and just stayed on Tandang Sora Avenue. With Rio N. Araja

BBM urged to name those behind agri-smuggling

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Imee Marcos on Monday said she wants President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to name those involved in agricultural smuggling which has been destroying the country’s agriculture sector.

She also wants her brother to file charges against corrupt officials in the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and other agencies.

“As the super-ate, I want Bongbong to be angry.

I want him to go wild and name all the agricultural

smugglers that are destroying our local agriculture,” she said in an ambush interview before the 19th Congress opened on Monday.

The President sits as the Agriculture secretary.

Marcos also said he wants the President to be mad and truly say that criminals and those who trade in illegal drugs will be arrested. The senator said it is “time” to get angry at what is happening.

“He’s not getting angry. I hope it’s time for him to get mad because it is no longer right Nd it’s much burden to our people,” she said.

She noted that prices have increased, and the fault

lies in importers, cartels, and syndicates.

“Can we stop this already?” she asked.

She further stated that corporations that do not pay their excise taxes should also be apprehended.

When questioned about possible counter-SONAs, the senator said his brother is already experienced in dealing with criticism. “As we say in the family, to retaliate is human, to ignore is divine,” she said.

“It’s not ignoring. You will listen to legitimate criticism but if it’s only a troublemaker or you are just being attacked, then you should ignore it,” she added.

Filipinos in New York again advised to be more vigilant THE Philippine Consulate in New York is again urging Filipinos in the city to be more vigilant after the sudden surge in crimes against Asians.

Consul Gen. Elmer Cato said that Filipinos should be more careful after a Filipina was reportedly attacked by a homeless person while riding the subway in Queens, New York.

“We want our people to take the necessary precaution. What’s happening in New York is happening in other cities in the world. In Europe, we’ve been receiving reports on Filipinos who get mobbed in other countries,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

“Filipinos are not actually targeted because they are Filipinos. We become victims because they look Asian because

of the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a surge of hate crimes against people who look Asian. Hate crimes have been there for a long time,” he added.

He also urged Filipinos to report on the hate crimes as a majority of the incidents are not reported by the victims.

The victims of hate crimes in New York has climbed to 42. The Philippine Consulate General in New York reported that a 51-year-old Filipina has become the 42nd case of a hate-related incident or criminal act involving a member of the Filipino community there since last year.

The victim was verbally assaulted and harassed by what appeared to be a homeless woman who also tried to prevent her from boarding her train at the 63rd Drive

Subway Station in Rego Park, Queens on Saturday afternoon.

Another Filipino was also victimized, this time an 18-year-old Filipino tourist from Cebu who was attacked in Manhattan, the Philippine Consul General in New York confirmed.

Reports said the tourist was walking near the Philippine Center in Manhattan on Wednesday with three other Filipinos when he was assaulted by an unidentified suspect. The suspect was later subdued and handed over to the police. The victim reportedly suffered facial injuries.

“Kababayan residing in New York and those on temporary visits are reminded to always remain vigilant and to take the necessary precautions, especially when walking in the streets or taking mass

transport,” it said.

The consulate also asked all Filipinos who may find themselves in distress due to hate incidents or other crimes to call the hotlines of the Consulate at +1-917294-0196 and +1-917- 239-4118 for assistance or 911 for emergencies.

The latest statistics released by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) indicated a 37 percent increase in major crimes citywide.

Citing the NYPD, the Consulate said grand larceny was up 49 percent this year; grand larceny auto, 46.2 percent; robbery, 39.2 percent; and burglary 32.9 percent.

Transit crimes and hate crimes have also increased by 55.5 percent and 12.6 percent, respectively, compared to last year. Gabriellea B. Parino

Pinoy fashion creations take center stage in Marcos SONA VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio attended the opening of the 19th Congress wearing a traditional Bagobo Tagabawa dress.

Palace Press Secretary Rose Beatrix “Trixie” Cruz-Angeles remarked that the current fashion on the SONA 2022 is meant to “to revive the traditional industries and give our designers a venue for the expression of their creativity” Senator Loren Legarda wore a traditional outfit. Legarda, a known supporter of Philippine fiber, and local textiles, donned a more than two-decade old Patis Tesoro kimona made of piña, which she had even before becoming a senator. She paired it with an elegant handwoven pinya seda with traditional hand-embroidered full callado with alsado multipurpose tapis.

Sen. Nancy Binay wore a traditional Filipiniana terno by local designer Randy Ortiz for the opening of the 19th Congress. The terno features all-piña fabric from Aklan. Binay touted the importance of supporting and promoting local fabrics.

While almost all the senators wore barong tagalog, actor-turned politician Sen. Robin Padilla yesterday paid homage to culture of Mindanao and wore an attire made of fine Inaul fabric woven by the Maranaos of Mindanao.

Sen. Pia Cayetano wore a woven terno. Her red and green outfit is designed

by Cebuano designer O.J. Hoffer. Senator Imee Marcos described her outfit as “agir na agri, parang nagbabayo, parang ang lupit ng bunay ng pagsasaka. For the SONA, she wore a gown.

Sen. Grace Poe arrived in a classic terno handwoven by the Sabanga Onable wovers by the T’boli tribe of Lake Sebu. Senator Risa Hontiveros wore a modern take on the traditional baro’t saya made from Aklan Piña fabric and hand-embroidered in Lumban, Laguna.

Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez wore a native design-inspired barong on Monday when he was elected as the 24th Speaker of the House of Representatives. Celebrity fashion designer Avel Bacudio designed Romualdez’s barong,. With Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

DOH: COVID infection rising anew, can reach 4k/day next week

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TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2022

By Willie Casas

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HE incidence of COVID-19 infections in the country is on the rise again, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

The Philippines on Sunday recorded 3,657 new COVID-19 cases and 13 new deaths, the DOH records showed.

This is the highest daily tally in more than 5 months or since Feb. 12, ABSCBN Data Analytics Team head Edson Guido said.

The country logged a total of 19,536 new COVID-19 cases, during the past week, indicating a 33-percent increase from the week before, the DOH said on Monday.

The DOH data showed an average of 2,791 infections per day from July 18 to 24.

Of the additional infections during the week, 56 were classified as severe and critical, bringing to 666 such cases admitted to hospitals across the country. The figure is 77 cases higher than the 589 patients recorded during the previous week.

A total of 578 or 21.7 percent of 2,664 intensive care unit (ICU) beds for COVID-19 patients were occupied as of Sunday, according to the latest DOH bulletin.

“Our latest projections are showing that these case increases may translate to a spike in total and ICU admissions in October, if compliance with minimum public health standard (MPHS) continues to decline and booster rates remain low,” the DOH said in a statement.

During the past week, the DOH said

it verified 42 more COVID-related fatalities nationwide, broken down as follows: one each in April and October 2021; 13 in August 2021; nine each in May, June and July 2021.

As of Sunday, the country’s total confirmed COVID-19 cases stood at 3,752,534, of which 27,116 were active.

Meanwhile, some 71 million people in the country have been fully vaccinated against the respiratory disease, 15.9 million of whom have received their booster shots.

However, the OCTA Research Group predicted that the Philippines could reach 4,000 daily COVID cases next week.

Aside from Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Central Luzon and Western Visayas have reported a rise in virus infections, OCTA Research fellow Guido David said.

“It’s possible that we will reach 4,000 cases per day nationwide next week. We can also see that the increase in cases is not that fast, so it’s not that alarming.),” David said in a televised briefing.

“But again, the public should be aware that COVID is still here,” he added.

It is possible that the BA.2.75, dubbed “Centaurus” due to its fast transmission, has entered the country though genome sequencing has yet to detect it, David said.

IT RAINED ON THEIR PARADE. Multi-sectoral demonstrators braved an afternoon downpour as they march along Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City during State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Manny Palmero

Lawyer: Slain ex-Mayor Furigay no drug trader

By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta A LAWYER of slain former Lamitan City Mayor Rose Furigay has denied allegations by her client’s suspected killer that her family was involved in the illegal drug trade.

Meanwhile, Sen. Riza Hontiveros deplored the shooting incident at the Ateneo University where a lone gunman shot dead ex-Mayor Rose Furigay, along with her close-in bodyguard and a female security guard of the school.

“His story is untrue,” said lawyer Quirino Esguerra Jr. over Unang Balita report on Monday.

According to Esguerra, the gunman, Dr. Chao-Tiao Yumol, has a personal grudge against Furigay after the Lamitan City government ordered the closure of his infirmary clinic for supposedly operating without the necessary permit.

drug trade.

But Esguerra claimed otherwise, saying Yumul was just harboring an old grudge when the former mayor implemented a cease-and-desist order from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao against Yumul’s infirmary clinic across the Lamitan City hall for operating without a permit. “Those are pure lies,” he told a radio interview.

The suspect posted allegedly malicious insinuations on social media against Rose, then vice mayor Roderick Furigay, and city government workers, prompting Rose to file over 70 cyber libel cases against Yumul.

Last July 24, on board a transport network vehicle, Yumul entered the Ateneo de Manila University on Katipunan Road, Quezon City at 2:55 p.m. before the start of the commencement rites of the College of Law graduating students.

Mass making of monkeypox vax seen

DOH says dengue picking up in PH DENGUE cases since January 2022 reportedly went up to more than 73,000, of which over 18,000 have been logged in the past weeks alone, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday.

DOH officer-in-charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said a total of 18,699 dengue cases were recorded from June 12 to July 9.

This brought the total dengue caseload in the country this year to 73,909.

Vergeire said the regions with the most dengue cases were Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, and the National Capital Region (NCR).

“Right now, our campaign against dengue continues where we are mobilizing our local governments to do the 4S strategy and also mobilize their dengue brigades,” Vergeire said.

The 4S protocols included search and destroy breeding places; use selfprotection; seek early consultation; and support fogging or spraying in hotspot areas, especially during the rainy season.

The DOH, along with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), released a joint advisory on Sunday, reminding the public that only scientific solutions can solve the country’s health problems like dengue.

They said that vector control, and not placing frogs and fishes in swamps and stagnant water, could help curb the increasing dengue cases in the Philippines.

“This kind of practice can destroy our ecosystem because frogs are invasive species. They could also pose health risks and poison our countrymen and their pets,” Vergeire said.

Vergeire earlier this month said the increase of dengue cases in the country is already alarming as some individuals are now being admitted in hospitals. Willie Casas

“He (Yumol) was even required to explain by the city council and by the city mayor, but what he did, he castigated them. He posted them on Facebook, malicious insinuation. So the mayor wouldn’t like to confront him about this, they filed cases. There are pending 60 cyberlibel cases,” Esguerra said.

The clinic, Esguerra said, was located just right across the street from the Lamitan City hall.

Yumul allegedly went into hiding since January 2021 over the cyber libel charges.

Esguerra said Yumul had jumped bail.

Upon arrest, Yumul, 38, a medical doctor, claimed Furigay and her husband, incumbent Lamitan City Mayor Roderick Furigay, were drug lords in Basilan City.

He accused the Furigays of a plot to attack him thrice because of his expose about their involvement in the

ON-SITE INSPECTION. Manila Police District director Brig. Gen. Leo

Francisco inspects his men deployed at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila, during the first State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Norman Cruz

THE Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP) on Monday said the World Health Organization’s (WHO) move declaring monkeypox as a global health emergency might lead to the large-scale production of vaccines against the disease.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) is working with the WHO, as well as other development partners to obtain smallpox vaccines if ever the Philippines would need it in the fight against monkeypox.

VEP head Dr. Nina Gloriani said monkeypox vaccines remain limited.

Only smallpox and a recently-developed “live-attenuated” vaccine for monkeypox are currently approved to fight the viral disease.

“Monkeypox and smallpox are under one family. The vaccine is not available for the general population. Stockpile is inadequate,” Gloriani said in a televised briefing.

“Maybe with the declaration of public health emergency of international concern ng WHO, they might strengthen the development and production of the vac-

cine,” she added.

The Department of Health (DOH) said the country is currently working with international health agencies to secure monkeypox vaccines.

The Philippines has yet to detect a case of monkeypox, even as 72 countries and territories already have reported infections of the viral disease.

Nearly 16,000 people have already been reportedly infected with the disease.

Gloriani said the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and the Philippine Genome Center are so far the only institutions in the country capable of detecting monkeypox through RT-PCR testing.

She hoped government would help centers or laboratories to have the capacity to do genetic testing soon.

The WHO on Saturday declared monkeypox to be a global health emergency —the highest alarm it can raise.

DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire explained that the smallpox vaccine has been authorized by the United States Food and Drug Administration to be used against monkeypox. Willie Casas

Oil firms cut pump prices for 3rd week in a row

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE country’s oil firms cut pump prices by as much as P1.85 per liter for the third consecutive week across all products, effective 6 a.m. Tuesday.

The oil firms rolled back the diesel price by P1.85 per liter, kerosene by P1.85 per liter, and gasoline by P0.40 per liter to reflect the movement of oil prices in the world market.

“Effective 12:01 a.m. July 26, 2022, Chevron Philippines Inc.(Caltex) will decrease fuel prices of Platinum and Silver by P0.40 per liter, diesel by P1.85 per liter, and kerosene by P1.30 per liter,” Chevron said in its advisory.

PTT Philippines, Cleanfuel, and Seaoil Philippines also announced their respective price cuts, while other oil companies are expected to follow.

