Manila Standard - 2023 February 15 - Wednesday

HEARTBROKEN PINOYS SEEKING HELP UP TENFOLD

PBBM summons China envoy

Raises ‘serious concern’ over WPS incidents, PH protests laser action

By Vince Lopez, Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian to express his “serious concern” over Chinese actions in the West Philippine Sea.

“The President summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian this afternoon to express his serious concern over the increasing frequency and intensity of actions by China against the Philippine Coast Guard and our Filipino fishermen…, the latest of which was the deployment of a military grade laser against our Coast Guard vessels,” Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said.

Earlier in the day, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it filed a diplomatic protest against China after its coast guard beamed a military-grade laser at a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship near Ayungin Shoal on Feb. 6 to disrupt its resupply mission to the reef.

President gets ‘very good’ net performance rating six months into his term

THREE out of four adult Filipinos are satisfied with the performance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. six months into his term, a survey by the Social Weather Stations conducted last December 10 to 14 showed.

Guards linked to six missing

‘sabungeros’

POLICE released yesterday the photos of the six guards allegedly involved in the disappearance of six sabungeros at the Manila Arena last year.

The guards are now the subject of a manhunt operation.

“We’ve been waiting for years to solve these problems, but we cannot give up. Nobody disappears without a trace,” said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

The Department of Justice earlier announced a P6 million reward for those who can provide information on the suspects.

“The search for six individuals involved in the disappearance of the sabungeros is ongoing. This is why we are offering a reward amounting to P6 million for anyone who can provide information on the location of the suspects,” Remulla said.

The Philippine National PoliceCriminal Investigation and Detection Group on Monday said it already has

The results of the SWS poll released Tuesday showed 75 percent of adult Filipinos are satisfied with Mr. Marcos’ performance, while 7 percent are dissatisfied. Another 18 percent are undecided.

The resulting rating is at a “very

good” or plus-68, up by 5 points from the plus-63 rating the President received in October 2022, three months after he became the country’s 17th Chief Executive. Mr. Marcos’ net satisfaction was

highest in Mindanao, where he received an “excellent” plus-72. He also received “very good” ratings in Balance Luzon at plus-68, the Visayas at plus-67, and Metro Manila at plus-65.

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The Chinese embassy, however, downplayed the meeting at the Palace.

“They exchanged views on how to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen dialogue and communication, and properly manage maritime differences between China and the Philippines,” the embassy said in a statement.

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too many’: At least 2 OFWs abused daily in Kuwait

By Joyce Pangco Pañares

AT LEAST two Filipinos per day experienced violence in the form of physical abuse, sexual harassment, or rape in Kuwait in 2022, government data obtained by Manila Standard showed.

And while the numbers have gone down significantly in the past six years, these remain, according to Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople, a case of having “one too many.”

Ople has just dispatched a factfinding team in Kuwait to audit the performance of migrant workers officers in the Middle Eastern country ahead of a review of the bilateral labor agreement following the death of Jullebee Ranara.

“I have dispatched a team to visit our shelters, talk to stakeholders and assess the performance of our MWOs (migrant workers office) so that reforms can be identified and institutionalized. All the information gathered will also help the DMW

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Hopes fade saving Filipino family from quake rubble

By Rey E. Requejo and Maricel V. Cruz

HOPE of finding a Filipino woman and her three children were fading six days after they had gone missing when the building they lived in collapsed during the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that dev-

astated Turkey last week.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the woman was married to a Turkish national who was not home when the earthquake struck.

DFA acting Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Eduardo Jose de Vega said the authorities already told

the Turkish husband to have “realistic expectations,” given how long they have been missing. As the Turkish govern ment continues to work on its search-and-rescue operations more than a week

Chinese gangs target Pinoys for cryptocurrency scam

CHINESE criminals running cryptocurrency scams in Southeast Asia are targeting Filipinos to work for them because of their English language and computer skills, a Department of Foreign Affairs official said Monday.

Filipinos were “prized” targets for scam networks operating in Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, said Eduardo de Vega, acting undersecretary for migrant workers’ affairs at the DFA. De Vega said efforts to repatriate

Filipinos sucked into the scams were ongoing, with more than 100 brought home since last year. This led a party-list

‘One

SERIOUS TALK. In this handout photo from the Presidential Communications Office, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets with Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian at the Malacanang Palace on February 14, 2023 to address the actions of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

NO LOVE LOST. A pro-divorce protester poses for a photo during a demonstration on Valentine’s Day in front of the Senate Building in Pasay City on February 14, 2023. AFP

DOH: Pinoy with no recent travel history first XBB.1.5 case in PH

By Willie Casas

THE country’s first case of the COVID-19 Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 was found in a Filipino with no recent travel history, the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday.

DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said the patient has already recovered after experiencing mild symptoms of the disease.

XBB.1.5, dubbed the “Kraken,” is the most transmissible COVID-19 subvariant so far, experts have said.

Vergeire said the DOH was able to identify the patient’s close contacts, who were all asymptomatic. The patient’s sample was collected on Jan. 9.

The DOH said the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control classified XBB.1.5, an offshoot of the XBB subvariant, “as a variant of interest due to its increasing prevalence globally and

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an idea as to who is the mastermind behind the abductions.

“We have an idea of who but we cannot divulge yet. Since CIDG is the primary investigating agency of the PNP, we don’t want to file a case that will just be dismissed,” CIDG chief Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. said.

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greatly in preparing for the upcoming bilateral labor talks,” Ople said in an exclusive interview.

For Senator Joel Villanueva, who previously headed the Senate labor committee for six years, the over 200 percent increase in the number of cases involving contract violations as well as employers keeping possession of OFWs’ passports from 2017 until 2022 was worrisome.

What is alarming for him, though, was that cases of violent incidents persisted despite deployment bans and agreements signed to provide more protection for OFWs in the past six years.

“The cases remain even if we have signed agreements, even if we have imposed deployment bans. Something is wrong,” he said in a separate phone interview.

Based on DMW data submitted to Villanueva’s office, there were 823 cases of physical maltreatment, 99 cases of sexual abuse, and 26 cases of rape last year, for a total of 948 cases or an average of at least two cases per day.

Villanueva added that at least 96 percent of OFWs who have sought refuge in shelters in Kuwait are household service workers.

Senator Raffy Tulfo, chairman of the Senate committee on migrant workers, said part of the problem is the implementation of the agreements signed with Kuwait.

In the 2018 Memorandum of Agreement signed with Kuwait, among the salient features were as follows: OFWs must keep possession of their passports and other travel documents; they must be allowed to use their phones; and they must be provided food, housing, and clothing, and must be registered in the health insurance system, among others.

The MOA also noted that employers who have records of contract violations or abuse will be disqualified from recruiting workers.

“On paper, it looks good. They seem to be compliant. But how come our OFWs still do not have their passports with them?” Tulfo told Manila Standard.

Ople agreed. “We need very clear guidelines and mechanisms to prevent such cases from happening,” she said.

The agreement was in response to the murder of OFW Joanna Demafelis, who was found dead in a freezer in 2018.

Two years later, domestic helper Jeanelyn Villavende was also murdered by her female employer.

In both instances, the administration of then-President Rodrigo Duterte imposed a deployment ban.

Ople, however, is not inclined to adopt the same strategy even as she ordered the suspension of the deployment of first-time OFWs, particularly domestic helpers, to Kuwait following Ranara’s murder.

enhanced immune-evading properties.”

The variant has been detected in 59 countries across six continents, according to sequence submissions in GISAID, a global platform for COVID-19 data.

Based on estimates from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the subvariant accounted for 66.4 percent of cases in the US from Jan. 29 to Feb. 4, 2023.

According to the rapid risk assessment conducted by the World Health Organization, there is moderatestrength evidence for increased risk of transmission and immune escape, the DOH report read.

Heartbroken Pinoys seeking mental help grew tenfold

By Willie Casas

However, currently available evidence for XBB.1.5 does not suggest any differences in disease severity and clinical manifestations compared to the original omicron variant, it added.

“Currently, the subvariant is still reported under XBB by the WHO and will remain classified under omicron until sufficient evidence arises showing that the virus characteristics are significantly different from omicron,” the DOH said.

Also on Tuesday, the DOH said two more countries have started offering to donate bivalent COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines.

The DOH is coordinating with these undisclosed countries to finalize the agreements, Vergeire said during a press briefing.

During last week’s briefing, Vergeire disclosed that a country had

HEARTBROKEN callers seeking help from the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) grew tenfold during the COVID-19 pandemic, as an expert said the crisis strained some relationships.

The NCMH’s crisis hotline received 2,656 love-related calls last year, almost 10 times the 276 pre-pandemic calls recorded in 2019, ABS-CBN News reported. The hotline also responded to 2,087 calls linked to romantic relationships in 2021, and 711 love-related calls in 2020, the report added.

The center said calls related to romance and other problems averaged around 2,000 a month at the onset of the pandemic, up from 200 to 300 monthly calls before the COVID crisis.

“Overall, the pandemic had an impact on relationships. People experienced anxiety, which has the capacity to shape and strain a relationship. Anxiety can manifest as, for example, irritability, an-

ger. So, some individuals are prone to argue more,” said Gizelle Tugade, program coordinator of the NCMH crisis hotline and Center for Wellness.

In-Touch, a non-profit organization that offers mental health services, observed a different trend in its crisis hotline.

It said it consistently recorded an increase in love and relationship-related problems in the month of February, with January having the second-highest calls.

In-Touch said it responded to around 6,000 calls when the pandemic struck, double the 3,000 pre-COVID yearly average. Calls related to love and relationships accounted for 3 to 15 percent of total calls in the whole year from 2019 to 2022, it said.

The most common concerns InTouch recorded were communication, misunderstandings, and self-esteem and confidence.

In-Touch and NCMH both observed that there were more female callers than males.

Japan, South Korea back US response to China spy balloon episode

JAPAN and South Korea support the United States’ response to a suspected Chinese spy balloon, as their high-ranking diplomats said no country is allowed to infringe on another’s territorial sovereignty, according to a Kyodo News report on Tuesday.

Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Takeo Mori and South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun Dong voiced the shared position of Tokyo and Seoul following

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The meeting was attended by Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Andres Centino, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.

This is the third time Ambassador Huang was summoned by Manila since April 2021, but in the two previous instances, it was the Department of Foreign Affairs which called him to its headquarters.

This is, however, the first time a Philippine president summoned a Chinese ambassador in recent years.

In its protest, the DFA condemned the “the shadowing, harassment, dangerous maneuvers, directing of a militarygrade laser, and illegal radio challenges” by the Chinese Coast Guard against PCG vessel BRP Malapascua, which was on its way to resupply the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded landing ship that is home to a detachment of Philippine marines on the shoal.

The DFA said the actions of the Chinese vessel constituted a threat to Philippine sovereignty and security as a state, and were infringements of its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone.

“The Philippines has the prerogative to conduct legitimate activities within its exclusive economic zone and conti-

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legislator on Wednesday to condemn the criminal networks running cryptocurrency scams in the region.

“I strongly condemn the illegal trafficking of our fellow Filipinos allegedly being carried by a Chinese mafia operating in Southeast Asia,” Kabayan Rep. Ron Salo said.

“Taking advantage of the desperation of our kababayans looking for job opportunities is the peak of injustice and

a meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman in Washington.

The meeting comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing since the balloon was shot down by the US military in early February.

“I explained at the meeting today that Japan supports this position of the US,” Mori said in a joint press conference with the two senior diplomats in the Kyodo News report.

nental shelf. China does not have law enforcement rights or powers in and around Ayungin Shoal or any part of the Philippine EEZ,” DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said.

“These acts of aggression by China are disturbing and disappointing as it closely follows the state visit to China of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in early January during which he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to manage maritime differences through diplomacy and dialogue, without resorting to force and intimidation,” the DFA official added.

The DFA called on China to comply with its obligations under international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 award in the South China Sea Arbitration and direct its vessels to cease and desist from its aggressive activities against Philippine vessels.”

The diplomatic protest was the eighth filed by the DFA this year. In 2022, it filed a total of 195 diplomatic protests. Reports said that BRP Malapascua was undertaking a mission in support of the regular rotation and resupply mission for the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, the Philippines’ permanent presence on the feature.

The PCG said the Chinese Coast Guard vessel 5205 interfered with the PCG mission, directing a military-grade laser that caused temporary blindness to Filipino crew members aboard BRP Malapascua.

The Chinese vessel then undertook

cruelty,” he added.

The latest victim group arrived in Manila on Monday. Four men, all in their 30s, had been trafficked into Myanmar for “less than two months”, during which they were held in compounds, De Vega told AFP.

The men were in Dubai when they were recruited online to work as “customer support representatives” in Thailand, the ministry said.

When they arrived in Bangkok, they were taken to the western Thai city of Mae Sot and ferried across the border into Myanmar “rebel territory”, De Vega said.

There they were “forced to trick in-

also asking for aid.

