Manila Standard - 2023 January 2 - Monday

New Year snag: Airport chaos

Air traffic glitch cancels, delays 282 flights, affecting 56,000 passengers

By Darwin G. Amojelar, Joel E. Zurbano and Macon Ramos-Araneta

CHAOS greeted travelers going into Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on New Year’s Day as technical problems with its air navigation facilities led to 268 flight cancellations on Sunday – a glitch affecting the entire Philippines and hassling about 56,000 passengers, the Department of Transportation said.

Beijing puts ‘high importance’ on PBBM’s state visit to China

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is the first world leader to be welcomed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2023 – a sign of the “high importance” accorded by both Manila and Beijing to bilateral relations, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin.

"President Marcos will be the first foreign head of state China will receive in the new year,” Wang said in a press briefing in Beijing.

"This will be President Marcos’s first visit to China after taking office and his first official visit to a non-ASEAN country. It fully demonstrates the high importance China and the Philippines attach to bilateral relations," he added.

Wang said the bilateral meeting between the two leaders during Mr. Marcos’ threeday state visit from Jan. 3 to 5 will allow them to” jointly chart the course forward for our relationship.”

PH on heightened alert for COVID-19

By Willie Casas

AS the Philippines goes on "heightened alert" as a surge of COVID-19 cases in China triggers global concern, travelers from the communist country now face restrictions when entering more than a dozen countries, with Australia the latest to demand a negative test before arrival. In a Dec. 31 memorandum, all

Philippine Department of Health-Centers for Health Development (DOH-CHD) were instructed to prepare and augment resources, especially telemedicine providers, in case of an increase in patients with respiratory symptoms.

All CHDs were enjoined to ramp up information dissemination on the importance of layers of protection, including wearing masks, getting the most updated

vaccines, and self-isolation if unwell.

Meanwhile, Australia's health minister on Sunday cited Beijing's "lack of comprehensive information" about COVID cases as the reasoning behind the travel requirement, which will take effect on January 5.

The move will "safeguard Australia from the risk of potential new emerging variants," he said.

THE Department of Health logged a 14 percent decrease in the number of firecracker-related injuries in 2022 compared to the previous year as the Philippine National Police said New Year revelries have been generally peaceful except for at least three indiscriminate firing incidents.

"There is a 14 percent decrease in cases

recorded in all regions as of this morning," DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a press conference at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) after making the rounds of the facility's trauma unit and nonCOVID-19 emergency room.

The department has recorded a total of

POPE Francis hailed the "beloved" Benedict XVI on Sunday in a New Year's Day service at the Vatican while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended the Philippines' sympathies to the late pontiff’s loved ones.

"Today we entrust the beloved pope emeritus Benedict XVI to the most holy mother (the Virgin Mary), to accompany him in his passage from this world to God," Francis said a day after his predecessor died.

On his official Twitter account on Saturday, Mr. Marcos said: “We are in deep sorrow upon learning of the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI today. The Philippines is one in offering our prayers for the eternal repose of his soul. We keep his loved ones in our prayers,” he said.

In the Philippines, church-goers lit candles and prayed before a portrait of Pope Benedict XVI at the Church of Christ chapel inside Manila Cathedral on Sunday.

PRAYERS FOR BENEDICT.

Churchgoers light candles and pray before a portrait of Pope Benedict XVI inside the Church of Christ chapel in Manila Cathedral in Intramuros on Sunday, while others queue to sign their names on a condolences book for the late leader of the Catholic Church, who died Saturday at 95.

THE reported death toll from the flooding that hit parts of Mindanao, Bicol, and Visayas has risen to 49, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Sunday.

Most of the deaths were from Northern Mindanao, the council said inits latest report issued at 6 a.m. Sunday. The floods also left 16 wounded and 22 missing.

The NDRRMC also said more than

Nine roads and three bridges, mostly in

Danny Pata

141,000 families or 553,000 people were affected by the floods caused by the shear line across 10 regions.

Melanie Soriano gives birth to her first child, Nathalie,

2023 at Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in

NAIA BEDLAM. A screen shows flight information at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay on January 1, as a glitch in the airport's air navigation system led to a six-hour shutdown of air traffic on New Year's Day. Thousands of passengers crammed into the departure gates while their planes were forced to park or call off flights altogether, as airport workers handed out food and drinks to ease their wait (inset photos). AFP

The six-hour shutdown of air traffic going in and out of NAIA, the Philippines’ premier airport, led to a total of 282 flights across the country getting canceled, delayed, or diverted to other regional airports.

World leaves behind turbulent year

NEW YORK—The world's eight billion people have been ushering in 2023, bidding farewell to a turbulent year marked by war in Europe, stinging price rises, Lionel Messi's World Cup glory and the deaths of Queen Elizabeth, Pele, and former pope Benedict.

Many set aside pinched budgets and a virus that is increasingly forgotten, but not gone, to embrace a party atmosphere on New Year's Eve after three pandemic-dampened years.

In New York, confetti rained down after the famous ball drop at Times Square, a tradition that dates to 1907,

New...

From A1

The delays were traced to “technical issues” at the air navigation facilities of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), which issued an apology.

In a statement later Sunday, Transportation Secretary Jaime J.Bautista said the primary cause identified was a problem with the power supply and the degraded uninterrupted power supply (UPS), which had no link to the commercial power and had to be connected to the latter manually.

"The secondary problem was the power surge due to the power outage which affected the equipment," he added.

"The power coming from Meralco isn't the problem, there's reallypower. The problem is the equipment that we are using in CAAP," he added.

CAAP Director General Manuel Tamayo said the agency already restored the operations of the Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance Systems for Air Traffic Management (CNS-ATM).

Tamayo also blamed the power outage on the outdated CNS-ATM, which was funded by the Japanese government.

"We expect to normalize the operations of the airports," he added.

The DOTr said that as of 4 p.m., the air traffic management system had been partially restored, allowing limited flight operations.

It said that “the glitch has affected the entire Philippines” and inconvenienced

PH...

From A1

In recent days, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have also imposed either a negative COVID test requirement or testing upon arrival for travelers from China.

Canada cited "the limited epidemiological and viral genomic sequence data available" on recent COVID cases in China for its negative test demand.

Meanwhile, Morocco moved to ban all arrivals from China on Saturday, "to avoid a new wave of contaminations in Morocco and all its consequences."

The flurry of global travel restrictions began as countries anticipated a surge in Chinese visitors after Beijing announced a mandatory quarantine for inbound passengers would end on January 8.

Last month, Beijing abruptly began dismantling its "zero-COVID" containment policy of lockdowns and mass testing, three years after the coronavirus first emerged in the city of Wuhan.

As COVID overwhelms Chinese hospitals and crematoriums, officials have insisted that the wave is "under control" despite acknowledging that the true scale of infections is "impossible" to track.

The World Health Organization

Death...

From A1

the Mimaropa region, remain impassable as of Sunday.

The NDRRMC estimated infrastructure damage at P1.13 billion and agricultural damage at more than P243 million.

Northern Mindanao bore the brunt of the flooding, with damage to infrastructure and agriculture there alone amounting to P1.11 billion and P172 million, respectively.

Seven cities and towns in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Northern Mindanao were also placed under a state of calamity.

The government has so far given up to P48 million worth of assistance.

About P32 million of these were distributed through food packs and nonfood items.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has provided more than P28.1 million worth of cash assistance to the families affected by flash floods and landslides brought about by the shear line in the provinces of Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental.

In a statement on Saturday, DSWD Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) Assistant Director Ronald Ryan Cui said the office supervised the distribution of financial

with visitors from across the world waiting hours in the chilly rain to take part.

Throngs of people also packed Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach, where up to two million were expected for music and fireworks without the coronavirus safety measures of the past few years.

The festivities came only hours be-

about 56,000 passengers.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), which supervises NAIA and its three terminals, said Sunday that the Air Traffic Management Center’s (ATMC) normal operations resumed at 5:50 p.m.

Bautista added that the equipment restoration is still ongoing. Healso said that the government is planning to build a new CNS-ATM as a backup to ensure that a similar situation will not happen in the future.

"DOTr and CAAP continue to coordinate with the airlines as well as the other Authorities and operators such as Mactan Cebu InternationalAirport Authority (MCIAA), Clark International Airport, and Davao International Airport to address the flights disruptions," said Bautista, a longtime airline executive before joining the government.

"The Department also liaised with the airline partners for the provision of food, refreshments, transportation, lodging, and accommodation for all the canceled flights which are to be provided by the airlines free of charge to all affected passengers," he added.

Aside from this, DOTr directed different airline partners to provide food, refreshments, transportation, lodging, and accommodation for all affected passengers, free of charge, Bautista said.

CAAP and MIAA distributed Malasakit Kits and food packs to stranded passengers in the terminals, he added.

"DOTr also instructed the Land Trans-

has called the precautionary measures "understandable" in light of the lack of outbreak information provided by Beijing.

But the European branch of the International Airports Council—which represents more than 500 airports in 55 European countries—said the restrictions were not justified or risk-based.

European countries will meet next week to discuss a joint response to the issue, with incoming EU presidency holder Sweden saying it was "seeking a common policy for the entire EU when it comes to the introduction of possible entry restrictions".

In the Philippines, DOH officer-incharge Maria Rosario Vergeire said:

"[T]o ensure minimal local transmission in anticipation of possible increases, all CHDs are likewise directed to continue the strict implementation of the updated guidelines on Minimum Public Health Standards, as aligned with Department Memorandum 2022-0433, as well as other relevant COVID-19 surveillance and mitigation measures."

Vergeire reiterated DOH's directive to the Bureau of Quarantine and relevant offices to intensify monitoring and implementation of border protocols for incoming individuals, including those from China, at all ports of entry.

Agencies were also ordered to closely coordinate with seaport and airport

assistance and family food packs (FFPs) to 11 local government units (LGUs) of Misamis Occidental, and in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.

Based on DSWD reports, Cui said there were 1,016 residents from Jimenez town, 422 families from Plaridel, both in Misamis Occidental; and 24 families from Gingoog City who have received the FFPs and cash assistance.

Each of these recipient families received P5,000 under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).

At least 932 residents in the municipality of Tudela, 576 families in Clarin, and 505 families in Sinacaban, also received cash assistance.

Still in Misamis Occidental, DSWD10 also distributed financial aid to 124 residents of Ozamiz City, 128 families in Panaon, and seven families from Baliangao who have partially-damaged houses.

In addition, some 1,732 beneficiaries received financial assistance in Oroquieta City, 623 families from the town of Aloran, and 492 families from Lopez Jaena.

Meanwhile, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando Uy also personally handed over to Misamis Occidental Vice Governor Rowena Gutierrez a check worth P2 million as the city's financial assistance to the province.

The city government also sent food and non-food items, including medicines and a water tanker to help ease the plight of the Dec. 24 to 25 flood victims.

fore Brazil inaugurates new president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Sunday following his razor-thin win in October polls.

After the widely criticized pandemic policies of outgoing President Jair Bolsonaro, Copacabana partygoer Ana Carolina Rodrigues said she hoped 2023 brings a government that "looks more at people's health."

Across the Atlantic, Parisians crowded shoulder-to-shoulder forfireworks along the Champs-Elysees in numbers comparable to 2018 and 2019, officials said.

Police said about a million people showed up, with children in pushchairs

portation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) deployment of shuttle buses to take affected NAIA passengers to Clark International Airport," Bautista said.

"While we acknowledge and apologize for any inconvenience brought by the incident, rest assured that DOTr, with CAAP, MIAA, and otherairport stakeholders, are working tirelessly to restore full operations at our ATMC, and safely bring home all affected passengers.

We graciously appeal for everyone’s patience and understanding," he added.

The CAAP said the "technical issues" were first detected at 9:50 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2023, at the Philippine Air Traffic Management Center, and apologized to the affected passengers.

"The flight delays and diversions are only precautionary measures to ensure the safety of passengers, crew, and aircraft," CAAP said.

The agency added that it has advised all airlines of the situation and that relevant authorities were addressing the issue.

“We guarantee the riding public of our continued commitment to theirwelfare and convenience and above all the safety of our flights," CAAP’s Tamayo said.

The cancellations showed the need for multiple contingency plans and the immediate rollout of assistance to all stranded passengers for any disruptions, said Sen. Grace Poe.

"We should not be in a rush if passengers are already mad," she said.

"What a way to start the year. It's not yet a year since I talked about the condi-

authorities "for possible re-establishment of testing of inbound travelers from high alert countries.”

The DOH on Sunday reported 464 new COVID-19 cases, the lowest singleday tally in four days and the 10th straight day of fewer than 1,000 new cases.

The tally of active cases decreased to 13,061—after nine days ofdeclining cases, it is the lowest total in nearly six months, since the 13,021 active cases on July 9, 2022.

The country’s COVID-19 caseload now totals 4,064,779 infections. Totalrecoveries increased by 760 cases to 3,986,321, while deaths rose by 12 to 65,397.

At the same time, the DOH said hospitals are ready for a rise in COVID-19 infections.

Asked if the Philippines would also experience a surge in COVID-19 cases as China did, Vergeire said there was a big difference in population size between the two countries, which also had different approaches to combating the pandemic.

Nevertheless, it was always possible that COVID-19 cases would rise again in the Philippines, she said, but added that the health system was ready for such a possibility.

Vergeire also said that many Filipinos still opted to wear face masks, despite it being made voluntary.

“You choose and we choose to wear the masks so we can be safe, and I think that is going to work for us,” she said.

Pope...

From A1

Long lines also formed as Filipinos signed the condolences book for the former pope.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, for its part, said it will “fondly remember” Benedict for being a “Pope of Charity.”

“If Pope Francis is known as the Pope of Mercy and Joy, Pope Benedict will be remembered as the Pope of Charity. He began his episcopacy with a profoundly theological encyclical entitled DEUS CARITAS EST (God is Love),” CBCP President and Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said in a statement.

Benedict, a conservative intellectual who in 2013 became the first pontiff in six centuries to resign, died on Saturday at his home in a monastery inside the grounds of the Vatican.

His body will be moved on Monday morning to St Peter's Basilica, where for three days the public will be able to pay their respects before a funeral on Thursday overseen by Francis.

The ceremony will be "solemn but simple," the Vatican has said, after which he will be buried in the papal tombs under St Peter's Basilica.

The last papal funeral, of John Paul II in 2005, drew a million faithful and heads

and partygoers clutching champagne equally visible.

"We're here for the ambience, to have a good time and to be together," said 19-year-old student Ilyes Hachelef. "It's beautiful!"

