Manila Standard - 2022 November 17 - Thursday

APEC AGENDA TO YIELD ‘GOOD PROGRESS’ FOR PH—MR. MARCOS

By Vince Lopez and Vito Barcelo

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

on Wednesday expressed confidence that his participation in the 29th AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting in Thailand will bring “good progress” to the Philippines.

Mr. Marcos, who arrived in Bangkok

late afternoon yesterday, acknowledged that APEC member economies account for 38 percent of the global population, 48 percent of world trade, and 62 percent of world gross domestic product (GDP).

“It will be an honor for me to repre sent the Philippines at the APEC. APEC remains to be one of the prime platforms to engage the economies of the Asia-

Pacific region. The importance of this region to us and to the rest of the world cannot be overstated,” the President said in a pre-departure speech delivered at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. This is the first time Mr. Marcos will attend the APEC meeting as the coun try’s chief executive.

Says gov’t nearing goal as ‘Kadiwa sa Pasko’ stalls now sell at P25/k

By Vito Barcelo

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Wednesday he is getting closer to his campaign promise of having rice sell for P20 a kilo, but acknowledged that more needed to be done before this became a reality.

At the launch of the “Kadiwa ng Pasko” project, Mr. Marcos said rice is already being sold for P25 a kilo in the Kadiwa stalls and the National Food Authority (NFA).

“You can see that we are getting closer to our goal of P20 a kilo but let’s take it slowly. We’ll get there,” he said in Filipino.

The Kadiwa ng Pasko project was designed to address inflation by pro viding the people with affordable goods especially during the holiday season in coordination with the De partment of Agriculture as the lead agency, Malacanang said.

Fourteen sites were opened simulta neously across the country on Wednes day, including 11 in the National Capi tal Region, one in Tacloban City, one in Davao De Oro, and one in Koronadal City, South Cotabato.

The President was joined by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos.

The program aims to provide a mar ket for farmers and fishers for their produce without having to go through traders and middlemen.

Organizers expect them to have better income and, at the same time, provide the public access to more affordable, accessible, and highquality merchandise.

The President said he hoped Filipi nos would support the program, which aims to effectively promote the growth

Trump declares presidential bid, vows to rout Biden

A COMBATIVE Donald Trump launched into the 2024 White House race on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time), setting the stage for a bruising Republican nomination battle after a poor midterm election showing by his hand-picked candidates weakened his grip on the party.

“America’s comeback starts right now,” the 76-year-old former president told hundreds of supporters gathered in

an ornate American flag-draped ball room at his palatial Mar-a-Lago resi dence in Florida.

“In order to make America great and glorious again, I am tonight announc ing my candidacy for president of the United States,” Trump said, minutes af ter filing the official paperwork for his third presidential run.

Trump’s unusually early entry into

US Veep Harris to visit Palawan amid SCS issue

By Rey E. Requejo

UNITED States Vice President Ka mala Harris will visit Palawan, which faces the disputed South China Sea, when she comes over on an official visit next week, a senior American of ficial said Tuesday.

The official from the US Embassy in Manila, who spoke on customary con dition of anonymity, said Harris will be the highest-ranking American official to visit the western island province adja cent to the disputed Spratly Islands in a show of support to the Philippines.

Manila announced earlier Tuesday that Washington would spend $66.5 million to start building training and warehouse facilities at three of its military bases there under a 2014 joint security deal.

China has fortified parts of disputed Spratlys, which are also being claimed

Ombudsman suspends NIA chief, may face dismissal

By Rio N. Araja

THE

the Ombudsman has

“After

In a five-page order, Ombudsman

Senate to revive oversight panel on confidential, intelligence funds

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Senate will revive a committee that would exercise congressional over sight on confidential and intelligence funds (CIIF), which are slated to reach P9.3 billion for various agencies under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s ad ministration, Sen. Sonny Angara said Wednesday.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri filed the resolution forming a Select

Oversight Committee to investigate government agencies’ use of their allo cated confidential funds.

The proposed committee will be composed of three members – a senator from the majority and the minority, to be headed by the Senate President.

The 2023 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) marks P9,287,675,000 for confidential and intelligence funds— P4,330,048,000 marked as confidential

At a media briefing in Quezon City, Antiporda claimed a “big-time syndi cate” at NIA was behind the complaints filed against him with the Ombudsman, which were part of a “smear campaign.”

CHED drops full distance degree plan

THE Commission on Higher Educa tion said colleges and universities will no longer be allowed to implement full distance learning starting the second semester of Academic Year 2022-2023.

Under CHED Memorandum Order No. 16, higher education institutions

Office of

placed National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Benny Antiporda under preventive suspension for six months fol lowing administrative complaints filed by several NIA employees against him.

Sam uel Martires ordered the suspension after NIA employees Lloyd Allain Cudal and Michelle Gonzales Raymundo complained against Antiporda for allegedly committing conduct prejudicial to the best interest of

the service, grave misconduct, harassment, oppression, and ignorance of the law.

a careful evaluation of the re cords, this Office finds that among the respondents, Respondent Benny Anti porda’s guilt is strong and that the case against him… may warrant his removal from the service,” the order read.

APEC PARTICIPATION. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrives in Bangkok late Wednesday afternoon for the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) from Nov. 18 to 19, 2022. He is accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos and the rest of the Philippine delegation.

AFFORDABLE GOODS. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday leads the launching of the ‘Kadiwa Ng Pasko’ project at a covered court in Mandaluyong City. Revoli Cortez

US Vice President Kamala Harris

Former US President Donald Trump

SUSPENDED. Acting National Irrigation Administration head Benny Antiporda shows a copy of the suspension order from the Ombudsman during a press conference in Quezon City on November 16, 2022. Manny Palmero

More obese Pinoys during pandemic

By Willie Casas

MORE adults and children grew obese during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, the DOH Officer in Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said this was reported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the World Health Organi zation (WHO).

“Of course, the main reason for this increase in obesity was that we were all on lockdown,” she said in Filipino.

The lockdowns kept people at home with little opportunity for exercise or physical activities.

Mr. Marcos said he would present the Philippines’ economic agenda, in cluding the plans for digital transfor mation and attainment of sustainable development goals.

He said he would also push for the Phil ippines’ participation in the digital econo my; the economic inclusion of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); and the “safe and seamless” passage of Filipino maritime crews and seafarers.

He added that he would urge his fel low APEC leaders to address climate change and ensure food and energy security in the region.

The Asia-Pacific region also hosts the largest segments of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), with the Philippine re gional trade accounting for 85 percent, providing Filipino consumers access to goods and services from the region.

The region also gives Filipino farm ers, laborers, businessmen and MS MEs an export market for their goods and services in the region.

Established in 1989, APEC serves as the premier Asia-Pacific economic forum, with the primary goal of sup porting sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the region.

The APEC’s 21 member economies include the Philippines, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Ko rea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Russia, Sin gapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.

During his stay in Thailand, Mr. Mar cos said he, along with First Lady Lou ise Araneta-Marcos, would also meet with Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana who granted a royal audience for APEC leaders and their spouses.

The quality of food, too, was lim ited as many people simply ordered fast food online.

Obesity is a precuror to diabetes, heart disease and stroke and other noncommunicable diseases, Vergeire said.

She advised mothers to monitor the qual ity of food consumed by their children.

She also highlighted the importance of exercise.

The Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Re

search Institute (DOST-FNRI) said the obesity rates among children aged 0 to 5 are at 3.9 percent, while chil dren aged 5 to 10 are at 14 percent, according to its 2021 Expanded Na tional Nutrition Survey (ENNS).

Ten percent of adults aged 20 to 59 are obese. For those aged 60 and above, 6.2 percent are obese, and 11.8 percent have chronic energy deficiency.

The ENNS surveyed 141,189 Filipi nos in 37 provinces and cities between July 2021 and June 2022 to quantify Filipinos’ health and food security con ditions at the height of the pandemic.

At the same time, Vergeire said the COVID-19 situation in the Philippines is still too uncertain to say that the dis ease has become endemic.

Vergeire pointed to the low immuni ty and the low booster coverage in the country as a source of uncertainty.

“The booster rate of the population is now low that’s why we see that the cases in the country may still go up and the effect of these subvariants to the immunity in the population,” she said.

But she said she agreed with Dr. Ed sel Salvana, an infectious diseases ex pert, who said the COVID-19 situation was becoming endemic.

“We can really see that COVID-19 seems to be becoming endemic in the sense that it’s already circulating like the cold. It’s not really going away complete ly,” Salvana said in Filipino. “And so, for this kind of illness, there are really fluc tuations in the number of cases.”

Holiday economics: 9 long weekends in 2023

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has released a declaration for the regular and special non-working holidays for 2023 in Proclamation No. 90.

In keeping with the holiday eco nomics idea, the proclamation, issued on November 11, adds two special non-working holidays: January 2 and November 2, All Souls Day in the Catholic calendar.

The Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) released a copy of the document, signed by Mr. Marcos and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, on Wednesday.

All in all, the public will enjoy nine chances of long weekends next year based on Proclamation No. 90.

It emphasized that “[t]here is a need to adjust these holidays pursuant to the principle of holiday economics, where in a longer weekend will help encour age domestic travel and increase tour

ism expenditures in the country.”

“For the year 2023, New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday. In consid eration of the Filipino tradition of visiting relatives and spending time with their families for this occasion, it is but fitting to declare January 2 (Monday) as an additional special (non-working) day throughout the country,” it also notes.

Below are the officially declared holi days for 2023:

REGULAR HOLIDAYS

January 1 – New Year’s Day (Sunday)

April 6 – Maundy Thursday April 7 – Good Friday April 10 – Araw ng Kagitingan (Mon day nearest to April 9, which is a Sunday)

May 1 – Labor Day (Monday)

June 12 – Independence Day (Monday)

August 28 – National Heroes Day (Monday) November 27 – Bonifacio Day

(Monday nearest to November 30, which is a Thursday)

December 25 – Christmas Day (Monday) December 30 – Rizal Day (Saturday)

SPECIAL NON-WORKING HOLI DAYS

February 25 – EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary (Saturday) April 8 – Black Saturday

August 21 – Ninoy Aquino Day (Monday) November 1 – All Saints’ Day (Wednesday) December 8 – Feast of the immacu late Conception (Friday)

December 31 – Last Day of the Year (Sunday)

Nov. 30, the annual date of observa tion for Bonifacio Day, may still be de clared a working day, Marcos said.

Mr. Marcos said all other provisions of Proclamation No. 42 series of 2022 will still be in effect.

US approves monkeypox detection test

THE US drugs agency has approved a test by Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche that can detect monkeypox, the company said on Wednesday.

The US Food and Drug Adminis tration (FDA) gave the green light for emergency use authorization, Roche said in a statement, which makes it possible to accelerate the sale of drugs or tests for detection.

Roche, which was also fast in pro ducing PCR tests for coronavirus, was among the first to develop tests to de tect monkeypox.

The company’s test targets two dif ferent regions of the virus’ genome that are least likely to mutate, so it can still detect the monkeypox virus if it mutates, Roche said.

The test will help individuals avoid “unnecessary additional testing or isolation” and will ensure people have “access to appropriate treatment as soon as possible,” it added.

The company stressed, however, that the virus cannot be “conclusively diagnosed” by symptoms alone.

Monkeypox symptoms include fe ver, muscular aches and large boil-like skin lesions.

Since monkeypox suddenly began spreading beyond the West African countries where it has long been endem ic six months ago, it has killed 36 people out of more than 77,000 cases across 109 countries, according to a WHO count.

The outbreak outside of West Af rica has primarily affected young men who have sex with men.

But since peaking in July, the num ber of people infected has consistently fallen, particularly in Europe and North America, the hardest hit areas in the early stages of the global outbreak. AFP

Senate...

of local agricultural markets.

The Department of Agriculture, which Marcos also heads, said local commercial rice sells for between P38 and P50 per kilo.

At the launch of the Kadiwa ng Pasko project, Mr. Marcos said the govern ment would set up more Kadiwa stores nationwide so more Filipinos would have access to cheaper agricultural pro duce even as the prices of commodities continue to rise.

“Life was really difficult for all of us, but there are ways to help. We will continue this even after Christmas. This is one of the ways the government can help the people,” the President said.

“As your government, we cannot do anything with the rising prices. We can’t do anything because the soaring prices of commodities were brought by external forces that we cannot control, but we are helping with the people’s ca pacity to buy,” he added.

Earlier this month, Mr. Marcos ap proved the importation of cheap ferti lizer worth at least P4.16 billion from China that will be given to farmers for free as a subsidy in a bid to support them while lowering food prices.

Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) President and Chief Executive Officer Emmie Liza PerezChiong said her agency plans to buy an initial 150,000 metric tons of fertilizer this year from China at $470 per MT, for a total of $70.5 million or P4.16 bil lion, through a government-to-govern

ment arrangement.

The purchase is significantly lower from the current price of $650 per MT.

Mr. Marcos likewise directed Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno to extend the sovereign guarantee to PTIC’s P1 billion credit line from governmentowned LandBank

“I will also ask LandBank to allow DA to use its idle warehouses for the stockpil ing of fertilizers,” the President said.

The DA has allotted P4.1 billion for subsidies to buy fertilizers to be given for free to farmers.

With the much lower cost, DA will be able to buy around 2.277 million bags of urea to be given to farmers through farmers’ groups and cooperatives.

The government plans to import around 300,000 MT of fertilizer to be used next year.

funds and P4,957,627,000 as intelli gence funds.