“We will keep in touch and we look forward to receiving more information.”

Cho, the South Korean envoy, added:

“We, as an ally of the United States, trust what the United States officially stated,” adding that Seoul expects there will be a chance for a high-level meeting with China on the balloon issue.

Sherman, who hosted the trilateral meeting -- the first of its kind since last October – repeated Washington’s position that it is

dangerous maneuvers by approaching at a close distance from BRP Malapascua, risking a collision that endangered the Philippine crew. The Chinese vessel also issued illegal radio challenges that demanded that the Philippine vessel leave the area.

China’s use of a military-grade laser last week was the second time, the PCG said.

In June 2022, the Chinese coast guard shone a blue laser light for about 20 minutes at the tugboat BRP Habagat, which left its crew with temporary blindness and itchy skin, said Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG’s adviser of the commandant for maritime security.

Earlier, Beijing defended its action, saying that the PCG vessel intruded into the waters off the Ren’ai Reef without Chinese permission.

“In accordance with China’s domestic law and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the China Coast Guard ship upheld China’s sovereignty and maritime order and acted in a professional and restrained way,” Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said.

The United States on Monday criticized China’s reported use of militarygrade laser light against a Philippine Coast Guard vessel.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the Chinese coast guard’s “conduct was provocative and unsafe, resulting in the temporary blindness of the crew members.” With AFP

dividuals into investing in cryptocurrency,” the DFA said in a statement.

Myanmar’s rugged borderlands are home to a patchwork of ethnic rebel groups and military-aligned militia that have fought each other for decades over territory, lucrative timber and jade resources, and the drug trade.

Typically, Filipino recruits would pretend to be women and develop online relationships with their targets, usually Westerners, De Vega said.

They receive a wage and get a share of the profits, but are subjected to corporal punishment if they do not scam

“absolutely confident” the balloon was a “surveillance apparatus” from China.

This ran counter to a statement from the White House, which responded Monday to growing -- and at times fevered -- speculation over the shooting down of unidentified aerial objects by saying the targets could be anything from commercial craft to espionage devices while denying that US balloons spy on China.

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The President also received an “excellent” rating in rural areas at plus74, and a “very good” plus-62 rating in urban areas.

His rating improved by 13 points from the October 2022 plus-61 rating in rural areas.

Among males, the President received a higher satisfaction rating at “excellent” plus-70, compared to the plus-66 “very good” rating from women.

Mr. Marcos likewise received a higher rating among those aged 25 to 44 at an “excellent” plus-73, compared to the “very good” plus-68 rating from those between 18 to 24 years old.

Adults aged 35 to 44 also gave Marcos Jr. an “excellent” plus-71 satisfaction rating, while those aged 45 to 54 gave him a “very good” plus-68 rating.

Adults aged 55 above also gave the President a “very good” plus64 rating.

In terms of the educational attainment of those surveyed, Mr. Marcos Jr. received the highest satisfaction rating from non-elementary graduates and junior high school graduates, who both gave him an “excellent” rating. He likewise received a “very good” satisfaction rating from elementary and college graduates.

enough people, he said.

Four Filipino women in their 20s, who were detained in Myanmar for illegally entering the country from Thailand a few weeks ago, also returned to Manila on Monday. They had claimed to be tourists, De Vega said.

Around 50 to 70 Filipinos are believed to be still working for Chinese scammers operating in Myanmar, he added.

There were another 50 Filipinos working for cryptocurrency scams in Cambodia and 50 in Laos, De Vega estimated.

A FP with Maricel V. Cruz

after the devastating earthquake, De Vega said some Filipinos are choosing to return to the Philippines De Vega some 248 Filipinos were in the affected areas, while about 64 of them are already temporarily housed in Ankara.

Of the two Filipino casualties—both married to Turkish nationals—one has been buried while the remains of the other will be repatriated, De Vega said. De Vega said all Filipinos were accounted for in Syria, although they are

Meanwhile, the Filipino woman who was rescued after 60 hours under the rubble in Hatay province is “recovering well,” the Philippine Embassy in Turkey said Tuesday.

Juliva Benlingan was working when she was reported missing after the 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit southeastern Turkey on Feb. 6.

Benlingan’s sister, Maribel, reported on Feb. 9 that Juliva was found alive, a day after her employer informed them that she was “left in the building because she’s dead.” Embassy officials on Tuesday visited Benlingan at a hospital in Adana province.

“She thanks God for a second chance at life and the Embassy for their wellwishes,” the embassy said.

The embassy’s Mersin-based team also provided Benlingan with financial aid and gave tokens of appreciation to her attending doctors and nurses.

As of Feb. 13, at least 64 Filipinos are taking shelter at the Philippine Embassy in Ankara, located over 600 kilometers from the severely-hit southeast area.

The DFA on Tuesday said the Philippines would deploy a six-person contingent to Syria to help Filipinos and others affected by the strong quake.

Last week the Philippines deployed a team of 87 disaster response specialists

and health care workers to Turkey. Also on Tuesday, the House of Representatives donated an additional P10 million in humanitarian aid to thousands of earthquake victims in Turkey. The donation was made through the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).

The amount was in addition to the $100,000 the House, through Speaker Martin G. Romualdez, turned over to Turkey’s Ambassador to the Philippines Niyazi Evren Akyol on Monday. The $100,000 (about P5.5 million) came from the Speaker’s Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Initiative, while the P10 million was raised from voluntary contributions from House members.

Police raids net 6 suspects, P6.8m worth of drugs

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Southern Police District on Tuesday announced the arrest of two Chinese nationals suspected to be members of a big-time drug syndicate operating in southern Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, two other foreigners were arrested Monday night in a buybust operation on Estrella St., Pasay City.

The apprehension of the two Chinese came as an offshoot of a buy-bust operation conducted by a composite anti-narcotics team from Pasay and Taguig police stations.

The operatives also seized an estimated P6 million worth of prohibited substances, including high grade marijuana and shabu.

Arrested were Kun Yang, 26, and Yang Tao, both Chinese nationals tagged as high value targets by the police.

The suspects’18-year old Filipino companion identified as Faith Jovenes Suñiga, alias Nina and Trixie, was also taken in custody.

The suspects were nabbed late Monday night at The Fort Strip in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig after selling a kilo of shabu worth P1.2 million to a police poseur buyer.

Aside from shabu, the raiding team also confiscated 9.5 grams of kush, 62 tables of magu which is believed to be a recreational narcotic, two sports utility vans, and the cash used in the entrapment operation.

Police surmised that the suspects were members of the Yang Drug Group operating in the cities of Muntinlupa, Makati, Pasay, Taguig, and Pasig.

The confiscated drugs, with an approximate market value of P6.8 million were turned over to SPD Forensic Unit for examination.

IN BRIEF

DENR cites relevance of multisector dialogs

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Tuesday vowed to apply lessons learned from non-government organizations and the academe on environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.

The agency ensured that sciencebased and evidence-informed solutions for forest management and biodiversity conservation gathered during its Mindanao multi-stakeholder forum in Cagayan de Oro City would be used for the various needs of communities with over 300 stakeholders from local government units, academe, NGOs, people’s organizations, representatives from indigenous peoples groups, and the private sector, to gain valuable insights on environmental protection and sustainable development.

Rio N. Araja

Bataan set to organize health promotion board

BATAAN province is set to create a special panel tasked to formulate programs for the promotion of good health, as well as safety and prevention and detection of diseases.

This was disclosed by provincial councilor Jorge Estanislao who said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has passed an ordinance creating the Health Promotion Board of Bataan.

Estanislao said the SP presided by Vice Governor Cris Garcia unanimously adopted the measure.

Estanislao, chairman of the SP Committee on Health, sponsored the ordinance written by councilor Jomar Gaza. Butch Gunio

Acuzar earns praises for handling 4Ps program

HOUSING czar Jose Rizalino

Acuzar on Tuesday led the fourth anniversary celebration of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, reaping praises from various lawmakers who branded him “extraordinary.”

Senators JV Ejercito and Risa Hontiveros described Acuzar as “extraordinary” for his inovative concepts, Ejercito commended Acuzar’s stewardship of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s flagship housing program— the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) program.

“We have a very daunting task ahead, a very gargantuan task of producing one million houses every year... we need to think outside the box and be extraordinary. Si Sec. Jerry (Acuzar) na talagang napakasimpleng tao, self-made man, palagay ko sya po ‘yung X factor na kailangan natin for the Department of Human Settlements,” he said in a message. Rio N. Araja

BURNHAM PARK. Baguio City which is currently celebrating its Panagbenga Festival, a month-long annual flower gala, set up a huge floral heart at the city’s famous Burnham Park which has taken on a bluish hue following the introduction of an inoculant meant to curb the growth of harmful algae while at the same time balancing the water’s oxygen levels to sustain the marine lives. Baguio officials and their counterparts from sister city Honolulu exchanged citations and gifts to highlight the day’s activities. Dave Leprozo

Consumer advocacy group seeks tax incentives for bikes, trikes

A CONSUMER advocacy group seeks tax incentives for bicycles and tricycles similar to those granted to electricitypowered vehicles.

Louie Montemar, co-convenor of Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente

(BK3), says Executive Order no. 12, issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last month should be amended so that the tax breaks given to owners of electric vehicles could be enjoyed also by those in the working class.

SEALED WITH A KISS.

A happy couple kisses after swapping marital vows during San Juan City’s mass wedding dubbed ‘Kasalang Panlungsod’ hosted by the local civil registry office in conjunction with the celebration of Valentine’s Day which coincides with the observance of the Civil Registration Month spearheaded by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Manny Palmero

“The current EO is discriminatory because it covers only four-wheeled vehicles. It does not cover the majority of the working class, many of whom use two- and three- wheeled vehicles, or even public utility jeepneys,” Montemar said.

“We have to correct this injustice.

Those who are already given tax perks are vehicle owners from the AB socioeconomic bracket. Meanwhile, millions use their two- or three-wheeled vehicles

to go to and from work or school. These are the people who are acutely feeling the pinch of higher prices of fuel and other commodities against their limited income,” he added.

According to Montemar, an amended EO will also be an opportunity for the government to drive consumers away from their dependence on fossil fuels.

“The zero import tax incentive for five years will allow more consumers to

Bodies of 5 Armymen shot dead at CDO camp sent home

By Bobby Lagsa

THE remains of five Army soldiers who were killed in a shooting rampage last Saturday inside the Camp Edilberto Evangelista were sent home Monday afternoon.

Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner, attended the ceremonial sendoff for the fallen soldiers, all members of the Service Support Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division. The lone suspect, Pvt. Johmar Villabito, allegedly shot the victims at point blank range in the head inside their

barracks last February 11.

According to Maj. Francisco Garello, spokesman of the 4th ID, the body of the 37-year-old Villabito, of Libongan, North Cotabato was laid at the Camp Evangelista’s Mortuary. “His remains were separated from his victims,” Garello said.

Villabito’s reportedly shot dead Sgt. Rogelio Rojo Jr, of Iligan City, Cpl. Bernard Rodrigo of Cagayan de Oro City, Pfc. Prince Kevin Balaba of Lanao del Norte, and Pvt. Joseph Tamayo of Surigao del Norte. Villabito was killed by responding

Online scammers prey on Pinays—BI

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) warns Filipino women against online foreign scammers.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco issued the warning amid reports that a foreign syndicate preys on Filipino women seeking relationships through the internet.

“We have previously received numerous reports of women being courted by syndicate members online, who would pretend to be foreign nationals interested in meeting Filipino partners. Victims would then be wooed with small gifts, promises of international travel, and marriage,” Tansingco said.

“In many cases, the fake foreigner would claim to fly to the Philippines to meet or marry their victim,” he added.

“However, upon the scammer’s

soldiers, among them SSgt. Braulio Macalos Jr. who was also wounded in the incident and is now recovering at Camp Evangelista Station Hospital.

“Currently, the Philippine flag at 4ID is on half-mast as a symbol of the Command’s grief with the loss of our soldiers. This is also in honor and recognition of the services and sacrifices of the said fallen soldiers,” Garello said. Brawner assured the victim’s families that all necessary assistance would be provided including benefits and other claims.

supposed flight to the Philippines, he will claim that he is being held by Immigration or by other government agencies,” he said.

The fraudsters would then dupe their victim into depositing large sums of money in exchange for the foreigner’s freedom. In previous cases, the scammers would pretend to be officers or high ranking officials of the BI.

In March last year the BI received a request from a female victim, who alleged that his partner was being held by authorities at the Davao International Airport. The victim said that fake BI officials were demanding payment for the release of her partner. The scammers claimed that her partner was being held for carrying large sums of money at the time. Vito Barcelo

consider better and more environmentally-friendly alternatives,” he said. He quoted experts as having warned that motorcycles are also significant contributors to air pollution.

“Motorcycles are popular because they are an affordable option to get from Point A to Point B, but with government data showing over seven million motorcycles in the country, there is substantial environmental cost?”

