Manila Standard - 2022 September 14 - Wednesday by Manila Standard

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Pres. Marcos won't bar efforts to grant ABS-CBN franchise

President marks birthday with tree planting

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 210 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

said the Lopez-owned network’s woes were due to "technical reasons" that had surfaced during previous House hearings and not because of its "political positions" against his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

that we take so that nature is cared for because it desperately needs that care and it desperately needs that attention,” Marcos said during the National Simultaneous Bamboo and Tree Planting and Kickoff Ceremony at the Old San Mateo Sanitary Landfill in Rizal.

The one-year moratorium will write off P58.125 billion in loans and benefit about 654,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries and cover 1.18 million hectares of awarded lands.

“We have to pull ourselves out of that. They should not be at the subsistence level. They should not be spending 60, 70, 80 percent of their income on food. That’s far, far, far too much. They have nothing left for anything else. They

“We have to do this as a concrete step

EO halts farmers’ loan payment for 1 year

beneficiaries, the Palace said Tuesday.

FREED. About 370 persons deprived of liberty (PDL), mostly elderly and infirm, are gathered at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City as they are granted freedom coinciding with President Ferdinand Marcos' 65th birthday on Tuesday. Assisting them are Bureau of Corrections Director General Usec. Gerald Bantag and Public Attorney's Office chief Persida Acosta (inset). Danny Pata and Avito Dalan

State workers to get rice allowance as part of salary

"Local government units and the PNP (Philippine National Police) should coordinate closely in ensuring that the public continues to wear face masks indoors and in public transportation,” said DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. “We are still in the middle of the pandemic, and we cannot let our guard down.”Despite an executive order making the wearing of face masks voluntary

SSS AT 65. Social Security System (SSS) President and CEO Imcharl G. Regino briefs the media on the SSS Contribution Subsidy Program during the agency's 65th Anniversary Press Conference on Tuesday at its main office on East Ave., Diliman, Quezon City. Manny Palmero

In Sugar Order No. 1, which was signed by Mr. Marcos as Agriculture Secretary and concurrent chairperson of the Sugar Regulatory Board, over 1.8 million metric tons of sugar will be made available to the market.

Sugar allocation classifications include A for US quota, B for domestic market use, C for reserve, and D for the global

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed an executive order (EO) declaring a one-year moratorium on loan payments for agrarian reform

signing ceremony in Malacanang. The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said the executive order is in preparation for another fulfillment of the Marcos administration's commitment, which is for Congress to pass a law that will condone the loans

The tree planting program aims to plant over 8,000 seedlings and bamboo planting stocks in some parts of Calabarzon.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday raised the need to protect the environment as a way to promote economic growth and stability, during a nationwide simultaneous tree planting activity on his 65th birthday.

“It is time to give back to the farmers,” the President said during the

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vowed not to stand in the way of efforts to give media giant ABS-CBN Corp. a new 25-year legislative franchise, which is granted by Congress. In a television interview, Mr. Marcos

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he looks forward to resolving the unpaid estate tax case against his family, which has reportedly

By Vito Barcelo and Vince Lopez

ballooned to P203 billion.

The order was signed on Aug. 26, 2022 but was only released by Malacanang yesterday.

“Sugar production for Crop Year 2022-2023 is expected to be 1,876,135.36 metric tons and shall be quedanned by the mill companies, as implementers of this Sugar Order, in the following percentage: ‘B’ or Domestic Sugar Market- 100 percent,” it said.

Gov’t to flood market with sugar

Mr. Marcos orders over 1.8m tons be made available for domestic use

Aside from Mr. Marcos, other signatories to SO No. 1 include Agriculture

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By Vito Barcelo, Vince Lopez, and Rio N. Araja

“Themarket.SRAshall undertake assessment of the Crop Year 2022-2023 sugar production and withdrawals trend. On the basis of such assessment, SRA may from time to time adjust the percentage allocation or distribution to other classes of sugar,” the order read.

The cropping season is set from Sept. 1, 2022 until Aug. 31, 2023.

PBBM TO REFOCUS DRUG WAR, ADD USERS' REHAB, TREATMENT NEWS / A2 PH TO LIFT DEPLOYMENT BAN OF OFWS TO SAUDI BY NOV. 7 NEWS / A2

By Joel E. Zurbano, Willie Casas, and Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday directed police and local officials to enforce the wearing of face masks inside commercial establishments and other crowded areas.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. PRESIDENT. Employees of the Environment and Interior departments present a birthday cake to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the Simultaneous Bamboo and Tree Planting Ceremony at the Old Sanitary Landfill in Barangay Pintong Bukawe, San Mateo, Rizal on Tuesday (story below). Revoli Cortez

Cops to strictly enforce health policy indoors

By Joyce Pangco Panares

page

WITHTALKINGTONI.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he will institutionalize a “rice allowance” system for state workers as his administration strives to achieve food security for all Filipinos.

RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the allocation of the country's entire sugar production for the cropping year 2022-2023 for domestic use.

“We will institutionalize it. At the very least, we will have that (rice allowance). This is life and death, and the people are living very close to the subsistence level,” Mr. Marcos said in a television interview

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. grants celebrity interviewer Toni Gonzaga an exclusive interview at Malacanang on Tuesday, discussing a range of topics. Celestine InstagramGonzagaaccount

“We are actually encouraging that this finally be resolved because I don’t want to make a legal opinion for which I am not qualified. But rather, (I want)

PBBM says family for settling tax issue

"The question of the ABS-CBN franchise is really about the violations and problems they have encountered during the hearings and theinvestigation in the House of Representatives… So long those are attended to and those are resolved, there's no reason actually for the Committee of Franchises in the House to deny them of a franchise," the President added.

ABS-CBN halted its broadcast operations on May 5, 2020, following the National Telecommunications Commission’s issuance of a cease-anddesist order.

The President said he does not know how the P203 billion figure was arrived at.

Abalos said that the signing of the EO is a clear signal to all LGUs to move in one accord in implementing the face mask mandate in their localities. He said the focus of LGUs now should be “ensuring that the policy will not be abused, and that people are still protected from the virus.”

Dr. Jose Rene de Grano, president of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc, said COVID-19 remains a threat with 2,000 to3,000 infections being recorded per day. The number does not include people who might be infected but do not take antigen or RT-PCR tests despite COVID symptoms, he added.

3 issued by the Office of the President on Sept. 12, 2022, allows the voluntary wearing of face masks in open spaces and uncrowded outdoor areas with good ventilation.

He said the working group is looking for “the upstream of the problem, the prevention.”“Theseare all being formulated. And then even on the enforcement side, I’d like to formulate that one,” the President said as he acknowledged the drug war was not mentioned in his first State of the Nation Address as "it is an

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“And that’s why I am hoping that at the end of all that we are doing — and when I said the end, I’m not talking about tomorrow, I’m talking about, maybe hopefully, if we do it right, then in a couple of three years, that will get there,” he added. Joyce Pangco Panares

their farms, maximizing their capacity to produce and propel the growth of the economy.Executive Order 75, issued in 2019, directs all government agencies, bureaus, departments and instrumentalities to turn over agricultural lands to qualified agrarian reform beneficiaries.

Currently, the government has a total of 52,000 hectares of unused agricultural lands which will be distributed to landless war veterans, landless surviving spouses and orphans of war veterans, and landless retirees of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine NationalGraduatesPolice.of college degrees in agriculture who are landless will also benefit from the agricultural lands acquired through EO 75.

Among them was Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles who took her greeting to Facebook, wishing the President good Cruz-Angeleshealth.assured the President that she would stand by his efforts to improve the lives of every Filipino and the living condition of the nation.

"We always think about the farmers’ welfare. The one-year moratorium and condonation of farmers’ loan payments will lead to the freedom of farmers from debts," Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III said.

Cops...

Daza said the Office of the President “will decide and announce its decision in dueWhilecourse.”at UN headquarters in New York, the President plans to hold several bilateral meetings with other heads of state on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly next week.

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The DOH also verified 300 more COVID-related fatalities.

OFW ban on KSA lifted by Nov. 7

Aside from those released, Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Chief Persida V. Rueda-Acosta said a list of over 350 PDLs recommended for pardon and commutation of sentence has been sent for the approval of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who celebrated his birthday on Sept. 13. Rey E. Requejo

Mr. Marcos to ‘refocus’ drug war

Those in favor of easing the mask mandate cited the economic benefits.

Joshua Vittorio Garong

But that’s not really realistic. We have to bring the actual price down,” the President said.

“Even as we speak, there is a working group putting together (the revisions) … We are trying to formulate how, what is the latest and what’s the best way for the rehabilitation,” he added.

"The war on drugs will continue but we have to do it in a different way," President Marcos said in a television interview on Tuesday.

He also expressed willingness to work and cooperate with the House of Representatives in the amendment of Section 26 of Republic Act No (RA) 6657, or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988.

"I have been saying this all along. For as long as we have people going out, transmitting the infection, the mutation of this virus continues, and we expect the emergence of variants. So, we are not off the hook yet," Gloriani said in an interview with ANC's "Headstart.”

While the Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomed the move to relax face mask rules, a string of medical experts said it was not the right time to do so.

Meanwhile, at the Senate, minority lawmakers said Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez was not entirely blameless in the controversial issuance of Sugar Order No. 4 that would have allowed the importation of 300,000

Data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed that as of Sept. 11, only 18.5 million COVID-19 booster doses have been administered.

"The Committee Report failed, or purposely refrained, to discuss the part which Executive Secretary Rodriguez played in this unfortunate debacle," the minority report read.

“For your own safety and health, please wear your face masks at all times. The threat of COVID-19 cannot be discounted by anyone, more so, our vulnerable population,” he said.

Romualdez revealed that several bilateral meetings have been lined up for Mr. Marcos but did not say if a side meeting with US President Joe Biden is included. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

They cannot pay for the electricity, the water. That’s really the scope of the problem,” he added.

“We would have told them that those properties are not ours – do not tax us,” he said.

Following the relaxed mask rule,

"Wear masks. This is more important, better protection against not only COVID but other respiratory diseases," he said in a mix of Filipino and English.

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THE Philippine government will lift its deployment ban on Overseas Filipino Workers to Saudi Arabia on November 7 after finishing bilateral discussions, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople said Tuesday.

Channels 2, 23, and 43 were previously used by ABS-CBN.

IN BRIEF

Marcos earlier directed Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. to come up with policies that would ensure the anti-narcotics campaign is compliant with the law.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

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of agrarian reform beneficiaries with unpaid mamortization and interest.

HE Marcos administration will refocus the war on drugs to include the treatment and rehabilitation of drug users.

He said the National Food Authority “has to return to its old function, not so much importation but really the buying.”

The President said he opted to spearhead the tree planting event on his birthday to raise awareness about protecting the environment, which he said was an important national and global issue.“This initiative will greatly help in raising awareness on environmental welfare and protection,” he said.

The President said the rice allowance will be part of the salary of government workers.“Partof their salary will be paid in rice so we can be sure that everybody, every family will have rice. This will be bought by the government from the government so we can buy it at cheaper prices and the people do not have to buy at the market price,” he said.

property listed in the case.

After delivering his speech, Marcos planted a bamboo plant stock named “Bambusa Blumeana” or “Kawayang Tinik.”

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin Tulfo expressed support for the President's goal of helping the nation rise from the COVID-19 pandemic.Healso shared a short video clip of a birthday luncheon for the President in Malacañan Palace.

Newsmst.daydesk@gmail.com A2

outdoors, Abalos reminded senior citizens, immunocompromised people, and those who are not fully vaccinated to continue masking up.

He also sought a partnership between the PNP and other government agencies to ensure that the drug supply chain in the country would be "reduced, if not cut totally."Despite his intention to refocus the war on drugs, the President maintained

The minority report, however, did not recommend any charges against the Executive Secretary. Joyce Pangco Panares and Macon Ramos-Araneta

Section 26 of RA 6657 requires the ARBs who were awarded lands to payto the Land Bank of the Philippines in 30 annual amortizations at 6 percent interest perTheyear.DAR said the moratorium on land amortization and interest payments aims to help unburden the agrarian reform beneficiaries from their debts, enabling them to use the money instead to develop

“By embodying resilience and humility and espousing true nationbuilding and unity, you have truly gained the confidence and trust of the Filipino people,” she Pangandamansaid. said she and members of her department would also pray forhis continued success.

Department of Agriculture, said he will continue to find ways to fulfill his campaign promise to bring down the cost of rice to P20 per kilo.

President...

The DILG did not sanction Cebu City, however, for violating what at the time was the policy set down by the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

In January this year, the NTC granted provisional authority to the Villar-led Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc. to “install, operate, and maintain” digital TV channel 16 and temporary simulcast on analog TV channel 2.

A TOTAL of 371 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were released simultaneously from the prison facilities of the Bureau of Corrections on Tuesday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla saidAtTuesday.theNew Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, Remulla witnessed the release of the PDLs, including 31 who had been acquitted of their criminal charges, 98 who had been granted parole, two who benefitted under probation, and 240 who had served their maximum jail terms.

“Even actually now we can already do it but it’s a little short-term.

The Swara Sug Media Corporation (SSMC), the legal operating name of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) founded and led by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, was also granted provisional authority to install, operate and maintain digital TV channel 43.

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Joyce Pangco Panares

PBBM...

Instead, Abalos urged the IATF to review its mask mandate and consider making face masks optional in outdoor areas, as Cebu City did.

Meanwhile, the DFA has sent its recommendation to Mr. Marcos on Philippine representation to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longestreigning monarch.

Abalos said local government units (LGUs) should take the lead in ensuring compliance with the indoor mask mandate.EONo.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III and Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros made the position in a separate report after the Senate blue ribbon committee released its own last week.

The same EO states that face masks are still mandatory in indoor settings, public transportation by air, land, and sea; and in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.

The President also said he sees some symbolism in the tree planting activity as the government turns an old sanitary landfill into a reforestation area that benefits the environment and the local community.Government officials joined scores of supporters across the country in greeting the President on his birthday.

“It’s much too early to lift the mask mandate because we still have alot of infections,” he said in Filipino in a TeleRadyo interview.

We sell the buffer stock that they have in NFA. We can sell it at P20.

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The government earlier asked the Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC to deny the request of its prosecutor to resume the body’s investigation into the alleged crimes against humanity committed under the Duterte administration in the implementation of its anti-illegal drug war. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

From Sept. 5 to 11, the country recorded an average of 2,197 daily infections, which is 10 percent lower compared to the previous week.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will speak before the United Nations General Assembly on September 20, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday."What is confirmed is PBBM will attend and deliver a statement at the 77th UNGA on 20 September," DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said in a text message.

to say that we were never allowed to argue because when this case came out, we were all in the United States,” the President said in a television interview.

371 PDLs released, 350+ seek pardon

She said the date was chosen so the DMW would have time to prepare for its meetings with Philippine recruitment agencies, strengthen its coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in ensuring the deployment of fully trained domestic workers, and complete their automation process.

By Vince Lopez

“I don't see any reason why we should. The ICC is supposed to take action if the country has no functioning judiciary,” he said. “That condition does not exist in the Philippines. So, I don't see what role ICC is going to play here in the Philippines.”

DFA PBBMconfirmstalkat UN on September 20

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said that she and other officials are witnesses to the President’s “unyielding resolve” for public service regardless of challenges he has encountered along the way.

“There’s a way to do it but it will take a while… Everything is possible. You just have to work very hard at it and be clever about it and come up with new ideas and be creative about what are the things that you are able to do,” he said.

cannot send their children to school.

“At the same time, it will contribute to the DENR’s (Department of theEnvironment and Natural Resources) National Greening Program, the country’s most ambitious reforestation program, with the goal of reducing poverty, ensuring food security, [ensuring] environmental stability, conserving biodiversity, and mitigating climate change, and adapting to climate change,” he added.

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte and Commission on Higher Education chairman Prospero de Vera also expressed greetings on the President’s birthday. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

The decision to ease face mask rules came after Cebu City unilaterally declared them optional in outdoor settings, defying a national mask mandate.

Azurin ordered an audit of the drug situation in the country, focusing on areas where prominent drug personalities were killed.

The head of the country’s vaccine expert panel, Dr. Nina Gloriani, said the Philippines has not yet seen stability in the number of COVID-19 cases.

On July 10, 2020, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises rejected ABSCBN’s bid for a new 25-year franchise because of several issues, including the

Villafuerte, a former three-term governor, appealed to local government executives to “step up to the plate” and render full assistance to and cooperation with the IATF in carrying out the President’s executive order.

De Grano denied that the Philippines has almost attained a so-called "wall of immunity" against the virus after more than 72 million Filipinos received a second completed dose of the vaccine.

More than the economic benefit of the activity, he said the country is essentially and primarily investing in ensuring that the planet remains a safe space, especially for the next generation that will, inherit it.

During the past week, the Philippines logged 15,379 new COVID-19 cases, DOH data showed.

developed this year, and the DENR is also targeting 11,631 hectares of enhanced National Greening Program sites in 2023.

State...

In the clip, some members of the Cabinet and political allies sang the birthday song for the President.

Gloriani urged Filipinos to assess their risk against COVID-19.

"When it was the time for us to answer, we had no chance to answer because we were in Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii," he told celebrityinterviewer Toni Gonzaga in his first one-on-one televised talk since becoming Chief Executive.“Nowwe are all here, open the case and let us argue so that all of the things that we should have been able to say in 1987, ’88, ’89 that we were not able to say, (we can say now),” he added.

alleged dual citizenship of ABS-CBN chairman emeritus Eugenio Lopez III; the possible violation of the constitutional limits on foreign ownership; reported labor and tax violations; and other violations of the terms of its franchise.