Over the weekend, Unioil Philippines said diesel should go down by P1.80 to P2 per liter and gasoline by P0.30 to P40 per liter.

Rino Abad, DOE director for Oil Industry Management Bureau, earlier said the European Central Bank recently announced a hike in interest rates which affected the global oil price movement.

The impending review of the US Federal Reserves of its interest hike during a meeting from July 26 to July 27 also weighs on world oil price movements.

On July 19, the oil companies implemented a price rollback for gasoline by P5 per liter, diesel by P2 per liter, and kerosene by P0.70 per liter.

These resulted in the total year-to-date adjustments at a net increase of P19.30 per liter for gasoline, P34.80 per liter for diesel, and P29.35 per liter for kerosene.

Crude prices fell last week amid fresh lockdown fears in China and the release of US inflation data.

China detected the first case of the highly contagious omicron sub-type BA.5.2.1, triggering a surge in cases.

The release of the US inflation numbers, which stood at 9.1 percent in June, fuelled recession fears.

SC affirms order firing DPWH exec for graft

By Rey E. Requejo

MASS WEDDING. Twenty-one couples exchange marital vows during a mass

wedding ceremony officiated by Mayor Jerry Treñas at the KER building in Iloilo City.

THE Supreme Court has affirmed the dismissal from governmentservice of a district engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Zamboanga del Norte for his alleged role in the anomalous purchase of guardrails and guardrail posts worth P5.5 million in 2004.

In a 20-page decision, the SC’s Second Division through Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando denied the petition by Arturo Miñao, officer-in-charge of the 1st engineering district of the DPWH in Sta. Isabel, Dipolog City, seeking the reversal of a Court of Appeals decision issued on August 23, 2016 and resolution issued on March 30, 2017, which sustained the Office of the Ombudsman-Mindanao’s order of dismissal against him.

The anti-graft body found Miñao along with two others administratively liable for

grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service.

The case arose from a letter-complaint dated October 14, 2005 by a certain Aurelio Cadavedo pertaining to the alleged anomalous purchase of guardrails and guardrail posts worth P5.5 million sometime in 2004.

A team of the Commission on Audit Regional Office No. IX (COA-IX), which was duly constituted to investigate the lettercomplaint of Cadavedo, submitted an audit investigation report (AIR) on October 5, 2006 which stated that the said engineering district committed splitting of contracts in procuring the said materials under the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) issued by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the Dipolog-Oroquieta and Dipolog- Sindangan national roads (National Roads).

BFAR warns vs. red tide in 3 coastal areas THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has warned the public against eating all types of shellfish and acetes or alamang from three coastal areas that tested positive for toxic red tide.

In a bulletin, BFAR said shellfishes collected at the coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbiliran City in Bohol, Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur, and Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur were tested positive for paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) above the regulatory limit and not safe for human consumption.

However, fish, squids, shrimp, and crabs are safe to eat if they are fresh, with internal organs and gills removed, and well rinsed before cooking, according to the agency.

Meanwhile, BFAR reported that the coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate and Litalit Bay in Surigao del Norte are now clear of the toxic red tide.

Opinion Lotilla, a fresh start for the Energy Sector THIS early, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is showing how transparent his administration is.

I can’t help but give him some credit for how he handles appointments to his Cabinet.

Take the case of Raphael P.M. Lotilla who has been appointed as Energy Secretary, although his official appointment has been temporarily withheld pending a thorough vetting.

I believe Marcos Jr. is consulting with his legal team on whether there is legal and ethical basis in appointing Lotilla to the position.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles in a recent press briefing said Lotilla was still considered a nominee pending the clarification of his employment status. Lotilla is an independent director of Aboitiz Power Corp., and of oil and gas exploration and production firm ACE Enexor.

Marcos Jr. wants to know if there is legal basis for Lotilla’s appointment since there seems to be a conflict of interest.

Under Republic Act 7638 or the law creating the Department of Energy, “no officer, external auditor, accountant, or legal counsel of any private company or enterprise primarily engaged in the energy industry shall be eligible for appointment as Secretary within two years from his retirement, resignation, or separation therefrom.”

I laud the president for his making sure all his appointees to his Cabinet will pass both legal and ethical yardstick.

The DOJ, however, sees no legal obstacle to the Lotilla’s appointment, believing his nomination “valid and lawful” even as Lotilla served as an independent director of Aboitiz Power Corporation and Ace Enexor.

“The position of the department is that the appointment should be valid given that an independent director does not fall within those prohibited by the DOE Act of 1992,” according to Mico Clavano, a lawyer with the DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla.

This could be Lotilla’s second tour of duty at the DOE. He served as its chief from 2005 to 2007 during the administration of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He also served as president of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. and deputy director-general of the National Economic Development Authority.

I’m confident that Lotilla is up to the task. He’s facing problems in the sector which a person of his stature can find a solution to.

I see the depletion of the Malampaya gas reserves and the country’s commitment to finally rid its energy mix of coal as the two most pressing issues which he should address with dispatch.

The Philippines vowed to lower greenhouse gas emissions in the county by 75 percent by 2030 . Of the 75 percent commitment, around 72 percent will be contingent on the support of developed countries, and the rest will be executed using national resources.

In October 2020, the Department of Energy called for a moratorium on endorsing new coalfired power projects in a bid to shift to a more “flexible” power generation.

Santa Banana, I have pointed out time and again in this column that the best bridge to a carbon-free future is Natural Gas, which the country has, but has never tapped.

In the past, I found the lack of foresight and poor planning of the people tasked to ensure power stability in the country’s energy sector.

There is absolutely no plan B when Malampaya runs out of gas. This is certainly an emergency that needs to be addressed. Where on earth do we now source the amount of power the country would miss in the face of this dire situation?

It has been established that the road to stabilize climate change is a dramatic reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions.

For years, the accepted target has been the lessening of gas emission to 80 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2050. My gulay, to do this, we must eliminate almost all use of fossil fuels.

I see and agree that natural gas is an excellent

By Rep. Ralph G. Recto MR. PRESIDING Officer, my dear colleagues, fellow workers in government, ladies and gentlemen.

In 1992, one of my first acts as a freshman in this House was to swear in the Speaker, an honor given to me as its youngest member.

Thirty years and thirty pounds later, I have returned to the Bigger and Better House, no longer a totoy, but a tito, not to swear in the Speaker, but to sell who among us is the best man for the job.

But the colleague I am nominating requires no hard sell.

If experience will be the sole basis of our choice, then my nominee has served five terms in this House, and has worked on both sides of the aisle, as majority leader and as independent fiscalizer.

bridge fuel.

The inference is that we will harness it now, to realize short-term greenhouse gas reductions by replacing coal-fired power, then reduce or end reliance on natural gas over some time to lock in long-term greenhouse gas reductions.

Let me just cite the reasons: We would not have to face such an emergency had the Department of Energy assisted Energy World Corp. in having its Liquefied Natural Gas hooked up with the existing transmission grid.

Yes, you read me right. EWC could have provided instant power to the Luzon grid had its appeal to piggyback on existing transmission lines got all the government’s support.

Despite the technical and financial feasibility of such an arrangement, the appeal was successfully opposed by Team Energy which ironically processes coal for power generation.

Santa Banana, his EWC project has had to hurdle protracted bureaucratic red tape and cold-shoulder support from government agencies tasked to ensure stability in the country’s energy mix.

It has been established that the road to stabilize climate change is a dramatic reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions The company is now building its own transmission line and switching station to connect the plant to the main grid.

Once operational, EWC intends to install a 200 megawatt steam turbine. Similarly, the final stages of development of its 2-MTPA LNG facility are on track.

••• In my earlier columns, I made a big thing out of my inability to retire, having been a journalist for more than 74 years now.

First, what will I do in retirement, since the only thing I have been doing for more than seven decades is to pound on my old Olympia typewriter.

And, Santa Banana, after working for 74 years, I will receive no retirement pay.

I have been complaining a lot about the lack of retirement pay, much less a pension plan, despite the fact that I have been a journalist for that long.

That’s the biggest problem of journalists like me -- no retirement pay, much less a pension.

Santa Banana, believe it or not, my pension from the Social Security System is a mere P3,000, after having worked for 74 years. I guess that most of my employers all these years have not been paying the SSS obligations.

It is for all these reasons why I am elated that some members of the House of Representatives have filed a bill proposing a Welfare Act for media workers in print and broadcast (radio and television) that proposes that media workers be treated like regular employees in the government and private sector, entitled to all the benefits and perks under the law.

More so because journalists and other media workers work beyond ordinary working hours to bring to the people all the events and happenings every day. Santa Banana, journalists are at risk when they cover dangerous places and events.

I am also elated about the proposed bill because at my age, almost 95, I cannot expect a retirement pay, much less a pension plan.

I realize that having a retirement pay and pension is already too late for me, but I am thinking of the future of journalism with future journalists being discriminated against, unlike regular workers of the government and private sector.

In fact, I would like to think that media workers deserve more than regular workers because of the many risks we face, all for the benefit of the public and common good and national interest.

I plead to the Senate to file a similar bill to provide that all media workers, including journalists, be treated like regular workers. And I am urging President Marcos to prioritize the bills.

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This means he can shepherd the bills that can help our country as skillfully as he can stop the ones that harm our people.

If work outside politics will be the voting guide, then he has chaired a big profitable bank, or two.

I chose to cite this among his many corporate jobs if only to underscore the stewardship that such requires – and that is to always earn the trust of its clients because it is the only way for the business to earn money.

If educational credentials will be the criteria, then his Cornell diploma and Harvard studies, his UP Law degree are more than proof of his surviving the rigors of academia.

Rounding up his PPP experience – private, public – is philanthropy, such as the foundation that produces doctors.

His giving to good causes is, however, mostly done in private, because he believes that the best form of altruism is done anonymously.

But there are many traits of the man which are not attested by certificates.

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EDITORIAL

Constitutionalist Romualdez to heal this nation’s many wounds Everyman

TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2022

Catching COVID-19 worries remains

T

HAT majority of Filipinos remain worried that they or someone in their immediate family could be infected with COVID-19 is understandable.

According to the April Social Weather Stations survey, where 1,440 respondents were interviewed face-to-face, around 9 in 10 adult Filipinos, or 88 percent, have said they are “a great deal worried” or “somewhat worried” about catching the virus, while 12 percent were “a little worried” or “not worried.”

The results have a plus or minus 2.6 percent sampling error margin for national percentages and a plus or minus 5.2 percent sampling error margin for subnational areas of Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

And the other day, the OCTA Research Group said 10 provinces have registered “very high” COVID-19 positivity rates or more than 20 percent as of July 22 compared to the July 16 data.

The worry remains up as the number of people testing positive in the Metro Manila, where 13 million of the country’s 111 million population live, had

increased further at the end of the previous week, based on a report by the OCTA Research group.

The Geneva-based World Health organization recommends a positivity rate of five percent or below to effectively manage the pandemic OCTA said Metro Manila’s positivity rate, which measures the number of positive results out of the total tests conducted, jumped from 14.6 percent Wednesday last to 16 percent two days later.

The Geneva-based World Health organization recommends a positivity rate of five percent or below to effectively manage the pandemic.

With the high positivity rate and the

lower number of tests conducted compared to previous heaves, OCTA fellow Guido David said the number of actual cases may even be higher.

Figures from the Department of Health have also suggested a billowing, with 3,389 new cases, with 1,169 from the congested metropolis, up from the previous day’s 2,828, which included 1,002 in the National Capital Region.

David has said the growth rate – which indicates the weekly change in average new cases – further slowed down to 15 percent.

A negative growth rate would suggest that the number of new cases is on the downtrend.

The SWS survey noted that concern was much grater than the worries about previous viruses like Ebola, Swine Flu, Bird Flu and Severe Acute respiratory Syndrome.

Compared to the previous year, the hope that the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is over was 33 percent higher and nearly as high as the 44 percent when SWS first asked the question in May 2020, two months after the strict lockdown was imposed.

Interesting first Sona by Marcos PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. opened his State of the Nation Address as the 17th President of the Republic of the Philippines by laying down the solutions, plans and strategy of his administration to improve and rehabilitate a scarred economy.

On the economy, his administration plans to implement sound fiscal management, tax administration reforms to increase revenue collection, spending efficiency improved, promotion of productivity enhancing investments, to adjust the tax system in order to catch up with the rapid development of digital economy including the imposition of value added tax on digital service providers, streamline processes in the Bureau of Customs.

The medium-term fiscal management strategy will be geared towards the attainment of short term macro fiscal stability and medium-term fiscal sustainability, mobilizing government resources for optimal utilization in order to gain maximum benefits.

The government shall adopt policies for sustained GDP growth and to reduce poverty to single digit by the end of his 6-year term.

There is an elevated uncertainty due to the impact of the pandemic that pose macro-economic challenges and accelerated inflation due mainly to international increases in prices of oil and other key commodities.

Accordingly, the president said he ordered NEDA to revise its macro economic assumptions to incorporate these challenges, leading to upward adjustments in the following – inflation rate for 2022-2023, foreign exchange rate for 2023-2025, and goods and services for 2022.

The president also took note of the increase in household consumption as the country continues to reopen, along with robust manufacturing capacity, improved vaccination rate and upward trend in tourism.