Renewal of vehicle registration may now be done online, says LTO

By Rio N. Araja

GOOD news for car owners.

You may now renew your vehicle registration online, and it takes only five to 10 minutes to do it.

However, there are some protocols to follow.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Tuesday launched its online motor vehicle registration rene al through the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) portal, a process that may take only five to 10 minutes to complete.

LTO chief Jose Arturo Tugade said under the scheme, private individuals, companies or organizations can now use the LTMS portal to renew the registration of their MVs without the need to personally go to any of the agency’s district offices.

Arturo clarified however, that the online renewal of car registration would only apply to plain renewal transactions, and that the private vehicle owner must have a registered LTMS portal account and the last renewal transaction was completed using LTMS, he said.

Before conducting the online renewal, the owner should secure or acquire a certificate of coverage or insurance of their choice, and the vehicle must be brought to a private motor vehicle inspection center (PMVIC) and checked for road worthiness.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY, MA’AM. Pupils of the Pinyahan Elementary School in Quezon City tendered flowers, chocolates, and other gifts to their teacher to mark the observance Valentine’s Day. The teacher also exhorted her wards to write love letters to their parents. Manny Palmero

Lawmakers welcome

PBBM’s stand against Charter change

By Maricel V. Cruz

VETERAN legislator and Albay Rep.

Edcel Lagman on Wednesday welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s pronouncement that Charter change is “not a priority” of his administration.

“I hope President Marcos will remain steadfast in his position that amending the 1987 Constitution is not in the administration’s priority agenda,” Lagman said in a statement.

Lagman said he shared the view of the President that foreign investments will come, as they presently do, even without amending the Constitution’s economic provisions. “Moreover, charter change is not timely as we have to devote our full efforts and resources to address mounting economic woes on inflation, poverty, and food security, among others,” Lagman stated. He said “Cha-cha is out of tune now” — this despite the commitment of the heads of the House and Senate committees on constitutional amendments to continue holding public hearings and consultations on “Chacha” proposals.

Marcos orders reorganization of PCO

By Vito Barcelo

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed Executive Order (EO) No. 16 approving the reorganization of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) to consolidate its communications activities and ensure efficient delivery of its core services to the public.

EO No. 16 supplements EO No. 11 (s 2022) signed by the President last December 29, 2022, which streamlined the administrative structure of the Office of the President (OP) and renamed the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) to PCO. The revamped PCO will still be headed by a secretary who will be supported by five Undersecretaries, fourteen Assistant Secretaries, and one

By Willie Casas

FOLLOWING a complaint filed against Department of Health (DOH) officials, DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire on Tuesday stressed that the department is using funds for its cancer programs in a transparent manner.

During a press briefing, Vergeire said the DOH and the accused officials have yet to receive a opy of the complaint, which was filed by the department’s medical officer Dr. Clarito Cairo Jr. “Gusto ko lang po bigyan ng assurance ang ating mga kababayan na lahat po ng ginagawa nating proseso para po sa ating mga programa specific dito sa inaakusa na cancer funds ay above broad (I just want to give assurance to the public that all the processes of the DOH in its programs specifically the cancer funds are above board.),” she said. “Everything is done in a transparent manner,” she added.

Aside from the DOH, Vergeire said the National Integrated Cancer Control Council is also making decisions on its cancer programs.

In his complaint, Cairo accused Vergeire and six others of grave misconduct, malversation of public funds, and violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

He claimed that the sub-allotment of funds for the Cancer and SupportivePalliative Medicines Access Program (CSPMAP) to selected access sites was highly disadvantageous to the government and a disservice to many CSPMAPenrolled patients.

Cairo also claimed that despite his intervention, the respondents pursued the suballotment of P781 million to only 19 access sites instead of 31.

He said the respondents allegedly conspired to undermine his technical expertise and institutional memory, which led to the “mismanagement” of the budget.

Vergeire said the DOH will respond to the complaint at the proper venue.

Assistant Secretary directly reporting to the PCO Secretary. The five Undersecretaries will lead the five functional areas in the restructured PCO namely; Traditional Media and External Affairs; Digital Media Services; Content Production; Broadcast Production and Operations, Administration and Finance.

As the government’s main body

responsible for crafting, developing and coordinating the messaging system of the OP, the restructured PCO will now be tasked to coordinate closely with the Presidential Adviser for Creative Communications on matters relating to communications and information dissemination.

EO No. 16 also amends or modifies the relevant provisions of EO No. 2 (s 2022), which resulted in some Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) being placed under the OP. GOCCs such as the People’s Television Network, Inc., APO Production Unit, Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation, and the National Printing Office will now

be reattached to the PCO and will be supervised by an Assistant Secretary.

Meanwhile, other communications agencies such as the Presidential Broadcast Service-Bureau of Broadcast Services; Bureau of Communication Services; News and Information Bureau; Freedom of InformationProgram Management Office; Philippine Information Agency; and the Presidential Broadcast Staff-Radio Television Malacañang will also now be placed under the direct control and supervision of the PCO, according to the EO. Signed by President Marcos on February 13, 2023, EO No. 16 takes effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette.

“We can still achieve what we want within the present Constitution, with the way the Constitution is written,” the President earlier said. Mr. Marcos acknowledged that talks on Charter change have surfaced “because of the economic provisions.”

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III , Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday meanwhile said they agree with the President that foreign investments can still trickle in without amending the Constitution.

“The President is correct to say that there are better things that need to be done first and that we can generate foreign investments without amending the Constitution,” Pimentel said. Villanueva said there were also several measures enacted into law to attract foreign investments. At present, he said they should study the effects of amending the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, Foreign Investments Act, and Public Services Act on foreign direct investments in the country.

With Macon Ramos-Araneta

IN BRIEF

DPWH eyeing structural assessment of NCR buildings

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will conduct a structural stability assessment of 5,980 buildings in the National Capital Region (NCR).

In the Senate Committee on Public Works hearing chaired by Sen. Bong Revilla, DPWH Usec. Maximo Carvajal said included 4,000 school buildings, 351 health facilities, 1,180 other public buildings, and 402 local government unit buildings.

Carvajal said since 2018, the DPWH started preparing for the “Big One” that could happen to the country.

The official said P210 million was allocated for this project. Currently, 36 buildings have been assessed and retrofitted.

The following year, P767 million was allocated. Retrofitting of 13 buildings were completed and nine buildings are still undergoing retrofitting. Only one building has not yet started its retrofitting.

In 2020, there was P1 billion funds- 3 buildings are undergoing retrofitting and 48 had been finished. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Lawmaker files measure to punish negligent parents

SENIOR Deputy Minority Leader Paul Ruiz Daza filed a bill that seeks to penalize negligent parents, particularly those who refuse to provide child support with imprisonment.

House Bill 44 imposes fines or imprisonment or both on errant parents.

The bill, titled “An Act Ensuring Child Support and Penalizing Parental Refusal or Neglect Thereof,” Daza said during initial deliberation by the House of Representatives” Committee on the Welfare of Children, “puts more teeth on the various laws and issuances that protect children.”

“In my version of the bill, I included harsh penalties like imprisonment, to strengthen mandates on child welfare and protection.”

“Make the law na talagang magkaroon ng ngipin para matakot iyong non-custodial parent, para magbayad, magbigay ng child support (to really have teeth, to scare the noncustodial parent into providing child support) ” said Daza. Maricel V. Cruz

Senators support removal of OFW placement fees

President assures support for Zelenskyy in call

By Vito Barcelo

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the Philippines supports Ukraine’s efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In a Twitter post, Mr. Marcos confirmed that he and Zelenskyy held a telephone conversation on February 13 “I had the pleasure of talking to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy yesterday (Monday),” Mr. Marcos said on his official Twitter account on Tuesday morning after the Ukrainian leader tweeted about it the previous day.

“I told him that we in the Philippines are watching with admiration, the bravery and the nationalism that has been displayed by the Ukrainians during this crisis,” the

President added.

“We join in his effort to reach a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in his country. Mr. President, we are with you in your search for peace,” he added.

Earlier, the Ukrainian President expressed gratitude to Mr. Marcos for his support for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“We discussed further deepening of cooperation, in particular on international platforms,” Zelenskyy tweeted.

The conversation of the two leaders came a month after the President denied snubbing the European leader amid the effort of the Ukrainian side to seek an opportunity for the two leaders to talk but to no avail.

Zelenskyy, who has long been seeking a phone conversation with Marcos, was the

MORE BENEFITS FOR HEALTH WORKERS. Health activists conduct protest actions in front of the Department of Health (DOH) along Rizal Avenue in Manila, on Valentine's Day to ask for more benefits for health workers, among others. Norman Cruz.

first to tweet about their call on Monday night.

“Had the first phone call in the history of bilateral relations with President of the Philippines @bongbongmarcos,” he said.

“Thanked him for supporting sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We discussed further deepening of cooperation, in particular on international platforms,” he added.

Last month, Ukrainian Charges D’Affaires of the Embassy of Ukraine in Malaysia Denys Mykhailiuk said they have been trying to have the two leaders speak to each other since Marcos assumed office in June 2022 but failed to receive a response.

Marcos later clarified that he did not snub Zelenskyy’s request for a phone conversation and has always been willing to talk with him.

SENATE Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva yesterday aired their support to stop the collection of placement fees from verseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“Yes, these fees should be abolished. If foreign employers want staff, workers, and employees, then they (the employers) should shoulder these placement fees,” Pimentel said.

He said recruiters who are “agents” should get their profits from employers, who are the ones profiting from the “transaction.”

Villanueva added that it is a good policy for others to follow Japan which is “no charging of placement fees.”

“Let us get rid of the placement fees in all counties,” he said.

He said it is clearly stated in the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act that there should be no collection of any fees like government fees and even other administrative costs in recruitment, introduction, placement and assistance. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Authorities seize illegal agri products worth more than P202m in January

By Vito Barcelo

COMBINED government operatives

seized agricultural and fishery products worth more than P202 million in January in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to safeguard the welfare of Filipino farmers and fishers and make locally grown agricultural produce more competitive.

Malacanang said a total of P202.5 million worth of agri-fishery products contained in 24 container vans consigned to Asterzenmed Inc. and Seaster Consumer Goods Trading Inc. were seized in separate operations at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

Of the 24 vans apprehended, nine belonged to Seaster Consumer Goods, which were found to contain fresh red and white onions with a total estimated market value of P77.8 million. Subsequent operations revealed multi-

million smuggled agri-produce by consignee Asterzenmed Inc.

On January 23, three containers carrying fresh yellow onions, red onions, potatoes and roasted sweet potatoes with an estimated market value of P24.4 million were seized. This was followed by the confiscation of three containers loaded with red onions, imitation crab sticks, and frozen boneless beef, with a total estimated market value of P31 million.

Another inspection of three Asterzenmed Inc. containers resulted in the confiscation of P24 million worth of red onions and assorted meat products, while P21.5 million worth of smuggled assorted meat products were confiscated from the inspection of three other container vans.

The latest reported operation on January 27 led to the discovery of two container vans containing potatoes and fresh yellow onions with an estimated value of P23.6 million.

Vergeire: DOH is transparent on cancer funds

FOR TURKEY. House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Red Cross chair Dick Gordon pose with officials during a turnover ceremony. The House of Representatives is donating cash aid to victims of a recent earthquake in Turkey. Ver Noveno

Vice President Inday Sara Duterte attended the

The reckoning: Child sex abuse in the Catholic Church

PORTUGAL has become the latest country to issue an independent report into clerical sexual abuse, an issue that has dogged the Catholic Church for years and undermined its moral authority.

From Australia to Ireland via the United States, thousands of priests, bishops and cardinals have been caught up in abuse scandals, as well as lay members of the Church such as Catholic school teachers or youth group leaders.

United States

The moment of reckoning in the US came in 2002 when the Boston Globe newspaper published a major investigation into abuses committed by scores of Boston priests, which were covered up by their bishops. Cardinal Bernard Law was forced to resign over the revelations.

The Vatican has sanctioned several bishops and a cardinal for covering up for priests

Between 1950 and 2018, the US Catholic Church received credible complaints of child sex abuse involving 7,002 members of the clergy, according to the website bishop-accountability.org.

In a first for the Church, Pope Francis in 2019 defrocked former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who admitted to sexually molesting both children and adults.

Another cardinal, Donald Wuerl, resigned after being accused of a cover-up in Pennsylvania, where an investigation found the church had protected over 300 predator priests.

Ireland

Accusations of clerical sex crimes in Ireland, once deemed the world’s most Catholic country, began surfacing in the 1980s and shook the country to its core.

The number of underage victims of clerical sex abuse is estimated at nearly 15,000 between 1970 and 1990 alone.

A nine-year inquiry into abuse at Church-run institutions found that sexual abuse had been “endemic” in boys’ schools.

The various scandals sparked a fallout between Ireland and the Vatican, which recalled its ambassador in 2011 after the Irish premier at the time, Enda Kenny, accused Rome of obstructing investigations.

