Manila Standard - 2022 November 24 - Thursday

By Rey E. Requejo

THE country’s envoy to the United States warned Wednesday there will be a time that the Philippines “will rise up” in its fight for its territory in the West Philippine Sea after another aggressive move by the Chinese Coast Guard in the country’s waters.

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said that while he wishes the country would not be test ed, the patience of the Filipino people

is “very high” but also has “its limits.”

“We have just sat by and just tried our best to talk to them to try and just sim ply allow our fishermen to fish,” he said in a television interview with ANC.

“But you know, Filipino patience has also its limits. And I know that…one day, I hope it never happens, that the Filipino will rise up and say enough is enough,” the Filipino diplomat said, hoping this stance would be relayed to those chal lenging the country’s territorial rights.

Vietnam, PH to work closely on trade, agri

By Vince

and

V.

terms over death of teen boys

By Rey E. Requejo and

THE Caloocan City Regional Trial Court has sentenced Police Officer 1 Jeffrey Perez to two life terms plus reclusion perpetua (another 20 to 40 years) after finding him guilty of plant ing of evidence and torture, in connec tion with the killings of teenagers Carl

Angelo Arnaiz and Reynaldo “Kulot” De Guzman in August 2017.

In the decision, Presiding Judge Rodrigo Pascua Jr. of the Caloocan RTC, Branch 122, said the lower court gave more weight to the testi mony of star witness Arnold Perlada along with the findings of Dr. Erwin Erfe, a forensic consultant and des

ignated director of the Public At torney’s Office Forensic Laboratory Service, in convicting Perez of vio lating the Anti-Torture Act of 2010, and violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regula tion Act the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 for planting of evidence.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Senate on Wednesday approved on third and final reading the P5.268 trillion national budget for 2023 after cutting and realigning P152.67 million in confidential funds from several departments and government agencies.

House Bill 4488 or the general ap propriations bill was immediately ap proved after its second reading with 21 affirmative votes, zero negative votes, and zero abstentions.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, chair man of the Senate committee on fi nance and sponsor of the measure, said the largest realignment came from the proposed P150 million in confidential funds of the Department of Education, which was reduced to P50 million.

Other government agencies whose confidential funds were slashed and re aligned to operating expenses were the

Department of Foreign Affairs (P5 mil lion), Department of Justice (P19.2 mil lion), Department of Social Welfare and Development (P19.2 million), other ex ecutive offices (P6 million) and the Of fice of the Ombudsman (P20 million).

In his sponsorship speech, Angara described the 2023 budget as one that addresses the needs of the people postpandemic, supports the goal of ensuring food security, reviving education and preparing the country for the impact of climate change.

“Under the 2023 budget, there will

nelli, a

Despite his removal from office, Tagle will continue to assist Pinelli, he said on Tuesday during a plenary meet ing in Rome.

The ousters were not due to sexual

Announced

ment, the surprise move unseats the existing leadership, of which Tagle is president. The Pope also appointed a temporary administra tor in Pier Francesco Pi

abuse and financial management, Tagle said, as he read the Pope’s decree, Vatican News reported. It follows a review of the “workplace

guide

By Alena Mae Flores

EMPLOYERS must pay their

She will join 21 other participants from 19 countries for the three-week fellowship from Nov. 26 to Dec. 18 that

begin in Washington DC before moving to Baltimore in Maryland, St. Petersburg in Florida, San Diego in California, and Chicago in Illinois.

Pañares and PCIJ reporter Cherry Salazar will represent the Philippines in the fellowship.

The IVLP is a professional ex change program funded by the US State Department’s Bureau of Edu cational and Cultural Affairs that

Prices have increased by 10 percent

MANILA Standard News Editor Joyce Babe Pañares has been chosen for the 2022 International Visitor Lead ership Program (IVLP) on Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists -- Re search and Investigations.

will

offers current and emerging interna tional leaders the opportunity to ex perience the richness and diversity of American political, economic, social and cultural life.

Rio N. Araja

employ ees the mandatory 13th-month pay on or before December 24, Christmas Eve, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reminded them Wednesday.

Private sector employers are man dated to pay the benefits due to their workers equivalent to an employee’s one-month salary, Labor Secretary Bi envenido Laguesma said.

This developed as the Department of Trade and Industry released the price

for Noche Buena products on Wednesday to guide consumers on the current price of products sold in the market, boost awareness, and assist the public in making informed purchases.

POPE Francis on Tuesday removed the whole leadership of Caritas Interna tionalis -- the Vatican-based Catholic charity network led by Filipino Cardi nal Luis Antonio Tagle -- after outside experts highlighted management and procedural “deficiencies.”

in a Vatican state

former renewable energy execu tive and Bain consultant trained by the Jesuits.

STRONGER TIES. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets with Vietnam’s National Assembly chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in Malacañang on Wednesday. The visiting official said Vietnam is organizing a business forum to lay the groundwork for strengthened trade and investment ties. Inset photo shows Vuong sharing a light moment with Speaker Martin Romualdez at the House of Representatives. Ver Noveno

Lopez

Maricel

Cruz VIETNAM on Wednesday committed to cooperate with the Philippines on a wide range of areas that include food

security, climate change, defense and food supply. The commitment came from Vietnam National As sembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in a meeting with

CARITAS SHAKE-UP. File photo shows Pope Francis and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle after a mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in March 2021. Pope Francis removed the existing leadership of Caritas Internationalis—the Vatican-based Catholic charity network led by Tagle. AFP

also be aid for our people but this will not be the same as previous aid in which almost all people were given cash. Now, only selected sectors will be given help and it is based on the weight of their need and the effects of the pandemic to them,” Angara said in Filipino.

Angara was referring to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Pro tective Services to Individuals in Crisis Situations, Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Diisadvantaged/Displaced Work ers Program (TUPAD) and the Sustain able Livelihood Program.

He said that even if there has been a decline in new COVID-19 cases in the country, the 2023 budget will ensure that the government will still be able to respond to the continuing threats of the pandemic and that the health sys

tem is strengthened.

Support for Hthe Department of Health, Angara said, will also continue including different DOH-operated hos pitals and the National Children’s Hos pital with additional funding.

Funds was also allocated for the es tablishment of specialty hospitals in dif ferent regions of the country.

The Philippine Health Insurance Corpo., Angara noted, will receive a significant amount to support its benefit package improvement under the Uni versal Health Care Law.

He said members of the public trans port sector, farmers, and fisherfolk will continue to receive fuel assistance.

Angara said scholarships for indigent students were also well funded as well as benefits for senior citizens.

Among the increases in the 2023 na tional budget is its calamity fund which was hiked from the P20 billion to P31 billion with P1 billion for the Marawi

Siege Victims Compensation Fund.

As part of the continuing efforts to decentralize and devolve several functions of the national government to the local government units, the 2023 budget will contain P820.27 bil lion which represents the National Tax Allotment, formerly known as the In ternal Revenue Allotment.

The bicameral conference commit tee meetings for the 2023 budget bill is expected to start on Friday where the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives will work to come up with a reconciled version of the General Appropriations Bills.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri assigned Senators Angara, Pia Cay etano, Loren Legarda, Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar, Ronald Dela Rosa, Sherwin Gatchalian, Christopher Go, Risa Hontiveros, Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, Francis Tolentino, Mark Villar, JV Ejercito, Alan Cayetano, Francis Escu

hance the partnership” between the two countries’ legislatures.

dero, and Jinggoy Estrada as members of the Senate bicameral panel.

The Department of Budget and Man agement said the Senate’s approval of the budget bill was a milestone in ensur ing the that the government’s programs and initiatives for 2023 can be realized.

Cuts to confidential funds were made during the period of amendments to the proposed budget.

Senator Risa Hontiveros recom mended that the DepEd’s realigned con fidential funds be moved to its Healthy Learners Institution Program under the Support-to-School.

Angara agreed to Hontiveros’ sugges tion since no senators objected.

Nobody opposed this recommenda tion of Hontiveros and Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III to include in the proposed national budget a spe cial provision obligating government agencies with confidential funds to sub mit their work plans.

ment,” the Vietnam high official added.

There is no application for IVLP. Participants are nominated and se lected annually by the US Embassies around the world.

Pañares is also the Seminar Director of the Philippine Press Institute and is a member of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.

She has previously taught Jour nalism subjects at the De La Salle University and Kalayaan College, as well as at the graduate school of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication.

She is a member of the Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society.

This developed as the Department of National Defense said it stands by the narrative of the Philippine Navy that the Chinese Coast Guard forcibly took debris local authorities were tow ing off the coast of Pag-Asa Island in the West Philippine Sea, prompting a note verbale from Manila to Beijing.

“We stand by the accounts of our personnel in the area that, contrary to the narrative of the Chinese side, the debris being towed by a Philippine vessel to Naval Station Emilio Liwa nag for inspection was rudely taken by personnel from CCGV5203,” the DND said in a statement.

“Philippine authorities are also in vestigating the reported explosions near Pag-asa Island after the incident involving the floating debris. The situation is still developing; thus, we cannot provide additional details at this time,” it added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of For eign Affairs to send a note verbale to China to ask Beijing to explain its “more benign” account of an in cident involving the Chinese Coast Guard taking rocket debris from Fil ipino soldiers in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

“Yes, I think that that’s what we need to do,” the President said in an interview with reporters Tuesday.

Ambassador Romualdez made the statement after the United States -through US Vice President Kamala Harris, who just left the country after a three-day working visit -- reiterated its commitment to the Philippines in case of an armed attack on its forces in the South China Sea.

The Filipino envoy said it is “very important” for the country that the West Philippine Sea is ours.

“There’s nothing that will make us move otherwise. And I think President Marcos said that very well — we will not give up one inch of our territorial waters,” he said.

“And if our allies like the United States will help us, of course, we will. We not only welcome it, but we are also very happy with that kind of com mitment coming from an ally like the United States,” he added.

The Philippines is still embroiled in a territorial dispute with China and

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang.

“I am looking forward to building upon excellent relationships between our two countries. And under your leadership, we will continue to work closely together and I am very confi dent under your leadership and with your experience, you will help contrib ute further to strengthen the bilateral relations between our two countries and also in helping elevate the role and po sition of the Philippines on the global stage,”Vuong told President Marcos.

President Marcos said he was fortu nate to have met his Vietnamese coun terpart, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, at the 29th Asia Pacific Economic Co operation (APEC) Summit in Bangkok, Thailand last week.

“I was able to have a meeting with your president wherein we discussed many subjects that primarily [include] agriculture and the trade between our two countries, when it comes to the ag ricultural importation and in importing from Vietnam to the Philippines,” Mr. Marcos told the Vietnamese official.

“He was kind enough to make a commitment of Vietnam to always in clude the Philippines as part of your trade partners, especially when it comes to rice. We covered many other subjects as well. We touched upon the issues in our region about defense and security and some of the common in terests between the Philippines and Vietnam,” Mr. Marcos said.

Mr. Marcos has earlier confirmed he would visit Vietnam upon the invitation of President Nguyen.

President Marcos was also able to meet with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Cambodia, and agreed there to further strengthen their partnership in defense, trade, investment, agricul ture and maritime security.

Vuong said he was impressed with the commitments made by the Philippines during the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) to work to address climate change and to work together on transitioning towards clean energy.

President Marcos was represented by House Speaker Martin Romualdez dur ing the AIPA event.

Vuong also expressed hope to “en

“We are hopeful that we can do more to enhance the relationships between our political parties and governmentto-government and parliament-to-par liament relationships, and most impor tantly, the people-to-people exchanges,” the Vietnamese official said.

President Marcos said he was a little surprised that 16 or18 years have tran spired since the exchange of visits be tween the two countries’ legislatures. “That is much too long for such close neighbors,” the President said.

Vuong told the President Vietnam is organizing a forum on business and investment in the country to open new opportunities for Viet namese businessmen wanting to in vest in the Philippines.

“I want to report to you that tomor row morning, we are organizing a very important forum on business and in vestment between our two countries, and I’m happy that Speaker Martin (Romualdez) also accepted my invita tion to participate in the forum along with executives and business leaders from our countries,” he said.

“And I hope that will lay the ground work for further strengthening trade and investment ties bilaterally. I suggest that we can work bilaterally and also multilaterally to address the challenges facing our region,” Vuong added.

In the ASEAN, Vietnam and the Phil ippines can work on the South China Sea issue, the Myanmar situation, sup ply chain disruptions, high inflation, the impact of climate change and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Vuong said.

The two countries could also collabo rate on digital transformation, cyberse curity, and other areas of cooperation, the Vietnamese official said.

Vuong said there is a lot of room for bilateral cooperation because the Phil ippines and Vietnam enjoy excellent po litical relationships that can expand co operation in trade, investment, defense and security, education and training, science and technology, tourism as well as people-to-people exchange.

Vuong agreed with the President on the need to have a balance in trade, as he declared that Vietnam is planning to import more commodities and goods from the Philippines.

“And also believe that apart from rice trade, we can expand our current relations to the import and export of construction materials, particularly ce

Marcos told Vuong that previous business and commercial tie-ups be tween Vietnamese and Filipino inves tors developed and strengthened rela tionships.

“So, it looks like those of us in gov ernment will have to catch up to the business community and strengthen and make the – find new ways to coor dinate, to help one another, especially as we come out of this pandemic economy and with the problems that we are feel ing because of the conflict in Ukraine,” Marcos said.

The chief executive also said he im mediately agreed to go to Vietnam upon the invitation of his Vietnamese coun terpart, although there is still no defi nite schedule for such a visit.

Romualdez welcomed the visit of his Vietnamese counterpart by presenting to him a copy of a House resolution seeking to further strengthen the ties between the two countries through the Philippine-Vietnam Parliamentarian’s Friendship Society.

Romualdez presented a copy of House Resolution (HR) 34 (earlier adopted as HR 571) to Vuong during their meeting at the House of Representatives.

Hue, accompanied by other Vietnam ese lawmakers and government offi cials, arrived Wednesday morning for a three-day official visit to the country.

Hue thanked Romualdez and the Phil ippine lawmakers for their warm wel come as he also stressed the importance of strengthening the strategic partner ship between the two countries and en hancing trade and economic relations, as well as people-to-people exchanges.

In adopting HR 34, the House said: “Among the 10 member countries of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary As sembly (AIPA), the Philippines and Vietnam have developed a special relation through the years anchored on shared goals, common visions, and mutual interests for the benefit of their peoples and towards a genu inely peaceful and productive path in regional cooperation.”

“As a member of the ASEAN, the Philippines accords great importance to its continuing friendship with the member countries, especially with Vi etnam, and views the friendship and historical ties of solidarity and coop eration among the Southeast Asian countries as essential elements to at tain peace and prosperity in the re gion,” the resolution added.

environment” of CI, a federation of 162 Catholic relief, development, and social organizations operating across 200 countries, by a panel of independent experts commissioned by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Pro moting Integral Human Develop ment (DPIHD).

“I would like to assure you that this is not, this is not, this is not about sex ual harassment or sexual abuse. This is not about, again, mismanagement of money … the decree clearly stated the intention,” Tagle added.

In a formal decree, Francis noted Caritas’ role in helping him in his “ministry towards the poorest and most needy”, but said its regulatory framework needed reviewing.

Caritas Internationalis had an income of more than five million euros ($5.13 million) in 2020, ac cording to its annual report, almost half from membership fees and donations from member organiza tions, and the rest contributions from external donors.

The Vatican said financial matters “have been well-handled and fund raising goals regularly achieved” but the aim now was to “improve its man agement norms and procedures”.

The Filipino prelate said: “This is a call for walking humbly with God and a process of discernment, con fronting our unfreedoms and follow ing the spirit of freedom, [and] at the same time, the walking together of different cultures in their unique ex pressions of humanity.”

“No evidence emerged of financial mismanagement or sexual impropri ety, but other important themes and areas for urgent attention emerged from the panel’s work,” the DPIHD said in a statement.

“Real deficiencies were noted in management and procedures, seri ously prejudicing team spirit and staff morale.”

Dicastery chief Cardinal Michael Czerny added that in recent years, the needs of those served by Caritas had risen “markedly, and it is imperative that Caritas Internationalis be well prepared to meet these challenges.”

Among Pinelli’s jobs will be lead ing preparations for the next general assembly of all of Caritas’ member organizations planned for May 2023, when a president, general secretary, and treasurer will be elected. AFP

the Noche Buena products, we have a list of prices sold in the market,” she said.

po ako” (I surrender)--before he was shot three times.

to 27 percent, depending on the prod uct, compared to 2021, Trade Under secretary Ruth Castelo said during the Laging Handa briefing.