He projected a steady increase in import and export during his term. This part of the speech was addressed to investors and the business and finance

If experience will be the sole basis of our choice, then my nominee has served five terms in this House, and has worked on both sides of the aisle, as majority leader and as independent fiscalizer One, he is a workhorse, in a political culture which tempts many to become show horses.

While others chase headlines, he searches for good bills instead, and whenever he finds one, he does not loudly annotate a work in progress through tweets, but lets the finished product speak for itself.

Well, brilliance has no need for a bullhorn.

My candidate for Speaker knows the policies that need to be crafted – after all he has an eye for details, and for beauty, as attested by his lovely wife – and the pragmatism to get them passed.

This involves consultation, consensus, and

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community, including our creditors.

Agriculture will be main driver of economic growth.

Short term challenges will include continued increase in prices of food and shortage in supply.

To address these problems, the agricultural sector must increase productivity during the planting season thru financial and technical assistance.

The administration will also make farm inputs more accessible and affordable.

The president also took note of the increase in household consumption as the country continues to reopen, along with robust manufacturing capacity, improved vaccination rate and upward trend in tourism For the long term solution, prices of agricultural goods and services will be increased by strengthening value chain from farmers to consumers.

The Department of Agriculture shall focus on exploring new methods of planting and animal raising.

The government shall prioritize modernization of agriculture, establish a national network of farm to market roads, adopt measures to ease prices of commodities.

According to the president, agrarian reform will continue.

Accordingly, he shall issue an executive order to impose a one-year moratorium on the payment of land amortization and interest payments. This will be popular among agrarian reform beneficiaries.

On health, the Marcos administration will no longer impose lockdowns, to undertake better vaccine roll out and will ensure adequate hospital bed capacity.

It will adjust health protocols in accordance with a given situation, to improve information disseminacompromise, if need be, of which he is a master of.

I am confident that with him, a constitutionalist, at the helm, he will keep the plenary a hospitable space for all opinions, while keeping the conveyor belt of laws moving.

He will act on bills promptly, because a people tired of being promised can no longer afford to wait, while allowing full discussion because a legislature ceases to be deliberative when it begins to shun debate.

My dear colleagues: When I entered this very hall 30 years and 30 pounds ago, a crisis in many fronts awaited us.

We were grappling with the devastation of Pinatubo, the Baguio earthquake, a parade of typhoons, an energy crisis and the economic fallout of military adventurism.

In many places, when you open the taps, there was no water. You try to catch a plane, there was none. You lift the phone, you get a busy signal.

You switch on the lights, there was no power.

But many of these were remedied by groundbreaking legislation, by the House, and if you don’t believe me – hindi po ito chismis – you can ask the former congressman who will be delivering his State of the Nation Address later because we joined the House in that same year.

But the crisis we confronted then were brushfires as compared to the raging firestorm all

tion, establish Center for Disease Control and Prevention and create a vaccine institute and more health centers and hospitals in all regions.

The Marcos presidency will bring medical services to the people, thus making health care more accessible.

As stated by the president, one of the cornerstones of a strong healthcare system is the provision of competent and efficient medical professionals His administration will exert all efforts to improve the welfare of doctors, nurses, and other medical frontliners.

The government will engage and negotiate with international and domestic pharmaceutical companies to open up the market to lower down prices of drugs.

This was the most applauded part of the speech with the audience giving him a standing ovation when he promised specialty hospitals for every region.

On foreign policy, the President said the country will preserve its territorial integrity, will adopt an independent foreign policy but shall continue to be a friend to all. And an enemy to none. When he promised not to give up an inch of national territory, the audience again gave him a standing ovation.

In the right way to end a SONA, the president, addressing the members of Congress, enumerated the priority legislative measures of his administration to include: National Government Rightsizing Program, Budget Modernization Bill, Tax Package 3: Valuation Reform Bill, Tax Package 4: Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act, E-Government Act, Internet Transaction Act or E-Commerce Law, Government Financial Institutions Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery, Medical Reserve Corps, National Disease Prevention Management Authority Creation of the Virology Institute of the Philippines, Department of Water Resources. Unified System of Separation, Retirement and Pension E-Governance Act. National Land Use Act, National Defense Act. Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and National Service Training Program, Enactment of an Enabling Law for the Natural Gas Industry Website: tonylavina.com Facebook page: deantonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

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around us now.

Our economy has cratered, a generation of learners has been incarcerated in their own homes, food is expensive, jobs are scarce, and commuting one hell of a calvary.

Well, I may have just spelled out the job description of this House, and that of the Speaker, the one who shall marshal our collective will and wisdom in tackling the brave and bold things that must be done.

And in this sea of talent that surrounds me today, there is one man who can best do the above.

He is the gentleman from Leyte, Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, whose experience in working across the corporate world, across the globe, across the political divide is the skill set a leader must possess today.

It is therefore my honor to nominate him as the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 19th Congress, as leader of the House that will heal this nation’s many wounds, whether inflicted

by COVID, the economic crisis, or politics that divides its people.

Magandang umaga po at maraming salamat.

(Rep. Ralph G. Recto, is Congressman from the 6th District of Batangas. His nomination speech was delivered before the start of the State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. Monday.)

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Sunak vows to get tough on China if he becomes PM

Thousands evacuated as California Oak Fire grows MIDPINES—A fierce California wildfire expanded Sunday, burning several thousand acres and forcing evacuations as tens of millions of Americans sweltered through the scorching heat.

More than 2,000 firefighters backed by 17 helicopters have been deployed against the Oak Fire, which broke out Friday near Yosemite National Park, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) said in a report.

But two days after it began, the blaze has already consumed more than 15,600 acres (6,313 hectares) and remains zero percent contained, the report said, adding that heat combined with low humidity would “hamper” efforts Sunday.

“Extreme drought conditions have led to critical fuel moisture levels,” according to CAL FIRE’s report.

Described as “explosive” by officials, the blaze has left ashes, gutted vehicles, and twisted remains of properties in its wake, as emergency personnel worked to evacuate residents and protect structures in its path.

It has already destroyed 10 properties and damaged five others, with thousands more threatened.

More than 6,000 people had been evacuated, said Hector Vasquez, a CAL FIRE official.

“It was scary when we left because we were getting ashes on us, but we had such a visual of this billowing.

It just seemed like it was above our house and coming our way really quickly,” one woman who had to be evacuated, Lynda Reynolds-Brown, told local news station KCRA. AFP

Russia: Odessa strikes destroy Western arms KYIV—Russia said its missile barrage on a Ukrainian port central to a landmark grain export deal had destroyed Western-supplied weapons after the attack sparked an outcry from Ukraine’s allies.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was embarking on a tour of several countries in Africa and on his first stop in Egypt Sunday sought to reassure Cairo that Russian grain supplies would continue.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced Saturday’s strike on the Odessa port as “Russian barbarism” and said it amounted to desperation after the warring sides struck a deal to release exports from the facility.

“Even the occupiers admit that we will win. We hear it in their conversations –- all the time, in what they tell their loved ones when they contact them,” he said Sunday in his nightly address.

Turkey helped broker the accord and said immediately after the double cruise missile hits that it had received assurances from Moscow that Russian forces were not responsible.

But Russia’s defense ministry rolled back on the denial Sunday, saying the strikes had destroyed a Ukrainian military vessel and arms delivered by Washington.

“High-precision, long-range missiles launched from the sea destroyed a docked Ukrainian warship and a stockpile of anti-ship missiles delivered by the United States to the Kyiv regime,” it said. AFP

FIERY SUN. A firefighting helicopter passes the setting sun while fighting the Oak Fire near Mariposa, California, on July 24.

The fierce wildfire expanded early Sunday, burning several thousand acres and forcing evacuations, as tens of millions of Americans sweltered through scorching heat with already record-setting temperatures due to climb even further. AFP

Myanmar junta executes two pro-democracy rivals

Y

ANGON— Myanmar’s junta has executed four prisoners including a former lawmaker from Aung San Suu Kyi’s party and a prominent activist, state media said Monday, in the country’s first use of capital punishment in decades.

The executions sparked widespread condemnation, heightened fears that more death sentences will be carried out and prompted calls for the international community to take sterner measures against the already isolated junta.

The four were executed for leading “brutal and inhumane terror acts”, the Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said, without saying when or how the men were killed.

The junta has sentenced dozens of anti-coup activists to death as part of its crackdown on dissent after seizing power last year, but Myanmar had not carried out an execution for decades.

Phyo Zeya Thaw, a former lawmaker from Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) who was arrested in November, was sentenced to death in January for offenses under anti-terrorism laws.

Democracy activist Kyaw Min Yu —better known as “Jimmy”—received the same sentence from the military tribunal.

Family members of the two men gathered outside Yangon’s Insein prison after news of the executions was published in the hopes of retrieving their bodies, local media reported.

A junta spokesman could not be reached for comment.

Responding to media inquiries on reports of the executions, a junta statement said “it is as stated in the state

media.”

The United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on Myanmar Tom Andrews said he was “outraged and devastated by the news.”

“These depraved acts must be a turning point... what more must the junta do before the international community is willing to take strong action?”

Two other men were sentenced to death for killing a woman they alleged was an informer for the junta in Yangon.

Human Rights Watch said the executions were an “act of utter cruelty”.

Amnesty International said they were an “atrocious escalation in state repression” and warned around 100 others were currently on death row after being convicted in junta courts.

- Diplomatic condemnation The junta was heavily criticized by international powers last month when it announced its intention to carry out the executions. AFP

RESPECTFUL KISS. Pope Francis

greets members of an indigenous tribe during his welcoming ceremony at Edmonton International Airport in Alberta, western Canada, on July 24.

The Pope visited Canada for a chance to personally apologize to Indigenous survivors of abuse committed over a span of decades at residential schools run by the Catholic Church. AFP

Pope poised to visit Canada indigenous school survivors EDMONTON—Pope Francis will visit a former residential school in Canada on Monday, where he is expected to make a historic personal apology to Indigenous survivors of abuse committed over decades at the Catholic-run institutions.

The leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics arrived the previous day in Edmonton for a six-day visit, which has long been awaited by the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities.

The 85-year-old pontiff’s trip, which he has described as a “penitential journey,” is primarily to apologize to survivors for

the Church’s role in the scandal that a national truth and reconciliation commission has called “cultural genocide.”

From the late 1800s to the 1990s, Canada’s government sent about 150,000 First Nations, Metis, and Inuit children into 139 residential schools run by the Church, where they were cut off from their families, language and culture.

Many were physically and sexually abused by headmasters and teachers, and thousands of children are believed to have died of disease, malnutrition, or neglect.

A delegation of Indigenous peoples

traveled to the Vatican in April and met the pope—a precursor to Francis’ six-day trip—after which he formally apologized.

But doing so again on Canadian soil will be of huge significance to survivors and their families, for whom the land of their ancestors is of particular importance.

Francis is to arrive at 10:00 am (1600 GMT) Monday at the community of Maskwacis, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Edmonton, where the former Ermineskin residential school—one of the largest in Canada—was located until its closure in 1975. AFP

Poll machete attack puts PNG on high alert

ROCKET VIEW. Onlookers watch the launch of a rocket transporting China’s

second module for its Tiangong space station from the Wenchang spaceport in southern China on July 24. China launched the second of three modules needed to complete its new space station, state media reported in the latest step in Beijing’s ambitious space program. AFP

PORT MORESBY—Residents of Papua New Guinea’s capital were told to stay home and troops were deployed to its streets Monday, after a brutal election-related attack hospitalized two people.

In a politically motivated attack, a machete-wielding gang chased down two victims outside a counting centre in Port Moresby on Sunday, leaving one with a traumatic brain injury and another with an injured limb, doctors and police said.

Gunshots were heard elsewhere in the capital, with more violence expected.

“The situation does remain very volatile at this point,” police commissioner

David Manning said, as he requested more troops to help his overwhelmed and understaffed force.

“They accepted our request and actioned our request for additional manpower,” he said.

Papua New Guinea is nearing the end of a month-long vote already marred by violence.

About 10,000 police, army, and corrections services personnel had already been mobilized for the vote, but they have struggled to maintain control.

During the last vote in 2017, Australian National University monitors documented more than 200 election-related killings and widespread “serious irregularities.” AFP

LONDON—Rishi Sunak on Sunday promised to get tough on China if he becomes Britain’s next prime minister, calling the Asian superpower the “number one threat” to domestic and global security.

The former finance minister’s pledge comes after his rival in the final two of the race to lead the ruling Conservative party, Liz Truss, accused him of being weak on China and Russia.

China’s state-run Global Times has previously said Sunak was the only candidate in the contest with “a clear and pragmatic view on developing UK-China ties”.

The Daily Mail, which has come out for Foreign Secretary Truss in the race to succeed Boris Johnson, called that “the endorsement that nobody wanted”.

Sunak’s proposals include the closure of all 30 Confucius Institutes in Britain, preventing the soft-power spread of Chinese influence through culture and language programmes.

He also promised to “kick the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) out of our universities” by forcing higher education establishments to disclose foreign funding of more than £50,000 ($60,000) and reviewing research partnerships.

‘Stealing our technology’ Britain’s domestic spy agency MI5 would be used to help combat Chinese espionage, and he would look to build “NATO-style” international cooperation to tackle Chinese threats in cyberspace.