Sydney became one of the first major cities to ring in 2023 after two years of lockdowns and coronavirus-muted festivities, staging a fireworks display over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Hours later, London also welcomed crowds to its official fireworks display for the first time since before the pandemic. AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

tion of our air transportation, but we’re now adding another problem to the list instead of striking them off," Poe added.

"It's a new year, but the same problem. We were optimistic that the new year would spur change for the better, but it seems that our air transport's new year’s resolution has been broken on the first day of the year."

Philippine Airlines and AirAsia Philippines issued advisories on flight diversions, cancellations, and delays.

"AirAsia is closely working with airport authorities to ensure convenience among our guests in all of our airport operations pending complete resolution of the technical concerns," the company said.

Cebu Pacific also said that all flights have been temporarily "put on hold" due to the technical issues at NAIA.

"Please expect flight disruptions as we manage the situation," the airline said, adding that the Philippine Air Traffic Management Center was experiencing a power outage and the loss of communication that affected all operations.

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said they coordinated closely with NAIA management.

"Upon initial analysis, there were no trouble or issues affecting Meralco distribution facilities, and no power outage or fluctuation was likewise monitored or reported as far as Meralco's power lines and facilities are concerned," Meralco said.

"Meralco is currently onsite and ready to provide assistance if needed by airport authorities," it added.

The DOH also recommended to the Office of the President (OP) a further extension of the state of calamity in the Philippines due to COVID-19. 'Light of hope'

While a few major Chinese cities seem to be emerging from the current wave of infections, under-resourced smaller cities and rural areas have been hit especially hard.

In response to the outbreak, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said onSunday that she is "willing to provide necessary assistance based on humanitarian concerns," but did not specify what kind of aid might be extended to Beijing, which considers the self-ruled island a breakaway province.

But in his televised New Year address, Chinese President Xi Jinping struck an optimistic note.

"Epidemic prevention and control is entering a new phase... Everyone is working resolutely, and the light of hope is right in front of us," Xi said in a speech broadcast on state media on Saturday.

It was Xi's second time commenting on the outbreak this week. On Monday, he called for measures to "effectively protect people's lives".

Despite the jump in infections, large crowds still gathered for New Year's Eve celebrations in Shanghai and Wuhan, although some social media users said the festivities seemed more subdued than in past years. Willie Casas with AFP

of state from around the world, although Benedict was a more divisive figure.

A brilliant theologian, he alienated many Catholics with his staunch defense of traditional values and as the pope struggled to impose his authority on the church as it battled a string of crises, including over clerical sex abuse.

US President Joe Biden, a devout Catholic, praised Benedict's "devotion to the Church," while Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed him as a "defender of traditional Christian values."

His death brought to an end an unprecedented situation in which two"men in white" – Benedict and Francis – had coexisted within the walls of the tiny city-state.

Benedict's health had been declining for a long time, and he had almost entirely withdrawn from public view when the Vatican revealed on Wednesday that his situation had worsened.

At a New Year's Eve service on Saturday evening, Francis paid tribute to his "dearest" predecessor, saying he was "so noble, so kind."

After the service on Sunday morning for the World Day of Peace at St Peter's Basilica, the pontiff will address the faithful in St Peter's Square for the Angelus prayer at 1100 GMT.

Francis, 86, has raised the prospect that he might follow Benedict's example and step down if he becomes unable to carry out his duties. AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Sara hopes Pinoys keep resilience, ‘bayanihan’ sense

VICE President Sara Duterte-Carpio hoped that Filipinos would continue to be resilient and carry with them the sense of nationhood and “bayanihan” spirit this 2023.

In her New Year message, Duterte called on the nation to “embody our collective resolve and fortitude to begin anew” despite the challenges brought by the previous year.

“May our sense of nationhood, enduring spirit of Bayanihan, and unshakeable resiliency remain our guideposts as we continue upholding reforms, policies, and programs for the improved welfare of our people in the education sector, uniformed services, civilian personnel, frontline duty, and in the most vulnerable communities,” she said.

“I am hopeful that our tireless nationbuilding efforts will redound to the success of our undertakings in governance, the business arena, the agricultural sector, and in other viable industries so that we can conduct our development efforts with utmost regard to the greater good of the entire nation,” she continued.

Duterte-Carpio also encouraged Filipinos to envision a new year filled with purpose and steadfastness to build a better life for themselves and their communities.

DOH:...

From A1

137 firecracker-related injuries reported by the sentinel hospitals since the start of the monitoring on Dec. 20.

Vergeire said 85 of the cases occurred from Dec. 31 to the morning of Jan. 1. The decrease is attributed to the local government units' implementation of regulations and ordinances related to the use and sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics, she said.

Vergeire said they are expecting additional cases until their monitoring ends on Jan. 6.

The PNP, for its part, said New Year revelries were generally peaceful and safe.

PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Red Maranan said two incidents of indiscriminate firing in Iloilo and Quezon City.

A member of the Philippine Coast Guard and one civilian were arrested for those incidents, Maranan said.

In Abra, two people were reportedly wounded after being hit by a stray bullet, Police Regional Office (PRO) Cordillera Deputy Regional Director for Operations Col. Ronald Gayo said.

In Metro Manila, National Capital Region Police Office chief Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo said the celebration was generally peaceful.

“These positive developments could be attributed to our early preparations and consistent implementation of various measures,” he said.

The NCRPO arrested seven violators of the firecracker ban, two violators in illegal discharge of firearms, and confiscated firecrackers worth P1,208,710 in the entire region. Willie Casas

Beijing...

From A1

"Leaders of the two sides will have in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest,” he said.

Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs said China and the Philippines are expected to sign an agreement to prevent “miscalculations and miscommunication” in the country’s exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.

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

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

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.

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.

DBM chief: ‘Put faith in PBBM’

and to the right direction,” she said.

In her New Year’s Day message, Pangandaman acknowledged that the past few years have put the nation to the test

“We were confronted with the pandemic, as well as calamities and challenges here and abroad. But, in the end, our courage, unity and resilience prevailed. The indomitable spirit of the Filipino people remained steadfast and

unwavering,” she said.

She, likewise, expressed confidence that the Marcos administration will work hard to achieve its goal of lifting more Filipinos out of poverty with the passage of the P5.268-trillion national budget for 2023.

“As we usher into 2023, let us put faith and confidence to our national leadership and to our fellow countrymen, as we all steer our nation forward

Salceda expects lower income tax for workers under TRAIN

By Rio N. Araja

ALBAY Rep. Joey Salceda on Sunday cited lower income tax shall greet ordinary employees in 2023 due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law or Republic Act No. 10963.

“A 13.5th month bonus” is how he described the cuts to the personal income tax rates in 2023.

The TRAIN Law was principally authored and sponsored by Salceda, House ways and means chairperson.

“The TRAIN Law personal income tax (PIT) cut will be equivalent to around 5% in gross income in added take home pay. That’s around half a month’s worth of additional disposable income,” he said.

The new annual income tax rates would reduce taxes by around 5% for those earning between over P250,000 and P2 million.

Individuals with taxable income

above P2 million but not greater than P8 million would see a 2% decrease in personal income tax.

Income below P250,000 will still be exempt from PIT.

It shall increase disposable income for Filipino families by around P32 billion by our emerging estimates. That will boost consumer spending and also leave some room for savings for homeownership,” Salceda cited.

The cut would also cushion workers from the impact of the 1 percentage point increase in Social Security System contributions and the 0.5 percentage point increase in Philhealth premiums.

“Take home is still up 3.5 percentage points more or less,” Salceda said.

Meanwhile, he called for the implementation of the United States of AmericaPhilippines tax treaty to lower taxes for Youtubers, freelancers with US employer.

“Rest assured that following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s signing of the 2023 General Appropriations Act, we will soldier on towards economic recovery and transformation. As the President says time and again— In this administration, no Filipino will be left behind,” she added.

Pangandaman also hoped that all Filipinos enter the new year with “gratitude, greater zeal and optimism.”

She earlier underscored that the 2023 budget was crafted in support of the Marcos administration’s 8-point Socioeconomic Agenda and the Medium Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF).

Anchored on the theme, “Agenda for Prosperity: Economic Transformation Towards Inclusivity and Sustainability,” the proposed budget seeks to address the immediate and pressing concerns of all Filipinos in the nearand medium-term.

On Dec. 16, Marcos signed into law the 2023 national budget that is geared towards achieving post-pandemic economic recovery.

He said the 2023 national budget will provide the government with a tool to transform the economy and carry out the needed structural changes toward realizing the administration’s goals.

PNP says SIM registration to stop web scams

T HE nationwide SIM card registration will help address issues on online scams and hacking, among others, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

PNP Public Information Office chief Police Colonel Red Maranan, quoted by a GMA News report, made the remark when asked how the implementation of the SIM Card Registration Act would help the PNP in dealing with cybercrimes.

“When it comes to criminality, the PNP expects that the SIM card registration will help a lot in combatting crimes committed in cyberspace, especially online scams, hacking, and identity theft,” the official said.

“Even the snatching of cellphones may be gone when the SIM card law is fully implemented,” the official added.

Maranan said PNP chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. ordered all PNP personnel and employees to immediately register their SIM cards.

Earlier, the PNP said it is supporting the SIM Card Registration Act, saying the measure would aid authorities in tracking criminals during an investigation, without violating personal privacy.

The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the SIM Card Registration Act took effect on Tuesday, December 27, mandating all public telecommunications entities (PTEs) to establish their own registration platform where they will get users onboard upon presenting valid identification cards.

Users are given 180 days to register, or risk having their SIM cards deactivated.

PBBM admin steps up effort to construct 6 million houses for Pinoys

THE administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has stepped up efforts to address housing woes with the kick-off of its flagship program aimed at constructing over 6 million houses, which is expected to benefit some 30 million Filipinos.

MORE than 6.1 million arrivals were recorded in 2022, with returning Filipinos topping the list, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Saturday.

Immigration officers processed 6,125,841 arrivals this year.

“This is already a major leap from the last two years, wherein our airports were quiet due to the decrease in travelers following travel restrictions imposed at the height of the pandemic,” BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement.

There were 3.6 million Filipinos who came home, followed by passengers from the United States with 687,135 arrivals and 448,491 from South Korea.

There were also 152,476 visitors from Australia, 141,578 from Canada and 123,011 from Japan.

The BI reported 17 million arrivals for 2019 but the pandemic broke out in March 2020.

Passenger arrivals from January to September 2021 dropped by 72 percent compared to the same period in 2020, or 893,886 international travelers as against 3.2 million the previous year.

“While we are not yet seeing prepandemic figures, the increase is already evident,” Tansingco said. “We share the optimism of the Tourism department that travel is on the rebound and we will expect more tourists in the following months.”

The Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program envisions to construct 6.15 million housing units over the next six years and involves the transformation of informal settlements into prime

residential sites and waterfronts and the rehabilitation of esteros, according to the administration’s 2022 year-end report.

Among the features of the program are in-city resettlement, high-density/vertical housing emphasis in highly urbanized areas, utilization of idle government lands and support of government financial institutions (GFIs) and private banks to provide development loans and end-user financing, among others.

It also involves the provision of interest support to reduce beneficiaries’ monthly amortization, local government units (LGUs) as the lead in implementing housing projects and participation by private sector developers and contractors as partners.

As of Dec. 22, 2022, the Department of Human Settlements and Development (DHSUD) has signed 47 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with 39 LGUs

and eight provincial LGUs.

According to a briefer on the site inspection of the land development and housing project, the MOU provides that the DHSUD and LGUs “will identify blighted areas for development, purchase or pursue expropriation of private properties occupied by informal settler families (ISFs), facilitate the in-city or onsite development of government-owned properties with ISFs, and identify beneficiaries of the housing project.”

Angeles school cited for high passing rates

By Butch Gunio

“I

“Ito po ay bunga ng inyong patuloy na kasipagan, pagtitiyaga, at dedikasyon,” Lazatin said.

The CCA garnered 84.21% for the first-time takers of the board exams and 100% for the second-time takers.

This passing rate, according to Villanueva, is much higher than the 50.94% national passing rate.

Villanueva was pleased that developments such as these bring so much pride to the institution and the city.

“This encourages us to even work harder towards providing our students a world-class education,” Villanueva said.

To date, CCA offers 15 courses with a student population of about 5,700.

ANGELES CITY—Mayor Carmelo Lazatin, Jr. has congratulated the City College of Angeles (CCA) for registering an overall 86.36 % passing rate in the March 2022 Licensure Examination for Teachers — Secondary Level.

am congratulating the CCA, including all personnel, Pres. Dr. Frankie Villanueva and the Angeleño scholars for always setting a milestone for Angeles City in its board exam performance,” Lazatin said.

DEPARTMENT of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Sunday urged Filipinos to put “faith and confidence” in the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as the country ushers 2023.

but Filipinos have managed to soldier on.

VISIT TO THE PARK. Families celebrate New Year’s Day at Rizal Park in Manila on January 1, 2023. AFP

AFTERMATH. A resident looks for things that they can still sell or use after their house was razed by fire in Tindalo Street, Santa Cruz, Manila, on December 31. Three residents perished in the fire incident, while eight houses were destroyed and 32 families were displaced. Norman Cruz

PH updating nuke energy roadmap

THE government is set to update its nuclear energy roadmap with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pushing for its adoption in a bid to lower power rates, the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) said in a statement Sunday.

The Department of Energy (DOE) will update the roadmap to guide both the Nuclear Energy Program Implementing Organization (NEPIO), and the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC).

“The use of nuclear power is also an important part of the energy mix that the DOE is eyeing,” the OPS said.

Customs seizes P140m of agri goods in Munti

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has reported the seizure of undeclared agricultural products amounting close to P140 million from a Muntinlupa Citybased company.

According to Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz, the containers were declared to contain udon noodles and frozen dimsum balls, but upon examination, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service at Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) found that it contained undeclared fresh red and white onions, frozen ox tripe, frozen barbecue, and frozen crawfish.

The P139,769,500 worth of undeclared agricultural products underwent examinations from Dec. 27 to 29, 2022.

The shipments arrived from China between Nov. 27, 2022 and Dec. 3, 2022 at the MICP and were consigned to Taculog J International Consumer Goods Trading located at B4 L7 Mariategui HMOA, Alabang.

Ruiz said he was surprised that the same company almost managed to bring in hundreds of millions worth of smuggled agricultural products into the country in less than two months.

“Although I am proud of our men and what they were able to accomplish these past weeks, I am appalled at the gall of these groups. We have reports coming in that a kilo of red onions sells for PHP720 in the markets. Bringing a hot commodity like onions into our borders without going through the proper procedures is an affront to our farmers, the people who make sure we have enough supply of it,” he said in a statement.

