Manila Standard - 2022 December 30 - Friday

PBBM open to test Chinese travelers based on ‘true risk’

Also voices his hesitancy to extend state of calamity

By Vince Lopez

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he is open to imposing COVID-19 test restrictions on travelers coming from China, which is currently facing an outbreak of the Omicron subvariant BF.7, but he is hesitant to extend the state of calamity in the country because of the pandemic.

“Yes, as long as it’s based on science and we feel that there’s a need, we will do it. But again, it depends on what the true risk is to us,” the President said on Thursday.

“If it’s something that is manageable, then I’m sure we can find a way to not completely close our borders to China, but to find a way to have a procedure so that those coming from China who may have been exposed or who may have been infected will be tested. That is our only concern,” he added.

Earlier in the day, the Department of Health said it saw no need to restrict travelers from China despite the fresh outbreak of COVID-19 cases even as the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) prepared to discuss entry restrictions.

PH, China to link up on WPS to avert ‘miscalculations’

By Rey E. Requejo and Vince Lopez

THE

By Vito Barcelo

Ferdinand

PRESIDENT

Jr. has signed an executive order (EO) directing the continued suspension of electronic cockfighting or “e-sabong” operations nationwide.

Executive Order No. 9, issued December 28, said there is “an urgent need to reiterate the continued suspension of all e-sabong operations nationwide, clarify the scope of existing regulations and direct relevant agencies to pursue aggressive crackdown against illegal e-sabong operations, in accordance with law.”

The order suspends live-streaming or broadcasting of live cockfights outside cockpits, cockfighting arenas, or premises where cockfights are being held.

The EO also suspends online/remote, or off-cockpit wagering/betting on live

visit to China from Jan. 3 to 5, 2023, DFA Assistant Secretary Nathaniel Imperial said the two countries would sign a number of agreements on the occasion.

Senate, House leaders express confidence in better legislations

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

tives will work double time next year to ensure that whatever economic gains are achieved would translate to better living conditions for Filipino families.

"We, in the House of Representatives, welcome the good news from our

By Julito G. Rada

INFLATION in December 2022 likely accelerated to a high of 8.6 percent from 8 percent a month ago due to higher food prices and power rates, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Thursday.

In a statement, BSP projected this month’s inflation rate to settle within a range of 7.8 to 8.6 percent.

“Upward price pressures for the month are expected to emanate from higher electricity rates, an uptick in the prices of agricultural commodities, elevated meat and fish products, and higher LPG prices. Meanwhile, the reduction in petroleum and rice prices as well as the

THE authorities are imposing a P250 per kilo suggested retail price on red onions starting Dec. 30 or Dec. 31—even though they already sell for more than P700 a kilo in some markets—or more than four times the current SRP of P170.

In a radio interview, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista said the increase in demand for the commodity and high farm gate costs are the reasons behind the skyrocketing prices for onions.

She said it is possible prices could go down because farm gate prices can go down too.

It was unclear how the government can enforce the new SRP.

Deaths in flood-hit areas now 39, Marcos visit up

FOR GOOD LUCK. Malabon Zoo founder Manny Tangco shows the zoo's white rabbits on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022. The upcoming Year of the Rabbit, which is also a symbol of fertility, is said to be one where the sacrifices of the past year are rewarded generously. Andrew Rabulan

WITH the country’s economy picking up speed, Speaker Martin G. Romualdez said Thursday that the House of Representa-

Marcos

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who

Philippines and China are expected to sign an agreement to prevent

“miscalculations and miscommunication” in the country’s exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday.

During a pre-departure briefing for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s state

“To avoid miscalculations and miscommunications in the West

Philippine Sea, both sides have agreed to sign an agreement establishing direct communication between the foreign ministries of both countries at various levels and that is expected to be signed

US clears sale of $180 million anti-tank weapons to Taiwan

THE US State Department approved on Wednesday the $180 million sale of vehicle-launched anti-tank systems to Taiwan, the Pentagon said, the latest weapons deal between the self-governed island and its main ally.

Taiwan would receive Volcano antitank munition-laying systems, cargo trucks, ammunition, logistics support packages and a myriad of other related services under the deal, according to a Pentagon statement.

"This proposed sale serves US national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient's continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability," the statement said.

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“For the DOH, we don't see the need to close our border or impose stricter restrictions specific to this country. As for our regulations within our borders, we cannot just have our closure and then open it and then close it again and then open it. We are all moving forward because we would like to reach that new normal," Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a press briefing.

Meanwhile, Mr. Marcos said he is more inclined not to extend the state of calamity on COVID-19, saying it was a “wrong mindset” to start the new year.

“I’m still very, very hesitant to continue the state of calamity, to extend it because again, we are not in a state of calamity anymore, technically speaking,” he said.

“And that is the wrong mindset to be approaching the new year with. So we’re still trying to find ways to continue to provide the benefits to our medical health workers, which is the main issue, without the state of calamity," the President added.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista earlier recommended adopting protocols set by neighbors like Hong Kong, which requires a negative RT-PCR test

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by [Foreign Affairs] Secretary [Enrique] Manalo and his counterpart State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the visit," Imperial said.

Imperial said President Marcos wants a peaceful and stable situation in the West Philippine Sea and will "continue to uphold our country's sovereignty and sovereign rights during his meetings with Chinese leaders."

Imperial also said Marcos may raise and continue discussions with President Xi Jinping regarding oil and gas explorations in the West Philippine Sea but did not offer any specifics.

"We plan to renew our participation in the Belt and Road Initiative of China, which we believe complements the infrastructure program of the administration," Imperial said.

Imperial said the agreement to set up direct communications would be one of 10 to 14 deals to be signed during the President’s state visit.

Imperial said these agreements represent cooperation in a broad range of areas which include trade and investments, agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure, development cooperation, people-to-people ties and maritime security cooperation.

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cockfighting matches and/or activities streamed or broadcast live, regardless of the location of the betting platform.

The operations of traditional cockfights authorized or licensed under existing laws shall not be covered by the suspension, it added.

The President’s order stressed that the state “has the paramount obligation to protect public health and morals and promote public safety and general welfare.”

Mr. Marcos tasked the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) to coordinate with local government units (LGUs), other concerned government agencies, and private entities on the implementation of EO No. 9.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) were also directed to render necessary assistance to PAGCOR in implementing the order “and shall take appropriate action against violators, in accordance with law.”

PAGCOR, in coordination with the DILG and PNP, must also submit regular reports to the President through the Office of the Executive Secretary.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the end of online cockfighting operations on May 3, 2022.

Beijing claims democratically run Taiwan as part of its territory, to be taken one day, and has become more aggressive toward the island under President Xi Jinping.

It has responded with growing anger to visits by US and other foreign politicians this year and staged huge military drills to protest against US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's trip to Taiwan in August, sending tensions to the highest level in years.

upon arrival.

The United Statesjoined a growing number of countries in imposing restrictions on visitors from China after Beijing announced it would remove curbs on overseas travel as COVID-19 cases surge at home.

Hospitals across China have been overwhelmed by an explosion of infections following Beijing's decision to lift strict rules that had largely kept the virus at bay but tanked the economy and sparked widespread protests.

China said this week it would end mandatory quarantine on arrival, prompting many jubilant Chinese to make plans to travel abroad.

In response, the United States and several other countries announced they would require negative COVID tests for all travelers from mainland China.

"The recent rapid increase in COVID-19 transmission in China increases the potential for new variants emerging," a senior US health official told reporters.

Beijing has provided only limited information to global databases about variants circulating in China, the official said, and its testing and reporting on new cases have diminished.

The US move came after Italy, Japan, India and Malaysia announced their own measures in a bid to avoid importing new

“There’s a very strong expectation that there’s great interest from Chinese investors in the Philippine economy, especially in Philippine agriculture and renewable energy and nickel processing,” he said.

China imports 70 percent of its nickel ore and concentrates requirements from the Philippines.

Imperial said the two countries are also expected to finalize an agreement on the export of durian to China.

Other deals that are expected to be signed include a memorandum of understanding on digital cooperation; a framework agreement for the three priority bridges crossing Pasig-Marikina River and Manggahan Floodway Bridges Construction Project; an agreement on tourism cooperation; and the renewal of the agreement on the Philippines’ participation on the Belt and Road initiative of China.

Imperial said the Philippines is also looking at possible grants from China amounting to 1.5 billion renminbi (RMB).

Imperial said the President’s state visit to China will be of “great significance” because it will be Marcos’ first bilateral visit to a non-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) country since assuming the Presidency in July.

He said it will also be the second faceto-face meeting between Marcos and Chinese President Xi Jinping in less than two months.

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is concurrently Agriculture secretary, said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will continue to monitor the market and will work to bring smuggled onions to the consumers to stabilize prices and supply.

“We will stick firmly to the recommended price. The DTI will continue to monitor. We’re trying to find ways to bring the smuggled onions that have been caught into the market to reduce the supply problem,” President Marcos said.

“But there are some legal issues in doing that immediately. So we’re still working on that. But we will keep the prices down by monitoring what’s happening in our markets,” the President said.

Some lawmakers have called for an inquiry on the soaring prices of local onions

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Finance Secretary that the worst is over for the Philippines and better years are expected,” Romualdez said.

The Speaker was referring to the statement released on Wednesday by Department of Finance chief Benjamin Diokno, where he projected faster economic

US President Joe Biden signed into law a defense spending bill last week that included up to $10 billion in military grant assistance to Taiwan.

The bill authorizes up to $2 billion a year in assistance to Taiwan from 2023 to 2027.

Beijing said in response to the bill's earlier passage by the US House of Representatives it was "firmly opposed to the US using the National Defense Authorization Act to pass negative content related to China."

Taiwan's defense ministry said on Monday China had deployed 71 warplanes to conduct weekend military exercises around Taiwan, including dozens of fighter jets.

variants from China.

Beijing has hit out against "smears with ulterior motives" by the Western media.

"Over the past three years we have effectively responded to five waves of global outbreaks... winning precious time for the development of vaccines and medicines," foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a briefing Thursday.

China still does not allow foreign visitors, however, with tourist and student visas suspended.

Those eligible to arrive in China must also provide a negative PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before entering the country.

The lifting of mandatory quarantine sparked a surge in interest in overseas travel by Chinese citizens, who have been largely confined to their country since Beijing pulled up the drawbridge in March 2020.

Italy also said on Wednesday it would make coronavirus tests mandatory for all visitors from China.

France's president said he had asked for "appropriate measures" to protect citizens and that Paris was monitoring the situation closely.

The European Commission is set to meet Thursday to discuss "possible measures for a coordinated approach."

Marcos and Xi first met on the sidelines of the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand last month.

“With both leaders receiving a fresh mandate in recent elections, there is an expectation that the state visit will set the tone of bilateral relations between the two countries in the next five to six years,” Imperial said.

He said the state visit is also set to reaffirm the “cordial and neighborly” relations between Manila and Beijing as well as “ensure continuity in many facets of the bilateral relationship and chart new areas of engagement.

He said it is also expected to build on the growing trade and investment ties between the two economies as well as address security issues of mutual concern.

Marcos’ official activities, which will begin on Jan. 4, include three important meetings with Chinese leaders namely Li Zhanshu, chairperson of the standing committee of the National People’s Congress; Li Keqiang, Chinese Premier, and Xi.

Xi will host a dinner banquet for the President, the First Lady and Cabinet officials after their meeting.

Imperial said a “sizeable” business delegation will be joining the state visit.

Business meetings will be held on Jan. 4 and 5 and a number of business deals are scheduled to be signed and finalized

amid the recent flooding of imported varieties and the reported rampant smuggling from other countries.

Department of Agriculture (DA) officials attributed the spike in the prices of white onions to a supply shortfall after many onion farmers have shifted to planting the red onion variety.

The President’s sister, Senator Imee Marcos, on Thursday called on the DA to expedite the harvest and direct purchase of locally grown onions for delivery to Metro Manila, using the P140 million fund from the 2021 national budget which was realigned for the DA’s Food Mobilization Program this year.

In a statement, Marcos said this measure would increase the supply of onions that can be sold at P170 per kilo in Kadiwa outlets and rolling stores before the New Year, which is a better alternative than raising the suggested retail price (SRP) of the commodity.

growth for the Philippines in 2023.

"This definitely inspires us to work double-time when we resume session next year, pushing us to legislate more laws needed to further boost the economy and improve the living condition of our people,” Romualdez added.

Meanwhile, 2022 was also "a good start for a productive Senate," Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said, while committing that the job in the Upper

The aircraft had committed one of the largest daily incursions into Taiwan-controlled airspace to date.

The Chinese military described the exercises as a "strike drill," conducted in response to unspecified "provocations" and "collusion" between the United States and the self-ruled island.

The US statement on the latest arms sale said Taiwan's purchase of the new anti-tank systems would "not alter the basic military balance in the region."

"The proposed sale will improve the recipient's capability to meet current and future threats by providing a credible force capable of deterring adversaries and participating in regional operations," the statement said. AFP

Chinese citizens at Beijing's Capital International Airport largely reacted with understanding towards the measures on Thursday.

"It's good to see our borders opening," said a passenger bound for Budapest.

"Every country has their own policies. We just follow them and still go where we need to go."

A 22-year-old man surnamed Hu said the rules were unnecessary and "a bit discriminatory."

"Our COVID policy for international arrivals is applied equally," he said. "Why do other countries need to give arrivals from China special treatment?"

On the front lines of China's COVID wave, hospitals are battling surging cases that have hit the elderly and vulnerable hardest.

Agence France-Presse reporters saw masked patients on stretchers being unloaded from several ambulances at a major hospital in Shanghai on Thursday.

They overheard a patient arguing with hospital staff after waiting four hours to collect medicine.

Two hospitals in Tianjin, around 140 kilometers southeast of Beijing, were also overwhelmed with patients and doctors were being asked to work even if infected. With AFP

during the trip.

China is the Philippines’ largest trading partner, largest source of imports and second largest export destination.

Marcos will be joined by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy and other members of the Cabinet.

Following concerns over reports of China's new construction and reclamation activities in the disputed South China Sea, Imperial said Marcos will raise the issue before Xi and other Chinese leaders.

“In his meetings with the Chinese leaders including President Xi, the President will discuss the full range of our bilateral relations, both the positive aspects of it and the sensitive aspects of our relations, which includes the issue of the WPS and China’s activities in the area,” he said.

“The President has said that the maritime issues do not define the totality of our bilateral relations with China but nevertheless he acknowledges the importance of this issue to our interest and to the Filipino people. We expect that this issue will be discussed in the President’s meetings with Chinese leaders,” he added. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

“Raising the SRP for onions from P170 to P250 per kilo only invites more ridicule, with market prices now more than four times the present SRP,” Marcos said, referring to DA's plan on raising the SRP of onions to control runaway prices that have reached P720 per kilo.

She also noted that onion harvest will continue until February in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Batanes, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac and Oriental Mindoro.

The chairperson of the Senate committee on cooperatives earlier Wednesday initiated the direct purchase of around 300,000 kilos of onions from Nueva Ecija farmers’ cooperatives whose grants she had sponsored from the DA’s Kadiwa program.

Marcos also contacted Metro Manila mayors to add Kadiwa outlets in wet markets and to map out the routes for Kadiwa rolling stores.

Chamber will be "onward and upward from here."

"Having identified our priority legislations and having established the pace of committee and plenary proceedings, we are ready to improve our coordination and we are ready to work harder to address the needs of our people," said Zubiri.

Despite a looming global recession, Diokno said the Philippines is still ex-

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peso appreciation could contribute to easing price pressures for the month,” it said.