He would also study the case for banning Chinese acquisitions of key British assets, including strategically sensitive tech firms.

Sunak claimed China was “stealing our technology and infiltrating our universities” and “propping up” Vladimir Putin abroad by buying Russian oil, as well as attempting to bully neighbors, including Taiwan.

He hit out at China’s global “belt and road” scheme for “saddling developing countries with insurmountable debt”.

“They torture, detain and indoctrinate their own people, including in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, in contravention of their human rights. And they have continually rigged the global economy in their favor by suppressing their currency,” he added. AFP

Murmu sworn in as India’s first tribal president NEW DELHI—Droupadi Murmu was sworn in as India’s president on Monday, making her the first person from one of the country’s marginalized tribal communities to serve as head of state.

The former schoolteacher and state governor was elected to the largely ceremonial position last week with 64 percent of the vote by members of India’s parliament and state assemblies.

Murmu, who is from the Santhal tribe and was born in eastern Odisha state, paid her respects before her inauguration at a memorial dedicated to India’s independence hero Mahatma Gandhi in New Delhi.

“I started my life journey from a small tribal village,” Murmu, 64, said after taking the oath of office in parliament.

“From the background I come from, it was like a dream for me to even get elementary education,” she added.

“But despite many obstacles, my resolve remained strong and I became the first daughter from my village to go to college.”

Murmu’s win was considered a certainty because of the strength of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies in the parliament and state assemblies.

Analysts said the move will likely help Prime Minister Narendra Modi extend his base among the poor tribal communities ahead of his reelection bid in 2024.

“Her assuming the Presidency is a watershed moment for India, especially for the poor, marginalized and downtrodden,” Modi said on Twitter after Murmu’s address.

Murmu said her election would give hope to those left behind by India’s recent economic growth. AFP

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Business

TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2022 ||

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market falls; BDO, Ayala Land top decliners S TOCKS fell Monday along with the rest of Asia at the start of a key week for equities as the Federal Reserve prepares to lift interest rates again.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 53.86 points, or 0.9 percent to 6,209.53 on a value turnover of nearly P4.3 billion. Losers beat gainers, 114 to 61, with 47 issues unchanged.

BDO Unibank Inc. of the Sy Group, the biggest lender in terms of assets, sank 4.6 percent to P115.60, while PLDT Inc. of Indonesia’s Salim Group, the largest telecommunications firm, declined 3.6 percent to P1,611.

Major property developer Ayala Land Inc. of the Ayala Group, also fell 3.6 percent to P24, but SM Prime Holdings Inc., the biggest mall operator, rose 3.5 percent to P37.25.

Equity markets in Asia slipped Monday.

While the US central bank is widely expected to hike borrowing costs by 75 basis points, traders will be poring over policymakers’ views on the outlook for the world’s biggest economy as they try to rein in inflation while nurturing growth.

The decision comes a day before second-quarter gross domestic product data is released, with some observers warning it could show a second successive contraction, which is considered a technical recession.

All three main indexes on Wall Street ended last week with a loss, ending a three-day rally, following a big data miss on the crucial services sector.

Asia and Europe fared little better, with Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Taipei, Mumbai, Jakarta and Wellington all in the red.

There were small gains in Singapore, Bangkok and Seoul.

B3

Investors are also awaiting the release of earnings from business titans Apple, Amazon and Google parent Alphabet.

The figures will provide a clearer idea about the impact of surging inflation and rising interest rates on consumer spending and companies’ bottom lines.

But analysts remain cautious about the outlook, while attention on trading floors turns from rising prices to economic growth, with some saying a slowdown could allow banks to ease up on their monetary tightening.

Fed chiefs have already said their main priority was bringing inflation down from four-decade highs, even at the expense of growth.

“We still see further downside for risky assets as recession fears accumulate and central banks remain committed to fighting inflation at the expense of growth,” said Standard Chartered strategist Eric Robertsen.

And Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management added: “While rising jobless claims, softer home sales, and a buildup in gasoline inventory show the Fed front-loading rate hikes are causing a slowdown and bringing inflation under control, the issue is at what cost.”

Others warned that while inflation could begin to ease, the Fed could still push borrowing costs to around five percent and were unlikely to lower rates as soon as many traders hope.

The economic slowdown—and the expected hit to demand—continues to put pressure on oil prices, with both main contracts well down Monday.

Crude has given up most of the gains seen since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Vandana Hari, of Vanda Insights, said she saw further losses.

“While prices have been volatile, I expect renewed downward pressure on crude,” she said, adding that the Fed decision “will likely serve as a fresh reminder of the economic headwinds ahead.” With AFP

Ethical leadership fuels organizational change Manila

Standard

TODAY

NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING DEAR STOCKHOLDERS: Please be informed that the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of Allied Care Experts (ACE) Medical Center- Cebu Inc. (“ACE-Cebu”) will be held on August 15, 2022 (Monday) at 7:00 o’clock in the morning, via Zoom Webinar, in light of the COVID pandemic.

For the conduct of the Webinar, please register on or before August 7, 2022, through the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/ webinar/register/WN_0uQllpQwQdK_hMqQsC_5SQ Once you have successfully registered, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about the webinar meeting.

The link will provide you the process for the registration. You will receive a confirmation email once you have successfully registered in the platform, including the details and procedures in the conduct of the meeting. Voting will be done via the online tool which you can access once you have logged in to the Webinar.

The meeting shall be recorded (visual and audio) for future reference.

The Agenda: I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI.

XII.

Call to Order Invocation Determination of Quorum Welcome Message from the Chairman of the Board Reading and Approval of the Minutes of the Y2020 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting Annual Financial Report President’s Report Ratification of the Acts and Proceedings of the Board of Directors, Officers, andManagement of the Corporation Election of the Board of Directors Appointment of External Auditor for the year 2021 Other Matters a. Amendment of Article 2 Section 1 of the Bylaws on the schedule of the AnnualStockholders’ Meeting from every 2nd Sunday of April to every 3rd Monday of Augusteach year Adjournment

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on July 25, 2022 (Record Date) shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. If you cannot personally attend the meeting, you may opt to send your proxy to attend in your behalf. Kindly submit your duly executed proxy form with the undersigned, via email, at adminofficer@acemedicalcentercebu.com not later than August 7, 2022, to enable your proxy to register in the Zoom Webinar.

Attached is a sample proxy form for your reference. [NOTE: Management is not soliciting proxies.]

The Information Statement and Management Report and SEC Form 17-A are available at the Corporation’s website at www. acemedicalcentercebu.com.

You may contact the undersigned via email at adminofficer@ acemedicalcentercebu.com or at telephone number: 032-2655833 local 8814 if you have inquiries/concerns regarding the meeting.

Very truly yours,

THE pandemic has brought the volatile and uncertain world into turmoil and continues to challenge the socio-economic-political structures built by local and global leaders.

Do ethical leadership and governance still play a role in this complex and ambiguous time? Does organizational change happen without ethical leadership?

Let’s look at leadership in different parts of the globe. We can see varied models based on the character, integrity, personality, and moral standards of the one leading and governing. People may define it according to the hierarchy, status, or title of the leaders they choose. Leadership, however, is not about these bragging rights or wealth accumulation. It is about connecting with people from all levels of interaction and about having influence and mastering change. It is about people and engaging them at multiple levels.

Ethics is a vast field of study that really addresses one simple question: How should we live our lives? We act the way we do and become the type of person we are because that is what our family, culture, and religion expect of us. In a tradition that stretches back to the ancient Greeks, questions of ethics, what we should do, can be answered by appeal to ethos, what we are expected to do.

Ethos is the characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its beliefs and aspirations.

Ethics seeks a reasoned analysis of custom and a reasoned defense of how we should live. It requires us to abstract ourselves from what is normally or typically done and reflect upon whether or not what is done should be done and whether what is valued should be valued. Ethics is at the center of leadership because the goal of a rational leader is to merge the interests of all parties so that everyone benefits and the organization prospers.

How can a leader be ethical?

More practical considerations include being honest and trustworthy. Leaders without integrity in dealing with others fall short of what is expected of them. An ethical leader pays attention to the individual and all his organizational stakeholders to build the community. They accomplish silent victories that help individuals aspire to do good work that matters to their colleagues, companies, and societies.

Ethical leaders behave ethically, too, because they establish a moral compass and adhere to ethical values. Self-reflections and self-tests are employed to check on oneself.

They also ask mentors to comment on one’s ethical behavior, act quickly to confront the unethical behavior of others and make responsible decisions. These are reflective of the leader’s mindfulness.

Leaders begin with a fair and accurate understanding of the situation, as ethical issues often involve complicated and emotionally charged situations. Uncovering the facts and attaining an unbiased and complete understanding can be more complex than it sounds.

How do ethical leaders make decisions?

First, ethical leaders identify the ethical issues at stake. Often, people disagree over whether or not a particular case is an ethical case at all. Others look at the situation from an economic or legal view, while some would view the situation as an ethical or moral issue. What is important is to explain what makes an issue ethical to proceed in decision-making.

Second, identify the people affected by the situation and understand how they might be affected. Questions like who are the stakeholders in a decision? How will they be harmed or benefited? What will the likely consequences be? What is owed to the various stakeholders? are relevant in considering the effects of a decision on others.

Third, consider alternative courses of action. Explore a wide range of choices and values and how one’s decision will be interpreted from another perspective. As you approach a decision, step back and ask yourself how your decision will stand up to public scrutiny. Transparency is often a good test for responsible decision-making.

Fourth, choose a course of action after understanding the facts, considering all stakeholders, and thinking about alternatives.

Responsible decision-making requires us to monitor the results and learn from them.

Responsible decision-making is an iterative process: think–choose–act–think.

How do ethical leaders act?

Moreover, ethical leaders do specific actions that inspire constituents and push for organizational change. They provide strategic leadership to the organization and create a pleasant workforce. They conduct an environmental audit and help build a sustainable environment where people are and feel safe.

They engage in philanthropy and work with suppliers to improve working conditions in their workplace.

They establish written Codes of Ethical Conduct jointly developed by the stakeholders and institute formal mechanisms for dealing with ethical problems. They respect and accept Whistleblowers, find out the truth and provide training in Ethics and Social Responsibility for all concerned. They place the company interests over personal interests. Bill Donahue summarizes these succinctly when he says, “A leadership strategy without ethical clarity produces moral and economic bankruptcy.”

May our leaders adhere to an ethical path to achieve authentic change at the personal and organizational levels.

Dr. Ma. Paquita D. Bonnet is the Chairperson of the Department of Management and Organization of the Ramon V. Del Rosario College of Business at De La Salle University. You can contact her at maria. paquita.diongon-bonnet@dlsu.edu.ph.

The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

DR. MA. PAQUITA D. BONNET

Green Light

Sgd. MA. ASUNCION HIPOLITA B. LIBRE, MD Corporate Secretary (MS-JULY 26 & 27, 2022)

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Balance Sheet (Head Office and Branches) (As of June 30, 2022)

(As of June 30, 2022)

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

B4

TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2022

Filinvest Land infusing 3 Cebu office buildings into REIT firm FILINVEST Land Inc. plans to infuse three office buildings in Cebu into its real estate investment trust unit Filinvest REIT Corp., a top executive said over the weekend.

FILRT president and chief executive Maricel Brion-Lirio said in a forum FLI would infuse Cebu Towers 2, 3 and 4 into FILRT’s portfolio in the future, or once they become accretive to the REIT company.

“The BPO sector remains to be the top demand driver for office space in the country. Thus, we are aggressively expanding our footprint and will continue to build sustainable premium BPO-ready developments in Cebu,” she said.

Cebu Tower 2 is now 73-percent occupied by top global BPO locators, while Cebu Towers 3 and 4 are under construction and scheduled for completion by 2023.

Cebu Towers 3 and 4 have a combined gross leasable area of 38,718 square meters of office space and 5,471 sq. m. of retail space.

“We are also in talks with some major global BPO players for an early pre-leasing of these buildings,” Brion-Lirio said.

FILRT’s portfolio consists of 17 Grade A office buildings with 300,000 sq. m. of GLA, with only one property (Cebu Tower 1) located in Cebu.

Cebu Tower 1 is a 13-story office building located near Cebu IT Park in Lahug City, Cebu, with close to 20,000 sq. m. of office space and 675 sq. m. of retail space. It is 100-percent leased by BPO companies.

Brion-Lirio said Cebu Towers 1 and 2 generated around 29,000 new jobs, while the upcoming Towers 3 and 4 are expected to create another 21,000 new jobs from the office spaces and 1,000 jobs from the retail spaces.

“Cebu remains to be a preferred location of multinational and BPO companies primarily because of the generous benefits it offers. The workforce is first-rate. Access to the labor market of the nearby regions is easy,” she said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Business Udenna settles Clark debt, avoids default, foreclosure

By Jenniffer B. Austria

U

DENNA Corp., the unlisted holding company of businessman Dennis Uy, said Monday it paid lease payment to Clark International Airport Corp. to avoid possible debt default and foreclosure.

Udenna said in a statement it settled the financial liability on Monday, ahead of the July 27 mandated deadline “to the satisfaction of the majority lender and the consortium banks.”