Meanwhile, Laguesma said in a radio interview: “There is no exemption, no deferment. We recognize employers are still struggling. But according to the law, there is no exemption for the 13thmonth pay.”

However, he noted that employers and employees could forge special ar rangements to pay out the benefit.

“That matter (special arrangement on the payment) is between the employer and employees. They can just come to an agreement. We have not overcome the pandemic, but we need to under stand the condition of the workers. For our (employer-employee) relationship to be happy, I hope we grant them what is set by the 13th-month pay law,” Lagues ma said.

Castelo said the price of ham went up 10 percent, fruit cocktail by 13 percent, and mayonnaise by 27 percent.

“DTI continues to monitor, especially now, during the Christmas Season. For

Manufacturers also informed the de partment they would raise prices this year, Castelo said.

“We also have a standing appeal to the manufacturers. We understand that cost of production during this time is really high, but we appeal to them that if possible, the increase should be at an absolute minimum, but at the same time, they won’t suffer losses. We also don’t want them to lose money, but the increase should not be too much for consumers,” Castelo said.

Noche Buena products include ham, fruit cocktail, queso de bola, cheese, sandwich spread, mayonnaise, pasta or spaghetti, elbow macaroni, salad maca roni, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, and creamer or all-purpose cream.

Presidential Decree 851 requires em ployers in the private sector to pay their regular rank-and-file employees their 13th-month pay.

They are entitled to 13th-month pay without regard to their position, desig nation, or employment status, and irre spective of the method by which their wages are paid, provided they have worked for at least one month during the calendar year.

“After a careful scrutiny of the re cords and evaluation of the pieces of evidence presented by the prosecution, the court is convinced that the prosecu tion was able to overcome its burden,” the judge ruled.

“The court finds the testimony of Perlada on matters relevant to the case before us, corroborated by the forensic report and the expert testimony of Dr. Erfe worthy of belief,” he said.

Perez along with his co-accused PO1 Ricky Arquilita claimed that Arnaiz was killed in a shooting incident during a legitimate anti-illegal drug operation. Arquilita died during the pendency of the trial of the case which extinguished his criminal liability.

Perlada testified that on Aug. 17, 2017, he and a friend came from a party in Taksay Street in Caloocan when he witnessed Arnaiz killing.

The witness said he saw the accused bringing Arnaiz out of a parked po lice car and ordered him to kneel on a grassy area.

Then he saw Arnaiz holding up his bound wrists and shouted “susuko na

The witness also testified that he saw another young boy inside the police car that night, who is believed to be De Guzman, a friend of Arnaiz.

Arnaiz and De Guzman went missing from their residence in Cainta, Rizal.

Their bodies were later found in a creek in Gapan, Nueva Ecija with Ar naiz sustaining gunshot wounds while De Guzman was stabbed 30 times.

Forensic examination on Arnaiz’s body showed that he was kneeling when he was shot several times on the chest, suggesting intentional killing on the part of the accused.

It was also discovered that Arnaiz was tortured before he was killed as his wrists were swollen and bore handcuff marks and his eyes were bruised.

The autopsy on De Guzman showed that he was tortured prior to his death with 28 stab wounds.

His body was found on Sept. 5, 2017 in a creek in Nueva Ecija with his head wrapped in packing tape.

“PO1 Jefrey S.Perez is found guilty beyond reasonable doubt for all the crimes charged against him,” Pascua said in his ruling dated Nov. 10.

For violation of Republic Act 9745

or the Anti-Torture Act of 2010 against Arnaiz, the court sentenced Perez to a prison term of six months as minimum to four years and two months as maximum.

For violation of the same law in re lation to De Guzman, the accused was sentenced to reclusion perpetua.

Perez was also meted two life terms for planting evidence, in addition to “absolute perpetual disqualification from any public office.”

“Additionally, accused is hereby or dered to pay the heirs of Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Reynaldo De Guzman alias Kulot moral damages amounting to P1 million and exemplary damages amounting to P1 million, or a total of P2 million for each of the victim’s heirs,” the RTC said.

“An interest at the rate of six percent per annum shall be imposed on all mon etary awards from the date of finality of this decision until fully paid,” it added.

The court said the victim’s heirs are “likewise entitled to claim for compen sation as provided under Republic Act 7309 for an amount to be determined by the government agency concerned.”

RA 7309 is the law that created the Board of Claims for victims of unjust imprisonment or detention and victims of violent crimes.

Subpoena sent to ‘wrong’ Bantag

By Rey E. Requejo

THE lawyer of suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director Gerald Bantag on Wednesday claimed the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) panel of prosecutors committed a “fatal” mistake when it served its subpoena to the wrong “Gerald Bantag.”

Meanwhile, the DOJ’s panel of pros ecutors has allowed Bantag to file his counter-affidavit on the two murder com plaints filed against him at the resump tion of the preliminary investigation on December 5.

During the preliminary investigation hearings on Wednesday, Bantag’s law yer Rocky Balisong said the subpoena requiring Bantag to attend the Novem ber 23 and December 5 preliminary investigations was for a “different” per son.

Bantag is facing complaints of mur der for the death of broadcaster Percival Mabasa, also known as Percy Lapid, and middleman Jun Villamor, an inmate from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) tagged as the one who contacted confessed gun man Joel Escorial to kill Lapid.

Villamor reportedly died at the NBP in Muntinlupa City the same day Escorial appeared before the media to talk about Lapid’s death.

Balisong disclosed that the subpoena was addressed to a certain Gerald Bantag y Soriano. However, the embattled BuCor chief’s middle name is “Quitaleg.”

“He (Gerald Bantag y Soriano) is dif ferent from DG Gerald Bantag y Quital eg. So, [these are] two different individu als,” Balisong told reporters.

“That is fatal because it refers to two different individuals. Definitely, Gerald Bantag y Soriano is not our client,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Bantag’s co-respondent, BuCor deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta was a no-show.

Dying boy, 3, gives away kidney, eyes to needy patients at

A THREE-year-old drowning victim has become the youngest organ donor of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), as well as first pediatrics donor of the St. Luke’s Medical Center.

It may be said therefore, that young Ezra Rosario willingly gave away his life so that others may live.

The Washington-based Rosario fam ily recently visited the Philippines for a vacation.

Julius Rosario and his wife Jennae decided that Ezra and his twin brother would celebrated their birthday in Paoay, Ilocos Norte last November 6.

Because of sheer excitement, Ezra un wittingly jumped into the adult’s side of the pool where the water was too deep for him to swim, and he drowned.

The local hospital did not have the needed equipment to revive the boy, so the parents airlifted him to Manila.

After four days of fighting for his life, doctors declared the three year-old kid as “brain dead.”

“Automatic na ata siguro sa parents na alam na namin na tama na rin. ‘Mag-rest ka na lang anak ko,’ parang ganun,” Jen nae said on ‘Unang Balita.’

The grieving parents decided to donate some of Ezra’s organs.

A report had it that an anonymous 24-year-old beneficiary will receive Ez ra’s kidney, while others will benefit from his corneas.

Operatives seize P2.65m worth of shabu, cannabis in Taguig raid

By Joel E. Zurbano and Vito Barcelo

GOVERNMENT agents have seized

P2.65 million worth of cocaine and liquid marijuana or cannabis during a raid at a warehouse late Tuesday night in Taguig City.

Operatives of the Manila International Container Port - Customs Intelligence and the Investigation Service (MICP-CIIS) swooped down on Unit 1307 of the stor

HONORING A FALLEN HERO. The Class of Ateneo High School 4E 1997 honors the supreme sacrifice of “Kuya Jeneven Badiala” who was felled by an assassin’s bullet in the line of duty last July 23, 2022 while serving as security guard of the school along Katipunan Road in Quezon City. The bactch is auctioning off a 20” x 30” watercolor painting of one of their classmates the proceeds of which will go to the family of the late Jeneven Badiala. For further support to this charitable undertaking, please contact Fine Art Philippines at +639778094186 or visit their Facebook page (https://www.facebook. com/profile.php?id=1000 83183979741&mibextid= LQQJ4d) for more details.

age facility located at AFP-RSBS Indus trial Park in East Service Road, and dis covered 500 grams of cocaine, 30 grams of kush, various electronic cigarettes, vape cartridges with liquid marijuana, and other paraphernalia.

The MICP-CIIS operatives conducted the operation with help from the Philip pine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Phil ippine National Police, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.

Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon

Ruiz gave the order to conduct the opera tion as a follow up to the Nov. 18 raid in Ayala-Alabang Village in Muntinlupa City where a total of P149.6 million worth of shabu was also seized.

Ruiz said the accuracy of the reports his gathered by the MICP-CIIS agents enabled them to act immediately against the warehouse.

“One of our best assets is the partner ship we have with different government agencies. We maximize that relationship

by bringing information to the table and acting on it immediately. That’s also why many of our operations against illegal drugs, in particular, have been successful, because we have an all-hands-on-deck approach,” Ruiz said.

“Since assuming this position, my standing order—and I have been very firm on this—is for the BOC and other partner agencies to pour all our resources against contrabands, especially illegal drugs,” he added.

IN BRIEF

ALBAY Gov. Noel Rosal has filed a pe tition asking the Supreme Court to stop the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from implementing an en banc resolu tion disqualifying him as the duly elect ed governor of the province.

Rosal’s petition for certiorari in cluded a plea for the issuance of a temporary restraining order and writ of preliminary injunction by the High Court against the poll body.

Rosal is contesting the move by the Comelec en banc which affirmed an earlier resolution by the poll body’s First Division which disqualified him from running for the position of gov ernor in the May 2022 elections based on a complaint filed by a certain Jo seph Armogila.

CAAP surpasses anew ICAO safety standards

THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has announced it has passed the safety standards of the In ternational Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

CAAP once again surpassed the global average of 67.6 percent with the present score of 69 percent from the previous 67.77 percent rating.

The higher rating comes after the Off

site Validation activity conducted on Sept. 1 where ICAO subject matter experts found that there are no Significant Safety Concerns (SSC) for the Philippines.

CAAP spokesman Eric Apolonio said the main objective of the evaluation was to ensure that principles, techniques, set standards, and recommended practices (SARPS) related to international civil aviation operations are practiced in the

country to ensure aviation’s safe and or derly growth.

ICAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations with 193 member-states that set standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency, and en vironmental protection. It assesses all mem ber states of the UN on their capability and capacity to implement an effective safety oversight of aviation operations.

P’que City workers get 13th month pay

EMPLOYEES of the Parañaque City government have started receiving their 13th month pay as early as Tues day, Nov. 22, as part of Mayor Eric Olivarez’s pledge to help ease the workers’ difficulties arising from the current economic downturn.

The 13th month pay, equivalent to one month’s full salary, is part of the financial windfall that Parañaque City employees are set to receive during the Christmas season.

“We are happy to announce that we have started crediting the 13th month pay of our regular and casual employ ees to their bank accounts,” Mayor Olivarez said. “This should help as sure them and their families of a hap

py Christmas season.”

Aside from the 13th month pay, all city government personnel, including job or der employees, will also receive a cash gift of P5,000 starting on the first week of December.

This marks the first time that job or der employees are getting a P5,000 cash gift. In previous years, they only received Php3,000.

Regular and casual employees are likewise entitled to a productivity bo nus of P5,000 each by the third week of December.

Parañaque is among the most finan cially stable local government units in the country, allowing it to release benefits to employees and constituents early.

In his petition, Rosal alleged that the Comelec had deprived him of his “constitutional right to due process” after the poll body denied his mo tion to reset “hearing on the prelimi nary conference despite justifiable grounds”. Rosal also said that the poll body had issued the disqualification ruling based on “mere allegations” and despite the failure of Armogila to “ad duce evidence” that Rosal had actually disbursed funds during a period speci fied by the Omnibus Election Code.

QUEZON

“Jay-Jay”

“President Marcos has again proven himself as the best market ing strategist of the country after his fruitful trip to Thailand. He was able to promote our country as an invest ment hub for food, agriculture and energy opportunities, among oth ers,” Suarez said in a statement.

The President attended the 29th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) in Bangkok, Thailand from November 16 to 19. He also held bi lateral meetings with various world leaders, attended the APEC CEO Summit, and met with business ex ecutives of companies such as Thaibased Siam Cement Group (SCG).

NKTI, St. Luke’s

Albay Gov. Rosal files petition vs. DQ ruling

Solon lauds Marcos’ ‘fruitful’ Thai trip

Rep. David

Su arez has congratulated President Mar cos Jr. for successfully advancing the country’s interests and bringing home pledges for investments and job oppor tunities for Filipinos during his recent trip to Bangkok, Thailand.

“JUSTICE FOR BANTAG.” Supporters of embattled Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag who was suspended following his indictment in the gunslaying of radio commentator Percival Mabasa, a.k.a. Percy Lapid, gather outside the Department of Justice to demand a “fair trial” for the suspected mastermind in the murder case. Danny Pata

GOLDEN GRAB AWARDS

. A total of 40 prizes are given away by the Sales Superstars, Merchant Congeniality, Cities of Tomorrow, in the Golden Awards categories to GrabFood and GrabMart merchant-partners at the Golden Grab Awards 2022 in ceremony held at the Marco Polo Ortigas wih the theme “Together, we shine the brightest.” Norman Cruz

PAGCOR bares

POGO roadmap to Senate panel

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on Wednesday presented a roadmap to address Philip pine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) at a joint Senate hearing.

PAGCOR, in its presentation in front of the Senate Ways and Means and Public Order and Dangerous Drugs committees, said the roadmap intends “to achieve the optimal number of licensees and increase the total POGO income gradually in the next five years, but with a more robust regulatory framework which will elimi nate illegal online gambling operations and the social ills associated with it.”

The short-term objective indicated in the roadmap is to strengthen offshore gaming employment license implemen tation and to intensify inter-agency coop eration by 2022 to 2023. In the medium term, between 2022 and 2025, PAG COR said it aims to develop more POGO hubs and establish government regula tory offices within those hubs.

The presentation showed that between 2022 and 2027, PAGCOR’s goals include (1) achieve the optimal number of licens es, (2) increase total POGO income, (3) eliminate online illegal gambling opera tions, and (4) eliminate social ills through proper regulation.

By adopting this roadmap, PAG COR expects total income from the POGO industry to hit P3.4 billion by 2023; P4.8 billion by 2024; P6.2 billion by 2025; P7.7 billion by 2026; and P10.2 billion by 2027.

Speaking on behalf of PAGCOR, Off shore Gaming and Licensing Department Senior Manager Atty. Renfred Tan stressed that PAGCOR would “improve the coordi nation with the other government agencies to curb the social costs or social ills that are associated with POGOs.”

IN BRIEF

House approves bill for workers’ welfare

THE House of Representatives com mittee on labor and employment has approved several proposals that seek to protect certain labor groups.

The committee, chaired by Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles lauded the pas sage of House Bills 988 (Increas ing the Service Incentive Leave of Workers Act), 924 (Barangay Skilled Workers Act), 227 (Caregivers Wel fare Act), and 454 (Media Workers Welfare Act), saying the bills would strengthen the labor sector once they are passed into law.

“HBs 988, 924, and 227 were all approved on November 15, while HB 454 was approved in the plenary yes terday. As of today, all four bills have already been transmitted and re ceived by the Senate,” Nograles said.

“Labor markets are important es pecially in developing countries like ours as employment status is one of the key determinants of eradicating poverty. As chair of the Committee on Labor, I am delighted that the House has prioritized the passage of these measures, which will protect and strengthen the rights and welfare of our labor force” he added.

The lawmaker said HB 988 dou bles the service incentive leave (SIL) of workers who have rendered at least one year of service from the current five days to the proposed 10. Maricel V. Cruz

QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte wants a complete makeover of the Quezon Memorial Circle, a 27-hec tare national park just within the El liptical Road in Diliman as the city’s “crown jewel” in 2023.

During the Christmas tree lighting at the park, she instructed the park management chief Wilson Bueno to implement development projects and offer more activities that would en courage QCitizens to come over and spend quality time with their family.

“This park, we want it to be our crown jewel. Let us bring our people closer to nature,” she said.

“We want our QCitizens to bring back (the days) when families gather together. Let us take advantage of this park and other open spaces as instruments of family bonding,” she added. Rio N. Araja

CA gives nod to Diokno, Bersamin appointments

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednes day gave its nod to the interim appointments of Execu tive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Finance Sec. Benja min Diokno.

President.

During the CA hearings, senators and members of the House of Representatives lauded Bersamin for his untarnished ser vice in the government and his stint as the 25th Supreme Court Chief Justice.