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez previously said Mr. Marcos is preparing a speech for the event as preparations are ongoing for his trip.

Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban, Acting SRA Director David Thaddeus Alba, Acting Board Member-Millers’ Representative Ma. Mitzi Mangwag, and Acting Board Member-Planters’ Representative Pablo Luis Azcona.

He said the government will also talk to “other corporations” but did not elaborate if he will urge them to follow suit for workers in the private sector.

Through the program, more than 2 million hectares of reforestation sites have been established from 2011 to 2021.

The seedlings that were planted during Tuesday’s event will be significant in realizing the government’s reforestation goal, as the program generates jobs, opportunities, as well as livelihood for ordinary Filipinos, the President said.

The NTC also granted the Aliw Broadcasting Corp. to install, operate, and maintain a digital broadcasting system using Channel 23.

Pres....

An additional 46,265 hectares will be

his stance not to rejoin the International Criminal Court.

She said she hoped that their risk assessment would lead them to continue wearing masks.

"I know the suspicion is that it is always because of the political positions that they took against PRRD. The actual technical reasons are these issues that were found during the hearings in the House," he said.

Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Camarines Sur said "the President's decision would further hasten the country’s recovery from COVID-19, with the once booming tourism industry likely to be one of the drivers of an economic rebound with the projected influx of foreign visitors resulting from this relaxed health protocol."

EO...

internal matter."

Mr. Marcos said such a move will even create demand for local rice producers who will now have a ready market through the government.

Mr. Marcos said he and his family would have wanted to discuss each

“In fact, I have signed a quit claim several times now. If you want those properties, get them – those are not ours,” he said.During the campaign period, Mr. Marcos said "there's a lot of fake news involved" in his family's unpaid estate taxes amid the 1997 Supreme Court ruling that they must settle their liabilities, which initially amounted to P23 billion in 1997.

Mr. Marcos, who also heads the

metric tons of sugar.

Estrella on Tuesday led the delegation of 160 agency officials, farmer-beneficiaries, and advocates at Malacañang Palace to witness the signing of the executive order declaring a oneyear moratorium on loan payments under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

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“We can't say that there is a wall of immunity because it is likely that our first vaccine that was given has almost no effect,” he said, adding that many Filipinos have yet to receive booster doses.

Gov‘t...

“I really do not know. They just lumped together a number of properties – most of which we really had nothing to do with,” he said.

De Grano said the effect of the lifting of the mask mandate would be known in two to three weeks.

Ople and other DMW officials reached an agreement with Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmad Bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, under which both countries would undertake measures “to facilitate the decent and productive employment of OFWs and ensure the protection of their rights.”

Padilla also noted the points raised by resource person Ateneo de Manila Prof. Anthony Amunategui Abad, that the Constitution adjusts to the needs of theEventimes.in the United States, Padilla said its Constitution has undergone amendments, such that it is now quite different from the original Constitution in 1776.

Citing ofﬁcial statistics, Salceda said sugar prices increased 26 percent over the same period. “So, obviously, there is very little pass-through, especially since sugary drinks use imported bottler’s grade sugar, the wholesale price of which is just P20/kg,” he said.

Families evicted by P167-b rail project to get aid

The NTC also directed telcos to submit a written report of compliance to the agency on or before September 16, 2022.Globe Telecom said the NTC’s directive will institutionalize the ﬁght against spam and text fraud.

Tulfo scolds NLRC over ine iciency

“Data aggregators” and contacttracing apps are not the culprit in the ongoing “massive” spam phone messages that have targeted individuals through personalized “smishing” (SMS phishing) operations that include the recipients’ actual names, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) said earlier.

While he is not singling out any par-

News A3WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, mst.daydesk@gmail.com2022

DSWD to scrap 93,600 households‘non-poor’from4Psrecipientlist

“Globe has long been blocking spam and scam text messages we detect, including those containing malicious URLs or links. This is part of our ongoing effort to ﬁlter out dangerous SMS to protect our customers,” the Ayala-led telco said.

He reiterated that his committee will

Under the 4Ps law, its beneficiaries can be delisted under the following conditions: the household’s youngest child has already finished senior high school; the household has been in the program for seven straight years; when a household commits offenses or violates conditions for the cash grant; voluntary exit on the part of the beneficiary; and DSWD classifying a household as non-poor based on evaluation.

Citing their records, he said within three months, their labor Arbiters decided 54 percent of cases being handled, and for 9-month period, 91 percent.

Macon Ramos-Araneta Manila Standard TODAY REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS A N N O U N C E M E N T President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (CA), for its consent to the nominations of the following officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) : 1. IRENE SUSAN BARREIRO NATIVIDAD CHIEF OF MISSION, CLASS I, as AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY TO THE SWISS CONFEDERATION, with concurrent jurisdiction over the PRINCIPALITY OF LIECHTENSTEIN 2. ANDRE PETER CABUAY ESTANISLAO FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS 3. SHIRLEY LIWANAG FLORES FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS 4. KRISTINE BAUTISTA LAGUROS FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS 5. CECILLE JOYCE YAP LAO FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS 6. ANDREA BOONGALING LEYCANO FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS 7. MONIKA KAMILLE BACANI LIMPO FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS 8. ROWENA R. PANGILINAN-DAQUIPIL FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS 9 FATIMA GUZMAN QUINTIN FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS 10 ROBERT DICLAS QUINTIN FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS 11 GERONIMO CAPIENDO SULIGUIN JR. FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS 12 LUNINGNING CAMOYING VALDEZ FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS 13. MYLHYN MARQUESES ACOSTA FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 14. CATHERINE FLORES ALPAY FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 15. JACQUELINE JOAN SANTIAGO ARQUIZA FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 16. MARC THEODORE PALACIOS BENIGNO FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 17. MARIANNE INTAL BRINGAS FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 18. CHRISTIANSEN DICOLEN CABAHUG FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 19. ANDREA CHRISTINA Q. CAYMO-KAUHANEN FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 20. BENJAMIN ALEGADO CELEDIO JR. FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 21. JONATHAN ANDREW DYCHINGCO CHUA FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 22. STEPHANIE ALEXIS AREJOLA CRUZ FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 23. FLAUREEN DAMASEN DACANAY FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 24. LV IGNACIO DE GUZMAN FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 25. JONELLE JOHN SANTOS DOMINGO FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 26. VON RYAN SALTIN FERRERA FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 27. JAN MICHAEL BANSIL GOMEZ FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 28. ANNA MARIE MAE RAMOS GUERRA FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 29. CHARLESON CAROLINO HERMOSURA FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 30. MIGUEL CARLO NARZO HORNILLA FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 31. ANWAR MACATEMBEL ITO FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 32. ELAINE MAE V. LARUAN-HERNANDEZ FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 33. ANDREA LYNN NICOLAS LAZARO FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 34. LEMUEL CUSI LOPEZ FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 35. NADINE ROSARIO MIÑEQUE MORALES FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 36. JET CERA OLFATO FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 37. VON RYAN GASMEÑA PANGWI FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 38. MARY GRACE LUZA PERPETUA FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 39. MAJELLA CRISTY U. PUA-DIEZMOS FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 40. ELIZABETH PICAR RAMOS FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 41. JUDY BOYDON RAZON FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 42. NOEL LORETO RODRIGUEZ FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 43. JOHN PAUL TAPIA SAMONTE FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 44. LYZA MARIA SALAZAR VIEJO FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 45. JOHAIRA C. WAHAB-MANANTAN FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS II 46. CATHERINE CRUZ SY FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS IV The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions to the above nominations in seven (7) copies to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila. For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 8834-2713, 88311824, 8831-0527, 8832-9830, 8834-2706 and 8551-1989. 12 September 2022. MYRA MARIE D. VILLARICA Secretary(MS-SEPT. 14, 2022)

In the same hearing, NLRC chair Gerardo Nograles admitted that labor cases were taking more than a year to be resolved due to the delay of the Post Ofﬁce to issue the service of

“Based on our initial data, 187,000 have been removed from our program or have already graduated. We also have 24,000 volunteers who have waived or exited the program,” Lopez said.

Salceda, chair of the Committee on Ways and Means, was reacting to recent statements by the DOH that it is pushing for higher taxes on sweetened beverages and junk foods, or non-nutritious foods. Salceda said his committee will seriously study the DOH proposals.

“We will coordinate closely with the NTC to come up with new solutions to further protect customers against online fraud,” it added.

SENATOR Robinhood Padilla on Tuesday underscored the need to amend the Constitution, saying so many changes have taken place over the past 35 years since it was ratiﬁed.

“Sometimes, we really have many cases, but we are doing our best. That’s why, I have instructed them to ﬁnish the cases within nine months,” Nograles said.

“I never blamed any particular leader or Constitution for the hardships we are facing. But what is clear is that change is a natural occurrence as time goes by, even for the Constitution,” he said.

He said “the better approach there might be to restrict sales in schools where children have greater access to them.”

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is poised to purge its list of impoverished and needy households qualified for the government’s financial aid program, saying some 93,600 of the 1.3 million households in the list have been classified as Meanwhile,“non-poor.”Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has urged the government to take a more holistic approach to the social protection of Filipino workers, saying the state’s existing financial aid programs can serve to strengthen workers’ safety nets.

DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo earlier said that 1.3 million households have been categorized as “non-poor,” meaning they are no longer qualiﬁed to receive the cash assistance from the national government.

At the hearing, congressmen asked for copies of the loan agreement for the project, and the detailed plans for ISFs; trafﬁc impact of the construction of the railway tracks, particularly the segment in Metro Manila; and the cost of continued construction delays. Maricel V. Cruz

Salceda said his committee is not in favor of raising taxes on

“We will deﬁnitely consider the pro-

Butsummons.Tulfo insisted that the NLRC cannot blame the Post Ofﬁce because the agency could have personally served the summons to the companies who are on the receiving end of complaints, to hasten the process.

SQUATTERS, also called informal settlers, along the North-South Rail project will not only be relocated, but will get a monthly interim rental subsidy for one and a half years. This was revealed at the hearing on Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) P167billion proposed budget for 2023.

“On a personal note, since I come from

Tulfo urged the NLRC to boost its performance to ensure a timely and effective resolution of the laborers’ complaints,

project construction.

“Definitely, my office will pursue more regulation, taxation aside. Definitely, we are going for a ban on sugary drinks in public and private grade schools,” SalcedaHowever,said.

posals for higher taxes on sweetened beverages. It might help reduce overall sugar demand and help us manage the supply deﬁcit and reduce the need to import,”

NTC tells telcos to block domain links, URLs in text messages

“Besides, deﬁning what junk food is will deﬁnitely be a challenge.”

ROAD ACCIDENT. A rescue team of the Manila Disaster and Risk Reduction Management O ce (MDRRMO) renders emergency aid to the victims of a tra c on Nagtahan Bridge in Sta. Mesa Manila reportedly caused by the truck driver’s loss of control over his vehicle. Norman Cruz

Nograles also told the senators that based on their records, a labor arbiter has nine months to decide a case.

He added the status of about 600,000 more recipients are under studied by DSWD.

DOTr Undersecretary for Rails Cesar Chavez told legislators that the country’s loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) provides funds for relocation of the squatters—P3,000 to P10,000 rental subsidy, and payment for structures and plants that would be removed due to the

During the resumption of the hearing of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes which he chairs, Padilla cited the need to “adjust to what’s happening around us and the world since we are now in 2022.”

“Telcosscams. are hereby ordered to block or deactivate domains or Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), TinyURLs, Smart Links and/or QR Codes emanating from malicious sites based on existing database culled from government agencies such as the NTC, National Privacy Commission, Department of Trade and Industry, law enforcement agencies, subscriber reports and those generated from machine learning or artificial intelligence,” the regulator said.

“We will still study taxes on junk food, but we lean towards regulation rather thanSalcedataxation.”also said that the committee is still open to higher taxes on cigarettes, alcohol, and novel tobacco products such as “vape.”

Robin bats for amendments to 1986 Constitution

LBAY Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda has said his committee is considering proposals by the Department of Health (DOH) to raise excise taxes on the so-called “ sin products” which include sweetened beverages, cigarettes, alcohol, and novel tobacco products such as vapes.

“We will comply with the NTC’S directive,” Tamano said.

be fair and balanced in its hearings, and that everyone will have a voice.

Salceda said in a statement.

Conceding that the Constitution is sacred, he said, still this is not a reason not to ﬁx it.

Adel Tamano, DITO Telecommunity Chief Administrative Ofﬁcer, said his company is supporting the initiative of NTC to protect the public from phishing, smishing, “quishing,” and other forms of illegal activities.

SENATOR Raffy Tulfo has taken to task the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) for failing to improve its slow process in resolving laborDuringdisputes.ahearing of the Senate Committee on Labor and Employment which he chairs, Tulfo said the problem has been persistent for decades now.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

Globe reiterated its call on all stakeholders to heighten vigilance and take proactive steps to support industry efforts against escalating threats.

House Appropriations committee chairman Rep. Elizaldy Co of Ako-Bicol backed the DOTr’s proposed 2023 budget, particularly the rail project, noting that Bicolanos like himself are anticipating the restoration of the efﬁcient, affordable, and earth-friendly train rides between the region and Metro Manila.

By Maricel V. Cruz

“We cannot afford to remain closeminded. We must remain open-minded because our world is changing. Everyone is now using the internet and anyone can run a business using computers,” he added.

The rail project, jointly funded by the ADB and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, is expected to be ﬁnished by 2028, beneﬁtting hundreds of thousands of passenger from Clark to Bicol.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

the Bicol Region, train systems like the South Rail project are of much interest to me and my constituents. It is our fervent hope that it will come to fruition under President Marcos’s leadership and under your capable hands, Sec. Jimmy,” said Co, referring to DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista.

RICH MARIJUANA HAUL. Police operatives take stock of over 64 kilos of dried marijuana leaves estimated at P7.7 million, packed like bricks when intercepted at a checkpoint in Ampawilen, Sandanga, Mt. Province. The driver and a passenger of the vehicle bearing the marijuana are taken into custody. Dave Leprozo

ticular President or Constitution, he said history has shown that Philippine Constitutions have undergone changes through time.

According to Abad, it is time to make amendments to the 1987 Constitution to keep it attune to changes particularly in the international trade and“Ifinvestment.yourConstitution is an old constitutions, that’s holding back your economy. We will indeed be left behind by other countries like Vietnam and China. He pointed out that the world today is very different from the world of 1986. Perhaps the 1986 Constitution has its valid points, good at the time when stability was needed,” he said.

junk“Wefood.are disinclined towards a junk food tax. It seems that global best practices that really work are closer to regulation than taxation, especially on salt levels. The Singapore model is industry and government working together to lower salt levels in food.”

Macon Ramos-Araneta

The 4Ps is an anti-poverty of the government that provides health, education as well as rice assistance in the form of cash to the poorest of the poor households, depending on their compliance with conditions promoting human development goals such as keeping children in schools and attending family development sessions, among others.The DSWD has allotted P115 billion for the 4Ps program under its proposed 2023 budget.

“It seems like there is space, especially since sugary drinks increased prices yearon-year by just 3.9 percent last August.”

This was disclosed by DSWD spokesman and Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez who said the 93,600 households might be delisted from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) that extends conditional cash transfer for the poor families.

THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has ordered telecom companies to block domains or Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) in text messages amid rising text spams and

He noted that there are processes to be Hefollowed.also related that an arbiter handles at least 27 cases.

Due to this, they plan to hire more arbiters to address the backlog.

He added that the cleansing of the list would pave the way for the inclusion of those in the waitlist.

This developed as the Philippine National Police renewed its call to enact a law that would mandate the registration of all SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards, amid the explosion of personalized text scams in the past weeks.

Salceda emphasized however that “the committee will study the impact, especially since revenue collection has already ﬂatlined to the 32-35 billion per year mark. We want to see whether it will really have an impact on obesity.”

Salceda panel eyes sin tax hike

Lopez at least 22 percent of the 1.3 million households in the 4Ps list have already been validated as “non-poor.”

gram to present service awards to employees with decades of tenure at the agency.

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is not dy ing, an official of the agency said Monday, noting that its actuarial life will last “PhilHealth“forever”.will last forever,” PhilHealth Officer-in-Charge Eli Dino Santos said during a House Committee hearing Monday.

Martin was joined by Mody Floran

sessions from Nov. 5 to 22.

A4 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 E-mail: mst.daydesk@gmail.com News

Considered as the biggest success story in the Philippine energy sector, the Malampaya deepwater gas-to-power project signaled the birth of the natural gas industry in the country.

The Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday turned over the said assets.

IT providers that can offer the best service. The new LTO chief is just a month in his position. Why must he issue a public apology?” Vargas said.

“Transport groups back any of the

However, its dwindling gas reserves could lead to the country importing liqueified nat ural gas (LNG) if no alternatives are found, Duterte, the bill’s author with Rep. Eric Yap of Benguet, Edvic Yap and Jeffrey Soriano of ACT-CIS party-list group as co-authors of theThemeasure.legislative proposal will enable Malampaya gas field project operator, such as the Prime Infrastructure, to expand into more natural gas projects.

and have it signed into law by President Marcos before the scheduled BSKE on December 5.

‘NO’PalmeroTOI.T.