Udenna said over the weekend it received a notice of declaration of default from a consortium of banks led by BDO Unibank Inc. based on the grounds of “continuing and irremediable events of default” in relation to the master lease agreement between CIAC and Global Gateway Development Corp.

Udenna denied defaulting on loans of

unit Clark Global City Corp.

“To be clear, CGCC or GGDC did not fail to make any interest or principal repayments with its debt to the consortium banks, and thus, in contention, CGCC replied to the consortium banks to dispute the default conclusion, and clarified that, under the circumstances, there has been, in fact, no event of default or, at the very least, no irremediable event of default under the master lease Agreement on the part of CGCC or GGDC,” said Udenna.

CGCC, through subsidiary GGDC, has the leasehold rights on a 177-hectare property in Clark Freeport Zone. The property is master-planned as a mixeduse development that hosts top-grade office buildings, retail outlets, academic centers, sports centers, an urban park, an iconic tower, a hotel and casino and modern support services and amenities.

Udenna said the debt issue pertained to CCGC’s financial liability with CIAC and not with the consortium banks. “We hope this clarifies this matter, and we appreciate the continued support provided by consortium banks to Udenna

Corp. We have always believed that they positively agree to our approach on this matter,” it said.

Uy’s listed stocks Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Phoenix Petroleum Corp. and DITO CME Holdings Corp. were the biggest losers Monday despite Udenna’s clarification. The share price of Chelsea fell 11.8 percent to P1.12, Phoenix by 11 percent to P8.7 and DITO CME by 3.4 percent to P3.94.

Meanwhile, BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s largest lender in terms of assets, said Monday any loan default by Udenna Corp. to a consortium of banks would not have a “material adverse” impact on BDO’s operations and financial status.

“We confirm that BDO, as majority lender, has issued a notice of default on Clark Global City Corp., a company controlled by businessman, Dennis Uy, in relation to its obligations under the master lease agreement between Clark International Airport Corp. and Global Gateway Development Corp., a subsidiary of CGCC. CCGC has assured BDO that it is in the process of updating its obligations to its lessor CIAC,” BDO said.

MAYNILAD INFRASTRUCTURE. West zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc., along with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the local government of Parañaque and the Department of Public Works and Highways, breaks ground on a sewer interceptor line. The project will catch wastewater generated by communities along Estero de Tripa de Gallina, thus, helping to reduce pollution load to waterways that drain out to Manila Bay. At the ceremony are Maynilad president and chief executive Ramoncito Fernandez and chief operating officer Randolph Estrellado (10th and eighth from left, respectively), Parañaque Mayor Eric Olivares (seventh from left), Rep. Edwin Olivares (ninth from left), DENR assistant secretary Gilbert Gonzales (sixth from left) and other officials.

Meralco’s consolidated core income climbed 15% to P13.1b in 6 months

By Alena Mae S. Flores MANILA Electric Co. (Meralco) posted a 15-percent increase in its consolidated core net income (CCNI) in the first six months to P13.1 billion from P11.4 billion in the same period last year on the back of strong energy sales and earnings from the power generation business.

Consolidated reported net income improved 32 percent to P13.1 billion from P9.9 billion with the adjustments made last year due to the passing into law of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CRE-

ATE) Act and recognition of foreign exchange gains this year against losses in 2021.

“We remain optimistic that Meralco will be able to sustain its financial performance throughout 2022 and deliver our commitment to our customers and shareholders as we pursue investments aimed at further improving our distribution infrastructure and services, building new power capacities to improve aggregate power supply—all to ensure the country’s long-term energy security,” said Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan.

“While uncertainties and risks re-

Metro Pacific remains interested in building 6-km expressway to Cavite’s Sangley airport

By Darwin G. Amojelar METRO Pacific Tollways Corp. said Monday it remains interested in building an expressway going to Sangley Point once the Cavite provincial government awards the contract to develop and operate a $10.9-billion international airport.

MPTC chief financial officer Christopher Lizo said the company’s proposal to construct a five to six-kilometer toll road going to Sangley Point would depend on the development of the international airport in Cavite.

“Our proposal depends on the opening of the Sangley Airport for certainty.

The two projects could be built at the same time,” he said.

The Cavite government earlier awarded the original proponent status to SPIA Development Consortium, which is composed of Cavitex Holdings Inc., Yuchengco Group, MacroAsia Corp. and their foreign partners to develop and operate the Sangely International Airport.

MPTC plans to construct Segment 5 of Cavitex—a 22-kilometer road that

will link Kawit to Noveleta to Sangley and to Tanza.

MPTC earlier said it would revive its proposals with the Department of Public Works and Highways to build the P22.4-billion Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway, P71.9-billion C-5 Expressway, P92-billion NLEX-Cavitex Port Expressway Link and the P16-billion Harbor Link Port Access Mobility Facility.

MPTC is now building the P23-billion NLEX Connector Road, which is expected to provide 35,000 motorists better access to Manila ports and airports. This will also enable faster transport of goods and services between Metro Manila and Luzon provinces.

The company operates the North Luzon Expressway, Cavite Laguna Expressway, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, Manila-Cavite Expressway and C5 Southlink Expressway.

It inaugurated the 8.9-kilometer Cebu Cordova Link Expressway on April 27 in Cebu. The bridge is expected to accommodate about 50,000 vehicles a day.

main, we expect that our country will raise the pace of economic recovery under the new government... Meralco will be ready to support the growing power requirements of our customers and the government’s ramped-up infrastructure projects and initiatives to help our nation weather the lingering impacts of the pandemic and push forward,” he said.

Meralco’s consolidated revenues rose 34 percent to P199.6 billion from P149.1 billion, mainly due to the higher pass-through generation and other charges on account of persisting increase in global fuel prices, as well as

the revenue contribution of the power generation business at P13.6 billion.

“Despite the brief slowdown due to the Omicron surge early this year, the continued easing of restrictions that coincided with elections-related activities allowed us to surpass our pre-pandemic sales performance in the first half of this year,” said Meralco president and chief executive officer Ray Espinosa.

“However, we remain cautious about the effect of persisting increase in global fuel prices on our rates. To this end, Meralco relentlessly looks for ways to cushion the impact of external volatilities on our operations,” Espinosa said.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Monday, July 25, 2022

-53.86 PTS.

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES

6,209.53

517,715,372 53,862 4,298,161,438.30 61

DECLINES

114

UNCHANGED

47

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, JULY 25, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

56.3270

Japan

Yen

0.007348

0.4139

UK

Pound

1.201000

67.6487

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127413

7.1768

Switzerland

Franc

1.039717

58.5641

Canada

Dollar

0.774114

43.6035

Singapore

Dollar

0.720357

40.5755

Australia

Dollar

0.691900

38.9727

Bahrain

Dinar

2.653224

149.4481

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266134

14.9905

Brunei

Dollar

0.717772

40.4299

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000067

0.0038

Thailand

Baht

0.027248

1.5348

UAE

Dirham

0.272264

15.3358

Euro

Euro

1.022000

57.5662

Korea

Won

0.000764

0.0430

China

Yuan

0.148109

8.3425

India

Rupee

0.012527

0.7056

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.224719

12.6577

New Zealand

Dollar

0.625600

35.2382

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033547

1.8896 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF

8990 Holdings bares QC, Pampanga towers MASS housing developer 8990 Holdings Inc. said Monday it plans to launch two new housing projects with P12 billion in total sales value.

8990 president and chief executive Anthony Vincent Sotto said during the annual stockholders’ meeting it would build a four-tower project in Commonwealth, Quezon City and a horizontal development in Mexico, Pampanga.

The Commonwealth project will offer 3,400 two-bedroom and three-bedroom units priced at P2 million apiece.

The first phase of the Pampanga project will offer over 4,100 units on a 29-hectare property.

Despite current market environment, Sotto remains confident the company will achieve its P23-billion sales target this year, which is 15 percent higher from a year ago level.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Tobacco group pegs lowest cigarette price THE Philippine Tobacco Institute, the organization of registered manufacturers of cigarettes and tobacco products, said Monday it pegged the minimum price of cigarettes at P82.49 per pack of 20 sticks in a bid to eradicate smuggling and illegal selling.

PTI issued the advisory relating to Bureau of Internal Revenue revenue memorandum circular 79-2022 issued on June 10, 2022. The advisory provides regulations on the sale of tobacco products in the country.

The advisory also said only BIR-registered cigarettes listed under BIR RMC no. 79-2022 may be legally sold in the Philippines.

It stressed the need for cigarette brands to include the mandatory graphic health warnings with text in Tagalog in front and English at the back; and the tarsier or vinta design tax stamps required as proof of tax payment.

The PTI advisory listed the fines that could be imposed on tobacco manufacturers, distributors and sellers for violating said provisions.

Fines of up to P500,000 and imprisonment of up to six years for violators on the minimum price of cigarettes; P200,000 to up to five years of imprisonment for violation on graphic health warnings; and fine of up of P1 million to eight years of imprisonment of tax stamps.

Julito G. Rada

Asticom and RUSH launch partnership ASTICOM Technology Inc. teamed up with RUSH to deliver digital transformation to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the country and create valuable impact on the Philippines’ e-commerce and loyalty industries.

Under the agreement, Asticom, a shared services company, will provide people solutions that RUSH needs to accelerate business growth. It ensures that talent resources are tailor-fit to the business needs of the tech startup’s operations, business development, and marketing teams.

RUSH, the loyalty and e-commerce enabler of Globe’s 917Ventures, empowers brands with the right tools to bring their products online, understand customer behavior, and earn customer loyalty to drive repeat purchases. It is the go-to partner for many Filipino businesses in empowering their customers at every stage of the customer journey.

“Asticom made sure that hiring and looking after the welfare of talents doesn’t need to be complicated. Thanks to their business expertise and wide professional network, they connect us with the resources who fit our organization perfectly, making it much easier for us to grow our teams,” said RUSH chief executive Stephanie Kubota. Darwin G. Amojelar

PH still an attractive destination for international tourists—Airbnb

By Othel V. Campos THE Philippines remains an attractive destination for international tourists, according to the latest data released by online accommodation platform Airbnb.

Searches by international guests for Airbnb stays in the Philippines jumped over 140 percent in the first quarter of 2022 year-on-year. Airbnb suggested the Philippines’ recovering travel industry and economy to prospective tourists .

Airbnb general manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan Amanpreet Bajaj said the platform is committed to working with local hosts across the country and the Philippine government to help ensure Filipino communities could take advantage of the travel rebound.

“It is heartening to see that Airbnb guests from around the world are looking to revisit the Philippines , as well as explore it for the first time, which bodes well for the sector’s ongoing recovery and for our local community of hosts. The blurring lines between travel and living also led to many travelers continuing to embrace their newfound flexibility,” he said.

“They’re jumping at the opportunity to base themselves in the picturesque destinations in the Philippines, including both popular and lesser-known parts of the country,” he said.

The online travel stay platform noted that travelers were also eager to stay longer and explore more places than

ever before, as part of a travel revolution that’s creating more economic opportunities for local businesses.

It said that since the country eased travel restrictions in April, there was an incredible amount of enthusiasm among international travelers looking to travel to the Philippines.

UBX-KMBI TIE-UP. UBX, the leading open finance platform in the Philippines, joins forces with Kabalikat para sa Maunlad na Buhay Inc. to break new ground in the arena of micro-loan processing by providing sustainable digital solutions to lowincome communities nationwide. With the partnership, UBX’s portfolio venture BUx, the country’s leading payment gateway, digitized the processing of payments for micro-loans, making it convenient and secure for members of KMBI to pay their loans with a variety of options, including online banking, e-wallets and over-the-counter at select payment partner outlets.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2022

Obiena reaffirms status among world’s elite; cash windfall seen F

By Randy Caluag

ILIPINO ace Ernest John Obiena bolstered his status as one of the world’s elite in the men’s pole vault with his bronze-medal finish in the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon on Monday (Philippine time).

Obiena’s 5.94-meter leap was even good for second place, as he tied with eventual silver medalist American Chris Nilsen, but he settled for the bronze via countback.

His bronze was the first medal of any color by a Filipino in the world tournament.

The 26-year-old Manileno got his score on his second attempt. He tried to breach the 6.0 mark but failed in three attempts.

Meanwhile, Olympic champion and world no. 1 Armand Duplantis was simply unparalleled as he cleared 6.21 meters to bag the gold.

Obiena’s effort was enough to erase his own personal and Asian record of 5.93 meters he set in September last year at the Golden Roof Challenge in Innsbruck, Austria.

Normally, a bronze medal won in a world championship is worth P200,000 in incentives under the Republic Act 10699 or the expanded National Athletes, Coaches and Trainers Benefits and Incentives Act of 2001.

But there’s also a provision that “Competitions granting prize money shall not be included.”

This year’s World Athletics has decided to incentivize the top seven athletes in the individual and team (relay) competitions, with the gold winner receiving US$70,000, silver $36,000, and bronze $22,000.

In this case, Obiena is set to receive roughly P1.2 million in prize money from the World Athletics, formerly known as the International Association of Athletics Federations.

Philippine Sports Commission Executive Director and Officer-In-Charge Atty.

Guillermo Iroy Jr., said they will wait for the report of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association on the matter so that the government agency can evaluate the amount of incentives that can be given to Obiena.

“EJ will definitely have a lot of incentives since hindi lang naman sa RA yan.