CA members also took turns in ques tioning Bersamin about his policies in his current position as Executive Secretary. Bersamin is the second Executive Sec retary of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He succeeded lawyer Victor Rodriguez, who also served as spokesperson of the

Bersamin has been in the judiciary for 33 years, starting as a Regional Trial Court presiding justice and justice of the Court of Appeals.

Diokno twice served as Budget Sec retary and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas chairperson under the administrations of former President Joseph Estrada and the late President Fidel Ramos.

Sen. Imee Marcos, who endorsed the confirmation of Diokno, said the coun

try needs his capability to manage the country’s finances and debts. Facing the CA, Diokno was questioned on the bal looning debts of the country to which he responded that there’s nothing to worry about “since it is still manageable.”

He said the country posted a low debt-to-gross domestic product of 40% before the pandemic and rose to 62% after the procurement of vac cines and strengthening of health services to address COVID-19. This 62% is still manageable compared to other countries which have 100%200% debt-to-GDP ratio like European countries, Diokno said.

The CA panel meanwhile suspended the committee hearing of Commission on Audit (COA) chair Gamaliel Cordoba because Senator Risa Hontiveros still has questions for Cordoba.

PREPARING FOR BONIFACIO DAY.

A worker cleans the Andres Bonifacio National Monument in Caloocan City on Wednesday ahead of the Andres Bonifacio Day celebration on November 30.

PBBM to Pinoy scientists: Stay and share expertise

By Vince Lopez and Vito Barcelo

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday called on Filipino scientists and researchers to stay in the country and share their expertise with the younger generation as he vowed to support their research and development (R&D) initiatives.

“I encourage our Filipino scientists,

researchers, inventors, and innova tors, to continue sharing your exper tise, especially with young people,” President Marcos said during the opening ceremonies for the 2022 Na tional Science and Technology Week (NSTW).

“I urge you to stay in the country as you pursue your career. We will continue to support you and continue to look to you

House panel seeks poverty reduction bills

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE House committee on poverty allevi ation will push for the approval of several poverty reduction measures, including a bill that would lower the cost of medi cines.

“With the support of the Speaker, we will work on the passage of the proposed laws recommended to the committee by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA),” Rep. Mikee Romero of party-list group 1-Pacman, said on Wednesday.

“These measures are key to achieving the objectives of the eight-point socioeconomic development agenda of the Marcos administration,” he said.

The NEDA submitted its proposals to the committee on Tuesday. They were

part of a briefing conducted by NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon on the overall poverty situation in the country.

Aside from the proposed Drugs and Medicines Regulation Act, the recom mended poverty alleviation measures are Rental Housing Subsidy Bill, National Land Use Act, Pandemic Resiliency Bill, Young Farmer and Fisherfolk Challenge Program, Unified System of Separation, Retirement and Pension, and institution alization of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

Romero said these measures are now pending with his committee and other concerned House panels. He said NEDA also suggested the full reopening of the economy and the resumption of face-toface classes in all schools throughout the country.

to be active partners of the government,” the President said.

Rallying for unity, Mr. Marcos asked them to partner with the government and dedicate their knowledge and skills and work harmoniously to uplift the lives of the people as the government takes fur ther strides towards a more inclusive, more prosperous and more sustainable nation.

Duterte bats for dev’t agency for Metro Davao

By Maricel V. Cruz

DAVAO City Rep. Paolo Duterte on Wednesday called for the implemen tation of the law creating the Metro politan Davao Development Authority (MDDA) to put in place efficient, longterm solutions to the challenges facing the rapid urbanization and progress of one of the fastest growing regional economies in the country.

Under Republic Act (RA) 11708 or the MDDA law, Metropolitan Davao is composed of the cities of Davao, Panabo, Tagum, Island Garden in Sa mal, Digos, and Mati, as well as the municipalities of Sta. Cruz, Hagonoy, Padada, Malalag, Sulop, Carmen, Maco, Malita and Sta. Maria in the Davao Region.

Duterte noted that Metro Davao spurred the pre-pandemic growth of the Davao Region to 7 percent in 2019, making it the country’s third fastest re gional economy. Even amid a pandem ic, the Davao Region continued its eco nomic expansion at 5.9 percent in 2021, which is above the national level, said Duterte citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The development of Metro Davao, which serves as the economic and ad ministrative core of the Davao Region and the entire Mindanao, requires a unified approach to lessen, or even nip in the bud, the problems that plague fragmented urban communities, Du terte said.

“We should not delay anymore the implementation of the law creating the MDDA. Metro Davao is seven times the size of Metro Manila and even bigger than the land area of Sin gapore. The MDDA is necessary so that the development plans of the cities and municipalities comprising Metro Davao will move in a synchro nized path that is beneficial to all,” Duterte said.

“We can save Metro Davao from haphazard planning and transform it into a smart, sustainable, and resilient metropolis if the Metro Davao Devel opment Authority can start doing its job,” added Duterte, who was one of the principal authors of the MDDA law in the 18th Congress.

Duterte said the MDDA’s responsi bilities and functions are designed to further energize Mindanao’s economy, expand job and business opportuni ties, and improve the delivery of public services in the Davao Region.

‘FLOODING CZAR.’ Quezon City  District 1 (QCD1) Rep. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde in a privilege speech is urging lawmakers to designate a “flooding czar” and fast-track anti-flooding projects to prevent paralyzing floods in Metro Manila.

Belmonte wants full makeover of QC Circle

Manny Palmero

SCI-TECH WEEK. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. with Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. leads the ribbon-cutting to formally open the 2022 National Science and Technology Week exhibit at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. PNA photo by Alfred Frias.

WE WOULD have wanted to write about NIA head Benny Antiporda’s sudden and perplexing suspension by the Ombudsman when it happened but we were still out of the country at the time, and wanted to know its antecedents in that troubled agency.

That Antiporda has a rather brusque way with words is a given.

The guy is as frank and as candid as could be, based on my encounters with this former journalist, whether at the National Press Club or even when he was visiting Taiwan as a director of Subic Bay ecozone during the early years of the past administration.

You don’t bullshit around with streetsmart Antiporda, and that must have rubbed his sub-alterns at the graft-ridden NIA not only the wrong way, but became anathema to the “old boys” of middle management and their “usual” conduct.

How they got the Office of the Ombudsman to suspend Antiporda without hearing the guy’s side, and for mere accusations of managerial highhandedness and the stereotyped “conduct unbecoming” is, as the fictitiously romanticized King of Siam in the musical is quoted, “a puzzlement.”

President Marcos must hear Benny’s side and get the puno’t dulo of this brouhaha, especially since the irrigation agency is a principal cog in the agriculture machinery he presides upon.

The rank and file at NIA have expressed support for their beleaguered head, seeing perhaps that Antiporda was a no-nonsense guy out to improve the agency’s image, and if you go around the country, you will indeed see how professional and wellmeaning many of the NIA’s hands-on field operators are.

If memory still serves me right, as soon as President Cory Aquino appointed a comprovinciano from Tarlac to head the NIA, mind-boggling scandals came to light, such as the excessively over-priced repainting of the perimeter fence around Pantabangan Dam which the president’s father built.

Sure, Pres. Cory yielded to the public howl and fired her provincemate, but a series of officials, civilian and military, that succeeding presidents appointed to head the NIA were unable to, and likely became complicit in the continuing bastardization of the agency’s mandate of ensuring water supply to our parched farms, all in the altar of corruption and inefficiency.

Pres. Marcos should ask his NEDA director-general, a distinguished agricultural economist who in PNoy’s time, unearthed massive under-performance bordering on willful corruption at the NIA.

This, and other “puzzlements” such as unaccounted for lease payments on prime NIA properties, are what Benny Antiporda sought to excise, and quickly, in his usual brash management style.

But electric shocks are what an anticorruption specialist, if there is one in this government, would actually prescribe for the agency.

One particular practice that riled then Pres. Aquino III was the discovery of thousands of kilometers of “built” irrigation canals as proof of the NIA’s accomplishments, only for an audit team to find out that the canals had no identified source of water. He he he!

These and many more “puzzlements” Antiporda may have seen when he was appointed as a deputy administrator during the latter years of Pres. Duterte, and now sought to excise and correct. But apparently, middle management and their cabal of contractors saw Benny Antiporda an existential threat.

***

So many issues have come and gone when I was away but perhaps the most recent headline news is the visit of US Vice-President Kamala Harris, first to Malacanang, thence to Puerto Princesa where a new jointly-used military base under the terms of EDCA was built.

It’s nice to hear words of support from the lady who is a breath away from their super-senior POTUS, support that we needed most when the mandarins of China decided to claim all of the West Philippine Sea as part of their sovereign territory.

Words such as, quoting Harris, “the United States stands with the Philippines in the face of intimidation and coercion in the South China Sea (and) we support the 2016 ruling of the UN arbitral tribunal which delivered a unanimous and final decision formally rejecting China’s expansive South China Sea maritime claims.”

She further stated, without batting an eyelash, that “the Hague tribunal’s decision is legally binding and must be respected.”

Two things stand out in this continuing saga of supposed US support for the country that was once their colony, which the Filipino people should consider first before being hoodwinked into believing her avowals.

Clearly, the US of A in its waning years is just pushing the envelope further against the imperious Xi Jinping who now wields absolute power in the middle kingdom

One, where were they when we needed them most? As Pres. Duterte once famously asked, why didn’t our “big brother” do anything when China built those artificial islands?

Two, the US of A has not signed accession to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the legal basis for the Hague tribunal’s existence.

Sure China and the Philippines recognize UNCLOS, but the former spurned our complaint and did not participate in the hearings. We were left blabbing our arguments before the Hague, all by our lonely self.

But now, big brother America vows respect and avers legal binding on the decision of a body they were never part of?

This looks like another case of using the Philippines as additional pawn in the “war” against a rising China. Look at Nancy Pelosi, two breaths away from Biden, and now Harris, one breath away.

Clearly, the US of A in its waning years is just pushing the envelope further against the imperious Xi Jinping who now wields absolute power in the middle kingdom.

The Philippines is just another stamp in the envelope, postmarked Taiwan.

WHAT will be the contours of Philippines-China relations in the next six years?

If the recent meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ meeting in Bangkok, Thailand last week is any indication, we can expect bilateral ties to remain warm and friendly.

The two countries agreed to hold ‘friendly consultation’ on the South China Sea and to “handle differences and disputes properly,” according to the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

“As two developing countries in Asia, China and the Philippines need to keep strategic independence, uphold peace, openness and inclusiveness, and stay the course of regional cooperation. They should work together to reject unilateralism and acts of bullying, defend fairness and justice, and safeguard peace and stability in the region,” the embassy said.

For his part, Marcos stressed that the bilateral ties of the two nations should not be defined by maritime issues and that both sides should further enhance

EDITORIAL

PH-China ties

The Philippines also vowed to engage in consultations with China and explore ways to advance joint maritime and gas resources exploration

communication on this matter.

The Philippines also vowed to engage in consultations with China and explore ways to advance joint maritime and gas resources exploration.

Before the Marcos-Xi meeting in Bangkok, Marcos had urged his fellow leaders during a speech at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Cambodia to “ensure that the South China Sea remains a sea of peace, a sea of security and stability, and of prosperity.”

He also pushed for the completion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea as tensions continue between claimant nations in the resource-rich waterway.

Marcos is scheduled to go on a state visit to China in early January next year upon the invitation of the Chinese president.

Will the two leaders discuss the South China Sea dispute? That remains to be seen. What is clear at this point is that they are likely to deal with other aspects of current bilateral relations.

The Philippines and China have already established a mechanism since 2017 to discuss issues and concerns related to the South China Sea.

The Bilateral Consultation Mechanism has so far held at least five meetings attended by an equal number of diplomats on either side.

But apart from issuing communiqués after each meeting, the two sides have yet to come out with a comprehensive report on the progress made in such consultative meetings.

With the recent appointment of a new Philippine ambassador to Beijing with broad knowledge of Chinese contemporary history from the 1970s up to the present, former journalist Jaime FlorCruz can be expected to build upon the gains made earlier by his predecessor, the late Chito Sta. Romana, and help immensely in forging stronger Philippine-China relations in the years ahead.

Five-year comprehensive traffic plan

With all the items that have been identified for accomplishment over a period of five years, it will be a big challenge for MMDA and JICA to complete the project especially in the area of Intelligent Transportation System. This is because MMDA and JICA will almost be starting from scratch when it comes to ITS.

LAST week, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority announced a fiveyear Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan for the Metro area.

Although there have been traffic plans announced by the MMDA in the past, this appears to be the most ambitious traffic project that will ever be undertaken. This is mainly due to the scope of the project.

The MMDA also announced the participation of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency which has been a long time partner of the government in traffic and transportation projects.

JICA for the first time is wading in as an active participant in finding ways to better manage traffic in Metro Manila.

JICA’s participation is critical and ensures the completion of the CTMP.

From what has been published so far, it appears that the CTMP is already an approved project.

This would mean that there will be funds available to complete whatever activities that will be undertaken.

This is in contrast to previous MMDA undertakings which were very limited in scope and did not have ready funding to ensure completion of any project.

What the news report did not say was whether this project will have an MMDA Project Manager working with JICA which I assume will provide the expert personnel for the project.

Whatever it is, it looks like MMDA is at last thinking strategically and this is as it should be instead of focusing only on EDSA as if it is the only road that matters in the Metro area.

What we the public would like to see now are additional details of the plan because the news items released in the papers last week were too general.

It is not only in the infrastructure which has to be completely modernized but also in the area of driver discipline, enforcement and education.

The Metro traffic signaling system is so antiquated that it needs a new state of the art system to include a new and modern traffic control center.

The Metro traffic signaling system is so antiquated that it needs a new state of the art system to include a new and modern traffic control center

In countries like Japan and Germany, ITS has been in use for many years to manage and decongest traffic when needed because drivers in these two countries have discipline.

For instance, in case of a traffic buildup, the traffic control center can take over by redirecting or adjusting the cycle time of traffic lights and drivers will simply follow.

In a country like ours where discipline is wanting, it will take time for drivers to drive with minimum of supervision and enforcement to maximize the benefits of ITS.

Still, it is good to see that the MMDA is talking about what ITS can do in traffic management.

The CTMP also talks of the 12 strategies

By Mike Pusing

SUBIC Bay Metropolitan Authority— November 24,

1992.

Thirty years after the helicopter carrier

USS Belleau Wood sailed out of Subic Bay that ended an almost century of stay by the American military here, this former biggest overseas naval base of the United States—at one point drydock facility of the US Seventh Fleet – now stands out as a thriving economic zone and beckoning a bright and progressive future for the community.

The remarkable growth of the abandoned base over nearly three decades has completely wiped out all the gloom and doom and the prevailing pessimism

at that time regarding the future of a community and its people whose existence totally depended on the presence of the American base.

It was an outcome hardly expected, considering a destructive volcanic eruption of nearby Mt. Pinatubo in June 1991 followed by a rejection of an extension of a treaty by the Philippine Senate in September of the same year.

More than 350 people died during the Pinatubo eruption, most of them from collapsing roofs.

Disease that broke out in evacuation camps and the continuing mud flows in the area caused additional deaths, bringing the total death toll to 722 people. The event left more than 200,000

The remarkable growth of the abandoned base over nearly three decades has completely wiped out all the gloom and doom and the prevailing pessimism at that time regarding the future of a community and its people whose existence totally depended on the presence of the American base

people homeless.

In December 1991, there was a last-ditch attempt by both the US and the Philippine governments to negotiate an extension that would allow a prolonged withdrawal of the US military.

But this too bogged down and the then President Corazon Aquino issued a formal notice for the US to leave Subic by the end of 1992.

The then City Mayor Richard Gordon mustered and mobilized an army of

to address traffic management issues which makes the project comprehensive because it includes almost all that are needed to be addressed.

Not mentioned are the 42 traffic bottleneck areas that have been identified that needs improvement.

No word was said whether these 42 bottleneck areas are intersections wherein the traffic signals are to be replaced or road sections needing engineering modifications and improvements or both.

Strengthening traffic regulations I assume refers to amending the current Republic Act 4136 and other related laws together with the many different municipal traffic ordinances that have been enacted by the 17 cities and municipalities that comprise the National Capital Region.

One item that was omitted which is important is the review of the MMDA law for possible amendment so that MMDA will be given more teeth to perform its traffic management functions.

It is surprising that the CTMP did not generate any reaction from environmental, traffic and transport groups.

Perhaps, this is because the scope of the project has not sunk in yet or they have not yet given it much thought at this time. But they should be happy with this project.