THE Local Water Utilities Admin istration (LWUA) celebrated its 49th anniversary this September 18 with a series of ceremonies and activities with the theme, “Tulong-tulong sa Pagsulong. Pantay-pantay sa Pagagapay.”According to LWUA Officer-InCharge Eileen Dela Vega, this year’s theme focuses on LWUA and all wa ter districts working together as the country transitions from the severe pandemic-related health restrictions to a new phase of recovery.

By Rey E. Requejo

The SC stressed that the suspension of the sessions will “enable the SC to direct its main resources, time, and work to wards the holding of the 2022 Bar exami nations.”“Allofficials, staff, and employees of all courts who will be deployed and will render service during the preparations, actual conduct of the Bar examinations and post Bar examinations activities be considered on official time for the dura tion of said deployment and service, to enable them to focus on their Bar exam

Transport groups slam ‘ínefficiency’ of LTO’s German technology provider SC declares no work on Nov. 9 and 16 to give way to Bar exams LWUA vows to aid in PH recovery from COVID-19

“Lives are on the line here. Patients in hos pitals expire because of government incom petence. The government regulator, in this case, ERC appears to be remiss in the pursuit of their mandate,” Reyes said.

‘PINASLAKAS.’ Department of Social Welfare and DirectorAuthorityDevelopmentMetropolitanH.Dr.MedicalofDirector,ManilaTeresitaRegional(DSWD)DevelopmentAssistantDirectorL.Valentino,CityHealthDepartmentHealth(DOH)OfficerIVKeziaLorraineRosario andManila(MMDA)IVMariaLoida L. Alzona, led the symbolical booster vaccinations during the launching of “PinasLakas” vaccination campaign held inside the DSWD National Capital Region (NCR) building in Manila. Norman

“Whenever benefit payments are introduced, that is subject to actuar ial validation, right? Right now with your income, the only way the fund will die is if you give benefits way more than what you have. And you won’t let that happen,” she said.

Santos made the remarks dur ing the House Committee on Ap propriations after Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo’s ques tioned his initial pronouncement that PhilHealth needs support from the national government, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corpora tion, and Philippine Charity Sweep stakes Office for its actuarial life to last beyond 2027.

The appellate and collegiate courts are the Court of Appeals (CA). Sandi ganbayan and the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA). Sandiganbayan and CTA are both in AsideNCR. from its main office in Manila, the appellate court has stations in Cebu City for the Visayas and in Cagayan de Oro City for Mindanao.

The Malampaya gas field has contributed over $12 billion in revenues to the government and is responsible for delivering about 20 percent of the country’s electricity requirements.

notPhilHealthdying,will‘lastforever,’execinsists pandemic

By Willie Casas

Aside from November 9 and 16, both Wednesdays, the two other days of the bar examinations will be on Nov. 13 and 20, both Sundays.

ByCruz.Maricel

Dalipe said that Senate has likewise made a clear commitment that they would pass their counterpart measure to allow the postponement of the baran gayTheelections.House unanimously approved the consolidated House Bill 4673, which is a consortium of 43 separate bills authored by at least 82 mem bers, to allow the deferment of this year’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections and move its date to the first Monday of Decem berSubsequent2023. synchronized BSKE was also set on the first Monday of 2026 and every three years thereafter.

MASS FOR THE MISSING. A priest officiates a Mass attended by relatives of missing cockfight enthusiasts at the Commission on Human Rights office on September 13. At least 34 ‘sabungeros’ have disappeared from different areas of Luzon since May last year at the height of the ‘online sabong’ issue. Manny

DAVAO City Rep. Paolo Duterte pushed for the development of the Philippines’ down stream natural gas industry to help meet the country’s fast-rising energy demand and cushion future spikes in fuel prices.

the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations and Orlando Marquez Sr. of the Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas.

position on hold over capacity “un less sooner removed or suspended for cause.”Dalipe said that Speaker Romualdez is supportive of the proposal because this would allow the Commission and Election and the Local Government Units to better prepare for clean and orderly barangay polls and provide the government ample time to apply cor rective adjustments to the honoraria of poll“Weworkers.needto pass this law ASAP (as soon as possible) because time is of the essence. The barangay and SK elec tions is just a few months away so we are hoping that we can approve this in the House on or before October 1. Hopefully, the Senate will do the same so that we can have an approved meas ure in time for the President’s signature before the election period,” Dalipe said.

Once passed into law, incumbent ba rangay and SK officials will retain their

Solon questions ERC on power quality

“Under the EPIRA, the sub-transmission assets are supposed to be divested. But this is not supposed to be divested to NGCP given that they are already the monopoly operator in transmission. These are supposed to be di vested to other interested parties particularly to distribution utilities,” Rep. Reyes added.

In Luzon, the LTCs are in Baguio City in Benguet, Lipa City in Batangas, and Naga City in Camarines Sur.

PLATFORM. Leaders of transport groups including Pasang Masda, Altodap, Piston, Auto, Fejodap hold a press conference on Tuesday to condemn the information technology platform being used by the Land Transportation Office (LTO). The system allegedly caused negligence and inadequacy in the agency’s functions.

V. Cruz

IN BRIEF

“There is already a disconnect. TRANSCO owns the assets, but the NGCP operates it. So therefore, we can’t determine who really is accountable in ensuring proper maintenance and power quality down the line?” Rep. Reyes queried.

In a resolution that granted the requests of Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, chairperson of the bar exami nations committee, the SC approved the suspension of its division and full court

THE Supreme Court (SC) issued an or der saying that there will be no work on November 9 and 16 in the SS, appellate and collegiate courts, and trial courts in the National Capital Region and in 13 oth er areas selected as local testing centers (LTCs) for the 2022 online and regional ized bar examinations.

By Rio N. Araja

House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe said the House leadership led by Speaker Martin Romualdez is deter mined to approve the bill by October 1

Manny Palmero da of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide, Boy Vargas of the Alliance of Trans port Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Liberty de Luna of

FIVE major transport groups on Tuesday slammed Germany-based Dermalog, the information technol ogy provider of the Land Transporta tion Office, for its “inefficiency” and “slow processing” in the application for the biometric driver’s licenses, vehicle registration and other transac tions.During a media briefing, Robert “Ka Obet” Martin, Pasang Masda na tional president, also hit the previous LTO officials for “non-transparency” and “failure to consult the transport groups” in tapping Dermalog as the official IT system provider of the agency’s Land Transportation Man agement System (LTMS).

THE National Treasury received more than P53.6 million and 11 real estate properties in connec tion with the direct bribery and money launder ing case of retired major general Carlos Garcia.

The real estate properties are in Baguio City, Batangas, Guimaras, and Iloilo that the turno ver is part of the plea bargaining agreement entered by Garcia where he was offered to cede P135.4 million worth of cash, real and personal properties he and his family owned in favor of the government, GMA News reported.

LWUA, the agency tasked to promote and oversee water sup ply development outside Metro Manila, has so far helped estab lish 532 operational water districts spread across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.Thiscovers 648 cities and munici palities, translating to 5.3 million households or 22 million Filipinos as of last December.

ANAKALUSUGAN Party-list Representa tive Ray Florence Reyes questioned offi cials of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on the quality of power given to vari ous utilities for distribution to health facili ties and household connections in a budget hearing last week at the Lower House.

The transport leaders urged the LTO to rescind its contract with Dermalog, and the Senate and House of Representatives to conduct a separate investigation into the “undue payments made by LTO’s past ad ministration to Dermalog despite its poor performance.” With Jun David

“Dermalog, not Guadiz, must apol ogize,” he told reporters.

Northern Cebu City, Southern Cebu City and Tacloban City in Leyte are the LTCs in the Visayas, while Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City and Zamboanga City are those for Mindanao.

“Despite the establishment of the Philip pine Energy Plan (PEP), threats of potential blackouts remain as the drilling activities in pursuit of exploring natural gas were halted. This is worsened by the skyrocketing prices of imported oil—signaling the urgent neces sity to tap alternative sources of energy, par ticularly cleaner energy, from indigenous sources,” Duterte and Yap said in filing HB 4097.Maricel V. Cruz

Lawyer Rawnsle Lopez, Ombudsman public information and media relations act ing director, said that as of date, a total of P135 million has been remitted by the Om budsman to the national treasury as forfeited properties of Garcia.

House set to approve brgy., SK polls reset

“As of date, a total of P135 million has al ready been remitted by the Ombudsman to the national treasury as forfeited properties of Gar cia,” Lopez said during the press conference. Lopez said this represented cash, motor vehicles, real estate properties in the Phil ippines and New York City, and funds from two accounts maintained in New York.

The GMA News report further said Garcia pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of direct bribery and facilitating money laundering instead of plunder and money laundering for conniving and conspiring with co-accused members of his family and amassing P303.2 million worth of ill-gotten wealth.

THE House Representativesof has approved on second reading the consolidated proposal which seeks the deferment of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) with only a little more than three months to spare before the scheduled barangay polls.

He was referring to the call of law yer Nikki de Vega of Dermalog that Assistant Secretary and LTO chair person Teofilo Guadiz III must apolo gize to Dermalog for blaming it over processing delays and long lines in district offices in the National Capital Region and in several provinces.

This is after benefit expenses amounting to P140.2 billion and operational expenses of P7.8 billion are deducted from PhilHealth’s total 2021 income of P171.2 billion, plus interest and other income amount ing to P9.7 “Becausebillion.every time we ask what is the actuarial life of PhilHealth, you always tell us that PhilHealth will die. Previously it was also asked what is actuarial life, Mr. President could not answer. He said, if you continue the subsidy, it will prob ably reach 2027. These pronounce ment are nerve-wracking. Our coun trymen might think PhilHealth is losing,” Quimbo said.

Treasury receives assets in Garcia bribery case

In filing House Bill 4097, Duterte is seeking to put in place a regulatory frame work that will aid the transition of the coun try’s emerging natural gas industry to a fully developed sector.

inations-related work, unencumbered by other court-related tasks,” the SC said.

The EPIRA Law aimed at providing af fordable and reliable electricity to Filipinos. It therefore divided the industry into opera tional segments and sold state assets to inter ested power stakeholders. But growing dis may on repetitive power outages mainly due to slow progress in the sale of state-owned sub-transmission assets pushed Reyes to question the maintenance and ownership of theERCassets.Acting

With production levels in the Malampaya gas field expected to fall substantially over the coming years, Duterte said Congress needs to act fast in passing HB 4097 and other similar measures in order to anticipate the elevated demand for electricity resulting from the country’s rapid post-pandemic growth.

This eventually led to the discovery of the “turtle-paced divestment” of govern ment transmission assets as provided for by Republic Act No. 9136 otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001.

“We’ve weathered the worst and we’re able to move forward with our initiatives and activities using alter native modes of communication. We now live in a new normal where we draw on the lessons learned from the past to find our path and finish the duties that lie ahead,” Dela Vega said.To mark the event, LWUA has lined up a three-day program from September 21 to 23 that in cludes sports activities, an out reach project, and a simple pro

Director for Regulatory Op erations Service Engineer Legario Galang Jr. bared that the National Transmission Corpo ration (TRANSCO) owns the assets but is operated by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

Duterte bats for dev’t of PH natural gas

The LTCs for the Bar examinations in the NCR will be in Northern Manila, Southern Manila, Pasay City, Quezon City, and Taguig City.

Based on PhilHealth data, it had a net income of P32.8 billion last year.

He was a lawyer and became actively involved in the local movement for independence.

Blanco Cabie, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 B1Opinion

From Misamis Occidental are Rufino Deloso, Simeon Ledesma and Capitan Daligdig.

EDITORIAL

In domestic consumption, government spending is already included. In effect, only two factors fuel economic growth—infrastructure (also known as capital goods or capital formation) and consumption. Together, household consumption and govern ment consumption account for as much as 84 percent of GDP (of the value of economic production in a givenTheyear).economy grew by 7.4 percent in the second quarter and by 8.2 percent in the first quarter of 2022.

Gen. Nicolas Capistrano: Unsung hero

There’s also National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos, a retired professor of Political Science at the University of the Philippines.

The 7.4 percent second quarter was powered by three things—household consumption which grew 8.6 percent, government consumption which rose

Since his revolutionary activities placed him in danger, he took his young bride to Cagayan de Misa mis with the hope of starting a new life.

ity, in layman’s term(s) believing in philosophies that may be left of center, so to speak, does not make anyone subversive... I hope that the peace talks can be revived so that we... can work together towards peace, equity, and authentic, real reforms in the coun tryside.”Andmore: ‘’All I can say is that having celebrat ed National Heroes’ Day, there are many heroes in our midst whom we see and who we do not see and know. Even heroes who may be associated with the CPP. I declare that I have worked with the NDF, and I am not ashamed of it.’’ She isn’t done yet: “I would not pass judgment and label certain organizations whose beliefs may be different from the general majority... When we look at it, we bear similar objectives, visions, dreams for our people.’’

She had indicated early on that she is amenable to resuming the peace talks with the NDF to resolve the more than 50-year armed rebellion still festering in the Philippine countryside.

That, they claim, shows that she has contacts in the underground and therefore must be a closet rebel as well, or at least has a soft spot for those who have taken up arms against the government.

The cancelation was announced after a brief dal

On April 7, 1901, exactly a year after the battle of Cagayan de Misamis, Gen. Capistrano and his men surrenderedPartofthe farewell address of the general to his men was this: “We fought through the war together for the defense of our Fatherland. As your chosen leader, I have done the best I could for you.

liance with the CPP-NPA-NDF that included the release from prison of some of its top leaders to take part in the negotiations that ultimately failed.

The whole year 2020 negative economic growth of 9.4 percent can only be recovered by 2025 but not after making 97 percent of our 10-year-olds completely stu pid. They cannot read, they cannot write and even if they can read, they cannot understand what they read.

Order 3, effective immediately, allow ing voluntary wearing of face masks in outdoor settings and reiterating the continued implementation of mini mum public health standards during the state of public health emergency relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Truly, it is unfair and unjust that our national he roes, according to history books, seem to be concen trated around the provinces around Metro Manila and in Luzon.Iamcertain that there were many heroes from the Visayas and Mindanao that deserve recognition.

In the meantime, the people do not have enough rice, enough corn, enough fish, enough sugar, enough salt, enough onions and nearly every food item, in cluding water.

BBM promises not to be a failure. It seems he will try to finish the 90 projects left hanging by his predecessor

Philippine CEOs believe it will take two years to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re doing this in stages, in phas es so that we can have feedback on whether or not these new policies are working and how to make them more efficient so that hopefully by the end of the year we might be able to be vol untarily masked indoors as well,” she said.

“As a major source of employment, having con tributed over six million jobs prior to the pandemic, infrastructure will continue to be among the top prior ities of the new administration,” says the PWC-MAP CEOAccordingsurvey. to President Marcos (BBM), his ad ministration will continue former President Duterte’s Build, Build, Build (BBB) projects, and will maintain infrastructure development spending at 5 percent to 6 percent of the country’s GDP.

Nothing much has been written about Cagayan de Oro City, except a three-inch book written by a Jesuit, Fr. Francisco R. Demetrio, all about Northern Min danao and the origin of the cities and their historical significance.Itisforthis reason why there is a need, as Rep. Rodriguez said in his bill recognizing the heroes of Mindanao, for the NHC to research more about the heroes from the Visayas and Mindanao to place ev

EDSA – the 22-km Epifanio delos Santos Avenue – used to be one of Metro Manila’s best infra projects. In 1986, EDSA proved convenient for the masses, as a place for them to gather, and revolt.

tration bloggers, even Senator Loren Legarda is “Red,” because she had in the past negotiated with the rebels for the release of their military captives, including a general.

When will we have peace?

Under the EO, those who have yet to complete their primary COVID-19 vaccination series, senior citizens, and immunocompromised persons are still “highly encouraged” to use face masks.

be worn in indoor, private or public establishments, including in public transportation by land, air or sea and in outdoor settings where physical dis tancing cannot be maintained.

The EO followed a report by the in dependent OCTA Research Group that the seven-day COVID-19 positivity rate in Metro Manila, where 13 million of the country’s 114 million population live, rose by 1.2 percent – from 12.1 percent on September 2 to 13.3 percent on September 9.

In his House Bill 1461, Rodriguez called on the National Historical Commission to comprehensively research on the lives of the Mindanao heroes as well as erect monuments and historical markers in their honor.Rodriguez added that “by recognizing the heroic struggle of the people of Mindanao against colonial rule and by declaring them as national heroes, the Mindanaoans who all fought that this nation might be free and independent can achieve a truthful and truly national celebration of the Philippine centennial and unity of the entire country.”

As narrated by the Jesuit priest, one decisive battle was the Battle of Cagayan.

He died in the house now occupied by the Montal bans, corner Burgos - Filipinas Streets and, as a token of gratitude, a street was named after him, the Pabayo Street.When Gen. Capistranio saw that his forces were losing, he ordered a retreat to avoid the slaughter of moreWhenmen.the Americans saw the Filipinos retreating, they pursued them up to the edge of the town.

The Geneva-based World Health Organization sets a 5 percent positivity benchmark for declaring that COVID in a particular area is under control.

erything in their proper perspective.

Cruz-Angeles said physical distanc ing and other minimum public health standards will also continue to be strict ly Theenforced.EOstill requires face masks to

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My wife’s grandfather, Nicolas, married a beauti ful half-Spanish beauty from Quiapo, who was the then reigning “La Estrella del Quiapo” (The Star of Quiapo) Cecilia Castaneda, whose family lived in Evangelista St. in Quiapo.

11.1 percent, and capital formation which showed unusual strength with a 20.5 percent real growth.