“According to Majo (Majority Leader Joel Villanueva) and SP (Sen ate President Juan Miguel Zubiri), they will revive it after the budget [discussion],” Angara, chairman of the Senate finance committee, said in a text message to ABS-CBN Discussions on the revival of the oversight panel followed concerns from Senate Minority Leader Aqui lino Pimentel III and Sen. Risa Hon tiveros on the CIF.

The minority bloc is questioning the confidential funds allocated to agen cies that have nothing to do with intel ligence, information, or data-gathering activities, like the Office of the Presi dent, Office of the Vice President, and the Department of Education.

(HEIs) may only implement full inperson classes or hybrid learning.

“Unless there is an approval from the Commission on Higher Education, an HEI cannot offer its recognized de gree programs in full distance learn ing delivery, including fully online modality,” read the order signed by CHED chairman Prospero de Vera.

Laboratory or courses with on-thejob training and apprenticeship pro grams must also be conducted primar ily through onsite learning.

Colleges and universities that will deliv er degree programs through hybrid learn ing must allot “at least 50 percent of the total contact time” for onsite classes.

The remaining contact time can be deliv ered through distance learning modalities.

HEIs intending to implement distance learning as well as transnational educa tion must first secure CHED’s approval.

by Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Viet nam aside from the Philippines.

The visit, scheduled on Tuesday next week, comes after Harris arrives in Manila on Sunday night, Nov. 20, after attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Bangkok, Thailand,

The 58-year-old Harris will meet President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte on Nov. 21, Monday, to enhance security and eco nomic ties, the US official said.

“This visit demonstrates the BidenHarris administration’s commitment to stand with our Philippine ally in up holding the rules-based international maritime order in the South China Sea,” the US official told reporters.

Harris will visit residents, civil soci

tary, accompanied by his lawyer Mike Mella, believes that those he earlier sued for graft at the Ombudsman have something to do with his suspension, along with another agency official.

ety, and the Philippine Coast Guard in Palawan’s capital Puerto Princesa City.

The trip will “reaffirm our defense commitments to the Philippines and the importance of our alliance in peace and stability in the South China Sea”, the of ficial said.

Harris will also discuss countering il legal fishing and hold a separate event on women’s empowerment.

The United States, which has a treaty alliance with its former colony, has been increasingly outspoken in supporting Southeast Asian nations in myriad dis putes with a more assertive China.

Beijing claims some territories in the waters off Palawan and much of the South China Sea, citing domestic historical maps. But a 2016 arbitration ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbi tration said China’s claims had no legal basis, in a victory for Manila.

The South China Sea, which contains

massive oil and gas deposits, is the stage for $5 trillion in ship-borne trade each year but also a flashpoint for Chinese and US tensions around naval operations.

The Philippines is a defense ally of the United States, but under former President Rodrigo Duterte it avoided criticizing Beijing, eyeing Chinese investment.

Harris’ trip marks her second to Asia in three months and follows Biden’s weeklong trip to the region. Both trips were aimed at shoring up both defenses and al liances to discourage aggressive steps by China, including in self-ruled Taiwan.

During her last trip to the region, the US VP accused China of actions to “co erce and intimidate” neighbors.

Gregory Poling, an expert on the South China Sea issue, stressed Harris’ visit could send a strong message to the Philippines without angering Beijing because it is not a visit to a disputed ter ritory. With AFP

Ukraine and again after the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol by his sup porters, launches his new bid with sev eral potential handicaps.

“It has long been the practice of the Senate to constitute a Select Oversight Committee for confidential and intel ligence funds,” Zubiri said in filing his proposal.

Since the 10th Congress, he noted that the Senate has always formed the Select Oversight Committee, “and we are going to continue that for the 19th Congress.”

According to Zubiri, their job, “as an independent and democratic Sen ate, is to keep watch over the use of the national budget.”

“That is especially true for these sen sitive funds, which are not subject to the usual auditing rules and procedures of the Commission on Audit,” he said.

As senators cannot identify the par ticulars of these funds’ usage ahead of time, Zubiri said the committee “is our way of subjecting these funds to checks and balances.”

next time around.

He also offered to resign “to avoid embarrassing the appointing authority.”

“I asked permission from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on my corruption campaign at the agency. I don’t think I did something illegal,” he told reporters.

According to the Ombudsman, Anti porda was displeased when NIA lawyers opined that the most senior officer of NIA was Ricardo Visaya, and that the latter should retain his post as administrator.

But he said in Filipino: “The accusations were wrong; it’s very misleading for me to retaliate against people. Did you know that majority of employees here were promot ed? How can it be retaliatory?”

The former Environment undersecre

He also told GMA News Online the ac cusations were “baseless” and merely “pet ty allegations.” He confirmed receipt of the order and said he would comply with it.

Antiporda singled out NIA corpo rate board secretary Raymundo, who accused him of harassment when he got mad at her for refusing to certify his appointment.

In September, Antiporda filed a criminal and administrative complaint against NIA’s legal officer Cudal and another lawyer, Mary Annabelle Do mingo, before the Ombudsman after the Court of Appeals ordered NIA to pay a private contractor nearly P206 million.

the race is being seen in Washington as an attempt to get the jump on other Republicans seeking to be party flagbearer – and to stave off potential crim inal charges.

In a fiery, hour-long speech, Trump lauded – and at times inflated – his accom plishments as America’s 45th president and fired off verbal salvos against Democrat Joe Biden, who defeated him in 2020.

“I will ensure that Joe Biden does not receive four more years,” Trump vowed, while the US leader greeted his announcement with a tweet saying: “Donald Trump failed America.” Trump, who was impeached for seeking political dirt on Biden from

He is the target of multiple investigations into his conduct before, during and after his first term as president – which could ulti mately result in his disqualification.

These include allegations of fraud by his family business, his role in the at tack on the Capitol, his attempt to over turn the 2020 election, and his stashing of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

Meanwhile Trump’s Republicans are licking their wounds after disappoint ing midterms, widely blamed on the underperformance of Trump-anointed candidates, and some are openly ask ing whether Trump – with his divisive politics and mess of legal woes – is the right person to carry the party colors

Several possible 2024 primary rivals are circling, chief among them the gov ernor of Florida Ron DeSantis, who bucked the tide and won a resounding reelection victory on November 8.

The powerful media empire of Ru pert Murdoch has already appeared to turn its back on Trump, labelling him a “loser” who shows “increas ingly poor judgement.”

And Trump remains banned by Fa cebook and Twitter, which was instru mental in his stunning political rise.

In his announcement speech, Trump attacked Biden over inflation, crime and immigration, mocked climate change and congratulated himself for toppling the Islamic State, keeping North Korea in check and building a border wall with Mexico. AFP

2 UN special rapporteurs due in Manila—CHR

TWO United Nations special rapporteurs are due in Manila to look into incidents of human rights violations, specifically exploitation and sexual abuse of children, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) disclosed on Wednesday.

The CHR said identified the two UN special rapporteurs as Mama Fatima Singhateh and Irene Khan.

Singhateh is expected to be in the country from November 28 to Decem ber 2 this year, while details of Khan’s visit are still unavailable. Khan reput edly specializes on freedom of expres

sion and opinion.

Singhateh will particularly inquire into allegations of unabated exploita tion of minors.

She will assess the situation and the progress made in combating and pre venting the sale and sexual exploitation of children in connection to interna

tional human rights norms and stan dards, the CHR said.

The CHR underscored the important contribution of Special Rapporteurs in the international human rights protec tion mechanism.

“As independent experts, they are ex pected and have been proven to act with probity and constant regard to human rights principles and standards. Their standing at the international level gives them the capacity to look at country situations with a fresh and unprejudiced eye,” the CHR said.

“As such, their findings, conclusions, and recommendations offer competent,

objective, constructive, and specific ad vice to government actors on how to imple ment voluntarily undertaken human rights obligations, as well as emerging norms for the universal respect of all human rights,” the agency added.

During the visits, the Special Rappor teurs will meet with national and local authorities, including the national gov ernment and members of the judiciary, as well as other stakeholders, including civil society organizations and victims of hu man rights violations.

“These visits result in the publication of findings, conclusions, and recommen dations which aim to improve the realiza

tion of human rights on the ground,” the CHR said.

The CHR committed to actively take part in and contribute inputs to the Special Rapporteurs, based on in formation collected from the body’s regional presences and the protection and policy clusters at the CHR head quarters.

It also urged the national government “to recognize the competence of special procedures mandate-holders by issuing a standing invitation to them to visit the country and conduct independent assess ments of the human rights situation on the ground.”

IN BRIEF

NBI to transfer Vhong to Taguig City Jail

THE National Bureau of Investiga tion (NBI) on Wednesday said it will transfer comedian and television host Ferdinand “Vhong Navarro from its detention facility to a jail in Taguig City.

In a statement, the NBI said Na varro’s transfer to the Taguig City Jail was in compliance with an order is sued on November 14 by the Taguig City’s Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 69 handling the actor’s case.

“Navarro will have to undergo the mandatory medical examination, in cluding RT-PCR (reverse transcrip tion polymerase chain reaction) test, in compliance with the health proto col requirements prior to his transfer to BJMP, Taguig City,” the statement said.

Navarro has been held at the NBI’s detention facility on Taft Avenue, Ma nila since turning himself in last Sept. 19 on a non-bailable charge of rape. Willie Casas

‘Black Nazarene will be at Luneta Jan. 7-9’

Belmonte pledges sustained support for 10

schools

By Rio N. Araja

QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Wednesday pledged to continue supporting 10 public high schools in the city that have extended their blended learning modality despite the full r sumption of face-to-face classes.

“The city government fully backs the resumption of face-to-face classes, but we all know that there is still a problem that needs to be resolved. Because of such, we are closely coordinating with the Schools Division Office to know what could be done to help the schools, particularly the 10 high schools that extended the blended learning,” Belmonte said.

Based on the report of the city’s Schools Division Office, the 10 schools could not implement the full face-to-face classes due to various factors, notably classrooms and teachers shortage, prompting it to ask the Department of EducationNational Capital Region to extend blended learning modality in select schools, namely, the Justice Cecilia Munoz Palma, Bagong Silangan, Batasan Hills, Balara, San Bartolome, Novaliches, Dona Rosario, Ismael Mathay Sr., New Era and Emilio Jacinto.

The city’s Education Affairs Unit cited the temporary classroom shortage in Ismael Mathay Sr. High School basically due to the yellow-tagged rooms that were subject to minor repairs based on the City Engineering Department’s postearthquake assessment.

Transport Canada execs look into PH aviation security

By Joel E. Zurbano

CANADIAN civil aviation officials are currently in the Philippines to take part in a five-day assessment of aviation secu rity measures concerning Manila-Canada flights.

Transport Canada inspectors Abdel Tahir and Barbara Durette have joined the inspections jointly conducted by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and Office for Transportation Security (OTS).

The assessment covered the air car riers’ security procedures on passenger and baggage screening, cargo and mail security, and access control measures, among others.

The Canadian visitors will also ob serve security measures being imple mented by the Philippine Airlines for its flight to Toronto, Canada, specifically

regarding the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations.

MIAA acting general manager Cesar Chiong noted that safety and security of the airports, as the country’s primary gateways, are paramount.

“The airport is a very important gateway to the country, and as such, we have to make sure it is safe and secured,” Chiong said.

“As I told the team, in any assessment, we do not expect it to be perfect. The idea really, is to understand where the weak points are, and see where we can improve,” he added.

For his part, OTS transport secu rity oversight and compliance ser vice officer-in-charge Rodelio Jocson, who represented the OTS during the entry brief, said security is a shared responsibility that each of the key players has to perform.

“It is our goal to ensure the safety and

security of our passengers in the airport. I hope that this activity will guide and improve our security measures following international standards,” Jocson said.

Meanwhile, OTS administrator Under secretary Ma.O R. Aplasca highlighted the guidance by Department of Transpor tation Secretary Jaime Bautista to ensure that security measures comply with in ternational standards and recommended practices.

“Evolving terror threats remind us to re-evaluate our security measures, and look for ways on to improve the system. In order to do this, we have to work together and collaborate with our foreign counterparts to assess threats and vulnerabilities which we may not see, but our foreign counterparts do. Sharing of best practices is therefore material in improving overall aviation security,” Aplasca said.

THE revered Black Nazarene icon of Quiapo Church in Manila will be at the Quirino Grandstand from Jan. 7-9, 2023 where devotees can pray as part of the annual Feast of Traslacion

Fr. Earl Allyson Valdez, parish priest of the Quiapo Church, said organizers of the annual religious event have decided to take the Black Nazareno to the Luneta to bring it closer to the reach of the faithful.

“The image of the Nazareno will be displayed at the Quirino Grandstand from January 7 to January 9, 2023 so that the devotees will have enough time to offer prayers,” Valdez said in a social media post on the website of the Archdiocese of Manila.

“The devotees will be allowed to pay homage to Nuestro Padre Hesus Nazareno instead of kissing the image,” he added.

At midnight of Jan. 9, Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula will celebrate a Mass at the Quirino Grandstand.

BI arrests Indian for trading sans permit

BUREAU of Immigration (BI) agents have arrested an Indian national who was found doing business in the country without the required working visa or permit.

The foreigner, identified as Inderjeet Bamdev, was apprehended at his store in Barangay Centro Norte, Camalaniugan, Cagayan.

“The arrest followed after we received a complaint that Bamdev was working on his business without the appropriate visa,” BI Intelligence Division chief Fortunato Manahan, Jr. said.