Lady Troopers target semis playoff against Crossovers Games today (Tuesday) 2:30 p.m. – Army vs Chery Tiggo 5:30 p.m. – Petro Gazz vs Cignal

WHILE first semifinalist and unbeaten Cignal HD could go slow against winless Petro Gazz and avoid risking injuries to key players, expect Army and Chery Tiggo to do whatever it takes to nail the win in a crucial Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference face-off at the Filoil Ecooil Centre in San Juan City Tuesday.

The mid-season conference of the league organized by Sports Vision heads to its final single round robin elims week with one team assured of a spot in the next phase, two guaranteed of at least a playoff for the last berth and three staying in the hunt, guaranteeing a wild chase for the last seat in the last three playdates capped by a busy threegame schedule on Saturday.

The Lady Troopers, led by Jovelyn Gonzaga, Joanne Bunag, Jeanette Villareal and Nene Bautista, could clear up the semis race with a victory over Chery Tiggo in their 2:30 p.m. clash but the Crossovers, behind Shaya Adorador, EJ Laure, Mylene Paat and Grace Carandang, set out for the match with new-found confidence following a three-set win over a hapless Petro Gazz side in Sta. Rosa, Laguna last Thursday. The victory revived the first pro league champions’ slims hopes after dropping their first three matches.

In contrast, the veteran-laden Army squad is reeling from a four-set defeat to a resurgent PLDT Home Fibr at the SM MOA Arena last Saturday, dropping the Lady Troopers to 2-2 at solo fourth with idle Choco Mucho and Chery Tiggo just behind with 1-3 slates.

We will wait for the certification of the record-breaking report so the board can act on it,” said Iroy, the most senior among PSC organic officials.

Last year, the PSC board, led by former PSC chair Butch Ramirez granted Obiena a P1.5-million incentive for setting a new Asian mark.

Under the same Incentives Act, “national athletes and other athletes who surpass Philippine record or ranking in any

Bronze medalist Ernest John Obiena of Team Philippines poses during the medal ceremony for the Men’s Pole Vault of the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. AFP

measurable international sports competition shall be given cash incentives, the amount of which may be determined by the PSC.” Obiena’s feat came just after karateka Junna Tsukii’s gold-medal finish in the World Games and the Philippine national women’s football team’s historic victory in the Asean Football Championship.

“It is with pride and glory that our national athletes keep winning in interna-

tional competitions which will increase the next generation of their level of enthusiasm to also win medals,” said Iroy.

“The government support will always be there in partnership and collaboration with their NSA and this is also aligned with what our President Bong Bong Marcos said recently in Malacanang during the courtesy call of PNWFT (Philippine national women’s football team),” Iroy added.

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Filipinas’ Flannigan, Maniti lead U-18 team

By Peter Atencio FIL-AMERICAN booter Isabella Flanigan and Fil-Australian Chantelle Maniti will be among the 27 players set to represent the Philippines in the ASEAN Football Federation Under-18 Women’s Championship this this week in Palembang, Indonesia.

The 17-year-old Flanigan and Maniti are coming off a successful stint with Team Philippines, known as Filipinas, who won a first ever AFF women’s championship two weeks ago.

Flanigan, a forward, from Fairmont, West Virginia, scored one of the goals when the Philippines beat Singapore, 7-0, during the group stage of the AFF meet at the Rizal Memorial Football stadium, and has played 15 matches with the Filipinas.

Maniti, who is from Wetherill, New South Wales, has had eight appearances for the Filipinas and is set to start out with the Filipinas U-18.

The Philippines is bunched in Group B alongside Australia, Myanmar and Malaysia.

Matches will be played at the Gelora Jakabaring Stadium and the Jakabaring Athletic Field.

Among the members of the team are Aspen Dunn, Andrea Evangelista, Samantha Link, Alexis Tan, Stella Divino, Elisha Lubiano, Maxine Pascual, Jenny Perez, Micha Santiago and Rae Tolentino.

They will also have Kylie Yap, Florence Ycong, Isabella Alamo, Mish Castanes, Kyza Colina, and Francesca Crespo, Jade Jalique, Sophia Lyttle and Karen Mangantang.

The top two squads from each group will qualify for the knockout stages.

Marnelli Dimzon will coach the squad, to be assisted by Gerald Orcullo, Arvin Jay Soliman and Kim Versales.

The Philippine U-18 team conducted its training camp at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite and at the Greenfield City Sports Field in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

The team left for Palembang, Indonesia last Friday.

Feats of EJ, booters inspire para athletes PHILIPPINE Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo was guardedly optimistic about the prospects of the national para team, which leaves today on a chartered Philippine Airlines flight for the 11th ASEAN Para Games set July 30 to Aug. 6 in Surakarta, Indonesia.

“I am guardedly optimistic about the chances of our national para athletes due to the circumstances leading to the 11th ASEAN Para Games,” said Barredo yesterday on the eve of the departure of the PH contingent composed of 144 athletes, 38 coaches and 40 officials.

A former football player and avid fan of the sport, Barredo mentioned the Filipinas, the national women’s football team, in capturing the AFF Women’s Championship trophy for the first time and the bronze medal won by pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena in the world athletic meet in Eugene, Oregon yesterday.

“Inspired by feats of the Filipinas and pole vaulter EJ Obiena, I am certain that our national para athletes are

just as keen to share the spotlight in the coming days by bringing home medals and honors for the country in the 11th ASEAN Para Games,” Barredo said.

“Since the last one held in 2019 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, we have missed two editions of the ASEAN Para Games,” said the PPC president, including the 10th edition that was supposed to be hosted by the Philippines in early 2020 but was shelved due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Due to the restrictions and limitations under the pandemic, the training of our national para athletes has been limited while there has also been a drought in international exposure and competition as well,” he pointed out.

“The last international competition that majority of our athletes have had was the 2018 Asian Para Games while some were fortunate to compete in the qualifiers and participate in the Tokyo Para Games last year,” added the PPC president.

He was grateful for the bubble training of the national athletes of over a month provided by the Philippines Sports Commission inside the Philsports Complex in Pasig City as well as its funding of the country’s participation in the regional sportsfest for para athletes.

“Thanks to the PSC, at least our athletes will be more prepared for the battles that await them in Indonesia,” the PPC honcho noted.

“So duplicating our finish in the 2017 ASEAN Para Games in Malaysia would be a workable target,” said Barredo, referring to the 20 gold, 20 silver and 20 bronze medals the PH standard-bearers won to finish fifth overall in the 11-nation meet five years ago.

“Nonetheless, I believe our national para athletes are hungry and eager to perform their best for the country in Indonesia. They all want to make their countrymen proud,” he stressed, citing the wave of outstanding feats of Filipino athletes in recent weeks.

Verstappen wins French F1 Grand Prix after Leclerc crashes out LE CASTELLET, France—World champion Max Verstappen took full advantage of Charles Leclerc crashing out of the lead to extend his advantage in this year’s title race with a crushing victory ahead of Lewis Hamilton in Sunday’s sun-baked French Grand Prix.

The 24-year-old Dutchman drove with flawless control in the searing heat to guide his Red Bull home 10.587 seconds ahead of Mercedes’ Hamilton, in his 300th race, with George Russell, in the second Mercedes, beating Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull, for third.

It was Verstappen’s seventh win this season and the 27th of his career and a blow to Leclerc’s challenge in the opening race of the second half of the season.

After 12 of the 22 races, Verstappen leads Leclerc by 63 points in the drivers’ standings.

“We had good pace, but it was hard to follow here with the tyres overheating so we stayed calm,” said Verstappen.

“You never know how it is going to go...

It was unlucky for Charles and I’m glad he is ok.”

Perez finished fourth ahead of a rampant Carlos Sainz, who drove from the back of the grid to finish fifth for Ferrari ahead of Fernando Alonso of Alpine and

Red Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen races during the French Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Paul-Ricard in Le Castellet, southern France.

McLaren’s Lando Norris.

Esteban Ocon was eighth in the second Alpine ahead of Daniel Ricciardo of McLaren and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin.

Hamilton was delighted to be second.

“It was a tough race as my drinks

bottle didn’t work so it was a great result for us, especially considering we’re so far off the pace,” he said.

“Great reliability from the team and George did an amazing job.”

On an afternoon of searing heat, with a track temperature of 52 degrees and the

air 34 at the start, Leclerc made a clean start to lead into the first corner ahead of Verstappen, with Hamilton leaping clear of Perez into third.

Leclerc led by a second after the opening lap, which saw Yuki Tsunoda spin and recover while Sainz, from the back of the grid, began his charge.

Verstappen’s superior straightline speed powered him close behind Leclerc’s Ferrari at the end of the Mistral Straight, but the leader held firm, his car squirming for grip in the heat.

Having resisted Verstappen’s early attacks, Leclerc held a lead of nine-tenths by lap 13.

Sainz, praised for his progress by Ferrari, reached 10th on lap 14.

At the front Leclerc increased his pace to draw 1.7 seconds clear by lap 15, when the track temperature was recorded at 55 degrees.

“We are planning Plan B,” Ferrari told Leclerc, refocusing on tyre wear and strategy.

Verstappen came in on lap 17 for a stop in 2.4 seconds, rejoining seventh. As he came back, Ferrari warned Leclerc his tyres were over-heating, but he held a 10-second lead ahead of Hamilton with Perez third, three seconds adrift. AFP

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Sports

TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2022

Apex-SSC seeks spot in D-League playoff round Games Tuesday

(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig) 11 a.m. - Marinerong Pilipino vs AMA Online 1 p.m. - EcoOil-La Salle vs Wangs Basketball @26-Letran 3 p.m. - CEU vs Apex Fuel-San Sebastian

APEX Fuel-San Sebastian shoots for its fourth win in a row when it battles Centro Escolar University on Tuesday in the 2022 PBA DLeague Aspirants’ Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Arguably the hottest team in the league today, the Golden Stags are aiming to book a playoff spot with a win over the Scorpions (2-2) at 3 p.m.

But coach Egay Macaraya isn’t one to feel overconfident as he continuously demands excellence from his crew.

“Importante para sa amin to step up together on the defensive end sa mga susunod naming laro,” he said after Apex Fuel-San Sebastian’s 73-51 rout of EcoOilLa Salle on Thursday.

Marinerong Pilipino (3-1) is also seeking to secure a playoff spot when it faces the hardluck AMA Online (0-4) squad in the 11 a.m. matinee.

But the Skippers will have to do that without Jollo Go, who was called up by Blackwater in time for the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.

“Mabigat ‘yung kawalan ni Jollo sa amin, pero kailangan lang naming ibigay ‘yung best effort palagi,” said coach Yong Garcia.

Wangs Basketball @26-Letran (3-0) also returns from a rare 11-day break when it battles EcoOil-La Salle (2-2) at 1 p.m. to complete the Tuesday triple-header.

Hernandez, Villa rule U-18 of age-group chess tourney ROBICK Vohn Villa and Lexie Grace Hernandez ruled the premier Under-18 divisions on Sunday of the National Age-Group Chess Championships presented by Malolos Mayor Christian Natividad at the Robinsons Place Malolos.

Villa, an Arena Grandmaster, turned back erstwhile co-leader Janmyl Dilan Tisado in the ninth and final round to rule the boys’ U18 with seven points to show, while Hernandez scored 10 points out of a possible 11 to reign supreme in the distaff side.

Cedric Khalel Abris drew his 11th and last round game with Franklin Loyd Andes and then edged Jerish John Velardo via tiebreak (win-overthe-other rule) after the two ended up tied at first with 9.5 points to snare the boys’ U16 crown.

April Joy Claros split the point with Angel Nheazy Nicole Po in the final round to finish with 9.5 points and the girls’ U16 crown.

The top three winners of this weeklong event backed by the PSC, Malolo City, POC and NCFP chairman president Butch Pichay, will represent the country in international meets including the ASEAN Youth Championships set this year in Bangkok, Thailand.

Other winners were Ivan Travis Cu (U14 open), Oshrie James Reyes (U12), Shan Lester Jamerlan (U10), Darren dela Cruz (U14 girls), Daniella Bianca Cruz (U12), and Gilasea Ann Hilario (U10).

Vingegaard: From Danish fishing village to Tour de France champ R

OCAMADOUR, France—Jonas Vingegaard was crowned Tour de France champion on Sunday after a gruelling 3,350km, 21-stage race, ending a journey which had its roots in the mundane surroundings of a fish factory in his native Denmark.

He follows compatriot Bjarne Riis who won the world’s most famous bike race—although later admitted to doping—in 1996, the year Vingegaard was born.

“Every day was quick, fast, it’s been rough. There has been a lot of attacking.

It must have looked good on television,” said the champion.

It is a stunning success for Vingegaard, three weeks after the race pedalled off from Copenhagen for the first of three stages on home ground.

Over 35,000 paying fans had packed into Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens to greet the Tour de France riders before the race.

When it came to the turn of Dutch outfit Jumbo Visma, a roar went up which seemed to overwhelm the 25-year-old co-captain of the team, a quiet, unassuming rider.

Fighting back tears, Vingegaard looked far from a future champion of one of sport’s most difficult endurance tests.

On the opening day time-trial, a wall of sound reverberated around Copenhagen, as their home hope’s progress was tracked along the downtown route.

While much of the rest of the world was unaware of Vingegaard, the man from northern Jutland was already a household name at home.