If MMDA and JICA can achieve what is in the scope of the project, we can for the first time achieve a substantial improvement on Metro Manila’s traffic.

Part of the reason is that there are other public work projects now going on that will also contribute in easing traffic congestion.

But there will always be traffic challenges due to the absorption capacity of the NCR for more ground level roads and the continuing increase in population albeit in much lesser numbers than in the past.

The whole object of any traffic management plan is to improve travel time.

If at the end of five years, MMDA and JICA will be able to improve travel time in spite of the projected yearly increase of motor vehicles in the NCR, then the CTMP would be a feather in the cap of both agencies and the PBBM administration.

volunteers, numbering some 8,000, to take over the abandoned base and protect and preserve the US$8 billion properties and facilities left by the US Navy.

Gordon, a former Senator and Red Cross Chair, used his charisma and a strong and decisive type of leadership to inspire and motivate his people to chart their own future by volunteering for the newly-created government agency – the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority – and thus, began the journey to the present Subic Bay.

(The author, a long-time resident of Olongapo City, is one of the original volunteers. He has served as public information officer of SBMA).

Indonesia quake survivors appeal for supplies as search continues

SURVIVORS of an Indonesian earthquake that killed at least 268 people appealed for food and water Wednesday, as rescuers picked through devastated villages with hopes of finding anyone alive fading.

The calls for help came as authori ties warned that debris from landslides caused by the strong quake near the town of Cianjur in West Java needed to be cleared ahead of heavy rains forecast in the coming weeks, threatening a sec ond disaster.

Two days after the quake flattened their homes, residents were still trying to retrieve priceless belongings includ ing family photos, religious books and marriage certificates.

“Although some supplies have ar rived, it is not enough. We got rice, in stant noodles, mineral water but it’s not enough,” Mustafa, a 23-year-old resi dent of Gasol village, told AFP.

Mustafa had just dug through the rubble of an elderly neighbour’s house at her request, appearing from the destroyed facade carrying a pile of clothes before returning to collect rice, a gas stove, canisters and frying pans.

“We have no clothes and we have not changed for days, so I am dig ging through the rubble to find some clothes.”

More than 58,000 people have been displaced by the quake, around 1,000 are injured and 151 missing, with more than half of the dead still to be identified, the national disas ter mitigation agency (BNPB) said Tuesday.

The government has dispatched tents and other supplies to Cianjur for the

displaced, and the military sent 12,000 personnel on Wednesday to help rescue and aid efforts, officials said.

“For the refugees... their basic life necessities must be guaranteed, water, food, that’s non-negotiable,” BNPB chief Suharyanto, who like many Indo nesians goes by one name, told a press conference Wednesday.

But another resident appealed to Ja karta to send more stocks because of shortages.

“My child has a fever and she can’t eat. There are many children and old people here. Children need milk, dia pers, food and medicine,” said 30-yearold Yunisa Yuliani.

Dede Masliyah, a 45-year-old evac uee living in a makeshift tent, said the survivors had yet to receive any aid and were battered by heavy rains overnight.

“We are lacking food and medicines. We desperately need a proper tent be cause there are many children and small babies here,” she said.

“The tent leaked when it rained. There are more than 60 people staying here. We have not been reached by the aid distribution.”

Indonesia is vulnerable to landslides and flash floods in the rainy season, which has already begun and peaks in December in West Java. Heavy thun derstorms are forecast for Cianjur in the weeks ahead and rains began overnight into Wednesday.

The country’s meteorology agency warned the town is prone to another catastrophe just days after homes were destroyed and loved ones buried by rubble.

“We have to be vigilant over a po tential second disaster, such as a land slide,” Dwikorita Karnawati, head of the meteorology, climatology and geo physics agency told a press conference Tuesday.

“The urgent step is to control heaps of fallen material,” she said. AFP

Multiple fatalities in Walmart shooting—Virginia police

A GUNMAN shot and killed multiple people in a Walmart store late Tuesday in the US state of Virginia, police and city officials said, adding that the shoot er too is dead.

“We were able to find multiple fa talities and multiple injured parties,” Chesapeake Police Department offi cer Leo Kosinski told reporters at the scene, saying rapid response officers entered the store “immediately” as they arrived.

“We believe it is a single shooter and that single shooter is deceased at this

time,” he added.

The City of Chesapeake also said on Twitter that police did “confirm an ac tive shooter incident with fatalities at the Walmart on Sam’s Circle.

“Our first responders are well-trained and prepared to respond; please give them space to do so,” it added.

News footage showed a major police presence at the scene, with Kosinski saying several officers and investigators were combing through the store and se curing the area. The exact number of fatalities

Violent protests at largest iPhone factory in China amid lockdown

VIOLENT protests have broken out around Foxconn’s vast iPhone factory in central China, as workers clashed with security personnel over Covid re strictions at the plant.

In videos shared on Weibo and Twitter that AFP has verified, hundreds of work ers can be seen marching on a road in daylight, with some being confronted by riot police and people in hazmat suits.

A night time video showed a man with a bloodied face as someone offcamera says: “They’re hitting people, hitting people. Do they have a con science?”

AFP verified that video partly through geolocation that showed distinctive features, including a building and bar ricades near staff living quarters on the factory compound.

Another video showed smashed-up COVID-19 testing booths and an over turned vehicle.

In one daytime video, several fire trucks surrounded by police in hazmat suits were parked near residential blocks while a voice on a loudspeaker was heard saying: “All workers please return to their accommodation, do not associate with a small minority of illegal elements.”

China’s unrelenting zero-Covid pol icy has caused fatigue and resentment among wide swathes of the population, some of whom have been locked down for weeks at factories and universities, or unable to travel freely.

The Weibo hashtag “Foxconn riots” appeared to be censored by Wednesday noon, but some text posts referencing large-scale protests at the factory re mained live.

Neither Foxconn nor Apple respond ed to AFP requests for comment on the latest unrest.

Foxconn, also known by its official name Hon Hai Precision Industry, is the world’s biggest contract electronics manufacturer, assembling gadgets for many international brands.

The Taiwanese tech giant, Apple’s principal subcontractor, recently saw a surge in Covid-19 cases at its Zheng zhou site, leading the company to shut ter the vast complex in a bid to keep the virus in check.

Since then, the huge facility of about 200,000 workers—dubbed “iPhone City”— has been operating in a “closed loop” bubble.

Footage emerged this month of pan icking workers fleeing the site en masse on foot in the wake of allegations of poor conditions at the facility.

Multiple employees later recounted to AFP scenes of chaos and disorganisa tion at the complex of workshops and dormitories.

In the place of the fleeing workers, the firm has offered large bonuses and other incentives for employees who stayed as the local government bussed in fresh labourers in a bid to keep the factory afloat. AFP

Moscow drag queens defiant as LGBTQ law looms

The mood is surprisingly upbeat at “Draglesque Brunch,” given they are facing new repressive legislation that could see their shows banned and the performers fined or poten tially jailed.

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION

Notice is hereby given to the public that the Board of Directors and Stockholders of DEVELOPERS GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. (ShangriLa Finest Chinese Cuisine) have resolved at a meeting held on 5 June 2021 at Quezon City, Philippines, by the affirmative vote of at least 2/3 of total outstanding capital stock or at least 2/3 of the members of the Board, to voluntarily dissolve the Corporation by, among other things, amending the Fourth Article of its Amended Articles of Incorporation dated 20 October 1982 and, in particular, shortening the corporate term thereof to FORTYONE (41) years.

This announcement will serve as notice to all parties concerned of the legal dissolution of the said corporation. MS-NOV. 24, 2022

“How gorgeous! How fun! The vibe is super warm ... there’s a river of mimosas flowing in there already. So my dears, let’s enjoy today’s wonderful brunch!” says the host, who goes by the stage name of Mar got Mae Hunt.

In a white gown and a wavy blond wig with yellow and lilac feathers, Mae Hunt, as well as the others in the green room, is relishing the mo ment – because what comes next is anyone’s guess.

Russian lawmakers are on the verge of widening a package of no torious legislation from 2013 that was designed to shield children from various forms of what authori

ties deemed “gay propaganda.”

The

remained unclear, but CBS affili ate WUSA said police said they be lieved no more than 10 people were killed.

Virginia state Senator Louise Lucas, who represents the region, said she was “absolutely heartbroken that America’s latest mass shooting took place in a Walmart in my district in Chesapeake, Virginia tonight.”

“I will not rest until we find the solu tions to end this gun violence epidemic in our country that has taken so many lives,” she said on Twitter. AFP

Taiwan’s newest party wants to make mahjong great again

AS TAIWAN hurtles towards becoming a “super-aged” society, a new political party has emerged with an unusual and somewhat singular platform – making mahjong great again.

The centuries-old Chinese tile game is popular in Taiwan, especially among the elderly, but thanks to a quirk of legal history from the island’s martial law era, it inhabits something of a grey space.

While playing mahjong is legal, the game is treated with suspicion by authorities as gambling in public places is prohibited.

Organised crime groups have long maintained a lucrative side hustle by hosting illegal betting matches, while gaming parlours, both legitimate businesses and more shady ones, often find themselves raided or inspected by police.

Step forward Kuo Hsi, the 65-yearold owner of a parlour in the southern city of Kaohsiung who has decided it is high time to allow betting on mahjong games and has launched a new political party to achieve that goal.

The niche Mahjong the Greatest party wants the game declared a “legitimate recreation” and for gambling and prize money to be allowed.

“Let’s be frank. You can put a bet on anything if you want to gamble. Even rock, paper, scissors. Why do we insist on branding mahjong as a form of gambling?” he told AFP from his parlour, the unmistakable clatter of mahjong tiles creating a hypnotic soundtrack.

“Any form of competition, gaming, golf, tennis, badminton, they all have some form of prize in the end. They all do. When there are prizes, competitors will do their best to train themselves physically and mentally. Mahjong playing is exactly the same,” he added.

Max Chang, 31, a gaming consultant who has been playing mahjong with his family since he was young, is among the party’s first members.

“I identify very much with Kuo’s ideals. As a young man who plays mahjong frequently, I am always wary about people calling the police on us,” he told AFP.

Echoing that sentiment, 62-yearold housewife and party member Amy Huang said: “I look forward to playing mahjong openly and not having to hide.”

Huang said her mother-in-law, who taught her how to play, was taken to a police station once for betting in a game with friends, an incident she described as “ridiculous”. AFP

BACKSTAGE at a bar in Moscow, a troupe of drag queens surrounded by make-up palettes and sparkling costumes join hands before taking to the stage for what could be one of their last legal shows.

initial laws passed by Russia’s conservative par liament came amid deepening ties between President Vladimir Putin and the Orthodox church, which promot ed hardline social values and cautioned against Western influence.

But this latest round also applies to adults and observers say the rules could impinge upon everything from books and films to social media posts and even drag shows. AFP

UNDER LOCKDOWN. A security personnel wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) rests along a street near a residential area under lockdown due to COVID-19 restrictions in Beijing. AFP

LIFE IMITATES ART. A dancer performs in front of the painting “Les Licteurs rapportent a Brutus les corps de ses fils” by French 18/19th century painter JacquesLouis David at the Denon galery of the Louvre museum during a preview of a dance performance by choreographers Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker and Nemo Flouret entitled “Foret’’ (forest) in Paris. AFP

DEFIANT. Oxana, who goes by the stage name of Okani, prepares for a drag queens show in a pub in Moscow. . The gender-bending flamboyant entertainers risk becoming outlaws as Russian lawmakers are on the verge of widening a package of notorious legislation from 2013 and was designed to shield children from various forms of what authorities deemed to be ‘gay propaganda.’ AFP

Amended Public Service Act can harm Filipino investors

GIVING a new definition to a public utility to skirt the foreign equity requirement under the Constitution may harm Filipino investors.

The new law, Republic Act 11659 amending Common wealth Act No. 146 or the Public Service Act, aims to lure foreign investments by lifting equity restrictions in public utilities. But despite its noble objectives, RA 11659 is not a guaranty that the Philippine economy and key utility ser vices will improve.

The law allows 100-percent ownership of public services in the country, effectively removing the equity restrictions on key utilities, which include, among others, any common carrier, wire or wireless broadcasting stations, shipyard, wa ter supply and power, telecommunications system, wharf or dock, and even public market.

A couple of private petitioners in the High Tribunal has already raised questions on the constitutionality of RA 11659 for good reason.

Louis “Barok” Biraogo, in a petition field against the Department of Transportation, the Civil Aviation Author ity of the Philippines and the National Telecommunications Commission, argued that Section 4 and 34 of RA 11659 were unconstitutional and, thus, void and invalid.

The United Filipino Consumers and Commuters, repre sented by its president Rodolfo Javellana Jr., filed a sepa rate petition, raising the constitutional infirmities of RA 11659, specifically the legislative redefinition of a public utility as previously defined under Article 17 of the 1987 Constitution.

The petition noted that the law signed towards the end of President Duterte’s term posed threats to the national econ omy and national security.

While there is no argument that the quality of services that Filipinos get from our current public service providers is far from desirable, simply legislating a law to redefine a long-established definition of a public utility purposely to lift the Constitutional foreign equity requirement might not be the best route to take.

The surest way to remove the foreign equity restriction is to amend the Constitution, instead of providing a different interpretation of on the definition of public utilities. We are all aware that the Constitution cannot easily be amended. No ordinary law, such as RA 11659, can provide a longterm guarantee that this policy will be implemented, and not rejected, even by the present administration.

Prominent members of the Marcos administration and the first family have openly opposed the passage of RA 11659. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, who was a congressman when it was approved by Congress, voted against its approval. Presidential cousin, Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Angelo Marcos-Barba, also voted against RA 11659.

With the country’s reputation of having policies that can change overnight depending on the prevailing political cli mate, there is no real assurance foreign investors will con tinue operating a fully-owned public utility.

Energy Secretary Raphael “Popo” Lotilla is forthright in admitting that while his department is keen on pushing for renewable energy projects that are fully owned by for eign companies, he is concerned that it could harm Filipino investors.

He says “only when there is no Filipino investor in that same area can we entertain foreigners.” Mr. Lo tilla’s position contradicts the clear intent of the RA 11659, which is to open full foreign ownership to pub lic utilities as classified without exception. But his statement is an admission that the law is a threat to Filipino businesses.

Former Senator Ralph Recto summed it up when he forwarded his no vote on Senate Bill 2094 on Dec. 15. 2021.

“There is no debate that there have been developments in commerce and civilization, which have rendered parts of the PSA obsolete. … But while the law’s many provi sions have become outdated, some principles which un derpin them remain valid: the superiority of public interest over private profit, to cite one example,” says Recto. “I still do maintain that there are industries which should remain majority-owned by Filipinos, as they are too vital to our national life that they cannot be totally relinquished without triggering national security concerns.”

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com

Hewlett Packard announces up to 6,000 job cuts in 3 years

SAN FRANCISCO, United States—Computer-maker Hewlett Pack ard on Tuesday said it would layoff as many as 6,000 employees over the next three years as the slumping world economy continues to embroil the US tech sector.

HP, which has a payroll of about 61,000 people, said it aimed to secure $1.4 billion in annual savings through 2025 as it followed the cost-cutting path of other tech giants such as Facebook-owner Meta, Amazon and Twitter.

The plan “will enable us to better serve our customers and drive long-term value creation by reducing our costs and reinvesting in key growth initiatives to position our business for the future,” HP CEO Enrique Lores said in a statement.

Meta said earlier this month it will lay off more than 11,000 of its staff and Twitter saw half of its 7,500-strong employees culled just days after the company was taken over by billionaire Elon Musk in late October.

“These are the toughest decisions we have to make, because they impact colleagues we care deeply about. We are committed to treat ing people with care and respect...” an HP spokesperson said in an email to AFP.

HP, which makes computer hardware and printers, announced the layoff plan as it announced an 11.2-percent fall in revenues to $14.8 billion for the final fiscal quarter of 2022. AFP

Stock index rises above 6,500; ALI leads gainers

STOCKS rose Wednesday, pushing the benchmark index above the 6,500 level, following overnight gains on Wall Street on expectations that the US Federal Reserve will tone down its hawkishness.

The PSE index, the 30-company benchmark of the Philippine Stock Exchange, jumped 80 points, or 1.25 percent, to close at 6,510.32, as all six subsectors advanced.

The broader all-share index also went up 25 points, or 0.8 percent, to settle at 3,415.76 on a value turnover of P5.9 billion. Gainers outnumbered losers, 105 to 83, while 46 issues were unchanged.

