Manila Standard - 2023 January 20 - Friday

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE SENATE Blue Ribbon panel found that the laptops purchased for the Department of Education in 2021 were overpriced by almost P1 billion and recommended the filing of charges against former and current officials of DepEd and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

In its 197-page report, however, the committee found no evidence linking former secretary Leonor Briones to the P2.4 billion overpriced laptop scandal.

It recommended abolishing the Procurement Service of the DBM, which purchased the laptops on behalf of the DepEd.

The report recommended the filing of administrative and criminal charges

Tulfo names ‘oil smugglers,’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

Tulfo

against the following:

• Former DepEd undersecretary Alain del Pascua, Undersecretary Analyn Sevilla, former assistant secretary Salvador Malana III, director Abram Abanil, former PS-DBM OIC director Lloyd Christopher Lao, former PSDBM acting director Jasonmer Uayan, BAC chairman Ulysses Mora, and other members of SBAC 1 and SBAC TWG

secretariat and staff, for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; and • Sevilla and former executive assistant Alec Ladanga for falsifying public documents.

In a media briefing, panel chairman Senator FrancisTolentino said the panel found no legal liability on the part of Briones due to a lack of evidence.

"In other words, she (Briones) was

merely used," Tolentino said.

The Blue Ribbon Committee ruled that the "contract for the supply and delivery of laptop computers for public school teachers… was overpriced by at least P979 million."

Because of this, it said there is sufficient basis to believe that there was a conspiracy to facilitate or generate an

‘Workforce to fuel PH growth’

PBBM touts the country’s young, well-trained labor pool in WEF talk

THE Philippines will continue to lean on its young and welltrained workforce to fuel future economic growth, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Thursday, as he noted the country was currently in a "demographic sweet spot" that will play a "major role" going forward.

Apart from being "well-trained and sophisticated," Mr. Marcos said Filipino workers are also known to be English-speaking and techsavvy.

"The demographic sweet spot is the period where the optimal number of the country's population would be in the working age and have few dependents," he said in an interview in Switzerland, where he

Davos trip gains investment interest from 9 int'l firms

By Maricel V. Cruz and Vince Lopez

MARCOS OKAYS 5-YEAR NO TARIFF FOR E-VEHICLES

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) warned the public on Thursday not to buy onions as big as apples or fists from local markets because they were most likely smuggled and could have food safety risks.

This developed as the government is working towards increasing the country’s onion production, as consumers continued to deal with high prices.

forum said they are confident that his participation and meetings with top international chief executives would bring economic gains to the country.

Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said among the nine companies interested in investing here is Astranis, a US provider of low-orbit satellites used for internet

access.

He said such a service would provide connectivity to areas that are not yet connected through the main telecommunications providers.

On Wednesday, Marcos also met with executives from Morgan Stanley, which is set to open an office in Manila.

is concurrently the Agriculture chief, said the move is his government’s response to the crisis because it is a "demand and supply situation." NEWS / A2

By Vito Barcelo and Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said his ambition to enter politics turned on his family's survival and legacy, and that it was something he had to take upon himself after his namesake father's death.

Speaking to World Economic Forum (WEF) president Børge Brende, Mr. Marcos said he was determined to avoid politics when he was still young after seeing the "sacrifices" his father, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., did for them.

"My father has done everything in politics, and the life is difficult, and I

THE former chief-of-staff of then Senator and now chief presidential legal counsel Juan Ponce Enrile was released from custody Thursday evening, ending almost nine years of being in detention for her alleged complicity in the pork barrel scam, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology said

NINE multinational companies have signified interest in investing or expanding their operations in the

Philippines after their top executives met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said Thursday.

SENATE Energy committee chairman Senator Raffy Tulfo revealed the names of those implicated in oil smuggling during a hearing Thursday.

identified the alleged oil

smugglers as Don Rabonza who is known in Navotas; Sonny Qiu, Jackie Chu, Aron Uy and Lindon Tan in Batangas and Sariaya, Quezon; Alex Chua, Bogs Violago and Jong Mangundadatu and Dondon Alahas in Mariveles, Bataan.

HIGH-LEVEL TALKS. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks next to WEF president Borge Brende during a session at the Congress Center during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland on January 18, 2023. AFP

'I joined politics for

family's

legacy'

QUEST FOR BUSINESS. Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Special Assistant to the President Secretary

Antonio Lagdameo engage CNN anchor and correspondent Richard Quest in an animated conversation Wednesday during the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Ver Noveno

5-year zero tariff for e-vehicles OK’d

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the temporary modification of import duty rates on electronic vehicles, parts and components under Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization Act.

Under Executive Order No.12, signed on January 13, Malacañang said the move will help boost the electronic vehicle market in the country, support the transition to emerging technologies and encourage consumers to consider electric vehicles as a cleaner and greener transportation option.

‘Workforce...

From A1

is attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

“And the reason that I’m so confident about that is because we have this workforce, we have a very, very good workforce in the Philippines. We have the youngest workforce in Asia. You might be surprised to know, to learn that the average age of Filipino workers is 23 and a half years old. So that is a huge demographic dividend," Mr. Marcos added.

He said putting a premium on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is one of the government's strategies for the country's immediate recovery, given that the sector "comprises a large part of the economy."

"The main concern was jobs," he said. "We concentrated on the MSMEs – the micro, small [and] medium enterprises because that comprises such a large part of our economy. It's the same in most ASEAN countries. I think that's where the growth is coming from," he said.

The President acknowledged the possible obstacles in developing key areas, which include infrastructure and education, but that the government is upskilling and reskilling the nation’s workforce.

“So that is where my confidence comes from and that is the confidence that I hope to exude sufficiently to bring that confidence also to all of you and all of our

Davos...

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Gokul Laroia, chairman for Asia Pacific at Morgan Stanley told Marcos that the top global investment bank would set up an office in Manila, and said the President is on the right track in involving the private sector, especially in developing the country’s infrastructure.

When issues on government policy are addressed, private sector participation automatically happens, particularly by raising capital, Laroia said.

“Because you know there’s a lot to work with in the Philippines, as you

‘I joined...

From A1

could see the sacrifices that they had to make, that he had to make to get to do a good job and I said, maybe that’s not what I’m meant to be doing," he said in Davos, Switzerland where he is attending the five-day WEF.

On a separate topic, the President also told Brende that maritime disputes in the South China Sea (SCS) "keeps him up at night" but that the Philippines was committed to peace despite China's territorial claims in the vital waterway.

The Philippines watches as a “bystander” whenever tensions rise in the sea region, Mr. Marcos said.

“Keeps you up at night, keeps you up in the day, keeps you up most of the time. It’s very dynamic. It’s constantly in flux. So, you have to pay attention to it and to make sure that you are at least aware of the present situation so that you’re able to respond properly. In terms of let’s say cross-trade tensions, we are at the very frontline,” the President said.

“When the ships come out, the Chinese and their Coast Guard vessels, the Americans answer, we are watching

Enrile’s...

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BJMP said Jessica Lucila "Gigi" Reyes was released from the Taguig City Jail Female Dormitory at around 6:30 p.m. after the Supreme Court granted her petition for habeas corpus on January 17.

“She was released by virtue of Petition for Habeas Corpus granted in

DA...

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"What we've done is we have increased the supply. It's very, very simple," he said in a taped interview with Bloomberg in Davos, Switzerland.

The EO states that under RA No. 11697 or the “Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act,” the state shall “ensure the country’s energy security and independence by reducing reliance on imported fuel for the transportation sector.”

“The state has the paramount obligation to protect the health and well-being of

potential partners in the world,” he said.

A ranking senator and members of his Cabinet backstopped the President’s claim, saying his attendance at the WEF would boost investments and tourism to the country and thus yield more jobs at home.

“You can expect more investments to come into the country, as President Marcos has been tirelessly working here in Davos and has attended consecutive meetings to create additional investments for our country,” said Senator Mark Villar, who is part of the country’s official delegation to Davos.

“When the additional investments come in, it follows that our country will have more job opportunities and will improve our economy," added Villar, who was Public Works Secretary in the previous Duterte administration.

In a separate interview, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the President’s attendance at the WEF is important because it opens up opportunities for the country to entice foreign investors to put their money in the Philippines, particularly in infrastructure development.

“It’s so important to talk about our infrastructure projects, as we invite investors, and this was one point we discussed in a dinner we had with CEOs of big companies, not only in Asia but in Europe,” Bautista pointed out.

Bautista said the Department of Transportation has already received strong support overseas, as former British prime minister Tony Blair showed

said, the supply side dynamics need to improve,” Laroia said.

“We’re seeing some evidence of diversification of supply chains, the need to have the infrastructure benefit from that. So all of these can be a vicious cycle," the Morgan Stanley official said.

Mr. Marcos also met with executives from a Dubai-based multinational logistics company, DP World. The company is said to be considering setting up an industrial park in Clarkfield, Pampanga.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairperson and chief executive officer of DP World, told Marcos during the meeting that the logistics company has been developing industrial parks in many

as bystanders. If something goes wrong here, we are going to suffer,” he added.

But Mr. Marcos also sees "no point" for the Philippines to beef up its armory amid the surrounding political tensions, as he said the country is "not in an economic situation" to bolster its defense unlike big economies like the United States and China.

It will just "end badly" for those involved and not involved if the solution to conflicts will be military, the President said.

"There is no point the Philippines building up its armory... more importantly perhaps is our abiding belief that the solutions are not going to be military," Mr. Marcos said.

"If a similar situation would arise in the region, then it would be actually —I would say it would be disastrous for the rest of the world as well, not only for the region but for the rest of the world," he added.

The President cited the interconnectivity of economies worldwide following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, seen most especially in the conflict's impact on food security.

The President explained that the country is committed to peaceful resolution of disputes in the SCS. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

resolution dated 17 January 2023 by the First Division, Supreme Court of the Philippines,” the bureau said in a statement.

The Supreme Court has clarified that the release of Reyes is only temporary as she is still required to face trial for her alleged role in the pork barrel scam.

“The grant of the writ of habeas corpus does not entail determination of the principal case. What is secured

"The long-term solution, of course, will be to increase production. And that's what we are working on. So, these are measures that we are doing, these interventions are, I think, until we get in place, the systems that will start to get our production levels up," he added.

The DA has approved the importation

the people from hazards of pollution and greenhouse gases,” the EO reads.

The transportation sector is one of the largest sources of air pollution and energy-related greenhouse gas emissions in the country at 34 percent, the EO noted, with road transportation accounting for 80 percent of those emissions.

Section 1618 of RA No. 10863 empowers the President, in the interest of general welfare and national security and upon recommendation of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), to increase, reduce, or remove existing rates of import duty.

On Nov. 24, 2022, the NEDA Board endorsed the temporary reduction of the Most-Favored Nation (MFN) tariff rates

interest in supporting DOTr’s initiatives, especially railway projects.

For his part, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the President’s WEF participation will benefit the planned establishment of the sovereign wealth fund, which will become the funding source of the country’s major infrastructure projects.

“We have a lot of infrastructure projects that need funding: we have been borrowing from Japan, China, the World Bank, and ADB (Asian Development Bank). But now, if we have a sovereign wealth fund, we can use that to fund those projects – that is its purpose,” Diokno said in an interview.

The exciting thing is that Mr. Marcos is able to showcase the country on the global stage in his first year in the presidency, the Finance chief said.

“I always say that this is our moment. We have a nice story to tell and it’s just a matter of implementation to improve the lives of Filipinos,” Diokno said.

The President also expressed confidence that the Philippine economy would grow by or even beyond 6.5 percent in 2023.

"Well, our projection is 6.5 percent and we're still hoping that it will be able to grow beyond that," Marcos said in a one-on-one dialogue with WEF president Børge Brende.

Mr. Marcos said his administration is focused on attaining a higher economic growth rate to ensure the Philippines' fast recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

countries, including Senegal, Egypt, India and Pakistan.

“We are committed to investing in the Philippines; we’re committed to expand,” Bin Sulayem told the President. “So we’re interested in the Philippines, in industrial parks.”

The President also met with officials from Glencore, a multinational mining company.

“We’ve accomplished much. We had meetings with various top leaders and businessmen during our opening session with the President,” Diokno said in a mix of English and Filipino. “The purpose was really to sell the country.”

He added that the country’s

DepEd,...

From A1

overprice which indicates manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable neglect on the part of senior officials and staff of the DepEd and PSDBM.

While they may seemingly act separately, the BRC said, concerted acts were evident to create an opportunity for favored bidders to submit bloated and excessive bids.

The outsourcing of procurement tasks to PS-DBM contravenes Section 7.3.3 of the 2016 revised IRR of RA 9184 as DepEd is capable of procuring its own equipment.

The panel took note of the findings and recommendations of the Commission on Audit (COA), which said the overprice reached at least P979 million in the procurement of more than 39,000 laptops in 2021.

In addition to the criminal charges, the committee found basis for the filing of administrative charges for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service against said officials.

It also emphasized that the procurement

is merely the petitioner’s provisional liberty due to vexatious, capricious, and oppressive delays in trial,” the SC First Division said.

Reyes, who has been detained since July 2014, filed her petition for habeas corpus in 2021.

"There are conditions [to her release]. First is that Ms. Reyes shall personally attend the hearing," said Jail C/Insp. Jayrex Joseph Bustinera in an interview

of 21,060 metric tons of red and yellow onions to pull down its prices in wet markets, which still hover around P400 to P550 per kilo.

But the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) warned Filipinos to shun the huge bulbs being sold locally, as they could have pesticides or chemicals that are harmful to

on certain e-vehicles and their parts and components for a period of five years.

NEDA said the EO will temporarily reduce the MFN tariff rates to zero percent for five years on Completely Built Up (CBU) units of certain electric vehicles, except for hybrid-type EVs.

"It will also implement tariff modification on certain parts and components of EVs from five percent to one percent for five years… The EO aims to expand market sources and encourage consumers to consider acquiring EVs, improve energy security by reducing dependence on imported fuel, and promote the growth of the domestic EV industry ecosystem,” NEDA stated in its release, dated Nov. 24, 2022.

"The approach that the Philippines has taken is our lessons learned, the hard lessons learned from the lockdown, from the pandemic, from the height of the pandemic where it became very, very clear where the weaknesses were," he said.

"The strategy is to have high growth rates to pull us out of that situation. So we've done everything," the President added.

The Marcos administration's projection is that the Philippine economy would expand by around 6.5 percent this year because of the expected slowdown of the global economy.

Brende said it was "incredible" that the Philippines is one of the best-performing economies among the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states.

"I think now, [the] Philippines is the fastest growing of the ASEAN countries,” Brende said.

Reforming and reshaping the global economy, Mr. Marcos said, gave the Philippines an opportunity to come up with appropriate measures to sustain its economic development.

He said the Philippine government is ramping up digitalization efforts to reform the bureaucracy and develop the infrastructure sector by promoting publicprivate partnerships (PPPs).

The President said his administration is also keeping an eye on the country's unemployment rate amid reports of recession last year. Vince Lopez

participation in Davos was timely in the wake of the post-COVID-19 recovery.

“We have a very nice story to tell—our situation after the pandemic,” he said.

Socio-economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said potential investors want to be assured that the country can sustain its economic growth before doing business in the Philippines.

Senator Mark Villar expressed confidence that Marcos' trip to Switzerland will attract more investments in the country.

“If we secure additional investments, there will be more job opportunities in our country which will pave the way for the further development of our economy,” he said in Filipino.

process for the laptops, intended to support remote learning of students during the pandemic, was conducted by the PS DBM supposedly upon the request and authority of the DepEd. However, the committee found that the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) executed by the DepEd authorizing and delegating the procurement task to PS-DBM dated Feb. 16, 2021 was antedated as it was only signed on May 28, 2021. This made the procurement activities irregular and questionable, the panel said.