My wife and I are particularly interested in the case of General Nicolas Capistrano, the grandfather of my wife.Cagayan de Oro , in recognition of his heroism, had named one of the principal streets after him, “ General Nicolas Capistrano St.”. He is the father of my late father-in-law, Dr. Vicente C. Capistrano Sr.

Edifice complex

At the same time, OCTA noted that the reproduction number, referring to the number of new cases caused by one infected individual also rose from 0.93 on August 31 to 1.11 on September 7.

And perhaps what she said later is what got some people really hot under the collar.

biznewsasia@gmail.com

The bill immediately got support from the House of Representatives to honor unsung heroes from Mindanao who led the revolution in the fight for freedom and independence.

The PEPP seems to be undeterred, however, in pursuing its call for peace talks: “Every adminis tration, including that of your father, intensified its respective counter-insurgency program aimed at defeating the communist rebellion.

They added: “We are committed to working to gether for the common advocacy of achieving a just and enduring peace in our country.”

We too want the peace talks to resume to stop the violence and the bloodshed. But the two sides must rethink their respective positions and be willing to compromise.Foraslong as there’s unrest and disquiet in the countryside, we cannot hope to bring about sus tained socio-economic development that will elimi nate absolute poverty and improve the quality of life of the poor and the powerless.

Here’s what she actually said: “Believing in an ideology which may be different from the major

The EO still requires face masks to be worn in indoor, private or public establishments, including in public transportation by land, air or sea and in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained

According to Rodriguez, citing the heroism of the Moros, said, “ While they may not have partici pated in the actual combat during the revolution, their unwavering resistance to Spanish domination was enough contribution to the cause of freedom, and their resistance and offensive operations undermined the Spanish plan to subjugate the entire archipelago.”

“The US forces under the command of Gen. Bates, Col. Godwin of Company 40, US Volunteers and Major Jas. F. Case, commander of the companies stationed in Cagayan, took possession of Cagayan on March 30, 1900.

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

The following remained in town but rendered help to the revolutionists in money and service : Hon.

In August 2022, President Marcos Jr approved the review of the IRR of the Build- Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law with the objective of balancing the goals of both the private and public sectors.

For 2023 alone, the agriculture budget is P184.1 billion, up from P132 billion in 2022, and just 7.7 per cent of the gargantuan P2.375 trillion BBB budget.

The Reds, as the National Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) insists, include not only the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and the National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) but also mili tant party-list groups, sectoral organizations, and even the Then,religious.ifwe’re to believe rabid pro-adminis

Honor

If we extend that logic to the realm of humans, if someone looks like a communist, walks like a com munist, and talks like a communist, ergo he/she is a communist.Theveteran senator got into the crosshairs of pro-admin bloggers after she expressed concern over attacks on ideologies that deviate from the mainstream in the wake of what seemed to be an avalanche of “red-tagging” and the banning of “subversive” books.

We too want the peace talks to resume to stop the violence and the bloodshed. But the two sides must rethink their respective positions and be willing to compromise

And she cannot forget that when it was time for lunch she could see tenants coming down from the hills where they worked and saw a giant “kawa” of food waiting for them.

The Battle of Cagayan, under the command of Gen. Capistrano began at 4:00 AM Palm Sunday of April 7, 1900 and lasted till 6:00 AM of the same morning.Ninety patriots fell in the Battle of Cagayan. Apolinar Pabayo showed exceptional bravery in the battle and the only one who died in the barracks of the American soldiers.

Rodriguez lamented that in our books about na tional heroes and their struggle against colonial rule, especially from Mindanao and the Visayas these thus far nameless heroes were not recorded because histo rians were mostly from Manila and Luzon.

From Surigao are Simeon Gonzales, Wenceslao Gonzales and Daniel Toribio Sison. From Cotabato are Datu Uto and Datu Ali. From Marawi, Amai Pakpak. And from Zamboanga, Vicente Alvarez.

Voluntary wearing of face masks

Another historical account recorded that “After almost a year of fighting the Americans, Capist rano and his men went up to the mountains of Bukidnon.Mostofthe American soldiers who were after him were veterans of the native Indian wars in the United States and were persistently chasing him with their superiorSensingweaponry.thatthe war would go on for a long time because it was strongly supported by the people, American officers approached Manuel Corrales and other officials to request for a round of peace talks with Gen. Capistrano.

My wife cannot forget that before World War II, when she was about eight or nine years old, her father used to let her and her brothers spend their summers at the hacienda of their grandfather Nicolas Capistra no in Gusa, Cagayan de Oro, in a mansion by the sea.

Manuel Corrales, Tirso Neri, Cipriano Vamenta, Hon. Pio Roa y Alcala, Ramon Chaves and Hilario Maandar whose lives were in danger every hour.

A whopping P10.78 trillion for all kinds of vertical and physical projects. It is the largest ever infra spend ing in the history of this country. Wow.

TO COMMEMORATE National Heroes day last month, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez filed House Bill No. 1461 seeking to declare as national heroes those who led the revolution against Span ish and American colonizers in Mindanao, calling it “The Mindanao Heroes Act”.

The increase was seen after an aver age of 10,247 daily RT-PCR tests were done over the past week.

The reproduction number has in creased to greater than one, which means, according to OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David, “infections areCruz-Angelesincreasing.” said the voluntary wearing of face masks will be imple mented in phases or stages to gather feedback from health authorities.

The Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP), a network of church leaders from various religious federations, including the Catholic Bish ops Conference of the Philippines, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, the Phil ippine Council of Evangelical Churches, the Con ference of Major Superiors of the Philippines, and the Ecumenical Bishops Forum, is also appealing to the new Chief Executive to resume the peace negotiations canceled by the Duterte administra tion in 2017.

unfinished by Duterte and complete his own set of BBBDuterteventures.listed 119 BBB projects. A disappointing 19 were completed in the past three years, with 10 to be completed by December 2022. That’s a delivery efficiency of 24 percent or a non-completion rate of 76 percent. In other words, Duterte’s BBB program was a BBMfailure.promises not to be a failure. It seems he will try to finish the 90 projects left hanging by his predecessor.Accordingly, from 2023 to 2028, Marcos Jr wants to spend P10.78 trillion in infra or BBB—P2.375 trillion in 2023, P2 trillion in 2024, P1.713 trillion in 2025, P1.512 trillion in 2026, P1.397 trillion in 2027, and P1.28 trillion in 2028.

The worst health crisis in 100 years triggered the deepest economic slowdown since the war, with the economy collapsing by as low as 17 percent in the second quarter of 2020, after averaging 6.1 percent growth in the whole of 2019 and 6.3 percent in 2018.

To help accelerate improvements in infrastructure, BBM is also encouraging local government units to enter into public-private partnerships (PPP).

They spill into the streets.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Ange les said the policy will be reviewed if the voluntary face mask policy would cause an increase in COVID-19 cases.

TBH, I don’t know. And I don’t think anyone knows.That’s an Instagram currency which means “to be Buthonest.”thatdoesn’t stop people from asking the new administration to resume political negotiations with the mainstream Left.

The officials exercised wisdom and prudence by agreeing to the request after they saw the futility of prolonging the war.

of the three SARS-CoV-2 targets) or multiplexed into a single reaction (con taining all 3 SARS-CoV-2 targets) and amplification set up.

“On the same day, Atty. Nicolas Capistrano as sumed command not only of the revolutionary forc es, but also became Chief Executive of the province. He proceeded immediately to Gango, a sitio on the plateau about 9 km. from Cagayan and reorganized the revolutionary forces.”

“Despite the massive campaigns implemented by these administrations to end this armed conflict, it has continued to rage, particularly in the countryside, causing internal displacement in the most vulnerable communities.“Thislong-running conflict only mirrors how deeply embedded its roots are in social injustice. Can there be peace without justice and meaningful change in the lives of the majority of our people who continue to wallow in poverty and misery?”

Apart from Secretary Carlos, the religious sector is also urging President Marcos Jr. to reconstitute the government peace panel with the NDF.

“Such review is in anticipation of increased PPP activities in the country,” notes the PWC survey, Like President Duterte, President BBM also has an edifice complex. He will finish the BBB projects

IN THE PWC-Management Association of the Phil ippines 2022 survey of local CEOs, three factors are key growth drivers of the economy in the next 12 months—infrastructure (cited by 62 percent of re spondents), domestic consumption (59 percent), and government spending (41 percent).

The following are the heroes from Mindanao, as listed by FromRodriguez.Cagayande oro City and Misamis Oriental are Nicolas Capistrano, Apolinar Velez, Vicente Roa and Apolinario Pabayo.

In the history of nations, when people are hungry they become restive, they revolt.

The hacienda of my wife’s grandfather harvested copra and exported them.

The first meeting was a failure. But after Capist rano heard that Aguinaldo was captured in Palanan, Isabela on March 23, 1901, Capistrano requested the Americans for terms of peace….The leaders knew when to lead and when it was time to surrender.

Gen. Capistrano reorganized the revolutionary forces under a new plan: Gen. Nicolas Capistrano - Commander in chief; Major Justo Gaerlan - As sistant Commander in chief; Major Apolinar Velez - Battalion Commander; Major Pacana - Chief Quar termaster;MajorPablo Mercado - Hand Weapon Company Commander and Mr. Santiago del Castillo as the Secretary to Gen. Capistrano.

There were many encounters between the Ameri cans and the revolutionaries led by Gen. Capistrano until the surrender of Emilio Aguinaldo in 1901.

DESPITE goodcrowdedinoutdoorwearingJr.PresidentinpositivityCOVIDraterisingMetroManila,FerdinandMarcoshasallowedthevoluntaryoffacemasksinsettings,particularlyopenspacesandnon-outdoorareaswithventilation.MalacananghasreleasedExecutive

In the streets of Cagayan lay the dead, the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the sake of their coun try’s freedom. The street, “Heroes of Cagayan,” was named in their honor.

The COVID-19 RT-PCR Test is a real-time reverse transcription poly merase chain reaction (rRT -PCR) test, which can be run in a singleplex for mat (three individual assays for each

She said there isn’t any law or pronouncement from the government that has stated that the CPP or similar organizations, movements, beliefs, associa tions are enemies of the state: “If we see and study what they actually believe and want, it is social jus tice.”It’s not just this longtime lawmaker who wants peace to reign in this benighted land.

That logic is consistent with what’s been called the “duck theory” of communism, which says that “if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it is a duck.”

Truly, it is unfair and unjust that our national heroes, according to history books, seem to be concentrated around the provinces around Metro Manila and in Luzon

He was a lawyer, then later on became a Senator of Misamis , then after that a judge in Samar.

“God grant that hereafter our people will enjoy greater freedom as a result of the war. You are now ready to return to your loved ones and to live in peace and work for the interest of your country.”

The retaliatory fire came as Ukraine said forces had retaken more than 20 additional settlements, claiming “Russian troops are hastily abandon ing their positions and fleeing”.

The king, meanwhile, will make his first trip to Northern Ireland since his ac cession, followed by Wales on Friday.

Ruto to be sworn in as Kenya’s president after divisive election

The retreat of Russian troops in recent days has drawn weeping and relieved locals into bomb-cratered streets, including on Sunday in the strategic but heavily damaged town of “It’sIzyum.not enough to say I’m happy. I just don’t have enough words to ex press myself,” said Yuriy Kurochka, 64.Yet by Monday, Moscow had an nounced air, rocket and artillery attacks on reclaimed areas in the Kharkiv region, a day after Kyiv said Russian strikes on electricity infra structure had caused power failures.

President Emmanuel Macron, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the United States Secretary of State Antony Blink en to demand “an adequate reaction” to “Azerbaijan’s aggressive acts.”

August 9 election.

KRAMATORSK, Ukraine—Ukraine said Monday that its forces regained yet more ground in the past 24 hours and retook an area seven times the size of Kyiv this month, as Russia re sponded with strikes on some recap turedTheareas.territorial shifts marked one of Russia’s biggest reversals since its troops were turned back from Kyiv in the earliest days of the nearly seven months of fighting, yet Moscow sig naled it was no closer to agreeing to a negotiated peace.

Several people were injured as crowds tried to force their way into the site, with television footage showing dozens of people falling on top of each other in a crush at one entrance gate.

About 100 delegations from 50 countries are expected to take part in the event in Kazakhstan, a former So viet republic that gained independence in “Dialogue,1991. a coming together, the search for peace between different re ligious and cultural worlds are at the heart of this trip,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Monday.

WorldWEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2022B2 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

YEREVAN,

tested Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Luxury brands drop Chinese star Li arrested for soliciting sex workers

The 85-year-old said Sunday that the 38th trip abroad since his election

Earlier Monday, Charles, flanked by his three siblings, led a procession on foot carrying the queen’s body through hushed Edinburgh streets packed with mourners. AFP

State media said Li, 35, had recently been detained and charged by police in Beijing for “soliciting prostitution on multiple occasions”, and had allegedly confessed.Global and local brands including luxury fashion house Prada, watchmaker

“Dawn of Ruto era,” trumpeted the front page headline in The Standard newspaper, while the Star said: “Time for Ruto.”

As people paid their respects, four members of the monarch’s Scottish bodyguard, the Royal Company of Ar chers, stood heads bowed at each cor ner of the oak casket resting in the 12th century St Giles’ Cathedral.

Ukraine says it’smorerecapturedground

The Argentine pope, who is forced by knee pain to use a wheelchair and has admitted he must slow down or consider retirement, will take part in an inter-religious summit in the capi tal,FrancisNur-Sultan.departed from Rome’s Fi umicino airport at 7:35am (05:35 GMT) on an ITA Airways plane.

The 55-year-old rags-to-riches busi nessman who once sold chickens on the roadside will become the fifth president in Kenya’s post-independence history.

“Azerbaijani armed forces are under taking limited and targeted steps, neu tralizing Armenian firing positions,” it said in a statement. AFP

US DOJ agrees to Trump ‘special master’ proposal

FRENCH FIRE. In this photograph taken on late September 12, a firefighter stands in front of flames at a night wildfire in Saumos near Bordeaux, southwestern France. The fire in progress has covered 1,300 hectares of vegetation and forest and forced the evacuation of the town in a context of high temperatures in Gironde.

the defense ministry in Yerevan said, adding that the two “agreed to take nec essary steps to stabilize the situation.”

NOTICE

Panerai and French cognac maker Remy Martin issued statements on Sunday say ing they had dropped Li as their brand ambassador following the scandal.

BEIJING—Global brands including Prada and Remy Martin have cut ties with Chinese superstar Li Yifeng, after the actor was detained for soliciting sex workers.Libecomes the latest in a line of art ists to find themselves in legal trouble re cently, as the government cracks down on China’s entertainment industry, stepping up efforts to rein in what it calls “chaotic fan culture” and celebrity excess.

Armenian Defence Minister Suren Papikyan and Russian counterpart Ser gei Shoigu “held a phone conversa tion to discuss Azerbaijan’s aggression against Armenia’s sovereign territory,”

About 20 heads of state and govern ment are expected to attend the cer emony, with Ruto by law obligated to take the oath of office by 2:00 pm (1100 GMT), five weeks to the day since the

“Azerbaijani forces continue using artil lery, trench mortars, and drones... striking military and civilian infrastructure. The enemy is trying to advance (into Armenian territory),” Armenia’s defense ministry in Yerevan said early on Tuesday.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s office said he called French

The actor, who played revolutionary leader Mao Zedong in a 2021 biopic to mark the centenary of the Chinese Com munist Party, is hugely popular, with more than 60 million followers on Chi na’s Twitter-like platform Weibo.

Armenia—Armenia appealed to world leaders for help on Tuesday, saying that Azerbaijani forces were trying to advance onto its territory amid deadly clashes along the arch foes’ shared

WASHINGTON—The US Department of Justice will accept the appointment of one of the judges proposed by Donald Trump as a “special master” in the investigation of classified documents seized from the former president’s Florida home last month, it said Monday.Despite pushback from the department, federal judge Aileen Cannon agreed last week to grant Trump’s request to name an independent re viewer for the case, assigned to look over the hun dreds of rials.oftentialprobeto“likelydocumentssayingJusticepressure,ingFBILagofromdocumentsclassifiedtakenhisMar-a-resortinanraidAugust8.TrumpisfacmountinglegalwiththeDepartmenttop-secretwereconcealed”obstructanFBIintohispomishandlingclassifiedmate

Manila Standard TODAY (MS-SEPT. 7/14/21, 2022) NOTICE

A notoriously ambitious politician who has been deputy president since 2013, Ruto beat his rival Raila Odin ga —who had been backed by outgo ing president Uhuru Kenyatta—by less than two percentage points.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

‘Azerbaijan trying to push into Armenia’

While the pope has called for peace and denounced a “cruel and sense less war”, Kirill has defended Putin’s “military operation” and the fight against Russia’s “external and internal enemies”.

Earlier, Azerbaijani defense ministry said its forces were responding to Arme nian provocation and denied claims that they were hitting civilian infrastructure.

The king then joined his siblings in a vigil, with the coffin draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland and topped with a wreath including heather from Balmoral, and the ancient Crown of Scotland.Charles, 73, Anne, the Princess Roy al, 72, Andrew, the Duke of York, 62, and Edward, the Duke of Wessex, 58, stood eyes closed for about 10 minutes around the casket.

of thousands of spec tators packed a Nairobi stadium on Tuesday to watch William Ruto being sworn in as Kenya’s president after his narrow victory in a bitterly fought but largely peaceful election.