Six of the 10 most active stocks ended in the green, led by prop erty developers Sta. Lucia Land Inc. which climbed 5.9 percent to P3.05 and Ayala Land Inc. which picked up 5 percent to P1.35. Universal Robina Corp. added 3.2 percent to finish at P132.50.

Most Asian markets also rose Wednesday, but traders flitted be tween hopes for a halt in sharp US interest rate hikes and concern that a surge in China’s Covid-19 cases will see officials impose more painful lockdowns.

Wall Street enjoyed a timely rally thanks to healthy retailer earn ings and ahead of the holiday shopping season that starts this week, amid signs US consumers—the economy’s key driver—remain re silient to higher borrowing costs and inflation.

A string of data in recent weeks suggests the US Federal Re serve’s long-running monetary tightening campaign is beginning to bite as parts of the economy slow, giving heart to investors who see that as giving officials room to tone down their hawkishness.

While several policymakers have reiterated the need to keep lift ing rates to beat price rises, they appear to be more open to a softer approach following four straight 75 basis-point increases.

“Investors have focused their attention on Fed messaging empha sizing the likely need to move toward a lower pace of hikes while better than expected company earnings reports also buoyed senti ment,” said Rodrigo Catril at National Australia Bank.

“Playing to a slower need of Fed hikes narrative [on Tuesday] the Richmond Fed Manufacturing Survey came in slightly below ex pectations, with data confirming the peak inflation narrative. Other regional manufacturing data already released have suggested fur ther contraction in the sector.”

Minutes from the Fed’s policy meeting this month will be pored over when they are released Wednesday, with traders hoping for some insight into the bank’s thinking on rates.

But observers pointed out the gathering took place before data showed a sharp drop in inflation for October.

Asian investors tracked their US counterparts in early trade Wednesday. Hong Kong bounced back after five days of losses.

The gains were helped by tech firms following a report that Ali baba’s financial arm Ant Group could be hit with a fine of $1 billion that would likely spell the end of a long painful regulatory crack down on the firm as part of a wider overhaul of the sector.

“It’s not a big fine, it’s more a slap on the wrist,” Kerry Goh of Kamet Capital Partners said. “This removes the overhang of regula tory risk and it’s just a further sign that we are closer to the end of

NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING

Please be informed that the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of STI EDUCATION SYSTEMS HOLDINGS, INC. (the “Company”) will be held and conducted virtually via remote communication through Microsoft Teams on Monday, 19 December 2022, at 3:00 p.m. for the following purposes:

Call to Order

Certification of Notice and Quorum

Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held on 3 December 2021

Management Report

Approval of Parent and Consolidated Audited Financial Statements of the Company as at and for the fiscal year ended 30 June 2022 6. Ratification of all legal acts, resolutions and proceedings of the Board of Directors and of Management, done in ordinary course of business since the 3 December 2021 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting up to 19 December 2022

Appointment of External Auditor

Other Matters

Adjournment

The record date for stockholders entitled to notice and vote at the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting is set on 18 November 2022 (“Stockholders of Record”).

To ensure the welfare and safety of our stockholders, the 2022 Annual Stockholders‘ Meeting of STI Holdings 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 http://www.stiholdings. com/2022ASM 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 corsec@stiholdings.com.ph on or before 1 December 2022. Validated stockholders will be provided access to the live streaming of the meeting through Microsoft Teams and can cast their votes in absentia on or before 12 December 2022 through the Company’s secure online voting facility. All votes cast shall be subject to validation.

The Company 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 corsec@stiholdings.com.ph, not later than 12 December 2022

Stockholders of record may send their queries and comments to the Management Report and other items in the Agenda to corsec@ stiholdings.com.ph on or before 12 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.stiholdings.com/disclosures.php and the PSE Edge portal.

Very truly yours, (SGD.) ARSENIO C. CABRERA, JR. Corporate Secretary

the regulatory cycle.”

Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Mumbai, Taipei, Bangkok and Jakarta also rose, though Singapore and Wellington dipped. Tokyo was closed for a holiday.

Still, confidence remains restrained by a Covid-19 outbreak in China that has seen infections surge to levels last seen earlier in the year when Shanghai was plunged into a debilitating lockdown that hammered the world’s number two economy and reverberated globally. With AFP

NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING

Notice is hereby given that the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting (ASM) of Philippine Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (“Company”) will be held on 29 November 2022 at 10:00 A.M. The Presiding Officer will be presiding the meeting at Spirit of Communications Center, 106 C. Palanca Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City.

The order of business will be as follows:

Call to Order

Certification of the existence of quorum

Approval of the minutes of the last ASM held last 24 September 2021

Report of the President

Election of the Members of the Board of Directors

Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation

Ratification of actions taken by the Board of Directors and Officers since 24 September 2021

Confirmation of the approved increase in Common Shares

Appointment of Alas Oplas & Co. CPAs

Approval of the Audited Financial Statements for the period ending 31 December 2021 11. Adjournment

For purposes of the meeting, the close of business on 20 October 2022 has been fixed as the Record Date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice and to vote during the meeting.

We are not soliciting your proxy. However, if you cannot personally participate in the meeting and you wish to be represented, you may coordinate by email to investors@ptt.com.ph so that we can assist you in the submission of proxy forms.

The proxy forms together with voting instructions and other documents required for stockholders submitting a proxy must be received by the Office of the Corporate Secretary on or before 5:00 P.M. of 18 November 2022 by email toinvestors@ptt. com.ph or by mail or personal delivery at Spirit of Communications Center 106 C. Palanca Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City. The proxies will be validated by the Office of the Corporate Secretary at the principal office of the Company beginning on 22 November 2022 at 10:00 A.M.

ATTY. KENNETH JOEY H. MACEREN Corporate Secretary

Manila Standard TODAY MEGAWIDE CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION No. 20 N. Domingo Street, Barangay Valencia, Quezon City Tel. No. (02) 8655-1111

NOTICE OF SPECIAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING

To the Stockholders of MEGAWIDE CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION (the “Company”):

Notice is hereby given that the Special Stockholders’ Meeting of the Company will be held on 20 December 2022, at 1:00 P.M. The meeting will be conducted via remote communication and can be accessed through the following link:

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NmMyNWRlOTAtZm YzNC00ODlmLTgzOGUtODA1MTdmOTY5N2E1%40thread.v2/0?context=%7B %22Tid%22%3A%22036b84b7-26b8-441d-87c1-f3590d3f2ed1%22%2C%22Oi d%22%3A%22adac7404-bd6e-427b-bf7b-722639c45b6f%22%2C%22IsBroadc astMeeting%22%3Atrue%2C%22role%22%3A%22a%22%7D&btype=a&role=a

The agenda of the meeting is as follows:

1. Call to Order

• The Chairman will call the meeting to order.

2. Proof of Notice and Quorum

• The Corporate Secretary will certify that notices of the meeting have been duly sent to the stockholders of record date as required by the By-Laws. She will also attest to the attendance at the meeting and whether a quorum is present. Except as otherwise provided by law, a quorum shall consist of stockholders owning majority of the outstanding capital stock (exclusive of treasury stock) participating in person, in absentia, or by proxy.

3. Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held last 30 June 2022

• The Minutes of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held last 30 June 2022 will be submitted for approval. It contains the following matters: (a) Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held last 30 June 2021; (b) Chairman’s Address and President’s Report; (c) Election of Directors; (d) Approval of the 2021 Audited Financial Statements; (e) Appointment of the External Auditor; (f) Approval of the Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation; (g) Approval of the Amendment of the By-Laws; and (f) Ratification of All Acts of Management and the Board of Directors.

A copy of the Minutes of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held last 30 June 2022 is available in the Company’s website and attached to the Information Statement as Exhibit “5”

4.

Election of Independent Director

• The stockholders will approve the election of an Independent Director to fill the seventh (7th) seat of the Board of Directors, who will hold office until the next Annual Stockholders’ Meeting and until her respective successor have been elected and qualified. The nominee was evaluated on the basis of all qualifications required by the Company’s By-Laws, New Manual on Corporate Governance, and that no provision on disqualification would apply to her. The profile and qualifications of the nominee is in the Information Statement which is available in the Company’s website.

5. Approval of the Amendment of Article Seventh of the Articles of Incorporation to increase the Authorized Capital Stock for Preferred Shares

• The increase in the Company’s Authorized Capital Stock for Preferred Shares and the consequent amendment of Article Seventh of its Articles of Incorporation will be submitted for the approval of the stockholders.

6. Approval of Offer, Sale, and Listing of Additional Preferred Shares

• The offer, sale, and listing of additional Preferred Shares which is discussed in the Information Statement will be submitted for the approval of the stockholders.

7. Other Matters

• The floor will be open for questions from the stockholders.

All stockholders of record at the close of business on 18 November 2022 are entitled to notice of and vote at the special meeting and at any adjournment thereof. The stock and transfer books of the Company will be closed from end of business day on 21 November 2022 until 20 December 2022.

Please refer to Exhibit “1” of the Information Statement (available in the Company’s website and the PSE Edge Portal) or visit: https://mcc-stockholders-meeting.web.app/ for the full details on the submission of proxies, procedure for voting and participation in the Special Stockholders’ Meeting, and to view the Information Statement and Annual Report on SEC Form 17-A.

Quezon City, Philippines, 17 November 2022.

24-25, 2022

Japan Yen 0.0070800.4063

UKPound1.18870068.2242

Hong KongDollar0.1279237.3420

SwitzerlandFranc1.05064160.3005

CanadaDollar0.74766442.9114

SingaporeDollar0.72590041.6623

AustraliaDollar0.66480038.1555

BahrainDinar2.652801152.2549

Saudi Arabia Rial 0.26609915.2725

BruneiDollar0.72327541.5116

IndonesiaRupiah0.0000640.0037

Thailand Baht 0.0277161.5907

UAE Dirham0.27227915.6272

EuroEuro 1.03060059.1503

Korea Won 0.0007390.0424

ChinaYuan0.1400368.0372

IndiaRupee0.0122380.7024

MalaysiaRinggit0.21857912.5451

New Zealand Dollar 0.61410035.2457

Peso crosses 56-a-dollar mark to hit 2-month high

By Julito G. Rada

THE peso climbed to a more than twomonth high against the US dollar Wednesday amid expectations that the US Federal Reserve may consider smaller rate hikes in its next meetings following the easing of inflation in the world’s biggest economy.

The peso closed at 56.94 against the dollar, stronger than Tuesday’s 57.375. It was its strongest level since it settled at 56.77 on Sept. 13, 2022.

Total volume turnover reached $687.85 million, slightly up from $684.4 million a day earlier.

“Recent comments from Federal Reserve officials indicated openness

to slow the pace of future rate hikes,” Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort told Manila Standard in a response to a query.

He said financial markets were now expecting a smaller 50 bps rate hike on Dec. 14, 2022.

“The peso also strengthened after the local stock market gained for the sec ond straight day to close at 6,510.32,” he said.

The PSE index, the 30-company benchmark of the Philippine Stock Ex change, climbed 80 points, or 1.25 per cent, to close at 6,510.32 on Wednesday.

Ricafort said the peso remained rela tively stable for the ninth straight week, after hitting 59 a dollar in October.

He said the peso was still down by P5.941 or 11.6 percent from P50.99 in end-2021. The peso’s performance remained similar to other regional cur rencies such as the Chinese yuan, Indo nesian rupiah, Indian rupee, Malaysian ringgit and the Thai baht, he said.

Ricafort said a lower peso could still increase the possibility of further rate

hikes by the BSP, possibly matching future Fed rate increases if inflation re mained high.

He said one catalyst for the peso going forward would be the expected seasonal surge in remittances from overseas Fili pino workers, a few weeks before the Christmas and New Year.

The greenback has been declining against other global currencies follow ing the easing of inflation rate in the US to 7.7 percent in October from 8.2 per cent in September, which could compel the Fed to consider smaller rate hikes in its next meetings.

Ricafort said the financial markets re duced and moderated their estimate for additional Fed rate hikes in view of the easing US inflation data.

The peso returned to the 57-perdollar territory on Nov. 9 and con tinued to appreciate after the BSP’s Monetary Board raised on Nov. 17 the benchmark policy rate by 75 basis points to a near 14-year high of 5 per cent to rein in inflation and support the value of the local currency.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

MEGAWORLD Corp. said Wednes day it will build a 300-room hotel at its 34-hectare township in Bacolod City.

Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the 12-story Kingsford Hotel Bacolod would boost Bacolod’s position as an attractive location for MICE―meetings, incentives confer ences and exhibitions events.

“We are bringing the best to Ba colod, because we have a very so phisticated market here. More so, we want to help boost Bacolod’s position as a very attractive MICE location. We are building this hotel that will hopefully match the requirements of the very discerning business travel ers,” Megaworld Hotels & Resorts managing director Cleofe Albiso said.

Albiso said Kingsford Hotel Ba colod, the second location for Kings ford Hotel brand, would offer upgrad ed facilities and amenities, including a wider choice of room categories and several food and beverage outlets.

“This will certainly be another iconic landmark for The Upper East and even for the entire City of Bacolod because of its unique architecture that truly stands out when you pass by Upper East Avenue,” Albiso said.

It will offer queen deluxe rooms (25 square meters), junior suites and specially-abled suites (32 square meters), executive suites (from 50 square meters to 72 square meters) and a presidential suite (more than 100 square meters).

Megaworld unveils plans for a 300-room hotel in Bacolod City 13 companies plan

The hotel will also have a banquetstyle seating capacity for 400 per sons, three smaller function rooms with an individual capacity of 80 to 100 persons each, a grand ballroom and function rooms.

By Alena Mae S. Flores STATE-RUN

Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. said Wednesday 13 companies expressed interest in participating in the sale of the 165-megawatt Casecnan hydro electric power plant in Nueva Ecija province.

“PSALM confirms that 13 registered bidders, who have paid the participa tion fee, attended the pre-bid confer ence for the sale of the Casecnan hy droelectric power plant,” the agency said.

PSALM held a pre-bid conference on Nov. 22 for the sale of the CHEPP, allowing bidders to ask questions and request clarification on concerns on the requirements in the bidding proce dures.

The public bidding for the CHEPP will be on an “as-is, where-is” basis.

PSALM set the deadline for the sub mission of the bids on Feb. 24, 2023 at 12 noon at PSALM office in Quezon City.

The CHEPP is a “run-of-river” plant with a limited impounding area. The water from the reservoir flows into the plant’s powerhouse, down to the Pan tabangan lake and into the irrigation channels of the National Irrigation Ad ministration, which will continue its mandate of irrigating farmlands even after the privatization of the CHEPP.

The CHEPP, located at Sitio Pau an, Barangay Villarica, Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija, was covered by a buildoperate-transfer agreement which end ed on Dec. 11, 2021.

PSALM set the submission of letters of interest at 5 p.m. on Nov. 18.

The agency contracted Pricewater houseCoopers Philippines to work on the third-party valuation of the Casec nan plant.

The PwC valuation would become the basis for the minimum bid price.

DEVELOPMENT partners reaffirmed their commitment to mobilizing financial resources for investment in climate change mitigation and adaptation oto confront the challenges posed by the climate crisis.

Development partners including the World Bank Group and United Na tions Development Program joined the Climate Investment Forum 2022, spearheaded by the Climate Change Commission in commemoration of the 15th Global Warming and Climate Con sciousness Week.

Government agencies led by the De partment of Finance presented the na tional targets on mitigation and adapta tion and called for stronger commitments from international channels as well as the private sector to invest on the country’s priorities on climate action.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Dio kno recognized the need to “urgently increase the availability of adaptation and resilience finance particularly for

sustainable and climate resilient infra structure.” Diokno also underscored the important role of the private sector in achieving a just transition towards a low-carbon economy and the commit ment of the Philippine government on “strengthening its policies on climate financing [and] mainstreaming sus tainable finance in all possible ways through policy and harmonization.”

UNDP resident representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran also underlined the important role of the private sec tor in climate investments. “There’s a growing recognition due to the amounts required to meet climate goals, and the private sector has a key role to play in mobilizing climate finance. While it is widely known that the private sector’s DNA is closely attached to its financial interests, we need to develop and dis seminate a clear narrative. Beyond cor porate social responsibility initiatives, it makes good business sense to invest in climate initiatives.”

Move IT optimistic on legalization of PH motorcycle taxis

By Darwin G. Amojelar and Maricel V. Cruz

MOVE IT, a local transport solutions provider, said Wednesday it is optimis tic that the reconstitution of the techni cal working group on motorcycle taxis would speed up the legalization of the ride-hailing services in the country.