“It took hours to take Bamdev into custody as he refused the arrest. He even bragged that he has the backing of some law enforcement officers, and that he is untouchable by BI,” Manahan added. Vito Barcelo

By Nash B. Maulana

DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao del Norte. Some 1,000 children in villages hardest hit by Typhoon Paeng here have received aid in debriefing plays, capped with gift toys and school supplies through a series of post-disaster outreach activities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The relief mission held last November 11 involved social workers from the BARMM’s Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) in time for the observance of this year’s Children’s Month.

MSSD Minister and member of Parliament Raissa Jajurie led the outreach activities together with representatives of the Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children (RCWC) and of the Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (RJJWC) for children who have remained sheltered in evacuation centers here, after their families were displaced by Typhoon Paeng since October 28.

In Kusiong Elementary School, one of the locally designated evacuation centers, 350 children took part in playful stress debriefing sessions, and were given toys and hygiene kits.

Each of the 292 children aged 3 to 15 years old received bags containing school supplies and hygiene kits.

MSSD workers backed by volun teers from the RCWC and RJJWC hosted the kids during the commem oration activities, with the theme BangonBatangBangsamoro.

Jajurie said the theme “encapsulates and amplifies the efforts along the Bangsamoro government’s interven tions to (uphold) the rights of the child on development, protection, survival, and participation, with a special focus on children who have psychologically sufferedmuch from their families’ ex perience during onslaught of Typhoon Paeng.

QC

Young victims of ‘Paeng’ get gifts from BARMM-MSSD

ROAD CLEARING. Elements of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) headed by Col. Bong Negrija (ret.) step up their road clearing operations in Manila in the run up to the holiday season. Norman Cruz

BEAUTIES IN A ROW Binibining Pilipinas International 2021 Hannah Arnold (white dress, center) radiates as Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) hosts a royal send-off at the Monet Ballroom 2 Novotel Manila Araneta City. During the send-off, Hannah thanked her fans and supporters as she vies for the country’s 7th Miss International crown. Danny Pata

HELP FOR FIRE VICTIMS.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sec. Erwin Tulfo, National Capital Region Director Pinky Romualdez, and Mayor John Rey Tiangco visit and distribute cash assistance, relief goods, and sleeping kits to fire victims’ families in Brgy. Bagumbayan North and Navotas West.

Poe: Look into Grab’s plan on rate increase

SENATOR Grace Poe on Wednesday urged concerned agencies to step in and look into the plan of Grab Philippines to impose a 2-percent increase in its com mission rate.

Grab PH, a drive and delivery-hailing app, recently announced that it has codeveloped a performance-based commis sion scheme with its driver-partners after months of consultation and forum.

The increase in the commission rate will take effect on Dec. 1, 2022.

At present, Grab takes a maximum com mission of 20 percent for each booking.

Poe, in a press statement, said the plan is “unconscionable” particularly when the country is facing economic hardships.

“Every peso that drivers and riders earn comes from hard work poured to bring passengers home or delivery par cels right at our doorsteps,” Poe said.

Instead of reducing their earnings, the lawmaker said the drivers should get more benefits and social protection.

“As vital frontliners in the service sec tor, riders and drivers have helped keep the local economy going. They, too, long for an easy ride,” she added.

Laban TNVS president Jun De Leon recently said their group was hoping that Grab would defer the planned com mission hike because drivers and deliv ery riders are still recovering from the impact of the pandemic and the frequent oil price hikes.

They also urged the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to regu late all the co mission increases to be im posed by transport network vehicle service companies.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Romualdez leads assistance drive for fire victims

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Offices of House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez and Tingog Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude Acidre, on Wednesday morning distributed relief goods to families displaced by a fire in Navotas City Monday night.

Singer-actress Karla Estrada, director for Community Engagements of Speaker Romualdez and Tingog Partylist, personally led the distribution of relief assistance to 600 families at Brgy. Bagumbayan North in Navotas City whose homes were damaged by the fire.

During the relief drive, Estrada assisted by the staff and Junior Chamber International (JCI) officials in Navotas, namely vice president for Area II Joseph Benedict N. Prim and Secretary Kathryn Claudyn E. Zarate distributed rice, vitamins, medicines, mosquito nets, blankets, towels, bath and laundry soaps, napkins, diapers, slippers, and hygiene kits.

“On Tuesday, Speaker Romualdez turned over to Navotas Lone District Rep. Tobias Tiangco P5 million in cash to help the victims of the fire that razed a residential area in the city Monday night,” Estrada said.

Reports said at least five persons died while two others were injured in the fire that raged for almost six hours and reached the fifth alarm.

‘DOJ eyeing to set up new maximum security prison’

SEN. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa disclosed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is looking to establish another maximum security prison outside Metro Manila.

Dela Rosa, in a radio interview, said that a possible replacement of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City is being considered in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, an ABS-CBN News report said.

“The problem is it’s not included in their budget. The funding for its imple mentation is not included, so we will pass the problem to Congress. We will look for funds,” Dela Rosa, quoted by the report, said.

Dela Rosa said that he plans to rea lign some of the DOJ’s proposed funds for 2023 into the building of the new correctional facility. The DOJ has a

proposed budget of P26.6 billion for 2023, which is set to be deliberated in the Senate.

“I will move for the realignment of the funds of some lesser priority pro jects and programs to the construction of the correction facility. I hope I could get support from my colleagues,” Dela Rosa said.

The lawmaker also underscored the possibility of putting up regional maxi mum security prisons, so that families who cannot afford to go to Metro Ma nila could visit their imprisoned loved ones more often.

General Menardo Guevarra

Solicitor

on Wednesday meanwhile said that he was unaware of the excavation activi ties inside the New Bilibid Prison.

“As former Justice secretary, I had absolutely no knowledge about this al leged excavation inside the NBP com pound,” said Guevarra, who served as the Justice secretary under the Duterte administration.

“The same being an operation al matter, the BuCor (Bureau of Corrections) probably did not find it necessary to inform, much less seek approval from the DOJ,” Guevarra said, in a text message to reporters.

DOJ has administrative supervi sion over the BuCor, which is in charge of the custody and rehabili tation of national offenders or those sentenced to more than three years in prison. Rey E. Requejo

SNEAK PEEK.

A member of the Philippine Army allows high school students who pass by Camp General Sevillano Aquino along MacArthur Highway in Brgy San Miguel, Tarlac City to peek on the telescope his firearm on Wednesday.

Lawmakers OK measure on ‘National Hijab Day’

By Maricel V.

MMDA, PNP gear up for holiday season

THE Christmas rush will add 10 percent to 20 percent to the current traffic vol ume, the Metropolitan Manila Develop ment Authority (MMDA) reported.

The MMDA also said it will con duct road cleaning operations in various Christmas shopping centers in Metro Ma nila, including Dapitan Arcade in Quezon City, Dagupan St., Tondo, and Divisoria, Manila

The Philippine National Police (PNP) meanwhile said police personnel will not be allowed to go on leave for the Christ mas season as part of heightened security measures for the occasion.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said all applications for leave from Dec. 15 to Jan. 10 next year would be canceled, pursuant to PNP chief, Gen. Rodolfo Az

urin Jr.’s, order for increased police pres ence and visibility for the holiday season.

Fajardo also said policemen will be out in the streets to do patrols, including per sonnel rendering administrative duty in offices.

Among security measures to be imple mented is the deployment of patrol teams to churches to prevent petty criminals and gangs from causing trouble to churchgoers.

The PNP also advised churchgoers not to bring jewelry and large amounts of money lest they attract the attention of muggers and thieves.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commis sioner Norman Tansingco meanwhile

to prioritize overseas Filipino work ers (OFWs)

and out of

Media workers’ bill approved on 2nd reading

A MEASURE providing media workers with enhanced protection, security, and benefits is inching its way into becoming law following its second reading approval at the House of Representatives.

During Wednesday’s plenary session, the chamber passed through voice vote House Bill 454, or the proposed Media Workers’ Welfare Act.

ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Jeffrey Soriano, author of the measure, said the bill is geared toward the creation of a safe, protected, and conducive atmosphere for productive, free, and fruitful media work.

“This bill seeks to ensure that our media workers be granted humane conditions of work, living wage, and comprehensive benefits package at par with the current benefits enjoyed by the labor force both in government and the private sector,” Soriano said.

He said the rights and welfare of media workers should be promoted as the country’s right to information flourishes with aid from media workers.

“However, while we have the privilege to be served with quality news at the expense of the said right, media workers are currently confronted with different risks and threats, sometimes even life and death situations,” he added.

The bill includes entitlements to overtime pay, night shift premiums, and a wage that should not be below the minimum salary in their respective region.

Media workers shall be covered by the Social Security System, the Home Development Mutual Fund or the PAGIBIG Fund, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. upon employment.

It also requires death, disability, and medical insurance benefits for media workers.

A News Media Tripartite Council shall be created to serve as a platform for media workers and employers to discuss and agree on mutually beneficial policies, including the settlement of conflicts and the formulation of programs that support both sectors’ aspirations, and thereby promote the growth and development of the media industry.

Foreigner nabbed for conducting biz without permit

By Vito Barcelo

BUREAU of Immigration (BI) agents arrested an Indian national who was found conducting a merchandising business without a proper working visa or permit.

The foreigner, identified as Inderjeet Bamdev was arrested at his store in Brgy. Centro Norte, Camalaniugan, Cagayan.

“The arrest followed after we received a complaint that Bamdev was working on his business without the appropriate visa,” BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan, Jr. said.

“It took hours to take Bamdev into our custody as he refused the arrest. He even bragged that he has the backing of some law enforcement officers and that he is untouchable by BI,” Manahan added.

After verification of Bamdev’s travel record and visa status, it was learned that he has been in the country for more than four years without securing the appropriate visa.

Bamdev is now being charged for violating the conditions of his stay and for being an undocumented alien under Sec. 37(a)(7) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco then lamented how some illegal foreigners behave in the country saying “it is disappointing how some think they can easily evade the authorities in our country.”

“Nobody is above the law. Adhere by it or face deportation,” he added.

Bamdev is being held at BI’s detention center in Taguig pending deportation proceedings.

vowed

traveling in

the country this holiday season. Vito Barcelo

Cruz

THE House of Representatives has ap proved on third and final reading a meas ure declaring February 1 of every year as “National Hijab Day” and mandating the government to launch an awareness pro gram on the practice of wearing a hijab by Muslim women.

The lower chamber approved Tues day House Bill (HB) 5693 by an overwhelming 274 votes. The bill is a consolidation of HBs1363, 3725 and 5736, principally authored by Magu indanao Rep. Bai Dimple Mastura (1st District, Maguindanao and Co tabato City), Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimapo

ro, and others.

“The State recognizes the role of wom en in nation- building and shall ensure the fundamental equality of women and men before the law. The free exercise and enjoy ment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination and or prefer ence, shall be forever allowed,”HB 5693 said.

Andrew Rabulan

Danny Pata

A CHRISTMAS SYMBOL. A 30-foot Christmas tree made by the Dumagat from San Andres Tanay, Rizal is adorned with abaca, bamboo, capiz, and sinamay lights up the Newport World Hotel in Pasay City. Danny Pata

Fight pollution, climate change

YESTERDAY I saw on the internet

1978 photos of Plaza Miranda and, across from the Quiapo Church, the Mi nor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, is the iconic Mercury Drug branch, now a 57-year old structure as old as I am.

The area is a personal favorite and an important part of my life being a long time devotee of Mahal Na Poong Naza reno.

But what struck me in one of the nostalgic pictures is the air monitor ing apparatus that stood in front of the Mercury Drug store near the foot of the Quezon Bridge.

The robust black steel structure indi cates in big bold digits the “air pollution index” and exact time of day.

Understandably, the air quality moni tor was a device that measured the level of common air pollutants in the area which effectively served as a visual re minder of the importance of clean air.

Students at high schools nearby were assigned to report on the air pollution index as indicated on the said digital de vice in their Science class daily.

I remember the same air quality mon itors were erected in other locations in cluding EDSA.

I do not know why they removed such digital devices in key locations in Metro Manila which did not obstruct vehicular traffic anyway.

Although such information on air quality in different localities may now be available online, we must promote awareness about clean air and effects of climate change in every way we can.

Climate change should be every one’s concern as its repercussions will increasingly impact the lives of future generations.

The country’s resiliency and adaptation to climate change is a national priority, President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos, Jr. (PBBM) has said repeatedly.

PBBM said combating climate change is a “battle we must wage and a battle that we must win.”

“We must ensure that the initiatives we will take will be smarter, more re sponsible, and more sustainable,” PBBM added.

When he spoke before the UN Gen eral Assembly, he made the urgent call on industrialized countries “to lead by example by immediately fulfilling their obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement to cut their greenhouse gas emissions, and providing climate financing and tech nology transfer for adaptation for the most vulnerable and developing coun tries.”

He strongly delivered the same mes sage during last week’s 40th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

While we build resilience against

impacts of climate change, we should ensure that the country’s emissions of greenhouse gases (methane and carbon dioxide) are strictly checked.

The Philippines’ greenhouse gas emissions rank in the top 25 percent among low-and middle-income coun tries, with emissions from the energy sector projected to quadruple by 2030, particularly with the transport sector doubling its emissions.

Meanwhile, super typhoons and dry spells have alternately hit various re gions of the country, causing massive losses to the agricultural sector.