That was not only because of his cycling skills, but his mother-in-law who shot to national celebrity after competing on the Great Danish Bake Off show, and also featured on Denmark’s version of

Dancing with the Stars.

Fishing roots Vingegaard was born in December 1996 and raised in Hillerslev, a fishing village of just 370 inhabitants, in a completely flat landscape on the shores of the North Sea. Denmark’s previous Tour winner Riis was born in Herning, around 100km from Hillerslev.

As a child, Vingegaard played handball and football and was an avid fan of Liverpool, before turning to cycling after watching the Tour of Denmark pass close to his home.

With his slender frame and the windy flatlands of Denmark, his staggering climbing skills were yet to be revealed.

He joined Colo-Quick, a continental Tour team, at 19 and worked in a fish business in the mornings before training.

“I had to get up early, but it gave me something to do, and I wasn’t sure if I would become a professional cyclist,” Vingegaard said.

It was at Colo-Quick that he met his partner Trine Hansen, a marketing manager who is nine years his senior, with the couple having a young daughter Frida.

“He told me he was going to be a banker, and I thought I’d be a banker’s wife,” Hansen said this week.

Vingegaard joined Jumbo in 2019, where he says he “learned to cycle”.

He came to prominence at last year’s Tour de France, where riding under the radar he suddenly found himself team leader when Primoz Roglic crashed out, finishing second.

Shy and retiring, he refuses nearly all television engagements, relying on Trine

to front the family image while he gets on with the cycling.

He relentlessly thanks her when interviewed, speaking of “his two girls at home” being the rocks of his life.

After meeting French President Emmanuel Macron following stage 18, Vingegaard was stunned.

“He knew my name,” said Vingegaard who admits he has had problems in the past with self-confidence.

On this Tour, he bettered two-time defending champion Tadej Pogacar on both the toughest mountain stages to clinch the champion’s yellow jersey that will make him a hero in his homeland.

“I don’t know how this will effect our lives, but I grew up somehow,” said Vingegaard. “But I feel better than ever”. AFP

Jumbo-Visma team’s Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard celebrates on the podium with the overall leader’s yellow jersey after winning the 109th edition of the Tour de France cycling race. AFP

Macron confronts concerns over Paris 2024 Olympics PARIS—French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday holds a meeting of ministers to tackle issues overshadowing preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics, almost two years to the day before the sporting extravaganza opens.

The Olympics should be a centrepiece of the freshly re-elected Macron’s second term, projecting an image of a France comfortable in its modern identity but open to the world.

But with two years to go to the opening ceremony on July 26, 2024, concerns are growing not just over costs but also security preparations.

France’s reputation as a reliable host of sporting events took a major battering over the chaos that marred the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid in Paris on May 28 that critics blamed on heavyhanded policing.

A particular subject of anxiety is the ambitious vision—in a typical Macron flourish—of an opening ceremony which will not take place as is customary in the athletics stadium but as a flotilla down the River Seine.

Monday’s meeting at the Elysee Palace will include key ministers such as Interior

Minister Gerald Darmanin and Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera.

It will be a chance for the ministers “to take note of where there are weaknesses”, said a French presidential official who asked not to be named.

“The idea is to be aware of the calendar and the next stages.”

It will not include Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo and the Paris region boss Valerie Pecresse, who were both unsuccessful candidates in the April presidential election and who on Friday issued a joint statement complaining about being excluded.

The Olympics organising committee COJO has a budget of four billion euros ($4.1 billion), as does its partner organisation SOLIDEO, which is charged with building the peripheral infrastructure.

But rising inflation means economies have to be made and so far insufficient sponsors have been found to plug the gaps.

“Everything is very tight concerning the budget,” said a source close to the issue who asked not to be named, saying the extent of the challenge would be clear in the autumn.

‘Becoming urgent’ Security is a particular headache, espe-

cially as the vision of the Games is to hold many events in the centre of Paris. This includes events around the Eiffel Tower and the central Place de la Concorde, which is close to the president’s Elysee Palace.

In addition to the French security forces, over 20,000 private security agents need to be hired to ensure the Games can proceed.

France’s top audit body, the Cour des Comptes, has warned in a report that it is “imperative” to accelerate prepara-

tions to deal with the “considerable” security challenge.

“A more precise definition of security needs is becoming urgent,” said the report, the initial version of a study that will be published later this year. It was first revealed by the Canard Enchaine weekly and then seen by AFP. The report also suggests scaling down the opening ceremony, which is set to have an armada of 200 boats and some 600,000 spectators.

Some 10 million spectators are expected overall but projects to improve Paris’ sometimes ramshackle transport infrastructure, notably with two new metro lines, will not be ready when the Games begin.

The Games will pose a unique challenge. The showcase athletics and swimming events are due to be held in Seine-Saint-Denis north of Paris, one of the lowest-income areas in France, and a cluster of events in the centre of the capital.

Sailing events will take place at the other end of the country in the Mediterranean city of Marseille, while the surfing will be in the Pacific territory of French Polynesia, on the other side of the world. AFP

Australia crowned FIBA Asia Cup champ

Members of the Australian team celebrate their title romp. FIBA photo

JAKARTA—Australia beat Lebanon, 75-73, in an exciting final to claim their second straight FIBA Asia Cup title, while New Zealand defeated Jordan, 83-75 in the battle for third place.

In front of a packed and loud crowd at the Istora Senayan, Australia were able to withstand a furious rally from Lebanon led by TISSOT MVP Wael Arakji to come away with the win and the Asia Cup title.

Thon Maker led Australia in scoring with 14 points while McCarron also had a highly productive game of 12 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. Meanwhile, Arakji had 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in the heroic effort.

In the Third-Place Game, New Zealand came from behind on a barrage of three-pointers from Tohi Smith-Milner in the fourth quarter to come away with the win over Jordan. This is their first ever medal in an Asia Cup after finishing in 4th in Asia Cup 2017.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang,, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2022

Quenching your thirst for some queer, modern romance

Alex Diaz joins the cast of ‘Pathirsty’

SEXY comedy Pathirsty, which now streams on Vivamax, is a rom-com that “normalizes” queer romance.

The film is led by up-and-coming stars Adrianna So and Kych Minemoto who both received acting recognition after being a part of a hit web series, co-starring one of the most desired young actors of today, Alex Diaz. It is directed by Ivan Payawal (Game Boys).

From the same universe of the hit BL franchise, Pearl (Adrianna) and Achilles (Kych) are besties who are both suffering from the heartache of their failed relationships. While Achilles clings to alcohol and uses

Lovi lives out K-Drama dream in ‘Flower of Evil’ SCREEN star Lovi Poe admits that watching Flower of Evil, topbilled by Lee Joon Gi and Moon Chae Won, has helped her to effectively portray her role in the local adaptation of the hit series. The original version has become one of her favorites.

“The excitement is there all the time. I really liked the original version of Flower of Evil and doing this reboot with this amazing cast is just wonderful,” Lovi avers.

The plot of the popular soap opera is about a married couple who seems to have a perfect family when in truth, the husband has a dark secret.

Working opposite Piolo Pascual gives the actress some sort of inspiration, especially since it’s her first major project as a Kapamilya.

“Piolo is my ‘Mahal.’ I guess, until now, I still carry my character in the program,” she says.

Lovi also reveals that she became more excited to see the plot unfolds after watching the series’ two first episodes.

“It was like my excitement level reached 100 percent. It’s there where I saw the quality. Of course, when we were doing the shoot, we were jumping from one scene at a time, so, it was hard to imagine the continuity,” she states.

“But after watching the first two episodes, I was really very excited for everyone to see it. That was just the tip of the iceberg. It’s like a build-up and we’re just getting to the most thrilling part,” she ends.

••• XIAN Lim is both happy and proud with his maiden directorial project, the Viva Films fantasy-comedy Hello, Universe, which stars Janno Gibbs, Anjo Yllana, and Sunshine Guimary.

“Indeed, this is a huge honor. As a kid, they’re my idols. It’s great because you know they’ll give their all for the movie,” Xian says alluding to the cast of the upcoming film.

“You can really see the passion and enthusiasm in their eyes. It’s such an honor to be working with them. Just to be graced by their presence for them to bring years of experience in the showbiz industry to our material is simply amazing,” he states.

Clearly, Xian is completely inspired doing his maiden venture into film directing.

“I was talking with the production team.

According to them, there’s a big difference from when they first read the material until such time that the cast breathed life into the characters. It seems as if it had a new life.”

‘Flower of Evil’ lead stars Piolo Pascual (left) and Lovi Poe

social media to vent out his feelings, Pearl tries her best to ignore her pain and enjoys herself as she fools around and has these so-called “sexcapades.”

Wanting her best friend to be happy after his social media meltdowns, Pearl plays cupid and tries to find the perfect dream guy for Achilles. And so, they meet Ali (Alex), a handsome young man with a perfectly toned body who is also rich and is an heir to his father’s business empire.

Achilles and Ali immediately click, and Pearl pats herself on the back as she becomes the

matchmaker for what looked like a perfectly happy ending for her best friend. But things start to get a little complicated when Pearl realizes that she is also catching feelings for Ali. As the three of them find themselves in an untangled web and an unfortunate love triangle, who will end up with Ali? Will it be “friendship over” for Pearl and Achilles? Join this crazy trio as they figure out the value of love and relationships through a wild and chaotic adventure.

Joining Adrianna, Kych, and Alex in the movie are Chad Kinis, Bob Jbeili, and Kate Alejandrino.

Adrianna So (left) and Kich Minemoto play besties who are both suffering from the heartache of their failed relationships

Netflix’s ‘The Gray Man’ shows Chris Evan’s villainous side

Lloyd Hansen is a former CIA black ops mercenary who works in the private sector who disregards the rules and others’ lives

Chris Evans (right) in costume, complete with the ‘trashtache’, laughing with Billy Bob Thornton (left) behind the scenes

By Patricia Taculao

A

UDIENCES of all ages from across the world loved actor Chris Evans for his role as Captain America in Marvel’s Cinematic Universe.

Apart from possessing the head-turning “America’s ass,” Chris played the patriotic and conservative superhero to a tee.

When his contract with Marvel ended, fans felt sad about his departure from the cinematic universe.

However, Chris continues to pursue his acting career and is back in action after his recent project where he voiced Buzz Lightyear in Lightyear.

In Netflix’s new movie, The Gray Man, Chris stars alongside Ryan Gosling but abandoned his goodytwo-shoes demeanor for a more sinister and unhinged character that displays sociopathic tendencies.

The Gray Man is Chris’s other attempt as a villain after his roles in Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World and Knives Out. In the movie, he plays Lloyd Hansen, a former CIA black ops mercenary who works in the private sector. Although involved with the CIA for covert, not to mention illegal, missions, Lloyd has no regard for the rules and involves extreme means such as torture, kidnapping, bounty hunting, and more.

Yet as menacing as his character sounds, Chris dresses mostly like a suburban dad with toned muscles. He mostly sports tight-fitting shirts, showing off his iconic arms, pressed pants, and an awfullooking mustache that Ryan eventually pokes fun at in the movie. The contrast between his wardrobe and personality adds to the movie’s flair for comedic interactions.

“It’s the wardrobe, the look, the haircut — that’s all fun stuff — but what it [really] is, is it’s a guy who is unapologetically himself. He moves through the world without concern for how other people see him, and I think that’s a trait we all can identify with and kind of connect to,” Chris said in an interview with Access Hollywood.

Chris adapted well to his character as he played the

(From left) Ana de Armas, Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, and Regé-Jean Page

self-centered sociopath Lloyd throughout the movie.

He and Ryan, who plays Sierra Six, also known as Court Gentry, keep viewers at the edge of their seats as they try to outsmart and overpower the other during their meetings.

Joining Chris from the Marvel Cinematic Universe are brothers and directors Anthony and Joseph Russo. Like their other films, the brothers combined colorful, fast-paced scenes with dramatic flair. They also added musical elements to raise nostalgia and add a badass depth to the action flick.

The movie’s dialogue also combines hilarious interactions in action-filled parts, with characters poking fun at each other for on-screen and real-life references.

In one scene, Chris calls Ryan a “Barbie doll,” a nod to his role as Ken in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming film Barbie. In some others, Chris’s behind takes the spotlight to remind viewers of his iconic body part, which remains a significant addition to pop culture.

Speaking of eye candy, Bridgerton star RegéJean Page and Knives Out main protagonist Ana de Armas also add to the star-studded cast. Billy Bob Thorton, Jessica Henwick, and Dhanush play pivotal roles in the film.

The Gray Man now streams on Netflix.

Cahilig’s award-winning short films now streaming internationally on CinemaWorld THE multi-talented Chris Cahilig wears many hats— CinemaWorld found not just one, but three gems in its archives: producer, director, public relations entrepreneur, talent Cahilig’s branded shorts Pitaka, The Belt, and The Bully. manager, published poet, and political adviser.

According to CinemaWorld, the award-winning works were As president of Insight 360, Cahilig runs one of the most chosen to be part of CinemaSHORT as these well-produced influential public relations, marketing, and social media short films show a deeper meaning behind them. As the movie consultancy firms in the Philippines. And through his agency’s service points out, “The underlying themes of brotherhood, subsidiary, Insight 360 Films, Cahilig has crafted full- loyalty, and the dangers of bullying are well woven into the length movies and short films, made riveting for their plots, screenplay, making Cahilig’s stories highly relatable.” characters, and purpose.