“The reconstitution of the TWG en sures the continuous operation of MC taxis pending enactment of the appro priate legislation legalizing and regu lating the MC ride-hailing service in the country,” Move It said.

“While we await for that law, it is important that our commuters continue to have access to affordable, safe and faster mode of public transportation that is MC taxi,” it said.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista issued Department Order No. 2022-021 on Nov. 7 reconstituting the TWG as the body to oversee and moni tor the continuous pilot implementation of MC taxi operations.

Grab Philippines’ acquisition of Move It is above board and compliant with the rules set by the TWG, Move IT said during the hearing of the House Committee on Metro Manila Develop ment chaired by Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano.

“We are happy to disclose that the acquisition complied with the law, and all approvals required for the acquisi tion have been obtained. It did not vio late any requirement of the MC Taxi TWG,” Move It said in its opening statement read by lawyer Ann Albana.

“We wish to assure the public that the operations of Move It will still be under the supervision of the MC Taxi TWG, and it will continue to abide by MC Taxi Guidelines, especially on the safety and welfare of the consumers,” Albana said.

It will have four F&B outlets, in cluding a specialty restaurant, an allday dining restaurant with both pri vate dining and alfresco dining areas, a lounge at the ground floor and a grill bar by the poolside with both indoor and outdoor dining areas.

EDC invites US firms to join geothermal project

The power plant will support the Philip pines’ clean energy transition and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Geothermal energy has been providing the Philippines with baseload renewable en ergy and helping our country avoid at least a million tons of carbon emissions each year compared to coal. We need more of 24/7 geothermal energy in order to decarbonize our energy sector and help achieve a net zero country,” said EDC president and chief op erating officer Richard Tantoco.

EDC has 1,181 MW of installed geother mal energy capacity in the Philippines. It owns the exclusive rights for geothermal power at the Amacan site on Mindanao’s eastern coast. Alena Mae S. Flores

PLDT Home’s revenues increase 21% to P42.7b

PLDT Home said Wednesday service rev enues went up by 21 percent in the first nine months as it moved deeper into unserved market despite challenges posed by shrink ing consumer wallets and the impact of in clement weather.

The fiber-to-the-home service of fullyintegrated telecommunications company PLDT Inc. posted total revenues of P42.7 billion, up from P35.4 billion in the same period last year.

PLDT Home’s fiber-only service rev enues increased 52 percent year-on-year to P35.7 billion. Fiber accounted for 84 per cent of total PLDT Home revenues, up from 67 percent a year ago, and higher than the 70 percent recorded in the whole of 2021.

PLDT Home senior vice president and head of consumer business Jeremiah de la Cruz attributed the strong revenue gain to the gross addition of 286,000 customers in the third quarter as the PLDT unit continued to extend its fiber network’s reach.

This brought PLDT Home’s fiber custom ers to 2.9 million as of end-September and total fixed broadband subscribers to 3.24 million.

Darwin G. Amojelar

ORTIGAS

Ortigas Land president and chief execu tive Jose Emmanuel Jalandoni said Wednes day in a press briefing the company was planning to add two estates in its portfolio.

“From four estates, we plan to have six estates, and we hope to grow our revenues two times over the next five years,” Jaland oni said.

Ortigas Land is developing four estates including Capitol Commons in Pasig City, Ortigas East along C5 Road, Circulo Verde in Quezon City and Greenhills in San Juan City.

Jalandoni said all businesses, including residential, malls and offices, already re bounded to pre-pandemic levels.

“We’re seeing returning market interest in property following relaxing restrictions as the economy recovers,” said Jalandoni. Jenniffer B. Austria

ENERGY Development Corp. said Wednes day it is inviting proposals from interested American companies to conduct a feasibility study on a 50-megawatt geothermal power project in Amacan, Mindanao.

US Vice President Kamala Harris launched a US Trade and Development Agency grant to EDC for the Amacan geo thermal plant feasibility study in her recent travel to the Philippines.

Ortigas Land expects to double sales in 5 years

Land Inc., a private real estate developer controlled by Ayala Land Inc. and SM Prime Holdings Inc., expects to double its revenues over the next five years as over all businesses return to pre-pandemic levels.

HYUNDAI PARTNER. South Korea heavy equipment manufacturer Hyundai Construction Equipment launches its local office under new authorized country dealer ACE Heavy Equipment Corp.—a joint venture between Excelucent Equipment Corp. and Advancement of Commerce for Development Corp. ACE is effectively now the company behind Hyundai Construction Equipment Philippines. Attending the ceremonial launch at the City of Dreams Manila in Parañaque City are (from left) ACDC chief executive Almita Dasmariñas, ACE chief executive Seongki Min, HCE executive vice president Jaeyoung Moon and EEC chief executive Gilbert Garam Gook.

SBC DIGITALIZATION. Security Bank Corp. and Malaysian banking automation company Consolsys sign a partnership to transition the bank’s branch banking management system to a state-of-the-art digital, cloud-based omni-channel platform as it transforms its branch experience and continues to deliver world-class, differentiated BetterBanking service. Signing the agreement are (from left) SBC senior vice president and head of customer segmentation Patricia Tan, senior vice president and operations group head Tina Henson, executive vice president and enterprise and technology operations head Lucose Eralil and executive vice president and branch banking head Leslie Cham; Consolsys Group managing director Ahmad Oliaei, chief technology officer and executive director Zia Madani and sales director Jose Maitim Jr.

Casecnan hydroelectric power plant

Sen. Jinggoy

lauds Pinoy achievers in chess, boxing

IN recognition of their remarkable achievements in international competitions that brought great honor and pride to the country, Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada seeks Senate commendation for the latest batch of achievers in the field of sports.

Estrada, on Monday, filed Senate Resolution Nos. 309 commending and congratulating Tokyo Olympics silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio and Hergie Bacyadan for bagging medals in the Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) Elite Men and Women Boxing Championships recently held in Amman, Jordan.

Paalam won the gold medal in the Bantamweight men’s 54-kg division while Petecio and Bacyadan both claimed bronze medals in the Featherweight women’s 57kg and Middleweight women’s 75-kg divisions respectively.

“The valiant efforts and successes of Paalam, Petecio, and Bacyadan in the continental tilt proved yet again the exceptional caliber, resilience, and grit of our Filipino athletes alongside the world’s best,” Estrada said.

Their performance and victories in the international arena, Estrada added, uplifted the image of the Philippines and reinforced the country’s standing as a celebrated boxing powerhouse.

“The outstanding achievements of our Filipino boxers can motivate and inspire the younger generation to immerse themselves in sports to develop discipline, perseverance, and commitment to excellence—all positive qualities that are important in nation-building,” he said.

Estrada likewise introduced Senate Resolution No. 308 extolling the exemplary performance of the National Youth Chess Team for bringing home the overall championship title at the 2022 Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championships in Bangkok, Thailand last November 12.

“The chess prodigies embody the bright future of Philippine sports, whose world-class talent should be nurtured and further developed through adequate support to grassroots and amateur sports programs,” the senator said.

Lady Bulldogs’ long streak ends

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY has lost a game for the fi rst time in seven seasons. And it came at the hands of the school that last beat them.

The Lady Archers of De La Salle University showed tremendous grit and will in handing the Lady Bulldogs their first loss in 109 games, taking a thrilling 61-57 win in the UAAP Season 85 Women’s Basketball Tournament, Wednesday at the Quadricentennial Pavillion in Espana, Manila.

This is NU’s first loss since losing the La Salle in Game 3 of the Season 76 Finals, 69-61, on October 5, 2013.

The eight-woman Lady Archers played the perfect game in the historic win.

“Finally, binigyan na rin nila ako ng magandang regalo,” quipped sevenyear Lady Archers head coach Cholo Villanueva, who took over from Tyrone Bautista in 2015.

“You need the perfect players, the perfect rotation to beat a perfect team. Of course, this wasn’t just eight players, they are 16 players—even 18 players in practices—that’s why these eight

players did their job. Because these 18-strong players were doing their jobs in preparation for this game. So, it was a team effort,” he continued.

Meanwhile, University of the Philippines needed a huge second half to fend off skidding University of Santo Tomas, 78-60 , in the men’s battle over at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.

The Fighting Maroons improved to 11-2 to secure at least a playoff for a twice-tobeat advantage in the Final Four.

The La Salle Lady Archers almost had the game in the bag in regulation, leading 49-46 with 10.5 seconds left after a split on the stripe by Lee Sario.

NU was able to force overtime after a broken play led to a flick from deep by super senior Mikka Cacho.

But in overtime, La Salle was not to be denied.

Sario drained a trey followed by two free throws from spunky guard Charmine

Torres that gave La Salle a 57-52 edge with 1:23 left.

Camille Clarin responded with a booming triple but Betina Binaohan got two back on the other end.

An ill-advised trey by Annick Edimo Tiky led to two free throws for Sario that put La Salle up 61-55 with 43.4 seconds remaining.

Though Edimo Tiky was able to make it up with 23.2 seconds left by cleaning up a Cacho miss, La Salle showed that it wanted it more, getting the 50-50 balls to seal the win.

“My girls just wanted it more. I give them the credits today. They were the ones making the right decisions on defense. They were the ones making the right decisions on offense. They just don’t want to let go of that ball in their hands every time in every possession. Every time they shoot their shot, they shoot it with confidence. So, credit goes to my girls for playing one heck of a game,” said Villanueva.

Besides ending the streak, La Salle rose to 11-2 in the standings—holding on to its full game lead over University of Santo Tomas for no. 2. NU remains at the

JRU closes out season with win over Letran

By Peter Atencio

THE Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers played with smiles on their faces, refusing to end their season without a big fight and scoring a big win on Wednesday in the 98th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil-EcoOil Arena in San Juan.

JRU coach Louie Gonzales said the team’s mood was upbeat during the game, as he asked to just play their game with less pressure.

“First time namin na ginawa ito. When we started our game with smiles. So, nagulat din sila, dahil gusto ko rin marelieve ang pressure sa kanila. I know, its been tough for them,” said Gonzales.

Top juniors back in hunt at PPS Brookside

THE chase for top honors and ranking points in the national juniors tennis shifts to Cainta, Rizal beginning today (Thursday) with over 150 entries clashing in eight age-group divisions in the PPS-PEPP Brookside Open at the Brookside Hills Tennis Club’s clay courts.

Ivan Manila and Alfonso Infante gear up for a showdown in the boys’ premier division while siblings Kaye-Ann and Mica Emana brace for a fierce duel in the girls’ 18-U side of the Group 1 tournament presented by Dunlop, which also serves as prelude to next week’s Brookside Open featuring the country’s leading and rising players.

For details, contact event organizer Bobby Mangunay at 09154046464.

Brothers France and Frank Dilao also look to dispute the 16-U crown with last week’s PCA Juniors 14-U winner Reign Maravilla joining the title hunt along with Manila, Tristan Licayan, Samuel Davila, Yusuf Burahan and Joshua Diva.

Hannah Divinagracia, Sandra Bautista, Joy Ansay and Chloe Mercado, on the other hand, are tipped to crowd for the girls’ 16-U trophy in the week-long tournament, a part of the country’s longestrunning talent-search put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Licayan and Maravilla also banner the 14-U cast that includes Lexious Cruz, Gavin Kraut, Zachary Morales, Ynigo Naredo, Seth Torrecampo and Gerard Manigque, while Bautista, Ansay, Maristella Torrecampo and Cadee Dagoon prime up for fierce duels in their side of the battle.

Tipped to contend for the crowns in the youngest category (12-U) in the tour-

They ended their campaign with pride and gladness in their hearts, with Ry de la Rosa leading with 22 points for the Heavy Bombers, who pulled off an 8771, clobbering the defending champion Letran Knights.

Marwin Dionisio added 16 points to the Heavy Bombers who went on to have a finish better than last year, in a four-way tie from sixth to ninth places with their 7-11 win-loss record with the Arellano Chiefs, University of Perpetual Help Altas and the Mapua Cardinals.

With the Knights’ loss, the College of St. Benilde Blazers took the top seeding in the Final Four semifinals with their 14-4 win-loss record, while the Knights settled for the second seeding with their 13-5 slate.

The Blazers will now take on the fourth seed San Beda Red Lions in the Final Four, which is set on Nov. 29, while Letran, which still wields a twice-to-beat advantage with CSB, will clash with the third seed Lyceum Pirates.

The Letran Knights are now on to their fourth consecutive Final Four,

while the Blazers are their first Final Four in 20 years.

King Carilipio and Brent Paraiso showed the way with 15 and 12 points for the Knights, who trailed by 14 points at the end of the third, 52-66.

Paolo Hernandez knocked 22 points, including four charities in the last two minutes to push the Mapua University Cardinals to a 75-65 triumph over the San Sebastian Stags.

The Cardinals ended their season with seven wins and 11 losses.

NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball Tournament on a high note after beating San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 75-67, on Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Hernandez produced 22 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two blocks to lead the Cardinals to a 7-11 finish after 18 games of elimination, tied with Arellano and Perpetual.

Women’s beach volley: UST, NU book Final 4 slots

DEFENDING four-time champion the University of Santo Tomas and National University booked the first two Final Four slots after sustaining their perfect records in the UAAP Season 85 women’s beach volleyball tournament on Wednesday at Sands SM By The Bay.

The Golden Tigresses improved to 5-0, as Gen Eslapor and reigning MVP Babylove Barbon overpowered Adamson University’s Mary Grace Borromeo and Aliah Marce, 21-8, 21-12, before returning to the afternoon session with an emphatic 21-2, 21-6 victory over University of the East’s Ella Mae Capillano and Meriam Mungcal.

The Lady Bulldogs’ rookie Honey Grace Cordero and Kly Orillaneda started the day by topping Far Eastern University’s Gerzel Petallo and Melody Pons, 21-19, 2116, and later extended their unbeaten run to five matches following a 21-17, 21-13 romp of De La Salle’s Justine Jazareno and Jolina Dela Cruz.

The Lady Spikers, who earlier swept the Lady Warriors’ Capillano and Mungcal, 21-14, 21-16, fell to 4-1 in the third spot.

In the other morning match, University of the Philippines’ Euri Eslapor and Alyssa Bertolano repulsed Ateneo’s Pia Ildefonso and Ysa Nisperos, 21-12, 21-14.

The Fighting Maroons remained in fourth with a 2-2 record, while the Lady Tamaraws and the Lady Falcons now have 1-3 slates outside the Final Four range.

Action resumes on Saturday.

On the men’s side, four-peat-seeking the University of Santo

Tomas and National University continued to stamp its class as Jaron Requinton and Rancel Varga overcame a tough second-set challenge from Far Eastern University’s Vincent Nadera and Martin Bugaoan before carving out a 21-14, 22-20 victory

The Tiger Sands then scored a swift 21-12, 21-9 win over Adamson’s Francis Casas and Evander Novillo to secure their place in the Final Four with a 5-0 slate.

NU also reached the Final Four at 5-0, as James Buytrago and Pol Salvador beat Adamson University’s Casas and Novillo, 21-10, 21-14, and University of the East’s Jake Abria and Allen Buensalida, 21-10, 21-3.

top of the standings with a 12-1 mark and will have to go through the Final Four for the first time since 2014.

Niantcho Tchuido notched a doubledouble for La Salle with 14 points and 19 rebounds while Torres tallied 13 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals.

Sario and Biohan got 10 markers each as well.

“Credit to Coach Cholo, they really wanted the win. We had the snatch to win in overtime but we were not able to take advantage of it,” said NU head coach Aris Dimaunahan.

“It’s just sad today that... streaks are really bound to be broken and today it happened. The real challenge is how we can bounce back after this loss, how we can turn the tide after being beaten. Yun ang titignan namin tomorrow,” he continued.

Cacho led NU with 12 points and 15 rebounds while Angel Surada chipped in 11 poitns and nine rebounds.

La Salle was able to limit rookie Tin Cayabyab (seven points on 3-of-12 shooting), Camille Clarin (seven points on 2-of-11 shooting), and Ann Pingol (six points on 3-of-8 shooting).

Dragons torch TNT, secure twice-to-win advantage

MYLES Powell and Kobey Lam struck with 37 and 30 points, respectively, for the Bay Area Dragons in their 140-108 crushing of the struggling TNT Tropang Giga yesterday at the close of their elimination round campaign in the Philippine Basketball AssociationCommissioner’s Cup at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Lam had 13 points in the last quarter as the Dragons ended up at the top of the standings with their 10-2 win-loss slate, securing themselves a twice-to-win advantage in the quarterfinals

This became the Tropang Giga’s worst setback since their 72—108 rout in the hands of Alaska in the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.