Pashinyan also chaired an emergency session of the country’s security council that agreed to formally ask for military help from ally Moscow, which is obligated under a current treaty to defend Armenia in the event of foreign invasion.

STANDING VIGIL. Britain’s King Charles III attends a vigil at St Giles’ Cathedral, in Edinburgh, on September 12 following the death of His Majesty’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8. Mourners will get the first opportunity to pay respects before the coffin of Britain’s longest ruling monarch before it goes to London for a state burial. AFP

POPE Francis, warned by doctors not to travel to Ukraine in the immediate future, will Tuesday bear a message of peace instead to a tense Central Asia with a three-day trip to Kazakhstan.

STADIUM STAMPEDE. Kenyan security forces intervene during a stampede at the entrance of the Moi International Sports Center Kasarani in Nairobi, Kenya, on September 13, ahead of incoming President William Ruto’s inauguration ceremony. AFP

NAIROBI—Tensborder.

YEREVAN ASKS FOR HELP

AFP

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, was initially expected but has pulled out of the September 14-15 event, dashing hopes of a meeting with Fran cis over the Ukraine conflict.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday said Ukrainian forces had made “significant prog ress”, due to their resilience as well as US “It’ssupport.tooearly to tell exactly where this is going. The Russians maintain very significant forces in Ukraine as well as equipment and arms and mu nitions. They continue to use it indis criminately against not just the Ukrai nian armed forces but civilians and civilian infrastructure as we’ve seen,” Blinken said. AFP

Fighting erupted overnight along the volatile border between the Caucasus neighbors, leaving troops dead on both sides, defense ministries in Baku and Yerevan said, without giving the num ber of casualties.

Pope heads to Kazakhstan on Central Asia peace drive

His rise to State House has been closely watched by the international community, which depends on Kenya as a reliable and stable democratic part ner in a turbulent region. AFP

In a show of national togetherness as he embarks on his kingship—a role for which he has spent a lifetime preparing —Charles has pledged to visit all four nations of the United Kingdom.

AFP

in 2013 would be “an opportunity... to (have a) dialogue as brothers, animated by the common desire for peace, peace that our world is thirsty for”.

He now faces a daunting task to steer a po larised country gripped by a cost-of-living cri sis and punishing drought, say analysts.

The pope is expected to land Tues day shortly before 6:00 pm (1200 GMT) in Nur-Sultan, where he will go to the presidential palace and deliver a first speech to the authorities and the diplomatic corps. AFP

Kyiv had already announced the recapture of Izyum in the country’s east, while President Volodymyr Zel ensky said Monday that Ukraine’s forces retook a total of 6,000 square kilometres (2,320 square miles) from Russian control in September.

He has denied all country.”theonegregious“onesayingwrongdoing,theraidwasofthemostassaultsdemocracyinhistoryofour

IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE ESTATE OF THE LATE EMILIA. B. ALAYA-AY WAS SIQUIJORJR.PUBLICOF20;PERSETTLEDEXTRAJUDICIALLYBYHEIRSASDOC.NO.96;PAGEBOOKNO.39;SERIES2022BEFORENOTARYAtty.ORLANDOFUAOFTHEPROVINCEOF(MS-SEPT.7/14/21,2022) LEGAL DIVISIONAGREEMENTNOTICEONOFINHERITANCE Notice is hereby given that the legal heirs of the late AKIHIKO TERADA (the “Decedent”) who died intestate on September 28, 2019, in Japan, have executed an AGREEMENT ON DIVISION OF INHERITANCE. The parties, being all of legal age, hereby adjudicate unto themselves the properties left by the decedent. The Agreement was notarized as per Notarial Certificate Registration No. ’220142 by ASAKA Kikuo, a Notary under Kyobashi Notary Office and Apostilled in Tokyo, Japan by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Hamamoto Hiroki with Doc. No. 22-003114.

Anne will on Tuesday accompany Elizabeth’s body on the next leg of its journey south from Edinburgh to an airfield near London by Royal Air ForceCrowdsjet. of mourners are expected to line the route into the city as the cof fin is driven to Buckingham Palace for more than four days’ lying in state ahead of her funeral next Monday.

Armenia is a member of the Russialed Collective Security Treaty Organisa tion (CSTO) which also includes former Soviet republics Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

Police have told Kenyans to watch proceedings from home after the 60,000-seat stadium was filled before dawn, with many spectators clad in the bright yellow of Ruto’s party and wav ing Kenyan flags.

EDINBURGH—Mourners in Edin burgh, some in tears, filed past the cof fin of Queen Elizabeth II through the night before new king Charles III trav els to Northern Ireland Tuesday and the monarch’s coffin returns to London.

Tears for Queen Elizabeth II as her coffin rests in Scotland

Only last month, he was on the catwalk in Beijing showcasing Prada’s fall 2022 collection.Aspate of scandals in recent months have taken down China’s biggest enter tainers including singer Kris Wu, who was arrested on suspicion of rape last August. AFP

The escalation marked the latest flare up since the end of the 2020 war be tween Yerevan and Baku over the con

morning, according to a spokesperson for the Minnesota Nurses Association which was coordinating the action.

They project a one percent increase in food prices in the month, with hous ing up 0.6 Inflationpercent.alsohas become a hot political issue just weeks away from key midterm congressional elec tions, and Biden has made fighting high prices his top domestic priority, so any relief will be welcomed at the White“InflationHouse.is way too high, and it’s essential that we bring it down,” Trea sury Secretary Janet Yellen said Sun day, echoing a comment she and other administration officials have made re peatedly to show their sympathy with the plight faced by consumers and firms.The Federal Reserve views infla tion as the biggest risk to the world’s largest economy, and has moved ag gressively to cool demand, increas ing the benchmark lending rate four times this year, with a third consecu tive three-quarter point hike widely expected next week. AFP

Holding signs bearing messages such as “Patients Before Profits,” employees gathered in groups in the early morning hours to protest outside some of the 16 affected hospitals, according to photographs the union posted online.

“If it’s less than 40, the (suction) level is excessive; if it’s more than 80, it’s too low,” she explained, her eyes glued to the machine’s needle.

“The president and members of the cabinet have been in touch today with both unions and companies involved in order to try to avert a strike,” an administration official told AFP on condition of Septemberanonymity.16isthe deadline for US unions and freight railroad com panies to reach a collective bargain ing agreement. Out of the 12 unions representing different workers, two have yet to make a deal and their workers could go on strike.

Huge American nurses’ strike begins, with 15,000 interrupting work

The consumer price index (CPI), a key measure of inflation, is expected to have fallen in August compared to the prior month—the first decline since November 2020. The Labor Depart ment is due to release the latest data

While Americans will welcome re lief at the pump, from the steady drop in gasoline prices, high costs for food and housing continue to strain family budgets.

Her job is to measure in a metal tube the draw of each cigar to ensure that the smoker gets the perfect puff.

Some 60 percent of the workers are women—following a tradition at the factory founded by Castro’s comradein-arms Celia Sanchez—that aims to give opportunities to single mothers or women in difficulty.

The factory “did not stop for a single day” during the pandemic, eventually making cigars “the country’s secondlargest export,” Rodriguez said.

“The fact that we are already seeing some impacts of contingency plan ning by railways again demonstrates that a shutdown of our freight rail system is an unacceptable outcome for our economy and the American people, and all parties must work to avoid that.” AFP

Business WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 || B3 extrastory2000@gmail.com

The rest of Asian stocks largely con tinued a global rally on Tuesday, Stocks rose in Japan, Australia, Sin gapore and Taiwan, with South Korea and Shanghai also gaining after reopen ing following a public holiday. Europe an stocks were steady at the open.

Biden preparing to mediate to avert harmful train strike

percent in 2021, totaling $568 million, according to Habanos S.A., which includes all national brands. That constitutes a significant boon for the Cuban economy, which is in the grips of its worst crisis in 30 years, with daily shortages and power cuts.

WASHINGTON, United States— President Joe Biden on Monday sought to mediate in a labor dispute threatening to paralyze the US train network with strikes likely to hurt the wider US economy, the White House said.

Market declines slightly; AbaCore and URC down market slipped Tuesday on slightly slowing

Cuba factory that rolled Castro’s cigars still strives for the perfect puff

A group representing the hospitals says it has proposed wage increases of 10-12 percent over three years. The nurses are seeking raises in the range of 27-30 percent.

It is necessary to control “the quality, the weight, the length... the thickness,” she said, scrutinizing boxes brimming with cigars under a large portrait of Communist revolutionary icon Ernesto “Che”CohibaGuevara.cigars, which include a wide range of styles, can cost $30 to $200 each, both in Cuba and abroad.

AbaCore Capital Holdings Inc., a company that holds an exclusive right to lease online lottery equipment for the lotto operations of the Philippine Char ity Sweepstakes Office in Visayas and Mindanao, sank 14.3 percent to P2.34, while major property developer Ayala Land Inc. of the Ayala Group dropped 2.2 percent to P28.50.

US consumer price index (CPI) data will be released on Tuesday, with ana lysts expecting inflation to slow to eight percent, driven mostly by falling gaso line prices. US inflation hit a 40-year high in June, touching 9.1 percent.

The Association of American Rail roads warned of steep economic fall out.

While the overall US inflation number is expected to slow, prices for food and housing are projected to have increased, raising the strain on household budgets.

But it stressed it will continue to offer its “full range of services” including inpatient, outpatient and emergency care, and that it would serve customers for any previously scheduled appointments.

The Fed has already instituted two consecutive rate hikes of that amount, and in recent days bank chief Jerome Powell has indicated the increases will continue until inflation is tamed.

Hong Kong shares edged lower at the close, erasing modest gains made ear lier in the day.

Easing inflation, however, is unlikely to slow the pace of the US Federal Re

serve’s tightening of monetary policy, with another 75-basis-point interest rate hike expected at its meeting next week.

The factory is the birthplace of Cohiba cigars, Cuba’s most prestigious brand. The name recalls the way the native Taino people referred to the rolled tobacco leaves theyRollingsmoked.one’s own leaves is a tradition that endures among farmers in the western province of Pinar del Rio, where most Cuban tobacco farms are located.

are overcharged,” MNA said in a statement.Theunion said it was seeking solutions to staffing shortages and work safety issues, while hospitals want to focus solely on salaries.

profit making ahead of the release of key US consumer price data that is expected to show

The El Laguito factory opened in 1966 in western Havana to make the cigars favored by the hero of the 1959 Communist revolution and longtime president Fidel Castro.

inflation in the world’s largest economy. MOSTVOLUMEACTIVEVALUE (PHP) 1 ABA 222,272,000 562,451,900 2 SMC 3,067,120 300,586,315 3 ALI 10,496,000 298,758,650 4 BDO 2,298,550 297,067,723 5 SM 307,590 272,047,120 6 BPI 2,750,500 270,796,842 7 SMPH 5,931,300 216,498,815 8 URC 1,253,380 158,383,833 9 AC 210,430 154,360,510 10 GLO 66,115 141,091,500 TOP LASTGAINERS % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE 1 ALCPC 104.7 13.55 14.87% 2 MJC 1.5 0.1 7.14% 3 ORE 0.79 0.05 6.76% 4 ROX 1.1 0.05 4.76% 5 TFHI 110 4.6 4.36% 6 SEVN 74 3 4.23% 7 CEI 0.082 0.003 3.80% 8 ELI 0.2 0.007 3.63% 9 CNPF 25 0.75 3.09% 10 PGOLD 34.8 1 2.96% TOPPRICELASTLOSERS%CHANGECHANGE 1 MBC 6.32 -2.04 -24.40% 2 ABA 2.34 -0.39 -14.29% 3 COAL 0.202 -0.018 -8.18% 4 LCB 0.12 -0.01 -7.69% 5 BALAI 0.76 -0.06 -7.32% 6 PHR 1 -0.07 -6.54% 7 LC 0.117 -0.008 -6.40% 8 ASLAG 2.1 -0.14 -6.25% 9 VUL 0.99 -0.06 -5.71% 10 WEB 3.1 -0.16 -4.91% PSEi September 13, 2022

There would also be a political hit for Democrats ahead of difficult No vember midterms in which voters are already worried about inflation in the post-pandemic economy, where sup ply chain issues have been a constant scourge.TheLabor Department said in a statement that “the parties continue to Labornegotiate.”Secretary Marty Walsh “en gaged to push the parties to reach a resolution that averts any shutdown of our rail system. This followed on dozens of calls from the president’s cabinet and top administration offi cials,” the statement said.

Spain, China, Germany, France and

A worker checks the cigars quality at the Cohiba factory in Havana, on September 8, 2022. Cohiba cigars, the most exclusive and demanded of Cuban cigars, celebrate from today until Friday their 55th anniversary as icons of Cuba’s tobacco industry and the most emblematic brand worldwide of the Habanos S.A. Corporation. AFP

SCHIPHOL QUEUE. Travelers queue at Schiphol Airport, on September 12, 2022, after Schiphol Airport asked a number of airlines to cancel flights due to a shortage of security personnel. AFP

THE stock

Universal Robina Corp. of the Go kongwei Group, the biggest snack food maker, declined 1.5 percent to P126.40, but BDO Unibank Inc. of the Sy Group, the largest lender in terms of assets,

Tuesday.Theannual inflation pace also is likely to have improved to 8.0 percent, according to a MarketWatch consen sus forecast, from the blistering 9.1 percent rate in June—the highest in 40 years.Prices have been soaring for months, exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has impacted en ergy and food prices, as well as ongo ing supply chain snarls amid COVID lockdowns in China.

The three-day nurses’ stoppage was set to last until Thursday

“Right now in Minnesota, nurses are overworked, hospitals are understaffed, and patients

“may be making some adjustments to non-emergency care and services to ensure adequate and safe staffing during the strike period.”

US inflation likely eased in August —but not enough

North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale, Minnesota said it

By Leticia Pineda

HAVANA, Cuba—Seated before a machine that checks cigar quality, Orquidea Gonzalez says she is proud to carry on the craft’s tradition and contribute to an export industry that has grown during the pandemic.“Ilovemaking cigars. This is where I’ve spent my life, and it’s an art. Not everyone knows how to make cigars, like not everyone knows how to paint a picture,” said the 55-year-old factory worker.

“It was a privilege to be able to say, ‘I made the president’s cigars,’” said Orquidea Gonzalez, hard at work at the factory, which is housed in an elegant 1950s villa.

Another founder, Norma Fernandez, who died during the pandemic, rolled the cigars for the leader of the revolution.

Caridad Mesa, now 55, started working at El Laguito as a cleaning lady. Thirty years later, she is in charge of spotting the smallest defects in the cigars.

“Risks remain skewed to the upside, due to an uncertain outlook for key inputs, including agricultural and en ergy commodities, as well as the passthrough of wage gains in a tight labor market,” according to Barclays US an alysts Pooja Sriram and Jonathan Hill.

NEW YORK, United States— The largest private sector nurses’ strike in US history kicked off Monday, organizers said, with some 15,000 workers in hospitals across Minnesota and Wisconsin demanding better working conditions and higher wages.

rose 1.5 percent to P129.90.

“Cuban tobacco is distinguished from all other kinds by the flavor of the land of Pinar del Rio,” said Gonzalez. It is there, she added, “where the best tobacco crops are grown.” AFP

Strikes in the United States have occurred regularly over the past year, with employees reporting to be exhausted by working during the COVID-19 pandemic and struggling with price rises.

Hospitals have planned to continue providing care, albeit with possible disruptions.

The two sides have been negotiating for more than five months, without reaching an agreement.

Last week, the European Central Bank also adopted a policy of monetary tight ening, raising its key rate by a historic 75 basis points, with analysts expecting a similar-sized increase at the next policy meeting in October. With AFP

The hospitals argue that “with the constant change in healthcare, all those who work in healthcare need to adapt to how we serve people.”

Switzerland are among the top buyers. Expertly handling curved blades and a sticky substance, dozens of workers put the finishing touches on the ends of newly rolled cigars.

“Risks remain skewed to the upside, due to an uncertain outlook for key in puts, including agricultural and energy commodities, as well as the pass-through of wage gains in a tight labour market,” according to Barclays US analysts Pooja Sriram and Jonathan Hill.

Flavor Castro’s favorite cigar, the Cohiba Lancero, which he smoked until he quit in 1985 at the age of 59, is still produced in the “Despitefactory.all the difficulties we face,” the goal is to manufacture “nearly two million” cigars in 2022, or roughly 9,000 a day, said factory head Oscar Rodriguez.Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Cuban cigar exports grew by 15

AFP

The Philippine Stock Exchange In dex fell 13.94 points, 0.2 percent, to 6,701.81 on a value turnover of P5.5 billion. Losers beat gainers, 107 to 71, with 44 issues unchanged.

WASHINGTON, United States—US inflation likely slowed in August, largely thanks to falling gasoline prices, but not enough to satisfy poli cymakers, especially President Joe Biden, as high prices continue to in flict pain on American families and businesses.

The East Bay WTP is part of the East Bay Water Supply System Project that seeks to expand Manila Water’s services to more towns in Rizal

SINGAPORE-BASED Macquarie Capital and SunAsia Energy disclosed plans to invest $1.2 billion on putting up a 1,300-megawatt floating solar plant on Laguna Lake.

Under the agreement, the floating so lar plant to be installed on the water sur face of Laguna Lake will cover the cities of Calamba, Sta Rosa and Cabuyao, and the towns of Bay and Victoria.

The government acknowledged two Singaporean companies with active program on climate change mitigation, including Macquarie Capital.