The country’s rich biodiversity is constantly under threat from human activities, including deforestation and forest degradation, illegal fishing and illicit wildlife trade

A study on climate change by the in ternational Climate Central shows that regions where some 150 million people currently live are projected to submerge by 2050, including the Philippines.

That means people living along the coastlines of the country’s 7,641 islands will be affected, including top tourist destination Boracay island.

Apart from global warming and cli mate change, the country is beset by il legal mining and logging, deforestation, threats to environmental activists, dyna mite fishing, landslides, coastal erosion, and biodiversity extinction.

The country’s rich biodiversity is constantly under threat from human ac tivities, including deforestation and for est degradation, illegal fishing and illicit wildlife trade.

The keyword in what President BBM said about climate change is “sustain ability” which means we should con serve and protect the environment from destruction so that natural resources will be available to us in the years to come.

Let us stop “killing ourselves.” In stead we must do everything to mitigate the effects of climate change for the sake of our children.

KHERSON, Ukraine—Hugging Ukrai nian soldiers, blaring car horns and wav ing flags – the people of Kherson are sa voring their newfound freedom.

After more than eight months under Russian occupation, residents of the city in southern Ukraine were celebrating their liberty and taking stock.

On the central Svoboda square, the national flag was flying on the roof of the regional administration building.

Several hundred joyful residents gathered there—children, families, and the elderly.

Lyubov, a 17-year-old drama student, was overjoyed.

She had blue and yellow paint streaked across her face and a Ukrainian flag around her shoulders.

“I am so happy—I can’t express my emotions,” she told AFP.

“I couldn’t believe that we were fi nally liberated so quickly. It’s such a relief,” she said.

Asked what she missed most under occu pation, she said “freedom”—almost shout ing.

“When the Russians were here, we felt uncomfortable. We couldn’t leave the city. We couldn’t go to the shops freely,” she said. “I was afraid someone

might attack me.”

Ukrainian soldiers are being greeted like celebrities in Kherson.

As soon as they arrive, people come to hug them. Children ask for their au tographs, offering flags and balloons for them to sign.

The soldiers are modest and receptive.

“We’re doing our job, we’re not he roes,” said one.

‘Grateful to the people’

Another, signing flags, said: “I have feelings that I am not used to.

“We’re grateful to the people of Kher son who have waited for our arrival,” she added.

In the street in front of the square, the crowd jeered as a Russian rocket launcher passed by, towed by a Ukrai nian military vehicle.

Many had come to make use of a wireless internet connection provided by Starlink satellite.

Aleksandr Murzak, 62, and Valentina Murzak, 59, had just finished speaking to their daughter over the phone.

They called earlier too, and only learned the city had been liberated when their daughter told them the news.

“I was crying,” the mother said. “She

EDITORIAL

Keeping PH seafarers sailing

EARLIER this month, a news report quoted Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople as saying President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had stripped the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) of the task of overseeing the implementation of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for seafarers

It turns out, however, that Secretary Ople had been misquoted, and that MARINA will continue to supervise maritime training and accreditation in the country.

What is clear at this point, however, is the Philippine government must do everything possible to keep Filipino seafarers working in European vessels to retain their jobs.

The problem is the country has repeatedly failed to pass evaluation by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in the past 16 years.

EMSA has given a final deadline this No vember for the Philippines to address the concerns it has raised.

Passing the EU audit is urgently necessary as failure to do so would adversely affect the country’s current standing as the top source of certified seafarers in the world.

Our seafarers send to their families back home around P376 billion in remittances annually.

The 2021 maritime transport report of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) named the Philippines as the top provider of seafarers globally, followed

...the Philippine government must do everything possible to keep Filipino seafarers working in European vessels to retain their jobs

by Indonesia, China, and India.

Over a quarter of all global merchant ship ping crew members come from the Philip pines, with 380,000 Filipino seafarers over seas as of 2019.

European shipping firms want Filipinos seafarers to fill up the shortfall in the num ber of Ukrainian maritime workers due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February.

Before the invasion, Ukraine was the world’s sixth-biggest supplier of seafarers.

But Filipino seafarers in EU-flagged ships are in serious danger of losing their jobs since the Philippines has repeatedly failed to pass the EMSA audit for compliance with the 1978 International Convention on Stan dards of Training, Certification, and Watch keeping for Seafarers (STCW) since 2016.

Since 2016, the Philippines has repeated ly faced the possibility of a ban by the Euro pean Union on the hiring of Filipino seafar ers after EMSA perennially raised concerns about the country’s compliance with inter national seafaring standards.

MARINA is the regulatory body and sole agency responsible for maritime administration.

The Philippines, being a member-state of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has designated MARINA as its Flag State Administration by virtue of an Execu tive Order.

It has also been designated as the single maritime administration responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the STCW Convention.

The European Commission, in whose name the EMSA inspections are conducted since 2016, is strict in enforcing the STCW provisions on training facilities and proce dures of countries supplying seafarers to European flagged vessels.

The Philippine maritime training industry must institute the necessary reforms post haste if we want our seafarers to keep their jobs so they can feed their families when they are out to sea for long stretches at a time.

Building a new Bilibid prison

We know of these things due to the many shakedowns that the BUCOR had been conducting like the recent display of 1,000 cans of beer allegedly being sold for P1, 000 each.

THE New Bilibid Prison over the years has acquired an unsavory and notorious reputation.

By all accounts, it

It has gotten so scandalous that the government needs to put a stop to it.

It is again the setting of another criminal drama that is playing out in the media due to the murder of radio personality Percival Mabasa, better known as Percy Lapid.

If the allegations are true, it seems the order to eliminate Lapid may have come inside the penitentiary like in many reported previous cases.

Because of the overcrowding in what was then the Old Bilibid Prison in Manila, the Commonwealth government in 1936 developed a new facility to be located far from the madding crowd to house the ever increasing prison population.

The site chosen was a 551-hectare area in what is now the City of Muntinglupa which was at that time considered remote.

Construction was first started on the New Bilibid Prison in 1936 and was first occupied in 1940.

The new penitentiary was built to accommodate about 6,700 inmates.

That number as we know has been breached long time ago.

Today, the facility is holding almost 29,000 inmates and is bursting at the seams.

Although not much government development has been undertaken since the original structure was built, this gives us an idea why the penitentiary became what it is today. Rich inmates, for instance, are able to build their own bungalows complete with air conditioning units with inmates serving them.

A recording studio was even constructed at one time because an inmate wanted to record some songs.

On the central Svoboda square, the national flag was flying on the roof of the regional administration building

cried too. She told us: ‘Mum, it’s al ready official’.”

A little farther on, Andriy, 33, a phi losophy student, said: “I am extremely happy we’re finally free.

“Now, we have no electricity in the city, no water, no central heating, no mo

I also remember one shakedown wherein more than a million in local currency was confiscated including, if I remember correctly, some firearms.

...the inside of the facility did not feel and look like a prison but more of a community with its own set of rules

As someone who did a documentary on the facility once quipped, the inside of the facility did not feel and look like a prison but more of a community with its own set of rules.

There is also a thriving underground economy inside the penitentiary which some say amounts to over P100 million and is the source of a lot of corruption in the BUCOR. These things alone should drive the government to appropriate funds for a new and modern prison facility.

With the way it stands right now, it would be extremely difficult for any BUCOR Chief to be able to do anything unless a completely new and modern facility which will incorporate new security designs is built so that all inmates will be housed in prison cells.

Only then can we see a semblance of prison life as we know it and rehabilitation undertaken the way it should be.

Anything less than that will not work regardless of who is the BUCOR Chief.

Come to think of it, it is shocking that given all the things that have been going on in that facility over the past two

bile signal, no internet connection—but we have no Russians,” he said.

“I didn’t expect it to happen so fast and easily—without street fighting... like in Mariupol,” he added.

“I am happy our city is not as ruined as others, fortunately,” he said.

Anger There was anger among those gath ered over the behavior of Russian troops.

“They looted all the flats, destroyed the doors,” said Svetlana Vilna, 47.

“They took all the electronic equip ment. They’re thieves,” she said.

She said it had felt like she was “in prison for nine months.”

Oleg Nazarenko said young people were often stopped and searched.

“They terrorized us. They were worse than the fascists. That’s how it was,” the 25-year-old said.

decades, the government has not tried new ideas other than replace the BUCOR Chief.

In that sense, the government should shoulder part of the blame with what has been going on there.

Even now that the new DOJ Secretary seems to be pushing for the construction of a new facility, there is not much enthusiasm.

I read somewhere that the DOJ would need about P4 billion to start the construction of a new penitentiary somewhere in Nueva Ecija.

This is perhaps because the original 551-hectare reservation is now all built up.

One thing more, it would not be advisable to build the new facility there because there will be many objections from people living near the area because that area where the penitentiary is located is no longer considered remote and is now well developed.

If Nueva Ecija will not go thru, maybe it could be done in one of the six penal colonies still controlled by the DOJ whose area I understand remains sizable.

In this particular situation, the more remote the facility, the better.

That way, control can be better instituted.

Also, the DOJ might decide to construct three national penitentiaries so that all inmates will not be held in just one facility like the way it is done now but construct in the three major island groups.

Mindanao inmates can be held in Mindanao; Visayan and Luzon inmates can be held in the island where they come from.

That way, it will be easier for everyone.

It makes a lot of sense to build a new penitentiary.

The earlier it is done the better if the government wants to stop the problem that has been going on in the New Bilibid Prison.

Otherwise, the problems there will simply continue and confound every new administration.

At the city’s western entrance, where Russian soldiers had manned a check point, young people have been repaint ing in yellow and blue the concrete blocks that served as shelters for the oc cupying soldiers.

Residents gathered on the side of the road, waving Ukrainian flags and mak ing the sign of V for victory as cars passed.

Smoke billowed from two small fires, where people were burning rubbish and dead leaves.

“We want to clean up everything as soon as possible so that nothing will remind us of these beasts,” said Sergei Zatirko, 65, who lives in an apartment nearby.

“Look at all the rubbish they’ve left here. There’s never been so much. They’re just pigs.” AFP

has become a center of criminal activities like the illegal drug trade and murder for hire.

Honor Blanco Cabie,

Rolando

‘No Russians’: A taste of freedom in Kherson

2 CAT 10 1.5 17.65%

3 LR 2.61 0.36 16.00%

4 T 0.58 0.07 13.73%

5 GEO 0.201 0.023 12.92%

6 ACEN 7 0.55 8.53%

7 CNVRG 15.08 1.14 8.18%

8 DITO 3.1 0.22 7.64%

9 MM 1.29 0.09 7.50%

10 CIC 16.98 1.06 6.66%

TOP LOSERS

1 REG 2.12 -0.88 -29.33%

2 MB 0.32 -0.07 -17.95%

3 ANI 6.6 -0.81 -10.93%

4 UPM 0.0052 -0.0006 -10.34%

5 LPC 0.133 -0.014 -9.52%

6 MFC 900 -80 -8.16%

7 GREEN 1.57 -0.12 -7.10%

8 CROWN 1.44 -0.09 -5.88%

9 ION 0.52 -0.03 -5.45%

10 SEVN 68 -3.65 -5.09%

MOST ACTIVE

VOLUME VALUE (PHP)

1 BDO 5,153,480 671,541,499

2 CNVRG 42,680,500 631,736,862

3 SMPH 13,932,200 479,221,995 4 SM 553,530 478,373,870

5 ALI 14,442,300 398,197,885

6 JFC 1,314,680 318,755,012

7 AC 446,780 301,016,250

8 ICT 1,285,730 238,919,233 9 BPI 2,457,090 236,302,653 10 GTCAP 508,670 208,347,296

NEW PRIUS.

Toyota Motor Corp. unveils the company’s all-new Prius during the World Premiere in Tokyo on Nov. 16, 2022. AFP

Stocks end three-day rise; Converge leads advancers

STOCKS fell Wednesday to end a three-day advance as another positive US inflation report that fanned hopes of a slowdown in the Fed’s rate hike campaign was offset by fresh geopolitical concerns over Ukraine and profit-taking.

The PSE index, the 30-company benchmark of the Philippine Stock Ex change, fell 26 points, or 0.4 percent, to close at 6,392.09 as three of the six sub sectors ended in the red.

The broader all-share index also lost 3 points, or 0.1 percent, to settle at 3,376.30 on a value turnover of P7.2 billion. Gainers outnumbered losers, 92 to 82, while 49 issues were unchanged.

Four of the 10 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Converge ICT Inc. which jumped 8.2 percent to P15.08 and International Container Ter minal Services Inc. which rose 2 percent to P187.50. Ayala Land Inc. was up 1.8 percent to P27.809.

Meanwhile, most Asian markets also traded lower Wednesday. World markets

Luxury yachts and ‘real VIPs’ as Dubai readies for World Cup

have rallied since last week after data showed US consumer prices rose much less than expected in October, suggest ing months of monetary tightening by the Federal Reserve was kicking in.

The news was followed Tuesday by a below-forecast reading on wholesale prices, providing extra room for the cen tral bank to take its foot off the pedal when raising borrowing costs and pos sibly easing pressure on the economy.

Still, central banks’ tough battle against inflation was highlighted Wednesday by data showing UK prices rose more than 11 percent last month, a fresh four-decade high.

The optimism had been further en hanced by China’s pledge to provide much-needed support to the country’s beleaguered property sector as well as ease some of the strict Covid-19 restric tions that have played a major role in dragging the economy down.

However, the positive mood that had flowed through markets was dealt a blow after Poland said a missile—“most probably Russian-made”—had struck a village in the country’s east, killing two people.