The BSP said it is closely monitoring the emerging price developments to enable timely intervention that could help prevent the further broadening of price pressures, in accordance with its price stability mandate.

Inflation in November 2022 raced to a 14-year high of 8 percent from 7.7 percent a month ago, due to faster increases in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages.

The December 2022 rate is significantly faster than the 3.7 percent in the same month a year ago. This brings the average inflation from January to November 2022 to 5.6 percent, well over the government’s target range of 2 to 4 percent.

The Development Budget Coordination Committee on Dec. 5, 2022, inconsultation with the BSP, has decided to retain the current inflation target of 3.0 percent plus-minus 1.0 percentage points (or 2 to 4 percent) for 2023 to 2024 and set the same inflation target for 2025 to 2026.

The announcement of the mediumterm inflation target is in line with the BSP’s commitment to transparency and accountability as well as the forwardlooking approach in the conduct of monetary policy.

Earlier, BSP Governor Felipe Medalla said the inflation rate was expected to peak in December 2022.

Medalla said there were uncertain events that could impact the annual increases in consumer prices for the month, such as what would happen outside of the country.

“I’m very sure that the peak [of inflation] will be in December,” Medalla said, although he refused to give a specific number.

But he said inflation might pick up slightly from the 8 percent posted in November 2022.

“We thought inflation was going to peak in October 2022, but [then] typhoons came,” the BSP chief said. Medalla also did not rule out the possibility of more rate hikes next year.

“A rate hike is a likely event, but things might change,” Medalla said.

The Monetary Board raised the benchmark interest rate in the middle of this month by 50 basis points to 5.5 percent, a 14-year high, to prevent the secondround effects of inflation that may accelerate further this month.

Accordingly, the interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were set at 5.0 percent and 6.0 percent, respectively.

“The BSP’s latest baseline forecasts show that average inflation is still projected to breach the upper end of the 2 to 4 percent target range for 2022 and 2023 at 5.8 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively,” Medalla said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed to survey the flood-hit areas himself as he warned Filipinos of the continued rains and directed government agencies to speed up aid to those affected.

Asked if he would conduct aerial surveys as he did after previous storms this year, the President said: “Probably, to see what happened. Unfortunately, tuloy-tuloy pa rin ‘yung ulan eh (the rain continues to fall).”

Authorities were still searching for more than two dozen other people missing after heavy downpours over the Christmas weekend caused flooding and landslides across Visayas and Mindanao.

In Tacloban City, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Eduardo Punay led on Thursday the distribution of assistance to families affected by heavy rains and floods due to the shear line during the holidays.

The latest death happened Wednesday in Mati City, Davao Oriental, when a landslide buried four people as they fished, police said.

The body of a 62-year-old man was recovered and the search for his companions was still under way, Mati City police chief Ernesto Gregore told AgenceFrance Presse.

"There was a heavy downpour in the mountains. They were fishing in a river when the landslide occurred," Gregore said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

pected to have one of the highest growth rates among the six Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member economies next year.

“Many institutions and experts have predicted a global recession in 2023, and consequently, downgraded the Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) outlook to less than 6 percent,” Diokno said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

DOTr allays Pinoy seamen’s fears of losing jobs in European vessels

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) has allayed the fears and anxieties of Filipino seafarers working in vessels of the European Union (EU) states about losing their jobs over issues involving the standards set by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).

“It’s still in status quo, they (Filipino seamen) are recognized and EMSA continue to recognize the certificate which are being issued by MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority),” Transportation Secretary Jaime J.

DAR delivers 563 land titles to farmers in Pangasinan

By Rio N. Araja

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has distributed land titles to at least 563 farmers in Pangasinan.

DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III spearheaded the title distribution last Dec. 28 covering 217 hectares of agricultural land in the towns of Tayug, Sto. Tomas, Balungao, Rosales, Umingan, and Lingayen City.

Eighty-eight of the 563 beneficiaries received electronic land titles (e-titles) issued under the agency’s Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling or Project SPLIT.

“The 88 agrarian reform beneficiaries under the Project SPLIT were previously awarded lands under collective certificates of land ownership award (CCLOAs). This time, they were given individual e-titles after the department went through the process of subdividing the CCLOAs,” Estrella said.

Project SPLIT is meant to strengthen the beneficiaries’ land tenure security and property rights to their lands.

The remaining 475 agrarian reform beneficiaries were awarded regular land titles or CLOAs issued under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

The DAR chief said the distribution activities were anchored on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s plans “to empower the farmers and boost the agricultural sector.”

He announced the positive news about the approval on final reading of House Bill No. 6336 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act by the House of Representatives.

Bautista said in an interview.

“Hindi naman bumagsak ang Philippines, mayroon lang findings and observations na dapat i-address at yun ang ina-address ng MARINA, CHED (Com-

mission on Higher Education), and the maritime schools,” Bautista said.

Bautista said the 13 shortcomings and 23 grievances enumerated by EMSA in its 2020 audit in the Philippines were being addressed by the government to avoid the country from getting “blacklisted” by Europe-based shipping companies.

“Were implementing some reforms especially in training and education of our seafarers. The issue is more on the new graduates kasi ang nakita ng EMSA parang hindi maganda ang curriculum ng ating maritime schools yun ang inaayos ng CHED at MARINA. We have arrangements with CHED, MARINA

and maritime schools to implement the right curriculum,” Bautista added “First we have a Management Level Course, karamihan ng seafarers natin ay mga officers. Isa sa requirements ay mayroong magandang training course. The Manila Level Course is now being implemented by Marina and its a requirement before Marina issued a certification,” Bautista explained.

The DOTr chief, however, said that he is optimistic that the Philippines will pass the EMSA audit. “They [EMSA] are conducting an evaluation so maybe they will submit the report by first or second quarter of next year.”

DBP extends P254-million loan to solar energy firm

THE Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has granted a P254million loan to a renewable energy firm, as the state-run bank ramps up efforts to spur additional investments in the energy sector amid rising demand.

DBP president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Herbosa said the loan to Upgrade Energy Philippines, Inc. (UEP) which was recognized under the bank’s Energy Efficiency Savings (E2SAVE) Program, and was a testament to DBP’s unwavering support to the government’s call to develop the country’s renewable energy resources.

“DBP remains to be at the forefront of funding initiatives aimed at protecting the planet. We are looking to work with more development partners towards ensuring a more sustainable future for the next generations,” Herbosa said.

DBP is reputedly the eighth largest bank in the country in terms of assets and provides credit support to four strategic sectors of the economy – infrastructure and logistics; micro, small and medium enterprises; environment; social services and community development.

On the other hand, the UEP is an engineering, procurement and construction contractor offering renewable energy and energy efficiency technology solutions to various industries in the country to help them reduce their energy consumption.

CAAP gives assurance of safe, efficient air travel

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Thursday assured the public it is working to ensure the safety and efficiency of air travel as the country slowly returns to the prepandemic levels of air passenger and flight volumes.

“These efforts have been paying off, as evidenced by the resumption of commercial and international flight operations in several CAAP-operated airports around the country,” said CAAP director general Capt. Manuel Antonio Tamayo.

He cited as example the Kalibo International Airport which now serves direct flights to South Korea’s Incheon Airport from Air Seoul and T’way Air. As of Dec. 29, the airport has also commenced its direct flights to Taipei with Tigerair.

Loakan (Baguio) Airport has also resumed its commercial operations on Dec. 16 with Philippine Airlines offering flights from Cebu just in time for the Christmas season. Eastern Samar’s Borongan Airport also resumed its commercial flights on Dec. 19 and is now catering to Philippine Airlines flights to Manila via Cebu.

Puerto Princesa International Airport in Palawan, meanwhile, launched international direct flights to Taipei via Tigerair on Dec. 28. The Tigerair A320 aircraft arrived at full capacity in Puerto Princesa with 175 passengers and a crew of seven.

All of these new flights and routes show how air travel is perking up and regaining pre-pandemic numbers in terms of passengers and flights.

With these developments, according to

DTI steps up campaign vs. uncertified Christmas lights

By Othel V. Campos

By Vito Barcelo

BUREAU of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco vows to weed out corrupt immigration personnel as the new BI chief caps the year with 100 days of improvements in the agency.

Tansingco, who celebrated his first 100 days as BI chief has initiated numerous projects meant to fast-track the modernization of the bureau.

He spent Day One inspecting the main office, and proceeded on his second day to conduct an inspection of the BI operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Tansingco reminded frontline officers that he will not tolerate any corrupt activities within the ranks. “Ayoko ng pastillas. Ayokong umabot sa ako pa mismo ang magpoposas sa empleyadong mahuling gumagawa ng kalokohan,” he earlier warned.

Tansingco also initiated the tightening of screening of arriving foreigners from Cambodia and Vietnam in September, following reports from local law enforcement agencies on the uptick of kidnappings and extortion activities by syndicates coming from the two countries.

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has intensified its operations against uncertified and unsafe Christmas lights in Metro Manila during the last four months leading to Christmas Day.

The DTI enforcement team led by the Consumer Protection Group (CPG) headed by Undersecretary Ruth Castelo seized P250,000 worth of uncertified Christmas lights and unlicensed fireworks in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Throughout the holiday season, the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau, a unit

of the CPG, inspected retail establishments selling fireworks and Christmas lights.

The team served notice of violations to 10 retailers for selling uncertified Christmas l ights and 10 retail outlets for selling unlicensed fireworks. Violators were given 48 hours to explain their non-compliance to product standards.

To ensure product quality and safety, the DTI enjoined the public to purchase fireworks with the Philippine Standard (PS) mark; and Christmas lights bearing either the PS Mark or the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC).

Tamayo, CAAP is committed to ensuring the safety and efficiency of air travel in the Philippines. This include the maintenance, management, and improvement of not only terminal operations, but also air navigation and air traffic control facilities. The agency is going full speed ahead in its efforts to provide a safe, comfortable, and efficient service to its passengers, stakeholders, and clients.

“We are determined to make things better in the aviation sector. The perking up of air travel is just one step towards the improvements that the Filipino people can expect from the government. We are committed to working hard to ensure that our airports and air traffic control systems meet international standards and that all aircraft operating in the Philippines are safe and well-maintained,” he said.

DBP senior vice president and head of lending program and management group Carolyn Olfindo said the loan would be used to partially finance the capital expenditure, construction, and installation of a 1,500-Kw rooftop solar power plant project which will be under a Photovoltaic Installation Lease Agreement with the UEP.

She said the arrangement with UEP would be maximized under the DBP E2SAVE Program, which is designed to help public and private institutions improve their productivity by harnessing available new technologies in the market for their energy efficiency and renewable energy projects while allowing loan repayment based on electricity savings to make investment affordable to end-users.

“As of September 2022, DBP has approved 10 accounts under the E2SAVE program with a total loan amount of P947 million,” Olfindo said. “DBP will continue to actively seek more partners for the program to further promote the development of energy efficiency projects in the country.”

SM Foundation’s agri project bears fruits

THE call to support all things local has recently gained the traction it deserves. The consumers’ renewed interest in how products are sourced has led them to see the many hats farmers wear–from crop production and business management to marketing and, at times, advertising–to reach the playing field.

Beyond the buzz, the community has created a cycle of local farmer support. Farmers’ earnings from selling products within the community stay close to home. They reinvest it in their livelihood, strengthening their harvest and services within the community.

To join farmers in their endeavor, SM Foundation’s Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan (KSK) on Sustainable Agriculture program

equipped them with modern farming techniques, tools, kits, and linkages to boost their economic opportunities and bring their products closer to the people.

KSK beneficiaries are also invited to join Farmer’s Market Day in SM Supermalls nationwide to have the opportunity to directly sell their products to mall-goers. Alongside this, healthy and newly harvested products become more accessible to customers.

In SM City San Jose Del Monte Farmer’s Market Day in Bulacan, Mall Manager Jose Mari Correa shared that some farmers were KSK farmer-trainees in 2015–a year before the mall opened. The event in the mall gave them the opportunity to strengthen their learnings from the KSK training programs.

RIZAL DAY. Children read an epitaph on the exact spot in Luneta, Ermita, Manila where a national hero gave his last measure of patriotism. The nation marks today, December 30, 2022, the 126th Death Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Norman Cruz

HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL. Hopeful instant millionaires queue up to place their bets at a lotto outlet in Sta. Cruz Manila with an eye on the jackpot prize in the Ultra lotto draw. Danny Pata

BI chief marks first 100 days of driving reforms

MARKET DAY. It is Market Day at the SM City San Jose Del Monte and KSK farmer Nancy Aguilar proudly shows off her freshly harvested products at the fair. Karugkog Baligang EcoNature Farm

Pay hike for brgy. workers pushed

By Maricel V. Cruz

TWO party-list lawmakers have pushed for the passage of a bill increasing allowances of barangay officials and the grant of honoraria and benefits to barangay workers and tanods should be prioritized to professionalize the recruitment in local government units.

Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre of TINGOG partylist group filed House Bill (HB) 2349 which proposes to increase the allowances of barangay officials, grant honoraria and other benefits to barangay workers, and give barangay tanods who

have served for at least one year such compensation and benefits.

“Under Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, barangay officials are compensated in the form of honorarium at an amount not less than

Makati City approves cash incentive for city hall staff

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Makati City Council has approved an ordinance to give more than 8,000 city hall employees up to P20,000 as Service Recognition Incentive (SRI).

Mayor Abigail Binay said Ordinance No. 2022-A-168 authorizes the allocation of P163,998,000.00 for the SRI.

Also on Wednesday, members of the council approved and signed Ordinance Nos. 2022 A-168 and 2022A-169 to grant job order employees a P5,000 gratuity pay and 25 kilograms of rice assistance.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to our city council for quickly granting the release of the additional incentive for our city employees. I hope this incentive will inspire our employees to

continue to work hard in the service of our Proud Makatizens,” Binay said.

On December 16, 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Administrative Order no. 01, which authorizes the SRI for government employees for the fiscal year 2022.

Binay said there are 3,434 regular, 4,695 casual and 17 contractual employees who will receive the SRI.

The ordinance stipulates that an employee must occupy a casual, regular, or contractual position and is still in government service as of November 30, 2022.

The personnel must have rendered at least four months of satisfactory service, including services rendered under any alternative work arrangements prescribed by the Civil Service Commission.

P1,000 per month for the Punong Barangay and P600 per month for each Sangguniang Barangay member, Barangay Treasurer and Barangay Secretary,” Romualdez and Acidre said. “As the Act was enacted decades ago, such compensations are no longer in accordance with the regional minimum wage level. Further, excluded therein are barangay tanods despite the services they render to their constituents.”

“This bill seeks to provide a compensation package commensurate with the work and services the barangay officials extend to their constituents and to encourage and professionalize the recruit-

ment of barangay officials,” they added.

HB 2349 amends Section 393 of the Local Government Code by increasing the minimum honoraria or allowances that could be given to barangay officials, including barangay tanods and members of Lupong Tagapamayapa.

The proposed law increases the minimum allowance of Punong Barangay from P1,000 to P3,500 per month.

The bill also proposes that the P600 allowance of Sangguniang Barangay members, barangay treasurer, secretary and tanods be increased to P2,500 per month. HB 2349 is pending with the House committee on local government.

Palace names

Clarin as new GAB chairman

“Mr.

The GAB regulates and supervises professional sports and allied activities to combat and prevent the existence and proliferation of illegal bookie joints and other forms of organized illegal gambling connected with all play-for-pay sports and amusement games.