Marcos, along with Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, has long been pushing for the adoption of nuclear energy, which they said would lower electricity rates and help secure a steady power source.

Last March, former President Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order 164, directing the conduct of relevant studies

for the adoption of a National Position for a Nuclear Energy Program.

Last month, Mr. Marcos met with French President Emmanuel Macron and discussed the possibility of teaming up for nuclear energy projects.

However, last November the DOE said that the Philippines will have to wait 10 years to see a working nuclear power plant, given the time needed for feasibility studies and other factors.

Moving forward, the government seeks to increase the share of renewable energy to 35% of the country’s power generation mix by 2030, and hike this to 50% by

2040, the Energy department said.

These include offshore wind, waste-toenergy, expanded rooftop solar programs, as well as ocean and tidal stream energy.

The DOE in the second half of 2022 awarded 41 renewable energy service contracts with a potential capacity of 9.2 gigawatts, of which 6.2 gigawatts will come from offshore wind (OSW) service contracts.

It endorsed to the Office of the President a draft EO “that would strengthen and rationalize the regulatory framework for the immediate development of the OSW,” the OPS said.

73.7m Filipinos got COVID jabs in 2022 DOH

THE Department of Health (DOH) has significantly reduced the country’s vulnerability to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) through its continuous vaccination drive while implementing programs that bolster the healthcare workforce.

In its accomplishment report from July to December 2022, the DOH said an additional 3,100,258 individuals were inoculated against Covid-19, bringing the official tally of fully vaccinated Filipinos to 73,713,573 or 94.5 percent of the eligible population.

At least 6,068,268 Filipinos received the first booster dose, raising the total count to 21,047,212. Meanwhile, 2,843,537 got their second booster shots, pushing the overall sum to 3,691,412.

“Target natin by the first quarter of 2023 ay matanggap na po natin ang unang batch ng bivalent vaccines na kasalukuyan na nating pino-procure at sine-secure through our COVAX Facility process at iba pang mga (By the first quarter of 2023, we target to receive the first batch of bivalent vaccines which we’re procuring and securing through our COVAX Facility process and other) bilateral agreements,” DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said recently.

For the healthcare workforce, the DOH was able to provide benefits based on the existing laws.

“We have given special risk allowance, sickness and death compensation, Health Emergency Allowance which was previously known as the One COVID Allowance,” Vergeire said.

As of Dec. 28, about PHP1.5 billion has been distributed to 73,711 healthcare workers under Batches 5 and 6 for the special risk allowance.

Vergeire also said that around PHP421.2 million was given to 27,899 beneficiaries of Covid-19 sickness and death compensation, and PHP12.2 billion were paid to 1,666,638 workers for their health emergency allowance.

‘Communists dying from lack of PH support’

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday said lack of support is now pushing the communist insurgency to become a “dying movement.”

“We have achieved (a) significant breakthrough in our campaign to end local communist armed conflict. With reduced capability and loss of people’s support, the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) could hardly initiate (a) tactical offensive to threaten the peace,” AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said in a statement.

“Far away from achieving its political objective, the CPP cadres are hanging on its last breath for the economic benefits afforded by the party’s resources generated locally and abroad. Ideology is just a memory to (a) dying movement,” he added.

CIDG ends ‘22 with string of big accomplishments

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) ended 2022 with a string of major accomplishments following the intensified anti-criminality operations.

CIDG chief Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee said the group was able to keep the momentum of the government’s campaign against illegal drugs when it arrested 114 suspects during the 61 operations they conducted throughout the year.

A total PHP6,752,170 worth of illegal

drugs was seized during these operations while 28 cases were filed in courts.

In the campaign against illegal gambling and game fixing, CIDG conducted 1,233 operations that resulted in the arrest of 4,136 people. At least PHP3 million worth of cash bets were confiscated and 1,083 cases were filed.

Lee also said CIDG conducted 8,621 manhunt operations against most wanted persons for various crimes across the country.

As for the campaign against loose firearms, a total of 1,582 operations were conducted that led to the arrest of 780 individuals and the filing of 387 cases. At least 13 people were killed during these operations while 918 firearms, 4,095 explosives, and 15,241 ammunition were confiscated.

Lee also said the CIDG held 183 operations against smuggling and counterfeiting that led to the confiscation of over PHP50 million worth of counterfeit items and the arrest of at least 300 people.

He added that attrition in the CPP leadership and other members of its ranks have made it difficult for its leadership to convene the national congress and install a new set of executive committee members.

“Never before had the party experienced this difficulty in consolidating what remains of its members. Benito Tiamzon is nowhere to be found to make critical decisions for the party. His reported death is feared by the 54-year-old party to cause further demoralization and disintegration within the organization,” Aguilar said.

CPP founding chairman Jose Maria Sison died at the age of 83 in the Netherlands 12 days before the CPP celebrated its 54th anniversary on Dec. 26.

ILOILO CITY—City residents here were encouraged to prepare a survival kit (K-KIT) of tools and supplies enough to meet their needs for 72 hours during any disaster or emergency.

Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CRDDMO) head Donna Magno said on Saturday that emergencies such as an earthquake can happen anytime without any warnings.

“It can happen anytime. So there is a sense of urgency, we always emphasize that to the public because we can never tell when it (will) happen,” she said in an interview.

Magno said that in partnership with a private manning firm, they have been going around the city conducting community-based training, part of which is how to make a family disaster

preparedness plan.

She added that for the past weeks, they have 50 trained personnel who reached out to barangays to conduct the training.

“They were able to train over 5,000,” she said.

Next year they intend to go massive with their information drive and training.

The survival kit contains the family’s food supply, first-aid and hygiene kits, medicines, water, clothes, beddings and other items they will need to survive for the next 72 hours as three days are said to be the crucial time for disaster response.

The kit has to be checked and replenished every three months and stored in an area that can be easily accessed in case of emergency.

Iloilo residents urged to prepare ‘K-KIT’ to survive for 72 hours amid disasters

NEW YEAR AT LUNETA.

An estimated 100,000 Filipinos

watch the dancing fountain and the fireworks display in Luneta Park in Manila as they welcome the 2023 new year on Sunday, January 1. Danny Pata

MASONS ANNIVERSARY. The Masons of the Gran Logia Soberana del Archipielago Filipino, led by MRGM Felipe L. Navarro Jr., celebrate their 97th Chartered Anniversary as a ‘regular, legitimate and lawful organization, due to its life, its Rite, its doctrine, its Rules and its Constitution,’ with the theme ‘Our Unity is the Greatest Strength of Masonry towards Free Brotherhood.’ Norman Cruz

QC SHOW. Quezon City residents welcome 2023 by watching eight minutes of fireworks at the Quezon Memorial Circle on Satuday night, joined by City Mayor Joy Belmonte and some local officials.

THE Department of Agriculture has waved a new suggested retail price (SRP) for onions, which, while not a staple like rice, has become the poster boy of food inflation in these benighted isles.

Here we go again.

I remember a famous line that wet market tinderas used as response to buyers complaining about high prices saying that the newspapers claim prices should not breach a certain amount.

E di sa dyaryo kayo bumili,” the smart aleck tinderas would retort.

That’s the SRP which the DTI and DA keep announcing, whenever prices get unusually high.

“E di pumila kayo sa Kadiwa,” the tinderas would now say.

These SRP’s simply do not work. Pang-media lamang. Pure optics, bereft of any real value in the marketplace of goods.

The day after DA announced it was “thinking” of a 250 SRP for red onions, the price shot up to 500-600 per kilo in the wet markets, likely higher in the supermarkets. ***

The DOH wants to repeat a mistake they and their IATF did in January of 2020.

It announced that they are not recommending stiff measures on visitors coming from China, and will wait and see. The President echoed the DOH line.

Maybe the office of the presidential adviser on creative affairs, or whatever Paul Soriano’s title is, the National Museum director, and the DOT agencies together with the city officialdom, can make certain that ‘taste’ and not egregiously crass ‘development’ is observed

It’s déjà vu. Here we go again.

Nag-aarimunhan sa turista and the Chinese New Year, which will begin January 22, hoping that an armada of Chinese visitors will swarm our airports the way they are doing to the West Philippine Sea.

In 2020, when alarm bells were ringing all over Asia about the Wuhan virus called COVID-19 (19 because it was discovered in the last months of 2019), we hesitated from banning, or even checking arriving tourists for infection.

As last as the first week of February (the Chinese New Year in the Year of the Rat 2020 began January 25) , visitors from Fujian were allowed to wander around Davao, and another planeload disembarked at the NAIA.

At the very least, we should be testing visitor arrivals for COVID or whatever variant from the mainland at the ports of entry, as they are doing elsewhere in the world.

Tourist traffic will rise again, if we do things right, and every sector in the industry cooperates. Never mind if the Chinese will not swarm our isles these lunar new year holidays.

***

Many readers and friends reacted to our article about walkways last December 29. Indeed, you can think of more busy thoroughfares where walkways can be constructed quickly and costeffectively.

The idea isn’t even novel, after all. Many have proposed it in the past.

The point is, we need to encourage people to walk or bike, but they have to do it safely.

In Metro Manila, people want to ride every possible contraption, including those rickety human-paddled trisikads to move their lazy bodies instead of walking 500 meters.

Construct these walk and bike over-lanes instead of the ultra-expensive subway that is bogged down now because of right-of-way conflicts, pushing its completion target to as far out as 2030.

***

There are only two districts in the capital city of Manila which tourists frequent: the fifth and the third.

The fifth is where Intramuros, Ermita, and the National Museum along with Roxas Boulevard are located; the third is where the oldest Chinatown in the world sits.

And at the risk of incurring the ire of other cities in the national capital region, I think Manila is about the only touristic part of the metropolis, with its colonial Old World charm and quaint Chinatown district.

Of course, shoppers will find Makati and San Juan attractive too, but hey, tourists other than balikbayans would rather shop for better and cheaper merchandise in Hong Kong or Bangkok.

Straddling most of the Chinatown area are detritus-filled streams called esteros.

After cleaning them up, I suggest my city’s officialdom to consider covering these with concrete slabs, sturdy enough to support twostory steel parking contraptions, and then close Ongpin, Misericordia, Padilla, and other streets to vehicular traffic, except for timed merchandise delivery schedules.

Using local granite (yes, we have these in the Ilocos), or getting Fujian where most Chinoys originally migrated from, to donate granite blocks, and re-pave Chinatown’s road with.

Get the store owners to come up with tastefully designed facades (let me emphasize the word “tastefully”) and replace the streetlamps with 19th century vintage lampposts (similar to what Isko Moreno did in Jones Bridge).

Think Penang in Malaysia, or Hoi An and Hainan in Vietnam, even the environs of Singapore’s Chinatown, or sponsor a façadedesign contest among UST, FEU, St. Benilde and other Manila universities known for architecture and creative courses.

And make Chinatown a mostly pedestrianized area, with facsimiles of the streetcars of yore the only other mode of intra-mobility, as well as horse-drawn caruajes or carretelas.

As for Intramuros and Luneta, may I suggest that Manila officials be more pro-active in their participation over tourism agencies under the DOT, such as the National Parks office, the Intramuros Administration and TIEZA, to come up with a holistic and tastefully crafted plan for the areas supervised by these national agencies crafted only during the Marcos’ pere era.

After all, these DOT agencies are always cash-strapped, while the City of Manila has comparatively ample funds to supplement the meager budgets of these agencies.

The key word in all these suggestions is good “taste,” with an eye to our history.

Maybe the office of the presidential adviser on creative affairs, or whatever Paul Soriano’s title is, the National Museum director, and the DOT agencies together with the city officialdom, can make certain that “taste” and not egregiously crass “development” is observed.

My two cents worth for a 2023 wish list. ***

A French expat in the Philippines had this to say about rich people and politicians flaunting their wealth, which we wrote about last Thursday, 2022.

In his country and most parts of Europe, politicians and bishops are never seen with Rolexes and Patek Philippe on their wrists.

Wives of prominent people never post their Hermes and LV’s in instagrams, or the voters will punish their husbands in the next election.

It is considered scandalous and in poor taste. Ostentoire ey pretentieux, they say.

My Spanish teacher used to describe it as “una falta de urbanidad.”

Words, even in Pilipino, hardly capture the exact description for such insensitive showoffishness.

More wishes for 2023 in the next article.

Meanwhile, even if the signs are not too good, let’s count our blessings, and hope that, as in previous crises, we will survive.

‘Hotline’ on SCS maritime row

CLOSE on the heels of recent run-ins between the Philippine military and Chinese Coast Guard/ maritime militia vessels in disputed territory in the South China Sea, there’s now a proposal to set up a direct communication line between the top diplomats of the two countries to prevent any escalation of maritime disputes.

Such a ‘hotline’ is something that should have been put in place years ago, particularly after the Philippines won a favorable ruling from the Permanent Arbitral Tribunal of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS.

The trouble is that Beijing has refused to honor the arbitral award, adamant in its stand that it owns practically the whole of the vital sealane on the basis of what it calls its historical right under the so-called “nine-dash line.”

The imaginary “nine-dash line” is what’s behind the frequent tense stand-offs between the two sides in the high seas.

The details of the proposed hotline will still have to be ironed out when President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. embarks on a three-day state visit to China starting tomorrow.

According to our Department of Foreign Affairs, both sides have already agreed to sign an agreement establishing direct communication between the foreign ministries of both countries at various levels to “avoid miscommunication and miscalculation in the West Philippine Sea” that

Have the BCMs been totally useless in resolving key issues in the South China Sea and makes the proposed hotline between our respective foreign affairs departments a mere exercise in futility?

could lead to unintended consequences.

The agreement will be signed by our Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. It will be one of over a dozen deals to be sealed during the state visit. While at this, however, we must ask whatever happened to the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) that the two sides established at the start of the previous administration to thresh out issues and concerns related to the South China Sea?

We recall that the late Ambassador to Beijing Chito Sta. Romana headed our side in the first of the BCMs in 2017.

The BCMs held no more than three to four face-to-face meetings until COVID-19 struck in early 2020 and disrupted what was planned to be bi-annual meetings alternately in Beijing and in Manila.

As far as we know, the BCMs have issued official communiqués after each meeting. But no details of the discussions have been divulged by either side beyond glittering generalities, and what specific issues have been actually resolved.

Otherwise, the frequent stand-offs in the South China Sea would have been avoided by this time, six years after the fact.

That raises the question: Have the BCMs been totally useless in resolving key issues in the South China Sea and makes the proposed hotline between our respective foreign affairs departments a mere exercise in futility?

Moving forward from the crisis years

Boosting net exports through diversification of markets will expand opportunities for exporters.

On the supply side, boosting agriculture through farm mechanization, improved farm practices, greater diversification of products, and opening new markets and linkages to agribusiness markets are key to the country’s food security.