Warsaw put its military on alert and US President Joe Biden and other Western leaders met in an “emergency roundtable” Wednesday on the sidelines

of the G20 summit in Indonesia.

The news sparked fears that if it was proved to be an attack on Poland, a NATO member, the nine-month war in Ukraine could escalate.

Biden told reporters that allies would support Poland in probing “exactly what happened” but that preliminary infor mation showed it was probably not fired “from Russia”.

And France urged “utmost caution” on the origin of the missile.

The comments helped ease concern on trading floors, though profit-taking after three days of healthy gains weighed on buying sentiment.

Tokyo, Singapore and Mumbai edged up but Hong Kong fell after surging about 14 percent over the previous three days.

There were also losses in Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Wellington, Manila, Bangkok, Jakarta and Taipei.

“Even if the missiles that crossed the Polish border were indeed deemed Rus sian and not Ukrainian anti-missile in terceptors, the case would fall short of triggering an escalation at this point,” said SPI Asset Management’s Stephen Innes

“Hence the markets are deferring to a wartime mistake, believing this to be a case of misfire.” With AFP

LONDON, United Kingdom—British inflation has accelerated to the highest level for 41 years, driven by soaring energy, food, and transport prices in a worsening cost-of-living crisis, official data showed Wednesday.

The Consumer Prices Index hit 11.1 percent in October, reaching the highest level since 1981, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement.

That compared with 10.1 percent in September, which matched the level in July and was the highest in 40 years. Domestic fuel bills rocketed further despite the UK government’s energy price freeze as the market faced fresh fallout from key producer Russia’s in vasion of Ukraine.

The October figure beat market ex pectations of 10.7 percent and was higher than the Bank of England’s forecast peak.

“Rising gas and electricity prices drove headline inflation to its highest level for over 40 years, despite the En ergy Price Guarantee,” said ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner.

Over the last year, gas prices leaped by 130 percent and electricity prices by 66 percent, according to the ONS.

Food prices and transport costs also propelled inflation higher.

Runaway inflation comes despite Britain’s energy support, which sought to limit annual energy bills to an aver age of £2,500 per year.

Finance minister Jeremy Hunt, speaking on the eve of his key govern ment budget, blamed Russian Presi dent Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine for spiking prices, as well as the fallout from the pandemic.

“The aftershock of Covid and Pu tin’s invasion of Ukraine is driving up inflation in the UK and around the world,” Hunt said.

“This insidious tax is eating into pay cheques, household budgets, and sav ings while thwarting any chance of long-term economic growth.”

The Ukraine conflict has also sent inflation soaring to the highest level in decades worldwide, sparking econom ic turmoil and forcing major central banks to ramp up interest rates.

The Bank of England this month sprang its biggest interest rate hike since 1989 to combat sky-high infla tion—and warned the UK economy may experience a record-long reces sion until mid-2024. AFP

By Shatha Yaish

Those without tickets but with thousands of dollars to spare can view games on a big screen from the top deck of a $20,000-a-night yacht against a backdrop of the Gulf financial hub’s skyline.

With more than a hint of Dubai’s trademark bling, the three-story, 140-foot (43 meters) vessel has a big screen, jacuzzi, bar, and a swanky lounge with L-shaped couches and a glittering crystal leopard statue.

The United Arab Emirates city, an hour’s flight from World Cup host Qatar, is among the Gulf destinations expecting to cash in on a spillover of fans seeking more accommodation options and easier access to alcohol.

“This one is for $20,000 for an overnight charter,” Xclusive Yachts marketing manager Jainney Thakker told AFP, pointing out the boat’s features.

“We have a chef on board who offers gourmet cuisine from all over the world,” Thakker added, as well as “free-flowing champagne”. The boat, which can accommodate up to 125 people, is among a number of pristine white yachts at Dubai’s Marina Harbour, docked and ready for the influx of fans once the tournament kicks off on Sunday.

In one of its rooms, a large dining table flanked by upholstered chairs and bouquets of white roses is set with glass plates and silver cutlery.

An outdoor jacuzzi offers uninterrupted views from the stern. And for anyone who wants to sail to Qatar during the World Cup, the same company offers a separate package for a cool $100,000 for a roughly six-day trip.

‘Dubai Bling’

Thakker said her company received more than 15 nightly bookings so far, mostly for groups of two to three people.

“The people who are booking with us are definitely the real VIPs... you know owners of super-cars, some of the really creme (de la creme) crowd,” she said.

On shore, Dubai is gearing up with fan zones at parks, beaches, and in the financial center, while hotels are offering special packages.

Entrance to one fan zone in Dubai Harbor, with 330-square-meter screens, is $21 for a standing space.

But a lounge table for eight people costs more than $920, while a premium suite for 15 is selling for $3,676, including unlimited booze. AFP

The

at the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting is set on 28 October 2022.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the welfare and safety of

stockholders, the 2022 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of NiHAO will be conducted virtually. Stockholders of Record may attend/ participate via proxy, remote communication, or vote in absentia. For the detailed registration and voting procedures, please visit https://www. nihaominerals.com and refer to the “Guidelines for Participation via Remote Communication and Voting in Absentia and through Proxy.”

Stockholders who wish to participate in the meeting via remote communication and to vote in absentia should notify the Office of the Corporate Secretary through a Letter of Intent to be sent via e-mail to nihao.8888@yahoo.com on or before 25 November 2022. Validated stockholders will be provided access to the live streaming of the meeting and can cast their votes in absentia on or before 3 December 2022 through NiHAO’s secure online voting facility. All votes cast shall be subject to validation.

NiHAO is not soliciting for proxies. Stockholders who are unable to join the meeting but wish to vote on items in the Agenda by proxy must submit their duly accomplished proxy forms via email to nihao.8888@ yahoo.com, not later than 3 December 2022.

Stockholders of Record may send their inquiries and comments to the Management Report and other items in the Agenda to nihao.8888@ yahoo.com on or before 3 December 2022.

The Definitive Information Statement containing the attendance/ voting (via remote communication) and election procedures, along with the Notice, Agenda, Proxy, Management Report, SEC Form 17-A, and other information related to the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting can be accessed at http://www.nihaominerals.com and at the disclosure made through the Electronic Disclosure Generation Technology of the Philippine Stock Exchange (“PSE Edge”).

Very truly yours,

and refer to the “Guidelines for Participation via Remote Communication and Voting in Absentia and through Proxy”.

Stockholders who wish to participate in the meeting through remote communication and to vote in absentia should notify the Office of the Corporate Secretary through a Letter of Intent to be sent via e-mail to g.geograce@yahoo.com on or before 26 November 2022. Validated stockholders will be provided access to the live streaming of the meeting and can cast their votes in absentia on or before 3 December 2022 through GEOGRACE’s secure online voting facility. All votes cast shall be subject to validation.

GEOGRACE is not soliciting for proxies. Stockholders who are unable to join the meeting but wish to vote on items in the agenda by proxy must submit their duly accomplished proxy forms via email to g.geograce@ yahoo.com, not later than 3 December 2022.

Stockholders of Record may send their queries and comments to the Management Report and other items in the Agenda to g.geograce@yahoo. com on or before 3 December 2022.

The Definitive Information Statement containing the attendance/voting (through remote communication) and election procedures, along with the Notice, Agenda, Proxy, Management Report, SEC Form 17-A, and other information related to the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting can be accessed at https://geograceholdings.com/.

CABRERA,

UK inflation accelerated to 41-year peak of 11.1% in October

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—A fleet of luxurious yachts bobbing in the harbor are among the five-star options as Dubai pulls out all the stops for well-heeled football fans who want to watch the World Cup in style.

A yacht that can be rented to watch the World Cup while sailing around Dubai is docked in Dubai harbor on November 1, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup football tournament. AFP

IN BRIEF

SM Prime to open new Tuguegarao shopping mall

PROPERTY

SM Prime said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Wednesday the two-level

SM City Tuguegarao, the group’s 82nd mall in the country, has 62,00 square meters of gross floor area. It also owns seven malls in China.

“We are very glad to be in the Cagayan province once again as it has been five years since we opened our first mall here, SM City Tuguegarao Downtown. We hope that with the opening of SM City Tuguegarao, we add to the vibrancy of the local scene, and attract more visitors and economic activities in this developing city and the entire Cagayan province,” said SM Prime president Jeffrey Lim.

SM City Tuguegarao will open with 85 percent of space lease awarded to tenants. It will feature a mix of local and interna tional shopping and dining destinations led by SM Group’s anchor tenants such as The SM Store, SM Supermarket, Ace Hardware, Pet Express, Sports Central, Our Home, SM Appliance Center, Watsons, Surplus and BDO.

SM City Tuguegarao, located at Bagay Road in Barangay Caritan Norte, will have five SM cinemas, food court, wellness zone, zyberzone, almost 2,000 carpark slots and transport bays. Jenniffer B. Austria

Electricity prices softened in November on higher supply

THE Independent Electricity Market Op erator of the Philippines said Wednesday average prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market declined to P8.08 per kilowatthour in the first two weeks of November on ample supply.

Average rates at the WESM, the trading floor of electricity, rose to P9.22 per kWh in October from P9.12 per kWh in September.

IEMOP said this was due to outages by ma jor coal, geothermal, oil-based and natural gas plants.

IEMOP said generators with higher offer prices were dispatched to make up for the needed energy requirements.

“Ample supply margins with a lesser fre quency of price spikes were recorded in the first half of November,” said Christian Karla Rica, assistant manager for knowledge man agement services at IEMOP.

Supply reached 13,651 megawatts in No vember, while demand dropped to 10,083 MW, resulting in a supply margin of 3,568 MW. Alena Mae S. Flores

EastWest Bank’s income improved in third quarter

EAST West Banking Corp. said Wednes day net income in the first nine months declined 41 percent to P3 billion from P5.1 billion a year ago on lower trading gains.

The bank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the net income of P1.5 billion in the third quarter went up 49 percent from the second quarter and 17 percent from P1.3 billion a year ago. The recovery was driven by increases in loans and fixed-income se curities.

EastWest president Jackie Fernandez said 2022 net income was expected to reach P4.5 billion, with the fourth quarter figure pro jected at P1.5 billion.

“While the income level is expected to be flattish, unlike 2021 when quarterly income was on a decreasing trend due to loan runoffs this year, income is on the uptrend as the bank started to recover lost loan volumes and has rebuilt its fixed income portfolios,” Fernandez said.

Trading gains were above normal levels in 2021 due to the accommodative monetary policy that drove interest rates to very low levels, he said. Julito G. Rada

DOE issues circular opening RE sector to foreign investors

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ENERGY

Secretary

Raphael Lotilla signed on Wednesday a department circular prescribing the amendments to the implementing rules and regulations of the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 that would effectively open the sector to foreign investments.

Lotilla signed Department Circular No. 2022-11-0034 which amends Sec tion 19 of DC 2009-05-0008 or the IRR of Republic Act No. 9513, otherwise known as the RE Act of 2008.

DC No. 2022-11-0034 will pave the

way for foreign citizens or foreignowned entities to explore, develop and utilize the country’s renewable energy resources such as solar, wind, biomass, ocean or tidal energy, according to the department.

The amendment stemmed from the opinion released by the Department of Justice on Sept. 29 that constitutional foreign ownership restriction on the ex ploration, development and utilization of natural resources only covers things that are susceptible to appropriation, thus ex cluding the sun, the wind and the ocean.

The DOJ said the IRR of the RE Act of 2008 should be amended to conform to the opinion.

“With the impressive amount of inter ests the Department of Energy has been receiving both from the local and for eign investors in RE development, par ticularly in the offshore wind potential, the State can now directly undertake the

exploration, development, production, and utilization of RE resources or it can enter into RE service or operating con tracts with Filipino and a foreign citizen or Filipino and/or foreign-owned corpo rations or associations,” Lotilla said.

The energy chief said, however, the appropriation of water direct from the source should continue to be subject to the foreign ownership restriction in the Water Code.

Rule 6, Section 19 (B) of the IRR of the RE Law stipulates that “the exploration, development, production and utilization of natural resources shall be under the full control and supervision of the State.”

It provides that “the State may direct ly undertake such activities, or it may enter co-production, joint venture or co-production sharing agreements with Filipino citizens or corporations or as sociations at least 60 percent of whose capital is owned by Filipinos.

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NLEX Connector set to open España section next month

By Darwin G. Amojelar

NLEX Corp. said Wednesday it expects to start the operations a section of the P23-billion NLEX Connector by next month.

NLEX president and general manager J. Luigi Bautista said the Caloocan-España section of the NLEX Connector was more than 90-percent complete and could open by December.

The segment has on and off ramps and toll plazas along C3 Road and Es paña Boulevard, crosses over the Blu mentritt Station of Light Rail Transit Line 1 and Dimasalang Bridge and uses steel box girders for its curved and highly-elevated areas.

The new road, which is also a part of the Luzon Spine Expressway Net work, offers a much-need recourse to shorten the travel time of cargoes go ing to and from the north and south of Luzon.

Bautista said the whole CaloocanSta. Mesa stretch of the NLEX Con nector would be fully operational by second quarter of next year.

“This project augurs well for the transport industry as we expect trucks to have an easier access to trad ing centers in Central and Northern Luzon without having to squeeze through congested roads in Metro Manila,” he said during the NLEX Transport Conference.

The eight-kilometer NLEX Con nector is divided into two sections: the España and Sta Mesa sections. The five-kilometer España section runs from Caloocan Interchange on C3 Road to España Blvd.