During a visit to Ireland in 2018, Pope Francis asked for the victims’ forgiveness.

Australia

The biggest scandal in Australia

By Dr. Mario Ferdinand Pasion

MANY experts agree that for China, the South China Sea dispute is negotiable, given that there are multiple claimants including Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia, of which China already has ongoing negotiations.

China has also offered 60 percent profit sharing in favor of the Philippines in disputed areas, far better than what the Philippines received from US and UK partners in the Malampaya deal.

While there are occasional incidents, our own fishermen and official government statistics have reported increased fish stocks in the West Philippine Sea since 2016 due to its being protected now during spawning seasons. China has also resolved border issues with 12 of her 14 neighbors, although negotiations took decades and not without minor incidents, but China even gave concessions in pursuit of peace.

However, Taiwan, being a core national interest for China, is non-negotiable.

Allowing the US bases in the Philippines, in sites that clearly encircle Taiwan, will put the Philippines squarely in the war calculations of the People’s Liberation Army. Orchestrating the prophecy to provoke war?

US bombers fly out of North Luzon en route to Taiwan, announces White-House-

centered on the Vatican’s former finance chief, Cardinal George Pell, who was convicted in 2018 of sexually abusing choirboys in Melbourne in the 1990s.

Pell spent 13 months in prison before the verdict was overturned in 2020. He died in January aged 81.

A commission set up by Australia’s government said in February 2017 that seven percent of all Catholic priests had been accused of abusing children between 1950 and 2010.

France

France’s biggest scandal centred on Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, archbishop of Lyon, who received a six-month suspended jail sentence in 2019 for covering up for a priest, Bernard Preynat, accused of assaulting around 70 scouts in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Barbarin’s conviction was overturned on appeal in 2020, but the pope accepted his resignation. Preynat was jailed for five years in 2020.

In 2021, an independent inquiry revealed that Catholic clergy members had sexually abused around 216,000 minors from 1950 to 2020.

Germany

In Germany, the late pope Benedict XVI came under fire last year when an independent report found that he had knowingly failed to take action to stop four priests accused of child sex abuse in Munich.

The ex-pontiff, who as pope was heavily criticized for his failure to end church cover-ups of abuse scandals, was the archbishop of Munich and Freising from 1977 to 1982.

Chile

The Chilean Catholic Church has been embroiled in scandal since 2010, when Father Fernando Karadima was first accused of molesting boys in the 1980s and 1990s.

Pope Francis’ failure to address the alleged cover-up of the priest’s actions by Bishop Juan Barros overshadowed his trip to the country in January 2018.

Francis demanded that the bishop’s accusers show proof of the priest’s guilt.

But he later admitted making “grave mistakes” in the case—a first for a pope—and summoned all of Chile’s bishops to the Vatican, after which they all resigned.

Poland

The subject of child sexual abuse was largely taboo in staunchly Catholic Poland until 2019, when the church revealed that nearly 400 clergy members had sexually abused minors between 1990 and 2018.

In a second report in June 2021, the church said it had received hundreds more complaints.

The Vatican has sanctioned several bishops and a cardinal for covering up for priests. AFP

‘Managing maritime issues, cordially’

UNEASINESS pervades our front yard while we watch developments in the West Philippine Sea.

But we join the Philippine military in asking China to restrain its forces to fend off any “provocative act” after China’s Coast Guard used a laser to try to disrupt a resupply mission to Filipino troops in the area.

The Philippine Coast Guard said its vessel was assisting a navy mission to deliver food and supplies to troops on an isle in the disputed waterway on February 6 when a Chinese Coast Guard ship directed a “military-grade laser” at the ship, temporarily blinding its crew on the bridge.

“I think it’s time for the Chinese government to restrain its forces so that it does not commit any provocative act that will endanger the lives of people,” military spokesperson Medel Aguilar has told reporters.

Aguilar quoted the Philippine defense chief as saying the Chinese action was “offensive” and unsafe. China’s foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin, as expected, responded its coast guard conducted actions according to the law, adding

But the Chinese Coast Guard action spells out sophistry, plain and simple, as regards China’s reassurance when Mr. Marcos was in Beijing

“We urge the Philippines to avoid such actions, and the actions of China’s staff are professional and restrained.”

We are aware of the statement of State Department spokesperson Ned Price who said the United States stood with the Philippines over the reported laser use, stressing “The PRC’s (People’s Republic of China) conduct was provocative and unsafe.”

The incident took place at the Second Thomas Shoal, 105 nautical miles off the Philippine province of Palawan, and home to a small Philippine military contingent on board a rusty ship.

Joint PH-US patrols in our EEZ

WILL joint maritime patrols by the Philippines and the United States in our Exclusive Economic Zone in the South China Sea work? They can work in two ways.

First, they may be able to stop China’s gunboat diplomacy in the SCS undertaken on the basis of their so-called “nine-dash-line” which has absolutely no basis in history nor in international law.

Beijing cannot claim ownership of practically the whole of the large South China Sea because of “historical right” because this sea lane should always be open to global trade and commerce. Imposing a blockade of the SCS through the presence of the Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia masquerading as civilian fishing boats is plain and simple bullying of other nations also claiming ownership of disputed territories.

Second, they can allow our fisherfolk to freely go to their traditional fishing grounds in our EEZ without harassment from the China Coast Guard and maritime militia.

China has brazenly violated our national sovereignty and territorial integrity by building artificial islands with permanent structures believed for military use.

The support expressed by two of our senators for the recent agreement for joint maritime patrols by the Philippines and the US in the South China Sea is welcome news.

Sen. Francis Escudero believes the planned joint patrols as well as the move to allow US access to more military bases in the Philippines under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement should not be cause for worry that they might trigger hostile reaction from Beijing.

“For me it’s clear that our ally, when it comes to security, is the US, and not China… For those saying we might anger China, I don’t believe that a government or country should make decisions based on fear or what other nations might think of us,” he said.

“Let’s remember it’s not in the interest of any country to start a war or trouble, but want to avoid them…but if in the process of avoiding

war will mean more freedom for our fishermen to fish in our seas, why not? Why should we allow the Chinese Coast Guard or Navy ships to drive away our fishermen from seas that is ours in the first place?” the lawmaker pointed out. He is correct.

As a key pillar of the US-Philippines alliance, EDCA supports combined training, exercises and interoperability between the armed forces of the two countries

For Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, joint patrols and other military activities with the US would enhance military interoperability between the two countries.

Apart from this, the US can also render assistance when the country is hit by natural disasters such as strong typhoons that can lead to massive flooding and displacement of large numbers of people living in vulnerable lowlying communities. The senator is convinced the regular presence of the US in the South China Sea is important for stability as it would help improve the balance of power in the region.

“It’s important that we have an ally to balance a power like China, with which we have issues (like) harassment incidents in the WPS,” Gatchalian said.

From another direction, former Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario has also welcomed the renewed security alliance between the Philippines and the US.

This would “enhance our longstanding alliance and particularly improve the

The 100-meter long World War II ship was intentionally grounded on the shoal, known in the Philippines as Ayungin, in 1999 to reinforce Manila’s sovereignty claims in the Spratly archipelago.

“The deliberate blocking of the Philippine government ships to deliver food and supplies to our military personnel ... is a blatant disregard for, and a clear violation of, Philippine sovereign rights,” the PCG said in a statement.

“More broadly, the PRC’s dangerous operational behavior directly threatens regional peace and stability, infringes upon freedom of navigation in the South China Sea as guaranteed under international law, and undermines the rules-based international order.”

What is unsettling is the incident happened a month after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made a state visit to China, when the Chinese leadership said it was ready “to manage maritime issues cordially.”

But the Chinese Coast Guard action spells out sophistry, plain and simple, as regards China’s reassurance when Mr. Marcos was in Beijing.

We know the government, through the Department of /foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and the Department of Transportation, will do the necessary to protect our people against undeserved intimidation.

Philippines’ deterrent capacity against unlawful incursions in our national territory,” Del Rosario said.

He cited survey results showing the majority of Filipinos are in favor of building a credible defense posture against unlawful incursions in our national territory.

The former top diplomat also recommended bringing to the United Nations General Assembly the country’s legal victory against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which voided Beijing’s claim of ownership over vast stretches of the South China Sea and reaffirmed the Philippines’ own maritime entitlements.

This is something that’s long overdue, from where we sit.

Del Rosario also welcomed the addition of four new sites where US forces can operate on rotational basis under EDCA, saying the development is in the interest of both the Philippines and the US.

There are five previously announced sites in Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu and Palawan, with the four additional sites yet to be announced.

We concur with the recent joint statement of US Defense Secretary Austin Lloyd and our Acting Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez that the agreement to add four more EDCA locations in the country “will allow more rapid support for humanitarian and climate-related disasters in the Philippines, and respond to other shared challenges.”

As a key pillar of the US-Philippines alliance, EDCA supports combined training, exercises and interoperability between the armed forces of the two countries.

If EDCA expansion as well as joint patrols in our EEZ will be a deterrent to bullying of our fishermen and even our Coast Guard and Navy by outside forces, then by all means the Marcos administration will be serving the national interest.

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

Philippines now a US warship with additional EDCA bases?

linked think tank CNAS in mid-2022 in an NBC “Meet the Press” broadcast, presenting plans of a future war scenario with China.

Rappler, Inquirer, Philippines Star and ABS-CBN did not report the news, which geopolitical analyst Dr. Dan Steinbock warns “would make the Philippines the only ASEAN country to suffer the potentially devastating repercussions of the possible war.”

Why did the DND or the DFA not issue any complaint against the US?

Is it afraid of being ignored again like when former Foreign Secretary Locsin demanded the US Embassy correct its tweet of “Sabah, Malaysia?”

During US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s visit, the DFA and DND proceeded to approve four additional sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, or EDCA, reportedly needed to protect the Philippine interest amid the escalating tensions in the South China Sea and Taiwan.

Why was there no mention of our claims in Sabah that has more Filipinos, actual territory and economically extracted natural resources than the West Philippine Sea, or Southwest Cay that Vietnam actually stole from the Philippines?

The US pledged a measly $82 million in “infrastructure investments” in the EDCA sites when the Philippines received $900 million from the US as compensation for

extending for five years the use of Subic Bay and Clark Air Base and for three smaller communications stations in 1983.

When the anti-bases forces were gaining ground in the 1990s, the US was even willing to extend $2 billion in aid.

Economic and developmental cooperation from China As a quick comparison of facts to answer the ongoing naysayers who continue to echo false information: China donated $150 million for Manila’s two newest bridges, with no conditions attached; waived another $100 million for a loan; and donated several hundred millions in vaccines and medical supplies that helped our economy stem the worst of the pandemic and open months earlier, saving us trillions! This is not including the hundreds of millions of dollars in investments and expenditures of Chinese citizens doing business and traveling in the Philippines (pre-pandemic), and the billions of dollars our Filipino producers gained as China became the top buyer of several Filipino agricultural products.

Objective analysts are now questioning whether the DFA and DND are moving to undermine the gains of Duterte’s independent foreign policy and blindly turning into reality what President Marcos Jr. reminded the Davos audience of the precarious situation of the Philippines, “when elephants fight, the grass gets trampled.”

Countries destroyed under US military occupation/interference.

Ukraine is a live example of a beautiful country destroyed, and over a hundred thousand dead, because it allowed itself to be the battleground of two giants.

The US military-industrial complex has default control of the country through Ukraine’s military, populated with neo-Nazis forces whose loyalty is to the US and not the people of Ukraine.

Most Western narrative of the conflict fail to account that a country was dragged into an unwanted war with her giant neighbor by US and NATO military alliance deliberately provoking Russia and the mass genocide of at least 14,000 Russian-speaking Ukrainians in the Donbass from 2014 up to now.

The US occupation of Afghanistan, Syria and Libya led to over 250,000 dead, with millions of refugees and nations left destroyed, while US “defense” weapons contractors profits are in the hundreds of billions.

The US “liberation” of Iraq based on fake news of WMDs (weapon of mass destruction) also led to another 1 million civilians dead, and a nation refractured into ancient old tribal and religious divisions.

Almost all unconstitutional, anti-democratic and chaos-resultant regime-changes all over the world have been orchestrated by the US and/or its allies through their obedient local military in those countries.

American political pundit Jimmy Dore, in Fox News with Tucker Carlson, which mainstream US media refuses to interview, reminds the world “US is the world’s terrorists, having set the Middle East on fire in the last 20 years, made a proxy war with Russia in Ukraine, and now predicting a war with China ... with the US having 800 military bases in the world, we’re the ones provoking for war!”

The Filipinos lost around a million people in World War 2 when the US and Japan bombed each other in the Philippines, and another million in the Spanish-American War, that was when our population was less than 10 million. Do our DFA and DND really believe the US will protect Filipinos in a war?