San Miguel gets consent on Cavite-Batangas road

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor

HRC, founded by the late Jose Tuason Jr., has business interests in agriculture, property development, leisure and tourism, food and port operations.ICTSIearlier reported a net income of $294.5 million in the first half, up from $196.7 million it earned a year ago on the back of a 20-percent in crease in revenues.

TheProvince.project includes the construction of an 8-millionliter capacity reservoir, an intake structure, pumping station and water treatment plant using dissolved air flotation system, multi-media and granular activated carbon filters and reverse osmosis system.MWC through wholly-owned subsidiary Manila Water Philippine Ventures Inc. also has bulk water supply deals in Clark, Cebu, Boracay, Davao and other areas.

Megaworld: Landers to rise in Bacolod City

pressway, the Skyway System and the NAIA Expressway.

Macquarie, Sun Energy investing $1.2b in Laguna solar project

IOC is a 30-meter-wide video wall displaying various network dash boards, which enables PLDT and Smart’s network teams to immediate ly identify areas affected by service outages and proactively reach out to impacted customers, especially in the event of disasters and calamities.

It also proposed to build the Pasig River Expressway, a 19.37-km. elevated road along Pasig River that will link the eastern and western sections of Metro Manila—from Rizal province to the city of SMCManila.envisions PAREX as a hybrid infrastructure that can be used by mo torists, public transport, cyclists and pedestrians to further enhance acces sibility and traffic decongestion, while encouraging multiple modes of trans portation. Its design will also incorpo rate green architecture principles.

ICTSI unit sells Davao port firm stake for P325m

Darwin G. Amojelar

“Accordingly, the provincial govern ment of Cavite also granted original proponent status to SMHC on June 30, giving it the right to proceed with de tailed negotiations and if successful, to exercise the right to match the best comparative that may be submitted dur ing the competitive challenge process,” Abutan said.

San Miguel’s expressway portfo lio includes the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, the Southern Ta galog Arterial Road, South Luzon Ex

This Integrated Operations Center is just another concrete proof of that com mitment, having built this facility with the goal of elevating customer experi ence,” said PLDT and Smart president and chief executive Alfredo Panlilio.

“The project will not only aid in miti gating climate change, but also help the

“With our investment in the PLDTSmart IOC, which will oversee the op erations and monitor the performance of the country’s most extensive fiber

The project is a 27.06-kilometer toll road from the municipalities of Silang, Amadeo, Tagaytay, Indang, Mendez and

extrastory2000@gmail.combusiness@manilastandard.net

“We are very happy and excited to host another Landers in our township. This time, inside The Upper East township in Bacolod, which is envisioned to be Bacolod’s newest central business district. This will be one of our anchor commercial establishments that will be directly connected to our iconic Up per East Mall,” said Graham Coates, first vice president and head of Megaworld Life style

Macquarie Capital head of invest ments for infrastructure and energy Oli ver Lewis signed a letter of intent dur ing the state visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Singapore on Sept. 7, 2022.

The share price of MWC was unchanged at P15.40 Tuesday.

Filinvest fully supports shift to green spaces

“We are also contributing greatly to helping the government realize its am bition to improve the country’s digital infrastructure, making available the best of our technologies to put the Philip pines at par with the rest of Asia and the world,” he said.

BPI upbeat on loans to small enterprises

GREEN strategies are seen to have a greater impact on real estate decisions of office oc cupiers said property consultant Jones Lang LaSalle Singapore in its recently released global study, Future of Work 2022.

PLDT Group on Tuesday inaugurated its integrated operations center, a twostory cutting-edge facility in Makati City, which is seen to enhance the group’s capability to deliver leveled-up services.“Thiscutting-edge facility is the lat est testament to the commitment of the PLDT Group to be at the forefront of innovation in the country,” PLDT chair man Manuel Pangilinan said.

“The loan will be used to finance Manila Water’s capital expenditure projects,” the company said.

MWC had 1,132,976 water service connections as of end-June, or about 7.4 million residents in the eastern part of Metro Manila and the entire province of Rizal.

A WHOLLY-OWNED subsidiary of International Container Terminals Services Inc. sold its stake in Hijo International Port Services Inc. to a corporation owned by the Tuason family for P325 million.

Philippine Trade and Investment Center commercial counsellor Car la Grepo said the investment com mitment supports the government’s 8-point socioeconomic agenda.

SAN Miguel Corp. said Tuesday it secured an original proponent status from the provincial government of Cavite for its proposed expressway from Cavite to Batangas.

Jenniffer B. Austria

ICTSI said its terminals handled consolidated volume of 5,752,582 twenty-foot equivalent units in the first six months, or 5 percent more than 5,459,523 TEUs handled in the same period in 2021.

ICTSI said AHI sold HIPSI be cause the expected market for the latter did not materialize. HIPSI op erates a private commercial port in Barangay Madaum, Tagum, Davao del Norte in the Gulf of Davao.

MWC spent P9.7 billion out of its 2022 capital expenditures in the first half, up 59 percent from a year ago.Bulk of this year’s capital spending was spent on wastewater expansion, network reliability and water supply projects in line with attaining service obligations outlined in the governmentapproved Rate Rebasing Service Improvement Plan.

MWC had total debt of P75.8 billion as of end-June.

BANK of the Philippine Islands, the thirdlargest lender in terms of assets, is expect ing loans to small and medium enterprises to increase with the launch of new products and programs designed to help this segment amid the challenging business environment.

Meanwhile, San Miguel’s rival Metro Pacific Tollway’s Corp. proposed the P22.4-billion Cavite-TagaytayBatangas Expressway Project which would also connect the two provinces in southern Luzon.

infrastructure of PLDT and the wire less facilities of Smart, we are ensuring not only the topnotch experience of our customers on our network and with our services,” Pangilinan said.

Themillion.company said initial payment amounted to P95 million, and the balance would be paid in multiple tranches over the next eight quarters, supported by a bank guarantee. Af ter the sale, AHI will no longer be a shareholder in HIPSI.

Renato Abutan, chairman of the prov ince’s public-private partnership selec tion committee, said the Cavite govern ment accepted the unsolicited proposal of San Miguel Holdings Corp. for the development, design, financing, main tenance and construction of the CaviteBatangas Expressway Project.

MANILA Water Co. Inc., the water concessionaire for the east zone of Metro Manila, said Tuesday it obtained a P15-billion term loan facility to finance expansion projects.MWC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it signed the P15billion, 10-year term loan facility with China Banking Corp.

China Bank OKs P15-b term loan to Manila Water Business

PLDT, Smart inaugurate cutting-edge operations center in Makati

IN BRIEF

TheMalls.new store, which will open in March 2023, is the fourth Landers store within Megaworld’s developments, after Landers Alabang West, Landers Arcovia City and Landers Uptown Bonifacio.

It said that with the 1,300-MW in jection of solar power into the system, rotating blackouts would be mitigated,

The company is constructing the P2.7-billion East Bay Water Treatment Plantthat will draw water from the eastern part of Laguna Lake, considered the cleanest portion of the lake.

By Othel V. Campos

The floating facility is also expected to create 10,830 new jobs in the con struction sector and boost 1,700 jobs in the service sector, particularly during the operations and maintenance phases of the project.

B4 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

ICTSI said Abbotsford Holdings Inc. received an acceptable bank guarantee to cover the balance pay ment under the share purchase agree ment it signed with Hijo Resources Corp.AHI sold to HRC 162,500 shares or 65 percent of HIPSI for a total of P325

The investment firm, through whol ly-owned green portfolio company Blueleaf Energy Philippines, vowed to support the country’s goal to decar bonize the power industry.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Tuesday, September 13, 2022 -13.946,701.81PTS. F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2022 Currency Unit US Dollar Peso United States Dollar 1.000000 56.9350 Japan Yen 0.007003 0.3987 UK Pound 1.168400 66.5229 Hong Kong Dollar 0.127406 7.2539 Switzerland Franc 1.048988 59.7241 Canada Dollar 0.770119 43.8467 Singapore Dollar 0.716127 40.7727 Australia Dollar 0.688700 39.2111 Bahrain Dinar 2.653294 151.0653 Saudi Arabia Rial 0.266149 15.1532 Brunei Dollar 0.713572 40.6272 Indonesia Rupiah 0.000067 0.0038 Thailand Baht 0.027575 1.5700 UAE Dirham 0.272279 15.5022 Euro Euro 1.012100 57.6239 Korea Won 0.000727 0.0414 China Yuan 0.144302 8.2158 India Rupee 0.012602 0.7175 Malaysia Ringgit 0.222099 12.6452 New Zealand Dollar 0.613500 34.9296 Taiwan Dollar 0.032433 1.8466 Source: BSP TOTAL VOLUME 706,040,681 TOTAL TRADES 68,101 TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) 5,522,593,767.60 ADVANCES 71 DECLINES 107 ECONOMIC BRIEFING. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla (third from left) joins the country’s economic managers at the Philippine Economic Briefing in Singapore, the first to be conducted under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. With Medalla are (from left) Budget Undersecretary Margaux Marie Salcedo, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and SM Investments Corp. vice-chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson. HUB.INNOVATION EducationTechnical and Skills energy-efficientcarbonthetoinInnovationofjoindirectorProjectsandForeign-AssistedNaturalEnvironmentDepartmentLapenageneralAuthorityDevelopmentdirector-Isidro(left)andofandResources-SpecialServiceAlOrolfothelaunchtheColdChainHubTaguigCityshowcasebestlow-techand

Darwin G. Amojelar

Afonso in Cavite and Nasugbu Batangas.

“We at PLDT have always talked about putting our customers first, as our North Star for all group-wide efforts.

The manpower figures were based on the Department of Energy’s esti mate of new jobs per megawatt of so lar energy Expecteddeveloped.tobeoperational by 2024, the renewable power facilitywill be the biggest in Asia and may spur the inter est of scientists, the academe and local tourists.

country economically recover from the effects of the pandemic,” she said.

especially in the export processing zones in Laguna province. The Philippines re corded yellow alerts every summer due to the lack of electricity reserves.

The study covering 13 key global mar kets, including global leaders USA, China, Japan, Middle East, UK, and Australia, cited that 56 percent of the commercial real estate occupiers surveyed are already paying or are willing to pay a premium to occupy space that has leading sustainability and green cre dentials.“Inthe Philippines, we have been seeing this preferential shift to green and sustain able office spaces pre-pandemic. We believe that this is the result of the People, Planet, Performance agenda prioritization across companies worldwide. Our experience with our global client portfolio attests to a similar conclusion as JLL that the ‘green shift’ has grown considerably over the past few years. This allowed us to leverage on our strengths and further unlock value for Filinvest REIT Corp. (FILRT), the first sustainabilitythemed REIT listed on the local bourse,” said Filinvest REIT president.Maricel Bri on-Lirio.

“In line with the province’s PPP code, the PPP selection committee will now pro ceed with the competitive process which is a mandatory process that is designed to solicit comparative proposals from the other potential proponents as counterbids to the unsolicited proposals by SMC, the original proponent,” he said.

MEMBERSHIP grocery retailer Landers Superstore is expanding its partnership with with Megaworld Corp. with the construc tion of a new store in Bacolod City. Megaworld said in a statement released Tuesday Landers is opening a new store on a 25,000-square-meter lot inside its township development, The Upper East in Bacolod. This will be the first Landers Superstore in Western Visayas, and the second one out side of Luzon.

“We want to expand our reach... Before the COVID, our share [in SME loans] was 10 percent of the market...,” Dominique Ocliasa, head of BPI Business Banking, said in an online briefing on Tuesday. He said the number might increase to around 14 to 15 percent.Ocliasa said while Filipino SMEs were seen as important drivers of the country’s economic growth, they tended to be more vulnerable to market headwinds and volatil ity, as well as industry disruption and com petition.“With our latest BPI Business Banking offerings, we are giving them a helping hand by providing convenient and simple financ ing solutions, as well as relevant advice and assistance throughout their journey to help execute their ideas, overcome their prob lems, and strive for bigger achievements,” Ocliasa said. Julito G. Rada

By Jenniffer B. Austria

By Darwin G. Amojelar

After dropping 15 points in Arellano’s season-opening 63-58 victory over EAC, senior guard Shane Menina went scoreless in 18 minutes of action.

Converge FiberXers shore up defense

By Peter Atencio

Ken Malinis, however, topscored for NU-Sta. Elena with 16 attack points while Nico Almendras added nine points and Obed Mukaba, Joshua Retamar and Gerard Diao combined for 14 points.

Overseas training is on the pipeline, according to Fedillaga, with Singapore as the team’s likely destination.

NU’s Michaelo Buddin smashes one in against the defense of VNC-One Alicia in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Paco Arena in Manila on Tuesday.

“Very satisfied ako. But this is just the first game. I just hope na in every game, nadadala nila ito,” said coach

the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ayo added that the team’s performance was decent during their debut in the recent PBA Philippine Cup, where they made it as far as theWithquarterfinals.Porteraround, the FiberXers will have more people in the middle to provide help to import Quincy Miller.

They later repeated against Brunei in the playoffs (42-38) to finish fifth place overall, a marked improvement since a ninth place finish during the 2018 edition of the tournament.

“Singapore ang talagang tumutulong sa amin sa netball. Kailangan naming maghanap ng club teams to help us out, and kailangan kasi namin ng tune-up games, catch-up games. ‘Yun kasi ang wala tayo dito sa Pilipinas,” added the netball coach, who thanked the Philippine Sports Commission , Philippine Netball Federation under president Atty. Charlie Ho, and the local government of Sta. Rosa, Laguna for all the help it extended to Siklap prior to their Asian campaign.

complement main man RK Ilagan.

San Mateo wound up with a 6-2 card to also advance in this tournament sponsored by One4BF, Chachago, Motolite, Detail Avenue, Snazzy, Mighty Sports Apparel, Mt. Fuji Restaurant, Disenyo Footwear, Lana 300 Magnesium Oil and Nestea Iced Tea.

AMA University QC dumped Calaguas Gems-Camarines Norte, 79-62, while Philippine Navy nipped ARS Warriors-Cavite, 8177, in other games.

“I think the guys just proved themselves na if we played defense, nandoon ang opensa namin. That’s our battlecry and motivation namin ngay-

Meanwhile, the San Beda Red Lions bounced back from their opening-day loss to the Mapua Cardinals as they crushed the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 85-56.

Marvel Joy Jimenez once again presided over the offense of the Phoenix as he pumped in 21 points, while three of his teammates tallied 10 points apiece, allowing the squad to end the elimination round campaign on a high note.

The 5’8” Melecio and and the 6’5” Porter were acquired from the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters last Friday in a trade for Ben Adamos and Kurt Lojera. Melecio is expected to

Kevin Montemayor unloaded 14 points while Kim Malabunga returned from an ankle injury with an 11-point game while Ben San Andres produced nine points for VNC, which showed a lot of promise in the early going but cracked when the Nationals pressed their charge late in the first set.

“Kakayanin namin. Ta-trabahuhin ulit namin,” she added in the session presented by San Miguel Corporation, MILO, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Amelie Hotel Manila, and Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation, where Lomogda was also joined by former Perlas Pilipinas player Vangie Soriano.

KALOSPH-Our Lady of Fatima Antipolo brought down University of Makati, 88-73, in the battle between top-seeded teams in the Ballout Hoops Luzon Challenge Open Tournament just recently at the UMak gym.

riptostormNationalswaysemis,GriffinsPHnetball

–

KalosPH five secures spot in divisionBalloutfinals

Aside from the Philippines, Singapore, and Sri Lanka, other countries competing are Malaysia, Hong Kong, Brunei, Maldives, and India.

Games today (Filoil EcoOil Centre) 12 noon – JRU vs Letran 3 p.m. LPU vs Mapua

Altas, the College of St. Benilde Blazers and the Mapua Cardinals.

NATIONAL U-Sta. Elena got the sap out of VNC-One Alicia after an energydraining first set skirmish and went on to roll to a 33-31, 25-17, 25-18 victory to clinch the first semifinal berth in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Paco Arena in Manila yesterday.

the Siklab team are looking to do well in the AIMAG considering the one-year preparation it will have prior to the Nov. 17-26 meet.

Egay Macaraya. The Chiefs’ struggled in the first 4:42 of the payoff period as they failed to score a field goal.

Siklab will face the same cast of teams in the AIMAG as the top eight finishers in the Asian netball earned a slot in the quadrennial showpiece originally set last March, but was deferred for next year due to

Axel Doromal led the Chiefs with 15 points, three rebounds and three assists while Cade Flores added 12 markers and nine markers.

Stags’ 4th-quarter defense keys win over Chiefs, 60-51

Games tomorrow (Thursday) 2:30 p.m. – Army vs Santa Rosa 5:30 p.m. – Cignal vs Ateneo

San Sebastian Stags shut down the Arellano University Chiefs in the ﬁrst ﬁve minutes of the last period to grab a 60-51 victory on Tuesday and get off to a great start in the 98th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at FilOil Ecocenter in San Juan.

The Converge FiberXers during their practice session

James Kwekuteye fired 15 points, while Yukien Andrada and Winston Ynot added 13 and 12, respectively for the Red Lions.

Arellano dropped to 1-1 slate.

The Nationals struggled in the opener marked by long exchanges of kills and quick attacks but marred by service miscues, the last courtesy of Mukaba that enabled the Griffins to force a 30all count.

Itchie Altamirano led with 10 points for the Stags, who now share the top spot with University of Perpetual Help

“We need another wide body to cover our import in defense,” said Ayo.