NEDA pushes more support for the growth of industries by promoting trade and investments, competition and improving regulatory services with new emphasis in Research and Development technology and bolstering the linkage of sciencebased industries.

Digitization of the transport sector, e-commerce adoption by MSMEs, increase access to funds and incentives for R&D and startup ecosystem development with more engagement with the academe will tap the rich Filipino brain pool that foreign tech companies are attracting.

The NEDA sees other cross-cutting strategies that apply to almost all sectors.

Encompassing to all is digitalization to evolve into a digital economy and digital government.

This links to connectivity which is about digital infrastructure and the digital readiness of the people to harness the benefits of a global digital economy.

As we are now learning to live with hundreds of COVID-19 variants, those difficult and scary

during the height of the pandemic seem like bad memories that we want to get over with and move on as quickly as possible.

Indeed, we have physically survived the pandemic but not without casualties and the deep economic scars that all of us must now work on in the years to come – a challenge where the business sector plays a leading role.

More than eight out of 10 Filipinos actually acknowledge the private sector’s crucial role in accelerating economic growth (Pulse Asia, September 2022) and 89 percent percent agree that the government and the private sector should engage in partnerships to sustain the country’s economic recovery.

The survey also identified: creating jobs, helping uplift the lives of Filipinos out of poverty, expanding livelihood opportunities, and improving healthcare services as the big problems that the private sector can address to boost the economy.

These sentiments relate well with the Marcos Jr. administration’s socioeconomic agenda which envisions a “robust economy, that is inclusive and resilient society.”

In particular, its medium-term agenda to promote investments, improve infrastructure, expand digital infrastructure, ensure energy security, increase employability, and establish livable and sustainable communities.

The key drivers of growth listed by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA, December 2022) emphasizes the vital role of the business sector.

On the demand side, private sector investments for infrastructure programs through Public Private Partnership (PPP) modalities will be encouraged with investment-inducing reforms.

It is clear the common denominator in all these plans and strategies for economic recovery is the private sector and the systemic digital transformation of all sectors in an environment of trust, symbiotic engagement, and good governance

In addition, producing innovative MSMEs and startups will help boost over 90 percent of the business ecosystem many of which were worst hit by the economic crisis.

The service industries such as tourism enterprises will benefit from the holiday economics that will release the vacation itch pentup by two years of travel restrictions.

The creative industry is also seen as a great potential where capacities should be built to break into the lucrative international scene.

Eye-for-an-eye sharia justice returns to Afghan courts

By Estelle Emonet and Qubad Wali

KNEELING in front of a turbanned judge in a tiny room at the Ghazni Court of Appeal in eastern Afghanistan, an old man sentenced to death for murder pleads for his life.

The 75-year-old admits to having shot dead a relative—out of revenge, he says, because of rumors he had sexual relations with his daughterin-law.

Under eye-for-eye sharia punishments, officially ordered by the Taliban’s supreme leader for the first time last month, he faces public execution —with the sentence to be carried out by a relative of his victim.

“We have made peace between the families,” the old man pleads.

“I have witnesses who can prove that we have agreed on compensation.”

AFP had rare access to a court in Ghazni to see how sharia justice is being administered since the Taliban returned to power in August last year.

Hundreds of millions of dollars were spent building a new judicial system after the Taliban were overthrown in 2001—a combination of Islamic and secular law, with qualified prosecutors, defense lawyers and judges.

Many women were recruited into the system,

overseeing cases involving hardcore Taliban militants as well as bringing more gender balance to family courts.

All that has been scrapped by the Taliban, with trials, sentences and punishments now overseen by all-male clerics.

Islamic law, or sharia, acts as a code of living for Muslims worldwide, offering guidance on issues such as modesty, finance and crime.

However, interpretations vary according to local custom, culture and religious school of thought.

Taliban scholars in Afghanistan have employed one of the most extreme interpretations of the code, including capital and corporal punishments little used by most modern Muslim states.

The difference between the system of the former government and today “is as big as the earth and the sky”, says Mohiuddin Umari, head of the Ghazni court, between sips of tea. ‘God guides us’

Officials in Ghazni have shunned the use of its formal Western-style courtroom, and proceedings instead take place in a small side room, with participants sitting on a carpeted floor.

The cramped room, heated by an old wood stove, has a bunk bed in a corner, on which religious books and a Kalashnikov rifle are placed.

The young judge, Mohammad Mobin, listens impassively before asking a few questions. He then orders another hearing in a few days—

giving the old man time to gather witnesses who can testify that the families have agreed to what he says.

“If he proves his claim, then the judgement can

be revised,” Mobin says. If not, “it is certain that the qisas (an eye-for-aneye) enshrined in the sharia will apply.”

Mobin, surrounded by thin, hand-written files held together by string, has been at the appeals court since the Taliban’s return in August 2021.

He says around a dozen death sentences have been handed down in Ghazni province since then, but none has been carried out -- partly because of the appeals process.

“It is very difficult to make such a decision and we are very careful,” the 34-year-old tells AFP.

“But if we have certain evidence, then God guides us and tells us not to have sympathy for these people.”

If the old man’s appeal fails, the case goes to the Supreme Court in Kabul, and finally to supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, who validates all capital sentences.

That was the case earlier this month in the western city of Farah when the Taliban carried out their first public execution since returning to power —an act widely condemned by rights groups and foreign governments and organizations.

‘Showing transparency’ Ghazni court head Umari insists the sharia system is much better than the one it replaced, even while conceding that officials need more experience.

Afghanistan was ranked 177th out of 180

With these strategies needing financial and expertise that government does not have, leveraging the role of the private sector by reconfiguring PPP to encourage large participation in housing, transport, and the digital sector is vital.

Engaging local governments as an equal partner in the development agenda will ensure that impact of these strategies will reach the community level.

According to leading think tank Stratbase ADR institute, while the Philippine government has been exerting efforts to attract more foreign investments, it is crucial to support both local and foreign investors to venture into manufacturing activities in the country that are not only exportoriented but can also cater to the needs of the growing domestic consumer base and reduce reliance on additional imports.

Most strategic will be the millions of job opportunities created that will support millions of households throughout the country.

While exports generate millions of dollars and helps the trade balance, boosting the growth of domestic-oriented enterprises will provide the needs of the greater population and eventually establish a sustainable ecosystem resilient to unforeseen crises.

It is clear the common denominator in all these plans and strategies for economic recovery is the private sector and the systemic digital transformation of all sectors in an environment of trust, symbiotic engagement, and good governance.

In this season of new hope, may we all work together and make 2023 the year when we finally leave behind the crises of the pandemic and accelerate momentum towards evolving into a new power player in the new global digital economy.

Happy New Year!

of the most corrupt states in 2021 by the NGO Transparency International and its courts were notorious for graft, with cases held up for years.

“The Islamic Emirate is showing transparency,” says Umari, using the Taliban’s designation for Afghanistan.

Many Afghans say they prefer their chances in sharia courts with civil cases, arguing they are less prone to the corruption that bedeviled the system under the previous Western-backed government.

However, jurists argue that criminal cases are more prone to a miscarriage under the new system.

“Some cases, if decided quickly, are better,” says a now-unemployed prosecutor, who asked not to be identified for fear of retribution.

“But in most cases, speed leads to hasty decisions.”

Umari insists all verdicts are thoroughly reviewed, adding “if a judge has made a mistake we investigate.”

But the old man in Ghazni who was sentenced to death says he had no lawyer, and his appeal lasted less than 15 minutes.

“The court should not have sentenced me to death,” he says.

“I have been in prison for more than eight months. They (the family) have agreed to spare me,” he adds, clasping a string of prayer beads in his handcuffed hands. AFP

NO MATTER how difficult the challenges were in 2022, we Filipinos are always optimistic of the New Year which, as far as I can remember, has been consistently reflected in Pulse Asia’s yearly surveys of the people’s year end sentiments.

times

Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano

Joyce Pangco Pañares

Rolando G. Estabillo

Many Afghans say they prefer their chances in sharia courts with civil cases, arguing they are less prone to the corruption that bedeviled the system under the previous Western-backed government

Taiwan offers assistance to China over virus surge

TAIWAN’S President Tsai Ing-wen extended an olive branch to Beijing on Sunday, pledging to offer assistance if needed as coronavirus cases surge in China after its abrupt lifting of pandemic restrictions.

“As long as there is a need, we are willing to provide necessary assistance based on humanitarian concerns,” Tsai said in her customary New Year’s Day speech.

She added that she hoped Taiwanese aid could “help more people out of the pandemic and have a healthy and safe New Year.”

China is facing an explosion of COVID-19 cases after dropping its stringent “zero-COVID” containment policy last month, three years after the coronavirus first emerged in the city of Wuhan.

Chinese hospitals have been hit by a flood of mostly elderly patients, cre-

matoriums have been overloaded and many pharmacies have run out of fever medications.

Relations between Taiwan and China have deteriorated, with Beijing ramping up military, diplomatic and economic pressure on the self-ruled island, which it claims as part of its territory.

Last year Beijing staged massive military exercises near the island to protest a visit to Taipei by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in August.

Tsai said Sunday the Chinese military activities around Taiwan were “unhelpful” for maintaining relations between the two.

“War has never been an option to solve problems. Only dialogue, cooperation, and the common goal of promoting regional stability and development can make more people feel safe and happy,” she said. AFP

AMID COVID OUTBREAK IN CHINA

More countries roll out traveler checks

TRAVELERS from China now face

Last month, Beijing abruptly began dismantling its “zero-COVID” containment policy of lockdowns and mass testing, three years after the coronavirus first emerged in the city of Wuhan.

As COVID overwhelms Chinese hospitals and crematoriums, officials have insisted that the wave is “under control” despite acknowledging that the

true scale of infections is “impossible” to track.

Australia’s health minister on Sunday cited Beijing’s “lack of comprehensive information” about COVID cases as the reasoning behind the travel requirement, which will take effect on January 5. The move will “safeguard Australia from the risk of potential new emerging

Black ribbons, candles: Benedict’s German home region in mourning

WHEN Kurt and Anna-Maria Spennesberger heard the news about former pope Benedict XVI’s death, they immediately got into their car and drove 200 kilometers to the former pontiff’s southern German birth town Marktl.

They had to be at the small town bordering Austria for a special church service saying farewell to Benedict because “we knew Ratzinger personally,” said Kurt, 71, using the ex-pope’s birth name.

“We already had some personal conversations with him, meetings, and that was simply a very human, personal contact,” he added.

Renate and Dane Cupic, 58 and 68, also travelled to Marktl from Austria, about 15 kilometers (10 miles) away, on hearing about Benedict’s demise.

It was “very important” to be there to “say goodbye,” said Dane.

The small town in the southern region

Lula returns for 3rd term as Brazil prexy

of Bavaria, with a population of around 2,800, is synonymous with Benedict.

The house where the former pontiff was born in 1927 stands adjacent to the town hall, which itself is just a few steps away from St Oswald church where Benedict was baptized.

Candles have been placed at the foot of the Benedict column which stands by the town hall, while a black ribbon hangs down from the flags of papal coat of arms at his birth house and at the church.

Across Bavaria, flags at official buildings have also been ordered to fly at half-mast.

“We are mourning our Bavarian pope,” said Markus Soeder, state premier of the region.

Hours after Benedict’s demise, cars began streaming into Marktl slowly as Catholics in the region travelled in to mourn one of their own. AFP

variants,” he said.

In recent days, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have also imposed either a negative COVID test requirement or testing upon arrival for travelers from China.

Canada cited “the limited epidemiological and viral genomic sequence data available” on recent COVID cases in China for its negative test demand.

Meanwhile, Morocco moved to ban all arrivals from China on Saturday, “to avoid a new wave of contaminations in Morocco and all its consequences.”

The flurry of global travel restrictions

began as countries anticipated a surge in Chinese visitors after Beijing announced mandatory quarantine for inbound passengers would end on January 8.

The World Health Organization has called the precautionary measures “understandable” in light of the lack of outbreak information provided by Beijing.

But the European branch of the International Airports Council – which represents more than 500 airports in 55 European countries – said the restrictions were not justified or risk-based.

European countries will meet next week to discuss a joint response to the issue, with incoming EU presidency

Korea calls for ‘exponential increase’ of nuclear arsenal

KIM Jong Un has called for an “exponential” increase in North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, including mass producing tactical nuclear weapons and developing new missiles for nuclear counterstrikes, state media said Sunday.

In a report at the end of a key party meeting in Pyongyang, Kim said the country must “overwhelmingly beef up the military muscle” in 2023 in response to what it called US and South Korean hostility, the official KCNA reported.

Claiming that Washington and Seoul were set on “isolating and stifling” the North, Kim said his country would focus on the “mass-producing of tactical nuclear weapons” and develop “another ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) system whose main mission is quick nuclear counterstrike.”

Such goals form the “main orientation” of the 2023 nuclear and defense strategy, the report said.

Military tensions on the Korean peninsula rose sharply in 2022 as the North conducted sanctions-busting weapons tests nearly every month, including firing its most advanced ICBM ever.

It capped the record-breaking year of launches by firing three short range ballistic missiles early Saturday, and conducting another rare late-night launch at 2:50 am (1750 GMT Saturday) on Sunday, Seoul’s military said.

Colombia strikes ceasefire deal with armed groups

COLOMBIA’S government has agreed to a six-month ceasefire with the five largest armed groups operating in the country, President Gustavo Petro announced on New Year’s Eve.

The truce was the main objective of Petro’s “total peace” policy, which aims to end the country’s armed conflict, which has persisted despite the dissolution of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in 2017.

er illegal businesses, according to the Institute for Development and Peace Studies (Indepaz), an independent think tank.

“We have agreed to a bilateral ceasefire with the ELN, the Second Marquetalia, the Central General Staff, the AGC and the Self-Defense Forces of the Sierra Nevada from January 1 to June 30, 2023, extendable depending on progress in the negotiations,” Petro tweeted.

spiral of violence engulfing the country. Indepaz recorded nearly 100 massacres last year.

The National Liberation Army (ELN), the last recognized insurgency in the country, has been negotiating with the government since November.

The official KCNA reported Sunday that the launches had been “a testfire of the super-large multiple rocket launchers.”

In a separate KCNA report, Kim said the weapons put South Korea “as a whole within the range of strike and (were) capable of carrying (a) tactical nuclear warhead.”

The swearing-in will cap a remarkable

Lula,

to the presidential palace in Brasilia less than five years after being

on controversial, since-quashed corruption charges.

In a sign of the scars that remain from Lula’s brutal election showdown with far-right ex-army captain Bolsonaro in October, security will be exceptionally tight at the pomp-filled ceremony in the capital.