We must learn from the lessons of Vietnam and Ukraine in which countrymen (Northerners and Southerners and Russianspeaking and Ukrainian-speaking) were pitted against each other by the traitorous elements from within, in cahoots with the US military-industrial complex. Filipinos will be used by the US in a proxy war against China, up to the last Filipino pawn in its “GeoResource Stealing Chess!”

(The author is director of Phil-BRICS Strategic Studies and the chairman of Nationalist Filipinos Against Foreign Intervention.)

Focus on survivors after quake death toll passes 35,000

AMONG the rubble, hundreds of thousands of homeless people face cold and hunger as authorities in Turkey and Syria tackle the dire humanitarian disaster caused by the earthquake that has left more than 35,000 dead.

As hopes of finding people alive under the debris fade more than a week after the quake struck, the focus has switched to providing food and shelter to the vast numbers of survivors. According to the Turkish government, about 1.2 million people have been housed in student residences, more than 206,000 tents have been erected and 400,000 victims evacuated from the devastated areas.

In numbers: Invasion of Ukraine

WHEN Russia’s President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, he started a war that has killed tens of thousands of people, ravaged cities, and pummelled the country’s economy.

A year on, here is the cost of the conflict:

Military losses

According to the latest estimates from Norway, the conflict has wounded or killed 180,000 Russian soldiers and 100,000 Ukrainian troops.

Other Western sources estimate the war has caused 150,000 casualties on each side.

In comparison, some 15,000 Soviet soldiers were killed in a whole decade of fighting in Afghanistan from 1979 to 1989.

Ukrainian soldiers often use the term “cannon fodder” to describe the Russians sent to their death along the frontline.

They are often poorly trained conscripts who stand little chance against Ukrainian forces determined to defend their country.

Others are convicts recruited in

Russian jails to swell the ranks of Russian paramilitary group Wagner, who Kyiv and its allies say are deployed on nearimpossible missions with the equivalent of a gun pointed to their head.

The onslaught has also taken its toll on the Ukrainian side, as shown by the endless blue and yellow national flags fluttering above cemeteries across the embattled country.

Civilian losses

By the time Moscow’s forces seized control of Mariupol in late May after three months of heavy bombardment, the southern port city had been reduced to a sea of rubble strewn with dead bodies.

Kyiv said at least 20,000 Ukrainian civilians had been killed.

In total, some 30,000 to 40,000 civilians have lost their lives nationwide in the conflict, Western sources say.

In late January, the United Nations estimated that 18,000 civilians had been killed or wounded in the fighting, but said the real figure was likely

much higher. Ukrainian authorities say at least 400 children have been killed.

The United Nations says most of the killed civilians lost their lives during Russian bombardment.

Long term, landmines will also be a huge threat to civilians.

Kyiv says 30 percent of Ukrainian territory has been contaminated, while Human Rights Watch accuses Ukrainian troops of having planted banned anti-personnel landmines in the eastern region of Izyum.

Experts warn demining could take decades. War crimes

Several images have come to symbolise the war’s devastating impact on ordinary Ukrainians.

When AFP journalists entered the Kyiv suburb of Bucha on April 2, 2022, they found one street littered with the bodies of civilians.

One man had fallen onto his bike, another still had a shopping bag in his hand. Yet another had his hands tied behind his back. AFP

Romania’s sexcam boom in the spotlight

THE arrest of controversial online influencer Andrew Tate for alleged rape and human trafficking in Romania has shone a spotlight on the country's burgeoning sexcam industry. Within a decade it has ballooned from a niche activity to one of the world's biggest purveyors of virtual sex, with an estimated 500 studios popping up across the poor Eastern European

AFFIDAVIT OF SELF-ADJUDICATION

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ANALISSA F. GOMEZ has been adjudicated unto her sole heir ZENAIDA FELICIANO-GOMEZ consisting of:

• 1/22 undivided share in TCT No. 227588 (Tax Dec. No. F-01-0002-64871) Makati City;

• 1/22 undivided share in TCT No. 227589 (Tax Dec. F-01-0002-49380) Makati City;

• 1,240.53 sq.m. undivided shares in TCT No. 467764-R (Tax Dec. No. 09004-00308)

Bundagul, Mabalacat, Pampanga;

• 499.05 sq.m. undivided shares in TCT No. 467776-R (Tax Dec. No. 09004-00305)

Bundagul, Mabalacat, Pampanga;

• 454.38 sq.m. undivided shares in TCT No. 467777-R (Tax Dec. No. 09004-00306)

Bundagul,

country.

But the industry fears the investigation into claims that Tate – a notorious misogynist – and his brother Tristan forced women into prostitution and sexcamming will tarnish their reputation. Romanian sexcam operaters told AFP that they had no idea that the British-American kickboxer – who claims to have made millions from sexcamming – had a studio until the "scandal" broke.

"The Tate brothers are not known in the industry and have never participated in industry events," said Maria Boroghina, a manager at Best Studios, one of Romania's biggest sexcam operators.

A former camgirl herself, Boroghina is proud of her slick operation which takes up a whole floor of a glitzy glass building in central Bucharest.

The disaster has also exacted a psychological toll. In a tent city near the quake's epicentre in Kahramanmaras, father-of-four Serkan Tatoglu, 41, described how his family was haunted by their losses as they waited out the aftershocks.

"The youngest, traumatized by the aftershocks, keeps asking: 'Dad, are we going to die?'" Tatoglu said of his six-year-old.

Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay said 574 children pulled from collapsed buildings were found without any surviving parents.

Only 76 had been returned to other family members. One voluntary psychologist working

in a children's support center in hard-hit Hatay province said numerous parents were frantically looking for missing kids.

"We receive a barrage of calls about missing children," Hatice Goz said by phone.

"But if the child still cannot speak, the family is unable to find them."

In the devastated Turkish city of Antakya, clean-up teams have been shifting rubble and putting up basic toilets as the telephone network started to come back in parts of the town, an AFP reporter said.

The city was patrolled by police and soldiers deployed to prevent looting following several incidents over the weekend.

"Send any stuff you can because there are millions of people here and they all need to be fed," Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu appealed late Sunday.

In Antakya and Kahramanmaras, food and other aid supplies were flowing in, AFP teams reported.

The economic cost of the disaster could be as much as $84.1 billion, with nearly $71 billion of that for housing, Turkish employers' association Turkonfed said in a report Monday.

Neighbouring Syria, already racked by 12 years of civil war, is of particular concern.

The United Nations held an emergency meeting Monday on how to boost aid to rebel-held areas, as anger grows over a sluggish international response to the pariah nation.AFP

"This job offers you the opportunity to earn big" from your early twenties, she said as young women in bathrobes stopped for coffee after several hours in front of the camera. Boroghina said they had 160 women on their books. "The average monthly aftertax salary of our camgirls is $8,000 (7,500 euros)," about 10 times the average Romanian salary.

"Everything is transparent and legal," she added. "The girls work under contract and receive between 50 to 90 percent of the money" they make for the studio, she added. Clients pay between $2 and $10 per minute "for a private conversation with the girls," who broadcast up to eight hours or more a day.

Romania's startling success in the sexcam business has been driven by several factors, Boroghina argued. AFP

Cyclone-struck New Zealand declares national emergency

CYCLONE Gabrielle swept away roads, inundated homes and left 225,000 people without power in New Zealand Tuesday, as a national state of emergency was declared.

High winds and driving rain lashed the country's populous North Island, in what Prime Minister Chris Hipkins called the "most significant weather event New Zealand has seen in this century."

"The impact is significant and it is widespread," he said. "The severity and the damage that we are seeing has not been experienced in a generation."

Daylight Tuesday revealed the severity of the disaster: roads eaten away by landslips and collapsed homes buried in mud, silt and a slew of storm detritus.

Falling trees smashed power lines and floodwaters blocked several major roads, leaving communities stranded.

Local media reported some people were forced to swim from their homes to safety. Others waded through stormwaters on foot. Some were forced to shelter in place.

"During the night a huge tree came

down in front of our house, just missing my Ute. It blocked the road and we couldn't get out," 53-year-old Whangamata resident Brendon Pugh told AFP.

"It's been scary, I am an ex-coastguard but I have never seen anything like it in 20 years living here," he said.

"The water in our road was up to my shins, then waist deep in places. We were without power from 10:00 pm last night until about 3:00 pm today and we had no internet."

An estimated 2,500 people have been displaced from their homes, but that number looks certain to rise.

More than three-quarters of New Zealand's five million residents live on the North Island, where the brunt of the storm is being felt.

Some areas are still inaccessible by road and without power or telecommunications.

The main road between the capital Wellington and the country's largest city Auckland is closed. New Zealand's three main mobile phone networks said a total of 455 cell sites were offline. AFP

A MOMENT OF SILENCE. People light candles in front of the Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche) in the historical city center to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the bombing of Dresden, eastern Germany on February 13, 1945. AFP

Three dead, 5 wounded in

campus attack

A GUNMAN who killed at least three people and wounded five on a US university campus shot himself dead Monday after a massive police manhunt. Thousands of students at Michigan State University were ordered to shelter in place after shots were fired in a campus building in the early evening, leaving two dead.

The gunman fled to the students' union, where he killed one more person, sparking a major police operation as officers swarmed the 5,000-acre campus.

Just after midnight, police confirmed the suspected gunman had shot himself dead a short distance away.

"We are sad to report that there have been three confirmed fatalities," Deputy Chief Chris Rozman of the university's police force told reporters.

"This is in addition to the five victims who were injured and transported to the hospital. Some of those five victims still have life-threatening injuries."

Rozman said hundreds of officers from several agencies had been involved in the operation to try to find the gunman, releasing a photograph of a Black man in a baggy blue jacket, and wearing red shoes. AFP

‘Rebirth’ in Rio as carnival street parties return

COVERED in golden glitter, Brazilian domestic worker Vera Lucia da Silva is bursting to be back parading through Rio de Janeiro in a carnival street party, after a three-year hiatus for COVID-19.

This year marks the full comeback of the world's biggest carnival, after Rio hosted a watered-down version in 2022 – postponed by two months because of the pandemic, and held without the epic street parties known as "blocos" that usually swarm the iconic beach city this time of year.

MARDI GRAS

COLORS. A reveler of the street carnival group ‘Ceu Na Terra’ (Heaven On Earth) takes part in a carnival street parade at Santa Teresa neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AFP

"To people from Rio, street carnival is everything that's good in life," beamed Da Silva, as she paraded through the hillside neighborhood of Santa Teresa in a bloco known as "Ceu na Terra" – Heaven on Earth.

It was just after sunrise on a Saturday morning, but the beer was already flowing as revelers bounced to the beats of the bloco's brass band, decked out in sequins, body paint, sparkly hot pants and masks – the

costume-ball kind, not the COVID kind.

"Street carnival brings together people from all walks of life – everyone playing, everyone happy," said Da Silva, 58, who plays a traditional percussion instrument known as the "ganza" in the bloco band. Rio authorized around 400 blocos this year. They have been flooding the streets ahead of the main carnival event: the city's samba school parade competition, scheduled for Sunday and Monday nights.

Many revelers are also celebrating because it is the first carnival since the election loss of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right conservative whose critics accuse him of authoritarian tendencies and attacking numerous causes close to the carnival community's heart, from diversity to gay rights to the arts.

Some revelers poked fun at the ex-army captain, whose slogan was "Brazil above all, God above everyone." AFP

Stock index falls; MPIC, Aboitiz Power up

STOCKS fell for a second day, as investors geared up for the release of crucial US inflation data and contemplate the prospect of more Federal Reserve interest rate hikes aimed at cooling a still-robust US economy.

The PSE index, the 30-company barometer of the Philippine Stock Exchange, lost 47 points, or 0.69 percent, to close at 6,791.24 as all six subsectors declined.

The index representing all shares also went down by 11 points, or 0.31 percent, to settle at 3,631.65 on a value turnover of P7.37 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 103 to 84, while 43 issues were unchanged.

PSEi February 14, 2023

TOP GAINERS

Four of the 10 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Metro Pacific Investments Corp. which climbed 3.41 percent to P4.55 and Aboitiz Power Corp. which rose 3.38 percent to P39.80.

Meanwhile, Asian markets had mixed results as investors watched US economic data that could force the Federal Reserve to keep tightening monetary policy until they have brought prices

TOP LOSERS

MOST ACTIVE

under control.

The consumer price index is forecast to have dipped to 6.2 percent last month from 6.5 percent in December, according to Bloomberg. That is still well above the Fed’s target of two percent, and analysts said a higher read on the CPI could spark a hefty sell-off on markets, with traders already worried the United States could tip into recession.

“I would expect to see a little more apprehension, even anxiety, in the runup to the release after the jobs report left investors on edge,” said OANDA’s Craig Erlam.

“In an ideal world, slack would be gradually appearing in the labor mar-

ket as inflation steadily fell to two percent, allowing the Fed to take its foot off the (brake). As soon as one of these isn’t playing ball, the other has to up its game.

“A slight setback could be a major blow and leave at least two more hikes, maybe more, on the cards.”

Tokyo rose along with Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Taipei, Mumbai and Jakarta.