The committee also said raising the unit price of the approved budget for the contract from P35,036.50 to P58,300 caused a reduction in the quantity of laptops procured, which was highly irregular.

The special bids and awards committee caused grave and undue injury to students and public school teachers, the panel said.

The Blue Ribbon Committee urged government departments, agencies and offices to refrain from delegating procurement tasks and to conduct their own procurement as an exercise of their fiduciary duty of accountability for public funds appropriated for their respective offices. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

on ABS-CBN TeleRadyo.

"Second, she has to submit a quarterly periodic report to the Clerk of Court of the Sandiganbayan as to her whereabouts. No. 3, she needs to secure a travel authority from the Sandiganbayan in case she needs to travel " he added.

The fourth condition is for Reyes to submit a quarterly report to the court regarding her compliance with all the conditions set.

their health.

“We are monitoring these closely,” BPI director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said in a television interview. “It is not easy to distinguish local onions from smuggled or imported ones.”

“What we see now are smaller onions being sold in the markets. The big onions

ICTSI finance chief tapped as Marcos adviser on economy

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE chief finance officer of International Container Terminal Services Inc. is stepping down from his position to accept his nomination as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s adviser for economic affairs and investment.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, the Razon-led port operator announced that Rafael D. Consing Jr. is retiring from his role as Chief Financial Officer and Compliance Officer "with immediate effect." The company said Consing accepted his nomination to a position in the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Investment and Economic Affairs.

”During his 15 years at ICTSI, the last seven of which as CFO, Joel Consing has made a very significant contribution to the success of the business, and we have accepted his retirement with regret," Enrique K. Razon Jr., chairman and president of ICTSI, said.

"At the same time, we are happy that Joel will be moving on to an important role of national responsibility within the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines. I congratulate Joel on this new role outside of ICTSI," he added.

3m Pinoy families faced hunger in Q4 last year—SWS

AN estimated 3 million Filipino families experienced hunger at least once in the last three months of 2022 – or leading into the Christmas holidays -- a survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed.

The national survey of 1,200 adults, conducted from December 10 to 14, 2022 and released Thursday, found that 11.8 percent of Filipino families experienced involuntary hunger, which means being hungry and not having anything to eat, in the fourth quarter last year.

The number is slightly above the estimated 2.89 million families in October 2022 and 2.95 million families in June 2022, the pollster said.

"However, it is slightly below the 12.2% (estimated 3.1 million families) in April 2022," SWS added.

The exact phrasing of the survey question on hunger was: "Nitong nakaraang tatlong buwan, nangyari po ba kahit minsan na ang inyong pamilya ay nakaranas ng gutom at wala kayong makain? (In these last three months, has it happened that your family has experienced hunger and you had nothing to eat?)"

Tulfo...

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Tulfo asked the Bureau of Customs (BoC) if they know these oil smugglers, but its representative, Special Agent Anthony Escandor said they do not know them.

In a press conference after the consultative meeting, Tulfo described as "reliable" his source on the oil smugglers.

He said some of the names are even on the radar of the BoC, and "they know about it (operations)."

He said the BoC knows them, but they remain blind.

He also said it is likely that some of them have been charged, but still, "we do not know what happened to their cases."

The senator related that oftentimes, the BoC filed charges, but nothing happened.

Tulfo said the BoC files charges against small fry but let big-time smugglers get away.

He said he would conduct a Senate probe or request his colleagues to investigate the matter. He said he would seek the attendance of those he identified as oil smugglers.

About 15 miles from the shorelines outside the Philippine territory, petroleum products from a ship are being transferred to barges and then moved to gas tankers docked at the pier like those found in Subic, Batangas and Navotas, Tulfo said.

He also said unscrupulous personnel of the BoC and the Philippine Coast Guard shared the "grease money" from this system, to the tune of P2.70 a liter.

Tulfo said the investigations should also tackle the government’s fuel marking program.

Last week, the BoC said it raised P231 billion from the government’s fuel marking program that aims to curb smuggling of petroleum products.

Fuel marking, which involves injecting chemical identifiers into tax-paid oil products, is being carried out under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law to curb smuggling of petroleum products.

are packed properly and clean looking, so technically speaking it’s hard to distinguish them (from local variants),” he added.

Panganiban said the DA and BPI were talking with retailers who sold big onions and asked where they got them so they could trace their sources. Jimbo Gulle (See full story online at manilastandard.net

SC to Makati: Refund P20.5m tax to SLEX

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the Makati City government to refund the South Luzon Tollway Corp., now SMC SLEX, Inc. of more than P20.5 million in cash after ruling that the local government unit erroneously collected business tax from the tollway operator in 2011.

In a decision, the SC’s Third Division affirmed the verdict issued by the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) en banc on March 11 2020 denying the petition filed by the Makati City government and its treasurer.

South Luzon Tollway used to hold office in Makati City until 2011 when it

transferred its offices to Calamba City in Laguna.

On Aug. 3, 2011, South Luzon applied for a certificate of business retirement with the Makati government. As a result, the firm was assessed more than P20.5 million in local business tax from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30, 2011. The tax was

paid by the firm on Jan. 31, 2012.

On Dec. 13, 2013, South Luzon asked the Makati City government to refund the P20.5 million taxes it paid, asserting that it was registered as a pioneer enterprise with the Board of Investments (BOI) on March 3, 2010and was therefore, exempted from paying said tax for six years, or from March 3, 2010 to March 3, 2016. SLEX submitted as proof its BOI certificate of registration.

When the city government did not reply to the request, SLEX filed a petition with the Calamba City Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Feb. 3, 2014, asking to be declared as exempted from local business tax and for refund of the

amount it paid for the 2011 taxes.

On Jan. 6, 2017, the RTC ruled in favor of the petitioner as it upheld the company’s tax-exempt status, thus ordered the refund of the taxes paid.

When Makati City’s motion for reconsideration was denied by the RTC, the local government elevated the case to the CTA which, on May 9, 2018, through its first division affirmed the trial court’s ruling.

The CTA said that the Makati City government erroneously collected the amount and that the payment made by SLEX should be refunded in cash.

Makati filed a motion for reconsideration, but the CTA en banc was denied

Think tank asks Congress to call off luxury taxes

By Maricel V. Cruz

A THINK tank group on Thursday appealed to Congress to reconsider the imposition of luxury taxes on a broader selection of goods and services, saying it will have negative effects on the of economic sectors such as tourism, services, and urban development.

Former congressman and InfraWatch PH convenor Teddy Ridon made the appeal following a suggestion by Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda to tax instead luxury the items of the rich as proposed by Oxfam Pilipinas.

“The original call of various groups has been to impose taxes on the country’s richest Filipinos, through a wealth tax similar to a White House proposal imposing taxes on unrealized income arising from gains in various securities, Ridon said.

“There was never a call to impose taxes on luxury goods and services. And to be clear, these two proposals have entirely different objectives and implementation mechanisms,” he added.

Ridon also said that luxury taxes will impinge on the country’s general tourism strategy as an international tourism destination.

“The tourism sector is a pillar of Philippine economic growth, aside from the semiconductor and BPO sectors. Shopping for luxury, mass affluent and even high street goods and services is part of the overall strategy to attract foreigners to visit the country.”

Ridon said that even vacationing OFWs opt to shop locally for apparel and housewares instead of buying the same items abroad.

MMDA finalizes rules on single ticketing setup

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), in collaboration with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), has finalized its traffic code for single ticketing system.

Officials of the two agencies approved the final draft of the Metro Manila Traffic Code in the National Capital Region.

During a meeting on Thursday, the technical working group agreed on the final 20 most common traffic violation penalties which will be imposed uniformly in all Metro Manila local government units and interconnectivity requirements with the LTO’s Land Transportation Management System (LTMS).

MMDA chair Romando Artes said the MMDA will provide the fund for the purchase of the hardware and I.T requirements needed for seamless and simultaneous rollout of the LGU’s integration with the LTMS.

“We will conduct an inventory of each LGUs with regards their respective systems and equipment for the planned interconnectivity with the LTO database for them to have access on the motorists’ records,” Artes said.

“After a series of consultations with the LGUs and the transport sector, we have also finalized the standardized fines and penalties for the most common traffic violations such as disregarding traffic signs, illegal parking, and number coding, among others,” he added.

CHR raises alarm on invasive body search by jail guards on visitors

By Rio N. Araja

THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday raised grave concern over alleged intrusive body search of visitors by jail guards at the Metro Manila District Jail Annex at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City.

The CHR was reacting to a complaint by a certain Bona Fides Lucania who

narrated how she was almost stripped naked by jail wardens at the camp’s detention facility when she visited last Jan. 8 her father whom she has not seen for three years due to the pandemic..

Lucania recalled that she was ordered to enter a room and lift her blouse so the jail custodian could search her underwears for alleged contrabands.

She also said the food items she was

The CHR invoked the Mandela Rules and the Operations Manual of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, citing Rules 51 and 52(1) of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, “We likewise remind BJMP offic-

ers and personnel to uphold their own regulations to nhelp ensure government compliance to the humane treatment of the accused and incarcerated.

The commission stressed that security searches should not be used to “harass, intimidate or unnecessarily intrude upon a prisoner’s privacy” and that “intrusive searches shall be conducted in private and by trained staff of the same sex as the prisoner.”

By Vito Barcelo

BI

“A significant number of them are Chinese residents in the country, who are flying out to spend the Chinese New Year abroad. It results to build-up of passengers at the airport, which may be avoided if they secured their permits before going to the airport,” he added.

Under immigration laws, foreign nationals who are registered with the BI, holding valid immigrant and non-immigrant visas are required to secure exit and re-entry permits every time they leave the country. This includes permanent residents, foreign students, and workers holding valid ACR I-cards.

Biz groups back Belmonte’s economic road map

TWO large business groups on Wednesday backed Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte’s road to economic recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic as the entire Filipino-Chinese community anticipates the celebration of the Chinese New Year on Sunday.

At a news conference organized by the city government, Wilson Flores representing the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. congratulated Belmonte for the revival of the traditional Banawe Chinese New Year celebration to welcome the Year of the Wa-

ter Rabbit.

“I am here to represent FFCCII president, Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong. He is sending his congratulations to the city and the celebration of the Chinese New Year (in Banawe),” he told reporters.

Rio Araja

Taguig extends deadline for business tax payments

THE Taguig City government on Thursday said it is extending its Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS) 2023 operations until Jan. 31, 2023 to allow business owners to pay their business taxes without penalty.

The city council ratified an ordinance extending the deadline for payment of local business taxes and fees to the local government.

The move came after the city govern -

ment noticed an increase in the volume of businesses renewing their permits this year.

Business owners, however, must have filed their papers for evaluation and assessment of business tax and regulatory fees by Jan. 20 in one of the two convenient locations: the newly opened Convention Center in the New City Hall Build -

ing or the SM Aura Satellite Office at the Bonifacio Global City.

Mayor Laarni Cayetano said all submissions for evaluation and tenders of payment made between Jan. 20 to 31 shall not incur penalties or interest. She added all billing statements issued from the beginning of the year will remain valid until Jan. 31. Joel Zurbano

brining wrapped transparent containers were also spliced open and poked with used sticks.

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has advised foreign residents in the country who plan to spend Chinese New Year abroad to process their reentry fees in any of the BI’s offices prior to departure.

port operations division chief Carlos Capulong said the advice was relevant in view of the expected surge in the volume of travelers lining up to secure their reentry fees at the immigration cashiers of the departure area of the three NAIA terminals.

LION DANCE. The festivities for the Chinese Lunar New Year has begun, with onlookers milling around students of the Chiang Kai Shek College doing the Lion Dance and the San Tai Si Dance.

Norman Cruz

DOJ extends Bantag’s suspension

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has imposed another 90-day preventive suspension order against the suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director general Gerald Bantag,

DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the new suspension order was intended to prevent Bantag from “exerting undue influence or pressure on the witnesses” or “tampering of documentary evidence” pending his administrative investigation for the charges of grave misconduct and neglect in the performance of duty.”

The new suspension stemmed from the ongoing investigation by the justice department, in connection with the March 30, 2021 interview conducted by the Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) with former Army Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan inside the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

Palparan is serving his jail sentence

Fortun slams dismissal of murder raps against cops in Asuncion case

FORENSIC pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun on Thursday lamented the resolution issued by state prosecutors which dismissed the murder complaint filed against 17 police officers over the killing of labor leader Manny Asuncion.

Fortun described some arguments in the Department of Justice (DOJ) resolution as “crazy,” saying the prosecutors even “twisted” her forensic report, ABS-CBN News reported

An autopsy result on Asuncion suggested homicide. “I find their arguments crazy. They even twisted my findings, my report,” Fortun, quoted by ABS-CBN News, said.

In dismissing the murder complaint, the DOJ panel said the autopsy “did not

provide any findings or suggestion as to who caused the said injuries.”

“They wanted me to put in my report the identity of the assailants. We don’t do that. That’s crazy,” Fortun told ANC’s “Rundown”.

Fortun further said “it tells you that you don’t understand what forensic investigation is about. Is this a determined, concerted effort to simply dismiss the case?”

The resolution also stated that Asuncion’s wife, Liezel, was not able to adequately substantiate her allegations against the police officers.

But Liezel earlier said the men in police uniform wore ski masks and had their nameplates covered by a red cloth.

of 40 years in connection with the disappearance of two University of the Philippines students in 2006.

The DOJ said the media interview was conducted without complying with Section 4, Chapter 3, Part IV of the BuCor Operating Manual on the process of approval of requests for persons deprived of liberty interview; Sections 3,4,5 (d) and 8, Chapter 3, part IV of the BuCor Operating Manual on the proper procedure/guidelines regarding the conduct of PDL interviews; and Department Circular No. 015 dated January 27, 2017, on the required approval prior to the conduct of PDL interviews.

Remulla directed Bantag to answer the administrative charges within 10 days, upon receipt of the complaint.

“In view of the foregoing, any request for clarification, bills of particulars, or motions to dismiss which are obviously designed to delay the administrative proceedings shall be considered as an answer and shall be evaluated as such,” Remulla said.

“Failure on the respondent’s part to submit his answer within the prescribed period shall be construed as a waiver thereof, and this DOJshall, immediately conduct the formal investigation upon notice of the scheduled date of hearing,” he added.

WEF chief asks PH to join tech development hub

By Vince Lopez and Maricel Cruz

WORLD Economic Forum (WEF) founder and executive chairperson, Professor Klaus Schwab invited the Philippines on Tuesday to join a technology center that the WEF is establishing.

The center, Schwab said, is geared at working and sharing the newest technologies that could help countries develop economically.

During a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Davos, Switzerland, Schwab said there is a lot of excitement and engagement in the forum and the WEF wants to reinforce cooperation by putting up a center for joint cooperation on new technologies.

The organization now has several service centers working on the newest technologies like artificial intelligence, according to Schwab.

“And the idea is to share their own experience. It’s always in support of technology,” Schwab said as he cited India as an example where WEF looks at the application of the newest technologies to increase agricultural activity.

The organization also has a center in San Francisco that looks into crypto and blockchain, the WEF founder explained.

Schwab told President Marcos that the WEF will invite the Philippines to have a presence when the organization inaugurates the platform.

The President said that he would task the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to engage with the WEF as it hands over materials to the Philippines as a starting point.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Thursday meanwhile said the House of Representatives will work for the speedy passage of measures to ramp up digitalization that President Marcos highlighted in the WEF.