The Nationals battled back from four, five points down in the opening set but pulled through in a test of cohesion and poise then built on their come-from-behind victory to dominate the next two and match their straight-set romp over the Santa Rosa City Lions last Saturday.

THE Philippine netball team hopes to pick up from where it left off as it eyes a modest finish in its next major international campaign next year.

Siklab Pilipinas is looking to repeat its modest finish in the just concluded Asian Netball Championships as it vies in the 2023 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Thailand.

“Ang gagawin naming preparation is to improve what we achieved in the Asian netball. I-improve pa rin namin yung laro namin,” said coach Piao Fedillaga at the online Philippine Sportswriters Association a day after arriving from Singapore.

He also cited Michaelo Buddin’s big 15-point game, saying: “I challenged him (Buddin) and he stepped up.”

Ace Russel Tiamzon, Gabriel Gotera and Kevin Loyola each produced 10 apiece for OLFU, which ended its elims campaign with a 7-2 win-loss record in the provincial division and secured a spot in the division finals encounter, where it faces second placer MPAMS-San Mateo.

But Arellano U finally found its rhythm, unloading a 13-0 run capped by a Joshua Abastillas putback to cut the deficit to 51-57 before San Sebastian stopped the bleeding with Tristan Felebrico completing a three-point play with 1:41 left for a nine-point cushion.

Sri Lanka beat host Singapore for the title, 63-53. Their morale and confidence boosted, members of

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

The loss dropped the Griffins to fourth at 2-2 and kept the City Lions and the Ateneo-Fudgee Barr Eagles, toting identical 1-3 slates, in the fight for the last Final Four seat.

Melecio has reunited with Ayo, who coached him for two years when he was still handling the La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP from 2015 to Team2017.manager Chito Salud said the FiberXers did not have a bad season during their first year in the league, adding they have done better than expected. Peter Atencio

Despite the loss, University of Makati is already guaranteed of a playoff berth in the NCR division of this tournament headed by coaching legend Joe Lipa, who was appointed as league Universitycommissioner.ofMakati wrapped up its elims campaign with a 6-2 card. It will take on the winner of the playoff match between AMA University QC and Philippine Navy.

The Filipinas bagged a plate title in the Asian meet after a sweep of Maldives (59-41) and Brunei (40-37) in Group F during the second round of the competitions held at the OCBC Arena in Singapore. Earlier, they split their games against India (45-41) and Sri Lanka (99-37), relegating them in the group plate.

More importantly, the victory, its fourth straight, netted NU-Sta. Elena the first slot in post elims play of the seven-team tournament marking the resumption of the Sports Vision-organized men’s volleyball following a three-year hiatus.

Kenneth Villapando and Rhinwill Yambing added nine points each for the Stags.

Buddin, who didn’t see action in the NU-Sta. Elena’s victories over Army and Navy, dished out a breakout game of 10 attack points, three blocks and a couple of aces for a 15-point output that likewise earned him the best player of the game honors.

team eyes modest AIMAG finish

Team captain Ken Lomogda seconded her coach.

“Aljun and Kris were added to the team for defensive purposes.

New coach Aldin Ayo said that with their presence, he is finally able to give the needed tweak to the Fiber Xers’ rotation.

Soriano said with netball not to be played in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia, Siklab will have its focus on preparing and training for the AIMAG.

Medyo kulang pa kami sa depensa, both sa small and big position,” said Ayo, who recently replaced Jeffrey Cariaso.

THE

GETTING point guard Aljun Melecio and big man Kris Porter fits well with the needs of the Converge FiberXers in the coming 2022 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.

on. I hope we can bring it in other games,” added Macaraya.

With the Chiefs held to just 13 points in the fourth quarter, the Stags pulled away en route to the win in a tie with three other squads for the early lead.

“It’s a big win since we’re now in the semis,” said NU-Sta. Elena coach Dante Alinsunurin. “We struggled in the first set but we were able to regroup and play our system towards the late part, so we’re happy with the result.”

Nadal won the first of his 92 titles at Sopot at the age of 18 in 2004.

SportsWEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2022C2

The 23-year-old Norwegian rose to a career-high second in the world despite losing Sunday’s US Open final to Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz.

In the PGA Championship at Wentworth, a two-minute period of silence was impeccably observed with

Five of his six career titles have come this year while Sunday’s triumph saw his on-court earnings already nudge close to $10Whenmillion.he broke into the world top five in July, he was the youngest man to do so sinceAlcaraz2005.then hit the giant-killing jackpot at Madrid in May when he became the only man to defeat both Nadal and Novak Djokovic at the same clay-court event.

and former longtime coach Toni Nadal. ‘Never gives up’

The Giant Lanterns were led by Alex Ramos with 17 points and 11 rebounds, followed by Archie Concepcion with 15 points and 4 rebounds, Jammer Jamito with 12 points and 6 rebounds ad Dominick Vera with 12 points.

Fast forward to the 2022 US Open and Alcaraz needed to negotiate three fivesetters and more than 13 hours just to get to Sunday’s final.

“I would love for Carlos to win 30 Grand Slams. There will be a lot of chances,” Ferrero, who began working with Alcaraz when he was just 15, told SpanishAlcarazradio.was already winning junior European and Spanish titles in lower categories under the guidance of Albert Molina, an agent with IMG. AFP

For good measure, he achieved it on back-to-back days on his way to the title.

Pampanga, being mentored by Gov. Dennis Pineda, posted its seventh straight win and climbed to 11-4 in the single round-robin elimination phase of the 22-team tournament.

Nadal famously fought out a five-hour and 53-minute Australian Open final in 2012 only to lose to Djokovic.

world number 10 Viktor Hovland, speaking after his round of 68 on Saturday, said:

The Lady Spikers joined Far Eastern University, NCAA champion College of St. Benilde and Letran in Pool D in the group stage of the tournament organized in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education.

The 19-year-old’s 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7/1), 6-3 victory over Casper Ruud in New York on Sunday saw him become the youngest winner of a men’s major since Rafael Nadal at the 2005 French Open.

Both men are fiercely protective of their private lives, enjoy passionate crowd

La Salle University has officially confirmed its participation in the inaugural staging of the Shakey’s Super League 2022 Collegiate PreSeasonShakey’sChampionship.PizzaAsia Ventures Inc. president and CEO, Vicente Gregorio, made the announcement shortly after the Lady Spikers’ management informed organizers of their commitment to join the tournament scheduled to unwrap on 24 September at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

For good measure, he saved a match point in his five-hour 15-minute quarterfinal with Jannik Sinner.

Enjoying a 4-game run, Pasig improved to 10-5 while pulling down Valenzuela to 7-9.

Former world no. 1 Halep to rest after nose surgery

Four years earlier, he won his first Wimbledon crown in a four-hour 48-minute epic against Roger Federer in a match widely hailed as the greatest Slam final of all time.

With DLSU onboard, the SSL will feature all of the 18 teams from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and the National Collegiate Athletic Association—two of the country’s most prestigious collegiate

p.m.DE

“I forgot what I was like at 19,” said Nadal. “The only thing we can do is enjoy the career of an extraordinary player like“IfCarlos.hemanages to win 25 Grand Slams, it will be fantastic for him and for our country. But let him enjoy his career.”

DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley joining staff, players and caddies on the putting green in front of the first Norwegiantee.

The modest, muscular star from the small Murcian town of El Palmar in Spain’s south-east is no stranger to breaking records, never more so than in 2022.

and I was taken aback by how much she was loved. It was a very special moment.”Spectators were also able to watch on big screens as King Charles III was formally proclaimed as monarch at the Accession Council.

He is now the youngest man to ascend to the world number one ranking and the youngest champion in New York since Pete Sampras in 1990.

Alcaraz, who learned the game at a tennis school run by his father, was also 18 when he captured his maiden ATP trophy at Umag in 2021.

Soprano Laura Wright then sang God Save the King—the first rendition at a sporting event of Britain’s now altered national anthem.

Batangas notched its fifth straight win and rose to 15-1 under Coach Cholo Villanueva.

Pasig rode on a fourth-quarter spurt to trounce Valenzuela XUR Realty Homes Inc., 71-58, in the second game.

For the first time in the history of Philippine volleyball, we have all 10 NCAA teams and all eight UAAP squads coming together under one roof as Shakey’s continues to play its role in amateur grassroots, collegiate student-based sports,” Gregorio said.

“This is our group’s humble contribution to further improve the sports of volleyball in the country,” heDLSU,added. the UAAP Season 84 runner-up, is expected to submit its lineup within the week.

It was Alex Ramos’ turn to shine for the Pampanga Giant Lanterns Monday night.

Pool A is composed of University of the Philippines, University of the East, Mapua, San Beda University and University of Perpetual Help while Adamson University, University of Santo Tomas, San Sebastian College, Emilio Aguinaldo College and Lyceum of the Philippines University are in Pool B.

“I know that I am a very competitive kid. I compete whenever I play anything -- golf, petanca,” said Alcaraz after winning the Madrid Masters this year. “I don’t like to lose.”

“Carlos’ intensity and speed is something you rarely see,” said Rafael’s uncle

Nadal was also 19 when he won the first of his record 22 Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros in 2005.

“It was eerily quiet on the course during the silence, but I think it’s a good thing that we all pay our Denmark’srespects.”Soren Kjeldsen, who carded a round of 64 on Saturday, added: “Being a foreigner but having lived here I had some idea how much the Queen meant to the British public.

At the Oval, England and South Africa cricketers joined staff and spectators to honour the Queen ahead of the start of play in the third Test.

Bataan got 24 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals from James Darwin Castro and 19 points plus 9 rebounds from Arvie Bringas and 10 points from Gio Espuelas.

NEW

“See you soon on the tennis court.”Halep, a two-time Grand Slam champion, was knocked out of the US Open in the first round last month, losing to Ukrainian qualifier Daria Meanwhile,Snigur.new world number two Casper Ruud announced Tuesday he will start his 2023 season at the Auckland Classic when the ATP Tour event returns in January after a three-year hiatus because of Covid.

SuperparticipationconfirmsinShakey’sLeague

“But it was quite overwhelming

The welcome development was relayed to Gregorio by Philip Ella Juico, chairman and CEO of SSL exclusive organizer, Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc. Juico was informed of DLSU’s participation by Lady Spikers team manager Benito Araneta.

Alcaraz, teen trailbazer with eye on ‘30 Slams’

Ruud, a winner at ATP tournaments in Gstaad, Geneva and Buenos Aires this year, will headline the Auckland men’s tournament beginning January 9 as he warms up for the first Grand Slam of the year at the Australian Open in Melbourne starting a week later.

LONDON—British sport paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on Saturday as action resumed after Friday’s shutdown following the monarch’s death.The nation’s long-serving monarch died aged 96 on Thursday, sparking a period of mourning across the United Kingdom.

AFP CUP CHAMP. Members of Team TYJ IDCG are shown after winning the MIGBL Season 3 AFP Cup Legends Division at the AFP GHQ Gym following a victory in the finals over arch rival TITO REX. In photo are team owner Marion Redondo (third from right) and coach Amboy Agonoy (far right). Players are Braulio Lim, Bonbon Custodio, Jeff Sanders, Christian Coronel, Kojak Malegrito, Erik dela Cuesta, Rommel David, Dennis Lim, Popoy Banhzali, Noah Baltazar, Christian Baarde, Pol Santiago, Jess Faeldon, Joey Protacio Adriano Mario Mike Jimenez and Kerby Mangasep. Co-team owner is Ruel Pullan.

DLSU

The MPBL visits the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City on Tuesday with a triple-bill featuring Mindoro against San Juan at 5 p.m., Laguna against Imus at 7 p.m. and Manila against Nueva Ecija at 9

YORK—Carlos Alcaraz’s stunning triumph at the US Open marked another record-setting episode in a story predicted to end with “30 Grand Slam titles”.

At his side is coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, the 2003 French Open winner who also took the number one ranking at the US Open later that year.

BUCHAREST—Former world number one Simona Halep said Monday she would need a few weeks of rest after undergoing nose surgery.TheRomanian, who currently ranks ninth in the world, said she had been struggling “for a while” with nose problems, and they got worse during the summer, making it hard to breathe especially at night.“The only way to solve the problem was to undergo surgery,” the 30-year-old said in an Instagram post, adding that the surgeon took “this opportunity to also make a plastic surgery intervention”.“Everything went well. I will need a few weeks of rest before I can start again any physical activity,” she said, posting a picture of her smiling from what looked like a hospital bed, her nose bandaged.

“Shakey’sleaguesSuper League is obviously elated by this development.

‘Competitive kid’

As the final notes died away, prolonged spontaneous applause broke out as the players prepared for the first ball of the day. AFP

The two sides, wearing black armbands, lined up on the outfield to observe a minute’s silence.

It was Ruud’s second Grand Slam final defeat of 2022 after falling to Rafael Nadal at the French Open in June.

Pint-sized guard Christopher Lagrama contributed 10 points, including two pivotal charities with 9.2 seconds left, 8 rebounds and 2 steals, while Michelle Maynes added 10 points for Pampanga’s cause.

However, the 36-year-old has pleaded with fans not to put pressure on the teenager by making bold comparisons.

“Obviously it’s a sad thing that happened but maybe spin around and use the sport as a celebration and remember the Queen’s life and celebrate it in that way.

Football authorities, along with cricket, golf and rugby, all postponed their scheduled events on Friday.But,although the Premier League and all other football in England has been cancelled this weekend in a show of respect to the Queen, the rest of the sports world is returning to the field.

Rey Anthony Peralta presided over Pasig’s offense with 17 points, followed by Robbie Manalang with 14, Carlo Lastimosa with 11 and Aldeo Lucero with 1o.

Rizal, which trailed by as many as 29 points, tumbled to 10-6, while Bataan dropped to 8-7.

British sports pays tribute to Queen as action resumes

Pampanga, Batangas thwart rivals; Pasig wins

Despite Nadal’s reluctance, making comparisons is unavoidable.

PAMPANGA and Batangas took similar routes in disposing of Rizal and Bataan, respectively, in the OKbet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 4th Season Presented by Xtreme at the Bren Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando,ThePampanga.Pampanga Giant Lanterns blew a 15-point lead (83-68) in the last three minutes and settled for an 86-83 victory over the Bataan Risers in the nightcap of a triple-bill.

The Batangas City Athletics, also wasted a 15-point spread (66-51) in the last five minutes before subduing the Rizal Golden Coolers, 68-63, in the opener.

support and build their games on steely defence and thrilling, flamboyant attack.

“His game follows the same path as Rafa; he never gives up until the last ball and has that characteristic intensity.”

“New Zealand is a very beautiful country. The conditions are very similar to Melbourne so it is a nice tournament to play,” he said. AFP

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during a news conference after defeating Casper Ruud of Norway during their Men’s Singles Final match of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City. AFP

‘The Spider’s Man’ is a dark-comedy crime-thriller that’s partly autobiographical and based on actual people

“ AKO lang ‘to,” OPM icon Rico Blanco assured his adoring fans during his first-ever solo concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on September 11, Sunday. But it’s precisely him who the people wanted to see and hear, making them excited to witness his live performance after spending two years in lockdown.

It’s been years since Rico carved his path in the music industry. His concert just shows how relevant he is to OPM. Safe to say, the public can still expect more from him in the following years.

As each day passes, Lino becomes more protective and caring for Anna, both start to feel something more for each other, and their blossoming romance starts to flourish. But Lino’s dark past and personal struggles caught up with him, this becomes a hindrance to their relationship leaving Anna puzzled and confused.

“Withcomeback.theroles we’re portraying, we wanted to give the audience different characters compared to the ones we have previously played. It’s going to be a different flavor, and I hope maiba namin yung percepcion ng mga tao on what we can do onscreen,” Xian said.

Zendaya makes history anew at the 74th Emmys

Ebe Dancel (left) considers Rico Blanco as a good friend and is grateful to perform alongside him

Despite his efforts to satisfy the crowd, his fans wanted more.

By Nickie Wang

Kim Chiu, Xian Lim reunite in adaptationlocal of Korean ‘Always’ film

“Xian also directs films, so he knows a lot of things when it comes to filmmaking,” Kim stated. “Mas malalim na siya ngayon at mas intense. There were scenes that I get mesmerized ‘pag pinapanuod ko siya, nakaka-inlove lalo.”

THE Spiders’ Man (aka The Spiders’ Lapdance in the US) is a dark-comedy crime-thriller that tells the story of two half-brothers who will reunite after many years and will go through a very difficult situation that will require a big sacrifice from one of them. It’s partly autobiographical and based on actual people.

ACTRESS Zendaya made history once again at the Emmys after winning in the leading acting categories for the second time during the 74th edition of the annual television event. With her nomination, she also became the youngest person of color to be nominated twice in the best actress in a drama series category.

Both stars admitted that they were surprised by the level of maturity each of them has showcased in the movie, proof that both of them have matured in the acting department.

a teen with a substance abuse disorder in HBO’s hit Euphoria In 2020, the then 24-year-old actress first won the award. Other nominees were Comer and Oh (Killing Eve), Linney (Ozark), Olivia Colman (The Crown) and Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show).

“Just watching the trailer, you’d already see how different we are in this movie. Most of our previous projects were romcom. Here, we are going to share deeper kinds of emotions with the audience,” she added.

Filipino artists, Ebe Dancel Zild , and Peniel, who each brought a different take on OPM. The night became a celebration of the country’s music and how it inspires generations. His partner, Maris Racal, also gave a short but sweet performance as a surprise to the crowd.