Tropang Giga now has a 4-7 slate in 10th place and is headed to become the team’s seventh-worst losses in franchise history.

“We came here to grow and get better, and through the competition here. I think the big plus for us for our season is that local kids keep on improving,” said Dragons coach Brian Goorjian.

The Dragons played in a no-nonsense manner, as they finished the first half with a season-best 80 points, an 80-60 halftime lead, and Powell tallying 29 points.

This is considered the highest output in a PBA game since the San Miguel Beermen routed Columbian Dyip 143119 on Sept. 21 in the 2018 Governors Cup eliminations.

The Dragons held the Tropang Giga to 10 points in the first six minutes of the fourth, while Lam banged in 13 points to keep his team comfortably ahead.

Big man Duncan Reid shot 10 points, including the bucket that lifted Bay Area past the century mark, 101-70, with less than five minutes left.

The Dragons now have an opportunity to clinch the no. 1 seeding.

This can happen if Barangay Ginebra, presently in the third spot with a 7-2 record, loses one of its remaining games.

Ginebra still has games against NLEX, NorthPort, and Converge. Peter Atencio

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant

The Lady Archers embrace their coach Cholo Villanueva after the dramatic win over the Lady Bulldogs.

Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada les Senate Resolution Nos. 309 and 308 commending Filipino boxers who won titles in the Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) and the National Youth Chess Team for being the overall champion in the 2022 Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championships respectively. O ce of Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada/ Rey Javelosa

Baby Barbon of the University of Santo Tomas dives for the ball against their opponents from Adamson University. NCAA Media Group

POC, AASF seal PH hosting of Asian age-group swimfest

Converge, SMC back NPC golf at Wack Wack

SAN Miguel Corp., one of the country’s largest and most diversified conglomerates, and top telecommunication service provider Converge, join the growing roster of firms supporting the National Press Club (NPC) 70th an niversary golf tournament, which gets going Friday (Nov. 25) at Wack Wack’s West course.

Also throwing their full backing to the 18-hole fun tournament are APEX Mining Company President and CEO Louie Sarmiento, the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association), the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission), PCHLC 1st vice president Jay Pena Son, Sammay Yuquico of K-Plast, Pasay City Host Lions Club president Frederick Cabalbag, township developer Megaworld and long-time golf patron International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI).

The event, with a shotgun tee-start at 7 a.m., serves as highlight to NPC’s milestone anniversary celebrations. It is also aimed at raising funds for the country’s top media organization’s projects and programs, including scholarship grants for deserving children of NPC members.

Early supporters of the event are DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo, National Irrigation Authority Administrator Benny Antiporda, Negros Occidental Rep. Arnie Teves, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, 1PACMAN Party List Rep. Mikee Romero, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), Atty. Dhalia Salamat and RICH Corp.

Players and representatives from private and government sectors, the big business and the media will make up the cast. Play will be under the Stableford scoring system with the top two players in Classes A, B and C to receive trophies and prizes.

For details, contact Ms. Mae Briones, NPC Secretariat, at 09274759116.

THE Philippine Olympic Committee and Asia Swimming Federation sealed a partnership on the country’s hosting of the 11th Asian Age Group Swimming Championships at the world-class New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac, in November next year.

POC President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and AASF Secretary General Taha Sulaiman Al Kishry signed a memorandum of agreement for the hosting chores on Wednesday morning at the Aquatics Center where they were joined by Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devenadera and Senior Vice President for Corporate Services Group Arrey Perez.

“I would like to thank the AASF for giving us the opportunity to host a big event like this,” Tolentino said. “It’s really hard to bid to host an international event like swimming.”

The AASF chosed the Philippines over Thailand and Vietnam as host because of the world-class NCC facility.

More than 1,400 young swimmers from 42 Asian countries are expected to compete in the championships. The continental competition is the second of two major international competitions after the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019 that will be staged in the FINA-standard swimming and diving pools.

“With this kind of venue, we are lucky to be chosen,” said Tolentino, also head of PhilCycling and of Tagaytay City. “We, the POC, BCDA and PSI [Philippine Swimming Inc.] will work together to achieve a successful hosting.

Also witnessing the ceremony were AASF technical committee head Ibrahim Naddeh, POC legal chief Atty. Wharton Chan and Secretary-General

Bones Floro and MTD Philippines president Patrick Nicholas David.

“The facilities here are excellent from the warm up to the competition pool,” said Al Kishry, adding that the Aquatics Center is Olympic standard. “There’s nothing you can ask for about the venue.”

Al Kishry said he expects top officials from FINA, swimming’s world governing body, to attend the championships.

Competitions will be in swimming, diving, artistic [synchronized] and water polo, including a category for boys and girls as young as 11.

Perez said the that a year’s preparation would help the POC, BCDA and NCAA for a successful hosting of championships.

“It’s not easy to host an event like the Asian championships. It requires a year of preparation and dry runs to make it better,” Perez said.

The NCC’s other world-class facility, the Athletes Village, would house the swimmers, coaches and officials.

The specific competition dates in November 2023 will be announced later.

Megamall hosts AFAD Defense and Sporting Arms Show

SHOWCASING the best range of imported and locally made firearms and paraphernalia, the Association of Firearms and Ammunitions Dealers of the Philippines, Inc. returns for the second installment of the country’s biggest Defense and Sporting Arms Show on November 24 to 28 at the Megatrade Hall of the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

AFAD president Hagen Topacio said the show, which is now on its 28th edition, is part of the group’s vigorous campaign and activities to bring back its luster in the industry after being sidelined for nearly three years of hardship due to pandemic restrictions.

“The AFAD is excited to showcase world-class locally made and imported firearms, ammunitions and paraphernalia once again after three years,” said Topacio.

“The success of the show’s first installment last July really boosts the spirit and enthusiasm of AFAD members and partners. In this second part of the expo, expect us to showcase more and new range of products available for all responsible gun-owners,” said the 2021 Vietnam Southeast Asian Games silver medalist in the shotgun event of shooting.

Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa has confirmed his appearance on opening day.

The gate is open at 11 a.m.

Topacio added that new sets of exciting activities are lined up during the five-day event, as well as the usual tete-a-tete between visitors and distributors to resolve and answer all inquiries regarding their needs and product availability.

He added that enthusiasts could also learn a thing or two as AFAD will conduct seminars and educational programs on self-defense, responsible gun ownership, firearms safety handling, and regulation policy on gun ownerships.

“AFAD in collaboration with the Philippine National Police and other concerned agencies are always at the helm and ready to help in the processing of the needed documents for licensed applications and renewal,” said Topacio.

Dapitan City joins elite roster of 5150 hosts

“Putting up the 5150 race in the city of Dapitan isn’t only a breakthrough but also historic and we take pride in spearheading this project which will surely draw the veteran and rising triathletes in the local front and overseas.

“Triathlon is the kind of sport that we will not only support but also prioritize,” added Jalosjos.

“We are proud and happy to have the worldrenowned Ironman 5150 Triathlon here in Dapitan on Sept. 10, 2023. It’s really something that we should all look forward to,” said Dapitan City Mayor Seth “Bullet” Jalosjos.

He announced the first-ever short-distance racing’s staging in the historic city during the welcome lunch he had hosted for members of Lanao del Norte’s Tri SND Barracuda that took part in the first Mayor Bullet Jalosjos Triathlon Cup along Dapitan Boulevard recently.

Team Tri SND Barracuda, headed by team leader Ulwan Dimaporo and star athlete John Alcala, winner of the just-concluded IRONMAN 70.3 Puerto Princesa, has been a regular fixture in the IRONMAN/Sunrise Events, Inc.-organized endurance racing. Online listup starts on Dec. 1, 2022. For details, visit www.ironman.com

“I am happy about this because we will promote not just Dapitan but also the whole of Mindanao. Through this we can showcase unity and harmonious relationship through sports which is really the goal of our athletes,” said Dimaporo.

For Alcala, next year’s 5150 event in Dapitan will be an opportunity for them to drum up interest among the youth and at the same time help boost the ever-growing tri-sport’s popularity in the region.

“This event is what we really need to encourage and inspire the young ones to take up triathlon. I know there are a lot of talents out there. All that they’re waiting for is to get that needed drive and motivation,” said Alcala, who surprised the elite field by bagging the men’s overall crown in the IM 70.3 Puerto Princesa.

Dapitan Tourism Officer Apple Marie Agolong also said that they are now doing everything to comply with all the necessary requirements and meet the standards of The IRONMAN Group/ Sunrise Events Inc.

72nd Fil-Am Men’s Invitational kicks o with practice rounds

BAGUIO—Activities for the seniors’ tournament of the 72nd FilAm Men’s Invitational, the world’s biggest amateur tournament in terms of participation, formally opened Wednesday with the start of the practice rounds and a team captains meeting held at the Camp John Hay Golf Club.

Fil-Am co-chairmen Anthony de Leon of Baguio Country Club and Jude Eustaquio of Camp John Hay Golf Club and rules officials Jose “Pepot” Iñigo and Jack Imperial met with skippers of teams were briefed on the conditions of play and on-course rules of co-hosts Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay. The new health guidelines were

also discussed to ensure the safety of the participants, staff and guests. The antigen tests that were implemented last year will no longer be required but each player must submit proof of full vaccination and booster shots while the locker facilities will operate with in limits.

“On behalf of Jude (Eustaquio), I welcome everyone to this annual event. We are happy to see new and old friends here and have a sort of reunion,” said De Leon, who is the general manager of BCC.

A total of 100 teams are competing in the seniors and 26 are playing in the lower divisions of the regular teams this week. In all, there will be more than 1,200 playing making up the 240 teams

with still 110 squads on the waitlist.

The two-week event is held in partnership with Baguio Country Club, Camp John Hay Golf Club, The Manor, The Forest Lodge, and Le Chef. The event presenters are 3K Rock Engineering and Construction Corp., Toyota, Boysen, and Columbia Sportswear.

The major sponsors are Palm Grove, Britanny Corp., and Asiatraders Corp. while minor sponsors are Time Cargo Logistics, Lola Nena’s, K&G, Rudy Project, JTEN Sports, Inc., Januarius Holdings, Beer Below Zero, and Tee Sports Gear.Hole-in-one sponsors are Spes Construction, Inc., Noah Business Applications, and Laus Group of Companies. Daily Tribune and The Perfect Drive are media partners.

THE IRONMAN races will be back in full blast in new normal next year with a touch of history as a new destination awaits an expected stellar international field in the 5150 Dapitan on Sept. 10, 2023. Known as the Shrine City of the Philippines, the historical city of Dapitan is all thrilled prepping up for its first triathlon hosting, laying the groundwork 11 months before the big sporting event, featuring the 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run race in Zamboanga Peninsula.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino (fourth from left) and Asia Swimming Federation Secretary General Taha Suleiman Al Kishry shake hands after signing the memorandum of agreement. With them are (from left) Bases Conversion and Development Authority Senior Vice President for Corporate Services Group Arrey Perez and President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera, POC legal head Atty. Wharton Chan and MTD Philippines president Patrick Nicholas David.

Dapitan City Mayor Seth Frederick “Bullet” Jalosjos (second from right) holds the 5150 Dapitan marker during yesterday’s launch of the first-ever triathlon event to be held in the historic city at Balay Hamoy. With him are (from left) recent IRONMAN 70.3 Puerto Princesa winner

John Alcala of Team Tri SND Barracuda, Princess Galura, president and general manager of the organizing Sunrise Events, Inc., a part of the IRONMAN Group, and George Aseniero, a great grandchild of one of Dr. Jose Rizal’s former students.

The 72nd Fil-Am Men’s Invitational held a team captains meeting on Wednesday to formally launch the activities for the seniors’ tournament slated to re o from November 26 to December 1. Fil-Am co-chairmen Anthony de Leon of Baguio Country Club and Jude Eustaquio of Camp

John Hay Golf Club plus rules o cials Jose Inigo and Jack Imperial presided over the meeting.

ON A ROLL.

Lovi Poe gets busy

ACTRESS Lovi Poe flew to London to attend a special event for Omega. The event took place November 23. Soon after the event, Lovi packed her bags again to be in Manila to attend several projects.

individuality, that’ s why it is a perfect fit for me. I love the cosmetic line because it symbolizes who I am.”

“I’m really looking forward to being part of this new family,” admits Lovi.

Paulo Angeles eyes starring in sitcom a la ‘Palibhasa Lalake’

By Patricia Taculao

AFTER a decade in showbiz, Paulo Angeles could proudly say that he worked with some of the brightest stars in the Philippine entertainment industry, including Joey Marquez, John Lloyd Cruz, Maricel Soriano, Vina Morales, Rita Avila, and other known celebrities.

Swerte ako na nakasama ko sila. Kahit si Miss Maricel Soriano naging ka-close ko rin. Masaya ako na naging ganon ‘yung career ko,” the actor said during a media junket.

He added that most of the people he worked with were veterans in the field, adding to his experience. When he looks them in the eye during shooting, he sees how they transform into their characters. Although Paulo maintains a professional stance, he couldn’t help but feel conscious about his performance.

During his first scene with Maricel, he felt nervous about working with such a critically-acclaimed star.

‘Pag tinignan ka niya sa mata, parang, ‘Wow! Anong nangyayari?’ Nakakalimutan ko linya ko,” the actor said.

Yet even though Paulo tried almost everything in the industry, he still has a dream project he would like to see realized: starring in a sitcom similar to the popular 90s series Palabhasa Lalake and working with actors he idolizes.

He sees throwback snippets of the show on Facebook and finds it entertaining. In watching, he had a clear vision of how he would be suitable to act in a similar situation.

Nanunuod kasi ako ng Bubble Gang. Siyempre, sila Sir Paolo Contis lahat ng

the

First to tick off her busy schedule is her project Ready Set Glow Cosmetics. “I was told that the Ready Set Glow woman is modern, fearless, fun and is a citizen of the world and she is not afraid to express her

On November 30, Lovi takes part in another event. This time, it’s an activity for the street children of Manila for Childhope Philippines. Childhope is a nonprofit organization working towards promoting

the welfare, in upholding and protecting children’s rights particularly the children in street situations of Manila. Lovi will be joining these children in an afternoon of song and party. This affair is entitled “Musikalye.”

“Childhope has always had a special place in my heart”, confesses Lovi. Meanwhile, The actress is busy preparing for an exciting new project.

ANTHONY TABERNA takes on new path in ALLTV’s first public service program

IN ANTHONY

Taberna’s new show

Kuha All, which starts airing on ALLTV at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, not only crimes and trending issues will be given focus, good deeds will also be given the spotlight.

Hindi lang crime, even good deeds, palaganapin natin ang mga magagandang balita,” was his quick reply when asked about the difference of the new public service program compared to other shows that he had anchored before.

The seasoned broadcast journalist also added that they gathered the best in their field to be part of the new show.

“Some of my colleagues here were former employees of ABS-CBN, some were from TV5, GMA, and even CNN. So, I’m so proud of our team,”he shared.

Known for his fearless and witty commentaries in the world of radio and television, Taberna or popularly known as “Ka Tunying” described his television comeback as another milestone in his 30 years in the industry.

“The feeling is the same as having my first show on TV almost 20 years ago. It’s nice to be back on mainstream TV. I believe that our new show is not just something that people want, it’s also what the people will need,” Taberna affirmed.

“I am more than grateful to start another chapter of my career with the ALLTV family because we share the same goal of sharing a different level of television experience with our Pinoy audience. Despite being in the broadcasting industry for more than half of my life, I’m still thrilled to share new stories of Pinoys that will not just keep the viewers informed but will also enlighten them and make them feel that they’re part of the stories,” he went on.

Talking to the entertainment press in junket held at the hip, retro-themed bistro Sixty Four in Evia Lifestyle Center in Las Piñas, Taberna further said that Kuha All aims to be a vehicle where they can educate, entertain and serve viewers by discussing different issues and concerns captured on camera by people from all walks of life.

involved in the videos, pupuntahan namin, at tutulungan natin kung kailangan. If intervention is needed, we’ll do that,” he revealed.

Paulo isn’t the only one who sees himself playing a role in a sitcom like Palibhasa Lalake. He shared that he receives compliments from others, saying how much he looks like John Estrada, a core character in the original 90s series.

It doesn’t seem far off, though, as Paulo shares that he can sometimes imitate how John delivers the punchline in the sitcom. Nonetheless, Paulo’s career is eventful. He recently starred with Aga Muhlach in the television sports drama series broadcast by TV5 Suntok sa Buwan

“Sa buong career ko, sa ten years, para sa akin, ito ‘yung pinaka-memorable na ginawa ko Ang saya lang ng set. Sa sobrang bait ng lahat, mas gaganahan ka mag-trabaho, mas kumportable ka magtrabaho,” he said.