But Hong Kong was dragged down by another drop in Chinese tech firms, while there were also losses in Singapore and Bangkok.

Wellington barely moved as traders tracked developments after New Zealand was pounded by a strong cyclone that forced the government to declare a

Japan’s GDP grew less than expected in fourth quarter

TOKYO—Japan’s economy expanded just 0.2 percent in the last quarter of 2022, a smaller rebound than expected despite the long-awaited reopening of the country to tourists, government data showed Tuesday.

The figure for the three months to December fell short of the 0.5 percent growth forecast by analysts surveyed by Bloomberg, with the world’s third-largest economy growing 1.1 percent for the calendar year.

Japan reopened its doors to tourists in October after two-and-a-half years of tough Covid-19 restrictions, lifting a cap on the number of arrivals and ending a rule requiring visitors to come on package tours.

In 2019, a record 31.9 million foreign visitors came to Japan, putting the country on track for its goal of 40 million by 2020, when Tokyo was supposed to host the Summer Olympics.

Ford, Chinese partner to build $3.5-b electric battery plant in Michigan

NEW YORK—US auto manufacturer

Ford announced Monday that it will build a new $3.5-billion battery plant in Michigan, diversifying its battery offerings with technology from a Chinese company as it boosts electric vehicle production.

Ford Chairman Bill Ford and other company brass joined Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer at an event to tout the venture, which involves a partnership with Chinese firm Contemporary Amperex Technology Co.

Whitmer, a Democrat, touted the announcement as “another win for Michigan,” citing the addition of 2,500 new manufacturing jobs.

Ford had previously considered siting the factory in Virginia, but the idea was nixed by Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin in a move that was seen as a sign of Youngkin’s ambitions to enter the 2024 Republican presidential race.

Ford said the Marshall, Michigan project—located about 100 miles west of Detroit—will diversify the company’s battery profile away from its current exclusive use of nickel cobalt manganese (NCM), which is costly to produce because of raw material scarcity.

At Marshall, Ford will manufacture lithium iron phosphate batteries beginning in 2026. The technology involves less expensive raw materials and can tolerate more frequent and faster charging than NCM batteries, the company said.

Ford CEO Jim Farley announces at a press conference that Ford Motor Company will be partnering with the worlds largest battery company, a China-based company called Contemporary Amperex Technology. AFP

Under the relationship with Contemporary Amperex, a wholly-owned Ford subsidiary would manufacture the battery cells using lithium iron phosphate battery cell knowledge and services provided by Contemporary Amperex, Ford said.

The auto giant is targeting annual global output of 600,000 electric vehicles by end-2023 and two million by the end of 2026.

“Ford’s electric vehicle lineup has generated huge demand,” said Chief Executive Jim Farley.

He added that to get as many electric vehicles to customers as possible, Ford was the “first automaker to commit” to building both types of batteries in the United States. AFP

But in 2021, the figure plummeted to just 250,000.

“Japan saw moderate growth in Q4 2022,” Hiroyuki Ueno, senior economist at SuMi TRUST, said in a note before the data was released.

“Consumer services benefitted from an increase in domestic travel and a rise in inbound tourists,” he wrote.

“Exports were resilient, reflecting the easing of supply constraints on automotive-related goods and moves to restore inventories overseas.”

A cheaper yen in the last year may have encouraged foreign visitors to spend more in Japan, though it also weighed on the spending power of Japanese households and the bottom line of some firms.

“Enterprises dependent on domestic demand enjoyed cheap imports and could reduce costs,” wrote Ueno.

“However, export industries did not

fare as well. Overall, a strong yen is still negative for the Japanese economy as a whole but not to the extent it was in previous decades.”

External trade was positive for the quarter, compared to the preceding period, as exports improved and imports were tamed with the slight recovery in the yen and the cost of fuel.

However, inflation hit four percent in December, a figure not seen in Japan for more than four decades.

Despite the price pressure, Japan’s central bank has declined to shift gears on its ultra-easy monetary policy, convinced that inflation is being driven by temporary factors like fuel costs.

It wants to see sustained two-percent price growth to help turbocharge the economy, particularly through wage increases. AFP

national state of emergency.

Wall Street provided a healthy lead with all three main indexes ending more than one percent higher.

Strategists at Morgan Stanley warned equities could suffer sharp losses this year, however.

“While the recent move higher in front-end rates is supportive of the notion that the Fed may remain restrictive for longer than appreciated, the equity market is refusing to accept this reality,” the group, led by Michael Wilson, wrote in a note.

They saw the S&P 500 suffering a rollercoaster ride before ending the year almost five percent below Friday’s close. With AFP

High rent and gas prices keeping US inflation elevated

WASHINGTON—Rising rents, a gas-

oline price rebound and vehicle costs helped keep US inflation elevated in January, analysts say, amid signs that policymakers have some way to go in bringing prices down.

The US central bank has hiked interest rates rapidly in the past year to raise borrowing costs and cool demand in the world’s biggest economy, as inflation skyrocketed.

But even as the consumer price index, an important inflation gauge due to be released Tuesday, eases from last year’s decades-high levels, analysts warn of some stickier areas.

Overall, the CPI rose 6.5 percent in December compared with a year ago, furthering a steady decline from June’s blistering 9.1 percent reading.

The so-called core figure excluding the volatile food and energy components, however, has fluctuated over the same period. It fell to 5.9 percent in June, rose to 6.6 percent in September, and then slipped again.

“The area that I’m concerned about is services inflation, which is more related to the strength of the domestic economy, particularly the labor market, and nominal wage growth,” said Ryan Sweet, chief US economist at Oxford Economics.

Rental costs “won’t peak until the second half of this year,” while wage growth remains robust and there is still pent-up demand for services spending, he told AFP.

“During the pandemic, people shifted their spending away from services because they couldn’t go out to restaurants, bars, sporting events,” he said.

With Covid-19 restrictions easing, people are now turning back to services, which make up the bulk of consumer spending, Sweet said.

Economists expect overall inflation to have cooled further in January on an annual basis.

But they forecast the CPI to have risen 0.5 percent from December to January, picking up from a prior 0.1 percent pace. AFP

Ski-making becomes high art in land that scarcely snows

By Benoit Noel MALMEDY,

Belgium—In a land with no mountains and scarcely ever any snow, ski craftsmanship might not seem a priority.

But Pierre Gerondal has put the limits of Belgium’s geography and climate aside and carved out a respected place in the industry. His durable made-to-measure wooden skis have attained a peak of quality and are climbing toward the summit of success.

Gerondal’s workshop in Malmedy lies in Belgium’s eastern fenland.

What it lacks in crisp Alpine air it gains in the smell of Douglas fir, ash and poplar... the raw material of his craft.

“Most skis have a wooden core, but the big brands cover them in plastic. With us, everything that can be wood stays wood,” he told AFP.

Few European ski-makers still take this approach, and Gerondal’s specialty helps him stand out, especially in a flat country not known for downhill racing.

“The goal is to find the eight tree species we use as close to us as possible so that we can go and inspect the timber when it’s still growing in the ground,” he said.

“We choose the trees to have the most perfect wood for the construction of our skis.”

The craftsman, aged in his forties, finds promising trees in the Belgian Ardennes, and also across the nearby border in the forests of France’s Lorraine and of Germany’s Eifel national park.

“For skis, you need the heart of the tree, otherwise the blades do not offer enough resistance,” he explained.

Gerondal’s ski journey began barely four years ago. Before that, he had worked in advertising and then in yacht design.

He used this expertise in luxury woodwork when he turned towards his real passion, skiing—on water and, especially, on snow.

Hi-tech but artisanal

A craftsman with an environmentalist bent, and a skier since childhood, Gerondal decided to build himself a set of classic wooden skis. His friends were impressed with the outcome and he decided to turn it into

a business.

Things went downhill for two years as the Covid pandemic shut Europe’s ski resorts, but the reopening coincided with a jump in interest.

He has made a hundred pairs of skis over the last 12 months and plans to make 300 more over the next year -each pair needing 30 hours of painstaking work.

Gerondal and his two assistants regard themselves as high-tech workers but with an artisanal spirit.

“We are artists, because without the refined appearance, without the visual aspect that attracts people, we wouldn’t have succeeded,” he said. AFP

BLUE FLOWERS. A seller makes a bouquet of flowers for sale for Valentine’s Day in Hanoi on Feb. 14, 2023. AFP

Belgian designer Pierre Gerondal works at the Atelier Gerondal ski factory in Malmedy on Feb. 6, 2023. Gerondal is the only Belgian ski brand producing handcrafted wooden luxury skis. AFP

BUSINESS

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippine automotive industry expects sales to grow 10-percent to 15-percent in 2023 as carmakers agreed to bring in new models.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. said most of its members were confident of a more stable market as the height of the health crisis had passed.

“We are optimistic that growth will continue this year. We have seen the trajectory of sales growing last year. In fact, January was a good indicator of what is to come this year,” said CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez.

Cemex booked P1b in net loss in 2022

CEMEX Holdings Philippines Inc. said

Tuesday it booked a net loss of P1 billion in 2022, a reversal of the P726-million net income it posted in 2021 because of foreign exchange losses and lower operating earnings.

CHP said in a disclosure to the stock exchange consolidated net sales declined 2 percent in 2022 to P20.6 billion as domestic cement sales went down by 10 percent on lower demand and challenging industry dynamics.

The company also expects a flat to lowsingle-digit percentage decrease for domestic cement sales volume in 2023.

Cost of sales, as a percentage of net sales, climbed 5 percentage points yearon-year to 67.2 percent in 2022 on higher fuel costs. As a percentage of net sales, fuel costs represented 22.6 percent in 2022, an increase of 10 percentage points year-onyear driven by elevated energy prices.

“2022 was a challenging year, as economic and political uncertainty translated to unprecedented cost increases, while industry demand softened,” said CHP president and chief executive Luis Franco. Jenniffer B. Austria

DOE clears 5 renewable firms for grid impact study

THE Department of Energy issued clearances to four solar power companies and a biomass facility to undertake system impact study for the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines.

It said the five renewable energy projects, with a combined capacity of 900 megawatts, were granted clearance in January.

These include the two solar projects of Victorias Green Energy Corp. in Negros Occidental; the 560-MW Tayabas solar project of Solar Philippines Commercial Rooftop Projects Inc. in Quezon province; and Bohol Renewable Energy Corp.’s 20MW solar project in Ubay, Bohol.

It also approved Victorias Milling Company Inc.’s 70-MW biomass cogeneration plant in Negros Occidental.

The DOE in December also issued clearances to 10 power companies to conduct grid impact study, including six wind power projects of Energy Development Corp. Alena Mae S. Flores

TCI reports increased telco network switching

TELECOMMUNICATIONS Connectivity

Inc. said Tuesday it registered a double-digit increase in porting activities since the SIM registration process began on Dec. 27, 2022. Mobile number portability, or MNP, as a global practice enables a mobile phone customer to keep their number even when they switch networks or change their subscription from postpaid to prepaid and vice versa, free of charge.

TCI, the joint venture company formed by DITO Telecommunity, Globe and Smart Communications in 2021 to facilitate mobile number portability, said 28 percent more mobile users availed of MNP in January compared to the same month last year.

The January figure was also 26 percent higher than the porting activities observed in December 2022.

“We can only attribute this spike in MNP to the intention of mobile users to keep their number, even as they make the move to the subscription or network they wish to permanently register under their name under the SIM Registration Law,” TCI general-manager Melanie Arsua-Manuel said.

“This is how the convenience of MNP and the protection provided by SIM registration complement and reinforce each other,” she said. Darwin G. Amojelar

He said the 2023 sales would likely surpass the 352,596 vehicles sold in 2022. He said sales recovered from a 40-percent drop in 2020 to post a 31.3-percent rebound in 2022.

CAMPI aims to bring back sales to the pre-pandemic level of 457,110 units registered in 2019.

“I am sure there is pent-up demand and supply continues to improve. In fact we have many models coming this

year. That will really boost the sales for all brands. I believe all brands are really preparing for this year’s full recovery,” Gutierrez said at the sidelines of an event organized by Toyota Motor Philippines on Monday night.

Gutierrez confirmed that challenges remained such as the limited supply of microchips for smart automotive parts.

Meanwhile, TMP unveiled plans to reintroduce an iconic Asian utility vehicle model to serve the entrepreneurial needs of micro, small and medium enterprises.

Gutierrez said the company would revive the Tamaraw brand as a light commercial vehicle that could serve as multi-purpose vehicle for business and for family use.

“Strictly speaking, we are yet to come

to the part where we can call this vehicle by its model name. At the moment, this is just a concept that we are still working on, but we are yet to polish the vehicle details,” he said.

Gutierrez said this would create the possibility of adding a third completelyknocked down model in the Philippines.

He said that as the previous Tamaraw vehicle was a real work horse, the new CKD unit would be comparable to the same expectation of strength and reliability.