MUFG of Japan bullish on PH, sees economy growing 6.7% in 2022

By Julito G. Rada

MUFG, a leading financial services group and one of the largest banking institutions in Japan, maintained on Wednesday its projection of a 6.7-percent GDP growth for the Philippines this year, taking into account the strong 7.6-percent expansion in the third quarter and 7.7 percent in the first nine months.

MUFG senior currency analyst for global markets research Jeff Ng said the outlook looked promising for the Philippines.

“We see GDP growing by 6.7 percent this year [following the third-quarter ex pansion]. Next year, GDP may grow by

6 percent,” Ng said in an online MUFG Insights briefing.

Ng said the third-quarter expansion was supported by domestic drivers and investments, and this could continue in the coming months. “For the year ahead, private consumption will remain strong backed by public spending and remittances,” he said.

The bank in August upgraded its GDP growth forecast for the Philippines to 6.7 percent from 6.5 percent.

Ng said while the external environ ment remained complicated affecting global economies, some normalizations could happen as the global health crisis situation was stabilizing.

“The Philippines currently is in the

upswing despite the challenges, and growth will remain above the ten-year average,” Ng said. He said one bright spot is the tourism sector.

The economy expanded 7.6 percent in the third quarter this year, faster than 7 percent a year ago, bucking the domestic and external headwinds such as the rising interest rates, elevated inflation and geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe.

The third-quarter growth was faster than 7.5 percent in the second quarter.

This resulted in an average GDP growth of 7.7 percent in the first three quar ters, surpassing the government’s target range of 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent for the whole year.

The three-kilometer Sta. Mesa section runs from España Blvd. to R. Magsaysay Blvd. to Sta. Mesa, Manila.

Designed to cater to all vehicle classes including trucks, NLEX Con nector intends to spur economic prog ress by improving the travel of mo torists especially those in the logistics sector as the new road will shorten the travel time of cargoes.

It is estimated that at least 35,000 vehicles would benefit from the new road a day. It is also expected to im prove the connectivity between air ports and seaports.

Once fully completed, this will re duce travel time from NLEX to South Luzon Expressway to 20 minutes from the usual two hours, while Clark to Calamba will just be 1 hour and 40 minutes, instead of three hours.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

Filinvest REIT Corp., the flagship com mercial real estate investment trust of the Filinvest Group, reported Wednesday the acquisition of a 2.9-hectare property in Boracay Island, Aklan for P1.05 billion.

The acquisition, the first asset infu sion after its maiden share offering in 2021, will expand and diversify FILRT’s portfolio which is composed of 17 office buildings.

FILRT said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the property is owned Filinvest Development Corp. and is being leased by Boracay Seascapes Inc., the building owner of Crimson Resort & Spa Bora cay.

The REIT firm said the acquisition would contribute to the company’s in come starting January 2023. It will also expand its gross leasable area by 10 per cent to 330,448.3 square meters.

FILRT’s total property value upon infusion will rise to P49.5 billion from P48.5 billion.

“We are pleased to announce FILRT’s first asset infusion after our IPO in Au gust last year. This not only increases the distributable income to our shareholders in the immediate term but also supports our goal of delivering stable dividends and increasing the potential for capi tal appreciation in the longer term. We remain focused on providing attractive returns to our investors,” said FILRT president and chief executive Maricel Brion-Lirio.

PPA reported 233% growth in passenger traffic in Q3

percent from a year ago

the easing of travel restrictions.

Latest data from the PPA showed that

traffic reached 15.71 million from July to September, up from 4.71 million passengers who passed through Philippine ports last year.

Container traffic also increased 9.7 percent to 2.03 million twenty-foot equivalent units in the third quarter from 1.85 million TEUs last year.

Domestic boxes handled at the ports rose 9.47 percent to 759,884 TEUs from 694,142 TEUs, while foreign boxes went up 10.4 per cent to 1.27 million TEUs from 1.15 million TEUs handled in the same period last year.

The PPA said of the total foreign boxes, import volume contributed 650,106 TEUs, while export boxes chipped in 629,381 TEUs, or an increase of 10.75 percent and 10.08 percent respectively.

Ship calls went up 29.9 percent to 119,977 in the third quarter from 92,359 in the same period last year. Domestic ship calls reached 116,940, while foreign ship calls totaled 3,047.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier re appointed Atty. Jay Daniel Santiago as the general manager of PPA.

Santiago vowed to further improve and bring the country’s ports to greater heights, both in terms of services and infrastructure, with a special focus on digitalization of port operations and management.

Darwin G. Amojelar

STATE-RUN Philippine Ports Authority said Wednesday passenger volume in the third quarter grew 233.54

amid

passenger

developer SM Prime Hold ings Inc. is expanding its footprint with the opening of a new mall in Tuguegarao City on Friday.

Bolts edge Giga, boost bid for PBA quarterfinals

By Peter Atencio

RAYMUND Almazan drilled in 13 of his 21 points in the final quarter as the Meralco Bolts edged the TNT Tropang Giga, 97-91, on Wednesday to earn their third win in a row in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Almazan’s big game came as import KJ McDaniels got held to just a point in the final period, but it didn’t matter as the Bolts nailed their fourth win in nine games.

McDaniels still finished with 26 points and 15 rebounds for the Bolts, who share seventh and eighth spots with the Tropang Giga.

Aaron Black had 17 points, including a trey in the 1:54, which allowed the Bolts to move away, 92-88.

Almazan’s split charity and driving shot in the last 31 seconds saw the Bolts keeping their distance, 95-88.

“We just played much better and intense on defense. We did that in practice and tightened the screws a bit,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.

Cameron Oliver knocked in 25 points and 20 rebounds for the Tropang Giga, who last led, 78-75, before Almazan tied the match with a threepoint play in the final 10:39.

The win allowed the Bolts to stay in contention for the quarterfinals.

On the other hand, it will be a tough grind for the Tropang Giga, who still have a clash with Barangay Ginebra on Sunday and Bay Area and San Miguel Beer next week.

The fate of TNT now hangs the balance in their last three matches.

The Bolts’ chance to qualify will be known in their next games against Magnolia next Sunday and NLEX on Nov. 30.

Then, they wrap up their elimination-round campaign against the San Miguel Beermen on Dec. 2.

De Liaño eyes long stint as import in Lithuania

By Randy Caluag

FILIPINO import said he is looking forward to a long stint not just as an import in the Lithuanian Basketball League, but also as a professional basketball player.

He talked about his long-term plan after scoring a near triple-double of 13 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in the BC Wolves’ 98-83 win over BC Pieno žvaigždes in an exhibition game, while the league is on a break over the weekend.

He joined five other Wolves in double figures in a balanced offensive system typical of European basketball.

French import Hugo Invernizzi topscored with 18 points.

“I was really excited about this (playing in Europe). It’s a great opportunity. Now that it’s here, I just have to keep going and push harder,” said Liaño in the club interview posted on its official social media page.

“My goal is longevity. I want to play basketball for as long as I can. Especially now that I’m here in Europe, with an amazing team. I just wanna be here for a long time, make a living out here and prove that I can play at such a high level (of basketball),” he said.

The former University of the Philippines Fighting Maroon signed a oneyear deal with the Wolves in October, becoming the first Filipino to see action in a European basketball league.

He played only six minutes in his debut with the team’s 95-70 victory against Labas Gas Prienai at the 7th Citadele King Mindaugas Cup last Oct. 26. He failed to score a single basket but grabbed four rebounds.

The 12-team league resumes on Nov. 19 and Liaño will have a chance to log his first official statistics when the Wolves, which tote a 5-3 win-loss card, host the BC Prienai on Nov. 21 at the Alytus Arena.

Brownlee lauded on his bid to become a Filipino citizen

By Maricel V. Cruz

Romualdez

ing for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the PBA, on board Gilas before our national team’s two games in the sixth window in February, which will be hosted by the country at the Philippine Arena.

“Bilang isang sports fan at supporter ng mga #AtletangPinoy, tayo po ay nagagalak sa pagnanais ni Justin Brownlee na maging isang ganap na Pilipino, at makasama sa Gilas Pilipinas na lalaban sa Fiba Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers sa Pebrero,” Romualdez added.

Under HB 825, Brownlee “shall enter upon the full enjoyment of Philippine citizenship” after taking his oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines if Congress approves the measure.

Congress had passed several bills before granting Filipino citizenship to a number of foreigners.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas made a conscious effort of fast-tracking the naturalization of Brownlee, who has been religiously working out with Gilas Pilipinas national team prior to the start of the fifth window of our national team’s away games in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers won by the Philippines against Jordan and Saudi Arabia recently.

The SBP is hoping to get Brownlee, the beloved two-time Best Import play-

“Mabuhay ka, Justin Brownlee. Ngayon pa lamang ay karangalan na sa akin na tawagin kang ‘Kababayan’ dahil sa dakila mong hangarin na maglingkod dala ang bandilang Pilipino,” Romualdez said.

“Ngayong araw ay sinisimulan na natin dito sa Kongreso ang ‘Naturalization Process’ ng basketball player na si Justin Brownlee. Ito ay isang paraan ng paggagawad ng Filipino citizenship sa isang foreigner na nais kilalanin at makamit ang buong karapatan bilang isang Pilipino,” Romualdez said.

Brownlee, who attended the hearing at the House of Representatives, thanked legislators as he gave them assurance he will help make the Philippine basketball team better.

“Maraming salamat po,” Brownlee, a two-time Best Import Awardee of the PBA as an import for Ginebra San Miguel, said.

“I have had a lot of love from the fans and the people here, and it would be great to be a part of the country, keep helping out as much as I can,” Brownlee added.

NCAA schools push for Amores counselling

DISCUSSIONS on providing assistance and helping embattled former Jose Rizal Heavy Bomber John Amores get back on his feet have been initiated by member schools of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

A counselling program will be undertaken for Amores and any other player who will be involved in courtside violence in the future.

NCAA legal counsel Joseph Noel Estrada said this is being done as both schools go into a dialogue “to de-escalate the tensions and emotions surrounding the incident.”

Estrada made the announcemnt fol-

lowing a meeting of the policy board, headed by Jose Paulo Campos of season 98 host Emilio Aguinaldo College and Lyceum’s Hercules Callanta, who headed the investigation committee that looked into the situation.

Last Nov. 8, Amores went berserk and went on a punching spree with 3:22 minutes left during JRU’s game with the College of St. Benilde.

The league later slapped an indefinite suspension on Amores, before JRU officially removed him from the squad on Tuesday.

JRU has already apologized over the incident, with its officials reaching out

to CSB coach Charles Tiu.

Two Benilde players, Taine Davis and Jimboy Pasturan have also filed a complaint against Amores after getting hurt during the incident.

Estrada said the league will respect the decision of the parents to take their issues to court.

“Sanctions imposed will leave space for the reformation and rehabilitation of players,” said Estrada.

The NCAA is now reviewing its internal rules, processes, possible changes and interventions since the incident took place.

Meanwhile Enoch Valdez posted a

game-high 21 points to power Lyceum Pirates to a 79-62, swamping the Heavy Bombers at the FilOil-EcoOil Arena in San Juan.

With the Pirates’ fourth straight win, Lyceum boosted its bid for a better playoff incentive after improving to 12-5 at third spot, while JRU dropped to 6-10.

Meanwhile, James Kwekuteye shot 19 points for the San Beda Red Lions as they prevailed over the Letran Knights, 91-77, to improve in fourth at 11-5.

King Carilipio made 14 points for the Knights, who stayed on top with their 12-4 slate. Peter Atencio

Lascuña stuns Que; Van der Valk, Mondilla march on

TONY Lascuña pulled through in a gripping battle of nerves with Angelo Que in a duel that extended to 19th hole, Guido Van der Valk survived a big scare to somewhat get even with Jerson Balasabas, 2&1, and Clyde Mondilla leaned on another big windup for a 2-up win over Jay Bayron yesterday. With Lloyd Go posting a second straight runaway win, a 7&5 rout of Zanieboy Gialon, Miguel Tabuena battling back from three holes down to frustrate Rupert Zaragosa after three extra holes, and the troika of Fidel Concepcion, Gerald Rosales and Keanu Jahns upended their respective higher-ranked rivals, the second day of the ICTSI Villamor Match Play more than hinted at the coming of riveting clashes in the last three head-to-head stages at the Villamor Golf Club.

“Finally, I beat him (in match play). I lost to him twice in the North vs South duel,” said Lascuna after edging Que on the first extra hole that ended a compelling shootout between two of the Philippine Golf Tour’s winningest and revered shotmakers.

“It’s an exciting and interesting game. I made eight birdies and Que had nine,” said Lacuna, who took charge twice but ended up at all-square after 9 holes.

Que won the first two holes at the back but the second ranked Lascuna fought back to send the match back to where it started with the latter pouncing on the former’s missed drive on their return to No. 1 and finishing with a routine par to clinch the duel that set up the four-time Order of Merit winner to a quarterfinal clash with former national teammate Gerald Rosales.

Rosales, the all-Filipino Philippine Open champion in 2000 and ranked No. 23 here, turned back 2019 PGT Palos Verdes leg winner and seventh seed Reymon Jaraula, 3&1, to match the reversals posted by No. 27 Fidel Concepcion over No. 22 Anthony Fernando, 2&1, and No. 24 Keanu Jahns over eighth-ranked Jhonnel Ababa, 1-up.