President Marcos is in Davos to showcase the success story of the Philippines and his government’s aggressive development agenda to attract more foreign investments into the country.

OF THE

By Willie Casas

THE Department of Health (DOH) has assured that the country is “prepared” and will continuously prepare for COVID-19.

This, even if the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Committee should eventually decide that the disease no longer presents as a global health emergency.

“The virus is here to stay and the Philippines will continue to be cautious and vigilant by continuously practicing our protocols, safeguards, and imposing our current restrictions which are relatively lenient already,” the DOH said.

The WHO committee is set to convene on January 27 to determine whether or not COVID still poses as an emergency around the world.

Meanwhile, the extension of the state of calamity due to COVID-19 in the Philippines remains up in the air. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has yet to decide on the DOH’s recommendations in favor of this.

The memorandum recommending this was submitted to the Office of the President late last year.

Health Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire has said that there remains a “small probability” that the state of calamity will be extended.

SSS chief says agency to start implementing contributions increase

By Rio N. Araja

THE Social Security System (SSS) on Wednesday started implementing the provisions of Republic Act 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018, mandating a contribution increase to ensure the financial viability of the state pension fund for private sector workers.

SSS president and chief executive of-

ficer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said the law-mandated contribution increase would translate to immediate benefits to the country’s 13 million workers and would ensure the viability of the SSS fund designed to provide them with social security protection.

The implementation of the contribution hike would eventually redound in a system that would serve workers better.

“The contribution hike will benefit the workers with the SSS being able to provide a financially viable social protection system to Filipino workers and their families. It will not be a burden on workers but will be shouldered by employers. Workers earning less than P25,000 per month, who comprise 78 percent of SSS-paying employee members, will not be affected,” he cited.

Under existing tax laws, employers would be allowed to deduct their share of the contribution hike from their taxable income.

“This underscores a whole-of-nation approach in securing the future of our workers with the Philippine government also contributing in the form of tax relief to employers,” Macasaet said.

CA denies appeal of ex-DOJ executive

By Rey E. Requejo

THE

JICA tests dredging tech in Las Piñas river

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE

Sen.

Villar

able buoyancy.

“There is no doubt that you have chosen well. In Las Piñas, under my guidance, we are serious and very persistent in our river clean-up and rehabilitation,” Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, said.

In a resolution promulgated on January 10, the CA’s Former Special Division held that Salazar did not present new arguments in his motion to warrant a reconsideration of its Sept.16, 2022 decision.

“The matters raised by petitioner in his motion has been considered, weighed and passed upon by the Court in said decision,” the resolution stated.

“The motion thus fails to present any new and substantial matter, or any cogent and compelling reason which would justify reconsideration of the Court’s ruling. Wherefore, the motion for reconsideration is denied for lack of merit,” it said.

Court of Appeals (CA) has denied the appeal of former Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar who sought reconsideration of its order dismissing his petition against a Manila court’s order that he stand trial for breach of contract and damages lodged by a private company, in connection with the unpaid payments for the production of public awareness shows against human trafficking.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has chosen Las Piñas city for its pilot test of Kochi Marutaka’s floating amphibious excavator.

Cynthia A. Villar noted that this technology to be used in cleaning the Las Piñas-Zapote River and waterways in Las Piñas is new. The technology,

said, can do extensive dredging while floating in shallow waters of the river due to its remark-

Danny Pata

YEAR

RABBIT. Malabon Zoo, Aquarium and Botanical Garden founder Manny Tangco, Feng Shui master Dr. Anthony Fugoso, and rabbit judge Alex Ong present rabbits during the launch of the “Fascinating Live Rabbits of the World” exhibit on Thursday. The exhibit will be held at the Malabon Zoo from January 21 to January 22 in time for the Year of the Rabbit celebrations.

Andrew Rabulan

Danny Pata

Business

Globe to finish longest cable network in April

By Darwin G. Amojelar

GLOBE

said Thursday it is on track to completing the $150-million Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network, the longest of its kind in the country, in April this year to further boost digitalization in the countryside.

“As the Philippines continues to build a digital economy, Globe is steadfast in its efforts to bring fast and reliable connectivity to all,” said Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu.

“We are committed to supporting the government’s initiatives towards innovation, e-governance, and greater digital adoption among Filipinos through our investments in PDSCN and other network infrastructure,” he said.

Globe teamed up with Eastern Communications and InfiniVAN Inc. for the project to provide equitable and reliable connectivity across the country, including previously unserved and underserved areas across the Philippines.

PDSCN, which has a total cable distance of 2,500 kilometers, will soon kick off landing cables in nine remaining segments that cover 13 sites. These include Calatrava, Romblon; Pasacao, Camarines Sur; Bulan, Sorsogon; Calbayog City, Samar; Palanas, Masbate; Mactan, Cebu; Maasin City, Leyte; Claver, Surigao del Norte; Kinoguitan, Misamis Oriental; Camiguin; Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte; Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte; and Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur.

The project started in Subic Bay, Zambales in July 2022 and already completed 15 segments across the country, including key cities and tourism destinations.

Globe said that as the PDSCN project neared completion, it would shift focus towards capital efficiency and optimization, with plans to reduce its capital expenditures budget to $1.3 billion in 2023 and $1 billion in 2024 from $1.9 billion in 2022.

This move aims to optimize spending in the next few years by maximizing the utilization of fiber assets and taking advantage of arrangements with tower companies to boost tower construction, it said.

Roderick T. dela Cruz, Editor Alena Mae S. Flores, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

B1

THE

20, 2023

FRIDAY, JANUARY

DTI, P.J. Lhuillier team up to help small businesses

Negosyo Center and PJLI agreed to share resources to establish a MSME Business and Shared Services Center in the form of a website where the business needs of MSMEs will be addressed.

The portal aims to help small businesses on financing, micro-insurance, micro-investments, business advisory and payment and settlement options. It will be accessible in any web browser and in kiosks to be located in selected branches of Cebuana Lhuillier.

Trade Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona said the project is in response to the call of the President to expedite the adoption of a public-private partnership system to assist start-ups and micro, small and medium enterprises. Othel V. Campos

EVA Air to launch Clark-Taipei flights

EVA Air said Thursday it will launch daily nonstop flights between Taipei and Clark International Airport starting on March 30, 2023.

The addition of Clark will give EVA three gateways in the Philippines and boost the convenience and flexibility which passengers enjoy with Manila and Cebu service. The airline will use an Airbus A321-200.

BOP yielded $7.3-b deficit on higher imports in 2022

By Julito G. Rada

THE country’s balance of payments yielded a deficit of $7.3 billion in 2022, a reversal of the $1.3-billion surplus recorded in 2021, as imports outstripped exports amid the recovery of domestic demand and higher commodity prices, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show.

“Based on preliminary data, this cumulative BOP deficit was due to the widening trade in goods deficit as goods imports continued to surpass goods exports on the back of the increase in international commodity prices and resumption in domestic economic activities,” the BSP said.

BSP officials said, however, that the actual 2022 BOP deficit was smaller than the projected $11.2-billion shortfall for the year following the strong dollar inflows in December.

The BSP said the BOP posted a surplus of $612 million in December, reflecting “inflows arising mainly from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ net foreign exchange operations and net income from its investments abroad.”

BOP is the difference in total value between payments into and out of a country over a period.

Meanwhile, the gross international reserves climbed to $96.1 billion as of end-December 2022 from $95.1 billion in November. The figure, however, fell from $108.8 billion recorded in the same month in 2021.

Reserves fell year-on-year as peso declined to a record-low of 59 against the US dollar in October, before recovering in the succeeding months as oil prices eased and remittances picked up ahead of the holidays. The peso closed at 54.63 against the greenback Thursday.

Data showed that the BSP’s reserves as of end-December included $81.32 billion in foreign investments, $9.28 billion in gold holdings, $3.70 billion in special drawing rights, $912.4 million in foreign exchange and $789.4 million in reserve position in the Fund.

The BSP said the latest GIR level still represented a more than adequate external liquidity buffer equivalent to 7.3 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.

It was also about 5.9 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 3.9 times based on residual maturity.

The BSP earlier raised the projected BOP deficit in 2022 to $11.2 billion from the $8.4-billion shortfall made previously, taking into consideration the further weakening of global demand.

It said the emerging BOP outlook over the near term remained subdued as external risks had intensified relative to the last forecast round in June 2022.

It said that by end of March, the airline would be operating 35 flights a week to the Philippines, offering travelers from throughout Asia, Europe, Australia and North America more arrival and departure options. Clark is about 80 kilometers from Manila, giving Filipino passengers an alternative way to fly to Taiwan and connect onward to other destinations in Asia, Australia, Europe and North America.

The service also reduces travel time from the airport to popular northern Luzon beaches and resorts. Darwin G. Amojelar

IBP expresses support to former DICT executive

THE Integrated Bar of the Philippines lauded the performance and accomplishments of former Department of Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar in public service, saying he lived up to the ideals of the organization in his various stints.

The IBP, in a resolution, cited Salazar’s commitment to the organization’s “pursuit of the highest ideals of integrity and excellence in the service of the nation.”

“He [Salazar] likewise espoused these ideals as he took on several major appointive positions in government,” it said.

The IBP issued the resolution following Salazar’s irrevocable resignation from his post as DITC undersecretary in December last year to attend to urgent family concerns. Salazar served as national president of the IBP from 2005 to 2007.

The IBP also noted Salazar’s achievement at the helm of the organization. “In the performance of these and other roles in the IBP, Atty. Salazar has contributed significantly to the advancement of the goals and ideals of the IBP, particularly in promoting unity and camaraderie within its ranks; in advancing professionalism and professional development among the legal practitioners of the country; and in expanding the IBP’s presence and role in the affairs of the government and society,” the IBP said.

NPC to reduce electricity service in remote areas on delayed subsidy

By Alena Mae S. Flores

NATIONAL Power Corp. on Thursday warned that it would reduce electricity service in remote areas not served by the power grid because of the fuel supply shortage and delayed subsidy payment.

NPC president Fernando Martin Roxas informed electric cooperatives in a letter of the power curtailment in areas under the Small Power Utilities Group starting Feb. 1 this year.

“Due to limited funds, we plan to implement reduced operations from SPUG power plants starting Feb. 1, 2023 to stretch out fuel supply,” Roxas said.

He asked the ECs to work together with NPC to mitigate the impact to consumers.

NPC, the National Electrification Administration, the Department of Energy and the Association of Isolated Electric Cooperatives held a consultative meeting Tuesday to resolve the power supply issues concerning the NPC-SPUG.

NEA administrator Antonio Mariano

Almeda instructed the ECs to inform their member-consumer-owners about the looming power crisis.

Almeda asked NEA deputy administrator for technical services lawyer Omar Mayo to coordinate with NPC on the advance payment of the ECs as part of the short-term solution to the fuel supply problem.

He also asked the ECs to meet with their respective local government officials to help in the advance payment and to have an embedded renewable power source as part of the long-term solution.

Almeda assured the ECs that the energy sector would do their part in resolving the power supply issue.

AIEC president and Romblon Electric Cooperative Inc. general manager Rene Fajilagutan raised concern during the meeting on the curtailment of the operation of NPC-SPUG plants which he said would lead to power outages.

NPC said during the meeting it formed a crisis management and communication plan, which was approved

by the board, to address the supply curtailment and the delay in UC-ME subsidy payment.

Roxas said the company requested a

P5-billion

Department of Trade and Industry Regional Operations Group through the Negosyo Center Program Management Unit signed a partnership agreement with P.J. Lhuillier Inc. to further promote ease of doing business in the post-pandemic and digital age.

BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION. Aboitiz Construction signs a partnership agreement with Fragile to Agile to help design the digital roadmap of the Aboitiz Group’s construction arm. Signing the agreement are (from left) F2A lead architect Ezekiel Vozzo, Aboitiz Construction executive director Antonio Peñalver and F2A founder and chief executive Glenn Symth. Under the partnership, the enterprise architecture created will significantly increase Aboitiz Construction’s agility in the construction and maintenance business segments.

PRU LIFE UK EXPANSION. Life insurer Pru Life UK remains committed to serving and helping Filipinos get the most out of life as it inaugurated several agency offices in Makati City and Pasig City. Attending the event are (seated, from left) Pru Life UK branch manager and director John Marco Quijano, branch manager and general agency president Felipe Nabong and assistant unit manager and director Kharen Charmaine Nabong, along with other top executives of the company.

loan solely for fuel purchases, but they expected it to be released in May. He asked the ECs if they could help advance fuel payment.

Microsoft to axe 10,000 jobs amid US tech downturn

WASHINGTON—Microsoft on Wednesday said it would lay off 10,000 employees in the coming months as the economic downturn continues to punish US tech giants.

The job cuts will affect slightly less than five percent of employees and follow in the wake of similar moves by Facebook owner Meta, Amazon and Twitter, which have announced thousands of layoffs in the once-unassailable tech sector.

The cuts were “in response to macroeconomic conditions and changing customer priorities,” the maker of the Windows operating system said in a US regulatory filing.

The firings followed a major hiring spree during the height of the coronavirus pandemic when companies scrambled to meet demand as people went online for work, shopping, and entertainment.

Asked about the layoffs just ahead of the announcement, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said that “no one can defy gravity” and pointed to the high inflation that was affecting economic growth around the world.

Microsoft’s filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission said the cutbacks would result in a charge of $1.2 billion in their next results announcement.

Those are due on January 24, when the Redmond, Washington-based company is forecast to post its slowest revenue increase in years.

“As we saw customers accelerate their digital spend during the pandemic, we’re now seeing them optimize their digital spend to do more with less,” Nadella said in a note to employees published by the SEC. AFP

Stock market declines; ACEN leads advancers

STOCKS fell Thursday from an eightmonth high after disappointing US data renewed worries about a recession in the world’s biggest economy.

The PSE index, the 30-company benchmark, lost 32 points, or 0.46 percent, to close at 7,062.01, as four of the six subsectors declined.

The broader all-share index also dropped 5 points, or 0.16 percent, to

settle at 3,686.68 on a value turnover of P7 billion. Gainers outnumbered losers, 107 to 83, while 53 issues were unchanged.

Four of the 10 most active stocks ended in the green, led by ACEN Corp. which climbed 3.04 percent to P7.11 and DMCI Holdings Inc. which rose 1.88 percent to P13.00.

Meanwhile, Asian markets were mixed Thursday. The optimism that has flowed through trading floors since the start of the year took a knock this week as concerns about inflation and rising interest rates are replaced by growth fears and their impact on company profits.

The downbeat mood offset hopes that China’s economy would enjoy a strong recovery this year -- having suffered its worst annual growth in 46 years in 2022 -- as it moves away from its zeroCovid policy.

All three main indexes on Wall Street sank more than one percent Wednesday in response to figures showing retail sales, and shrank at the quickest pace in more than a

year, while producer prices fell the most since the beginning of the pandemic.

Industrial production also came in worse than forecast.

While data indicating the economy was struggling has in recent months spurred equities on hopes it will allow the Federal Reserve to slow down its pace of rate hikes, analysts said traders are now concerned about the economic outlook.

“’Bad news is bad news’ once again for markets, with weak retail sales and industrial production seeing risk assets sell-off,” said National Australia Bank’s Tapas Strickland.

The data “adds to the theme of the economy slowing and heading into recession in 2023, and pushes back on the soft landing narrative dominating markets since January.”

Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mumbai all fell, though Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Bangkok and Jakarta edged up. Wellington’s NZX 50 and the New Zealand dollar suffered only small losses despite Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s shock announcement that she will step down next month, saying she no longer has “enough in the tank.”