Some 8,000 police – including more than 1,000 federal officers, a record deployment for a presidential inauguration in Brazil – will provide security, The stepped up measures come after a Bolsonaro supporter was arrested last week for planting a tanker truck rigged with explosives near the Brasilia airport, a plot he said aimed to “sow chaos” in the South American country.

Bolsonaro himself left Brazil for the US state of Florida Friday – reportedly to avoid having to hand the presidential sash to his bitter enemy, as tradition dictates.

The snub has hardly dampened the party spirit for Lula and the 300,000 people expected at the ceremony and a massive concert that will feature acts ranging from samba legend Martinho da Vila to

AFP

The armed groups still operating in Colombia, the world’s largest cocaine producer, are locked in deadly disputes over drug trafficking revenues and oth-

Despite the government’s efforts to negotiate with Colombia’s various armed groups, which include a combined total of more than 10,000 fighters, it has so far failed to contain the

The Segunda Marquetalia and Estado Mayor Central groups – splinter factions of FARC which broke from the 2016 peace pact – have held separate talks with the government.

AGC, the country’s largest drug gang, is made up of the remnants of extreme right-wing paramilitaries that demobilized in the early 2000s. AFP

North Korea was emphasizing “the possibility of actual action,” said Yang Moo-jin, professor at Seoul’s University of North Korean Studies.

“North Korea is signaling a tactical shift of indirectly pressuring the United States by pressuring South Korea and escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula starting this year.” AFP

Several killed, wounded in explosion near Kabul military airfield—official

AN EXPLOSION at the entrance to a military airfield in the Afghan capital killed and wounded several people on Sunday, an official told AFP.

The cause of the blast at the gate of the facility next to Kabul’s international airport was unclear, interior ministry spokesman Abdul Nafy Takor said.

“A number of our compatriots have been martyred and wounded in the blast,” Takor said, adding that authorities were investigating the incident.

The Taliban authorities claim

to have improved security since storming back to power in August 2021 but there have been scores of bomb blasts and attacks, many claimed by the local chapter of the Islamic State group.

Last month at least five Chinese nationals were wounded when gunmen stormed a hotel popular with Chinese business people in Kabul. The attack was claimed by IS.

Hundreds of people, including members of Afghanistan’s minority communities, have been killed and wounded in attacks since the Taliban returned to power. AFP

N.

restrictions when entering more than a dozen countries as concern grows over its surge in COVID-19 cases, with Australia the latest to demand a negative test before arrival.

LUIZ Inacio Lula da Silva is set to be inaugurated Sunday for a third term as Brazilian president, in a ceremony snubbed by outgoing leader Jair Bolsonaro, underlining the deep divisions the veteran leftist inherits.

political comeback for 77-year-old

who returns

jailed

drag queen Pabllo Vittar.

PRAYERS FOR A BETTER YEAR. A devotee places oil lamps while offering prayers during New Year’s Day at a Hindu temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka on January 1, 2023. AFP

REMEMBRANCES.

This photograph taken outside The Vatican, on December 31, 2022, shows flowers displayed in front of the Saint Peter’s Basilica, following the announcement of the death of former pope Benedict XVI. AFP

HIGH TECH. People applaud as a delivery robot departs from the Nihonbashi Post Office to deliver traditional New Year’s Day cards, during a ceremony in Tokyo on January 1, 2023. AFP

Investors still cautious at start of 2023

By Jenniffer B. Austria

LOCAL stocks are expected to move sideways in the first trading week of 2023 amid the lack of fresh leads and lingering concerns over macroeconomic problems.

Analysts said while investors may have already priced in the planned interest rate in the first few months of 2023, worries over central banks’ monetary tightening could hurt the global economy.

China production declined despite loose restrictions starting December

BEIJING—China’s manufacturing activity contracted sharply in December for the third month in a row, according to official figures released Saturday, despite Beijing’s loosening of Covid restrictions at the beginning of the month.

The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI)—a key gauge of manufacturing in the world’s second-biggest economy—came in at 47 points, down from November’s 48 and well below the 50-point mark separating growth from contraction, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics.

For more than two years, China had insisted on a zero-Covid strategy of stamping out outbreaks with strict quarantines, lockdowns and mass testing—a hardline policy that reverberated across the global economy.

On December 7, Beijing abruptly loosened pandemic restrictions, but despite that, the country is still struggling to recover due to a surge in Covid cases.

“In December, due to the impact of the epidemic and other factors... China’s economic prosperity has generally declined,” NBS senior statistician Zhao Qinghe said in a statement.

“The epidemic has had a significant impact on business production and demand, staff presence, logistics and distribution.”

The index has not been in positive territory since September, and December’s figure was lower than the 47.8 reading predicted by Bloomberg analysts.

Zhao, however, struck a note of optimism in his statement.

“As the epidemic situation gradually improves, the market trend is expected to pick up later,” he wrote.

China’s zero-Covid strategy was based on widespread testing, strict monitoring of movement, and quarantine for those testing positive.

Those measures, which led to unannounced plant closures, disrupted supply chains and forced some companies to close permanently. AFP

Manila

I remembered adoring how the Lorax looked like a grandpa cat. The Lorax reminds me of my grandfather. He was quite a stoic man, but he cared an awful lot. He wasn’t very good at expressing his emotions, but I always saw him. Despite being a man of few words, those few words always come with much wisdom.

I have a Dr. Seuss copy of The Lorax, and I also loved watching the film as a child. Nevertheless, there are so many things to consider in this movie that I never get bored watching it. The story of the Lorax, although a children’s show, serves as a cautionary tale for all ages. It addresses several contemporary social and environmental issues in addition to having curious storylines, quirky characters, and musical numbers. The re-storytelling of what Onceler has done gives us a future vision of what happens when reckless human activities of degrading the environment continue. This irresponsible and almost disregard for how urbanization and other human activities spread contamination and mindless advancement that hurts our environment.

Think about it, can you honestly say that you would love living in an arti-

The surge in COVID-19 cases in many countries also added to investors’ woes.

“In the face of uncertainties over the macro picture for 2023, the strategy remains intact. That is prioritizing quality over market impulses as balance sheets have yet to fully adjust to the impact of less forgiving cost of capital, plus consumer confidence is expected to fall year-on-year thanks to a cooling global economy,” online brokerage firm 2TradeAsia.com said.

Investors will watch this week the release of December inflation rate as this will provide clues on Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ next policy move.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index

ended 2022 at 6,566.39, down by 7.8 percent from a year ago. Despite the market’s decline last year, PSE president Ramon Monzon expressed optimism the stock market would bounce back in 2023 as the global economy continue to open up and corporate earnings returned to pre-pandemic growth levels.

“While risks from geopolitical tensions, higher inflation and increasing interest rates remain, the Philippines has shown its resiliency through better-thanexpected GDP growth during the previous quarter, which we hope will carry over for the fourth quarter and in 2023,” Monzon said.

Stock markets wrapped up their worst

performances in years on Friday before heading into 2023 under recession fears following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, high inflation and rising interest rates.

Both US and European indices closed their final sessions of the year in the red. For the year, Frankfurt was down more than 12 percent, and Paris lost 9.5 percent for their worst performances since 2018. London, however, was up 0.9 percent in 2022, as the energy sector was buoyed by soaring energy prices.

Wall Street saw its worst annual drop since 2008, with the S&P 500 index down around 20 percent and the techheavy Nasdaq losing about 30 percent for the year. With AFP

TOP GAINERS

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

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

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

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%

Croatia switches to euro, becomes part of elite EU zone

“We will cry for our kuna; prices will soar,” said Drazen Golemac, a 63-year-old pensioner from Zagreb.

At midnight (2300 GMT Saturday) the

nation bid farewell to its kuna cur-

become the 20th member of the

It is now the 27th nation in the passportfree Schengen zone, the world’s largest, which enables more than 400 million people to move freely around its members.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen will visit Croatia later Sunday to mark the momentous occasion.

Experts say the adoption of the euro will help shield Croatia’s economy at a time when inflation is soaring worldwide after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent food and fuel prices through the roof.

But feelings among Croatians are mixed. While they welcome the end of border controls, some worry about the euro switch, with right-wing opposition groups saying it only benefits large countries such as Germany and France.

Many Croatians fear that the introduction of the euro will lead to a hike in prices —in particular that businesses will round up price points when they convert. ‘Elite club’

For tourist agency employee Marko Pavic, “Croatia joins an elite club”.

“The euro was already a value measure—psychologically, it’s nothing new —while entry into Schengen is fantastic news for tourism,” he told AFP.

Use of the euro is already widespread in Croatia.

Croatians have long valued their most precious assets, such as cars and apartments in euros, displaying a lack of confidence in the local currency.

About 80 percent of bank deposits are denominated in euros, and Zagreb’s main trading partners are in the eurozone.

Officials have defended the decision to join the eurozone and Schengen, with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic saying Wednesday that they were “two strategic

goals of a deeper EU integration”.

Croatia, a former Yugoslav republic of 3.9 million people that fought a war of independence in the 1990s, joined the European Union in 2013.

“The euro certainly brings (economic) stability and safety,” Ana Sabic of the Croatian National Bank (HNB) told AFP.

Experts say the adoption of the euro will lower borrowing conditions amid economic hardship.

Croatia’s inflation rate reached 13.5 percent in November compared to 10 percent in the eurozone.

Analysts stress that eastern EU members with currencies outside of the eurozone, such as Poland or Hungary, have been even more vulnerable to surging inflation.

Borders gone

Echoing some Croatians who have lamented the demise of the national currency, HNB governor Boris Vujcic said the switch away from the kuna was a sentimental moment for him as well.

But he explained doing so was the “only reasonable politics” for economic reasons. AFP

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

ficial or synthetic environment like Thneedville? What kind of lifestyle entails living in a single community and purchasing bottled air? Is it really worth working up an appetite and achieving our goals at the expense of the natural world? Living in Metro Manila is like living in Thneedville. The artificial environment in Thneedville that they enjoy is like when we go to the mall and buy things there that we oh so thneed (excuse me for the pun). I’m just thankful I don’t entirely live in “ThneedVille,” metaphorically speaking. My family has a province we call our home, where we have our farm, a garden, and fresh air.

Although recently, my hometown has been getting caught by urbanization. It is good for the town’s economic development, but it is poorly planned. Lately, our neighborhood has been flooding, as they have built roads without a sewage system. And dust from construction has yet to be cleaned up, as well as more and more trees are being cut down. The summer months are hotter than usual.

I fear my beloved hometown will one day become like Thneedville.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” The Lorax’s message is not just for the children of today’s generation. Change starts with you, us, anyone, and everyone that cares a whole lot. What can we do as become someone who cares a whole awful lot?

Respect your surroundings. Become a role model for the younger generation, teaching them attention and respect for their surroundings, flora, and fauna. Picking up trash, tending to gardens, and respecting animals and their habitats are ways to show respect and love for nature. Be aware and spread awareness about activities that harm the environment to start a discourse to address the issues.

The Lorax is certainly worth watching because of the message it conveys to us. The plot of this movie could be the foundation for everything we do with nature. It helps us comprehend how crucial it is not to disturb nature’s equilibrium. We completed God’s beautiful creation of the world. He provided us with a rich and abundant environment that allowed us to grow, care for, and live with rather than starve. Life is worth living in this setting, so we must preserve and care for it as best as we can.

The author is a B.S. Applied Corporate Management student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, De La Salle University. She can be reached at kristine_boligor@dlsu. edu.ph.

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

US judge orders cruise lines to pay nearly $450m for utilizing Cuba port

WASHINGTON, United States—Four cruise lines have been sentenced by a US judge to pay a total of nearly $450 million for having used a Havana port nationalized by the Cuban government in 1960.

The ruling Friday by a federal judge in Florida requires the Carnival, MSC SA, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian lines to pay $109 million each, plus court costs, to Havana Docks, an American company that held the concession to use that facility.

Havana Docks was deprived of its right to use the port following the Communist revolution on the Caribbean Island.

The court found that the defendants, all of whom made port stops in Havana, had “derived significant amounts of revenue—in the hundreds of millions of dollars each —from their wrongful trafficking activities, and to plaintiff’s detriment,” Judge Beth Bloom wrote.

The United States has imposed an economic embargo on the island since 1962.

President Barack Obama eased its terms in 2016, allowing cruise lines to make stopovers in Cuba, but his successor, Republican Donald Trump, reversed that decision.

The current ruling is based not on the embargo, however, but on a provision in a 1996 law, the Helms-Burton Act, that had remained inactive until now.

At the time, the US Congress wanted to discourage investment in Cuba by allowing any American whose assets had been expropriated by the Castro government to sue those who profited from its use.

But successive American presidents had suspended the application of the measure until Trump decided in 2019 to let it take effect.

A flurry of legal actions followed, and the case involving the cruise lines—all of which are registered in other countries but have important presences in Florida—has been the first to come to a head.

In March, Judge Bloom had found the four cruise lines guilty of “trafficking” and engaging in “prohibited tourism.”

On Friday, she announced their penalty.

“Based upon the statute’s primarily deterrent goal and the offenses at issue, an award of slightly over $100 million per defendant is certainly reasonable,” she wrote. AFP

is like Thneedville in ‘The Lorax’

ZAGREB—Croatia on Sunday switched to the euro and entered Europe’s passportfree zone—two major milestones for the country after joining the EU nearly a decade ago.

Balkan

rency and

eurozone.

Green LiGht

KRISTINE ANNE BOLIGOR

IN BRIEF

LTFRB to open 4,000 TNVS slots this year

GRAB Philippines said over the weekend riders can expect cheaper fare and faster booking with the reopening of 4,000 transport network vehicle service slots amid higher demand.

Grab Philippines country head Grace Vera Cruz welcomed the move of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to open additional 4,000 TNVS slots, “ making your ride-hailing experience much better and more affordable.”

“This is a shared responsibility between the regulators, transport companies, and other partners in government,” she said.

The LTFRB announced last week it would open more than 4,000 TNVS slots starting Jan. 9, 2023 to bring the total vehicles to 11,000 as passengers complained of having difficulty in booking a ride due to the lack of TNVS units.

Vera Cruz said Grab is fully committed to providing consumers and their drivers “every possible solution within our means.” She said that “with the support of all our stakeholders, we will strive to provide all of you with a much better mobility experience through our app and platform.”

Darwin G. Amojelar

PNOC defers strategic petroleum reserve

STATE-RUN Philippine National Oil Co. said over the weekend it put on hold its proposed strategic petroleum reserve and targeted fuel relief program initiatives pending a policy and financial review.