“At present, I’m working on an Italian-Philippine coproduction. I’m very excited about that since I am gonna play a very challenging role.

A celebration of OPM at the Big Dome

Still, Rico looked forward to performing at his first solo concert. Months before the show, the OPM artist isolated himself to avoid catching the COVID-19 virus. Upon seeing the crowd, he was left speechless and knew that all his sacrifices bore fruit.

HBO’s Succession was the biggest winner of the night walking home with the best drama series plum. The show nabbed the same award in 2020. Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso won best comedy series for the second year in a row. Heavy favorites The White Lotus and Squid Game also won several statuettes. The White Lotus won the top award for outstanding limited or anthology series, best supporting actor in a limited series for Murray Bartlett, and best supporting actress in a limited series for Jennifer Coolidge Netflix’s Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae became the first Asian actor to ever win

Rico spent the night playing his hit songs, including “Antukin,” “Elesi,” “Umaaraw, Umuulan,” and more. The singer-songwriter, decked in a shimmery red suit, also had creative control over his performance, allowing him to take things slowly through jamming or amplifying the mood with electrifying guitar solos.Eager fans sang along, danced, and cheered as the OPM artist gave them a show complete with production due to the lights, costumes, and choreography to amplify the experience.

the spotlight with other OPM artists before, especially when he was a member of the band Rivermaya. Yet this was the first time he held a solo concert.

“I enjoyed working with the cast, as I said many times, Filipino actors are amazingly talented. All of them did a great job and the proof of that is that we won Best Ensemble Cast at the Olympus Film Festival Los Angeles,” he added.

Ruben Suarez’s dark comedy film at 25th Cine Europa

Entertainment WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 C3 E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

timesecondforaactressleadEmmywinsZendayaanforindramaa

In the cast are Lee O’Brian, Jeffrey Tam, Rob Sy, Miko Mel Penaloza, China Roces, Red Ibasco, CJ Domasing, Hutch Perales, and Suarez’s wife Lanie Gumarang, and son Kim

The Spiders’ Man is the Italian entry to the 25th Cine Europa and will have four theatrical screenings: September 24 at 8:30 p.m. (Manila FDCP Cinematheque - along with the cast), October 28, 8:30 p.m. at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, October 6 in Iloilo and October 16 in Palawan. There will also be online screenings.

Currently, I spend several months a year in the US now, since I’m represented by a Hollywood agency and management, and, luckily, in the pipeline, I’ve got a lead role in a US production,” Suarez ends.

Rico also shared the spotlight with other

Nickie Wang, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant

Both Xian (left) and Kim feel they’ve matured as actors

lead actor in a drama, and the fourth Asian person ever to win an acting Emmy. The show’s director Hwang Dong-hyuk won outstanding directing for a drama series.

Following the concert’s success, KDR Music House shared that they plan to take the show around the country and reach more fans. While it’s not yet confirmed, they promise to share details when possible.

“To all the incredible actors in this category, I’m so honored to be beside you. Thank you to the incredible, incredible cast. Thank you for making such a safe space to make this very difficult show. I love you all

Always is adapted into screenplay by award-winning writer Mel Mendoza- Del Rosario and helmed by seasoned director Dado C. Lumibao

Maris Racal (left) sharing the stage with Rico Blanco for a brief performance

“You know, after eight years, we’re back on the big screen. I can feel that we have grown so much. But definitely, even if we’ve been together for so many years, working with her again feels like it’s the first time. Nanduon pa din yung excitement and the butterflies in the stomach,” Xian chimed.

Although many of his fans flocked from different areas of the country, with some returning overseas, Rico reminded the audience to support local artists. He added that they deserve this recognition because there will always be good OPM regardless of the generation.Itwasnearly midnight before Rico drew his concert to a close with the song “Your Universe.” However, he treated the audience to the first-ever performance of an unreleased song, “Palibot-libot,” before it dropped at midnight.“Thiswas a last-minute decision. I told the concert director during my second to the last rehearsal,” Rico said.

‘Always’ marks the return of Kim (right) and Xian to the big screen

Other winners in key categories were: lead actor, comedy – Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso); lead actress, comedy – Jean Smart (Hacks); supporting actor, drama Matthew Macfadyen (Succession); supporting actress, drama – Julia Garner (Ozark); supporting actor, comedy – Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso); supporting actress, comedy – Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary); lead actor, limited series or movie – Michael Keaton (Dopesick); and lead actress, limited series or movies – Amanda Seyfried (The Dropout). AFP

It’s having success in the US (distributed by Leomark Studios) where it is among the top streamed films on FOX’s platform TubiTV.

Ruben Suarez is the co-writer, director, producer, and co-lead of ‘The Spiders’ Man’

OPM artist Rico Blanco giving an energetic performance during his first solo concert

He had been playing for nearly three hours, only taking breaks when the other OPM artists gave their performances. Rico shared that he used to perform in gigs, but it was more chill than a solo concert, allowing him to take all the time he needed to sing all his hits.

Whenever he could, Rico expressed his gratitude to the fans who took the time to attend his concert through heartfelt messages and song dedications.

Produced by Viva Films, Always screens in cinemas nationwide on September 28.

“Nabitin din ako,” Rico shared. Rico shared

Always marks the reunion of Kim and Xian as one of the most successful love teams in recent history. And they promised to make the audience feel love and heartbreak in their much-awaited big screen

By Patricia Taculao

The original K-movie starred film and movie stars So Ji-Sub (Oh My Venus Doctor Lawyer) and Han Hyo-Joo (Dong Yi W). The movie has several adaptations from different countries like Turkey, India, and last 2020 in Japan.

Wearing a classic strapless Valentino gown with a sweeping full skirt and pockets, the young actress thanked the crowd at Microsoft Theater on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) during her acceptance speech.

Kim brings life to Anna, a blind woman who goes to her frequent parking booth to spend time with her friend

Zendaya beat out other nominees

N HER first movie produced by Viva Films, actress Kim Chiu felt nothing but excitement when she learned that she would be paired with Xian Lim. She and her reel and real-life partner star in the Philippine adaptation of the hit Korean romantic movie, Always

“I co-wrote, produced, and directed it, and I am the co-lead along with Richard Quan, who won several international acting awards for his portrayal of a mentally challenged character (my half-brother in the film),” shares Filipino-Italian actor Ruben Suarez

Jodie Comer (Killing Eve), Laura Linney (Ozark), Melanie Lynskey (Yellowjackets), Sandra Oh (Killing Eve), and Reese Witherspoon (The Morning Show) for her portrayal of Rue,

Peniel serenades the Big Dome with her renditions of famous OPM songs and an original piece

The story follows Anna (Kim), a blind woman who goes to her frequent parking booth to hang out with her pal only to find out that it now has a new attendant, a former boxer, and a mysterious, sadlooking man named Lino (Xian). Despite Lino’s dismissive attitude, Anna stays and even goes back nights after to hang out at Lino’s parking booth. Through shared snacks and Anna’s warm presence, Lino’s walls begin to fall and start to open up and be at ease with Anna, a feeling he hasn’t felt in a long time.

“Always is a romantic drama movie about two people with different outlooks on life, both damaged by the cruelties of the world - one physically and the other emotionally. In this movie, you’ll see a more mature Kim and Xian,” the actress told Manila Standard Entertainment during the movie’s pocket press conference.

so much,” Zendaya said.

Xian plays Lino, a former boxer who has his share of mysteries

The face-to-face workshop will accommodate a limited number of participants. For enrollment and inquiries, contact M. at (0917) 515-5656 or email operations@sunshineplaceph.com

Kultura’s Filipino Design Studio is open until September 30 at Kultura, 3rd Level of The Podium, Ortigas.

In fact, Rody Vera who did the stage adaptation had gone through three revisions to incorporate the short story, documentary material, and personal recollections of the Imaos.

This is also the first production to be directed by Chris Millado after he retired as Cultural Center of the Philippines’s artistic director, and his first live theater production after the“Afterpandemic.the pandemic, nobody did live theater.

LEARN the basics of the Japanese art of flower arrangement such as upright Moribana style, basic slanting and variation, basic Nagiri style, and combination of Moribana and Nagiri Arrangements at Sunshine Place as Marc Tomas conducts a face-to-face workshop every Saturday starting September 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

pirate.formerOnlywhentheoldmandiesdoes

Nanding Josef plays Jibin Arula, lone survivor of the Jabidah Massacre. Photo by Paw Castillo

and dramatize the socio-political milieu of the Imao family. Written in 1968, incidents such as the Jabidah Massacre and the ensuing formation of the Muslim resistance in Mindanao exerted its narrative pressure on the fictional tale.

From left: JIM Weaver’s Jenica Sy, Mischel Ocier Mendoza, and Isabelle Ocier showcase stylish silk scarves inspired by our people, culture, and heritage

copper wire jewelry with precious stones by Mjoiran. These emerging brands also work with communities and highlight sustainability. There are hand-loomed embroidered fabrics crafted by communities in Abra for Strong Mina; beautiful bags and accessories made from colorful upcycled single-use plastic grocery bags and other disposed plastics by Virtucio; eco-fashion statement bags made from ethically-sourced Carabao horns by Kara de Juan; and natural personal care products by Shepard.

'Anak Datu' set designer Toym Imao. He is the son of National Artist Abdulmari Imao.

'Anak Datu' director Chris Millado

I’m happy to be back. Even when I was at CCP, I would not mind going to rehearsals after working hours, after doing all the paperwork because it gives me a lot of artistic energy,” shared Millado who run directly from the airport to the rehearsal hall after his festival management work for the Cinemalaya 18 in Dapitan.

the stage, with wagons carrying scenes pushing in and out, bumping into and colliding with each other before moving away. Like how the river flows, reminiscent of the Tausug way of Costumelife.

Cultural advocate Irene Marcos-Araneta with Kultura’s Ivy Yap (right) and Felicia Trinidad (left), and SM’s Millie Dizon at the launch of Kultura’s Filipino Design Studio at The Podium

Other emerging brands include JIM Weaver’s stylish silk scarves inspired by our people, culture and heritage, including the Jim Weaver x Francis Libiran Collection; Flutter Jewelry’s statement earrings using traditional beadwork techniques; Matthew and Melka accessories inspired by local flora and fauna; chic

the son discover the truth about his real father.

“Now, I’m more focused on the rehearsal work, which makes me very happy. And to do it in a space that has special meaning for me because I helped put it up five years ago, it gives it even more meaning,” he added.

Filipiniana, statement jewelry, unique accessories, and stylish home décor highlighting the finest local brands and artisans.

Emerging brands at Kultura’s design studio

REP stages a bold and versioncontemporaryofBroadwayhit‘Carousel’

The original story seemed to be intended for young audiences. But when the production team started to pore over the material, the story got bigger. Layers of storytelling unfold.

Through several readings, the narrative realms made themselves felt and surfaced: the realms of myth which is the world of Anak Datu, the realm of history which traces the birth of the Muslim resistance in Mindanao, and the realms of memory which plays out in the Imao househ9old of artists,” said Millado in his director’s note.

Photo by Paw Castillo

designer Carlo Pagunaling imagines three worlds: each with discrete visual textures and codes – the pristine quality of myth, the dinginess of history, and the playful scale of memory.

“Today, we stand on the shoulders of giants and take on the challenge of reimagining this classic musical for contemporary Filipino audiences,” De Venecia says. “Featuring new artistic voices and talent as well as post-modern perspectives, the team boldly dreams up what ‘the best musical of the 20th century’ might look like today. It’s a radical departure from previous iterations, even from what we set out to do in 2020. We draw inspiration from Filipino creativity and the words of the original choreographer and dancer Agnes de Mille –that is, ‘taking leap after leap in the dark.’ This will be the ultimate 21st century test for a 20th century text.”

Anak Datu premieres this Friday, September 16, and runs until October 9, at the Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez. Check out the CCP and Tanghalang Pilipino social media accounts for more updates on ticketing and show schedules.

Life C4 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 Nickie Wang, Editor Joba Botana, Associate Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

IT’S

The introduction to Ikebana workshop is a four-Saturday workshop. Starter kits are available at the venue. Each kit includes flowers for the four sessions, kenzan, and a vertical and horizontal base. Students are encouraged to bring their own gardening scissors for the class.

Speaking of new productions, Tanghalang Pilipino returns to live performance with Anak Datu, a play based on a short story written by National Artist Abdulmari Imao

From left: SM’s Steven Tan, Kultura’s Ivy Yap and ATIN’s Arnold Co

VISITORS to Kultura’s Filipino Design Studio at the Kultura Store at The Podium got a glimpse of exciting emerging brands by young entrepreneurs, giving the public more reason to celebrate the creativity and artistry of the Filipinos.

Marc Tomas is the former President of Ikebana International Manila Chapter 108 and a member of Sogetsu Potential Manila Chapter. He has been teaching Ikebana classes at Sunshine Place since 2017.

Tanghalang Pilipino Actor's Company senior member Antonette Go plays Grace de Leon, wife of Abdulmari Imao.

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Ken Samudio, whose have been featured in Vogue Italia, WWD, L’Officiel, Glamour, and Cosmopolitan USA, creates artworks from up-cycled beads made

REPERTORY Philippines (REP) steps boldly on to a brand new stage as it re-opens its theater doors with a modern reimagination of Carousel. The beloved Broadway hit musical will run from November 26 to December 18 at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, making it one of the first shows to run at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ newly inaugurated black box theater.With Music by Richard Rodgers and Book & Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Carousel became an instant hit lauded by critics and audiences alike. The original production won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Musical. Hailed by Time Magazine as the greatest musical of the 20th century, its various revivals have also won several Tony Awards.

But since we still don’t know how the pandemic would pan out, and even with the easing of the protocols, it would be challenging to do that. As a compromise, they would bring a semiimmersive theater experience with traverse staging.

An encounter with ‘Anak Datu’

A story about a whirlwind romance between carnival barker Billy Bigelow and millworker Julie Jordan, it features some of musical theater’s most timeless music and iconic songs including “If I Loved You” and “You’ll Never WalkREP’sAlone.”Carousel is directed by Toff De Venecia who is determined to bring a bold, brave vision to the new generation of theatergoers. This glorious musical masterpiece is brought to life by a star-studded cast led by singer, actress, and OPM royalty Karylle Tatlonghari as Julie Jordan and sought-after theater leading man Gian Magdangal as Billy Bigelow.

After two years, the CCP resident theater company finally returns. This signals the new performance season of the theater company, and it will also be the first theater production to be shown at the Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater), which was recently inaugurated.

really good to see that the theater is slowly coming back. It has been two years since I saw a new work at a live theater. If I remember correctly, the last theater production I saw was Ang Huling El Bimbo at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. It had a re-run late last year, dubbed Ang Muling El Bimbo.

BigelowasMagdangalandJordanasTatlonghariKarylleJulieGianBilly Ikebana-Sogetsu inspired flower arrangement for beginners

Photo by Paw Castillo

“The project evolved into a multilayered narrative that would consider

Here, exquisite modern Filipiniana pieces from Rhett Eala, Ilaya Couture, Nuevo Ystilo, Raffaella, and En Barong Filipino were showcased alongside innovative guest brands that give Filipino design a new perspective.

The Filipino Design Studio also showcases items for the home. Haspe’s handcrafted furniture innovative design using wood and solihiya; Art of Gold’s handpainted home accessories; Millie Monday’s home décor inspired by nature in the tropics; ATIN’s decorative plates and diffusers inspired by Filipino culture; Maison Grid Plus’s rattan and bamboo dinnerware and décor; and The Fine Life Market’s linens, kitchenware, and other home products.

Set during pre-colonial Philippines in Sulu Archipelago, the story follows the life journey of the son of a village chieftain. Before he is born, their village is raided by pirates. His mother gives birth to him under captivity; hence, he grows up believing that his father is a

Carousel was originally slated for a May 2020 debut also with De Venecia at the helm. It was set to be the crown jewel of the REP 2020 theatrical season, which would have built upon the rich 53-year-old history of REP and signaled the eminent theater company’s transition to more progressive, dynamic, and culturally relevant theatrical productions under the leadership of Artistic Director Liesl Batucan-Del Rosario Tickets will be available through the CCP Box Office, TicketWorld, and SM Tickets. For more information, visit repertoryphilippines.phwww.

The production also weaves together the mythic, idyllic abstract canvases of Abdulmari Imao and the intricate collages and installations of Toym Imao, amid the performance aesthetics of the southern Philippines including the pangalay of Tausug and the martial arts traditions of Mindanao.Projection

Anak Datu is also a musical treat. There will be live music from the Kulintangan Ensemble, perfectly harmonized with the symphonic music of Chino Toledo, the soundscape of TJ Ramos, and the live chanting from some of the actors.Millado shared that they originally wanted an immersive staging in which the audience would go to different rooms where they could see how the story would unfold.

The idea of staging Anak Datu started before the pandemic. Toym Leon Imao, the son of the late National Artist, brought to the collaborators’ attention a lesser-known short story written by his father.

Theater acts move and flow through

Photo by Paw Castillo

designer GA Fallarme and light designer Katsch Catoy look for opportunities to bring in the color and silhouettes of Abdulmari Imao’s canvas, and contrast this with the graphic realism of recent historical incidents.Forthe set design, “Toym Imao brings in his own worldview and artistic vision shaped by a household that negotiated multi-culturalism on a daily basis (his father was Muslim and his mother, a Christian) and a family history deeply wounded and recuperating from divisions caused by the conflict in Mindanao and Martial Law,” shared Millado.

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