TOP GAINERS

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

1 SOC 0.5 0.065 14.94%

2 FCG 0.92 0.11 13.58%

3 I 0.85 0.09 11.84%

4 IDC 1 0.09 9.89%

5 MG 0.14 0.01 7.69%

6 HTI 0.98 0.06 6.52%

7 BC 5.16 0.31 6.39%

8 APL 0.036 0.002 5.88%

9 EVER 0.275 0.015 5.77%

10 VMC 3.44 0.18 5.52%

TOP LOSERS

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

1 PRMX 2.1 -0.26 -11.02%

2 MACAY 6 -0.7 -10.45%

3 ABG 3.65 -0.4 -9.88%

4 PBC 14.5 -1.2 -7.64%

5 ACR 0.85 -0.07 -7.61%

6 HOME 2.25 -0.11 -4.66%

7 PNX 8.13 -0.35 -4.13%

8 DITO 3.15 -0.13 -3.96%

9 MWIDE 3.18 -0.13 -3.93%

10 PNX3B 62 -2.5 -3.88%

MOST ACTIVE

VOLUME VALUE (PHP)

1 BDO 5,306,920 655,951,067

2 SM 411,660 383,060,685

3 JFC 1,340,540 333,484,562

4 ICT 1,402,400 306,035,490

5 CNVRG 16,076,100 304,000,598

6 ACEN 42,175,900 296,476,109

7 TEL 181,740 268,350,190

8 DMC 17,003,200 219,632,616

9 ALI 6,268,100 201,468,525

10 SMPH 5,215,700 200,084,770

Jury hears case on Musk’s tweets about Tesla

By Glenn Chapman/ Julie Jammot

SAN FRANCISCO—A lawyer for angry Tesla investors told a California courtroom on Wednesday that CEO Elon Musk “lied” about having funding in place to take the company private, costing his clients millions of dollars.

More than four years after Musk fired off tweets saying he had funding secured to buy the electric car maker at $420 a share, investors who felt burned by the misleading statements began to make their case in the San Francisco court.

The tweets in the summer of 2018 sent the Tesla share price on a rollercoaster ride and Musk was sued by shareholders who said the tycoon acted recklessly in an effort to squeeze investors who had bet against the company.

“Elon Musk, Tesla’s chair, and chief executive lied,” said attorney Nicholas Porritt, who represents Glen Littleton and other investors in the automaker.

“And his lies cost regular people like Glen Littleton to lose millions and millions of dollars,” Porritt added in opening remarks.

Called as the first witness, 71-year-old Littleton told jurors he was heavily invested in Tesla in 2018 in a way that banked on the share price climbing to $500 or more.

Littleton testified that he was “pretty shocked” by Musk’s tweet about taking the company private at $420 a share because it threatened almost all the money he had invested in Tesla.

“It was going to pretty much wipe me out,” Littleton said.

Littleton told jurors he scrambled “in a fog of war” to save what he could of his investments, getting out of most of his positions at a huge loss.

The fraud trial had opened Tuesday with the selection of a nine-person jury and is expected to last three weeks. Musk is scheduled to take the stand, possibly as early as Friday.

Musk denies he was being deceitful and his lawyers are expected to call on witnesses to vouch for his plans at the time, including testimony from Musk’s friend and fellow billionaire Larry Ellison. ‘Not fraud’

The case revolves around a pair of tweets in which Musk

said “funding secured” for a project to buy out the publiclytraded electric automaker, then in a second tweet added that “investor support is confirmed.”

Porritt told jurors that Musk had selected the $420 share price in the tweet “as a joke” and that the funding to take Tesla private was never locked in, nor credibly pursued.

In his own opening remarks, Musk attorney Alex Spiro said that even though the tweets may have been a “reckless choice of words,” they were “not fraud, not even close.”

“What Mr. Musk was communicating in those tweets was that Mr. Musk was serious about taking Tesla private,” Spiro told jurors, adding that anything more detailed or official “would have had the same effect on the market.”

The trial comes at a sensitive time for Musk, who has dominated the headlines in recent months for his chaotic takeover of Twitter where the entrepreneur laid off more than half of the 7,500 employees and downsized content moderation.AFP

Japan’s 2022 trade deficit hit record on high costs

TOKYO—Japan logged its largestever annual trade deficit last year, with the soaring price of energy and raw materials compounded by the dramatic fall of the yen.

The resource-poor country is heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels, which became sharply more expensive last year, largely due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In 2022, the value of imports was 19.97 trillion yen ($155 billion), higher than exports -- Japan’s larg-

est-ever deficit. Comparable data have been available since 1979.

The reading also marked a jump from Japan’s previous record trade deficit of 12.82 trillion yen in 2014.

Japan has stopped Russian oil imports in reaction to the war in Ukraine, but it still buys coal and natural gas from the country, and its LNG imports from Russia rose more than four percent in 2022.

The yen also hit multi-decade lows against the dollar last year,

prompting expensive government interventions to prop up the currency.

Driven down by the gap in monetary policy between Japan and other countries, the weaker yen inflated profits for exporters but ramped up the price of imports like energy.

Taro Saito, executive research fellow at NLI Research Institute, said Japan would continue to see large trade deficits in the near term. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

With AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

TWITTER STATUE. This undated handout photo courtesy of Heritage Global Partners shows a neon Twitter bird light electrical display, part of Elon Musk online auction of ‘surplus corporate office assets of Twitter’. A Twitter bird statue fetched $100,000 on Jan. 18, as Elon Musk auctioned off furniture, decorations, kitchen equipment and more from the tech firm’s downtown San Francisco headquarters. The 10-foot neon light in the shape of Twitter’s bird logo brought in a winning bid of $40,000, Heritage Global Partners auction service confirmed. AFP

A pedestrian walks past the Phillip Burton Federal Building and US Courthouse in San Francisco, California, on Jan. 18, 2023. A lawyer for angry Tesla investors told a California courtroom on Jan. 18, 2023, that CEO Elon Musk ‘lied’ about having funding in place to take the company private, costing his clients millions of dollars. AFP

TV’s Maria Clara at Ibarra reminds us of today’s priests

apparently, most of them have completely “forgotten” about the separation of Church and State.

Aggravating their inexcusable “forgetfulness” is their desire to reacquire the political power they enjoyed in past administrations, notably during the term of the devotedly Catholic President Corazon Aquino (1986-1992).

THE television series Maria Clara at Ibarra currently aired on the GMA-TV channel, is the latest adaptation of Jose Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere

I noticed the series included the evil Padre Damaso and Padre Salvi. These lying and cheating friars were lascivious, greedy and drunk with the political power they enjoyed during those colonial times of union of Church and State.

Padre Damaso and Padre Salvi lusted after the women of their period, notwithstanding their oath of celibacy as priests. Maria Clara is the daughter of Padre Damaso. Padre Salvi lusts for Maria Clara.

In my opinion, only the sex maniac Padre Camorra featured in El Filibusterismo, Rizal’s sequel to Noli, outdoes the evil Damaso and Salvi in terms of friarly libido.

Rizal’s objective in writing Noli and Fili is to put on record not only the worldliness of the Spanish friars in the Philippines, but the dangers of allowing Church officials to meddle in the secular affairs of the State.

Jesus Christ says it plainly and clearly in the Bible that the faithful shall “Render unto Caesar the things that belong to Caesar, and render unto God the things that belong to God.”

On the secular level, Section 6, Article II of the 1987 Constitution demands that the separation of Church and State in the Philippines shall be inviolable.

The foregoing biblical and constitutional mandates regarding the separation of Church and State are clear enough for anyone to understand. Catholic clergy are certainly aware of those mandates, yet they choose to ignore the same.

As an excuse for their unconstitutional meddling in politics, the clergy claims the Church must look after the welfare of its faithful.

That may be true for the spiritual welfare of the flock, but spiritual welfare is different from political welfare.

The tax-exempt status given by the Constitution to organized religion means the Church should not interfere in politics.

Filipino citizens have a right to criticize the government because they pay taxes. If the modern-day Padre Damaso wants to speak up against the government, then the likes of him should pay taxes first.

Padre Damaso and his cabal should not enjoy the best of both worlds—the right to engage in political discourse, and tax-exempt status.

In short, the Catholic clergy should keep all things spiritual to the confines of the Church, and leave all things political to the political forum. The Constitution and the laws have enough measures to address government abuse and anomalies.

In a way, the evil friars in Maria Clara at Ibarra remind me of many of today’s highly politicized cardinals, bishops, priests and nuns.

They are so immersed in politics that,

The latter’s docile and submissive behavior toward Jaime Cardinal Sin, the politicized Archbishop of Manila, was public knowledge.

They also wielded immense political power during the administration of Mrs. Aquino’s son, President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III (2010-2016), who was a pale shadow of his father, the late Senator Ninoy Aquino.

In September 2010, Intramuros travel guide Carlos Celdran went inside the Manila Cathedral and displayed a sign bearing the word Damaso. Celdran did that to express his disapproval of Church meddling in legislation and other political concerns.

Maria Clara at Ibarra may be a reflection of the local Catholic Church today

Apparently, Celdran believed that if the Church adamantly disobeys the Constitution, its leaders must be exposed for their brazen disobedience.

Church doctrine preaches forgiveness of sins and offenses.

Instead of following that fundamental church doctrine, Padre Damaso and his cohorts chose to file a criminal case for “offending religious feelings” against Celdran.

Sometime before the state visit of Pope Francis to Manila in January 2015, then Manila Archbishop Luis Cardinal Tagle announced his specious disclaimer that the Church had already forgiven Celdran, and “the People of the Philippines” are the ones who are actively prosecuting the criminal case against Celdran.

It turned out, however, that the clergy had been actively pursuing the criminal case against Celdran, and that all criminal cases are prosecuted in court in the name of “the People of the Philippines.”

Likewise, the clergy supported last year’s unsuccessful presidential run of the incompetent Leni Robredo, whom they believed will be totally servile to the clergy.

Last year, after Pope Francis fired Cardinal Tagle as head of Caritas Internationalis, the global charity arm of the Church, Bishop Pablo David of Caloocan City and a certain Father Gregory Gaston offered all sorts of excuses for Tagle’s ouster even if they had no actual knowledge of the real reasons behind the papal decision.

Maria Clara at Ibarra may be a reflection of the local Catholic Church today.

Altius non tollendi

OWNERSHIP is defined “as the independent right of exclusive enjoyment and control of a thing for the purpose of deriving therefrom all the advantages required by the reasonable needs of the owner and the promotion of the general welfare but subject to the restrictions imposed by law and the rights of others” (Outline of Civil Law, Reyes and Puno, Volume 2).

The traditional attributes of ownership are: (a) the right to enjoy, which includes the right to use, enjoy, and consume; (b) the right to dispose, and the right to alienate, encumber, transform, or even to destroy the property; and (c) the right to vindicate, or the right of action to recover the property against the holder or possessor (Jurado, 1989, Civil Law Reviewer citing Article 428, Civil Code).

However, there are limitations upon the right of ownership, which include general limitations (eminent domain, police power, and the power of taxation), limitations of legal servitudes or easements, limitations by contract or will, limitations imposed by the owner himself (mortgages, pledges, and lease of rights), and limitations of the Constitution and law (Tolentino, Civil Code).

A servitude or easement is an encumbrance imposed upon an immovable for the benefit of another immovable belonging to a different owner. The immovable in favor of which the easement is established is called the dominant estate; that which is subject thereto, the servient estate (Spouses Garcia v. Santos, G.R. No. 228334, June 17, 2019, citing Article 613, Civil Code).

“[E]asement is ‘a real right on another’s property, corporeal and immovable, whereby the owner of the latter must refrain from doing or allowing somebody else to do or something to be done on his property, for the benefit of another person or tenement. Easements are established either by law or by the will of the owner…’” (G.R. 228334, June 17, 2019).

“Legal easements are ones imposed by law…, as opposed to voluntary easements that are established by the agreements of the parties. The… easement of light and view refers to an easement whereby the dominant estate enjoys the right to have free access to light, a little air, and a view overlooking the adjoining estate, i.e., the servient

estate” (G.R. 228334, June 17, 2019).

“The easement of light and view has two components. The easement of light… has the purpose of admitting light and a little air, as in the case of small windows, not more than 30 centimeters square, at the height of the ceiling joists or immediately under the ceiling. On the other hand, the easement of view… has the principal purpose of affording view, as in the case of full or regular windows overlooking the adjoining estate” (G.R. 228334, June 17, 2019).

“As held by jurisprudence, the easement of light and view is intrinsically intertwined with the easement of the servient estate not to build higher or altius non tollendi. These two necessarily go together ‘because an easement of light and view requires that the owner of the servient estate shall not build to a height that will obstruct the window’” (G.R. 228334, June 17, 2019).

In the case of Spouses Garcia v. Santos, the former asserted that since they have acquired by title an easement of light and view, the owner of the adjacent servient estate, i.e., the Spouses Santos, is proscribed from building a structure that obstructs the window of their one-story house.

Incidentally, the property of Spouses Garcia was formerly owned by Spouses Santos (G.R. 228334, June 17, 2019).

Easements may be classified into positive and negative easements.

A positive easement is one which imposes upon the owner of the servient estate the obligation of allowing something to be done or of doing it himself.

On the other hand, a negative easement is that which prohibits the owner of the servient estate from doing something which he could lawfully do if the easement did not exist (G.R. 228334, June 17, 2019 citing Article 616, Civil Code).

What is the significance of determining whether

EDITORIAL

Ending the insurgency

LET’S hear it straight from the horse’s mouth, in a manner of speaking.

According to Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Andres Centino, the military establishment’s most urgent task is “to defeat threat groups,” which include communist rebels and ISIS-linked terrorists.

The military’s intensified campaign against insurgents has been gaining ground, he pointed out, with guerrilla fronts of the New People’s Army down to five and its active membership reduced to only around 2,000 from a high of 25,000 in the 1980s.

“While we have major success stories in our counterinsurgency [campaign] … our task is not over yet,” the General said.

Going after the NPA with hammer and tongs is one of the key directives of the AFP with Centino at the helm.

His other directives are: optimizing resources to support the operational requirements of the troops; advancement of professionalism and meritocracy; continued support for modernization; and proactive deployment of military assets for disaster response.

How feasible is the current AFP leadership’s

How feasible is the current AFP leadership’s vow to put an end to the communist rebellion, perhaps within the term of office of the Marcos administration?

vow to put an end to the communist rebellion, perhaps within the term of office of the Marcos administration?

The military believes with the death last month of Jose Ma. Sison, the founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines, which provides the ideological and political direction of the insurgency, the NPA has been considerably weakened and would lose motivation in pursuing

Why I can’t retire

WHENEVER I am asked why I am still working at my age of 95 going on 96, my answer is always, “With what can I retire since I have no retirement fund, much less a pension that I can rely on?” That’s my problem as a journalist.

It’s unlike being a government worker, who has the Government Service and Insurance System that provides government workers with retirement funds and pension funds.

Likewise, in the private sector, there’s the Social Security System which guarantees private sector workers when they retire with a retirement and pension plan.

Santa Banana, I hate to mention it, but for all the years that I have been working (over 75 years) in media outlets (print, radio and television), the only pension fund I can rely on is a little over P3,000 a month from the SSS.

When I went to the SSS to find out why, I was told that it was only the defunct Philippines Herald that complied with the SSS mandate to contribute to the System.

In other words, the media outlets I was working for failed to comply with the law.

It’s now too late for the SSS to go after those media outlets I was working for.

On the side, I wonder if all journalists like me find themselves in the same situation as I am.