CinemaWorld likewise asserts that short films are vital The road to Cahilig’s personal nirvana, however, is paved tools in telling the stories of ordinary people. “Connecting by a string of award-worthy short films, earning him the title, audiences from different parts of the world to beautiful films is “King of Branded Shorts.” This is close to home as Cahilig’s our mission, and CinemaSHORT provides a unique curation short films have reaped honors at local and international film of short films that often reflect untold stories from various festivals. regions.”

And now CinemaWorld is showing three of Cahilig’s select Cahilig shares his excitement about the opportunity to short films across Asia various traditional pay tv and streaming be part of all this. “I believe short films have the capacity to platforms. make indelible marks in the industry. This was affirmed when A multimedia entertainment company incorporated and my short films went viral locally and earned international headquartered in Singapore, CinemaWorld is an international recognition. “And now CinemaShort’s streaming of ‘Pitaka’, movie service showcasing award-winning movies, box office ‘The Belt’, and ‘The Bully’ once more attests to how my short hits, and critics’ favorites from around the world—the “first films were remarkably written, shot, and produced.” and only pan-Asian movie service to do so.” Launched in To date, Cahilig is one of the most sought-after Filipino 2012, CinemaWorld has rapidly gained audiences in territories directors for his seamless blend of branding and well-told that include Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Sri stories. His short films have succeeded not only in promoting Lanka, and the Philippines. brands but also in drawing millions of organic views.

Believing in the “articulating, For instance, Pitaka (The Wallet) emotive, and transcendent power tells the story of a hardworking of films to touch people’s hearts,” brother who is determined to CinemaWorld gives immense value put his younger brother through to films, features, and shorts—and school. Competing in over 15 their filmmakers and audience. This international film festivals across led to the launch of CinemaSHORT, the globe, Pitaka has garnered a service expansion that aims at the over 40 million views on various trendier and younger—including social media platforms, including the young-minded—audience.

Facebook.

As a platform, CinemaSHORT Known Filipino film critic Tito showcases quality short films from Valiente lauded the film for its ‘The Bully’ is a short Chris Cahilig crafts young and independent Asian exquisitely crafted storytelling. film that discusses the full-length movies filmmakers.

In his film review, he said, “The socially-relevant dangers whole drama works and welland short films CinemaWorld describes the short of bullying, and the harm thought-out advertising can be film industry in Asia as a “largely with riveting plots, it can cause to the victims engaging.” untapped but incredibly dynamic characters, and industry.” And to Cahilig’s acclaim, A must-watch for high-school and the perpetrators purpose

Sci-fi horror ‘Nope’ hammers ‘Thor’ at the box office UNIVERSAL’S new horror flick Nope opened atop the North American box office, hammering the latest edition of Marvel’s Thor franchise to earn an estimated $44 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

The alien-invasion sci-fi mystery, which features a Black family struggling to make ends meet on their bleached California horse ranch, is the highlyanticipated latest effort by writer and director Jordan Peele, whose

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2017 debut Get Out earned rave reviews.

The film stars Daniel Kaluuya, who stole the show in Get Out, and managed to bump Thor: Love and Thunder to second spot after the superhero blockbuster spent two weeks at number one.

The action comedy starring a muscle-clad, self-parodying Chris Hemsworth as the space Viking who finds himself pining for his ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), pulled in $22.1 million for the

Friday-to-Sunday period, for a worldwide cumulative total of $276 million.

Third spot belonged to Minions: The Rise of Gru. The latest goofy installment in Universal’s animated Despicable Me franchise took in $17.7 million, for a cumulative total of $298 million.

Where the Crawdads Sing also slipped one spot, to fourth. Sony’s adaptation of Delia Owens’s novel about an abandoned girl who grows up in marshland of 1950s and 60s North Carolina

and, at a murder trial years later looks back on that rough and violent upbringing, earned $10.3 million.

Dropping from fourth to fifth was Paramount’s Top Gun: Maverick, the crowd-pleasing sequel to the original 1986 film that once again features Tom Cruise as cocky US Navy test pilot Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.

The fighter ace feature, in its ninth week in theaters, has now grossed an eye-popping $635 million worldwide. AFP

Chris Cahilig’s ‘The Belt’ tells a daring and fun story focused on the theme of marital fidelity

“Pitaka” or “The Wallet” is one of Cahilig’s most memorable and award-winning short films

students, Pitaka uses Filipino poetry to add depth to its story.

This, and the film’s excellent cinematography, handed Pitaka the following awards: Best Digital Ad Category at the 40th Catholic Mass Media Awards and Best Illustrated Poem in the 2018 Wales International Film Festival. Pitaka also made it to international film festival screenings in the US and Italy.

Featuring a more daring and fun storyline, Sinturon (The Belt), Cahilig’s most viewed and most viral branded short film, now has 44.5 million organic views on YouTube. Its theme of marital fidelity also created a loud buzz on social media.

Netizens mentioned the effective use of the belt as a metaphor, and cited the plot twist as a noteworthy storytelling device.

Finally, The Bully, Cahilig’s socially relevant and heartrending short film, tells the story of an alumnus returning to his alma mater to talk about bullying and its consequences, only to evoke a scene that haunts him to this day.

The Bully has been tagged as a must-see for students and their parents as it tackles the age-old issue of bullying and its deleterious effects on mental health.

All told, CinemaWorld affirms the exceptional qualities of these short films. “Their relatability, down-to-earth and simple narratives, combined with the talent of the cast, crew, and director make them the right fit for CinemaSHORT. We are happy to have Director Cahilig’s works on our platform.”

For his part, Cahilig vows to continue partnering with brands to bring meaningful narratives to life, especially through short films.

A scene from Jordan Peele’s latest film ‘Nope’

Life

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

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TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2022

Fun and play with Play-Doh and Toy Kingdom KIDS and kids at heart had lots of creative fun during the recent Play-Doh Fun ‘N Play exhibit at The Block at SM City North EDSA. The fun continued as the exhibit later traveled to the Mall of Asia’s Central Mall and SM Southmall’s Event Center. Lifesized 3D Play-Doh characters gave shoppers lots of photo opportunities, while a 30-minute Play-Doh webisodes series, fun games, win prizes, and a Meet and Greet

with Play-Doh’s Doh Doh Mascots added to the excitement.

Everyone had a lot of fun checking out the Play-Doh toys and merchandise, and other Hasbro toys during the exhibit. Kids were able to get a free Play-Doh activity mat for every 1000 purchase and a free Play-Doh String bag for every 500 purchase.

First manufactured in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA as a wallpaper cleaner in the 1930s,

Play-Doh was then reworked and marketed as years goes by until it became one of the most popular educational toys for kids.

The soft-colored substance like clay is now used for making models which promotes creativity and fun in their playtime.

Fun N’ Play never stops with Toy Kingdom’s Play-Doh Collections in-store or on their website at www.toykingdom.com.ph or follow ToyKingdomPH on Facebook and Instagram.

Make colorful Play-Doh hair grow longer and longer with Play-Doh Crazy Cuts Stylist Hair Salon Pretend Play Toy

Adapting quality education to students’ needs

By Patricia Taculao

F

OR two years and counting, the country’s education landscape changed abruptly to accommodate students as they remained indoors for their safety. Students leveraged the power of technology and the internet to continue learning and progress in their education. But now that the situation is improving, the government and other individuals believe it’s time to reopen the schools.

Despite the drastic change and challenges among students brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the education industry continues to see the eagerness of Filipinos to pursue their studies.

Now celebrating 18 years of championing quality education, PHINMA continues its mission of “making lives better through education.”

“We wanted to provide quality, accessible education that [by] intent and design, caters to those who need it the most: the underserved youth of our country,” said PHIN-

MA Chairman and CEO Ramon R. del Rosario Jr. during PHINMA Education’s press briefing, held last Monday, July 18.

During their 18 years in the education industry, del Rosario shared that they learned significant lessons.

Among them is the eagerness for students to learn even when faced with the toughest challenges.

PHINMA, a proudly Filipino conglomerate, has a long history in various industries, including housing, energy, finance, and construction materials. As they became more dedicated to providing essentials for

PHINMA Education enforces learning approaches that cater to their students’ needs

This school year PHINMA Education welcomes 95,503 students in its schools

a dignified life for Filipino families, they shifted their focus to education.

Its mission is to lessen the barriers to entering college, allowing Filipino students, even from humble backgrounds, to realize their dreams.

The organization, made up of ten schools in the Philippines and Indonesia, offers over 110 programs cov-

For 18 years, PHINMA Education empowers Filipino students to pursue their dreams

Stop, wrap, and roll THE hustle and bustle of everyday life make people crave for deliciously healthy snacks that are convenient and easily accessible.

When your days are packed with meetings, appointments, errands, and social time, sometimes the only chance to eat is when you’re on the go. Therefore, some are on a mission to find meals that could be eaten with our hands — no utensils required.

A delicious and hassle-free meal without the guilt, the new Kenny Rogers Roasters Wrap & Roll is a complete meal in itself. It starts off with a flat tortilla bread packed with your choice of meat, and vegetables, then drizzled with delicious dressing in every roll.

A perfectly healthy to-go meal, it is available in all Kenny Rogers Roasters nationwide starting. The new Wrap & Roll is available in three variants. For the red meat lovers, the Wrap & Roll Steak is a savory premium steak rolled with mushrooms, tomato, lettuce, carrots, and special dressing in tortilla bread. For customers looking for a leaner option, there’s the Wrap & Roll Chicken where a classic roast chicken in a tortilla is stuffed with fresh lettuce, tomato, white onions, carrots, and dressing. There’s also the Wrap & Roll Fish variant where a delectable fish fillet is complemented with carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, and dressing for a nutritious take in a tortilla wrap.

Each Kenny Rogers Roasters Wrap & Roll starts at P220. Make it a satisfying and filling snack with potato chips and soda, which price starts at P25, available for dine-in, takeout, or delivery through www.kennyrogersdelivery.com.ph, hotline: 8-555-9000, or via Grab Food, Food Panda, and Pickaroo.

Kenny Rogers Roasters Wrap & Roll is a delicious, guiltfree, and hasslefree meal

PHINMA makes applying to college accessible and easier for Filipinos

ering the entire education chain and boasts a 75 percent passing rate for first-time board exam takers.

Among their recent efforts is enforcing learning strategies that respond to students’ needs. In the following school year, Flex Learning will move to a two to four system of two days of in-person classes and four days of remote and independent learning. It will distribute students’ face-to-face classes within a week to comply with the minimum public health standards.

Students and teachers will be assigned to only one shift to limit the number of people inside the campus.

Self-sufficient modules, alternative assessments, streamlined instructions, and remote coaching will remain for both Flex Learning and RaDLearning.

Both learning strategies rely on printed materials and strong teacher and peer support through mobile data.

PHINMA also partnered with Globe and PLDT Smart to provide students

with mobile data every month.

PHINMA’s dedication to education also led to the largest enrollment in its 18-year history. This school year, 2021 to 2022, PHINMA Education welcomed 95,503 students, a 31 percent increase from 72,746 students in the previous school years.

Daisy C. Montinola, PHINMA’s finance chief, attributes the success to the company’s continuous efforts in securing learning for underserved communities during the previous two years when they needed it most.

In January 2021, PHINMA Education spearheaded the first Education@theMargins: A Global Alliance conference, gathering education industry experts from several countries, including South Africa, India, Australia, Finland, and the Philippines, to tackle the widening gap in education, helping marginalized students cope with the pandemic, and using technology to provide solutions for marginalized education.

The finalists of Miss Philippines Earth 2022 at Hotel 101

Hotel 101 Manila welcomes Miss Philippines Earth 2022 finalists HOTEL 101 – Manila welcomes the Top 20 candidates of the Miss Philippines Earth 2022 as its official residence. Miss Philippines Earth candidates will stay until July 30, before they head to Coron, Palawan, for the much anticipated coronation night.

Hotel 101 Group General Manager Gel Gomez welcomes the ladies as they experience the warm hospitality Hotel 101 – Manila provides.

“We are happy to welcome these beautiful, vibrant, and cause-oriented ladies here at Hotel 101 – Manila and have them experience the comfort, convenience, and hap-

py stay we offer to each and every guest,” she remarked.

Meanwhile, Melissa “Peachy” Veneracion, the Vice President and Project Director of Carousel Productions Inc., the organizer of Miss Philippines Earth, thanked Hotel 101 for being the official hotel of Miss Philippines Earth and for supporting its environmental causes.

“On behalf our management, I would like to thank Hotel 101-Manila and their entire team, who demonstrated commendable hospitality in the hotel industry,” she said.

“We are also very happy with the launching of Hotel 101-Manila’s sustainability campaign called 101 Stay Green, led by its Green Team. Their initiatives are in line with our advocacy for environmental well-being and sustainability,” Veneracion added.

The Hotel 101 Group is a subsidiary of DoubleDragon Corporation, which operates Hotel 101, Injap Tower Hotel in Iloilo City, and Jinjiang Inn Philippines. Hotel 101 Group has recently unveiled its direction to begin expanding abroad. It aims to make Hotel 101 the first global Filipino hotel chain.