The Last 8 men standing actually brace for a test of staying power with two matches on tap today (Thursday) with the quarterfinal set in the morning and the survivors disputing the final berths in the afternoon.

Van der Valk faces Jahns, Tabuena tests Go’s mettle, and Mondilla battles Concepcion and Lascuna tangles with Rosales in clashes that could go either way.

The top-seeded Van der Valk dominated Bala-

Riera U. Mallari,

Randy M. Caluag, Assistant

expressed gratitude to his colleagues from the House committee on justice after approving House Bill (HB) 825, filed by 1-Pacman Party-list Rep. Mikee Romero through the motion of Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga, Jr. granting Philippine citizenship to Brownlee.

SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday commended Philippine Basketball Association award-winning American import Justin Donta Brownlee on his bid to become a Filipino and possibly play for Gilas Pilipinas in international competitions.

Tony Lascuña Manny Marcelo

Juan Gomez de Liaño

Meralco’s Raymund Almazan towers for a basket inside in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup game won by the Bolts, 97-91, over sister team TNT Tropang Giga.

Justin Brownlee

Young guns take spotlight as PCA juniors meet unfolds

AJ Acabo and Mateo Rivas brace for a tough challenge in pursuit of top honors and ranking points as the PCA Juniors National Tennis Championships unwrap at the PCA outdoor courts in Plaza Dilao, Manila Thursday.

Acabo and Rivas gained the top seeding in their respective sides of the 18-and-under division of the Group I event with the former, one of the rising stars from Zamboanga, Sibugay, all primed for a spirited battle with the likes of Chloe Mercado, Czarina Ilano and Alexa Milliam.

Rivas, on the other hand, will have a lot of work to do in the 32-player draw that includes Ivan Manila, Cyril Paster, Zhul Pantaran, Kevin Garrido, Alfonso Infante, Gabriel Avellanoza and Francis Casia, all looking to crowd the Quezon City bet for the championship.

Over 150 players are vying in the week-long event, also held as part of the country’s longest, nationwide PPS-PEPP junior circuit put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro not only to draw the youngsters into sports but also boost local tennis and at the same time discover, develop and train talents for future national teams.

For details, contact event organizer Bobby Mangunay at 09154046464.

The title chase in six other age categories is also expected to be tight and fierce with Sandra Bautista and Joy Ansay top-billing the girls’ 16-U roster that also features Acabo and Ilano with the Dilao siblings—Frank and France—bannering the boys’ side of the event presented by Dunlop.

Bautista and Ansay also loom as the players to beat in the 14-U division which also drew Maristella Torrecampo and Ma. Caroliean Fiel with Tristan Licayan, Reign Maravilla, Gavin Kraut and Marcus Brodeth tipped to dispute the boys’ trophy.

Torrecampo and Fiel, a multi-titled campaigner in the PPS-PEPP circuit, gear up for a showdown for the 12-U diadem along with Ronielle Oliveros and Cadee Dagoon with Julio Naredo, Zachary Morales, Dean Palaroan and Pete Niere expected to clash for the crown in the boys’ side of the youngest division of the event backed by ProtekTODO, PalawanPay, the Unified Tennis Philippines and UTR (Universal Tennis Rating).

Santo Tomas jin upsets SEAG bronze medallist

By Peter Atencio

ABIGAIL Valdez was looking for a chance to compete in a bigger stage in taekwondo.

The 20-year-old Valdez may have found her break after she upset 2019 Southeast Asian Games bronze medallist Veronica Garces on Wednesday in the taekwondo events of the 2022 Philippine Sports Commission-organized Women’s Martial Arts Festival at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Valdez scored a 2-1 win over Garces in the flyweight finals, giving University of Santo Tomas its third gold medal in the event.

Her gold-medal win lifted up her hopes that she may someday be promoted from Team B of the national team to Team A.

“Sana mabigyan ako ng chance to compete in bigger tournaments,” said Valdez, who scored a crucial point in the third round with well-placed

45-degree kicks and punches.

Valdez, who has been in Team B since 2016, advanced to the finals after she won over another national jin, Clarence Sarza.

“It was a very fulfilling experience. Nakakalaban ko iyung mga top players ng UAAP at NCAA,” added Valdez.

A win over Arellano University’s Ryanne de Juan allowed Valdez to reach the quarterfinal round.

Her teammates Raven Pablo (bantamweight) and Realis Tabiando (featherweight) also claimed gold medals for UST.

Pablo prevailed over teammate Germaine Pineda, 3-1, while Tabiando whipped College of St. Benilde’s Laralee Natividad, 2-1, for the gold.

In muaythai, national team mainstay Mary Glyde Salazar took the top honors in the 48-kgs category, while Rudzma Abubakar claimed the gold in the 51-kg action.

Team Bagsik’s Islay Erika Bomogao claimed the gold in the waikru individual finals, while Ronelyn Tondag ruled the -45 kg class, and Baby Jane Buzon topped the +45 kg action.

Desiderio makes 3x3 debut

PAUL Desiderio will be entering a new game on Sunday.

The 25-year-old University of the Philippines product will spearhead a young Talisay EGS team in the 2022 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 Quest 2.0, which takes place on Sunday at Ayala Malls Solenad in Santa Rosa, Laguna. Desiderio shared that this will be the first time he will actually compete in an organized 3x3 game.

“Actually, first time ko mag-3x3 so wala talaga akong experience,” he said.

“Sabi nila mas pisikal ‘eto sa 5-on-5 and nakikita ko naman ‘yun. Pero kami hindi kami sasali dito para mag-compete lang, gusto naming manalo.”

Desiderio will be joined by young Cebuanos Dyll Roncal and Jerome Napao, along with reinforcement Steve Akomo. The team’s head coach is Jerry Abuyabor.

For Desiderio, he hopes that 3x3 will be the rebirth he has been waiting for.

Last May, the 6’1” scorer suffered an ACL injury. It forced him out of the game.

But with the winner of the Chooksto-Go Pilipinas 3x3 Quest 2.0 earning a slot in the 2022 FIBA 3x3 World Tour Hong Kong Masters later this month, he saw it as an opportunity to have a crack at representing the country.

The competition, though, will be tough as the eight-team field is headlined by the country’s top two 3x3 teams in Cebu Chooks! and Manila Chooks!.

Still, grateful is Desiderio for this new opportunity as he hopes that he can be part of Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3’s teams for the next FIBA season.

“Sobrang excited ako siyempre kasi ito ‘yung first time ni Dyll and Jerome na maglaro sa Manila. Sana ma-guide ko sila ng tama,” he said.

“Para sa akin, gusto ko rin patunayan kina Boss Ronald [Mascariñas] na talagang nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila dahil hindi nila ako iniwan. Sana ma-prove ko sa kanila na hindi sila nagkamali.”

German too much for PH bet in world taekwondo

GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Laila Delo fell short on her bid to advance following a first-match loss to German Vanessa Koerndl on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) in the World Taekwondo Championships at the Centro Acuatico CODE Metropolitano.

In a lone match for the six-man Philippine delegation on the second day of top-tier actions, the University of Santos Tomas alumnus under coach Paul Romero tried to fight back with some semblance of toughness, but the German was simply a tough nut to crack, nailing a 2-0 win.

“I was trained hard for this kind of situation and under hostile environment, but still mistakes happen.

Gusto kong bawian pero malakas ang mga paa, narindi katawan ko,” said Delo, the country’s top contender in the regional meet with podium finishes in the past two editions of the Southeast Asan Games.

“Balik po sa training, back to the drawing board. Kailangang maging handa sa SEAG at pipilitin kong makabawi,” she added.

Right after the fight, the frustrated Delo was immediately comforted by her teammates and officials, led by head of delegation former senator Dominique ‘Nikki’ Coseteng, who later treated the team to a BBQ Korean bento lunch.

After an Asian show in Day 1 on Monday where China and Korea

Ikeda seals semis duel vs Malixi; Harmie, Marvi clash

CHIHIRO Ikeda and Rianne Malixi produced another pair of lopsided wins to arrange an explosive showdown while Harmie Constantino needed to fend off a late-charging Sunshine Baraquiel to forge a clash with Marvi Monsalve in the ICTSI Villamor Match Play at the Villamor Golf Club yesterday. But the faceoff between the top seed and the fancied amateur ensues before the finals as Ikeda ripped Lovelynn Guioguio, 7&6, and Malixi posted a second straight 3&2 win, this time over Gretchen Villacencio in the Last 8 phase of the first head-tohead battle on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour.

In the other half of the draw, Constantino fashioned out a 3&1 victory over Baraquiel after surviving a back-and-forth skirmish with amateur Mafy Singson, 1-up, in the first day of the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. to advance to the semis, while Monsalve rallied late to repel Florence Bisera, 1-up, after booting out Lucy Landicho, 3&2, Tuesday.

Ikeda, who trounced Martina Miñoza, 4&2, in the first round of the 16-player draw Tuesday, wrested control after four holes, went 3-up after 8 then coasted to victory at the back where the Manila

Southwoods and AsiaGlobal Technologies, Inc.backed ace practically warmed up for her keenly awaited duel with the 15-year-old Malixi.

“Malixi is playing very good now, so I will just play my game,” said Ikeda, seeking to add the match play crown to her victories at Mount Malarayat and Eagle Ridge-Aoki that netted her the Order of Merit diadem.

Winner of all three legs she had competed in this year’s LPGT, Malixi took command after the sixth hole and preserved a three-hole cushion she had built after No. 12 all the way to the finish to match her romp against Pamela Mariano in the first round.

“Last 4 holes my irons were a little bit off but I was able to pull up some putts, the most crucial was my 6-footer (on No. 16) for the win,” said Malixi, who is also coming off a remarkable campaign in Thailand where she won the Thai Junior World title, placed second in the Thai Amateur Open and tied for third in the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific Championship.

Malixi maintains putting will be key not only against the seasoned Ikeda but also in her title drive where a win on Friday would cap a dominant campaign on the circuit she dominated with victories at

Luisita, Valley and Riviera.

“Putting will be key and hopefully I’ll improve on my iron shots and focus on my distance,” said the ICTSI-backed two-time AJGA (American Junior Golf Association) winner.

While Constantino, who marked her rookie season with two victories, both at Eagle RidgeAoki, last year, looks to have an edge over Monsalve in the other semis matchup, the latter also can’t wait to prove her worth after moving two wins away from nailing a career breakthrough in the circuit put up by ICTSI.

“My plan is to accept the bad shots and try to hit birdies with my putting and not through approach shots since my long game and irons aren’t still 100 percent,” said Monsalve.

She was actually a hole down against Bisera after No. 14 but took the next two to wrest control then held on to the finish to hack out the come-frombehind win.

But Monsalve would need to start strong to get some momentum against the in-form Constantino, who closed out the LPGT season with a victory at Pradera Verde two weeks ago.

grabbed the gold medals, homegrown girl Leslie Soltero treated the crowd with masterful annihilation of rival Isabelle Faber of Luxembourg in her first match, 2-0 (12-0, 12-0) en route to the gold-medal round, where she beat Aleksandra Perisic of Serbia for a 6-5 triumph in the women’s -67 kgs.

“‘Yung tigas ng paa ng nakalaban ni Laila (Delo)sa first round, mas matibay itong Mexican. Laila can learn a thing or two dito sa Mexican,” said team manager Rocky Samson.

“Training agad ang team, focus sa susunod na mga laban,” he added.

Next for the Filipinos is newcomer Alfritz Arevalo, who faces Alin Ali of Sweden in the men’s -68 kgs on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

PELICANS WIN. CJ McCollum of the New Orleans Pelicans drives to the basket during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. McCollum scored a season-high 30 points while reserves Larry Nance Jr. and Jose Alvarado made key contributions to spark New Orleans over Memphis, 113-102. AFP

GOVERNOR’S CUP CHESS. Marinduque Governor’s Cup Chess Championship Open division winners Toche Quijano, top kiddie Lanette Shemaine Oh and top senior Rodolfo Lanuza Jr. receive their prizes from BKCCI president Engr. Lauro Bautista (third from left), while supervisor Rona Bautista, event coordinator Giovanni Buhain, PECA president Dr. Fred Paez and arbiter Gener Vitto look on.

Paul Desiderio with Chooks-to-Go boss Ronald Mascarinas

Abigail Valdez

Rianne Malixi Manny Marcelo

Grammy nominations: Snubs, surprises, and twists

IT WOULDN’T be the Grammys without a healthy dose of surprises, snubs and headscratchers, and the slate of nominees for the February 2023 gala did not disappoint.

The following is a list of hot takes about the nominations: the open questions, amusing oddities—and questionable choices.

Will Beyonce finally triumph?

Beyonce is no stranger to the Grammys: the 41-year-old is the Recording Academy’s winningest woman, and is tied with her husband, the rap mogul Jay-Z, for the most ever nominations with 88.

But even as she rules over the Grammy record books, Queen Bey is also among the show’s most snubbed artists.

Over her storied career, she’s only triumphed in the top categories once: in 2010, she won Song

of the Year for “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”.

The pop deity had not one but two chances in 2021 to capture Record of the Year but it instead went to Billie Eilish, who had swept the top four categories a year prior.

It was hard not to see a parallel with 2017’s slights against Bey, who notoriously lost Album of the Year to Adele

In both cases, Adele and Eilish said their awards should’ve gone to Beyonce.

The 2023 gala will see Adele and Beyonce square off once more – and the Beyhive is waiting with bated breath to see if it’s finally their Queen’s year.

Is Viola Davis next for EGOT?