I mention, in the wake of journalists like me being unable to retire because they have no retirement fund and pension fund, they can expect that when they become elderly like me they will have nothing to back them up.

Although I am also a lawyer and a member of the Philippine Bar, I stuck to being a journalist, despite the fact that I did not continue with being a lawyer because of my love for the challenges that came my way as a journalist.

Journalists like me, if they are honest and believe in the unwritten ethics of journalists, that we should always be truthful, fair and stick to the tenets of balanced reporting, stay on despite all the threats and challenges that come our way.

Santa Banana, if you don’t like getting sued for libel, don’t be a journalist.

There are limitations upon the right of ownership, which include general limitations...limitations of legal servitudes or easements, limitations by contract or will, limitations imposed by the owner himself... and limitations of the Constitution and law

an easement is positive or negative? It is important to determine how an easement is acquired.

“[T]o acquire easements by prescription in positive easements, the prescriptive period shall commence from the day on which the owner of the dominant estate, or the person who may have made use of the easement, commenced to exercise it upon the servient estate” (G.R. 228334, June 17, 2019 citing Article 621, Civil Code).

With respect to negative easements, the prescriptive period shall commence from the day on which the owner of the dominant estate forbade, by an instrument acknowledged before a notary public, the owner of the servient estate from executing an act which would be lawful without the easement (G.R. 228334, June 17, 2019).

“[A]rticle 668 of the Civil Code… states that the period of prescription for the acquisition of an easement of light and view shall be counted: (1) from the time of the opening of the window, if it is through a party wall; or (2) from the time of the formal prohibition upon the proprietor of

My gulay, you can even get convicted and sent to jail;. Believe it or not, we journalists, unlike ordinary workers in government and the private sector, don’t get paid for working overtime, which is normal, my gulay, for journalists like me. We journalists get threats every time we report the truth. And we normally are underpaid.

For the nth time, I wish President Bongbong Marcos would certify as urgent and a priority the Senate Bill creating the DDR or Department of Disaster Resilience

Santa Banana, we journalists, if we are true to our profession, even get killed, like many of the journalists you read about every now and then who get shot. And still we journalists continue writing about the truth.

That’s the reason I call journalism a “calling.”

We are like priests and nuns who are committed to the truth. Priests and nuns are committed to celibacy, obedience and charity.

It’s all for these reasons why I am sticking to The Manila Standard, despite opportunities for me to write for other newspapers.

I like the people I am working with at TMS,

the adjoining land or tenement, if the window is through a wall on the dominant estate” (G.R. No. 228334, June 17, 2019).

“As a general rule, an easement of light and view is a positive one if the window or opening is situated in a party wall, while it is a negative one if the window or opening is thru one’s own wall, i.e., thru a wall of the dominant estate. However, ‘[e]ven if the window is on one’s own wall, still the easement would be positive if the window is on a balcony or projection extending over into the adjoining land’” (G.R. 228334, June 17, 2019).

Aside from prescription, easements may likewise be acquired through title. The term “title” does not necessarily mean a document.

Instead, it refers to a juridical act or law sufficient to create the encumbrance. One such legal proviso which grants title to an easement is found in Article 624, which states:

x x x. The existence of an apparent sign of easement between two estates, established or maintained by the owner of both, shall be considered, should either of them be alienated, as a title in order that the easement may continue actively and passively, unless, at the time the ownership of the two estates is divided, the contrary should be provided in the title of conveyance of either of them, or the sign aforesaid should be removed before the execution of the deed. This provision shall also apply in case of the division of a thing owned in common by two or more persons (G.R. 228334, June 17, 2019).

In the Spouses Garcia case, prior to the purchase of the property by Spouses Garcia in 1998, the subject property and its adjoining lot, i.e., Lot 1, were both owned by Spouses Santos.

The subject one-story property was laden with several windows and openings which remained open when it was alienated to Spouses Garcia, and while the Spouses Santos retained ownership of the adjoining Lot 1 (G.R. 228334, June 17, 2019).

“Jurisprudence has recognized that Article 624 is an exception carved out by the Civil Code that must be taken out of the coverage of the general rule that an easement of light and view in the case of windows opened in one’s own wall is a negative easement that may only be acquired by prescription, tacked from a

“people’s war” based on their concept of “encircling the cities from the countryside.” Col. Medel Aguilar, AFP spokesman, said as much.

He described Sison’s passing as a devastating setback for the communist insurgency, as this would lead to low morale among those in the underground.

“Of course, it will further weaken the underground mass organization…this means that they will also lose their sense of purpose, their direction, and therefore would lead to demoralization among its members, disintegration, and hopefully the end of armed struggle,” Medel said.

The military’s optimistic view is shared by Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, who recently cited the gains made by government through the whole-of-nation approach that prioritizes the delivery of livelihood, education, housing, health and other social services to poor and disadvantaged communities that are the recruiting ground of the NPA.

Secretary Abalos believes that the institutionalization of the “whole-of-nation approach has been a game changer in addressing the ills of society – poverty, social inequality, historical injustices.

“We are finally addressing the roots of insurgency at its core.” We really hope so.

and I guess I will write my “30” in this newspaper. Besides, what will I do if I stop writing? I will age faster if my mind will not stay active. *** *** ***

For the nth time, I wish President Bongbong Marcos would certify as urgent and a priority the Senate Bill creating the DDR or Department of Disaster Resilience.

While we have the NDRRMC, an ad hoc body that gets activated in times of disaster and calamity, it is only an ad hoc ‘temporary’ agency under the Department of National Defense called the CDO or Civil Defense Office, which has since devolved into regional, provincial and city agencies. What the Philippines really needs is a DDR, considering we are a country prone to disasters and calamities, like super typhoons that ruin livelihood, cause so many deaths, devastate agriculture and infrastructure amounting to billions of pesos, and wreak havoc to communities.

And yet, BBM seems unmindful.

The frequent devastation of parts of Bicol, Eastern Visayas and especially Northern Mindanao, particularly Oriental Misamis and Occidental Misamis, by torrential rains that continue flooding communities and causing landslides and mudslides are the most recent to be ignored. And still BBM seems unmindful of the need for a DDR, which will be a permanent body, always ready for rescue, relief and rehabilitation.

What I am surprised about, Santa Banana, is that there appears to be only one senator, Bong Go, pushing for a DDR, not even Senate President Migz Zubiri, who is from Mindanao.

Mister President, we need a DDR at the rate disasters and calamities hit the country.

This is my last appeal to you, Mister President, to realize that of all the priority efforts you are facing, a DDR is urgently needed, like yesterday. Full text at www.manilastandard.net

formal prohibition relayed to the owner of the servient estate” (G.R. 228334, June 17, 2019).

“Hence, in accordance with Article 624 of the Civil Code, from the time the [Spouses] Santos transferred the subject property to the [Spouses] Garcia, there arose by title an easement of light and view, placing a burden on the servient estate, i.e., Lot 1, to allow the [Spouses] Garcia’s residence unobstructed access to light and view…” (G.R. 228334, June 17, 2019).

Because the windows of Spouses Garcia have a direct view of the adjoining property which was acquired by title, the adjoining property must comply with the distance of three-meters from the boundary (dividing) line (Article 673, Civil Code).

This is unlike direct view windows under Article 670 which only require a distance of two meters between the wall where they are made and the contiguous property (G.R. No. 228334, June 17, 2019).

Rolando

MASTER WILLIE ANG

Achieving balance in 2023

By Patricia Taculao

ALTHOUGH the Western calendar has already ushered in a new year, its Chinese counterpart has yet to unveil what’s in store for everyone this 2023. This year, the Chinese New Year falls on January 22, under the year of the Water Rabbit.

During this time, most people often turn to feng shui experts to determine their future for the year.

In Chinese culture, the rabbit symbolizes longevity, peace, and prosperity. As a result, many remain hopeful that this year will usher in the change they desire.

However, Master Willie Ang, a fengshui expert based in Quezon City, foresees

many challenges this year. His predictions come from his thorough research based on the science of feng shui.

Feng shui is the ancient Chinese art of arranging buildings, objects, and space in an environment to achieve harmony and balance. Practitioners often determine a space’s “chi” or energy to find the ideal position of things for the best results.

When reading the Chinese zodiac, Master Ang considers more than what element the year brings. Instead, he also includes the element associated with the reigning zodiac.

UNDERSTANDING THE WAY IT WORKS

Since 2023 falls under the Year of the Water Rabbit, people assume it matters the most in reading their predictions.

However, Master Ang argues that there’s a certain balance in determining zodiac forecasts for people to understand what’s in store for them throughout the year. Aside from the water element for 2023, the feng shui expert advises that people should also consider the wood aspect associated with the rabbit zodiac. There are five elements in Chinese feng shui: water, earth, fire, metal, and wood. In feng shui, balance and harmony is the key result everyone wants to achieve. Fortunately, each element has a balancing counterpart that occurs in a cycle.

Master Ang explained that water strengthens wood, but its effects will only be efficient for those who put effort into achieving their goals. This year, people can expect money and health troubles, especially if they don’t pay attention to them.

“Iba ang dala ng 2023 sa tao,” he said during an exclusive interview with Manila Standard

The feng shui expert warns that wealth wouldn’t last as long this year, only allowing people to feel the money in their palms before seeing it away. Although it

could mean that people would have money problems or focus on their spending, Master Ang continues to advise people to watch out for get-rich-quick schemes and other scams. He shares these are prevalent during the start of the Year of the Water Rabbit and throughout 2023.

Another thing to watch out for this year is investing in new and established companies. Since money seems fleeting this year, which Master Ang likened to the continuous flow of water, some investment companies would face financial struggles they won’t initially disclose to clients until it’s too late.

Moreover, Master Ang also warns people to watch over their health this year. He emphasizes this message to the older generations because their indifference toward their well-being could lead to dire circumstances. More importantly, he advises against putting everything else first before one’s health.

“Paano ka magtatrabaho o kikita ng pera kung hindi ka naman makagalaw dahil may sakit ka?” he said.

If that’s not enough to cause alarm or concern, he also predicted that the most profitable businesses this year are those in healthcare, especially drugstores, pharmacies, hospitals, and medical professionals. He believes that doctors’ and nurses’ luck are long overdue. Cemeteries and funeral houses share a similar fate if people don’t put their health first.

“Kailangan ang positive mindset ngayong taon. Para gumanda ang buhay ngayong 2023, kailangan ng mga Pilipino mag-ingat at mag-pursigi,” he said.

SOME TIPS FOR MORE LUCK

Even though the Year of the Water Rabbit has yet to descend upon us, Master Ang shared several tips to help people to create balance in their lives according to the elements and his research using the science behind feng shui.

Master Willie Ang (left) posing with Manila Standard’s Operations Head Annie Grefal

Celebrating Chinese New Year

By Alicia Angelica Villanueva

WHEN I was a kid, I always wondered, why we celebrate two New Year holidays in a year. The one that we commonly celebrate a week after Christmas is New Year’s Day. Meanwhile, the second holiday is the Chinese New Year, which marks the start of the Chinese Lunar calendar.

What are the differences between celebrating the first one from the other one?

The latter, known as Spring Festival, is that time of the year we, Filipinos, often see as a regular holiday but is actually one of the most important holidays for the Chinese people. Considered their longest holiday, Chinese New Year plays a vital role in their culture and tradition.

How we celebrate our traditional New Year’s Day is almost the same as the Chinese New Year, except that it has more superstitious beliefs and practices than our polka dotted-dresses and ‘jumpingas-high-as-we-could’ acts when the clock strikes 12 at midnight.

My mom asked me last week the exact date of the celebration of Chinese New Year since she is planning to celebrate it this year, which we haven’t done before. She also asked me to look for Chinese traditions that we could practice on January 22nd.

PROSPERITY YU SHENG SALAD

Last Tuesday, I had the opportunity to attend an intimate media lunch at a hotel in Makati. To give us a sample of their Chinese New Year deals, we were offered to try the menu of their in-house Chinese restaurant.

I was introduced to the Prosperity Yu Sheng salad, which is a custom food every Chinese New Year. It consists of raw fish, usually salmon, and vegetables like radishes, carrots, and peanuts.

Every ingredient of the salad has corresponding symbolisms such as money, health, and good luck.

Before eating, family members will toss the ingredients using chopsticks seven times, while saying ‘Gong hei.’ Take note: The higher the toss you make, the more blessings await you for that year.

DRAGON AND LION DANCE

Chinese New Year will not be complete without a dragon dance or lion dance.

Traditionally, the performance consists of dragons held by a number of performers and two lions controlled by dancers.

The dragon itself has strong symbolisms such as wisdom, great power, and dignity.

It is performed during special Chinese occasions or festivals to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck.

TIKOY OR SWEETENED RICE CAKE

In the Chinese New Year celebration, the chewy, sticky tikoy is essential.

Nian Gao in Cantonese term and ade with premium glutinous rice flour, sugar, and water, tikoy is served during Chinese New Year for a happy and lucky year ahead.

More than its delectable taste, tikoy’s sticky consistency represents a healthy bond within the family.

RED ENVELOPE

I could still remember how happy I was when I was a kid whenever I received a red envelope during the holiday season. Who wouldn’t like the magic envelope?

More commonly known to Filipinos as ‘angpao,’ the red envelope normally has money in it given to family members, symbolizing good fortune. Not just on Chinese New Year, it is traditionally given during weddings and other special events.

FIREWORKS AND FIRECRACKERS

Just like any other Chinese traditional practice, a New Year is not a celebration without setting fireworks or firecrackers.

Originally, it is used every Lunar New Year to chase away evil spirits. Chinese people believe that the loudness and light it releases could take away the bad luck that the previous year brought.

Firecrackers are lit during Chinese New Year’s Eve, when the clock strikes 12, and lastly during the day to continuously dispel bad spirits and welcome good fortune for the whole year.

FENG SHUI AND LUCKY CHARMS

The coming of the new year means new time to grab opportunities and claim the energy force of good luck. If there’s one thing that Filipinos believe in the Chinese New Year traditions, it is the power of Feng Shui and lucky charms.

Literally, feng shui, which means wind-water, is an ancient Chinese art that involves spatial alignment and orientation.

It is practiced to harmonize or realign individuals with the energy of their surroundings or environment.

It also tackles the perfect color, stone, or charms that match your animal sign.

Well, these are just some of the traditions and culture practiced by Chinese people every Chinese New Year for thousands of years. But always remember that great blessings come to those who really persevere and pursue their goals.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

The Chinese zodiac signs also have compatibilities and otherwise that practitioners and believers should consider. For instance, the rabbit is compatible with the pig, goat, and dog, denoting a fruitful year for individuals born under these zodiacs.

On the other hand, Master Ang shared four other zodiac signs, namely the rat, rooster, dragon, and horse, which don’t do well with the reigning sign. The expert shared that those born under the year of the rabbit will also share a similar fate despite it being the year’s zodiac.

Fortunately, there are several ways to change their fate. According to Master Ang, the lucky color (or colors) for Magenta isn’t magenta. Instead, they’re associated with water, wood, and fire because wood strengthens this element. He named the colors blue, brown, green, red, and yellow as the hues that invoke luck.

Those born under the year of the rabbit should wear something blue to match the water element prevalent in this year, allowing them to go with the flow. A lucky charm to have at their disposal is a Bagua. It doesn’t have to be the significant ornament people hang around over the entrance of their houses since they can find smaller versions of it in feng shui-accredited shops.

In the meantime, Master Ang suggests those born under the year of the rooster should watch their health. The particular zodiac is what they call the rabbit’s “mortal enemy,” which is why they should be extra careful this year. Wearing white and carrying a mantra of any color might counteract any negative energies they would encounter this year.