It also exercises supervision and regulation over the operation and conduct of professional sports and their activities to promote and maintain orderly, honest and fair conduct of games; provide protection to the betting public and patrons, practicing licensees in the professional sport concerned; and make professional sports activities a stable base for revenue generation.

Oseña-Paez also said the President also appointed eight new members of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) board of directors– Allan Troy Dandan Baquir, who represents the national government, and Edelberto “Bert” Salgo Mozo and Tomas Fausto Lahom III, who both represent the business and investment sectors.

Meanwhile, acting members representing the private sector are Honorario Kagabio Aliado III, Jose Marie Balandra Ponce, Kenneth Lemuel Go Rementilla, Amable Banco Tolentino and Maria Cecilia Bobadila Vidare.

Under Sec. 13 (c) of Republic Act (RA) No. 7227, or the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992, the SBMA Board of Directors must be composed of 15 members from different sectors.

Department

(DOH) officer-in-charge

PhilHealth discontinues allowances after Supreme Court ruling

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) said it has acknowledged the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) affirming the Commission on Audit’s (COA) ruling that disallowed certain allowances given by the PhilHealth in 2014.

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) reported that it received 481 complaints against telecommunications companies on the first three days of the implementation of the SIM registration act.

DICT Undersecretary Anna Mae Lamentillo said of the total complaints logged by their agency, 195 are from Smart subscribers, 121 from Globe, 83 from Talk and Text, 41 from DITO, 20 from TM, 14 from Sun Cellular, and 7 from GOMO, ABS-CBN News reported.

SIM registration started on December 27.

Reports said subscribers had complained about encountering various technical problems and glitches in registering their SIM cards in compliance with the new law.

Sen. Nancy Binay meanwhile said she wants the DICT and telecommunications companies to set up kiosks for SIM registration to assist mobile phone registrants.

According to the senator, mobile kiosks in malls, plazas, schools, and community centers will both serve as information booths and registration centers.

“Perhaps, we can look as a template or operational model during the pandemic like COVID-19 vaccination centers in LGUs. Meaning, one offsite venue would serve as in inquiry/information booth, and at the same time as a registration center that would assist non-techie mobile users, and those without internet access,” Binay said. With Macon Ramos-Araneta

In a statement, PhilHealth also said it has immediately discontinued the subject allowances.

“We wish to inform the public that PhilHealth immediately discontinued the subject allowances after receipt of the Notice of Disallowance from COA. The subsequent benefits given to our employees have since been aligned with those prescribed under the Salary Standardization Law IV, and now with the Compensation and Position Classification System (CPCS) issued by

the Governance Commission for Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GCG),” Atty. Eli Dino Santos, PhilHealth executive vice president and chief operating officer, in a statement, said.

Santos however noted that “we maintain, however, that those allowances were given in good faith, above board, not extravagant and most of all, well de -

served by the hardworking officers and employees of the state insurer.”

The official added that PhilHealth “will be waiting for the decision of the Supreme Court on our Motion for Reconsideration filed last December 20, 2022” and that “PhilHealth will fully comply with the directive of the Court once issued with finality,”

Gatchalian bats for basic ICT education via STEM

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian said that developing talent for cybersecurity should start with basic education.

Considering the Philippines’ vulnerability to cybercrimes, Gatchalian pressed the importance of filling the country’s shortage of cybersecurity experts.

According to Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary John Ivan Uy, the Philippines has only around 200 certified cybersecurity experts compared to Singapore’s 3,000.

Salceda optimistic on PH virology center bill

By Maricel V. Cruz

Salceda,

The

Dec. 16. The bill is a SONA priority of the Marcos administration.

Gatchalian, the chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education pointed out the need to increase enrollment in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand of senior high school, where potential cybersecurity talents can be developed.

He pointed out that there were only 612,857 senior high school students enrolled under the STEM strand, which is equivalent to only 16% of senior high school enrollment.

“Even in our basic education system, where we could potentially cultivate the talent going into cybersecurity, it’s virtually non-existent,” said Gatchalian, who suggested that skills related to cybersecurity should be taught at the earliest possible opportunity.

ALBAY Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda on Friday expressed optimism that the Senate will prioritize the passage of a bill establishing a virology institute to spearhead the country’s health defense system against pandemics.

chair of the House committee on ways and means and principal author of the said bill, “since we

approved it in the House early, there is enough time in the Senate to get it done this time around,” because the same bill was approved in the 18th Congress.

House led by Speaker Martin G. Romualdez approved House Bill 6452 on third and final reading a week before Congress went on Christmas break on

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has named lawyer Richard Santos Clarin as chairperson of the Games and Amusement Board (GAB).

Richard Santos Clarin has been appointed chairman of the Games and Amusement Board),” Malacañang press briefer Daphne Oseña-Paez said on Thursday.

BLAZE. Firefighters try to put out a fire gutting old houses in Barangay 387 along Arlegui St., Manila on Thursday. An estimated 550 families were displaced by the fire that started around 2:30 am and was declared under control at 4:15 am. Norman Cruz

READINESS INSPECTION.

of Health

Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire inspects East Avenue Hospital in Quezon City, on Thursday to insure the readiness of the facilities for fireworks-related injuries. Manny Palmero

Why journalism is a ‘calling’

I HAVE been asked why I consider being a journalist a “CALLING.”

Being a journalist is a calling because like priests and nuns who are bound to observe chastity, obedience and charity, journalists are bound to their ethics, to write truth and facts, to be just and fair and to balance the news.

That makes a journalist totally different from bloggers and vloggers, with so many in social media today, who are glorified “chismosos” and “chismosas,” who peddle so much fake news and disinformation, Santa Banana!

It is for these reasons why I consider being a journalist a “calling.”

We journalists are in fact accountable for what we write, accountable to the media outlets where we work and to our readers.

That makes us totally and completely different from those peddlers of fake news and different from those in social media. *** *** ***

Days before New Year’s Eve tomorrow there has been a total of 25, or even more, cases of fireworks-related injuries that have been recorded by the Department of Health nationwide.

Santa Banana! I am certain that the amount of cases up to this date has doubled!

The latest report, as I write this column, as reported by the DOH’s Epidemiology Bureau, showed that the most recent cases, consisting of 15 incidents of fireworks-related injuries were reported by some hospitals, from the morning of

One thing about us Filipinos, we can never stop hoping for the best, always seeing ‘the glass as half full’ rather than seeing ‘the glass as half empty’

Christmas Day, which brings up the number recorded in 2021 (20 cases).

My gulay, this report shows that the number of fireworks-related injuries nationwide, especially here in Metro Manila, that people do not seem to learn that firecrackers can injure and kill, especially the banned ones.

Central Visayas and Soccsksargen have the highest number of cases, with three incidents each, while there were two cases each recorded in the Ilocos region, Western Visayas, Davao region and the National Capital Region, mainly Metro Manila, totalling 25 cases.

While the number of fireworks-related injuries may seem small during the period reported, I am certain there will be more people with injuries lining up in hospitals here in Metro Manila.

Despite all the “Iwas Putok” warning of the DOH, and despite the fact that the police are all there in Bocaue, Bulacan, people just love blowing away their money in buying all those firecrackers from underground stalls in Divisoria and even Bocaue, under the very noses of all the police.

I know of somebody who boasts that every year he spends thousands of pesos to buy those funny-sounding firecrackers, because he and his

children want to make sure that they celebrate the year 2023 with a “Big Bang.”

I find all that stupid. But, they do it every year.

And I am certain that there will be more than a hundred lining up at hospital emergency rooms tomorrow evening. They never learn.

It’s for all these reasons that I have been continually pushing for a total ban on firecrackers and harmful pyrotechnics.

Who are the government protecting anyway, my gulay -- the Bocaue manufacturers and peddlers of those deadly firecrackers, at the expense of all the people injured in firecracker accidents by the hundreds?

*** *** ***

As I went over my files to clear my desk of those papers I don’t need, I came across this item.

I don’t know if it’s a prayer or just a reminder of what we are supposed to do, but in any case, I would like to share it, for its worth as the year ends and as we greet 2023 with much hope that it will be a better year than 2022.

One thing about us Filipinos, we can never stop hoping for the best, always seeing “the glass as half full” rather than seeing ”the glass as half empty.”

For one thing, our economy is sound and substantial. That’s one thing I like about the BBM administration, our economic managers are excellent.

And with President “Bongbong” pushing them, the year 2023 has great promise despite all the headwinds , challenges and threats coming our way.

Go for it, Mister President. Achieve our dreams as a people and your dreams in your sixyear term.

With this thought, I greet one and all a happy and prosperous New Year.

IF I CAN (Anonymous)

If I can throw a single ray of light across the darkened pathway of another; If I can aid some soul to clearer sight of life and duty and thus bless my brother; if I can wipe from any human cheek a tear, I shall not have lived my life in vain while here.

If I can guide some erring one to truth, inspire within his heart a sense of duty; if I can plant within my soul a rosy youth a sense of right, a love of truth and beauty; if I can teach one man that God and heaven are near, I shall not have lived in vain while here.

If from my mind I banish doubt and fear, and keep my life attuned to love and kindness; if I can scatter light and hope and cheer, and help remove the curse of mental blindness; if I can make more joy, more hope, less pain, I shall not have lived and loved in vain while here.

If by life’s roadside I can plant a tree, beneath whose shade some wearied head may rest, though I may never share its beauty, I shall yet be truly blessedthough no one knows my name, nor drops a flower upon my grave, I shall not have lived in vain while here.

The tasks ahead

AS WE usher in a new year a day from now, the Marcos Jr. administration must focus on accelerating economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic brought the Philippine economy to its knees for nearly three years.

High oil prices of basic necessities and consumer goods have led to inflation levels that keep many poor Filipinos unable to survive difficult economic circumstances.

It faces the awesome challenge of creating more jobs and livelihood opportunities and implementing infrastructure programs at a faster pace in the coming year and beyond to move the economy forward.

In the political sphere, Marcos Jr. should work towards uniting the nation behind a program of governance aimed at stopping corruption in its tracks.

The government must bring criminal charges against those alleged to have stolen from the national treasury.

If the World Bank has already warned that roughly one-fourth of the annual national budget is likely to be lost to corruption, then the new administration should take draconian measures against public officials deemed incorrigibly corrupt.

Concern has been raised, for instance, over billions of pesos in confidential or intelligence funds in the proposed budgets of some government offices that are not subject to scrutiny by the Commission on Audit.

We ask: Where will the money go? With no auditing of such funds, then these could well end up in the pockets of a lucky few.

Marcos Jr. has vowed to continue the war on drugs, but with focus on the big-time drug lords, not the street dealers, and on rehabilitation and treatment of drug dependents.

Law enforcement and rehabilitation and treatment are two sides of the same coin that should address both the supply and the demand aspects of the problem of illegal drugs.

The National Security Adviser had earlier recommended the resumption of peace negotiations with the communist-led National Democratic Front to end the 54-year-old armed rebellion.

This might be the opportune time for the government to do so with the recent passing of Jose Ma. Sison, the founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines that leads the New People’s Army as well as the National Democratic Front.

As things now stand, the government appears determined to stop the rebellion by launching allout war in the countryside, not through political negotiations.

The first six months

THE Marcos Jr. administration marks its first six months in office by the end of December. This milestone gives us the opportunity to evaluate a few critical aspects of governance during this period.

During the presidential campaign, candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr.— popularly known as Bongbong Marcos—consistently harped on “unity” as his overarching goal for the nation if elected.

No doubt, the nation must be united if it hopes to surmount the many challenges in the economic, political, social and foreign policy fronts.

When he was sworn in as Chief Executive at noon of June 30, Marcos Jr. pledged to faithfully and conscientiously fulfill his duties as president, preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate himself to the service of the nation.

The part about defending the Constitution is perhaps the most important in his oath of office, since laws emanate from its key provisions and it contains the broad outlines of the duties and responsibilities of public officials.

The new administration hit the

This strength must henceforth be channeled into sustained efforts to revitalize the economy, institute the needed reforms to improve governance, and provide vital social services such as education and health especially to the poor and disadvantaged sectors as we usher in a new year

ground running with its economic managers setting clear targets for the next six years.

The goal is to have a 6.5 to 8 percent real gross domestic product growth annually between 2023 to 2028, and to reduce the country’s poverty rate to 9 percent by 2028.

Tax reforms would also be put in place to increase revenue collection and to expand the previous administration’s aggressive infrastructure program.

Early on, Marcos said he would “not preside over any process that will abandon even a square inch of the territory of the Republic of the Philippines to any foreign power.

With respect to our place in the community of nations, the Philippines shall continue to be “a friend to all. And an enemy to none.”

This underpinned the diplomatic blitz that he launched with visits to Indonesia, Singapore, United States, Cambodia, Thailand and Belgium for various meetings.

In December, the two chambers of Congress approved the proposed P5.268trillion budget for 2023. The Chief Executive signed the measure which seeks to reinvigorate job creation and reduce poverty by steering the economy back to its growth path before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The administration also moved to ease restrictive health and safety protocols adopted at the height of COVID-19 and to restore full face-to-face classes starting in September.

The Marcos Jr. administration started from a position of strength with a landslide victory in the polls.

But this strength must henceforth be channeled into sustained efforts to revitalize the economy, institute the needed reforms to improve governance, and provide vital social services such as education and health especially to the poor and disadvantaged sectors as we usher in a new year.

Rizal, Padre Damaso and the Catholic Church today

TODAY marks the 126th anniversary of the execution of our national hero, Jose Rizal, by Spanish colonial authorities.

Born to a wealthy illustrado Filipino family, Rizal could have enjoyed his privileged status in society by simply conforming to the status quo, where the Spanish insulares in the Philippines respected the local elite in exchange for their cooperation with Madrid’s colonial authorities in the islands.

That arrangement also meant the continuing maltreatment and exploitation of all not well-to-do Filipinos, whom the Spaniards derisively referred to as Indios.

Rizal utilized his writing skills to expose the plight of his people. He also wrote poetry in Spanish to prove that the Indios do not deserve the very low regard the Spaniards had for them.

In addition, Rizal was also a physician, a sportsman, a cosmopolitan gentleman, and quite a ladies’ man, too.

Rizal’s greatest legacies to Filipinos and the world were his two novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. I first encountered the two novels as compulsory reading in high school.

Since almost all Filipinos of my youthful years were not familiar with Spanish, my classmates and I had to settle for the Tagalog versions of the novels, with some side references to English translations.

That was unfortunate for me and my classmates, because there is always something in great foreign-language literature that is lost in the process of translation.

Noli and Fili exposed the abuses committed by the friars of the Roman Catholic Church during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines.

By reading Noli and Fili, my classmates and I learned about the acts of lasciviousness repeatedly committed, and the foul language employed, by nefarious characters like Padre Damaso, Padre Salvi and Padre Camorra.

We also found out about the wicked ways of other disdainful friars such as Padre Millon, Padre Sybila and Padre Irene. They were evil to the core.

These fictional villains wearing priestly robes were based on real Spanish friars during Rizal’s time, but whose real names have been changed by the great novelist.

The said friars, or the real clergy of Rizal’s time whom they were supposed to symbolize in the novels, abused their privileged position in Philippine society, which at that time espoused the union of Church and State.

The rational thing to do is for both sides to face each other across the negotiating table and hammer out differences to find common ground.

The resumption of face-to-face classes with the much-improved COVID-19 situation is another positive development in the past year.

But much remains to be done to ensure that vital social services such as education and health are given priority by the government at both the national and local levels.

The new administration is taking the correct step in emphasizing an independent foreign policy.