Toyota expressed hope that with supportive government policies on investments and the massive investments it made to create its own ecosystem in the Philippines, the third model assembly would be viable with a five-year lead

CREC in talks with investors for offshore wind projects

By Alena Mae S. Flores

CITICORE Renewable Energy Corp. is in talks with foreign investors to develop offshore wind projects totaling 3,000 megawatts, a top executive said.

“For wind, our focus is offshore wind, but it takes longer to develop of about 7 to 8 years,” CREC president Oliver Tan said.

Tan said CREC secured seven offshore wind service contracts from the Department of Energy with a total potential of three gigawatts.

“We are in talks, and I will stop from there. We are in talks because of the high capex [capital expenditures]. We are in talks with several interested investors,” he said.

Tan said offshore wind is relatively

new in the Philippines and requires an investment of about $3 million per MW to construct.

The wind contracts are in North Luzon, Guimaras and western Zambales.

“We started already...We need to install the wind map for the project to be bankable. We need to gather a minimum of one to two years—one year of wind resource for it to be bankable. That’s the immediate next step,” Tan said. He said the World Bank’s initial resource assessment for wind would be helpful to investors.

“So the World Bank already came up with the initial resource assessment, and based on the assessment the Philippines has a potential of 35 GW of wind resource,” Tan said.

Filipina-Dutch executive works to bring down remittance charges

A GROWING and robust team formed in Cambridge and headquartered in Brooklyn, New York at the start of the pandemic in 2020 is working to make sending money to the Philippines affordable, convenient and hassle-free.

TANGapp is an international peerto-per mobile payment app that enables Filipino-Americans and overseas Filipino workers in the US to send money to the Philippines with a flat remittance fee of 3 percent, which is one of the lowest in the industry.

“Our goal is to lower it even more,” said Rebecca Kersch, the Filipina-Dutch founder and chief executive of TANGapp. Kersch, a Harvard graduate, brought a team of 12 to the Philippines—their

pioneer market—this week. She said she aimed to further expand the team and reach more markets in three to five years.

Remittances from the US to the Philippines amount to $11 billion annually, but the costs each year represent about an entire month’s wages because of high fees, said Kersch.

Propelled by a thrust to help people like her aunt, who is an overseas Filipino worker, Kersch is on a path to make remittances a daily occurrence by providing an easy way to send money from the US to the Philippines.

“We started TANGapp so my tita, and millions of other OFWs, have an easier, more convenient and less expensive

way to send money back home in an otherwise lengthy and expensive process,” said Kersch.

Kersch and her team built an app that is easy to download, set up and connect to US bank for senders and PH bank or e-wallet for receivers. Senders can remit as little as $5, making it an innovative and true international peer-to-peer mobile payment app.

Filipinos abroad send over $35 billion to the Philippines every year. Recipients in the Philippines mainly rely on cash pick-ups which are costly and inconvenient. Kersch and TANGapp are working to make improvements in the industry by offering transparent low fees and a live most-favorable exchange rate.

time.

TMP senior vice-president and division head for marketing of new mobility and vehicle logistics Jose Maria Atienza said the new model had no form yet, except that its concept was to provide mobility solutions to MSMEs.

“What was announced was that we’ll have another CKD model in by 2024, but there is no definite schedule yet,” he said.

Toyota president Okamoto Atsuhiro revealed the company’s plans to assemble a new CKD unit in the Philippines at the sidelines of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent visit to Japan.

Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said Toyota broached the concept of a third CKD in late 2022.

PH automotive industry eyes 15% growth IN BRIEF

By Julito G. Rada

CONTRIBUTIONS to the Personal Equity and Retirement Account, a voluntary retirement savings program, climbed 30 percent to P329.55 million in 2022 from P253.35 million in 2021, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Tuesday.

It said the number of PERA contributors also went up by 16 percent to 5,100 in 2022 from 4,382 in 2021.

About 3,600 employed individuals contributed P223.71 million to the fund as of end-2022, followed by 721 overseas Filipino workers and 785 self-employed individuals who invested P60.58 million and P45.25 million, respectively.

The BSP launched PERA in 2016 under Republic Act 9505. It said that as of end-December 2017, PERA funds reached P37.15 million with 583 contributors.

Among CREC’s wind projects are Citicore Wind Cagayan Inc.’s 360-MW offshore wind in San Antonio, Zambales; 510-MW wind project in Zambales and Bataan; 440-MW PagudpudSta.Praxedes-Claveria wind project in Ilocos Norte and Cagayan; and 630MW and 460-MW offshore wind projects in Guimaras.

“So we have that for the long term. For the short term, we have five GW of solar projects that we will complement with battery... We’re targeting about 1 GW for this year, and then every year we’ll be commissioning at minimum 1 GW,” Tan said.

CREC is preparing an initial public offering this year to finance its 1-GW solar projects with a capex requirement of about $800 million.

PSE INDEX CLOSING

PERA is a voluntary retirement savings program that supplements statebased pension plans and employersponsored retirement plans.

It is considered a superior retirement savings option mainly because of the tax benefits it offers to individual contributors, such as tax exemptions on earnings from PERA investments; a 5-percent tax credit on the PERA contribution that can be used to pay for national income tax liabilities; and a tax-free distribution on qualified withdrawal of PERA investments.

A potential contributor only needs a tax identification number to invest in PERA. By the time the contributor reaches the age of 55 years old and an investment period of at least five years, he or she can redeem the PERA investment free of taxes.

The BSP started the end-to-end digitalization of the PERA environment in September 2020. As an online marketplace, the digital PERA facilitates greater convenience and efficiency by enabling Filipinos to open PERA accounts, choose among different accredited PERA products and settle PERA transactions electronically using their mobile phones or other digital devices.

istration took office in July 2022.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE country’s fixed broadband download speed improved in January on the back of the aggressive network rollout by telecom companies nationwide, according to Ookla Speedtest Global Index report.

The report showed the Philippines’ fixed broadband median speed improved to 88.13 megabits per second in January this year from 87.13 Mbps in December 2022.

It represented an improvement of 26.39 percent since the Marcos admin-

Mobile median speed slightly dipped as the country yielded a download speed of 24.59 Mbps from 25.12 Mbps the month before. Still, the latest download speed represented an improvement of 9.05 percent since July 2022.

“The NTC shall constantly work for the steady improvement of internet speed as part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s thrust to advance the country’s digital connectivity,” National Telecommunications Commission commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez said.

ABOITIZPOWER-EPI DEAL. Aboitiz Power Corp. expands its partnership with Emerging Power Inc., the renewable arm of Nickel Asia Corp. through subsidiary Jobin SQM Inc. via a power supply agreement that will provide solar energy to its retail electricity entities. Signing the partnership deal are (from left) AboitizPower head of retail James Byron Yu, AboitizPower senior vice president for commercial operations Sandro Aboitiz, EPI president and chief executive Ronaldo Ibasco and NAC president and chief executive Martin Antonio Zamora.

TANGapp founder and CEO Rebecca Kersch visits Manila to meet her team and introduce the remittance application to more Filipinos and their families.

HD Spikers snap spell, turn back Chargers

CIGNAK survived Akari’s furious first set fightback, endured a backand-forth duel in the next then took control of the third to fashion out a 2523, 25-20, 25-14 victory and break an early spell in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday.

The HD Spikers showed great mental and physical stamina to deal with the Chargers in the last frame following mind-draining, energy-sapping battles in the first two sets, pulling away midway through on a series of attacks from all angles. But they wrapped up the hard-earned one-hour, 38-minute win on two Akari service miscues.

Rachel Anne Daquis came out smoking and fired 11 points in a rare top-scoring performance for the HD Spikers, who drew nine points from Roselyn Doria, eight markers from Ces Molina and a combined 20-point output from Riri Meneses, Chay Troncoso and Chin Basas.

Throughout their charge, Gel Cayuna provided the plays and hustle and finished with 21 excellent sets and four points to clinch the game’s top honors.

But more importantly, the victory should fire up the HD Spikers, who stumbled with back-to-back shutout losses to the Chery Tiggo Crossovers and the defending champion Creamline Cool Smashers to launch their campaign in the season-opening conference where they placed third last year.

“We have been prudent in training to achieve consistency and we always work hard until the end to reach our goal,” said Cayuna in the vernacular.

The HD Spikers hardly improved to eighth in the nine-team field but will now have the momentum when they face the Petro Gazz Angels (1-1) on Saturday at the Philsports Arena.

UE fencers dominate national fencing tilt

FENCERS from the University of the East won five of six titles at stake in the cadet level events of the National Cadet and Junior Fencing rankings meet at the Philsports Hall in Pasig.

Sixteen-year-old Adrienne

Lising, who recently won a team medal 1st Malaysian Fencing Federation Minime International Tournament last December, led the way with her close 15-14 win over Meagan Co Say of Team Republic Fencing in the women’s sabre.

Her teammate Nash Felipe ruled the men’s sabre finals, with a 15-9 triumph over fellow UE fencer Christian Concepcion.

Irish Manaois, Von Ebert Gale, and Aubrey Fernandez claimed the three other golds at stake for UE.

Manaois prevailed over La Salle Zobel’s Martina Baccay, 15-13, in the women’s epee.

Gale got past Ateneo bet Jose Faber Cabrera, 15-10, for the men’s epee plum, while Fernandez bagged the women’s foil honors after hurdling Margaret Gervacio, 15-12.

Canlas Fencing student Marcus Antonio kept UE from pulling off a sweep with his 15-7 win over James Lim.

The tournament serves as the fencers’ preparations for the coming University Athletic Association of the Philippines fencing meet next week. Peter Atencio

Filipinas open Pinatar Cup campaign against Wales

By Peter Atencio

Filipino-American goalkeeper

Olivia McDaniel said this as she joined the Filipinas last Saturday to get sharp and ready for the Wednesday opening of the Pinatar Cup 2023 in San Pedro del Pinatar in Murcia, Spain. “These teams are ranked above us. These will give us a feel of the teams that we’re going to play in the FIFA

World Cup 2023,” said the 25-year-old McDaniel.

The Filipinas have taken a long break from their buildup since last year and the long layoff is expected to help them recover. McDaniel said a couple of practice sessions are expected to put them in game shape, when they meet the 32ndranked Wales on Wednesday.

“We were able to relax and recover after being busy last year,” added McDaniel.

The Filipinas are getting together again for their coming campaign in for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

McDaniel had a memorable performance with the Filipinas when they played a historic quarterfinal match against Chinese Taipei during the qualifiers last year.

The 5’8” McDaniel stopped two out of three penalties by Chinese Taipei and scored a penalty kick herself to help bring the Filipinas to their first World Cup.

Her sister Chandler is expected to return to action after spending many months recovering from an ACL injury.

Malaysian sets pace in PGT Q-School with 69

TAGAYTAY—Malaysian U

Minn Woon marked his first foray in the Philippine Golf Tour Q-School in style, putting up an impressive three-under 69 to lead Nilo Salahog by two at the start of the 72-hole elims at Splendido Taal Golf Club here yesterday. Woon, who moved to Florida at 16, played college golf at Fairleigh Dickinson University and won the St. Augustine Amateur title at St. Johns in 2018, banked on his superb allaround game to dominate the rolling, challenging layout he hardly had knowledge of. He birdied two of the first three holes at the back where he teed off and gained more strokes on Nos. 2 and 3 before holing out with a bogey on the par-5 No. 9. Still, his 35-34 card proved enough to net him the early lead

over Salahog, who birdied the first two holes at the front but scrambled with three bogeys against two more birdies in hot conditions for a 71.

Carlos Packing, a veteran inter-club campaigner, bounced back from a flawed backside 38 with birdies on Nos. 1 and 8 as he rescued a 72 for solo third, while Russell Bautista missed gaining solo second as he blew a two-under card on birdies on Nos. 2 and 3 with three bogeys in the last five holes at the front.

But the Cebuano bet still emerged the top amateur with a 73 despite dropping to joint fourth with Korean Kim Seong Guk, Japanese Toru Nakajima and Rene Menor.

Menor, who posted his first and only career victory here in PGT Asia in 2017, beating Thai Pasavee Lertvilai and American

John Michael O’Toole in sudden death, also fumbled in a backside finish, bogeying Nos. 15 and 17 for a 35-38.

Nakajima, bidding to regain his PGT card after winning the Wack Wack leg in 2013, had a quiet one-birdie, double-bogey round, while Kim also squandered a one-under effort with bogeys on Nos. 6 and 9.

The top 50 and ties after 36 holes will advance to the last two rounds where the top 35 will earn Category 6 berths and the outside 35 to be included in Category 7 of the 2023 PGT starting fields.

The new regular season will kick off on March 15-18 for the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic to be followed by the Iloilo Golf Challenge on March 22-25 and the second Caliraya Springs Championship on April 18-21.

Infinix PH is official partner of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League

INFINIX Philippines announced its partnership with international gaming developer and publisher MOONTON Games, making the fastest-growing brand an official smartphone partner of the Philippines’ biggest mobile gaming tournament, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League - Philippines (MPL-PH) Season 11.