Green additions for greener pastures in 2023

By Patricia Taculao

WHENEVER the Chinese New Year rolls around, Filipinos try to determine what the future has in store for them. Whether it’s fortunate or otherwise, they will always try to find ways to usher luck into their lives. One of the most popular ways is by engaging in the practice of feng shui.

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese art of arranging buildings, objects, and space in an environment to achieve harmony and balance. It has roots in early Taoism, but remains popular because of the many opportunities it presents.

In feng shui, masters (the title given to expert practitioners) often research according to the practice to determine fortunes and how to counteract any possible misfortunes that people could encounter. Among the approaches they apply, working with charms and other trinkets to keep bad luck away or amplify positivity remains their most popular

There are different meanings for each charm, depending on the intention. For instance, those looking to invite prosperity into their space would put Buddha statuettes or similar trinkets. In the meantime, those who want to bring good fortune with them all the time would opt for bracelets with meaningful materials.

Yet there are other more natural alternatives to ushering luck in a space. And with a continuous interest in gardening or cultivating plants, these bring more delight and purpose to the public than just being a lucky charm. After all, each plant (regardless of its “luck”) benefits humans. At the top of that list is how plants naturally purify the air, add a splash of nature to any surroundings, or improve a person’s mood.

Here’s a list of indoor plants that, according to feng shui, attract positivity and prosperity.

the Kun (relationship) corner of the house will bring harmony to one’s relationship. The southwest corner is the relationship corner or Kun corner, representing the area of love, connections, and marriage.

Yet the bamboo’s luck doesn’t stop there. The well-known plant can also bring prosperity because the number of stalks in a Lucky Bamboo represents various things. Feng shui belief states that six stalks encourage good luck and wealth.

When growing Lucky Bamboo, people should remember that the perennial shrub can grow in water or soil while being kept in bright yet indirect sunlight. Meanwhile, water the Lucky Bamboo with filtered or distilled water because it’s sensitive to chlorine and hard tap water.

Moreover, one can easily share the luck that comes with the plant because it’s easy to propagate Lucky Bamboo using stem cuttings from a mother plant.

ORCHIDS

Although most lucky plants are often low maintenance to symbolize wealth and prosperity, other species are more challenging to care for, but also have several relevant benefits, as per feng shui. One example is eye-catching orchids. Despite its beautiful and colorful blooms, most gardeners consider it more suitable for more experienced individuals.

In feng shui, orchids are among the most beautiful and lucky indoor plants because of

Judging by its name, feng shui considers Money Trees as the indoor plant if a family or business doesn’t want to have any financial problems. If placed in the southeastern part of the house, people believe it radiates an immense energy of prosperity.

Coincidentally, the Money Tree isn’t difficult to maintain, allowing its owners to keep themselves from spending significantly for its upkeep.

The Money Tree doesn’t need much water, requiring only a little of it once a week to keep the soil semi-wet. However, it may differ depending on their environment, so a rule of thumb is to water when the topsoil feels dry. It enjoys light, but not too much sunlight. Placing the plant in areas with indirect sunlight or artificial fluorescent light also works.

The Money Tree is also non-toxic to humans or animals, making it a safe addition to any space.

JADE PLANT (CRASSULA OVATA)

Another indoor plant that invites prosperity and longevity is the Jade plant. It’s frequently used in feng shui to attract money to the home where it grows. Some people also believe that its steady growth increases the wealth and prosperity in the household.

Feng shui denotes that the succulent blesses its owner with long life. When caring for the Jade plant, its main requirements are ample sunlight and moist soil. It’s also easy to propagate through a stem or leaf cutting from the parent plant.

Besides being a natural feng shui charm or trinket, the Jade plant is also a well-known decorative piece because of its unique appearance.

LUCKY BAMBOO (DRACAENA SANDERIANA)

Money or wealth isn’t the only factor of good fortune that Filipinos often hope to achieve during the beginning of any new year. Since the Filipino culture often boasts of fortified familial ties and relationships, people also invest in lucky items that hope to improve their connection with others.

One plant considered to bring such results is Lucky Bamboo. According to feng shui, placing the indoor plant in

Even though orchids are wellloved as a lucky plant, it requires more responsibility from their owner to flourish. The plant needs a lot of bright, indirect light and frequent watering. However, overwatering can also lead to root rot, so it’s best to keep the soil moist to keep the plant from experiencing extremes in watering.

Orchids also require fertilizer now and then to secure their growth. When they stop blooming, repotting them is the best solution.

Growing plants in any space often bring owners significant joy because of their benefits. Having these lucky plants in the ideal places in specific locations, according to feng shui, are like hitting two birds with one stone. Aside from the natural advantages, they also have a chance to usher in good fortune this 2023.

MONEY TREE (PACHIRA SPP.)

their significant blooms and vibrant flowers. It represents beauty, love, unity, and fertility, among other aspects of life. As a result, orchids became a favorite during Chinese New Year because it brings luck, vitality, and longevity.

The plant also has benefits when it comes to relationships because it enhances luck and promotes harmony.

ONE of the highlights of Chinese New Year is families getting together to celebrate. The “Nian Ye Fan” or Chinese New Year dinner, also called as “Reunion Dinner,” is said to be the most important meal of the year as family members gather together to celebrate the coming year. Considered as the most loved aspect of the Spring Festival, the dinner is set to share food and time with each other.

Family feasts at The Podium

The Podium restaurants join in the celebration with a variety of authentic and mouth-watering Chinese cuisines. Paradise Dynasty definitely sets the mood with its exquisite flavors from northern and southern China. These includes Paradise Dynasty’s famous Specialty Xioa Long Bao as well as La Mian with Braised Pork Belly and Poached Beef in Szechuan Chili Oil.

Experience modern China with Shanghai Saloon’s cosmopolitan cuisine. Indulge in their unlimited Yum Cha and specially curated set menus. Or dig into Mann Hann’s bestsellers Lechon Macau, dim sum Radish Cake, and Fried Noodles with Seafood. Tai Koo, a Hong Kong inspired restaurant serves roast meats, noodle soups, and dim sum. Try Tai Koo’s Soy Chicken Tai Koo Plate which has a bit of everything in one plate.

At Healthy Shabu Shabu, with fresh meat, vegetables, and spices, you can “cook your own” way of dining. Likewise, Shi Lin, a chain serving authentic Taiwanese epicurean delights offers a friendly and efficient service on top of reasonably priced, heartwarming dishes like Braised Beef Noodles and Sesame Peanut Noodles that warm the heart and soul.

For desserts, try healthy Taiwanese treats including Red Bean Soup from Hot Taro Ball Series of Meet Fresh. With the aim to give customers delicious treats filled with traditional and authentic tastes, Meet Fresh prioritizes serving healthy desserts without preservatives made fresh daily.

Enjoy food and time together with

to

the Year of

family members

welcome

the Water Rabbit at The Podium. To find out more about The Podium stores and restaurants, follow The Podium’s social media accounts or visit The Podium website at thepodium.com.ph.

Meet Fresh features healthy Taiwanese treats including Red Bean Soup from its Hot Taro Ball Series bowl Mix

Mann Hann’s noodles and dim sum that symbolize long life and prosperity

Shi Lin offers Taiwanese Bento Boxes with a choice of Chicken Chop, Porkchop, Spicy Spareribs, Salt and Pepper Squid, or Sweet and Sour Pork, all come with dim sum, bokchoy, and fried or steamed rice.

There’s a world of prosperity for the Lunar New Year at Newport World Resorts

FOR 2023, Newport World Resorts is hopping into the new year with epic celebrations brought by the World of Prosperity Lunar New Year festivities. Grand celebrations and lavish feasts are in store to usher in the Year of the Water Rabbit with an abundance of luck and good fortune for all this January.

Set time aside and call on the entire family to indulge in the Imperial Rabbit Feast at Newport World Resorts’ signature restaurant, Happy 8. The Chinese set menu and Yee Sang brings an auspicious start to the new year, featuring Wok Fried Lobster Tail in Chili Sauce with Crispy Mantou, Pan Fried Prime Rib Eye Beef in Red Wine Sauce with King Oyster Mushroom, and a Salmon Yee Sang with Plum Sauce.

For Php 5,088 net per person, feast with the whole family and toss the Yee Sang for prosperity.

The Imperial Rabbit Feast is available from January 15 to February 15 at Happy 8 is located at

night, booking period from January 2-31 for stay period between January 15 and February 10.

Welcome the new year with a fresh perspective and a forecast of what is to come. Get a personal reading from various experts at Newport World Resorts’ Psychic Fest. For P800, guests may avail of one (1) psychic reading from a selection of experts, from Tarot Card Readers, Oracle, Reiki, Chakra scanning, and more. The Psychic Fest will run from January 20 to 22, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at

Two int’l award-giving bodies recognize Globe’s efforts in responsible sustainability reporting

GLOBE continues to cement its leadership in sustainability integration and reporting within the Philippine telecom industry, recently receiving recognition from two award-giving bodies.

ESG Investing, a division of Global Markets Media Ltd., named Globe a finalist for Best Sustainability Reporting: Technology & Telecoms Award. The ESG Reporting Awards 2022 are the only awards devoted to assessing the best-listed companies in the area of sustainability and climate-related reporting.

the 3F Gaming Area of the Newport Garden Wing.

Newport World Resorts international hotel brands have also curated special dinner menus for the World of Prosperity reunion parties. At Hilton Manila, a Feast of Fortune awaits at the Hua Yuan Brasserie Chinoise. Reunite with loved ones with an authentic dining experience for rates starting at P18,888++ from January 15-25.

Marriott Hotel Manila’s Chinese Fine Dining restaurant, Man Ho, is celebrating with a Poon Choi for Good Fortune at Php 29,888 nett for a group of five diners featuring abalone, prawns, roasted duck, and more. The restaurant is also serving up a Lo Hei for Prosperity with salmon, carrots, white radish, golden crackers, and more for Php 8,888 nett for a group of five. Man Ho’s Lunar New Year offers are available until February 5.

Sheraton Manila Hotel’s Oori Korean restaurant offers traditional new year comfort food. Tuck into a steaming bowl of Homemade Dumplings and Rice Cake Soup or Korean Clam Soup for P1,300 nett and P1,250 nett respectively until January 31.

Hotel Okura Manila’s Yamazato is serving

Escape the ordinary at Newport World Resorts, you know you want to. For more information on The World of Prosperity, visit www.newportworldresorts.com and follow @newportworldresorts on Facebook and Instagram, and @nwresorts on Twitter. Make the most of your visit and sign up for an Epic Membership or download the Newport World Resorts Mobile App for free at the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Likewise, the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA), the world’s largest professional PR body, named Globe a finalist for the Gold Standard Awards 2022 under the Reporting and Accountability category.

In developing its Annual Integrated Report, Globe saw integrated thinking as an integral part of redefining and disclosing the company’s business and sustainability strategies, enterprise risk management, and corporate governance.

Setting the Integrated Report apart is how its contents are grounded on addressing Globe’s material issues identified through review exercises and aligned with global frameworks and standards, the company’s risk management practices, and opportunities for value creation.

Highlighting key milestones via Integrated Thinking Globe’s Integrated Report uses the Integrated Reporting Framework, which highlights how value is created over the short, medium, and long term.

The report is divided into six capitals, namely: Financial Capital, Manufactured Capital, Intellectual Capital, Human Capital, Social and Relationship Capital, and Natural Capital. Through this framework, stakeholders are informed how the different capitals are connected and interdependent.

Globe sees that the Integrated Reporting framework is more than a disclosure guidance, it is also a tool to strengthen the sustainability strategy of the company.

“As a responsible business, Globe sees transparency as one of the key aspects of sustainability. Our annual Integrated Report serves as one of the monitoring mechanisms that keep us in check with our progress and ensures that we are upholding the standards we have committed to,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer.

The annual integrated report is an instrumental disclosure report used by ESG ratings agencies to evaluate the performance of the company against their metrics. It also serves as a Communication Progress Report to the UN Global Compact, as part of its duty as a signatory.

To simplify reporting, the leading digital solutions platform maximized the use of visualizations to lessen the number of pages and limit the digital version’s loading time when downloaded. It has opted to forego physical printing since 2015 to lessen carbon emissions.

This practice of Integrated Reporting has contributed to Globe maintaining its A rating in MSCI, B rating in CDP, and medium risk in Sustainalytics, and its membership in the FTSE4Good for seven straight years.

a special Lunar New Year Bento for lunch at Php 2,700++ from January 22 to 31. Elevate the family’s lunar new year celebrations to the next level with the Lunar New Year Room Packages that include daily breakfast at Yawaragi, rates start at P17,000 nett per

The Plaza, 2F Newport Mall. Make the most of the lucky stars this year with the Newport Mall-seum Zodiac Forecast Exhibit at The Grove 2F from January 16-31.

Reunite with the whole family and have an epic Feast of Fortune at Hilton Manila’s Hua Yuan Brasserie Chinoise.

The special New Year Bento Lunch at Hotel Okura Manila’s Yamazato is best enjoyed with the family.

Tuck into a hearty bowl of traditional Korean New Year soups at Sheraton Manila Hotel’s Oori.

…are talking about

Luis Manzano

Being a first-time father, Luis has been hands-on with their daughter.

Aside from showing the genuine side of fatherhood through raw selfies on social media, Luis also proved to netizens that it’s not something to joke around. Whenever the usual basher visits his posts, Luis goes to town to reply with witty remarks to turn the situation around. Maybe his humor will rub off on his daughter someday.

Vice Ganda

Watching the 71st Miss Universe competition was nervewracking, especially with Philippine bet Celeste Cortesi’s early exit. Although it was a lesson in humility, others couldn’t help but poke some fun at the event. Among them was comedian and It’s Showtime host Vice Ganda. Although making people laugh has been a talent of Vice for years, his timely and witty quips during somewhat unforeseen circumstances help lighten the mood.

…are not talking about

Mikee Morada

Another year, another controversy concerning Alex Gonzaga

Social media has been abuzz with a video of her during her birthday, where she smeared icing on the forehead of an unknowing server. While most of the public wasn’t surprised with how Alex acted, they noticed the unflinching Mikee when the incident happened. Social media posts say that the issue is now settled, and that the server – for a reason only God knows why – has written a letter to prove that Alex made an effort to reach out and apologize for her unlikely behavior.

Vhong Navarro

The latter of 2022 has undoubtedly been challenging for Vhong. He faced criminal charges filed by model Deniece Cornejo This January, the comedian-host returned to his post on the variety show It’s Showtime. Although overjoyed, Vhong will still face Deniece’s lawyers and her bid for justice. Meanwhile, Deniece isn’t also keen on seeing Vhong return to television as she continues to file for another warrant of arrest.

THROUGHOUT his career as an actor, Xian Lim has memorized so many lines, put on numerous costumes, and gotten into characters in front of the cameras. And yet, there are roles that he still wanted to portray.

Xian admitted that there’s a long way to go in terms of his acting career and he can never depart from being an actor. But instead of chasing those movie and television characters that he hasn’t played yet, he is immersing himself in work behind the camera.

“Being able to create a world – create something out of nothing – gives me a different high. Working behind the camera allows me to channel all my frustrations as an actor through writing and directing,” the 33-year-old actor told Manila Standard Entertainment in an interview during the press conference for Hello, Universe!

“Having an opportunity to tell a story, to write, and to be part of every step of the filmmaking process is another kind of fulfillment. Am looking forward to making more of these stories,” Xian carried on.