But will the Marcos Jr. administration take a strong stand against Chinese incursions in our Exclusive Economic Zone in the South China Sea?

The challenge for the new administration is to achieve lasting political stability, sustained economic growth and social harmony in the next fiveand-a half years.

That will require a clear vision for the future that succeeding administrations can build upon.

Can the Marcos administration rise to the challenge of securing a future for the nation anchored on the rule of law, inclusive growth and participa-

They irresponsibly exercised both political and sectarian power during their time.

One important lesson taught by Noli and Fili to generations of Filipinos is the need to maintain the separation of Church and State, and not to be too trusting towards many priests, especially the ranking clergy.

That early, Rizal saw the need for the separation of Church and State in the Philippines.

Rizal was right. The Church should not be allowed to meddle in politics

It was only a few years after Rizal’s execution that the separation of Church and State became a legal doctrine in the Philippines, during the advent of American constitutional government in the islands.

The compulsory teaching and reading of Noli and Fili in public and private high schools in the Philippines is mandated by Republic Act 1425, approved on June 12, 1956.

Its principal sponsors were Senators Jose P. Laurel and Claro M. Recto, both icons in the field of legislation of their time. Laurel and Recto defended their bill against politicians identified with the country’s Catholic Church.

Church opposition to the Noli and Fili law was expected, because Rizal’s novels will undoubtedly encourage Filipinos to think more critically of the Church, particularly its doctrines and its officials.

Moreover, the Church and its allies saw Noli and Fili as threats to the status quo enjoyed by the Church over the vast majority of the Filipino people, i.e., the subservience and docility of the Catholic faithful to the Filipino priests.

With the enactment of R.A. 1425, many Filipinos started seeing priests more critically, and even began learning that there were many Padre Damasos and his kind among the clergy.

Naturally, Church officialdom, even if in the hands of Filipinos, was embarrassed.

Despite R.A. 1425, modern day Filipino friars still meddle in politics.

tory democracy?

At this juncture, perhaps we need to remember what the national hero Jose Rizal once said: “Governments are established for the welfare of the people, and in order to accomplish this purpose properly, they have to follow the suggestions of the citizens who are the ones best qualified to understand their own needs.”

Lawyers’ groups condemn attacks

Lawyers are up in arms over the killing of their compañeros.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines–Negros Occidental chapter has strongly condemned the fatal shooting of Atty. Danny Pondevilla last December 20 in Bacolod City.

The group called on the police to exert every legal means to identify the suspect and to bring the perpetrator to justice as “an assault on any member of the legal profession is an assault on the entire community (of lawyers).”

“We will continue to be vigilant. We will continue to pursue our goal to let the rule of law prevail,” the lawyers’ group said. This is by no means an isolated case.

Also, a number of them have been reported in the media as having been involved in sex abuse and physical violence.

The clergy were at the peak of their power and influence in the government during the administrations of Presidents Corazon Aquino and her son Noynoy. Friars interfered with state policies and appointments to high positions in the government. Many of today’s Padre Damasos found themselves out of power and influence during the nononsense term of President Rodrigo Duterte. That is why the friars openly supported the presidential run of Leni Robredo in the May 2022 elections.

The Padre Damasos believed that the superficial and gullible Robredo can easily be threatened with spiritual damnation if she did not kowtow to Church officials and their political agenda.

Rizal was right. The Church should not be allowed to meddle in politics.

Last November, the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers asked the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland to hold the Philippine government accountable for the continuing attacks against lawyers, prosecutors and judges in the country.

NUPL said 59 out of the 133 lawyers, judges and prosecutors who had been killed since 1984 were attacked during the previous administration.

But the group lamented that the harassment of lawyers and judges “has gone unabated” under the new administration.

“We urge UN Human Rights Council memberstates to compel the government to stop committing human rights violations against Filipino human rights defenders,” the NUPL said.

“These attacks on officers of the court have to stop once and for all,” they added, and urged the government “to conduct transparent, independent and impartial investigations” of the killings and to ensure that those responsible will be brought to justice.

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano

Joyce Pangco Pañares

The Marcos government faces the awesome challenge of creating more jobs and livelihood opportunities and implementing infrastructure programs at a faster pace in the coming year and beyond to move the economy forward

Ukraine reports ‘massive’ Russian missile attack, at least 3 wounded

AFRESH barrage of Russian strikes battered Ukraine on Thursday, wounding at least three people including a teenager in Kyiv and cutting electricity in the west.

On Thursday morning, blasts were reported across the vast country including in the Ukrainian capital, the second city Kharkiv in the east and the western city of Lviv on the border with Poland.

Most of Lviv, where Russian strikes are still rare, was left without electricity, its mayor Andriy Sadoviy said.

“The enemy is attacking Ukraine from various directions with air and sea-based cruise missiles from strategic aircraft and ships,” Ukraine’s air

force said on social media, calling the attack “massive.”

Presidential aide Mykhaylo Podolyak said that more than 120 missiles had been fired.

After a series of humiliating battlefield setbacks and lost territory this summer and autumn, Moscow has stepped up its aerial campaign repeatedly targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with drones and missiles.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that

Twitter outages hit thousands of users worldwide for hours

TWITTER users around the world reported errors accessing it for several hours, web monitors said Wednesday, in one of the biggest outages since Elon Musk bought the platform.

Twitter has been riven by chaos since the controversial billionaire completed his $44 billion acquisition in October and quickly moved to cut costs.

Thousands of employees – including engineers – have since been fired or quit, raising concerns about Twitter’s ability to quickly fix outages and technical problems.

DownDetector reported a spike in issues with Twitter starting around 7 pm Eastern time (midnight GMT), with users unable to see their main feed, check notifications or use other functions

Pygmy elephant gores handler to death in Malaysia

A PYGMY elephant gored its handler to death at a wildlife park in Malaysia’s eastern Sabah state in a Christmas Day tragedy, conservation officials said Thursday.

Joe Fred Lansou, 49, was treating an injured calf when another captive adult elephant suddenly “tusked him very badly” in the chest and abdomen, Sabah Wildlife director Augustine Tuuga told AFP.

“He died at the scene,” Tuuga added.

The tragedy took place on December 25 at the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park on Borneo island.

“It is truly an unfortunate incident. We will undertake an investigation to determine the cause,” the state’s minister for tourism, culture and environment, Jafry Ariffin, told AFP.

The park serves as a sanctuary for 16 pygmy elephants, an endangered species, but has just six staff members to manage them.

The elephant that killed its handler was the sole survivor of a deadly poisoning that left a herd of 14 Borneo pygmy elephants dead nine years ago, the Star newspaper reported on Thursday.

In December 2011, a wild pygmy elephant killed an Australian tourist at the Tabin Wildlife Reserve in the east coast of Sabah state. AFP

such as lists.

“Can anyone see this or is Twitter broken,” tweeted one user.

“Works for me,” replied Musk.

At the peak of the outage – which appeared to be resolving as of 0400 GMT – DownDetector clocked more than 10,000 complaints in the United States, as the hashtag #TwitterDown trended on the platform.

The number of reports logged by the monitor from other countries ranged from a few hundred to several thousand.

According to DownDetector’s breakdown, the outage appeared to mainly affect people using Twitter on the web interface. Around 10 percent of complaints logged by the monitor were from mobile app users. AFP

at least three people were wounded in the strikes, including a 14-year-old girl.

He warned of potential power cuts and called on residents to stock up on water.

Two private houses were hit by fragments of downed missiles in the east of the capital while an industrial enterprise and a playground were damaged in the city’s southwest, city officials said.

In the east, a “series of explosions” hit Ukraine’s second city Kharkiv, Mayor Igor Terekhov said.

Governor Oleg Synegubov said “critical infrastructure” was targeted in the region of Kharkiv and its main city where four missiles hit eastern and southern neighbourhoods.

In the historic city of Lviv, Mayor Sadoviy warned of potential water cuts.

Lviv governor Maksim Kozytski said that air defence was at work and called on residents to stay in shelters.

In the south, Odessa governor Maksym Marchenko said air defence shot down 21 missiles over the region.

“Fragments of one of the enemy missiles fell inside a residential building, fortunately there were no casualties,” he said.

He added that there was damage to energy infrastructure and emergency power cuts were enforced in the region. AFP

Ten killed, 30 injured in huge hotel-casino fire

AS MANY as 10 people have died in a fire at a Cambodian hotel-casino on the border of Thailand, with photos showing groups desperately huddled on ledges as fierce flames surround them.

The blaze at the Grand Diamond City hotel-casino in Poipet broke out late Wednesday night at around 11:30 pm local (1630 GMT), Cambodian police said.

A provisional police report seen by AFP said “about 10 people died and 30 people injured,” adding that around 400 individuals were believed to be working at the venue.

Images obtained by AFP showed the building consumed by flames, with firefighters struggling to contain the intense blaze and rescuers attempting to pluck people from a burning ledge.

In one clip, an unidentified man is seen sitting on a window ledge as smoke billows from the window behind him. In another, a group of people huddles on a ledge as flames near them.

Local media reported that foreign nationals were inside the casino at the time of the fire.

A Thai foreign ministry source said they were coordinating closely with local authorities, with the injured transferred to hospitals in Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province.

“The authorities have been trying to control the fire including by sending in firetrucks from the Thai side,” they said.

A volunteer with Thai rescue group the Ruamkatanyu Foundation said the blaze started on the first floor but spread quickly along the carpets, leaping up through the multi-storey building.

Cambodia is one of Southeast Asia’s poorest countries and its citizens are officially barred from playing in the casinos.

There are numerous hotel-casinos clustered along the Thai-Cambodian border, with Poipet a popular holiday destination for visitors from Thailand, where most forms of gambling are illegal. AFP

Netanyahu back in power with extreme-right

AFTER a stint in opposition, Benjamin Netanyahu will return to power in Israel on Thursday, leading what analysts describe as the most rightwing government in the country’s history.

Senior security and law enforcement officials have already voiced concern over its direction, as have Palestinians.

“It becomes for Netanyahu’s partners a dream government,” Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute think-tank, told AFP.

Five dead in South Korea road tunnel fire

FIVE people have been killed and dozens injured after a bus and truck crash caused a huge fire at an expressway tunnel on the outskirts of Seoul, the local fire department told AFP.

Images of the scene in local media showed huge flames and plumes of smoke rising from the tunnel, as hundreds of firefighters battled to bring the blaze under control.

The fire started when a bus collided with a truck at around 1:50 p.m. (0450 GMT) in the expressway tunnel in Gwacheon, an official at the Gwacheon fire department told AFP.

The raised tunnel, which is designed to protect surrounding buildings from the noise of the road, was quickly engulfed in flames, images in local media showed.

Firefighters have brought the blaze under control, the official said.

“We are doing a search inside the tunnel in case of additional casualties,” the official added.

After initially saying that six people had been killed, authorities have revised down the death toll to five, with 37 people injured.

Some of the injured have suffered

Bolivia charges key opposition leader

BOLIVIAN police arrested Luis Fernando Camacho, governor of the economic powerhouse Santa Cruz region, on “terrorism” charges, setting off street clashes between his supporters and security forces.

“We inform the Bolivian people that the Bolivian police executed an arrest warrant against Luis Fernando Camacho,” Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo said, adding that Camacho was flown to La Paz, the administrative capital, for questioning.

Camacho, a former right-wing presidential candidate, was under investigation on several charges, including for an alleged role in the resignation of leftist

president Evo Morales in 2019, and for allegedly fanning protests in Santa Cruz this year.

The public prosecutor’s office said Camacho was accused of “terrorism” in relation to efforts to oust Morales, without providing further details.

The charge echoed the arrest and trial of former president Jeanine Anez, who was detained in 2021 and given a 10-year prison term in June for allegedly plotting the toppling of Morales.

The governor’s office, meanwhile, claimed Camacho had been “kidnapped in a completely irregular police operation.” AFP

from burns, the official said.

“Three have suffered burns on facial areas while the rest are being treated for smoke inhalation,” he said.

Interior Minister Lee Sang-min called for “maximum resources deployed” to save lives, the Yonhap News Agency reported.

“I urge the authorities to put out the best efforts to save the lives of those who have not escaped,” he said.

The fatal accident comes just months after 150 people, mostly young women, were killed in a Halloween crowd crush in the Itaewon nightlife district. AFP

“And one side’s dream is the other side’s nightmare,” he said, adding: “This government is expected to take the country in a completely new trajectory.”

Netanyahu, 73, who is fighting corruption allegations in court, already served as prime minister longer than anyone in Israeli history, including a record 12-year tenure from 2009 to 2021 and a three-year period in the late 90s.

He was ousted from power in the spring of 2021 by a motley coalition of leftists, centrists and Arab parties headed by Naftali Bennett and former TV news anchor Yair Lapid.

It didn’t take him long to come back. Netanyahu will present his new government to the Israeli parliament for a ratification vote at 11:00 am (0900 GMT).

FIERY NIGHTMARE. Firefighters and rescue workers gather at the site of a fire at the Cambodian hotel-casino Grand Diamond City in Poipet on the border of Thailand on December 29, 2022. As many as 10 people have died in the fire. AFP

TAKING A DIP. A young Sikh devotee takes a bath in the holy Sarovar (pool) on the occasion of the birth anniversary celebrations of the tenth Guru of the Sikhs Guru Gobind Singh at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on December 29, 2022. AFP

MAJESTIC VIEW. Tourists take photographs at the Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario,

Vietnam’s GDP expands by 8% on strong exports

1 KEP 3.97 1.17 41.79%

2 LSC 0.58 0.13 28.89% 3 FAF 0.72 0.12 20.00% 4 PTC 119 19 19.00%

5 BCOR 7.92 0.88 12.50%

6 NOW 2.24 0.24 12.00%

7 MREIT 14.48 1.54 11.90%

8 CPM 3.5 0.36 11.46% 9 PXP 7.67 0.58 8.18% 10 DFNN 3.59 0.27 8.13%

TOP LOSERS

1 VMC 2.59 -0.39 -13.09%

2 PPC 5.05 -0.68 -11.87%

3 LPC 0.13 -0.016 -10.96%

4 ATNB 0.35 -0.035 -9.09%

5 PRMX 2.11 -0.18 -7.86%

6 APL 0.033 -0.002 -5.71%

7 ACE 1.32 -0.08 -5.71%

8 LC 0.109 -0.006 -5.22%

9 MEG 2 -0.1 -4.76%

10 MAXS 4.88 -0.21 -4.13%

MOST ACTIVE

VOLUME VALUE (PHP)

1 SMPH 37,985,700 1,332,747,740

2 SM 623,110 563,146,580

3 ALI 10,155,300 310,850,835

4 TEL 220,875 290,977,700

5 BDO 2,536,840 268,152,889

6 ICT 1,111,840 223,217,766

7 CNVRG 11,920,200 188,032,638

8 DMC 15,875,700 185,052,382

9 MONDE 15,353,600 172,037,162 10 ACEN 19,417,400 148,034,141

Stock market declines; index down 7.8% in 2022

By Jenni er B. Austria

The PSE index, the 30-company benchmark of the Philippine Stock Exchange ended 2022 in the red to close at 6,566.39, down 7.81 percent from 2021, dragged by rising inflation and interest rates.

Analysts said while the easing mobility restrictions renewed investor optimism and boosted economic activity, this was negated by rising costs of raw materials due to global supply chain problem, higher oil prices and increase in demand as global economies reopened after two years of COVID isolation.

COL Financial head of institutional sales Adrian Yu said despite the local market’s performance in 2022, the PSEi still performed better than global and regional peers.