It’s one of those Hollywood things that has entered the pop culture lexicon: EGOT. It signifies

By Patricia Taculao

SINCE her victory in the first edition of Pinoy Big Brother Teens, Kim Chiu has been living the dream in the entertainment business. She starred in several projects on the big and small screens, sang several hit songs, performed in shows and concerts, and has even joined other celebrities in hosting stints.

It seems that Kim has done it all. But she still has some dreams in showbiz that she would like to fulfill. Before the year ends, it’ll all come true as ABSCBN tapped Kim to host Dream Maker, ABS-CBN’s reality talent search in partnership with South Korea’s MLD Entertainment and Kamp Korea.

Although Kim is no stranger to hosting, thanks to her experience on It’s Showtime, her new venture is different and warrants a place in her books.

Sobrang iba, aside from first time ko na ako lang mag isa ang nakatayo doon sa gitna. First time ko kasi mabigyan ng opportunity for the longest time na ako mag-isa ang mag-hohost para sa Dream Maker. I’m very grateful and I’m very honored to be part of the show. Grabe, sobrang malaking bagay ito para sa akin, para sa career ko Kaya I’m very happy and thankful,” Kim said during the media conference for Dream Maker

Kim is ready to take on the role of host for the new reality talent search show. Unlike others who undergo some preparation before going under the spotlight, Kim teased that the only thing different about her that viewers should expect is her wardrobe, as it will feature a more South Korean vibe.

Her latest hosting stint also adds to her list of projects, aside from appearing on Asap Natin ‘To, It’s Showtime, and returning to the small screen. It’s lucky that Kim is well-versed in time management and can fit everything into her schedule, even having some time for her personal life.

Since Dream Maker is a collaboration between ABS-CBN, MLD Entertainment, and Kamp Korea, several personalities from South Korea, including directors, producers, writers,

the rare club of performers – less than 20 of them –who have won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards. And Viola Davis could be next.

The 57-year-old actress has been nominated for a Grammy in the Best Audiobook, Narration, and Storytelling Recording category for reading her recent memoir, Finding Me Her competitors are rather formidable. Comedian Mel Brooks already has an EGOT. Lin-Manual Miranda is an Oscar away. Jamie Foxx and Questlove are both Oscar and Grammy winners.

Davis won an Oscar for best supporting actress for Fences opposite Denzel Washington, and a Tony – her second – for the same role a few years earlier. She won an Emmy for best actress in a drama for How to Get Away with Murder in 2015.

AFP, Read full story on manilastandard.net

Kim Chiu ticks hosting off her bucket list

and mentors, are present on set. Ryan Bang joins Kim in interacting with them as he helps translate Filipino to Korean and vice versa.

During the media conference, Ryan gushed about Kim’s hosting skills and how these impressed the network’s South Korean guests. Like Kim, Ryan is ecstatic to be part of the show and help the contestants achieve their dreams.

“Gusto ko lang makatulong sa show. Natutuwa ako. Talagang itong Dream Maker, tama yung pangalan kasi matutupad yung mga pangarap ng Pilipino na gusto nila maging global

‘First Lady’ streams on Netflix Philippines

icon. Hindi ito biro,” Ryan said.

Dream Maker will hone the talent of aspiring pop idols aged 13 to 22. They will receive mentorship from an international panel of Korean mentors and trainers, together with Filipino mentors Darren Espanto, Bailey May, and Angeline Quinto

The top seven participants will travel to South Korea and undergo rigorous training on the craft before debuting on the world stage.

Dream Maker will air every Saturday and Sunday starting November 19 on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, and A2Z.

Get closer to your home movie theater dreams with Lionsgate Play

JUST in time for the holidays, PLDT Home – through its exclusive partnership with premium streaming platform Lionsgate Play – is helping its customers get one step closer to the home entertainment of their dreams.

From now until December 31, 2022, PLDT Home is raffling off different smart home entertainment devices every month. By activating the free Lionsgate Play voucher code that comes with their PLDT Home internet subscription, customers can enter the raffle and have a chance to win a smart OLED TV, a portable smart home projector, and a smart TV stick to transform their homes into an immersive movie theater experience. Customers can now better enjoy Hollywood blockbusters like the John Wick series, the Hunger Games franchise, and the Saw films – all available on Lionsgate Play.

AVID

The

First

As Glenn seeks another term for his presidency, Melody needs to reassess and find her place once more in her husband’s chaotic and busy life.

Binge-watch First Lady beginning December 9 on Netflix Philippines.

For the month of November, PLDT Home customers have the chance to win one of three Samsung Freestyle Projectors. Turn your movie nights into a cinematic experience with the portable Samsung Freestyle Projector, which can project a 100-inch display at any angle on any flat and clear surface and can play booming and clear Premium 360˚ sound. Enjoy this cutting-edge gadget that comes equipped with other Smart TV capabilities to support content streaming.

Meanwhile, for December, PLDT Home customers can have the chance

Enjoy

at

visit https://pldthome.com/lionsgateplay.

To learn more about

fans of GMA’s hit primetime

series First Lady are in for an early Christmas treat as the romantic-drama series starts streaming on Netflix Philippines beginning December 9. First Lady is the sequel to the Philippines’ No. 1 show for 2021, First Yaya (The First Nanny) which debuted on Netflix last July 29.

drama stars the swoon-worthy pairing of award-winning actor Gabby Concepcion as President Glenn Acosta and dazzling actress Sanya Lopez as

First Lady Melody Acosta.

Yaya ended on a happy note with the fairytale romance of President Glenn and Melody. This time around, the newlyweds navigate new territory and delve into trust and doubt, change and tradition which will challenge their marriage.

to take home an LG 65” OLED TV bundled with a Xiaomi Stick and an additional one-year Lionsgate Play subscription as the grand prize. Watch the biggest Lionsgate Play shows and play the latest video games on current-gen consoles all on the ultrahigh definition 4K display of LG’s 65” OLED TV. Download various streaming apps to get access to more content and play it on any TV with an HDMI port using the Xiaomi Stick.

Every Lionsgate Play activation allows every PLDT Home subscriber

to stream hundreds of content for free until June 1, 2023. The hottest original series to stream on the app include the gritty crime soap Power, the political show Gaslit, the period drama The Serpent Queen, and the newly launched historical romance series Dangerous Liaisons – with even more waiting to be discovered on the platform.

a better home viewing experience

home with Lionsgate Play, exclusive in the Philippines through PLDT Home.

Lionsgate Play,

Beyonce holding three of her Grammys

Viola Davis at the Emmys

Gabby Concepcion (left) and Sanya Lopez in ‘First Lady’

Keanu Reeves as John Wick

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen in ‘The Hunger Games’

Kim Chiu takes on a solo hosting role in ‘Dream Maker’

Ryan Bang will serve as a translator for the South Korean guests

From left: Lapillus choreographer Bae Wan-hee, Angeline Quinto, Kim Chiu, and Ryan Bang

The production team, hosts, and mentors of ‘Dream Maker’

Leading Japanese healthcare company opens shop in PH

By Nickie Wang

NIPRO Medical, recognized internationally as a leader in health care with high-quality standards and innovation from Japan, has opened an office in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig. The official announcement was made recently over lunch with guests from the media and medical community.

Led by its President and Managing Director Takato Senoo, Nipro Medical Philippines Corp. (NMPC) offers premium renal medical devices including dialyzers, bloodlines, fistula needles as well as high-quality medical surgical products, among others.

NMPC is the company’s 57th office worldwide. The construction of its office in BGC was completed only in August.

“Prior to our expansion in the Philippines, we were already familiar with

the market, we’ve been selling our products to various authorized representatives over the decades. And I think it’s about time to make our presence more visible in the Philippines to serve our customers better and to touch base with our focused market,” Senoo told Manila Standard Life during a press conference.

And with the Philippine expansion, the company hopes to better provide hospitals and dialysis centers with machines and equipment that are designed to enhance the quality of life of patients, especially those with renal problems.

“With our product, we hope to better provide hospitals and dialysis centers here with machines and equipment that are designed to enhance the quality of life of patients,” Senoo added.

NMPC is a subsidiary of Nipro Corporation Japan registered with

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on December 1, 2021 under the supervision of Nipro Asia. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company was established in 1954. It currently employs more than 35,000 team members and specializes in medical, pharmaceutical, and glass products. Nipro Asia is a whollyowned subsidiary of Nipro Corporation that is responsible for managing sales, marketing, and business operations for Asia Pacific.

“As a company our mission as

a multinational corporation is to offer innovative products, with cutting edge technology and quality, through an integral human team, trained in values and with the utmost professionalism,” the executive added.

Nipro Corporation takes pride in creating the finest innovative medical technologies that improve the lives of people.

Nipro Medical Philippines Corp. is on the 19th floor, Unit C, Menarco Tower, 32nd St., Taguig. For inquiries, call 8541-9362.

Consumers encouraged to consider the planet and choose sustainability this Holidays

WATSONS kicks off the most wonderful time of the year and the longest season in the Philippines— Christmas—by reaffirming its commitment to providing customers with sustainable health, wellness, and beauty products.

To help the public with choosing sustainable products to give as holiday gifts and bring with them on vacations, Watsons is holding a sustainable holiday gifting event from November 15 to 20 at The Podium.

The event spotlights Watsons Sustainable Choices, the retailers’ selection of products that are safe and nourishing for the skin and free from harmful ingredients that could harm you and the planet; those that can be refilled so plastic waste is reduced; those that contain ethically sourced and sustainably processed ingredients; and have better and more eco-friendly packaging.

The event will also be informational and educational. Watsons will have resource speakers talk about its role as a responsible retailer and how important it is for consumers to make more sustainable choices.

“When shopping for Christmas gifts, we hope our customers consider the planet and choose sustainability. Watsons is glad to offer them eco-friendly products, which are sustainable from the materials and the manufacturing process, to the packaging, and ultimately to the disposal of the product,” said Viki Encarnacion, Watsons PR and Sustainability.

The special guest during the event on November 15 was author, environmental advocate, and philanthropist Brian Poe Llamanzares, who recently copublished a book titled A Sustainable Future with Manila Bulletin.

Encarnacion was one of the keynote speakers during the opening of the event. She discussed how Watsons practices the three Rs (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle). Zyra Tinio, Watsons Senior Category Manager for Beauty, will talk about giving customers access to Sustainable Choices products.

There was an open panel discussion with P&G, Unilever, and a Watsons Club member on sustainability. The two multinational companies gave updates on how their sustainability efforts are going at this point.

The event aimed to make shopping for holiday gifts more fun and sustainable, from the gift itself to the packaging as Watsons asks its customers to “Give More Smiles This Christmas.” For the event, Watsons supplier-partners showcased their most sustainable and practical products.

The brands that showcased their Sustainable Choices products during the affair were Watsons, Quick FX, Garnier, L’Oreal, Aveeno, Neutrogena, Palmolive, Herbal Essences, Dove, Bioten, St. Ives, Zenutrients and Curls, Moringana, Gluta C, The Body Shop, and Sekaya.

There was also an information wall in the Watsons activation in The Podium so shoppers could see how they could effectively Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle to help mitigate the effects of consumerism on the planet and its resources.

During the event, shoppers got Watsons Do Good canvas bags, which they could decorate with different accents. The bags were free with purchase.

To find out more about Watsons Sustainable Choices products, go to https://interactive. watsons.com.ph/sustainablechoices.

Japanese language training begins for new batch of JPEPA Nurse, certified careworker candidates

In

Another

For Interested applicants, visit the official Department of Migrant Workers website for announcements regarding the program. https://www.dmw.gov.ph/

Nickie

Traditional Kagami Biraki rite for the opening ceremony

Seigo Tsuchiya (left), Nipro Asia Managing Director, with Takato Senoo, Nipro Medical Philippines president

Brian (fourth from left) with Watsons Philippines Executives with Sustainable Holiday Gifting Brand Partners

Watsons’ sustainable holiday gifting event from November 15 to 20 at The Podium

Attendees of the virtual opening ceremony commemorating the 15th batch of candidate Filipino nurses and certi ed careworkers under JPEPA

THE 15th Batch of candidate Filipino nurses and certified careworkers under the Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and the Philippines (JPEPA) formally commenced their Preparatory Japanese Language Training on November 16.

To mark the occasion, a virtual opening ceremony was held on the same day. Economic Minister Nihei Daisuke of the Embassy of Japan graced the ceremony, along with Undersecretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, and Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne M. Caunan of the Department of Migrant Workers. A recorded video message from Secretary Susan V. Ople of the Department of Migrant Workers was also presented. Also in attendance

were Suzuki Ben of the Japan Foundation, Manila, and Philip B. Sanvictores of the Nihongo Center Foundation Inc.

The 256 candidates will undergo a six-month training on Japanese language, culture, and society before their deployment to Japan. The training will be implemented online by the Nihongo Center Foundation Inc. and The Japan Foundation, Manila. Daily living and internet allowances and a tablet computer device are provided to the candidates, for the duration of the training.

six months of onsite Japanese language training will be conducted for the candidates after their arrival in Japan, prior to their definite work term in hospitals and caregiving facilities. Once

their initial work term is completed and upon passing the Japanese national examination, candidates may apply for further employment in Japan as nurses and certified careworkers.

the ceremony, Minister Nihei thanked the candidates for choosing Japan as their future work destination and for taking on the challenge of learning the Japanese language. He added that the program aims to help Filipinos succeed in their new career in the healthcare sector of Japan, further promoting good bilateral relations between our countries.