His directorial debut Tabon (2019) was part of the Cinemalaya Film festival. And that experience allowed him to embrace the role that enables him to look at a movie project from a different perspective.

“Being called a director gives me the greatest thrill,” Xian added. “I am more excited when I hear the word director

Ian Veneracion serenades at Winford

WINFORD Manila Resort & Casino (WMRC) keeps the momentum going in celebration of Chinese New Year with Ian Veneracion as its special performer.

The actor-singer is all set to take the stage of Hippodrome Bar & Lounge for a onenight-only show on January 25.

In a career that spans 40 years, the multi-hyphenate artist has transcended the typical boundaries of the entertainment industry and made his mark as a motorcycle enthusiast, outdoor explorer, and even as an aviator being a licensed private pilot.

Ever since his screen debut as a child star, Veneracion developed his craft and soon became a teen heartthrob and action star, eventually cementing his status as one of the country’s A-list actors today with more than 80 films and TV projects under his belt.

As a musician, he has played numerous gigs around the country and has performed alongside the likes of Alacasid, Regine Velasquez, Zsa Padilla, to name a few. For this solo performance, doors will open at 8:00 p.m. and admission is free of charge, with VIP

seating available for P500nett or 80 points a day per person – inclusive of food and drink.

Hippodrome Bar & Lounge is located on the second floor of the 22-story resort and welcomes all fully-vaccinated guests aged 21 years and above.

Visit www.winfordmanila.com for more information or follow Winford Manila Resort & Casino on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates on special events and promotions.

XIAN LIM behind the camera

because it’s what I really wanted to be since the very beginning.”

Xian’s second directorial movie is a comedy that stars Janno Gibbs, Anjo Yllana, Benjie Paras, Maui Taylor, and Sunshine Guimary.

“I created this film not just to entertain but to also uplift the audience. This is the kind of film that I himself will want to watch,” he said.

In the movie, Janno Gibbs plays Ariel who is married to his high school sweetheart (Maui Taylor), father to a sweet and hardworking young lady (Madelaine Red), works as a quality inspector in a fertilizer company, and now experiencing midlife crisis.

Ariel feels that if only he had made that winning shot during a crucial basketball game back in high school, his life would have turned out way better. He is particularly envious of his former

rival who is now a famous and wealthy basketball coach. Luckily, Ariel’s best friend Rocky (Anjo Yllana), is always there to cheer him up every time his thoughts are filled with “should have, could have, would have”.

But as they say, repeated thoughts are a great magnet and the universe conspires to help you achieve your dreams. In the case of Ariel, it takes a magical figure named Jessie (Benjie Paras), with a futuristic jeepney, to let him live the life he’s always dreamed of –in an alternate universe.

In his new reality, Ariel finds himself with a new wife (Sunshine Guimary), a new daughter (Majo Lingat), but still with the same old foes, Mac Morales (Gene Padilla), his arch nemesis in basketball, and Leeroy (MJ Cayabyab), the manager at the fertilizer company.

From Viva Films, Hello, Universe! opens in cinemas on January 25.

PH’s Vandave Paragas competes in international model search in Malaysia

MISTERS of Filipinas’ Vandave Paragas is competing today in I Am Model Search International 2023 at the Grand Pacific Hall Evolve Concept Mall Ara Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The “world finals” is hosted by PEPPs TV Artist Inaki Torres and Miss Supranational Malaysia 2022 Melisha Lin Paragas, 23, is a model and was named Mister Tourism Culture Universe Philippines at the Misters of Filipinas 2019 pageant but was not able to compete due to the pandemic.

‘Darna’ goes to Indonesia, ‘Viral Scandal’ airs in Africa

As Jane De Leon (Darna) continues with her fierce battle as the modern-day Filipino superheroine in Mars Ravelo’s Darna still airing weeknights in the Philippines, audiences abroad can now watch the series dubbed in Bahasa as it recently premiered on Indonesia’s free-to-air TV network ANTV.

During its pilot week, the highly-anticipated transformation of Narda to Darna stirred up excitement and left a promising impression amongst Indonesian viewers.

ANTV’s chief program and communications officer Kiki Zulkarnain also expressed how the story of Darna appeals to

Indonesian viewers and is delighted to bring the show to its regular programming, hoping to inspire its various audiences.

We have always presented programs with a narrative closely associated with the daily lives of Indonesian people. As we begin the year, we present a new genre to our viewers that tell the story of the iconic Filipino heroine Darna, which also appeals to our younger audiences as she serves as a perfect role model for them.

Darna certainly makes our programming more diverse, and we hope it will not only entertain but instill values in the youth through her acts of kindness and bravery,” Zulkarnain addressed.

Meanwhile, another ABS-CBN program makes its way to African viewers with the English-dubbed version of its hit drama series Viral Scandal, also currently airing in 41 Sub-Saharan countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Seychelles, and Ivory Coast.

The show, starring Charlie Dizon, Joshua Garcia, Dimples Romana, and Jake Cuenca, among others, follows how the Sicat family gets disrupted by a scandalous video involving their beloved daughter, Rica (Charlie), and how she sought justice following her traumatic experience that almost ruined their lives.

These welcoming feats in 2023 add to ABS-CBN’s continuous pursuit of showcasing world-class Filipino content of all genres to foreign audiences in more than 50 international territories—selling over 50,000 hours of content with stories that appeal to and relate to various cultures.

Apart from Mars Ravelo’s Darna and Viral Scandal, other ABSCBN shows that have aired abroad include FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, Sino ang Maysala?: Mea Culpa, La Luna Sangre, Since I Found You, Ang sa Iyo ay Akin, and The Legal Wife in Africa; the 2015 remake of Pangako Sa ‘Yo in Latin America; The Blood Sisters in France’s overseas territories; and most recently its three primetime series Marry Me, Marry You, On the Wings of Love, and Halik in Malaysia.

“This is a dream come true to represent the Philippines in an international pageant,” Paragas said during an interview.

I Am Model Search (IAMS) International 2023, organized by Double Event Management, is a platform to give equal opportunity to all aspiring models to obtain branding and networking as a stepping stone for international modelling career.

Maida Faith Basilio, Leandrea Batingan, Mico Teng, and Rizmel Cabigao are also competing for the Philippines in the adults category.

* * *

Student appointed Miss Progress Philippines 2023

Selin Hernandez, a 21-year-old model and student in Business Administration at Far Eastern University, was recently appointed Miss Progress Philippines 2023 in the crowning and sashing ceremony held at Ambrosia Manila, BGC, Taguig. She was crowned by outgoing Miss Progress Philippines 2022 Zea Awatin, who was named Miss Progress International-Human Rights 2022 in Miss Progress International 2022.

Hernandez, who previously won Miss Teen Hope International 2018 in South Africa, will compete in the 9th edition of Miss Progress International in September in Puglia, Italy.

A native of Macabebe, Pampanga, Hernandez aims to become the second

Filipina to win Miss Progress International after Jedaver Pancho Opingo in 2017. Miss Progress International is a pageant that promotes projects concerning health, human rights, the environment, and cultural integration.

* * *

Riza Oben Dormiendo celebrates 60th birthday

Beauty queen/actress Riza Oben Dormiendo, Mrs. Philippines Face of Beauty International 2019, recently celebrated her 60th birthday with a big bang theme party “Little Black Dress with Royal Ascott Hat,” held at Salon De Ming, Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.

Dormiendo’s birthday bash will be featured as the cover story in the latest issue of GANAP International Magazine

Well-known personalities including Noble Queen Universe Ltd. national director Patricia Javier, fashion designer Joyce Penas Pilarsky, Queen of Hearts’ founder Mitzy G. Gil, and Mrs. Universe Philippines national director Maria Charo Calalo, attended the affair.

“I can’t express my gratefulness enough for the charming birthday wishes I have received. Thank you all for your love and support, for making my day as special as it could be,” said Dormiendo who wished her businesses to grow more so she can help provide jobs to many people.

Nickie Wang, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant

BY ETON CONCEPCION

PAGEANT CONCEPT

ABS-CBN shows are making waves internationally with the premiere of Mars Ravelo’s Darna in Indonesia and Viral Scandal in Africa.

Working as a writer and director allows Xian to channel his frustrations as an actor

The cast of ‘Hello, Universe!’ with Director Xian Lim (center)

Ian Veneracion is Winford Manila's special performer in celebration of Chinese New Year

Vandave Paragas is happy to represent the Philippines in an international pageant

The official poster of ‘Viral Scandal’

What exactly happens if you fail to register your SIM?

SINCE the telcos launched their SIM Registration platforms last December 27, over 20.4 million Filipinos have already registered their SIMs, with Smart subscribers taking the lead with 10.3 million registrants as of January 16.

According to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), all subscribers are given a period of 180 days or until April 26, to register their SIMs. The registration may be extended by the DICT for a period not exceeding 120 days. But what exactly happens if you fail to register your SIM within the deadline? The SIM Registration Law states that all unregistered SIMs shall be automatically deactivated, which comes with all these hassles:

1. No outgoing and incoming calls. You can’t make or take urgent and important calls to and from your family and friends, as well as communicate with your colleagues at school, work, or business.

2. No sending and receiving messages. On top of

being unreachable to family and friends through text, you’ll also go through the horrors of not being able to get your One-Time Password (OTP), which is now a common security feature in many social media apps, digital banking services, and online shopping sites linked to your account.

3. No internet access. The Internet has become essential in our increasingly digital world. And more than not being able to enjoy your favorite apps and sites, having no internet access also means getting cut off from important information and services that make life simpler and easier.

4. No load balances. Once your SIM is deactivated, all your remaining load balances will be forfeited.

Users who missed the deadline and got their SIMs deactivated may still process the reactivation of their SIMs not later than five days after the period set by the law.

Avoid all these hassles by registering your Smart and TNT SIM now.

Avoid all these hassles by registering your Smart and TNT SIM now! Smart Prepaid and TNT subscribers can register their SIM and get 3 GB FREE data upon completing these three easy steps: Step 1. Visit the portal at http://www.smart. com.ph/simreg Step 2. Input your information and upload your valid ID Step 3. Wait for an SMS confirmation and get 3 GB FREE Data

Smart is also making SIM Registration more convenient for postpaid subscribers, who simply need to confirm the personal information and IDs they submitted for their postpaid plan application. To do this confirmation, subscribers just need to text YES to 5858. They shall then receive a confirmation message from Smart upon successful SIM Registration and get 3 GB of free data.

By registering your SIM now, you can continue to enjoy all the value-packed offers and

The SIM Registration Law states that all unregistered SIMs shall be automatically deactivated

amazing experiences from both Smart and TNT, powered by the country’s widest LTE network. Know more about registering your Smart and TNT SIM at https://smart.com.ph/Pages/simreg-faqs.

Ria Atayde weighs in on embracing her brand of beauty

FOR as long as I can remember, a calendar girl for a liquor brand has always been presented as one in provocative poses with washboard abs and cavernous cleavage. White Castle Whisky shifted gears in its 60th year as the brand launched wholesome actress and celebrity daughter Ria Atayde as the 2023 calendar girl.

“I never thought I’d see myself as a calendar girl but here I am,” Ria shared her initial reaction when the endorsement was offered. “At first, I was in disbelief, like, really? I was also so touched. Again, big girls don’t usually get the chance to do something like this and here we are,” she added.

The bold move to represent the brand and subject herself to possible criticism was backed by support from her family, including her mom Sylvia Sanchez and brother Arjo Atayde, and boyfriend Zanjoe Marudo “Everyone has been supportive,” Ria smilingly shared.

“It’s not something I thought was possible,” Ria reiterated. “Usually, calendar girls fit a certain mold. We all had this one vision of beauty and I think that’s why the campaign of White Castle resonated with me. They’re out to prove that beauty goes in all forms, shapes, and sizes.”

Coming to terms with her brand of beauty was first revealed when the talented and doll-faced actress turned 30 last year. “I didn’t realize I could do it. I did a birthday shoot but that was more of a personal thing. For something like this that is blasted out so publicly, kaya pala! [Apparently, it can be done!],” Ria shared and admitted that the calendar girl project reinstilled confidence in herself.

This time, Ria exudes the quiet assurance of a woman comfortable in her skin. “I think you can be wholesome and sexy at the same time. You don’t have to show a lot of skin. It’s more of your confidence, how you carry yourself, and how you embrace your body, flaws and all,” she asserted.

“I’d be lying if I said I’ve always been confident,” Ria admitted when asked if she has always embraced her body. “Of course, no. I think the confidence took place as I was already acting. At the start, I was so pressured to fit a certain mold. And then I realized, this is my body structure. The most I can do is keep lean and stay fit. That’s when I learned to embrace myself and my body more.”

“If you look at my x-ray, my bones are pretty huge. I have it there on my phone. I saved that as a reminder that no matter what I do, I’m not gonna be stick-thin and that’s okay,” Ria casually said. She opened up that it took her a long time to accept reality after being surrounded by skinny and pretty girls in an all-girls school growing up. “My barkada , all of them are really thin. So, body positivity was something that I struggled with.”

Asked if she was ever bullied for her size, Ria’s eyes widened and answered, “Yes, yes! With social media, I got even more bullied. I’d receive messages like “Hoy, baboy, ang taba-taba mo. Ang pangit mo Hoy, baboy, mamatay ka na .” [Hey, pig, you’re so fat. You’re ugly! Hey, pig, die.]

“Words stick,” Ria said. It worked to her advantage that her family, particularly her parents, are loving and supportive. When asked if they were instrumental in her journey to embracing her beauty, she agreed.

“My parents care more about medical health than the overall look. As

long as my blood chemistry is okay, they are okay,” Ria revealed. “Being unbothered is a choice. I choose to be unbothered.”

“There are a lot of little big girls out there who start to hate themselves before even knowing who they actually are,” Ria expressed concern over young ladies on the heavy side who have yet to discover themselves. She offered some valuable advice, “Don’t starve yourself. The bounce-back is even worse. Crash diets are the worst, there is no shortcut. It’s the lifestyle change that you’re going to have to do, not just the quick fad diet. There’s no instant fix.”

Ria also added, “You’re always going to find flaws but it would help if you love and embrace your body and learn the ins and outs of it. I love science. It has helped me through this whole process even more.” She revealed that understanding how the body works, what makes her bloat, and similar concepts helped her with her relationship with food and her body. At one point, she emphasized how working out these days is not because she hated how her body looks but because she loves it enough to take care of it.

“It takes some time to get to this place of acceptance,” Ria weighed in. As she continues her advocacy, her brilliance and kindness amplify the beauty from within.

For others like her who fall prey to body shamers, Ria has this to say, “Tune out the noise. The only opinions you should listen to are the ones from people who truly matter.” To the body shamers, she asks, “Is there joy in seeing people miserable? I really don’t understand that. Why so cruel? If you’re going to say something, think if it’s kind, think if it’s necessary. And if it isn’t, then what’s the point of saying it?”

FOR the over 400,000 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who lost their jobs due to COVID-19, the challenges brought by the pandemic made even basic survival a daily struggle. Anxiety over catching the virus and impaired mobility due to community quarantines were part of the immediate problems.

However, the harsh economic repercussions dealt the biggest blow. Returning OFWs came home to a dismal local job market that was still reeling from layoffs, downsizing, and even shutdowns.

It was in this scenario that the indomitable Filipino spirit surfaced. Soon enough, many distressed returning OFWs obtained part-time work or established their own small businesses.

For some, the crisis led to opportunities for better and more sustainable ventures.

Among these is the story of Teodorico M. Ranili Jr.—an aging OFW who, like many others, was “trapped” in the Philippines during the initial implementation of the Enchanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). The unexpected loss of income quickly made the threat of hunger and homelessness very real for him and his family. “For a time, we had no place to stay and no income to sustain even our basic needs.”