“Overall, considering the headwinds in 2022, the PSEi fared quite better, especially if you consider how global central

banks have raised rates,” Yu said. Data showed that on the last trading day of 2022, the PSEi ended in flat, declining by 0.15 point amid mixed sentiments as investors assess the outlook for 2023.

Philstocks Financial Inc. assistant research manager Claire Alviar said investors were worried about adverse impact of continued monetary tightening and heightened possibility of the US going into recession.

Luis Limlingan, managing director of Regina Capital and Development Corp., said market sentiments were also affected by easing quarantine rules in China despite resurging new virus cases.

Daily average value turnover reached P7.30 billion this year, down by 18.9 percent from 2021’s P9 billion. The market registered P67.95 billion worth of net foreign selling, compared to P2.75 billion in net foreign selling in 2021.

Total capital raised from primary and secondary shares amounted to P110.29 billion,

Travel misery grinds on as US digs out from superstorm

By Erwan Lucas with John Biers in New York

BALTIMORE, United States—Thousands more flights were canceled across the United States on Wednesday, with no end in sight to days of travel misery as the country digs out from a deadly superstorm.

Officials in Erie county in western New York—the area of the country hardest hit by the massive winter storm—lifted their death toll to 37, taking the national total to at least 59.

Around-the-clock work to restore electricity continued in the county’s main city of Buffalo, with the number of outages down to 128 residents, Mayor Byron Brown told CNN later in the day.

Another kind of crisis was playing out at US airports around the country, as Southwest Airlines was forced to cancel thousands more flights to try to recover from a spiraling logistics breakdown.

The airline’s woes stranded thousands of customers as well as pilots and flight attendants.

Video on social media showed rows and rows of stranded bags at Southwest in claim areas at airports in Nashville, Orlando, and other cities.

“I didn’t try to come earlier this week; it seems to have been such a mess,” said Donald Sneyder, who found himself back at the Baltimore airport three days after his flight to Indianapolis was canceled.

“But I hope to get my luggage back today.”

As she waited in a line of 50, another passenger in Baltimore told AFP she hoped to locate the child seat for her two-month-old.

Wellness checks

The storm, which descended on the United States just before the busy Christmas holiday weekend, led to unusually cold weather in much of the country, including southern states like Texas and Florida.

Temperatures were moderating nationwide Wednesday, including in Buffalo, even as the region remained in triage mode.

The city, on the shores of Lake Erie near the Canadian border, has seen a majority of the storm-related fatalities.

As temperatures plummeted Friday night, commuters and some residents fleeing their freezing homes became

“There are multiple unidentified bodies at this point,” said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz on Twitter.

The National Guard planned to conduct door-to-door wellness checks for every home in areas that lost power, Poloncarz said.

Brown meanwhile told CNN he hoped to be able to lift a fiveday-old travel ban before the start of business on Thursday as most roads were now clear.

Officials also began bracing for the next possible crisis: the impact of large amounts of melting snow.

In advance of temperatures reaching into the 50s Fahrenheit by Friday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul late Wednesday ordered deployment of pumps and sandbags in case of “potentially dangerous flooding conditions.”

Southwest ‘optimistic’ Southwest Airlines was still days away from resolving its systemwide breakdown: the carrier canceled more than 2,500 flights on Wednesday, accounting for nearly 90 percent of all scrubbed US flights, according to tracking website FlightAware.

In a series of media

appearances, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recounted telling Southwest Chief Executive Bob Jordan that the government would “hold them accountable” in requiring the airline to compensate customers for the mounting costs of canceled flights and travelrelated expenditures. AFP

PUBLIC NOTICE

Due to the requirement of applying for a change of business status from sole proprietorship to becoming a corporation, our business original name Sandbank Construction and Development with Business Registration No.: 2659387 and PCAB No.: 41317 will be changed to Sandbank Construction Corp.

Although the company name has been changed, our original business scope and contact numbers remain the same. All kinds of contracts, agreements, credits and debts are still legally valid.

Since this announcement posted, we have already reported our business change of name and status to the authority for further processing.

or 53 percent lower than P234.48 billion raised in the previous year.

Despite the lower capital raised, the PSE had nine initial public offerings in 2022, the most number of IPOs in a single year since 2007. Other capital raising activities this year included one listing by way of introduction, fi ve stock rights offerings and 12 private placements. With AFP

MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

HANOI, Vietnam—Vietnam’s economy grew by eight percent in 2022, driven by strong exports and retail sales, authorities said on Thursday.

Growth in the communist nation stuttered at around three percent for two consecutive years due to the pandemic.

Before that, Vietnam was a success story among Asian economies, posting a growth of seven percent in 2019.

This year the economy grew by an estimated 8 percent, beating the government’s target of 6-6.5 percent, the official statistics office said.

“The economy has recovered” from the Covid-19 pandemic, it added.

However, growth slowed in the final quarter of the year as economies worldwide were hammered by the war in Ukraine and massive infl ation.

Exports turnover in the fourth quarter experienced a year-on-year decline of 6.1 percent due to a lack of overseas orders, the statistics office said.

Earlier this month, the Asian Development Bank forecasted growth of 7.5 percent for Vietnam’s economy for 2022, although it warned of weakening global demand for its exports.

The lender said it forecast Vietnam’s economy to grow 6.3 percent in 2023.

The recent cost-of-living crisis in Europe and the United States—major markets for Vietnamese-produced goods—has seen the buying power of Western shoppers plunge.

According to the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, almost half a million workers have had their hours slashed during the last four months of this year, while about 40,000 people have lost their jobs. AFP

CYAN

RECYCLED HOUSE. A local resident looks at an atypical house made from recycled foam, occupied by its builder David, a homeless local, in Tournefeuille near Toulouse, south-western France, on Dec. 28, 2022. AFP

Southwest Airlines sta tend the counter in the check in area on Dec. 28 at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. The perfect storm of erce snow squalls, howling wind and sub-zero temperatures forced the cancellation of thousands of ights in recent days, including around 5,900 on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to tracking site FlightAware.com. AFP trapped on highways, with first responders unable to reach them.

Vista Land issues

P12-b three-year corporate notes

By Jenni er B. Austria

VISTA Land & Lifescapes Inc., the real estate arm of billionaire Manuel Villar Jr., said Thursday it issued P12 billion worth of three-year corporate notes.

Vista Land said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it made an initial drawdown of P8.6 billion at a fixed rate of 7.9314 percent per annum.

“The proceeds of the corporate notes facility will be used to refinance existing or maturing obligations of the group and for other general corporate purposes,” Vista Land said.

BDO Capital & Investment Corp., China Bank Capital Corp. and Union Bank of the Philippines are the lead arrangers for the transaction.

Vista Land’s subsidiaries Brittany Corp., Crown Asia Properties Inc., Camella Homes Inc., Communities Philippines Inc., Vista Residences Inc. and Vistamalls Inc. are included as subsidiary guarantors.

The property firm in June also raised P2 billion from the issuance of corporate notes at a fixed interest of 7.2359 percent per annum.

It used the proceeds from the notes issuance also to refinance existing or maturing obligations.

Vista Land, which has been known for its house-and-lot developments, earlier said it would focus on vertical housing developments in cities as land values increased in the past years.

It launched Vista Estates program, which focuses on building an integrated, mixed-use urban projects with commercial, residential and office components.

It plans to launch 44 Vista Estates spanning over 1,400 hectares.

House-and-lot developments account for bulk of the group’s sales. Moving forward, it expects sales from vertical developments to surpass the sales from horizontal developments.

Vista Land nine-month net income jumped 12 percent to P6.68 billion from P5.98 billion reported in the same period last year. Nine-month revenues went down by 5.1 percent to P21.2 billion from P22.4 billion as lower real estate sales offset the higher rental income.

DITO Telecom eyes

P27-b capex in 2023 to expand network

By Darwin G. Amojelar

DITO Telecommunity Corp. said Thursday it will spending P27 billion in capital expenditures next year to further expand its network nationwide.

“For next year, I think it’s [capex] still about P27 billion,” DITO chief administrative officer Adel Tamano said. DITO’s 2023 capex is lower than the P50-billion capex programmed this year.

The company already spent over P150 billion for the initial rollout of its infrastructure and other operating expenses as part of its commitment to invest P257 billion over a five-year period to achieve 55 megabits per second of internet speed, covering 84 percent of the population.

Tamano also said the company’s subscriber base reached more than 14 million, exceeding its 12 million target for 2022. “For next year, we want to double that,” he said.

Tamano said DITO’s population coverage reached about 74 percent.

Parent firm DITO CME Holdings Corp. earlier reported a consolidated net loss of P26.42 billion from January to September, higher than the P9.65-billion loss in the same period last year.

DITO CME blamed the huge losses to higher operating expenses and higher other charges offset by gross revenue generated from the start of DITO Tel’s commercial operations on March 8, 2021.

Consolidated revenues amounted to P5.04 billion.

The group reported a capital deficiency of P28. 70 billion as of end-September. “Despite the reported capital deficiency, management is confident that the group can continue as a going concern as management believes that the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet its maturing obligations,” the company said.

SMC rescues debt-saddled Albay Electric Cooperative

By Alena Mae S. Flores

SAN Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp., the power generation arm of San Miguel Corp., said Thursday it had come to the rescue of debtsaddled Albay Electric Cooperative and assured the province of continuous power supply for the next 12 months.

SMC, through subsidiary Masinloc Power Partners Co. Ltd. which is the owner and operator of the 1,000-megawatt Masinloc power plant, agreed to supply ALECO’s full power requirements for 12 months following a series of discussions.

The National Electrification Administration sought the help of SMC president Ramon Ang to prevent ALECO’s imminent disconnection from the grid following a failure to secure emergency power

supply contracts with other firms due to the cooperative’s credit issues.

The Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines, the operator of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, raised concerns over recent massive power purchases made by ALECO. IEMOP was seeking credit support for ALECO’s purchases in view of its historical credit standing.

SMCGP said the supply agreement would enable ALECO to prevent any further credit concerns with IEMOP, which could compromise energy security in the area.

“This power supply agreement is not for-profit, and is primarily in consideration of the welfare of the people of Albay, who would have otherwise been disconnected from the grid. While SMGP has pending legal issues with ALECO, which we are pursuing, we are still very much concerned about the welfare of the people of Albay,” said Ang.

Ang thanked NEA administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda, who stepped in to help address the critical concern of power users in the province and “all stakeholders have now come together to find a workable solution.”

Almeda expressed gratitude to SMC

for agreeing to come to ALECO’s rescue by committing to provides its power supply for the next year. He also recognized the Department of Energy for its support of the agreement.

“Since we became involved, our goal was always to ensure continuous power supply to ALECO customers, despite the cooperative’s troubles. While no emergency power contracts could be finalized with the other generation firms, SMC and RSA did not hesitate to help when we approached them,” Almeda said.

“We will continue to work with all stakeholders to help make this supply agreement work for the benefit of consumers,” he said.

Ang gave NEA and the DOE full assurance of SMCGP’s support in providing the entire power requirements of those in ALECO’s franchise area. SMCGP, NEA and ALECO signed the emergency power supply agreement on Dec. 29 at the SMCGP head office despite ALECO’s pending legal issues with another SMCGP firm, Albay Power Energy Corp., which includes unpaid claims and advances amounting to P5 billion related to their earlier terminated concession agreement.

6,566.39 F

United

Dollar 1.00000056.1200 Japan Yen 0.0074370.4174 UKPound1.20170067.4394 Hong KongDollar0.1282897.1996 SwitzerlandFranc1.07677460.4286 CanadaDollar0.73486241.2405 SingaporeDollar0.74090541.5796 AustraliaDollar0.67360037.8024 BahrainDinar2.652450148.8555 Saudi Arabia Rial 0.26609914.9335 BruneiDollar0.73817141.4262 IndonesiaRupiah0.0000640.0036 Thailand Baht 0.0287481.6133

UAE Dirham0.27230115.2815

EuroEuro 1.06120059.5545 Korea Won 0.0007850.0441

ChinaYuan0.1432158.0372 IndiaRupee0.0120870.6783 MalaysiaRinggit0.22624412.6968 New Zealand Dollar 0.63090035.4061 TaiwanDollar0.0324661.8220 Source:

THE peso depreciated 9.3 percent against the US dollar in 2022, pulled down by global uncertainties that impacted financial markets, including the surge in commodity prices that forced the US Federal Reserve and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to aggressively raise interest rates.

Data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines website showed the peso ended the year at 55.755 a dollar, losing P4.756 compared to the 50.999 on the last trading day of 2021. It was, however, stronger than the 56.20 on Dec. 28. Total volume turnover reached $807.8 million, down from $882.85 million previously.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the year-todate performance of the peso was still somewhat similar to other regional currencies such as the Indian rupee, Indonesian rupiah, Chinese yuan, Malaysian ringgit and Thai baht.

He said a “still relatively weaker peso in recent months could still increase the possibility of further local policy rate hikes and possibly matching future Fed rate hikes if inflation remains high.”

Ricafort earlier said the peso could weaken in the first quarter after the holiday season. Julito G. Rada

700-MW ACEN projects to start operations in 2023

ACEN Corp., the energy arm of Ayala Corp., expects to start the operations of around 700 megawatts of solar and wind projects within the next 12 months.

“ACEN is currently building over 1,000 MW of solar and wind projects in the Philippines, of which around 700 MW is expected to start operations within the next 12 months,” ACEN president Eric Francia said when asked about the company’s plans next year. He said the additional capacity would help alleviate the supply pressure next year and contribute to the attainment of the country’s renewable targets.

“2023 will remain challenging especially given the declining output from Malampaya and the continued electricity demand growth on the back of economic recovery,” Francia said.

Francia said that to support the scaling up of renewable projects, the country should incorporate more energy storage in the system.

“It is, therefore, critical to get the reserve market operational soonest,” he said. Alena Mae S. Flores

Veterans Sons & Daughters re-elect Mendoza president

By Julito G. Rada

THE residential real estate prices in the country went up by 6.5 percent year-onyear and 4.6 percent quarter-on-quarter in the third quarter, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Thursday.

The BSP said that based on the results of the latest residential real estate price index, residential property prices in Metro Manila went up by 17.5 percent in the third quarter from a year ago.

Prices in areas outside the National Capital Region also increased 2.3 percent.

“On a quarter-on-quarter basis, residential property prices rose by 14.6 percent in the NCR, but contracted by 0.4 percent in the areas outside NCR,” the BSP said.

Data showed that the costs of condominium units and single-de-

tached/attached houses rose, offsetting the decrease in the prices of townhouses.

Prices of duplex housing units, condominium units and single-detached/ attached houses contributed to the yearon-year growth in the nationwide price index, rising by 26.7 percent, 19.2 percent and 9.8 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, prices of townhouses declined 16.3 percent.

The BSP said the 4.6-percent quarteron-quarter growth in the RREPI could be attributed to the higher prices of condominium units (by 12.0 percent), duplex housing units (by 3.4 percent), and single-detached/attached houses (by 2.7 percent). Meanwhile, prices of townhouses declined by 2.1 percent.

Residential real estate loans granted for all types of new housing units in the Philippines decreased 4.2 percent

year-on-year in the third quarter, as loans in the NCR and in the provinces contracted by 2.0 percent and 5.7 percent, respectively.

The nationwide availment of housing loans rose 19 percent quarter-on-quarter, following the 32.0-percent and 11.5-percent growth in loans in the NCR and AONCR, respectively.

The average appraised value of new housing units in the Philippines reached P84,589 per square meter in the third quarter. The average appraised value per sq. m. in the NCR was at P139,283, higher than the average appraised value in other areas at P47,129.