“Oil is a sunset industry and considering this, the SPR and TFRP shall be subjected to policy and financial viability review,” PNOC said in its yearend report.

It said the PNOC board followed the directive of the Department of Energy to suspend all activities relevant to the development and pursuance of the SPR and TFRP. SPR consists of large stockpiles of crude oil and petroleum products, stored in facilities located around the country—and possibly overseas—that are released during periods of local or international oil supply disruptions.

The SPR program was supposed to ensure the long-term stability and security of the oil supply even in times of geopolitical events.

The program is considered an extensive undertaking that aims to provide an oil stockpile, either crude oil, finished petroleum products, or both, equivalent to 90 days of the country’s domestic oil requirements. Alena Mae S. Flores

UnionBank plans P12-b stock rights offering

UNION Bank of the Philippines is pricing its planned stock rights offering between P54.48 to P58.38 per right share to raise P12 billion for expansion plans.

UBP, based on the offer terms approved by the Philippine Stock Exchange, will sell 220.263 million common shares. The final price will be set on Jan. 4, subject to discount of 25 percent to 30 percent based on volume-weighted average price of the stock for the past 15 trading days. The share price of UBP closed at P86.10 each on Dec. 19, 2022.

Under the plan, UBP shareholders as of record date Jan. 12 will be entitled to participate in the rights offering. The offer period will be from Jan. 16 to 27, while the listing date is Feb. 6.

“The proceeds from the SRO will be primarily used to fund the capital infusion to UnionDigital Bank Inc., projected loan availments and other business growth opportunities. Any amount of net proceeds remaining will be for general corporate purposes,” the bank said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Asian think tanks see PH expanding over 6% in 2023

By Julito G. Rada

THE Philippine economy is expected to sustain its recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and may grow above 6 percent in 2022 and 2023, according to a joint report by two Asian think tanks.

Korea Institute of Public Finance and ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office said in a joint report titled “The Impact of COVID-19 on Regional Economies and Policy Responses” said while the Philippine economy was expected to recover further in the succeeding years, the government

should watch out for a resurgence of the disease and the possible emergence of another pandemic to avoid economic scarring.

“On average, the consensus is that GDP will grow by 6.7 percent in 2022, before settling at about 6.3 percent in the medium term. Closely watched indicators, such as remittances, seen to lead household demand, and the headline Purchasing Managers’ Index for manufacturing that reflects new orders, including new export orders, support expectations of a revival in economic activity,” the research said.

The economy rebounded in 2021 with a growth of 5.7 percent, a reversal of the 9.6-percent contraction in 2020 at the height of the pandemic.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that in the first three quarters of 2022, the GDP growth averaged 7.7 percent, following a 7.6-percent expansion in the third quarter.

The report, however, took note of new COVID cases rising again in certain parts of the world such as in China.

“Given the severity of the pandemic’s economic fallout worldwide—beginning with sharp declines in economic activity and large job losses, and culminating with high inflation due to both supply and demand disturbances—greater spending on disease prevention and health care and social service delivery systems seems warranted,” the report said.

It said valuable public investments in this area would be on last-mile vaccination and administration of booster doses for COVID-19, the further development of testing and tracing capacity and reach to cover the more remote areas of the country and digital delivery of social protection, which could help minimize corruption and other leakages as well as lower infection risk.

0.740905 41.5796

0.673600 37.8024

2.652450 148.8555

0.266099 14.9335 Brunei Dollar 0.738171 41.4262 Indonesia Rupiah 0.000064 0.0036 Thailand Baht 0.028748 1.6133

UAE Dirham 0.272301 15.2815 Euro Euro 1.061200 59.5545

Korea Won 0.000785 0.0441 China Yuan 0.143215 8.0372

India Rupee 0.012087 0.6783

Malaysia Ringgit 0.226244 12.6968

New Zealand Dollar 0.630900 35.4061

Taiwan Dollar 0.032466 1.8220 Source: BSP

NEDA releases six-year plan on PH transformation

THE National Economic and Development Authority said Sunday it released to the public copies of the six-year economic blueprint that aims to transform the Philippine economy and society.

“The Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 is out,” NEDA Secretary Arsenio Baliscan said in a social media post Sunday. He said the PDP 2023-2028 is a plan for deep economic and social transformation to reinvigorate job creation and accelerate poverty reduction by steering the economy back on a high-growth path.

This growth must be inclusive, building an environment that provides equal opportunities to all Filipinos, and equipping them with skills to participate fully in an innovative and globally competitive economy, according to the plan.

The 480-page plan, which adopts the targets based on the AmBisyon Nation 2040, aims to transform the Philippines into a prosperous, predominantly middle-class society where no one is poor and the people enjoy long and healthy lives in a high-trust society.

It seeks to maintain high levels of economic growth in the medium term, rising from 6.0 to 7.0 percent in 2023 to 6.5 percent to 8 percent from 2024 to 2028. This sustained high levels of growth is a necessary condition for meeting the Ambisyon Natin 2040.

Malacañang proclaims 16 new economic zones with P18-b investments

By Othel V. Campos

THE Office of the President proclaimed 16 new economic zones with combined investments of P18 billion, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority said over the weekend.

Trade Secretary and PEZA chairman Alfredo Pascual earlier endorsed for approval by the President the new set of ecozones.

Acting PEZA director-general Theo Panga said the new projects approved by the President were expected to generate fresh investments, jobs, exports, countryside development, technology transfer, increased revenues for local and national governments and other

economic opportunities for the country.

The PEZA board in 2022 approved 29 new ecozones and ecozone expansion projects totaling P96.2 billion in fresh investments. The new approvals are in various stages of development in compliance with presidential proclamation requirements.

PEZA reported that 11 of the proclaimed economic zone developments were approved in the first six months of the Marcos administration.

The approved ecozones, mostly industrial estates and IT parks outside Metro Manila, boosted regional dispersal of ecozones and industries, spurred development of rural areas and stimulated growth in the host LGUs, Panga said.

Project approvals in 2022 included 13 IT parks and centers, 12 manufacturing enterprises, two tourism ecozones, and one agro-industrial project. The biggest ecozone project approved last year was the P81.6-billion mixed-used special economic zone which is set to rise in Pangasinan in the next few years.

PEZA has established 421 ecozones strategically placed all over the country since 1995, including 300 IT parks and centers, 78 manufacturing ecozones, 23 agro-industrial ecozones, 17 tourism ecozones and three medical tourism ecozones. Except for the four public ecozones, the rest are mostly owned, developed and managed by the private sector.

The plan also aims to transform the production sectors toward generating more and better-quality jobs and enabling the competitiveness of enterprises in domestic and international markets crisis and strengthen the country’s resilience to disasters.

The priority is to enhance the adaptive capacity of communities and ecosystems that are most vulnerable to natural hazards and climate change. This will be supported by an improved knowledge and data ecosystem, and good governance, it says.

Among the specific targets under the plan is to sustain the Philippines’ progress among the innovation achievers of the region by rising in rank in the Global Innovation Index from a baseline of being 59th out of 132 countries in 2022. The country also aims to be ranked among the top 33 percent in the Global Competitiveness Index by 2028.

Group asks probe on hiring of foreign crew in Manila Bay reclamation project

By Darwin G. Amojelar

A GROUP of local seafarers asked the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Migrant Workers to look into the operations of Chinese dredging vessels in Manila Bay that are allegedly employing foreign crew.

The Samahan ng Nagkaka-isang Marinong Pilipino alleged in a letter dated Dec. 18 to Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople that majority of the crew members of foreign vessels operating in Manila Bay are not Filipinos.

Aboitiz Power set to break ground on 17-MW geothermal project

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ABOITIZ Power Corp. will break ground for its 17-megawatt binary geothermal power plant in Tiwi, Albay this month, an executive said over the weekend.

Aboitiz Power president Emmanuel Rubio said the company would remain focused on growing its diversified fleet of assets to help meet power requirements while contributing to the transition toward a robust and sustainable energy system.

He said the Tiwi binary project is one of

the company’s primary focuses this year.

Rubio said the company would also start the operations of the 94-MW Cayanga-Bugallon solar power project in Pangasinan by the first quarter.

He said the financial close of the 90MW Libmanan onshore wind project located in Camarines Sur province was expected to be done by the end of the year.

“As the country will need more power to bounce back post-pandemic, the energy sector must, more than ever, work togeth-

er to deliver stable and reliable electricity in 2023 and beyond,” Rubio said.

He said the Philippines would require all forms of energy, including new and more advanced power generation technologies, to reap the benefits of a thriving economy.

“We are pleased that our 1,336-MW GNPower Dinginin, the newest addition to Aboitiz Power thermal portfolio, has started commercial operations and currently supplies emergency power service to Meralco until Jan. 25, 2023,” he said.

The group said the vessels were supposed to be under a bareboat charter or temporarily under Philippine flag arrangement, but they continued to employ Chinese crew which is not allowed. Chinese vessels and crew are not permitted to do business in the Philippine domestic waters unless they are given a special permit by Maritime Industry Authority.

Sought for comment, Marina NCR regional director Marc Anthony Pascua confirmed the agency issued the required permits to the vessels of China Harbour Engineering Corp. operating in Manila Bay.

“There are vessels of China Harbour issued with special permits or bareboat

charter operating in Manila Bay,” he said. Pascua said, however, that employment of Chinese crew under a BBC arrangement is not allowed.

China Harbour Engineering won contracts in 2019 for land reclamation project in Manila Bay.

Manila Standard tried to get comments from Benjamin Guo, deputy contractor’s representative for Pasay Reclamation Project of China Harbour, but he had yet to respond as of press time.

SNMP asked the Philippine Coast Guard, Marina and the Department of Labor and to inspect the foreign vessels that are being used in a reclamation project in Manila Bay.

It said China Harbor started hauling sand from Zambales province in May 2022.

extends the program to provide financial lessons to 50 female heads of household from two communities in Quezon City and Sagada, Mountain Province. A new iteration of the Manulife Peso Smart storybook series is also available to download for free on the company’s website. These initiatives are aligned with a key area of focus within Manulife’s Global Impact Agenda – driving inclusive economic opportunities to create a more even playing field for all.

Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople

Ekstrom edges Loeb to take opening Dakar Rally prologue

YANBU, Saudi Arabia—Sweden’s Mattias Ekstrom drove his Audi hybrid to victory in the 13km-long prologue of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

Ekstrom edged out France’s ninetime World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb (BRX) by a second.

“It’s always nice to start in a good way, but, of course, the day is long and the rally is even longer,” said Ekstrom.

“A good end to 2022, but tomorrow is the real start. We’ll have to try and be focused for another two weeks.”

The Swede’s Audi teammate Stephane Peterhansel -- the Dakar great who has won the event 14 times (eight in a car and six on a bike) -- rounded out the opening podium of the 45th edition of the Dakar.

Reigning champion Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar finished 12sec adrift in fourth in his Toyota.

“Finishing behind the trio is not a bad result from the perspective of fighting for the stage win tomorrow, which would come in handy to open stage 2 right before the key third stage,” the Qatari said.

The prologue acts as a way to determine the order of the top 10 starters in the first stage proper on Sunday, a 603km run including 368km of timed specials.

That was not lost on Ekstrom, who said it was “really good... (as) a junior in the sport, to start from the back so I have some tracks to follow”.

“The race is on,” added Peterhansel, often referred to as ‘Mr Dakar’.

“You put your helmet on at the start and you know you are about to be launched into the thick of it.

“We finished first, third and sixth. Personally, I did better than I expected. The course was more favourable to pure rally or rally-cross drivers, which I’m not, so it was a good result. I’m not used to coming up with strategies, but I’ll be in a good position to pick my starting order for tomorrow.”

- Price pips Sanders -

Australian KTM rider Toby Price edged compatriot Daniel Sanders (GasGas) in the motorbike section, with Botswana’s Ross Branch (Hero) in third, 9sec behind.

Defending title holder Sam Sunderland (GasGas) came in 10th.

“It’s a really good start,” said Price. “I don’t know if it’s a good thing. For sure, it’s nice to pick your starting spot, but I don’t know if it’s going to be an advantage or a disadvantage. AFP

World no. 3 Ruud, Kvitova cruise at United Cup

BRISBANE—World number three

Casper Ruud cruised past Thiago Monteiro in straight sets but it was in vain as Norway crashed in their mixed teams United Cup tie against Brazil in Brisbane on Sunday.

After the Brazilians won both opening singles rubbers Saturday, Ruud’s 6-3, 6-2 victory brought his country back into contention.

But the comeback was short-lived with the South Americans taking the tie when Laura Pigossi outlasted Ulrikke Eikeri 6-3, 6-4 in almost two hours at Pat Rafter Arena.

Brazil won the mixed doubles to give them a 4-1 win.

Ruud was far too consistent for the 71st ranked Monteiro, who made 27 unforced errors, wrapping up a dominant win in only 70 minutes to at least give him confidence heading into the new season.

“It was a must-win match for Norway so I was maybe feeling the pressure a little bit,” Ruud said. “But I was able to come out with a good start.”

The Norwegian was a runner-up at last year’s French and US Opens and said he was feeling confident ahead of the Australian Open later this month where he will bid to win a first Grand Slam title.

In Sydney, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova proved too strong for Germany’s Laura Siegemund, romping home 6-4, 6-2.

It ensured the Czech Republic won the tie with an unassailable 3-0 lead, having lost their opening clash with the United States 4-1.

“Playing Laura is always difficult. She’s changing her game a lot, so I had to be ready for everything. I’m glad I got the point,” said Kvitova, who beat American world number three Jessica Pegula earlier in the tournament. AFP

Sports

Filipinas try to sustain buildup with stint in Spain’s Pinatar Cup

By Peter Atencio

AFIRED-UP

Philippine national women’s football team is preparing to take part in a competition in Europe for the first time.

Coach Allen Stajcic is getting the Filipinas sharp and and ready for the Pinatar Cup 2023 from February 15 to 21 in San Pedro del Pinatar in Murcia, Spain.

The team’s buildup since last year is expected to make the Filipinas a different team this time around.

“Lots of good things, but the depth of the squad and the competition for spots going forward is one that will propel

the team even further next year,” said Stajcic.

The Filipinas are making a bid to sustain their progress for the FIFA Women’s World Cup as they will be facing higher-ranked European sides like Wales, Scotland and Iceland.

The Filipinas’ first match will be against 32nd-ranked Wales on February 15. Their next opponent will be no. 25 Scotland on February 18, before they wrap up their campaign against 16th-ranked Iceland on February 21.