With the prescribed cash allowances doing little to pay the bills, Teodorico knew he needed to act quickly.

Starting small from what little capital he

could scrounge, Teodorico and his family started an online business for only the most basic necessities. “We started selling oddsand-ends like bleach and peanut butter online just to make ends meet,” he recalls.

“Since we had next to nothing at the time, I remember that we made most of our first deliveries on foot.”

Eventually, Teodorico’s side gig would turn into a quaint sari-sari store that he dreamt of transforming into a full-fledged minimart one day.

The crossroads for Teodorico’s store soon came through the Tindahan ni Aling Puring (TNAP) program, Puregold’s loyalty and membership program for resellers and other wholesalers.

“Puregold’s Aling Puring program turned out to be the biggest blessing for us,” Teodorico says. “They have an accommodating and reliable agent that comes to our area weekly to assist with ordering. Through the TNAP system, purchasing sale items became extremely convenient. As a bonus, these items are delivered free of charge for any TNAP member.”

Today, Ranili is the proud owner of Ranili’s One Stop Shop—a convenience store serving his community in Meycauayan, Bulacan. In achieving this, he credits his membership in the TNAP as something that helped make his dream a reality.

“We were able to thrive and overcome the uncertainties of the pandemic through our store,” a grateful Teodorico relates. “This could not have been possible without Puregold and their Tindahan ni Aling Puring program. The convenience and the perks of being a TNAP member just make the life of a store owner so much easier.”

SUNSHINE

A

Level 2

Ikebana workshop at

Students

call M. (0917) 515-5656

placeph.com

Place opens its Level 2 Ikebana-Sogetsu-inspired flower arrangement workshop on January 21. The workshop will run for four Saturdays until February 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

face-to-face lecture-demonstration for those who have completed the Beginners Ikebana Level 1 Workshop will be conducted.

is a follow-up to the Introduction to Ikebana Beginners Workshop. It will include a demonstration/workshop hands-on lessons covering a review of basic and other additional variations both for Moribana and Nageire and selected topics on advanced

Ria Atayde is White Castle Whisky’s calendar girl for

Ikebana

Ikebana lessons. Marc Tomas, former President of Ikebana International Manila Chapter 108 and member of Sogetsu Potential Manila Chapter will conduct the workshop. He has been teaching Ikebana classes at Sunshine Place since 2017.

are encouraged to bring their own gardening scissors, kenzan, and vertical and horizontal bases used in Level 1 Workshop. Workshop kits are available at the venue which include flowers for the four sessions.

Beermen advance in PBA 3x3 meet

SAN Miguel Beer was the first to advance in the Leg 2 knockout stage as it emerged unbeaten in pool play of the PBA 3x3 Third Conference Season 2 on Thursday at Robinsons Place Antipolo.

Tonino Gonzaga continued to sizzle for the Leg 1 title holder, scoring nine points and six rebounds in a 22-16 victory over Platinum Karaoke.

The Beermen then followed it up by turning back Meralco, 21-18, as Gonzaga sizzled for 11 points to help the team sweep Pool A and finish as the top seed heading to the quarterfinals.

J&T Express also followed suit with a two-game sweep of Pool C, edging Cavitex Braves, 19-18, as Joseph Sedurifa waxed hot with 12 points, before the veteran guard came through with 11 points in a 21-14 win over Terrafirma.

The six other berths in the quarterfinals are still up for grabs as of press time.

Other early results of Day 1 competitions saw Purefoods winning over Pioneer Elastoseal, 20-14, and Barangay Ginebra spoiling the return of Almond Vosotros at TNT, 21-20.

The Elastoseal, Leg 1 runner up behind San Miguel, managed to bounce back though behind a 21-19 triumph over Blackwater, ditto with the Tropang Giga, a 21-12 winner over NorthPort.

Pioneer and TNT thus, ended the pool play with an even 1-1 slate in Pools B and D, respectively.

The knockout phase is set on Friday, with the champion team getting the top purse worth P100,000.

Suarez faces tough Aussie opponent for multiple belts

By Randy Caluag

The showdown between the two undefeated fighters will be held in Australia on March 17, with multiple superfly titles on the line, including the International Boxing Federation Intercontinental, World Boxing Association Oceania, World Boxing Council Asian Boxing Council and the International Boxing Organization Intercontinental belts.

“This will be the biggest fight in Australia this year,” said Robert Hill, Suarez’s promoter.

“Paul Fleming is showtime facing the best boxer I have seen from the Philippines -- point blank,” he added.

Suarez, who has 18 wins with 8 knock-

outs, is still fresh from his conquest of the International Boxing Federation Asia junior lightweight with a technical knockout win over Defry Palulu of Indonesia at the Grand Ho Tram Hotel in Vietnam last Dec. 10.

Two months earlier, the many-time Southeast Asian Games champion decisioned compatriot Carlo Magali to successfully defend the World Boxing Association Asia Super Featherweight title.

“Paghahandaan namin ito ng maayos. Magandang opportunity ‘pag nakuha namin ito” said Suarez’s coach and manager, Delfin Boholst.

Hill said Suarez was earlier being pitted against Japan’s top-rated Super Feath-

erweight Yoshimutsu Kimura for the IBF Asia title, but the Japanese was knocked out in a non-title bout last week in Tokyo, hence, the focus was moved to Fleming.

Suarez’s exploits in the ring was also

recognized by the Philippine Army, which promoted him to Private First Class for his achievements last year, includi ng being named Boxer of the Month by the WBA Asia.

Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. (right) pins a new rank on champion boxer PFC Charly Suarez in a ceremony at the Philippine Army Headquarters (PFC Rodgen Quirante/Philippine Army)

PH Golf Tour goes grassroots, launches junior tilt

THE Philippine Golf Tour, in its continuing effort to boost local golf and develop and produce more talents for the country in the years to come, puts emphasis on the delivery of innovative program at the junior level as it launches the Junior PGT on Jan. 29 at The Country Club in Laguna.

A drive, chip and putt competition, the JPGT features four age-group categories for boys and girls, including 9-10, 11-12, 13-14 and 15-17, with the TCC driving range, putting green and chipping areas to be roped off exclusively for the participants.

A brainchild of long-time golf patron Ricky Razon, chairman and CEO of ICTSI, which sponsors the men’s and ladies pro circuits and supports a number of top amateurs’ overseas campaigns, the upcoming circuit will feature 17

OUR scouting team, led by Stephen Servita, Hans Roque and Abuminar Dybala, gave The Designated Kit Man an initial list of players that have the potential of joining the national senior’s team someday. These young players are highly-recommended by our scouts, they just need to be given the opportunity to show their skills and what they can do if given the chance to play for the national men’s team, the under-23 or be called for the national training pool.

On top of this list are Bryan Ybañez, Carlo Dorin, Miguel De Mesa and the Saut brothers–Cyrelle and Syron. They are among the best and most promising homegrown football players around right now.

Ybañez is from General Santos City, who initially suited for National University in the UAAP before turning professional during the pandemic. He played for Stallion Laguna FC in the Philippines Football League.

Servita and Roque say Ybañez is “a fast and a quick winger, a good dribbler, a decent crosser and can score from a distance. He almost made it to the U23 team that competed in the AFF and SEA Games tournament. He was among the cuts from the squad. He was capped in the U18 national team in 2017.

“He is a very explosive player, maiksi ang playing time pero ‘pag pinasok, malupit,” Servita added.

Dorin, meanwhile, is currently trying to

events in Luzon for its inaugural staging with the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. eyeing to expand it and reach out to Visayas and Mindanao, long considered as the spawning ground of golf talents.

There will be no membership fees with the new junior tour not competing nor associated with the existing junior golf organizations.

It will be handled, managed and conducted by professional tour directors, rulesmen and marshals with the program also aimed at determining the player’s skill development and help them achieve their (golfing) goals.

“On the drawing board the last few years, this (junior) golf program will not only create value formation for the youngsters but more importantly it will help discover and develop talents who could be trained to become future

For details, contact tournament administrator Jhiue Castillo at +639283165678), or Event Captain, Inc.’s Joy Pangadlo at +639179222445 (WhatsApp), or email pilipinasgolftournamentsinc@gmail.com.

The PGTI, a sports management and promotions company, is the official organizer of the Philippine Golf Tour, the country’s pro golf league and one of Asia’s leading circuits, the Ladies PGT and the Junior PGT.

Established in 2009, the PGTI seeks to advance professional golf in the country and provides support for the Filipino golfers through exposure in local, regional and international competitions. It also organizes tournaments held in the country’s top courses, enabling the players to hone their skills, compete with fellow pros and earn from the sport.

Baisa eyes PPS tennis repeat in Roxas City

VINCE Baisa seeks to match his surprise two-title feat in Iloilo last week, but this time as a seeded entry in the boys’ 16- and 18-U divisions of the PPS-PEPP Gov. F. Castro national juniors tennis championships, which got under way at the Villareal Stadium courts in Roxas City, Capiz on Thursday.

The unranked Baisa stunned the fancied bets to score a “double” in the recent Dinagyang Festival event, enabling him to earn ranking points and gain the No. 2 seeding behind No. 1 Vince Serna in the premier side of this week’s Group 2 tournament serving as the third leg of a season-long junior circuit presented by Dunlop.

The Puerto Princesa City, Palawan find is also ranked No. 3 in 16-U play top-billed by Reign Maravilla and Ian Ituriaga, while Gabrio Serillo and Rafael Santiago lead the boys’ 14-U cast in the week-long tournament of the country’s longest talent-search put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Serillo, one of the winners in the circuit’s kickoff tournament, the Masters Top 8 in Negros Occidental two weeks ago, headlines the 12-U field that includes Bjorn Castigador, Francisco de Juan and Prince Crisosto, while Andre Mejia, Naeem Serillo, Crisosto and de Juan are tipped to dispute the 10-U trophy in the event sponsored by Gov. Fredenil Castro with support from sports coordinator Matty Viterbo and consultant Atty. Rudy Alba.

Meanwhile, the host city will resume its free (tennis) training/ clinic sessions, which is open to all, including beginners, in its commitment to help develop the sport and keep the youngsters busy and away from gadgets, according to tournament organizer Bobby Mangunay. For details, contact 0915-4046464.

Sila naman: Homegrown talents waiting to be given more opportunities

join a team in the PFL, while balancing his studies. He said he is 21 years old and currently training with coach Darren Hartmann in Siniloan, Laguna while taking up Business Administration, Major in Marketing.

Dorin was a former member of the country’s several national youth teams. He last played for the U18 squad where he scored two goals in three games.

According to Roque, Dorin’s strengths are his “positioning and goal scoring.”

“He is quite small for a traditional forward, kaya there were times when he was deployed as winger by former coach Scott Cooper when he was with ADT in 2020,” Roque added.

A native of Cagayan De Oro City, Dorin says he is waiting for chances to come his way.

“If my opportunity po, why not? Kung may offer po, Why not?” he said. “Gusto ko lang po makapaglaro para masuportahan ko pag-aaral ko at mga kapatid ko. Wala na po kasi kami mga magulang,” Dorin added.

The Saut brothers–Cyrelle and Syrod–are considered among the best and most promising young players based in the country right now. Both are products of the famed Tuloy FC program.

Capped many times in the U19 team last year, Cyrelle Saut is a skilled dribbler, can play strike with either foot and despite his relatively short height, his strengths are above the rest among his peers.

Older by two years than his brother, Syron is also a good dribbler, passer and can finish when given the opportunity.

He plays “a slightly direct style” compared to Cyrelle.

De Mesa, on the other hand, is a product of De La Salle Zobel and the Makati FC. He is a talented fullback that can also contribute on offense. He appeared for the U15 national team along Azkal Sandro Reyes.

“These players are really good and so many more out there. Some of them are going through several challenges right now and we need to help them, make them know that they are not alone. They need all the opportunity and support that they can get,” Servita said.

The tryouts for the Azkals Development Team started yesterday and will last until Sunday. Interested players hoping to join the team are encouraged to go to the Rizal Football Stadium and strut their wares from 2 to 4 p.m. The team needs players who were born on or after January 1, 2001 and who will be ready to play for the squad for the second half of the current domestic league.

Team Manager Josef Malinay said a significant number of players have signified their intentions in joining the squad.

“More than 400 players have signed up. Hopefully, we can find good players with the right attitude and passion for the sport,” Malinay said.

Incidentally, the Philippines Football League season will resume on February 18 and 19, 2023 with three games.

Action resumes with Mendiola FC 1991 going up against United City FC while Maharlika FC faces Stallion Laguna FC Current leaders Kaya FC Iloilo will

take on Dynamic Herb Cebu FC in the so called Visayas Derby in Iloilo City for the league’s out of town match.

Kaya leads the team standings with 30 points, followed by United City FC with 24. Cebu is third with 21. The ADT is tied with Stallion Laguna FC in fourth spot with identical 15 points while Mendiola FC 1991 is sixth with six points and Maharlika FC is with a solitary point for the last spot.

On a lighter note, I had the chance to chat with fellow Bedan Raul Roque, one of the two people behind Nature Joe’s Trading Inc. The other one is Joey Villamor. Nature Joe’s has an array of products, made from organic materials, that offer great benefits to athletes and even ordinary people like us. One of these particular products is the Recharge Energy Spray which increases strength and power, improves stability and balance, enhances muscle flexibility and many more.

Just like the typical skeptic, I was hesitant to believe its claims until Bossing Raul tried the Recharge Energy Spray on my right shoulder. He just sprayed it on me even with my shirt on. And after a few minutes, I felt its effects. The stiffness in my shoulder was gone and immediate relief came.

But then again, don’t just take my word, better check Nature Joe’s Trading Post’s FB page, Spyder and Blade outlets for more details and where to purchase their products from sports gear protector, sanitizers, multipurpose cleaner, liquid stain remover, soap and even engine booster oil for cars, bikes and scooters.

Please don’t forget to watch and tune in this Sunday, January 22, 2023 from 2 to 3 p.m. for another interesting episode of 3PTS–Pambansang Tambayan ng Sports at DZME 1530 KHZ. The Designated Kit Man along with Rommel Miranda andJoshua Lopez will be joined by Stephen “The Sniper” Loman, Danny “The King” Kingad and International Business Times Sports Editor Nissi Icasiano.

The Sniper is the former BRAVE CF bantamweight champion from the famous Team Lakay of La Trinidad, Benguet. He is eyeing a title shot in ONE Championship.

The King, on the other hand, is currently ranked third in ONE Championship’s talent laden flyweight division. Also a member of Team Lakay, Kingad is set to return to the ring against Indonesian Eko Roni Saputra next month.

Icasiano is a sportswriter, analyst and editor. He has written for various media outlets in and out of the country. He is also a combat sports analyst for television and radio. He is a graduate of San Beda University and a fellow Bedan.

Loman and Kingad will share their plans and goals as they pursue title shots in their weight categories while Icasiano will share his take on the Mixed Martial Arts scene and what fans can expect in the coming weeks.

Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!

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

FORMER Olympian and still unbeaten pro boxer Charly Suarez faces a fellow undefeated opponent in Paul Fleming of Australia in what could be the toughest stumbling block to his world title dream.

Riera

world-class players,” said PGTI general manager Colo Ventosa. “In order to achieve its strategic outcomes, we believe new, progressive sports program at the junior level is needed.”

SMB’s Ken Bono gets tangled with Platinum Karaoke’s Yutien Andrada in pool play of the PBA 3x3 Third Conference Season 2 on Thursday at Robinsons Place Antipolo.