Data showed that most of the residential property loans were used for the acquisition of single-detached/attached houses (47.5 percent), followed by condominium units (39.0 percent) and townhouses (13.0 percent).

THE Veterans Federation of the Philippines Sons and Daughters Association Inc. re-elected Deputy Speaker and TUCP Party Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza as its national president.

The group also elected Veterans Bank first vice president Miguel Angelo Villa-Real as its national executive vice-President during its national assembly. Mendoza is the son of labor leader and WWII veteran Democrito Mendoza, while Villa-Real is the grandson of former Education Undersecretary Andres Clemente, also a WWII veteran who saw action in the Visayas as 2nd Lieutenant in the first Battalion, Infantry, 61st Division of the Philippine Army.

Founded in 1988, the VFP-SDAI is a nonstock, non-profit, non-sectarian corporation and is an auxiliary unit of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines. It is the national association of direct descendants of Filipino veterans from across all regions of the country.

VFP SDAI was created to defend the rights and interests of Filipino veterans, including their widows and orphans. It aims to instill patriotism and love of country among members and the public as exemplified by their veteran parents who fought for freedom and democracy. It also aims to provide assistance in business and livelihood training for its members.

By Othel V. Campos

APPLICATIONS for intellectual property registration at the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines increased 4.4 percent year-on-year in the first nine months.

“The latest figures show impressive recovery in IP filings as we are on track to exceeding the pre-pandemic volume. This is largely driven by increased economic activities as several areas where quarantine restrictions have deescalated to their laxest yet,” said IPOPHL director-general Rowel Barba.

Data showed that filings for trademarks, patents, utility models and industrial designs went up 3.1 percent in the nine-month period to 36,709 from 35,172 in the same period in 2021.

Pushing the growth were trademark filings which grew 5.6 percent to 31,665, with residents’ filings accounting for 62 percent of the total.

Patent filings climbed 2.3 percent to 3,116, with non-residents contributing 90 percent or 2,807.

Industrial designs, which protect the unique appearance of a product, grew 1 percent to 923. The biggest boost came from non-residents at a 56-percent share of the total 516 filings.

Utility models, which provide patent-like protection at a shorter duration and with a less rigorous application process, dropped 17.2 percent to 1,005, with residents making up 96 percent or 960.

“As IPOPHL also ensured strong presence in various channels to help more Filipinos protect their IP, we are confident in maintaining our recovery momentum throughout the rest of 2022,” Barba said.

Registrations for copyright jumped 69.1 percent to 2,602, driven by books, pamphlets, articles, e-books, audio books, comics, novels and other writings, with a combined 29-percent share. This was followed by other literary, scholarly, scientific and artistic works at 27.8 percent; and drawings, paintings, architectural works, sculpture, engraving, prints, lithography or other works of art, models or designs for works of art that accounted for 9.3 percent.

Housing prices climbed by 6.5% in third quarter—Bangko Sentral

IP applications increased 4.4% to in nine months

Peso fell 9.3% in 2022 to close at 55.75 a dollar

ceremony

ceremony

from left)

Division head Marigel Garcia and general counsel Veronica Del Rosario; Technology Division head Philip Driz, chief operating o cer Roel Refran, president and chief executive Ramon Monzon and Securities Clearing Corporation of the Philippines chief operating o cer Renee Rubio; Market Operations Division head Roel Villanueva, Capital Markets Development Division head Mark Frederick Visda and Finance Division head Roberto Jose R. Jimenez. The Philippine Stock Exchange index closed at 6,566.39 on Thursday, down 7.8 percent this year.

EMPOWERED AGRIPRENEUR. Emilia Kio-an, a member of SG Farmers Association and owner of Alredo’s Farm in Benguet, sells processed food like ampalaya pickles and tea with the help of ‘Byaheng Digiskarte’s’ food processing courses, tools and facilities. Kio-an was among those a ected by the business disruption brought about by the pandemic. Byaheng Digiskarte, Aboitiz Foundation Inc.’s project to help micro, small, and medium enterprises and cooperatives a ected during the pandemic, uses technology to capacitate and empower farmers to manage their own agribusinesses online and help them be more digitally literate and capable.

‘Energized’ Petecio aims to be in fighting form for busy 2023

By Peter Atencio

OLYMPIC silver medalist Nesthy Petecio hopes to get back in fi ghting form again in time for a series of competitions starting next month.

The Asian Under-22 Championship in Thailand is set for Jan. 16 to 27 in Thailand, and Petecio could find herself in the list of Filipino fighters, who could be sent there.

“Wala pa pong listahan kung sino ang pupunta. Pero naghahanda na rin ako,” said the 30-year-old Petecio in an interview with the Manila Standard.

Petecio, a Tokyo Olympics’ silver medalist, was recently among the guests of honor at the 2022 Batang

Pinoy in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. She said she continues to remain in fighting form, thanks to the inspiration given her by Tokyo Olympic Games’ gold winner Hidilyn DiazNaranjo, who recently captured two gold medals at the World Weightlifting Championships in Colombia.

“Siya ang nagbigay ng inspirasyon sa akin at pinukaw niya ulit ang init ng puso ko sa sports at sinabi ko na kung kaya ni Hidilyn, kaya ko din,”

added the ‘energized’ Petecio.

Her next international meet could come two months after Petecio lost to Kazakhstan’s Karina Ibragimova, 5-0, in their 2022 ASBC Asian Elite Men & Women Boxing Championships women’s 57kg featherweight division semifinal clash in Amman, Jordan.

After settling for the bronze medal back then, Petecio continued to remain in shape for a busy year in 2023.

Competitions in Women’s World Championships in March and the Southeast Asian Games from May 5 to 17 are also in store for Petecio.

After that, the Huangzhou Asian Games set from September 23 to October 8, is also being arranged for the multi-titled Filipina boxer.

Nets edge Hawks, push win streak to 10 games

LOS ANGELES—The Brooklyn Nets pushed their NBA winning streak to 10 games in dramatic style on Wednesday, rallying in the second half then hanging on to edge the Hawks 108-107 in Atlanta.

Kyrie Irving scored 15 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and Kevin Durant added 26 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists for the Nets—whose winning streak is their longest since the 2005-06 season and the longest in the league this season.

The game was just one of the close ones around the league on Wednesday, with Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 119118 and the Chicago Bulls downing the Milwaukee Bucks 119-113 in overtime.

The Sacramento Kings rallied from a 19-point deficit to beat the Denver Nuggets 127-126, while the reigning champion Golden State Warriors had to fight back to beat the Utah Jazz 112-107.

In Atlanta, the absence of Hawks leading scorer Trae Young as well as Clint Capela and De’Andre Hunter didn’t stop the hosts from taking a 63-56 halftime lead.

But the Nets clawed their way back in the third period and Irving scored eight straight points with a layup and two threepointers to push the Nets’ lead to 93-82 early in the fourth.

He then fed Yuta Watanabe for a floater that gave the Nets a 13-point lead with 8:40 remaining.

The Hawks, led by Dejounte Murray’s 24 points, responded and knotted the score at 104-104 with 1:48 to go.

Durant made a pair of baskets sandwiched around one for Atlanta’s John Collins and the Nets escaped with the win.

“Sounds pretty good,” Durant said of the 10-game streak, noting the struggles the Nets have endured for a couple of years -- including this season’s slow start, the sacking of coach Steve Nash and the anti-Semitism row that engulfed Irving.

“It’s good to get some stability and win a few games along the way and have some fun,” he told an on-court television interviewer. “I was glad we were able to play a four-quarter game and understand what we needed to do to get a win,” Durant said.

In New Orleans, Williamson returned after missing three games because of Covid concerns and scored a career-high 43 points to lead the Pelicans. AFP

India to bid for 2036 Olympics Malixi fights back with 69, moves to joint

NEW DELHI—India is planning a bid for the 2036 Olympic Games and will lobby for hosting rights at an International Olympic Committee meeting next year, the country’s sports minister has said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has been vying to establish India as a global sporting power and has shovelled money into domestic infrastructure.

Ahmedabad in Modi’s home state of Gujarat—India’s candidate for Olympic host city—is the site of the largest stadium in the world, opened in 2020 and named after the leader.

Sports minister Anurag Thakur told the Times of India newspaper it was the “right time” for his country to pitch for the world’s largest sporting event.

“If India is putting in so much effort to promote sports, I can assure you that we will not only host the Olympics, we will host it in a big way,” he said in an interview published Wednesday.

Thakur said a roadmap outlining Ahmedabad’s pathway to hosting the Games would be presented at an IOC meeting next September in Mumbai with full government backing.

The IOC has already awarded hosting rights for the next three Summer Olympics to Paris, Los Angeles and Brisbane.

If India’s bid is successful it will become only the fourth Asian country to host the Games after Japan, South Korea and China.

India previously hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010 but the event was marred by widespread accusations of corruption and mismanagement.

Several other nations have announced their intention to bid including Indonesia, South Korea and Qatar. AFP

7th

ever, cashed in on the par-5 fourth for a tap-in birdie and could’ve closed in on the two-day leader if not for her missed putts on Nos. 5, 7, 8 and 9.

Though Malixi still blew a number of birdie chances, including four in a fivehole stretch from No, 5 inside seven feet, she drained a couple of long putts, including a 20-footer on No. 15 where she teed off and a monster stroke from way out after overshooting the par-3 second hole of the Sun ‘N Lake layout.

The ICTSI-backed shotmaker nearly chipped in for eagle on the par-4 No. 5 and banged in a seven-footer for her fourth birdie on No. 13 to negate her lone miscue on No. 3 on a missed sixfooter bid for par.

While Malixi found her range and

Malixi, who has posted a win, three runner-up finishes and two third-place efforts in her last seven tournaments overseas, remained five strokes behind at 147 but her big second round fightback should boost her confidence heading to the last 36 holes of the championship.

After holing out from long range on No. 15, Malixi nearly rolled in another birdie putt from the fringe on the next, missed another chance on the 18th and left her six-foot birdie putt on the first hole short.

She hit it long on the par-3 No. 2 but banged it in from edge-to-edge, only to yield the stroke on the next. She, how-

Malixi also nearly holed it in from the fringe on No. 10, settled for regulation par on the next two before picking up another stroke on No. 13 from seven feet before closing her round with another regulation par.

Other 147 scorers were Grace Lu, Sofia Essakali and Thanana Kotchasanmanee, who carded 72, 73 nad 74, respectively.

Meanwhile, Malixi, winner of two AJGA (American Junior Golf Association) titles this year, will next play in the Orlando International Amateur on Jan. 4-6 at the Orange Country National and will face some of the world’s leading players in the ranks in the Annika Invitational on Jan. 15-17 at the Eagle Creek Golf Club, both in Florida.

Fil-Am Barefield, Kouame, Balkman to reinforce Strong Group in Dubai tilt

FORMER NBA player Renaldo Balkman, Fil-Am Sedrick Barefield and naturalized Ange Kouame will beef up the Strong Group-Philippines in its initial foray in the Dubai International Championship next month.

A many-time member of Puerto Rican national team, Balkman is no stranger to Dubai’s annual cagefest having played a key role in Mighty Sports’ title win in the 2020 edition, a feat that brought so much pride to the entire Filipino community.

If ever, this could be the 38-year-old Balkman’s swan song, and coach Charles Tiu is looking forward to another triumphant partnership with the former PBA import.

“I’ve had two championships with Balk, and I want to try to keep rolling,” said Tiu, who was the same mentor who steered Mighty Sports to victory the last time. “He says he’s been in shape and is very eager to come back to the philippines to come finish his legacy here.”

Tiu, who guided College of St. Benilde

back to the NCAA Finals for the first time in two decades, said Kouame and Barefield will provide youthful exuberance while Balkman and former Golden State Warriors player Nick Young are expected to give the team the needed leadership.

Owner and team manager Jacob Lao and Tiu are both excited to have the 6-foot-3 Barefield and Kouame to the team.

“We are very thankful to Gilas and the SBP (Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas) for allowing us to borrow Ange in this tournament,” said the 22-year-old Lao. “He’s my teammate and we just won in Ateneo , and hopefully we can win one more together.”

According to Tiu, Barefield, who went undrafted in the in the 2019 NBA Draft, is a good catch because of his versatility.

“I’ve actually been trying to get Barefield on my teams in the past and it just hasn’t worked out due to the timing amongst others, but I’m really excited to have him right now. Our Filipino fans will see just how good this guy is.”

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

RIANNE Malixi fought back from a disastrous 78 start, coming away with four birdies against a bogey for a 69 as she moved from 40th to joint seventh midway through the Citrus Golf Trail Ladies Invitational still paced by Vanessa Zhang in Sebring, Florida Wednesday.

touch, Vanessa Zhang lost hers as she stumbled with a 73 after a fiery 69 although the Canadian stayed in control at 142, still two strokes clear of Ffion Tynan of Arkansas, who fought back with a 70, and American Angela Zhang, who also fumbled with a 74.

Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets rebounds the ball during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. AFP

Fil-Am Sedrick Barefield is shown with Strong Group-Philippines coach Charles Tiu and player-agent Marvin Espiritu.

Olympic silver medalist Nesthy Petecio

Rianne Malixi

G Lanterns rip Warriors; Bulacan five back on track

SAN FERNANDO—Offering a peek of their strength, the Pampanga G Lanterns mauled the overhauled San Pedro Laguna-ARS Warriors 89-69 late Wednesday night to launch their title bid on a stirring note in the Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League Pro Division Second Conference Dumper Cup at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center here.

With prized big man Justine Baltazar sitting out the match due to potential commitments, Pampanga leaned on Dominic Vera who scattered 13 points, to go with three rebounds and three assists.

Raymond Binuya and Arvie Bringas also chipped in 12 and 11 markers, respectively for the Delta Pineda-mentored G Lanterns’ debut in the meet presented by Winzir and co-presented by SCD Cosmetics and Dumper party-list, and supported by NET 25, Adcon, Wcube Solutions Inc., MDC, Unisol, Don Benitos, and Finn Cotton.

San Pedro tumbled to its fourth straight loss, including a 57-99 shellacking at the hands of Pampanga Royce Hotel last Dec. 15 for a 1-4 slate.

In the first game, Koponang Lakan ng Bulacan showed no mercy and bludgeoned Bagong Cabuyao-Homelab Nation 100-57 for its third win.

JL Delos Santos shone for Bulacan with game-highs of 16 points and nine boards, while former PBA player Leo Najorda and Jeric Serrano added 12 markers each.

RJ Ramirez also had 11 points and two caroms as Bulacan atoned for a 6069 loss to San Juan last week and improved to 3-2.

Coming off a 52-74 defeat to Pampanga Royce last Dec. 19, Cabuyao fell to 1-3.

Jake Diwa paced the Warriors with 13 points, five rebounds and two dimes, while Jan Formento added 12 markers.

Mark Doligon also got 10 and six for San Pedro.

Jude Codiñera was the only player from Cabuyao who scored in doubledigits with 13 points.

Yuka Saso (center)

Saso upbeat despite tough 2022 season

WHILE she vows to better her 2022 performance in the upcoming LPGA season, Yuka Saso also braces for another challenging campaign given the ever-improving level of competition in the world’s premier ladies circuit.

Though her showing after making history with a major breakthrough in the US Women’s Open in 2021 didn’t seem to impress some, Saso insisted “it’s (2022) been good,” adding: “It’s my first whole year in the LPGA. It meant a lot. I learned a lot about great golfers.”