Paulo also found working with Aga enjoyable because they often shared fun moments. He even noticed how the environment changed and has become lighter whenever Aga is around.

There were times, the actor recalled, that small glances between him and the veteran actor would send them into a fit of giggles despite having the camera focused on them. Still, Aga would also provide them tips on their career or how to present themselves in a scene, allowing his colleagues to enjoy the experience of working with him while learning from him.

Only time will tell if Paulo is ready to achieve his dream of starring in a sitcom like Palibhasa Lalake. But with a steady career highlighted by the experience of working with other stars and creating a connection with them, he just might.

Kuha All is just one of the many surprises we prepared for our audience before the year ends. It has a public service component wherein the people

Aiming to present meaningful human interest stories affecting Pinoys across the country, Kuha All! will have three segments in each episode: “Kuha Rin!” highlights snippets of the latest and trending videos; “Kaya All!” will be the part of the show where the featured case study will be assisted through any means of support needed to resolve the issue being discussed; and “Kuha Mo?” with Ka

Tunying’s no-holds-barred commentaries about the topic at hand .

This Saturday’s pilot episode, the show will feature the story of the massive e-wallet scamming that happened recently in Nueva Ecija. A resident from Cabiao, Nueva Ecija posed as a promotional agent of an e-wallet company in the Philippines and scammed at least 20 store owners from different municipalities of the province.

Catch Ka Tunying and his inspiring stories in the weekly episodes of Kuha All every Saturday at 5:00 p.m. only at ALLTV.

Filipino director megs stunts in R-rated holiday action-comedy

compound on Christmas Eve and takes everyone inside hostage.

Digital ad series wins Filipino netizens’ hearts

THIS year, Puregold kicks off its 25th year in the Phil ippine retail landscape. To commemorate this significant occasion, Puregold released its Nasa Iyo ang Panalo digital ad series across its various so cial media plat forms, collec tively garnering, at this point, 43.1 million in views online.

The sleek, modern aesthetic of the digital advertise ments was complemented by the sentiments projected at their core: that Filipinos can tri umph over life’s myriad challenges.

The “Nasa Iyo ang Panalo” digital ad series has featured the likes of SB19’s Jus tin de Dios; TV superstar Francine Diaz; first-time parents Luis Manzano and Jessy Mendiola; self-made TikTok star Queenay Mercado; and pole vaulting phenom EJ Obiena. The ads give a sense of the difficul ties that each had faced on the path to their “panalo” stories.

Beyond the sheer volume of views that each ad received, it’s clear that the videos also had an affirmative effect on netizens who were inspired by the personalities’ own narratives. Their fans and supporters enthu siastically expressed their support and ap preciation for these stories and the lessons they offered.

Vincent Co, President of Puregold Price Club Inc, believes that it’s important for Puregold to stir up hope through these “panalo” stories.

“Success never comes easy to those who seek it; we know that well after 25 years of business,” says Vincent. “It’s important for us to share the stories of inspiring Filipinos and show our customers that through all the hardship, there’s a path to better things.”

The Puregold Nasa Iyo ang Panalo ads can be viewed on the official Puregold Channel on YouTube, Puregold’s Facebook page, as well as their official TikTok @pure goldph.

CHRISTMAS

From 87North’s Kelly McCormick

, producers

bare-knuckle hit films such as Bullet Train, Nobody, John Wick, Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw comes Violent Night, a holiday action-comedy that says you should always bet on red.

Starring David Harbour (Stranger Things) as Santa Claus and as a surprise combatant who’s about to prove why Nick is no saint when a team of mercenaries breaks into a wealthy family

Violent Night’s Santa Claus is the real Santa, but in a way that we’ve never seen him before. This Santa is a protector and a warrior with some seriously bad-ass skills, but in the film, he’s become slightly bitter and tired about the otherwise merry holiday.

Eusebio, a Filipino stunt director who has worked with 87North on various projects, including on the John Wick franchise delivers the action as the second unit director in Violent Night

“Jojo was one of the original members of our choreography team, so we’ve been working together for a good 20 years,” producer Leitch says. “The talent that’s gravitated to 87North is beyond the physical. There’s a common work ethic and desire to make movies, and Jojo has always had that same drive in him. I have so much respect for him and love the work he’s been doing, both with 87North and without.”

The success formula for 87North includes having stunt teams that are better than anyone else in the world at their craft.

“Jojo had the desire to be challenged and he was inspired by the Christmas backdrop,” producer McCormick says. “He brought a team together that had amazing athleticism and skill, and I think they all learned a lot about blending the wit and comedy with the action in the film along the way.”

is

WHILE most of the world has been at a standstill due to the pandemic, Jordan Fall has been making the most of his time by creating music. A relative newcomer to the music industry, the Filipino-Canadian singer has been releasing songs online which have been met with growing acclaim.

The hip-hop artist recently released “Essential”, a sultry single delving into relationships in the new normal. The music video for the single was released on September 29 and has been steadily gaining views since its premiere.

“Essential” is a very personal song for Jordan, who based it on a romantic relationship he had during the COVID-19 lockdown. While the romance was shortlived, it pushed thoughts on relationships from the physical to a deeper connection at a time when the world was unsettled and the stress of isolation and social distancing was taking a toll on everyone.

“‘Essential’ is a personal timestamp song that is about a fast moving romantic relationship while the world stood still during COVID-19,” says Jordan. “It’s an expression of a rollercoaster experience — the transition process going from lust to the need of connection in a time of isolation. It’s designed with intent to inspire movement from my listeners. I want them to feel and dance with this grown and sexy musical offering.”

The video was by Keethan Krish, who has directed episodes of sci-fi show Dark Matter and superhero series Titan. This background might have played a part in the video which was set in a greenhouse built in an underground tunnel of an old factory in Hamilton, Ontario. To make the darker tones of the music illustrate the shift in the relationship from desire to obsession, the greenhouse setting gives the feeling of a science experience where one can see unexpected results.

nian-Filipino serving as its cre worked with the likes of Brandy, and Sean , who also worked with Jordan on his single

Jordan will be releasing an EP soon, with Ira nian-Filipino Kevan Yadzani serving as its cre ative director. Yadzani has worked with the likes of Justin Bieber, H.E.R., Brandy, Leon with Jordan on his single “Serve$” that came out on August 17.

Jordan’s music is available to stream on Spotify.

is back in action this year as Santa’s been trained to fight by Filipino stunt director John “Jojo” Eusebio in the upcoming action-comedy Violent Night

and David Leitch

of

her

Fil-Canadian singer goes for sensual experience with new single ‘Essential’

nandoon. Natatawa ako sa mga joke nila. At saka, siyempre, sila Joey Marquez, ulit,” Paulo told Manila Standard Entertainment.

A Universal Pictures International feature, Violent Night unspools in Philippines theaters on November 30. It

rated R-16 by the local censors board.

Kapamilya star Lovi Poe sports a pixie 'do in her latest photoshoot.

Anthony Taberna with wife Rossel at the media launch of ‘Kuha All’

Broadcast journalist Anthony ‘Ka Tunying’ Taberna marks his 30th year in the business with a new show on ALLTV.

‘Suntok sa Buwan’ star Paulo Angeles

A scene from the upcoming action-comedy film ‘Violent Night’

Christmas on Display

Araneta City

By Patricia Taculao

CHRISTMAS is a months-long holiday that Filipinos greatly anticipate. Besides being the season for gift-giving, it’s also a time when people enjoy the festivities with their loved ones through good food or memorable experiences. As a relevant event in the Philippines, the public follows several traditions ingrained in faith or fun that are worth the wait.

Some examples include opening Christmas fairs with activities that cater to everyone’s preferences or remind them about the true meaning of the holiday. With Araneta City’s Christmas On Display (COD), guests can enjoy doing both.

For decades, Christmas On Display has become a holiday tradition that aptly represents the Filipinos’ love for bright lights and flashy ornaments whenever and wherever it was.

“Araneta City is a place of many firsts and memorable experiences. By bringing back the Christmas on Display, we want to offer an exciting treat to children and make the adults relive their fun holiday memories,” said Marjorie Go, AVP for Marketing of Araneta City.

“Through this attraction, we take pride in the distinct holiday tradition we have in our country. We celebrate the fact that Christmas celebration in the Philippines, more so in Araneta City, is like no other in the world,” she added.

It was a lively opening with several notable personalities in attendance. Among them were Binibining Pilipinas 2022 winners, who also showed their hosting abilities.

unveils

a well-loved Christmas tradition

Aeta children benefit from CDC, Clark Marriott’s outreach program

THE Clark Development Corporation (CDC) in partnership with the Clark Marriott Hotel recently conducted an outreach program to 45 Aeta children as part of Marriott International’s celebration of Global Customer Appreciation Week 2022.

The young children are the pioneer batch of students who graduated from CDC-OB Pagsasarili Family Care Center coming from various Aeta communities near this Freeport.

CDC Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Placement Division spearheaded the said event and also handled the transportation of the children coming from areas of Sapang Bato and Sitio Haduan in Mabalacat City, Pampanga and San Vicente in Bamban, Tarlac.

Meanwhile, Clark Marriott General Manager Goeran Soelter said, “It’s very nice to see so many happy faces in the room, I’m sure you guys will have some fun. This is Marriott’s CSR treat for our communities and we’re very proud to continue to do this together so thank you to all of you.”

“We would really like to thank our partners, specifically, CDC. It wouldn’t work without you; you guys are a tremendous help in putting this together as well as getting the kids here. Thank you to the teachers and to the people as well,” he continued.

The kids enjoyed a magic show followed by a sumptuous lunch served by Clark Marriott. They also watched a funny puppet show, participated in games, and received goody bags and balloons before going back home.

For

“We

He

CDC is always committed and supportive of community engagement initiatives and CSR activities that are geared towards inspiring and uplifting communities surrounding Clark.

Quezon

she is that the tradition remains alive throughout the decades, allowing the next generation to form core memories at the attraction.

Belmonte also jested about how happy she is that Christmas On Display returned to Quezon City this year.

Also in attendance at the opening of the Christmas On Display were Melai Cantiveros-Francisco and her daughters, Mela and Stela. They gave a bubbly performance that lifted the audience’s spirits. Melai and her family were happy about the invitation as they got to experience the festivities of the highly-anticipated holiday event.

Like its earlier versions, the Christmas On Display show maintains its theatrics with a coherent use of lighting, voiceovers, and other theatrics that captures the attention of kids and kids-at-heart alike.

The opening of the Christmas On Display show also signaled the start of the Mini Fiesta Carnival attraction, which featured games, rides, and other activities that visitors will enjoy. It opens daily from 2:00 to 11:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Christmas On Display Show is open from Sunday to Thursday, 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. Entrance fee is at P50, with free food redeemable from the nearby food park. Visitors can also witness the Grand Fireworks Display every Friday to Sunday in November and December, starting at 7:00 p.m.

With Araneta Center’s Christmas On Display a constant presence during the Philippine Christmas season, Filipinos can enjoy the festivities with their loved ones and be reminded of the true meaning of the holiday according to their faith.

Hybrid research summit tackles culture for sustainable development

THE Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF) officially opened its first hybrid Research Summit on November 22 at the National Library of the Philippines Auditorium in Manila as part of its 50th-anniversary celebration.

This year’s theme “Kultura para sa LikasKayang Pag-unlad / Culture for Sustainable Development” is aligned with the overall theme of the commemoration: “Noon, Nayon, Bukas: Pamana at Pagsibol ng Bagong Nayon.”

The research summit aims to highlight the importance of culture in the effective achievement of sustainable local and national development. It echoes the theme of the NPF’s fiftieth anniversary in emphasizing the role the natural and cultural heritage plays towards the attainment of a brighter future for all.

“It could not be more timely that this summit is happening today as we get to inculcate the crucial role of culture and heritage in the overall planning for economic development. It is about time we put our distinct Filipino culture front and center, so much so to drive a Filipino sense of identity and respect for heritage across the Philippines,” said NPF Executive Director Gertie Duran-Batocabe

“I am very pleased to let you know that the NPF has been hard at work, first and foremost, to fulfill its core mandate in developing hubs, spaces, activities, green infrastructure projects, and research and knowledge production initiatives that utilize innovation and creative potential as catalysts for sustainable national development,” she added.

Batocabe also expressed her gratitude to the Lead Convenor Victor Estrella and the Marketing and Operations Office of NPF for the great work that they have done in organizing this event.

The Plenary Speaker, John Paolo Rivera PhD, the Associate Director of the Asian In-

stitute of Management talked about the Culture, Tourism, and Sustainable Development in the Philippines.

While FEU faculties presented their research findings which included Implication of Changing Style and Environmental Degradation on the Aesthetics of a Philippine Ancestral House by Romeo B. Galang, Jr.; A Guide in the City Noir in Selected Cultural Texts by Cecilia Bethina Elmido; and Ang Toreng Goma sa Pasalitang Tunggalian: Pagsusuri sa Balagtasan at Bagsakan Gamit ang Rubber Tower ni Cirilo F. Bautista by Sara Mae San Juan

The summit was attended by tourism students, faculty members, curators, museum professionals, cultural workers, researchers, as well as natural and cultural heritage advocates. The second (November 23) and third day (No-

vember 24) of the summit streamed online via NPF social media platforms. Serving as Plenary Speakers were Jose Luiz Pederzoli, Jr., Head of the Strategic Planning Unit and Our Collections Matter Programme, International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, or ICCROM, Italy and Nestor

SNAPSHOT

Manila Hotel kicks o the Holiday Season

Nickie Wang

City Mayor Joy Belmonte also graced the event. Belmonte shared that as a child, she would look forward to the Christmas On Display during the holidays. She added how glad

Animatronics and lighting bring the display to life

Attendees of the unveiling event include Binibining Pilipinas 2022 Queens, Araneta City executives, Melai Cantiveros-Francisco and family, and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte

(From left) Melai Cantiveros-Francisco with her daughters Stela and Mela during the unveiling of the Christmas on Display

The Christmas on Display show retells the story of the birth of Christ

his part, CDC CSRPD Assistant Manager Ronald T. Antonio, on behalf of CDC CSRPD Manager Herbert S. Angeles, expressed his appreciation to Clark Marriott and the participants.

are happy to have been part of this outreach program of Clark Marriott Hotel’s Serve360 Initiatives. I would like to thank the teachers and the children who participated in our activity. I hope the kids will remember the event fondly and be one of those memories that will inspire them as they grow up,” he said.

also thanked Clark Marriott Director of Finance Diana Lazo, Director of Rooms, Rizza Lacson, Director of Food and Beverage Lyle Cajayon, Director of Human Resources Carmen Siongco, Director of Sales and Marketing Charley Magabo, Assistant Director of Finance Jinky Singian, Chief Engineer Reynaldo Lenon, and Executive Chef Jan Broz

Also present during the activity are Clark Marriott Events Executive Jonas Carreon Sales Manager Laila Simbulan, Front Office Manager Maan Gomez, Outlet Manager Paulo Manalo, Loss Prevention Manager Ronnie Manalastas, Secretary of the Director of Sales and Marketing Patricia Louise Katigbak, and Executive Housekeeper Danilo Valera, among others.

The young children from various Aeta communities

Castro PhD, Cultural Anthropologist and Professor of Anthropology, Department of Anthropology, University of the Philippines Diliman. The Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF), as a Government-Owned or Controlled Corporation (GOCC), spearheads and develops hubs, spaces, activities, green infrastructure projects, and research and knowledge production initiatives that utilize innovation and creative potential as catalysts for sustainable national development.

ON November 9, The Manila Hotel o cially signaled the beginning of its holiday celebration with the lighting of its Christmas Tree. Decked with dazzling lights, ower-printed ornaments, red woven birds, and glittering tinsels, the Christmas Tree is be tting to be the focal point of the Grand Lobby.

Joining Manila Hotel President Atty. Joey Lina in lighting the tree are special guests, Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary Ferdinand “Kokoy”

Jumapao, City of Manila Mayor Maria Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna Pangan, and City

of Manila Vice Mayor John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto. The O ce of the President

Chorale then serenaded the crowd with Christmas carols.

This year’s yuletide décor was curated by Manila Hotel Creative Design Consultant Rachy Cuna, who paid homage to the artistry of the Filipino people. This is something the hotel has always championed as the True Heart of the Philippines.

(From left) Attorney Joyce Caigas, Doctor Jovertlee C. Pudan, EnP, John Paul Rivera, Ph.D., and NPF Executive Director Gertie Duran-Batocabe