“We’ve raised the expectations of the country which is fantastic, we’ve raised the expectations of the playing

group, which is even better now. It’s about the players competing not just for the country, but competing for spots, increasing the depth and the flexibility, people able to do different roles and understanding roles even better and I think we saw a little bit of that against Papua New Guinea, being able to be more composed on the ball to be able to execute the things that we want to happen,” added Stajcic, following their training camp in Australia.

All matches will be played at the Pinatar Arena Football Center in San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain.

Athletics’ chief bullish on PH tracksters

ANOTHER great showing is expected from Sarah Dequinan in the coming Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.

The 26-year-old Filipina heptathlete did well when she settled for a runner-up finish the last time around in Vietnam.

And she is among the top female tracksters, who could shine again, next to pole vaulter Natalie Uy and sprinter Kristina Knott.

“We’re bullish. They’re picking up and they’re getting a lot of support,” said Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association chief Terry Capistrano.

Dequinan, the gold-medal winner of the 2019 SEA Games, performed better than in 2019 when she got 5381 points for a national record.

Her recent performances put Dequinan on course to following the footsteps of Elma Muros-Posadas and Nene GamoPellosis.

Posadas last held the national record when she tallied 5346 points in the 1998 Bangkok SEA Games, while Pellosis once held the Philippine mark after finishing with 5125 in the 1991 Manila SEA Games.

Scotland qualified to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019, but missed out on next year’s tournament.

Wales and Iceland have yet to qualify for the FWWC.

“It’s been a great year, we put it in our back pocket and be proud of our efforts and give ourselves a pat in the back because we really have achieved a great deal, but the reality is we know how much we have to work harder to climb up that mountain next year,” said Stajcic.

Philippine Football Federation Mariano Araneta Jr. said the Filipinas’ stint in the Pinatar Cup is another opportunity for the team to grow.

“Competing in the Pinatar Cup is a great opportunity for the Filipinas to familiarize themselves with European teams ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” said Araneta.

Dequinan, however, fell short of the gold to Vietnam’s Nguyen Linh Na’s 5415 in the 2022 games.

Her teammate, Alexie Caimoso, placed fifth with 4375 points in her first SEA Games stint.

Capistrano believes that it may be difficult to gauge how Filipino athletes fared in the last Hanoi SEA Games as the COVID lockdowns over the last two years made it hard for the PATAFA to make an honest-to-goodness review of the Philippines’ performances in international competitions.

Doncic scores 51 as Mavs stretch win run to 6

WASHINGTON—Luka Doncic scored 51 points to lead the Dallas Mavericks to their sixth victory in a row while the Brooklyn Nets stretched their NBA win streak to 11 on Saturday.

Doncic added nine assists, six rebounds, four steals and a blocked shot in a maestro performance for the Mavericks in a 126-125 victory at San Antonio.

“I’m exhausted,” Doncic said. “Our defense wasn’t great. At the end we got a couple stops. Overall we win the game and that’s it.”

The 23-year-old Slovenian guard sank two free throws with 4.1 seconds remaining for the last Dallas points, then grabbed a rebound after the Spurs’ Tre Jones missed a tying free throw attempt with 2.1 seconds remaining to seal the Mavs’ triumph.

It was the third 50-point effort in five games for NBA scoring leader Doncic, who was at a loss to explain his high-point nights of the season.

“I don’t know,” Doncic said. “Some games they are going to double (cover) me, some games they are going to let me run the pick and roll. I just accept the coverage and go from there.”

Christian Wood, who added 25 points and seven rebounds for Dallas, marveled at what he sees as a Most Valuable Player-style effort.

“It’s incredible,” Wood said. “In my seven years in the league, I’ve never

seen anybody do what he’s able to do.

“He’s on an incredible run. He’s playing like an MVP, clearly one of the best players in the league.”

Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving scored 28 points and Kevin Durant added 23 to spark the Nets to a 123-106 victory at Charlotte, extending their win streak to 11.

The Nets improved to 24-12 and moved into second place in the

Eastern Conference, becoming only the second club this season to reach 24 wins.

LaMelo Ball had 23 points and 11 assists while Mason Plumlee added 22 points and 10 rebounds for Charlotte, which fell to 10-27.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Minnesota Timberwolves suffered their sixth straight defeat, a humbling 116-104 home loss to league-worst Detroit (10-29).

Bojan Bogdanovic scored 28 points to lead the Pistons while Anthony Edwards netted 30 in a losing cause.

- Triple double by EmbiidPhiladelphia’s Joel Embiid achieved his fifth career triple double with 16 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in the 76ers’ 115-96 triumph at Oklahoma City.

Tobias Harris led the Sixers with 23 points while Shake Milton added 18 and De’Anthony Melton had 17 points for Philadelphia.

Ja Morant scored 32 points and the host Memphis Grizzlies beat New Orleans 116-101. New Zealander Steven Adams grabbed 21 points for Memphis (22-13), which pulled within a game of Western Conference leader Denver. AFP

Head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs congratulates Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. AFP

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich joked that San Antonio’s goal had been to keep Doncic to 50 points after he had 60 in a triple double on Tuesday in a Dallas victory.

Audi’s hybrid driver Stephane Peterhansel and his co-driver Edouard Boulanger of France compete during the prologue of the Dakar 2023 by the Red Sea in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. AFP

Allen Stajcic

Sarah Dequinan

Medvedev ignores politics to focus on tennis prep

ADELAIDE—Daniil Medvedev on Sunday admitted he would rather be playing at the mixed teams United Cup than the Adelaide International, but the Russian intends to make the most of the season-opening event.

The Monte Carlo-based world number seven and his compatriots are unable to compete in the ATP-WTA United Cup in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

Medvedev said it was disappointing, but there was nothing he could do.

“I would definitely prefer to play the United Cup,” said the Adelaide third seed behind Novak Djokovic and Felix Auger-Aliassime.

“We would definitely be good favourites. But it is what it is, and I’m happy to be here in Adelaide playing in this tournament.

“I completely understand why we are not playing Davis Cup or United Cup and team competitions where we would represent our country.

Historic time: Saudis flock to buy Ronaldo shirts after Al Nassr deal

latest high-priced sporting jewel acquired to add lustre to their international image.

Abdulmohsen al-Ayyban, 41, and his nine-year old son, Nayef, were among those queueing at Al Nassr club’s official kit store on Saturday where clerks where busy pressing Ronaldo’s name onto t-shirts.

“We are witnessing a historic moment,” al-Ayyban told AFP of the deal which he believes “will elevate the Saudi football league”.

Ronaldo on Friday signed for Al Nassr until June 2025 in a deal believed to be worth more than 200 million euros.

A wide smile stretched across Nayef’s face as he proudly held his new jersey aloft.

For the young Saudi, a dream has come true.

“I have always wanted Al Nassr to acquire the best player in the world,” he said. “I will make sure to watch all his games at the stadium.”

Ronaldo, 37, is expected to appear before fans next Thursday, an official from the Al Nassr club told AFP.

For Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo is the

At home, the deal further fuelled national fervour that spiked after the kingdom defeated eventual winners Argentina in the early stages of the 2022 World Cup, a victory hailed as one of greatest shocks in the tournament’s history.

An unprecedented rush at the Al Nassr kit store started as soon as reports of the deal were leaked to the local press on Friday night—hours before the official announcement.

Abdulqader, the store manager said queues snaked all the way outside the shop and have only grown since.

T-shirt stocks have nearly emptied, pushing customers to bring in their own to have the player’s name printed

on them -- a process which will take up to two days.

“I have never seen anything like this in my life,” Abdulqader told AFP.

- Social media explosion -Inside the store, a festive mood prevailed, as Lebanese, Egyptian and Chinese nationals bolstered the massive number of Saudis hoping to get their Ronaldo merch.

“I have been a fan of Ronaldo since I was a child and now the Saudi club I support has bought him... my joy is doubled,” said Saudi university student Mohammad al-Johni, decked out in the Al Nassr club’s official shirt.

“I will be the first person attending his welcoming ceremony,” the 23-yearold added.

Rakan Mohammad, a 21-year old university student, echoed the excitement. AFP

US soccer owes almost everything to Pele, says teammate

Still athletic at 71, Robert “Bobby” Smith spoke to AFP at his training center for

the Bob Smith Soccer Academy, in his native New Jersey.

At the edge of the indoor synthetic fields where children train, Smith, who was a top defender in his younger days, gazes fondly at a giant poster of him and Pele, who died Thursday of cancer at the age of 82.

Smith, a professional player in Philadelphia in the 1970s, signed in 1976 with the New York Cosmos for $100,000. Pele, coming out of semi-retirement at 34, had signed a year earlier for at least 10 times that amount and would lead the Cosmos to the 1977 North American soccer championship, with 31 goals in 56 games.

Smith is an ardent, lifelong fan of Pele. As a young boy, he said he “never thought for a second that we’d be on the same team.”

The thought brings a smile to his face even today.

‘Like little kids’

Pele was key in attracting an array of other talent to the Cosmos team: After American goalie Bob Rigby, recruited at the same time as Smith, came Italian Giorgio Chinaglia, German Franz Beckenbauer and

“It’s almost like we were little kids every day when we were around him,” Smith says.

He is moved to tears as he stands before a photo of Pele’s last match, in late 1977, when the star reached out to affectionately touch the younger man’s cheek.

He was a surprisingly humble man, says Smith, “just so kind to everybody. He had no big ego.”

Pele, who was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, “was a great teammate, and he cared about his teammates, all of us. He wasn’t just a superstar.”

But he was already “the biggest influence on soccer in this country” in its still faltering early days in the 1970s and ‘80s, Smith says.

‘Legitimacy’

“Him coming here just brought so much, like, legitimacy to the sport. You know, people started wanting to watch it. And he brought all the stars to the game,” Smith said, referring to foreign standouts like Johan Cruyff, Bobby Moore and George Best.

“He played New York and it was 70,000 people” who came to watch.

“We wouldn’t have the national program we have without Pele coming here. Not even close. (We) would be years and years behind,” Smith says.

Pele, he added, had an “unbelievable” impact on fanning US interest in the sport; he helped “legitimize the game.”

Does American soccer today need a “new Pele,” someone with such incredible on-field vision, superior athleticism and leadership ability?

For all his gratitude to Pele, Smith says the US soccer world needs to grow on its own. AFP

“Hopefully, I can play the individual events. I play what I can play, so here I can play Adelaide, and I’m really happy about it. I want to show my best tennis.”

Medvedev, a finalist at the last two Australian Opens, will start against Italian Lorenzo Sonego.

World crises aside, the former world number one said he was dealing with the usual start-of-year jitters.

“I feel like everybody is a little bit nervous, and that’s normal. This feeling of the first tournament of the year is really special,” he said.

“I like playing in Australia, so really looking forward to it”

Since defeating Djokovic for the 2021 US Open title, Medvedev has been beaten three times by the Serb, who is back in Australia after being deported a year ago for trying to enter without a Covid vaccination exemption. AFP

Sabalenka: Wimby ban changed nothing

ADELAIDE—World number five Aryna Sabalenka said Sunday that Wimbledon’s ban on Russian and Belarusian players last year achieved “nothing” and that she “really hoped” it would change course in 2023.

Following Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association came under pressure from the government to impose a ban.

Russian and Belarusian players, including Sabalenka, were eventually barred from Wimbledon with both the ATP and WTA -- the men’s and women’s governing bodies -- stripping the Grand Slam of its ranking points in response.

“I’m just really disappointed sport is somehow in politics. We’re just athletes playing their sport. That’s it. We’re not about politics,” she told the Melbourne Age newspaper on the sidelines of the Adelaide International.

“If all of us could do something, we would do it, but we have zero control.

“They banned us from Wimbledon, and what did it change? Nothing—they’re still doing this (war), and this is the sad (part) of this situation.”

The LTA, Britain’s governing body for the sport, has yet to announce whether the ban will remain for 2023.

Sabalenka said “no one supports war” and she hoped to be able to play at Wimbledon this year.

“I really hope that I’ll play there (in 2023), just because of the people, to feel this atmosphere,” she said.

Other players barred from the All England Club last year included Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, and Victoria Azarenka. AFP

Amores seeks redemption playing for Zamboanga Valientes in Singapore

fit of rage during a game. He was subsequently banned by the league and his team, but has made peace with the Blazers and apologized to all concerned, before being taken in by the Valientes, who gave him a second chance at basketball.

He

Valientes’ homegrown players Rudy Lingganay, Jeff Bernardo, Das Esa, Gino Jumaoas, Jojo Belorio and exciting Zamboanga City point guard Denver Cadiz, who at 5’4” is the smallest Filipino to play in the ABL.

“Amores will be part of our team in the ABL in Singapore leg. This is a chance for redemption and we are hoping Amores will give it his best,” Zamboanga Valientes’ team owner Junnie Navarro said.

“At the same time, this is a good opportunity for every Zamboanga player to excel,” he added.

Amores, as a Jose Rizal University player, hogged the sports headlines in November in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, where he was banned for punching players from the St. Benilde Blazers in a

The Zamboanga Valientes will make history as the first ever city to represent the Philippines in the ABL.

The Valientes, a team founded in 2006, will now be playing outside the Philippines. They started in the NBC Preseason, MVBA Christmas Cup and Liga Pilipinas in 2008.

The founder of the Zamboanga Valientes, Lando Navarro, promises to give Zamboanguenos an avenue to showcase their talent.

The Valientes already won the NBA Philippines 3×3 in 2011, NBL Christmas HUSTLE in Canberra, Australia and Champions League Basketball 3×3 Australia.

The Zamboanga Valientes, owned by Cory and Junnie Navarro, along with MLV Accounting’s Mike Venezuela, will face the Louvre Indonesia team on January 3, the Saigon Heat on January 6, Matrix Malaysia on January 7 and home team Singapore Slingers on January 8.

RIYADH— Only hours after Cristiano Ronaldo penned a two-year contract with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, crowds flocked to a football kit store in Riyadh to buy the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s new club jersey.

ROBBINSVILLE—US footballer Bobby Smith does not hold back his tears when paying tribute to “King” Pele: the rise of the game in the United States owes almost everything to the Brazilian legend, says his former New York Cosmos teammate.

budding players,

Brazilian Carlos Alberto.

And yet Pele was undisputedly one of the world’s greatest sports superstars, the only player in history to win three World Cups (in 1958, 1962 and 1970). The global icon hung up his boots for good after a friendly match at New York’s Giants Stadium in October 1977 between Cosmos and his old Brazilian club Santos.

A CHANGED MAN, John Amores will be part of the 14-man lineup of the Zamboanga Valientes in the ASEAN Basketball League Invitational 2023 Season 11 starting January 2 in Singapore.

will be joining NCAA star James Kwekwetei, former Gilas players Kemark Carino and JR Cawaling and imports Antonio Hester, Will Deng and Ryan Smith.