Cuban on Doncic: We are watching greatness

MIAMI—On

Doncic delivered an astonishing 60-point triple-double as he led the Mavericks to a 126-121 overtime victory over the New York Knicks.

The Slovenian added 21 rebounds and 10 assists, becoming the first player in NBA history with a triple-double featuring at least 60 points and 20 rebounds.

“It’ll be another statue in Dallas… Luka is like that,” quipped former NBA MVP Kevin Garnett.

Mavs owner Mark Cuban certainly wasn’t going to dampen the enthusiasm after watching the 23-year-old’s jawdropping display of dominance.

“We are watching greatness...I’ve never seen anything like that ever,” he

3 ONE Championship newcomers on the rise

IN 2022, ONE Championship welcomed an array of talented athletes to its roster, with many of them making their debuts in remarkable fashion.

Spectators across the globe witnessed these warriors put their martial arts skills on full display, showcasing their determination, technique, and athleticism.

Here, we highlight three of newcomers who made unforgettable first entrance’s into the Circle this year.

Smilla Sundell

At just 17 years old, Smilla Sundell made her ONE Championship debut and emphatically demonstrated that age is no barrier to success.

At her first fight at ONE: FULL CIRCLE in February, “The Hurricane” delivered a spectacular third-round knockout of Diandra Martin after dominating the fight.

Sundell then went on to make history, becoming the youngest World Champion in ONE after defeating Jackie Buntan for the inaugural ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai Wo rld Championship at ONE 156: Eersel vs. Sadikovic in April.

Jonathan Di Bella

Jonathan Di Bella was up for the challenge when he took his first steps into the Circle at ONE 162.

The Italian-Canadian faced Zhang Peimian for the vacant ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Championship, a daunting task for any athlete.

But Di Bella rose to the occasion, battling “Fighting Rooster” over the course of five intense rounds, eventually earning the unanimous nod to become the new strawweight kickboxing king.

It is what it is

THE 4-0 loss

pion

Thai football great Teerasil Danda scored twice before the halftime break with Adisak Kraisorn and Suphanan Bureerat adding a goal a piece as the War Elephants completely dominated the visitors. The Azkals, boosted by a 5-1 win against Brunei at home in Manila, were hoping for a good result against the Thai squad. But instead, the boys in white got manhandled by a well-prepared and far better team. Despite missing several key players, the Thais were never threatened in the match.

The massacre showed the great divide between the two nations when it comes to football.

The defending champions were

sharp, on point and exploited every weakness the Azkals had during the match, especially the mismatches. Which are the basics for them. Plus pitting our young ones against the best of the Thai squad during the match? It was not rocket science why a football icon like Danda managed to give his team a comfortable lead after the first half. They were well-rested too. Moreover, the fans showed up to support the team. The Azkals, too, had their share of fans, which can’t be discounted. A few of our kababayans cheered for the boys, despite their inexperience and awe of their seasoned opponents. It is what it is.

The fans have already expressed their disappointments and anger at the loss against Thailand. And I will not defend the team from their ire or even ask for mercy and understanding. Much has been said, especially by those using dummy accounts, and the criticisms and bashings could have more impact or meaning if they came with real names and identities of those who could easily say hurtful things and below the belt bashings against the team, the Philippine Football Federation, Dan Palami, Stephan Schrock and other Azkals, who they felt should

Kade And Tye Ruotolo

Together, Kade and Tye Ruotolo made a powerful impression in their debut year on the ONE Championship stage, earning their honorary spot together on this list.

After dominating their respective bouts at ONE 157: Petchmorakot vs. Vienot in May with Kade defeating MMA legend Shinya Aoki by decision and Tye submitting grappling kingpin Garry Tonon, they solidified their spot on the ONE Championship submission grappling roster.

After Kade successfully defended his ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Championship and Tye picked up his second win of the year, the Ruotolo brothers finished 2022 with a combined 5-0 record in the Circle and are poised to make even more waves in 2023.

have done better.

My respect goes to the ones with real names and pictures to boot. Not only did they talk the walk, they also walked the talk. Mabuhay po kayo mga sirs at ma’ams!

Palami, the Azkals’ team manager, admits the defeat and the elimination of the Azkals really hurt.

“This is really a painful process for us. It also showed the great disparity between our team and our neighbors. Our local-based Azkals really need to step up and we can only do this by playing in high-level competitions and quality games in the Philippines Football League. Our local players will always be needed especially during tournaments or event scheduled during non-FIFA windows,” Palami said.

It is what it is.

There were so many points raised by the fans, whether trolls or not. There were many observations and suggestions to make the team better. Fire Palami. Fire Nonong Araneta. Give the management of the Azkals to other people like Jeff Cheng. Bring back more foreign-based Azkals to the team. Others said the local players can’t hack it against more experienced, stronger and better opponents. And many more. Most of the arguments and reactions were correct.

Despite the fallout, Palami says the team will now set its sights on

“We

Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the game-tying basket that forced overtime during the game against the New York Knicks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. AFP

Again, people get their money’s worth when they come watch him play. He puts on a show,” he added.

“He’s special. The history of the game is written by the players and it was written again tonight. For a player, Luka, doing something that’s never been done before. It’s hard to do,” he added.

So hard in fact that Doncic was just the second player in NBA history to score 60 points in a triple-double.

James Harden scored 60 points with 10 rebounds and 11 assists in a game for Houston in 2018.

The performance was even more spectacular than the pure numbers— impressive though they were.

The Knicks were up by nine with 33.9 seconds remaining in regulation, but Doncic inspired Dallas to dramatically take the game into overtime.

Doncic made the game tying shot himself after deliberately missing a free throw and as both sides scrambled for the rebound he muscled for the ball and found the basket. AFP

the next cycle of Asian Cup and the World Cup qualifiers which will start next year.

Lost in the volley of bitterness and disappointments were some comments like “Win or lose, my love and support for this team will never give up. In their most critical events, the more they needed our support. Yes, losing is very painful, but if we carry each other’s burden, it lessens the one who is in pain. They carry their pain, I help carry theirs. And I will still wave my Philippine flag. ‘Sa manlulupig, di ka pasisiil.’ The fight goes on.”

Comments like these give me hope. They also give me something to look forward to, no matter if it may take some time, that someday the Azkals will be better, with a very supportive national sports association and the Filipinos rallying behind them. Win or lose, especially when they lose.

“The Azkals will continue to develop as a team. It is a continuing process of restructuring. The good thing is we have had good responses from players who are seeing action in high-level competitions in Europe to be part of the team for the Asian Cup and World Cup qualifiers starting this 2023. We are getting in touch with them and many of them have already agreed to play for the Philippines,” Palami said.

The Philippine Azkals will conclude its campaign in the Mitsubishi Electric

With just one runner-up effort (LPGA Mediheal) last October and four other Top 12 finishes in 26 tournaments, marred by seven missed cuts, including three in the Majors, things really didn’t appear to look good for the ICTSI-backed ace, who showed a lot of promise when she bested the best to snare the US Women’s Open diadem via playoff over Nasa Hataoka.

But she remained a promise as she practically struggled trying to nail a second LPGA win, even failing to advance in the US Open.

Saso, however, is eager to resume her campaign starting next month in Florida, stronger and a lot wiser and still armed with that “enjoy, have fun, think positive” mindset.

“I’m very excited for next year. I will not forget having fun playing golf. I appreciate all the help,” said Saso, whose LPGA buildup also got a shot in the arm by tieing up with Federal Land, Inc. the other day.

She also admitted to have been inspired by the youngsters, seven of whom took part in a mini-golf clinic she conducted after signing up with country’s premier real estate developer and gracing the opening of the first-ever Mitsukoshi Mall in the country at the Grand Central Park in North BGC (Bonifacio Global City) last Tuesday.

“It’s still 50-50…I inspire them but they also inspire me. Hopefully, I can continue doing those stuff in the future,” she said.

There’s actually no need for her to reinvent following her mediocre 2022 campaign but to re-calibrate and she hopes to reach her competitive level in time for her first event – the Tournament of Champions on Jan. 19-22 in Orlando, Florida.

She placed sixth in the last T-of-C and wound up third in the Gainbridge LPGA but those strong starts had failed to fuel her drive for top honors the rest of the season, falling short by one to England’s Jodi Shadoff in the LPGA Mediheal.

The next two LPGA events in 2023 are set in Southeast Asia – the Honda LPGA Thailand on Feb. 23-26 and the Women’s World Championship in Singapore on March 2-5 before the Tour heads to China for the Blue Bay LPGA on March 9-12.

“After the T-of-C, I’m not sure yet especially if we have any event in Asia because of Covid, everything is unpredictable, so hopefully I can get a schedule as soon as I can. It’s understandable, because of Covid,” said Saso.

One thing’s certain, though—the Fil-Japanese will be coming into the new season hungry as ever.

Cup against Indonesia on January 2, 2023, at Rizal Memorial Stadium. A good result will somehow lessen the impact of another failure to advance in the knockout stage of the biggest football tournament in the region. It will also serve as a fitting send-off to the veteran members of the team who will be playing what could be their last game for the flag and country. The need to manage our expectations, however, is a must. Indonesia is no pushover and the team will come to Rizal targeting to take home the full three points and seal their spot in the crossover semifinals without any complications.

“We are not too happy with the results, but at the same time, our expectations had always been tempered because we can’t really assemble and send the complete line-up we wanted. Clubs have the prerogative not to send their players to suit up for their national t eams,” Palami added.

Palami is also aware of major changes needed, not only among the players, but also in other aspects of the team. He said these concerns will be addressed the soonest possible time.

But for the meantime, it is what it is.

Happy New Year! Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!

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

against defending cham-

Thailand at the Thammasat Stadium in Bangkok has eliminated the Philippine Azkals from progressing further in the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022.

poses with (from left) Mitsukoshi BGC general manager Mitsunori Morohoshi, Federal Land president and COO Thomas Mirasol, Nomura Real Estate Development general manager of Overseas Business Masaya Hirao, and Mitsukoshi BGC deputy general manager Koichi Asakawa during Tuesday’s contract signing with Federal Land, Inc.

Christmas Day, the Dallas Mavericks unveiled a statue to their former great Dirk Nowitzki but after Luka Doncic’s historical triple double on Tuesday they might need to commission another monument.

wrote on twitter. Dallas coach Jason Kidd, who ended his playing career ranked fourth in all-time triple doubles in the NBA, said the fans had been privileged to see such talent on court.

sit here every night and we’re lucky. We can’t take him for granted.

Ice Seguerra, Liza Diño produce first major concert of ‘Drag Race Philippines’ superstars

AFTER a back-to-back win in the recently held Aliw Awards for Best Stage and Musical direction for Becoming Ice: Ice Seguerra’s 35th Anniversary concert, LGBT Powerhouse couple Ice Seguerra and Liza Diño will mount the first major concert of Drag Race Philippines winner Precious Paula Nicole and fellow drag superstars Viñas de Luxe and Brigiding through their newly formed company Fire and Ice Media and Productions.

Entitled Divine Divas: The Ultimate Drag Experience, the show will showcase Philippine drag culture at its finest on February 10 at the New Frontier Theater Araneta City Cubao.

In this explosive night of drag performances, these fierce and fabulous drag stars will showcase their range - from channeling the world’s top entertain-

ment icons like Beyonce and Lady Gaga to performing original songs and staging their own musical.

With this powerful concert, Ice and Liza aspire to give the audience a peek into these queens’ colorful lives. Drag queens are more than female impersonators or lip sync assassins and the concert will tell their stories to the world - from their humble beginnings before they became drag race superstars until they achieved the sweet taste of success through Drag Race Philippines

Fire and Ice joins these fabulous queens as they venture beyond to elevate the art of drag in the country as Divine Divas.

Drag Race Philippines is the Philippine franchise of the American reality competition television series RuPaul’s Drag Race which is produced by World of Wonder and world-renowned LGBT icon Ru Paul

Uncompromising and meticulous about championing quality, with an uncanny instinct for stories that matter, the production company creates content by uncovering the heart of the material and transforming them into poignant experiences that touch the soul of their audiences.

Tickets prices for Divine Divas: The Ultimate Drag Experience range from P800 to 6,500 and are now on sale at Ticketnet online. This event is coproduced with Nathan Studios, a production company founded by seasoned actress Sylvia Sanchez.

Miss Tourism PH 2022 closes the year

GMA Network celebrates the New Year with ‘Kapuso Countdown to 2023 Gayo Daejeon’

GMA Network is partying with your favorite Kapuso stars, P-Pop stars, and the biggest K-pop stars of SBS Gayo Daejeon in this all-out New Year special Kapuso Countdown to 2023 Gayo Daejeon, tomorrow, December 31.

Leading the countdown special are Alden Richards, Julie Anne San Jose, Rayver Cruz, and Christian Bautista Also joining them are Barbie Forteza, Kyline Alcantara, Ruru Madrid , and Korean social media star Dasuri Choi Also part of this star-studded celebration are Sparkle stars Derrick Monasterio and Sanya Lopez

Catch entertaining song numbers from home-grown Kapuso singers Garrett Bolden, Jessica Villarubin, and Thea Astley Stay tuned also for the cast of LUV IS: Caught In His Arms Sofia Pablo, Allen Ansay, Michael Sager, Vince Maristela, Sean Lucas, Tanya Ramos, and Cheska Fausto as they share the kilig and charm on stage.

Together, they will lead the watch party of SBS Gayo Daejeon, the hottest K-pop event of the year in South Korea.

Performing in SBS Gayo Daejeon are NCT 127, NCT DREAM, THE BOYZ, fromis_9, Stray Kids, (G)I-DLE, ATEEZ, ITZY, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, CRAVITY, aespa, ENHYPEN, IVE, NMIXX, TEMPEST, LE SSERAFIM, and NewJeans.

Meanwhile, the country’s very own PPop groups Calista 1st.ONE, and KAIA will also be performing their hit songs.

Completing the night are the energetic P-pop performances of the cast before Alden leads everyone in a countdown to the New Year.

Kapuso viewers must also watch out for the first-ever trailer of Voltes V: Legacy to be aired in the New Year special.

The Kapuso Countdown to 2023 Gayo Daejeon airs at 10:30 p.m. on GMA-7. The program will also be live-streamed on GMA Network’s YouTube channel.

THE 18 candidates of Miss Tourism Philippines 2022, the last pageant of the year, were presented to the press at Dreamworld Hotel, Quezon City on Monday, concluding with Atacia Juliana Mejia of Batangas who was voted ‘Darling of the Press.’

Miss Tourism Philippines Organization is headed by Amy SunioAbarquez, Antonio Abarquez, and John Weinstein. Coronation Night is set at AMYTONY Resort in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur tonight.

T he rest of the candidates are Rachel Bayan (Isabela), Kiat Jaizanah Tan (Cagayan), Laura Sophia Fernan (Rizal), Alexa Jayne Nomera (Cavite), Clare Arce (Ilocos Sur), Kate Ira Mae Milambilin (Laguna), Aia Nicole Delos Reyes (Las Piñas), Abigail Figueras (Makati), Diane Rose Jamolin (Marinduque), Irish Opogne (Pampanga), Blueberry Kinnes (Parañaque), Jamaila Ray Baltazar (Pasig), Justine Mei Pelgone (San Mateo, Rizal), Cariza Jade Manaligod Tan (Taguig), Sigrid Alessandra Caisip (Tarlac City), and Sweetline Buaquina (Tarlac Province). SAP, headed by CEO Jojo Flores and COO Maricar Moina, is the umbrella corporation of Jams Artist Production, Jams Top Model Philippines, and Jams Artist Talent Center, which aim to produce a pool of talents to better serve the entertainment industry.