A fan holds t-shirt bearing the name Ronaldo and no. 7, at the Saudi Al Nassr FC shop in the Saudi capital Riyadh. Cristiano Ronaldo on December 30 signed for Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia, the club announced, in a deal believed to be worth more than 200 million euros. The 37-year-old penned a contract which will take him to June 2025.

US retired soccer defender Robert “Bobby” Smith speaks about former teammate Pele, who passed away on Thursday, during an interview with AFP at his soccer school in Robbinsville Township, New Jersey. AFP

New hope in local entertainment

THIS 2023, we are looking forward to seeing these artists reign supremely in Philippine Tinsel Town. Here are the ladies and gentlemen – with their perfect attitude and earth-shaking groove – who deserve all our attention, love, and support.

Alexandra Mae Rosales—she is the first Filipina to win the title of Miss Super Model World Wide. Dusky, statuesque, and with the undeniable X factor, the miss nicknamed Alexa conquers international runways, fashion magazine with editorials and shoots. She is more than willing to share her experience and train the next Philippine representative to what is bound to be an important and prestigious beauty title and contest.

Jeric Gonzales —his best actor wins for his performance in Louie Ignacio Broken Blooms in international film festivals, the time has come for Gonzales to earn his lion’s share of leading men roles. What’s more, Gonzales has the acting talent to give life to either an antagonist or protagonist role.

Cristina Gonzalez takes top crown in Noble Queen contest in Japan

FORMER actress Cristina GonzalezRomualdez was crowned 2022 Respect: Noble Queen of the Universe during the Coronation and Awarding Ceremony of the 4th edition of Respect: Noble Queen of the Universe Ltd., Inc., held at Tokyo Hotel, in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday. Gonzales-Romualdez was also awarded Ambassador Queen of Humanity.

Other winners were Noble Queen International Leira Buan (Ambassador Queen of Respect & Best in Long Gown), Noble Queen Globe Yuko Noguchi of Japan (Ambassador Queen of Health & Wellness), Noble Queen Earth Sheralene Shirata (Ambassador Queen of Environment & Best in National Costume), Noble Queen Tourism Jenny Miglioretto (Ambassador of Integrity), and Noble Queen of the Universe Ltd Marjorie Renner of USA (Ambassador Queen of Goodwill).

Gonzalez-Romualdez, well known as Kring Kring to the film industry, is the daughter of former Sampaguita Pictures’ ‘50s matinee idol, Jose Mari Gonzales and was introduced in Regal Films’ Mainit na Puso in 1982 with Maricel Laxa and Miguel Rodriguez. She subsequently starred with actors Robin Padilla, Cesar Montano, Ian Veneracion, Aga Muhlach, and Gabby Concepcion

The

Lily—the Filipino cinematic rock ban offers music that is grand and heart-pounding which always tells a story about life and love. Composed of drummer and chief songwriter Lem Belaro, bassist Aaron Ricafrente, guitarist Nathan Reyes, original guitarist Alden Acosta, and the I-amtoo-sexy-for-my-croptop and long-haired vocalist Joshua Bulot, Lily is out to cinema rock our world.

Award-winning films screen for free this January

and how the protagonists found themselves in a strong bond challenged by the brutality of time. It is slated on January 18.

characters.

Home Alone (1990) by American filmmaker Chris Columbus takes the spectators into the adventures of an eight-year-old mischievous kid, who was accidentally left at home during one Christmas vacation. The classic comedy sheds light on a child’s feelings of loneliness amid a large extended family. It will be on view on January 4.

The Apartment (1960) by AustrianAmerican director Billy Wilder introduces a Manhattan insurance clerk who lets his company bosses use his flat for their mistresses. Considered a masterclass in screenwriting and directing, the movie frames one’s perception of the corporate world’s value system and the failure to distinguish authentic relationships from those built of convenience. It is scheduled on January 11.

In The Mood for Love (2000) by Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-Wai follows two neighbors who both suspected their spouses of extramarital activities. A drama that transcends the romance genre, it explores the feelings of loss and loneliness

Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1976) by British filmmaker Chantal Akerman is a cinematic portrayal of the day-to-day life of a widowed housewife. It is a study on domestic anxiety and structural economy as the lead engages in occasional tricks to make ends meet. It is lined up for January 25.

Curated by the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, the free and public online screenings will be conducted via Zoom every 12:00 noon on the scheduled dates.

To register, email mcad@benilde.edu. ph. For more information, visit the official Facebook page of MCAD (https://www. facebook.com/MCADManila).

Gonzalez-Romualdez, now 52, was married to Alfred Romualdez, current mayor of Tacloban City, with whom she has two daughters. She quit showbiz to become a politician and was elected as city councilor (2007-2016) and mayor (2016-2019) of Tacloban City.

The NQULI pageant promotes women

empowerment with primary mission to enjoin women around the world to help, serve and uplift the condition of women and children in the communities across diverse societies with the help of partner organizations. NQULI International is headed by founder Eren Noche and national director Patricia Javier

Dolly de Leon—one of the better actresses who came from theater is now making headlines and pop history with her Triangle of Sadness best supporting actress nominations from major international critics and award-giving bodies. Dolly bringing home a Golden Globe and Oscar statuette is of course not a far-fetched idea.

SB19’s Ken Suson and Stell Ajero KenTell shippers all over the planet are agog with the reality of Felip Jhon Suson and Stellvester Ajerjo, two of the members of the Southeast Asian Superstar Pop Group SB19. Their chemistry, relevance, and popularity are comparable to that of Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano’s of DonBelle and K Estrada and Alexa Ilacad’s of KDLex. Suson and Ajero are best friends for real and for their battalion of shippers, they are each other’s “I’ll Be With You Forever”.

palpable screen presence and her no-acting-please attack in Friedrick Macapagal Cortez’s Alapaap stole the thunder from the noisier ladies in the cast.

Benz Sangalang, Vince Rillon, and Gold Aceron—let’s hear it from the VIVAMAX’s trio con brio of men who are not only daring in terms of stripping, but are daring in baring their souls and truths to the challenging male personas assigned them. Sangalang sizzles in Sitio Diablo. Rillon roars in Resbak which gave him an international acting award. Aceron is ace in acting and some of his finest works are in Metamorphosis, Scorpio Nights 3, and MayDecember-January

Rachel Gabreza—the Tawag ng Tangahalan quarter-finalist fills the Charice Pempengco void with her vocals that reaches the stratosphere. Her Cinderella story makes you want to embrace and hug her, and her stellar presence on stage makes you want to idolize her more.

Kier King—aside from his obvious looks and impressive vocal range, what sets this King apart from the other male singers is his repertoire of choosing songs performed by female singers –interpreted by him and musically arranged for his vocal gifts. King delivers a wallop and the anthems of Fantasia, Adele, and even Abba. And he gets a different flavor of emotions with his scintillating renditions.

Raven Rigor and Sean Tristan—they are the last two young men standing who can champion the Pinoy BL genre. Their surprise tandem in Beach Bros gives the BL fans more reasons to believe that young love, and pink love is forever.

Christine Bernas and Angela Morena—they are two of the comeliest femme fatales from VIVAMAX’s bevy of scintillating beauties. Berna’s performance as Pinay in Law Fajardo’s Scorpio Nights 3 screams an actress born while Moreno’s

Cristina Gonzales-Romuladez and this year's Noble Queens

A RICH collection of award-winning and critically acclaimed international films on spaces that tell stories will be screened for free on Wednesdays of January 2023.

selected works exhibit how film sets build narrative, establish social context, and communicate the emotions and thoughts of the

The new kid on the block

HAPPY NEW YEAR,

The best way to celebrate and start the New Year right is with some good news. And here’s one that I’m enthusiastic about.

It is such a joy to hear of new additions to our revived tourism industry, especially after coming from two-anda-half years of hibernation. Recently, I had a most enjoyable lunch with friends who shared with me something exciting to look forward to.

Opening in the Second Quarter of this year is Lanson Place Mall of Asia, the first of this international brand here in the country, and will be a stylish contemporary hotel and serviced suites, with 247 hotel rooms and 143 residential units. Conveniently located inside the Mall of Asia complex, it will offer myriad lifestyle options, as it will just be a skipand-a-hop away from restaurants, offices, en tertainment centers, and popular

MICE venues such as the Mall of Asia Arena and the SMX Convention Center.

From its lobby, it will just be a few minutes’ walk to the nearby large transportation hub that takes passengers to and

YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE

When your life is in darkness, pray to God and ask Him to free you from darkness.  If, after that, you are still in darkness, please pay your Electricity Bill.

the all-day restaurant which will have a well-curated buffet featuring Western, Mediterranean, and Asian cuisine, as well as an a la carte menu. Blk 12 Café at the lobby will serve rich brewed coffee with everybody’s favorite snacks and pastries during the day, and will be transformed into an upbeat, snazzy wine bar in the evenings.

from any part of Metro Manila. What I am most happy about is that my good friend, Laurent Boisdron has taken the position of Vice-President and General Manager of this new property. Aside from having been the former General Manager of Conrad Manila and, prior to that, of Radisson Blu in Cebu, Laurent has over 29 years of hotel management experience in the US, France, Spain, Belgium, and the United Arab Emirates.

Laurent excitedly shared with me one of the main features of this hotel – the wide variety of dining options. There’s the Cyan Modern Kitchen,

Madeleine, on the Ground Floor, is where guests can enjoy premium tea and innovative pastries while listening to the serene sound of instrumental music in the background. Bytes, on the third floor of the hotel, will have a functionally designed working space that will offer healthy beverages, snacks, and sandwiches onthe-go, perfect for the busy individual who may need some nourishment while being productive and inspired.

Am looking forward to my favorite, the Edge Pool Bar, an exclusive rooftop venue at the hotel’s 11th floor, for some signature cocktails and comfort food. This is where one will get an unobstructed view of Manila Bay while enjoying captivating sunsets and the continuous cool breeze.

Lanson Place is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wing Tai Properties Limited, a publicly listed company in Hong Kong. It currently has 7 properties, under the Lanson Place Personal Hotels and Residences brand, in Hong Kong, Shanghai,

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

THE year 2022 saw leading property developer BRIA Homes on a roll as it presented the xE series, its upgraded product line from Bettina and Elena/ Elyana home models.

The Bettina xE offered more generous space with its flexible and well-configured “two lots, one house” notion, which appeals to home seekers with expanding interests. On the other hand, BRIA’s Elena and Elyana house and lot units are actually upgraded editions that tout exterior enhancements such as their own fences and gates and a finely finished front pavement. These improvements lend “curb appeal” to the home, which entices buyers even before they enter it.

To up the ante, the interiors of the Elena xE model boast superior finishing: bedroom partitions, ceramic floor tiles in common living areas, tiled walls in the toilet and bath, a dual flush water closet, a telephone shower, and a bidet.

While “less is more” makes sense for people with minimalist aesthetics, savvy homeowners and property investors appreciate the higher value proposition upgrading brings to the equation.

Thus, when BRIA Homes decided to make the Elena xE model available in its Mindanao projects, it did so with much fanfare. Last December 10, BRIA Homes held the grand launch of these upscaled product lines in their Digos, Davao del Sur, and Kidapawan, North-

ern Cotabato developments.

Led by BRIA South Mindanao Division Head Ester Lomoya, the fun event kicked off with a motorcade around Digos City, followed by entertainment fare and wine toasting that excited sellers, property brokers, and potential clients were treated to.

All guests at the launch affirmed how BRIA Homes’ beautiful new house models fit right in with the stunning vista surrounding Digos and Kidapawan. The majestic Mt. Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines, dominates the landscape in these two cities. One side of the mountain can be accessed from Digos City, specifically from the village of Kapatagan. The Kapatagan-Kidapawan trail usually takes 3 to 4 days for hikers and trekkers to hurdle on their way to the summit. Meantime, they can indulge in the spectacular views.

Digos is also home to the beautiful Dawis Beach with its awe-inspiring scenery and pristine clear waters where families can recharge with a day trip or camp out for the night.

BRIA Homes Digos and Kidapawan offer its residents multipurpose halls suitable for social gatherings, covered basketball courts, children’s playgrounds, and wide open green spaces that invite leisurely strolls with the family.

Apart from ensuring warm, welcoming communities, all BRIA devel-

opments come with perimeter fences, guarded entrances and exits, 24/7 CCTV coverage, and solar lights that illuminate the village streets and other common areas.

Interested homebuyers can check out the projects they want through BRIA’s 360 Virtual Tours at www.bria.com. ph and inquire online through BRIA’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ BriaHomesIncOfficial. They can also reserve a house online at https://www. bria.com.ph/online-reservation/

BRIA Homes is a subsidiary of GOLDEN MV Holdings, Inc., one of the top real estate companies in the country. Acclaimed for its massive footprint of over 50 developments in major Philippine cities and municipalities, BRIA Homes is committed to bring quality and best-value residential communities closer to everyday Filipino families. Through a diverse portfolio of properties such as house-and-lots and condominiums, BRIA Homes promises to provide the right property option for every Filipino’s needs.

To know more, visit their website at www.bria.com.ph, like and follow “Bria Homes, Inc.” on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Spotify, Viber Community, Telegram Channel, Kakao Talk, LINE, and WhatsApp, or call 0939-887-9637.

Kids visit historical Intramuros

everyone!

Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore plus the upcoming property here in Manila and another in Melbourne which will also open this year.

The Lanson Place brand is known for providing comfortable, personal sanctuaries for extended-stay guests at central locations in major global cities, the perfect home-away-from-home experience.

More information on Lanson Place Mall of Asia is available at lansonplace. com or through the Director of Sales and Marketing Antonette Mitschiener at Antonette.Mitschiener@lansonplace.com I can hardly wait to try out this “new kid on the block!”

VOLUNTEERS youth organizations recently hosted by ADARGA, together with League of Tourism Students of the Philippines-NCR (LTSP-NCR), Lakbay PH, and LPU Kabataang Pangarap ni Rizal (KAPARIZ) conducted a community program for the children of Brgy 654, Zone 69  in Fort Santiago Intramuros for a half day visit.

Shown with the kids in the photo are representatives from the different organizations namely  ADARGA chairperson Jashmine Just, LTSP-NCR VP Internal John Paul Dacuycuy, LTSP-NCR VP External Fiona Abao, Lakbay founder Jay Buising, and KAPARIZ president Alexandra

The imposing façade of the new Lanson Place Mall of Asia

The stylish and cozy de luxe rooms of the hotel have a breathtaking view of the famed Manila Bay golden sunset

Laurent Boisdron, Vice-President and General Manager Lanson Place Mall of Asia