SNAPSHOT

Double victory in Mrs. Universe Official 2022

JAMSAP Grand Launch, a big success

Jamsap Entertainment Corporation’s “JAMSAP Grand Launch,” one of the biggest talent searches in the country, was successfully held at SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City, Tuesday.

JAMS Artists, JAMS Top Model Philippines official representatives, and students of JAMS Artist Talent Center and JAMS Basketball Training Camp, together with JAMS Top Model Philippines’ 4th Season official candidates, will compose JAMSAP’s “New Revolution of Entertainment.”

T hey will be seen in TV series, movies, digital ads, etc. to be produced by the company starting in 2023. JAM

Ringing in the New Year

THE countdown to the new year is on, and Newport World Resorts is capping off The World of Christmas festivities with the much anticipated New Year’s Countdown to 2023.

Power-packed performances from Lani Misalucha and Gigi De Lana are on the slate of the Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT) for an epic countdown experience for a live audience on December 31, starting at 9:00 p.m.

Cap the year on a high note as Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha mesmerizes with her classic hits with multi-instrumentalist Mel Villena and the AMP Big Band. There is nothing like welcoming the new year with the new generation diva Gigi De Lana and her band The Gigi Vibes as they pump up the evening with vibrant performances.

T he grand event will be hosted by Nicole Laurel Asensio Sweet endings and lucky beginnings await guests as ticket holders receive a special prize and F&B vouchers worth P1,000 valid until January 7.

K.O. Jones, rockin’ and rollin’ anew

The World Parties on New Year’s Eve and there’s room for everyone to celebrate and be merry with various countdown parties all happening in one extraordinary Newport World Resorts. The Concert and Chill package is the ultimate choice for those looking for an entertaining and no-fuss evening. Available for P18,888 net, the all-inclusive package includes an overnight stay at Holiday Inn Express Manila-Newport City with a New Year’s Eve dinner at The Great Room for two. It also comes with two bronze tickets to the Power Divas New Year’s Eve Concert at the Newport

Year Countdown party.

tary

Charles. Queens competed in this groundbreaking show because the show opened doors to introduce the art of drag in the country. Now, with Fire and Ice, Ice and Liza’s dream to bring Filipino creativity to the global stage continues.

Liza Diño and Ice Seguerra (second from left and rightmost) with the Divine Divas (from left) Viñas Deluxe, Precious Paula Nicole, and Brigiding

K.O. Jones returns to the scene to bring back the spirit of rock and roll. The five-piece band consisting of Lia Petoral (vocals), Warren Norton (guitar), Gerald Celeridad (keyboards), Lester Legisma (drums), and Jibby Borgaily (bass) performed for the crowd of C Lounge recently. They originally formed in the ‘80s and have changed the lineup of their members over the years. Their passion for music – from existing and former members – is what keeps the group going. This new year, K.O. Jones plans of making original music and collaborating with equally passionate musicians.

Performing Arts Theater, and two complimen-

drinks at the Bar 360 New

The New Year’s Countdown is the grand culmination of Newport World Resorts’ series of live events for The World of Christmas holiday celebration. Tickets are now available at all TicketWorld and SM Tickets outlets.

The ‘Power Divas’ concert is headlined by Lani Misalucha and Gigi de Lana, and hosted by Nicole Laurel Asencio

Rising K-Pop group ENHYPEN

From left: Kapuso stars Alden Richards, Julie Anne San Jose and Rayver Cruz, and Christian Bautista

Ellen Payaoan-Santos was named Elite Mrs. Universe 2022 while Christine Escalante won Ms. Global Universe 2022 at the Mrs. Universe 2022 Official pageant, held recently in Sydney, Australia. A homecoming victory party was held at City State Tower, Manila, organized by MegaStar Production, headed by CEO/Chairman Ovette Ricalde, recently appointed national director of Mrs. Universe Official Philippines organization. Payaoan-Santos also bagged several special awards, including, Mrs. Universe Official Ambassador, Best in Advocacy, Talent and National Costume. Australia-based Mrs. Universe Official pageant aims to empower, engage and inspire women of all cultures and backgrounds.

Miss Tourism Philippines Organization’s Amy Sunio-Abarquez, Antonio Abarquez, and John Weinstein with the official candidates of Miss Tourism Philippines 2022 to 2023

JAMSAP Entertainment Corporation’s Jojo Flores and Maricar Moina with the 60 exclusive artists duting the JAMSAP Grand Launch

Newly-crowned Ms. Universe Global 2022 - 2023 Christine Escalante and Elite Mrs. Universe 2022 - 2023 Doc Ellen Saints with Ovette Ricalde and Onin Mas during victory presscon at City State Tower Hotel Manila, December 23

Getting to know the ‘Queen of Pearls’

HE pearl is the queen of gems and the gem of queens.”

This saying often attributed to Grace Kelly stuck with me for years. While I have yet to verify if she really said that, I have seen numerous pictures of the late princess donning elegant pearl jewelry. In the Philippines, when pearls come into a conversation, the name that immediately comes to mind is Jennifer Tanpoco

More than two decades of training abroad and pearl trading equipped Jenni with the technical know-how, skills, and expertise when it comes to pearls. Tagged as the Queen of Pearls in the Philippines, she excitedly unpacked her journey. Fresh from her stint in the Los Angeles Fashion Week, in partnership with Filipino designer Avel Bacudio, Jenni has big plans for the pearl industry not only in the Philippines but also around the globe.

A certified public accountant by profession, Jenni used to work as the country manager in a company owned by Robert Wan in 1998. Robert is internationally known as the Emperor of Tahitian Pearls, the type of pearls considered among the world’s finest gems. The pearl authority saw Jenni’s potential in pearl culture, so she became a trusted distributor of his brand. Jenni and her architect-entrepreneur husband Mark are two of the few pearl traders accredited by Robert Wan and have access to his pearl farms in Tahiti. It was Mark who brought up the idea of distributing Tahitian pearls in the Philippines and Robert instantly agreed.

Jaune Pearls was born in 2002 and the Tanpoco company joined the prestigious list of Robert’s collaborators – top jewelers and fashion designers like Dupont, Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co., Chaumet, Boucheron, Chanel, Jean Paul Gautier, Mikimoto, and

Chow Ta Fook. As the pearls come raw from a private island in the French Polynesia, Jenni works on sorting and matching the pieces exclusively for her clients. The same highquality pearls make it to Hollywood and are spotted being worn by celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Angelina Jolie, Paris Hilton, Keira Knightley, and Kris Jenner “Pearls are very valuable. Harvesting can take three to ten years. To make a uniform strand in size and shape requires time and skills,” Jenni said.

“I am honored and humbled to have a full experience under Robert’s tutelage,” Jenni said, highlighting her longstanding friendship and business partnership with the Emperor of Pearls.

She continued, “Mark and I decided to market pearls not existing in the Philippines. Our product designs are rare and of high quality, making them exclusive pieces.”

In no time, more than twenty years ago, Jenni started becoming the trusted jeweler of society and entertainment A-listers. Socialites and celebrities flock to Jenni for unique and bespoke pieces. One of her pearl patrons is the Queen of All Media, Kris Aquino, who also lovingly gave her the nickname Jenni Pearls.

“In some parts of Asia, oysters are developed in laboratories. The color can be ma-

nipulated. What makes our pearls different is that we retain the original state. The luster and color are all-natural,” Jenni explained.

Displaying concern for sustainability and respect for the environment, she went in-depth, “The oyster is naturally abundant, naturally grown in the ocean.”

Jenni’s passion is overflowing and it is no surprise she was able to pass it on to her daughter, actress and recording artist Melizza Jimenez. It is quite fitting for Melizza to get involved as Jaune, the business brand, is her second name. An enchanting pearl color, jaune also means yellow in French.

Melizza, now being teased as the Pearl Princess-in-progress, is currently enrolled in Australia’s top media and communication university, ranking number one in Australia and 16th globally. She is working on a special project for next year, one she hopes will elevate pearl appreciation to greater heights.

Actress Maika Rivera, Melizza’s older sister, is handling the brand’s public relations and marketing in foreign cities like New York and Los Angeles.

Melizza’s pearl expertise is backed by her years of exposure and training. She took a six-month online course and earned her pearl diploma from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and went to New York City to do hands-on work in a laboratory. Jenni earned the same diploma in 2015. The motherand-daughter team also took a 10-day trip to Tahiti this year and trained under Robert Wan.

“Melizza knows how to turn pearls into a marketable state. She knows how to sort, grade, match, and design concepts,” Jenni added, further establishing Melizza’s credentials in handling the family business.

“Robert Wan also approved of her being the ambassador of pearls for the youth.”

“Pearls are the only gems that come from

a living organism,” Jenni emphasized. “They are like fingerprints and NFTs (nonfungible tokens), they are unique. If pearls have no luster, they have no value.” While they are rare and valuable, Jenni and Melizza hope to educate people that the gems are also for everyone and not exclusive to any gender.

“Jaune Pearls is not just about business but also maintaining and creating long-term relationships,” Melizza offered. Her mom added, “As a family, we find joy in our clients’ confidence and happiness.”

The Tanpocos are committed to giving their clients the best. As Jenni said, “Quality pearls are priceless.”

With a fresh lineup of plans, Jenni has so many things set to offer. Without a doubt, the world is her oyster.

Watch out for Jaune Pearls in 2023. Visit jaunepearls.com for updates and more information.

The stage is set at Hard Rock Café for countdown to 2023

REMIX: Your New Year Countdown is an event no one wouldn’t want to miss as everybody excitedly look forward to collectively look forward to an amazing 2023.

How to register your SIM on Smart portal

IN COMPLIANCE with the SIM Registration Law, mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has launched its online SIM Registration portal at http://www.smart.com.ph/simreg to facilitate an easy, safe, and rewarding SIM Registration experience for subscribers.

Smart Prepaid and TNT subscribers can now register their SIM and get 3 GB free data upon completing these three easy steps: Step 1. Visit the portal at http://www. smart.com.ph/simreg

Step 2. Input your information and upload your valid ID

Step 3. Wait for an SMS confirmation and get 3 GB free data

Smart’s SIM registration portal uses optical character recognition (OCR), the technology required by the law to efficiently gather and protect subscribers’ personal information throughout the process.

Smart is also making its SIM Registration portal even more accessible to subscribers through these alternative channels:

• Smart Stores nationwide

• Smart Hotlines (call *888 via Smart/ TNT mobile, or 8888-1111 via landline)

• Smart Facebook Messenger Chatbot

• Smart GigaLife App (downloadable on the App Store and Google Play Store)

Smart Postpaid subscribers

On the other hand, in compliance with the law, Smart is making SIM Registration more convenient for postpaid subscribers, who simply need to confirm the personal information and IDs they submitted for their postpaid plan application. To do this confirmation, subscribers just need to text YES to 5858. They shall then receive a confirmation message from Smart upon

successful SIM Registration.

Meanwhile, to register the SIM inserted in their WiFi device, Smart Bro subscribers need to refer to www.smart.com.ph/viewbroadbandsms for instructions on viewing their required One-Time Password (OTP).

By registering promptly, subscribers can continue enjoying the fastest speeds and widest coverage of Smart, the Philippines’ Best Mobile Network as recognized by Ookla, the global leader in mobile and broadband intelligence.

Smart bagged the prestigious award after dominating two crucial Ookla Speedtest Awards categories, namely “Fastest Mobile Network” and “Best Mobile Coverage,” in Q1-Q2 2022.

Safeguarding subscribers

The launch of Smart’s SIM Registration portal is in line with the SIM Registration Act, which aims to curb the proliferation of text scams and other mobile phone-aided criminal activities.

Alongside their support for SIM registration, Smart and parent company PLDT’s long-standing consumer protection initiatives include blocking SIMs that send ‘smishing’ messages and Uniform Resource Locators (URL) or links that lead to illegal activities.

In 2021, PLDT and Smart invested nearly P3 billion in cybersecurity infrastructure to help safeguard the public against emerging cyberthreats, vulnerabilities, and other online criminal activities.

For more information about SIM Registration, visit http://www.smart.com.ph/Pages/ simreg-faqs for Smart subscribers, and http:// www.tntph.com/sim-reg for TNT subscribers.

Be at Hard Rock Café at SMaison on December 31 and enjoy a night of awesome live performance by Bluegrass who will regale guests with their favorite rock tunes. Get ready for great entertainment, good food featuring delicious American dishes plus high, infectious energy. Action starts at 7:00 p.m.

Fee is P2,500 per head (P1,000 consumable on food and beverages and P1,500 entrance fee, comes with one complimentary drink).

Visit Hard Rock Cafe Manila at the 2nd level of S Maison, Conrad Manila to book seats. For inquiries, call (02) 89909809. Find them on Facebook & Instragam: @ hardrockcafemanila

JCI Senate PH, Palawan Pawnshop Group recognize ‘Outstanding Kasambahays’

NOW in its seventh year, the Kasambahay Kasambuhay Pilipinas Awards, a joint endeavor of the Junior Chamber International Senate Philippines, Inc. (JCI) and Palawan Pawnshop Group, has named 10 household workers as this year’s Top 10 Kasambahays.

The Top 10 winners, who will get P100,000 each, are Regimar Cabrera, Rolly Rosero, Edwin Mugdan, Susana Berlas, Milagros Diorec, Myrna Domingo, Daisy Medina, Myrna Gerundalan, Grace Nadine Remetilla, and Betty Acibo

The winners were chosen from over 2,000 entries, which was later whittled down to 500. The search started with only

339 entries when it was launched in 2016. The stories of the winners reflect the Filipinos’ love for family, dedication, and loyalty. Each story varies in some ways, but ultimately shows the kasambahays’ admirable attitude towards service. Some of them have shown so much love for their employers and their employers’ children who in turn have considered them as extended members of their families. The anecdotes of the winners exhibit their joy and their perseverance in their line of work.

Aside from the Top 10 Kasambahays, those chosen for the 11th to 30th places (no minimum years of service required) will get P10,000 prize. Also, 10 of the most liked and shared Fa-

cebook posts will win a P5,000 prize.

Palawan Pawnshop Group, a brand trusted by Filipinos for 37 years, now has over 3,300 branches all over Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. To adapt to the increasing digital transaction needs of its customers, PPG recently introduced PalawanPay, an e-wallet app that lets you send and receive remittances instantly and gives users access to other financial services such as bills payment, e-cellphone load, and scan to pay. Because of this app, Kasambahays are able to send money to their loved ones in a convenient, fast, and secured manner.

“We received almost 13,000 entries for most liked and shared Facebook Kasambahay stories. These include various stories of perseverance in the face of hardship, noble sacrifice, and victory over adversity, all with a valiant, exemplary, and triumphant kasambahay in the center of each tale,” said Palawan Group CEO Bobby Castro

Through PalawanPay, our Kasambahays are more empowered because they can send money to their families with just a few taps and clicks.

PalawanPay is also now QRPH ready, you can now pay your bills, send and transfer money to other ewallets and banks, and shop at stores using your PalawanPay QRPH code.

“T

Jenni Tanpoco is a trusted jeweler of society and entertainment A-listers in the country

Jenni is certified to grade, sort, and match pearls Jenni (right) with daughter Melizza in Tahiti

PH’s Queen of Pearls Jenni Tanpoco (right) and the world’s Emperor of Pearls Robert Wan

Located at S Maison at Conrad, Manila, Hard Rock is a haven for fans of music, food, and great times

The top 10 winners of the Kasambahay Kasambuhay Pilipinas Awards 2022