Together with the Infinix NOTE series, esports fans can expect that the season will be even more filled with exciting ultra-fast gameplay action.

“The local esports industry in the Philippines has been a hotbed of talented esports players for years and our goal is to help the gaming community to grow and flourish. We believe that the partnership with MOONTON Games will allow us to showcase the best of both worlds – a smartphone that pushes the boundaries of mobile gaming and

an Esports community that continues to grow every day,” said Infinix Philippines Marketing Head, Joseph Cernitchez.

Filipinos’ passion and skill in mobile gaming have helped them establish themselves as leaders in the world arena over the years.

Infinix is aware of this expanding interest, thus it is committed to providing users with the entire mobile gaming experience. This further solidifies the role of Infinix’s NOTE series by providing competitive gaming specs that are essential in optimizing immersive gameplay.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League-Philippines Season 11, which will be happening from February 17 to April 16, 2023, is the biggest and most prestigious esports league that serves as the qualifier for the Mobile

GETTING a feel of what it’s like to play against top-ranked teams is in store for the Philippine national women’s football squad when it takes part in a competition in Europe for the fi rst time.

Cignal’s Chay Troncoso scores against two Akari defenders in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday.

Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup 2023. The new MPL-PH Season 11 features a total of eight franchised teams that will

compete for three months, including defending champion Blacklist International and M4 World Champions ECHO, which will vie for the championship.

Malaysian U Minn Woon

Olivia McDaniel

Cignal eyes payback, share of lead vs. Sealions

CIGNAL goes all-out not only to stretch its win run to four but also to get back at a familiar rival that has its numbers the past few months as the HD Spikers take on the PGJC-Navy Sealions today (Wednesday) in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Paco Arena in Manila.

The fancied HD Spikers are coming into their 5:30 p.m. clash ready for payback but wary against the Sealions, who have beaten them in the 2022 Open Conference of the country’s premier men’s volley league organized by Sports Vision and in the 2022 PNVF Champions League.

“We are very much excited na makalaban ulit ang Navy dahil every conference, every league natatalo nila kami. Last Spikers’ Turf, tinalo nila kami sa elims, sa PNVF Champions League tinalo din nila kami,” said Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor, whose wards seek to join the Iloilo side at the helm.

Navy ended the HD Spikers then 16-game win run in the Spikers’ Turf with a 20-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-23 victory, while also pulling off a similar four-set stunner in the PNVF tournament, 18-25, 26-24, 25-23, 25-21.

But one thing that could against Navy is that EJ Casaña, who steered the Sealions in those reversals, is now with Cignal.

However, former HD Spiker Owen Suarez is now Navy’s primary setter, looking to push them back in the hunt after winning just one of their first three matches.

Clamor fielded in all but one of his 14 players in their straight-set romp over the Air Force side last time out for “load management” but top hitter Marck Espejo, the only one who didn’t suit up, is expected to see action again to spearhead the team’s drive for a fourth straight victory.

Meanwhile, VNS aims to build on its morale-boosting five-set escape over National U-Archipelago when it faces the Airmen in the 3 p.m. opener.

While they are tops in digging department, the Griffins hope to finally get their offense going as they currently rank last in the spiking category.

“Mahirap talaga kasi mahina kami sa attacks pero number one kami sa digs so ang pinaka-goal lang talaga is maconvert namin lahat ng nadidig namin to attacks,” said VNS head coach Ralph Ocampo.

Klitschko: Russian athletes must denounce war to join Olympics

KYIV, Ukraine—Russian athletes should publicly denounce the war if they are to be allowed to participate in the 2024 Olympics, Kyiv mayor and former world boxing champion Vitali Klitschko told AFP Monday.

“Russian and Belarusian athletes can’t participate in the Olympic Games in Paris if they don’t say ‘no’ to war,” Klitschko said.

“If they publicly express against this war, they can (participate). But they’re afraid,” the former heavyweight boxer said.

Russiaand its ally Belarus, which allowed its territory to be used as a launchpad when Moscow began its invasion of Ukraine last February, have been sidelined from most Olympic sports since the war began.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a boycott of the 2024 Paris Olympics if Russian athletes are allowed to take part. Klitschko appealed to athletes to “tell your government to stop this senseless war.”

Kyiv has reacted furiously to the International Olympic Committee’s announcement last month that it was exploring a “pathway” to allow Russian and Belarusian competitors to take part in the Paris Games, under a neutral flag.

Olympic chief Thomas Bach said Sunday that he shared the “grief and human suffering” of Ukrainian athletes, but said it was not up to individual governments to decide who takes part in international sporting competition. Klitschko -- who along with his brother Wladimir held a range of heavyweight titles -- said people are either “for or against war.”

“I would be very happy to invite Thomas Bach to Kyiv, to Ukraine so that he can see by himself the destroyed villages, the cities, to see how many people are killed.

“He doesn’t understand... or plays some games with Russia.”

The Polish Sports Minister Kamil Bortniczuk on Thursday said he expected 40 nations to come out against the inclusion of athletes from Russia and Belarus in the 2024 Games. AFP

Injury won’t slow work for Mahomes in off-season

PHOENIX—Super Bowl

Most

Valuable Player Patrick Mahomes said Monday the right high ankle sprain he aggravated in Sunday’s victory over Philadelphia will not keep him from Kansas City’s offseason workouts.

Mahomes grimaced on the sideline late in the second quarter after limping off the field but returned in the second half with deadly runs and throws to spark the Chiefs to a 38-35 triumph.

The 27-year-old superstar became the first quarterback in NFL history to lead the league in passing yards during to regular season and then guide his club to victory in the Super Bowl.

The Chiefs won their second Super Bowl in four seasons and Mahomes improved to 2-1 in the NFL championship spectacle, winning in 2020 before losing the following year.

“It has been an amazing run these last five, six years and let’s keep it rolling,” Mahomes said.

Mahomes said he will be ready for the start of off-season training activities (OTAs) with the Chiefs in late May and early June.

Loman, Pacatiw favor Andrade over Lineker in ONE headliner

TWO of the top Team Lakay bantamweights are excited to see how the rematch between former divisional king John “Hands of Stone” Lineker and top-ranked Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade for the vacant ONE Bantamweight World Title unfolds.

Third-ranked bantamweight Stephen “The Sniper” Loman and rising star Jeremy “The Juggernaut” Pacatiw can’t wait for ONE Fight Night 7 on February 25, when the two bantamweight studs will settle their score at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

While both of them agree that this

fight will be one for the history books, they also agree that Andrade – who’s as skilled as he is brash – will get the job done this time around.

“Andrade’s confidence is so high right now. I feel like he’s gotten his groove and his striking is on another level now,” Loman said.

“His step-knee to the body is so lethal. That’s what makes him special— his knees, his kicks.”

In the first match, Andrade brought the pain to Lineker as he peppered his compatriot’s face with punches, body shots, and kicks.

By the third round, Lineker’s right

e ye was shut and he was nearly finished by an Andrade step-through knee. However, another knee landed inadvertently to Lineker’s groin and ended the match prematurely.

Still, that kind of showing in the first fight is hard to ignore, and Pacatiw expects Andrade to carry that confidence into this second fight.

“I think Fabricio has the mental edge now, and his confidence is at an all-time high. He has this mindset now of, ‘I wanna kill this guy,’” Pacatiw said.

“He’s really [pumped up] for this fight, because maybe he knows that

he rightfully deserved to get the win in the first match, but it ended with a low blow.”

That’s why they have no doubts that once the dust settles at Lumpinee, it will be Andrade hoisting the belt above his head.

“If you’re gonna ask me to predict, I’d still have Andrade [by] technical knockout,” Loman said.

“I feel like he’s just gonna pick up where he left off from that [first] fight.”

Catch all the ONE Championship action by downloading the ONE Super App.

SMART/MVP National CPJ taekwondo meet set at Ayala Malls

THE best and toughest taekwondo jins in the country test their skills and creativity as they battle it out in the SMART/MVP Sports Foundation-National CPJ (Carlos Palanca, Jr.) Taekwondo Championships slated February 18 and 19 at the Ayala Malls-Manila Bay in Paranaque.

Tokyo Olympics’ campaigner Kurt Bryan Barbosa heads the list of grizzled veterans in the tournament organized by the Philippine Taekwondo Association and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and MILO.

Several fighters to watch out for, include Mexico World Championships’ quarterfinalist Dave Cea and Joseph Chua, along with Laila Delo and Baby Jessica Canabal, as well as SEA Games multi-titled Elaine Alora.

Over 1,000 participants were confirmed to showcase their wares in the two events —Kyorugi (fress sparring) and Ponsae (Forms)—to be played.

The Kyorugi will feature Senior, Junior, Cadet and Grade School fighters for both male and female, while Poomsae will be divided into three divisions – Recognized Poomsae (individual), Recognized Poomsae (Team and Mixed Pair) and Freestyle Poomsae (Individual and Mixed).

The competition also serves as tuneup for members of the Philippine Team, who will compete in the ATF Taekwondo Championships scheduled on March 11 and 12, also at the Ayala Malls, Manila Bay.

It is also part of a series of qualifying meets for fighters vying slots for the national team, that will be sent to different international events this year, such as World Championships, Asian Games, Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games, World Cadet Championships, and the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia slated May 6 to 17.

The PTA invites parents and sports enthusiasts to enroll their children to learn the basics of the sport and witness the competition, which starts at 9 a.m.

“I’ll for sure be ready for OTAs and everything like that,” Mahomes said. “Obviously we’ll have to continue to rehab, continue the treatment that we were doing and just give it some rest. I mean, I think the best thing for it is going to be rest. Just try to make sure when we get to OTAs I’ll be ready to go.”

Mahomes indicated that one part of his usual off-season routine will suffer while he rests his ankle.

“The only thing that might take a hit is my golf game,” Mahomes said. “I’ll have to take a few weeks off of that.”

Mahomes first suffered the injury in a playoff victory over Jacksonville and felt the pain again after Eagles linebacker T.J. Edwards grabbed him by the legs to bring him down on Sunday.

“The only time it had that real hurt was when I got tackled it kind of rolled to the outside a little bit,” Mahomes said.

“Once you have that high ankle sprain, when any little tweak like that happens, it just really magnifies it...

“Luckily we were able to get into halftime and get some new tape on there and get some mobility back.

“It was something I was going to play through but I’m glad to get a little bit of rest on it now.”

Mahomes completed 21 of 27 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 44 yards, 26 of them on a late-game scramble to set up the winning field goal by Harrison Butker.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid, 64, said he will return next season but hasn’t deeply contemplated his long-term plans.

“I haven’t put much thought into all that,” Reid said. “I’m enjoying what I’m doing. (Mahomes) is a pretty good player so we’re doing OK.” AFP

WORLD SURF. Australia’s surfer Tyler Wright rides a wave during the women’s World Surf League Hurley Pro at Sunset Beach, in Oahu, Hawaii. AFP

Mayor of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, answers AFP journalists’ questions during an interview in Kyiv, amid Russia’s military invasion on Ukraine. AFP

Past participants of the SMART/MVP Sports Foundation-National CPJ (Carlos Palanca, Jr.) Taekwondo Championships battle it out.

Joey G scores new hit with ‘Letting You Go’

NOT every popular band vocalist who goes solo can score a major hit song of his own. But some distinctive voices have enough charm that fans expect them to get out of the shadows of their glorious past.

Music industry insiders are anticipating that Joey G’s new single “Letting You Go” is bound to be a breakthrough for the former Side A lead singer. The song has the balladry, and the kind of melody and lyrics that helped the singer establish himself as among the most admired recording and live acts in the annals of Philippine music.

Released on Valentine’s Day, “Letting You Go” is now accessible in digital stores. The song’s composer Ian Tan ensured that Joey G.’s new tune has pulled heartstrings in ways he is known for delivering.

After recently signing with Icons Music, a division of fast-rising Widescope Entertainment, Joey G wasted no time and recorded his first single under the label. Ian Tan also handled record producing, arranging, and engineering duties, with some valuable help from veterans Dante Tanedo (mixing and mastering), Arnie Mendaros (vocal backup), and Bobby Velasco (keyboard). The vocal recording was laid down at GIG music studio. Joey G’s first big move as the world recovers from a pandemic is backed by individuals who took a big leap at the height of a global health crisis by establishing a music label catering to both the excitingly new and the iconic.

Needless to say, he is in good hands under the guidance of Widescope president Vic de Vera, and music and entertainment director Neil Gregorio, along with the support of his managerwife Girlie Generoso

Joey G’s new label knows the worth of a Joey G. and believes in the depth of his talent and charisma. To truthfully say that in another way, the voice behind Side A classics “Forevermore,” “Set You Free,” “So Many Questions,” and “Hold On” has some more in his tank. Few in the biz have excelled in singing covers as he does with Joey Albert’s “Tell Me” and Labuyo’s “Tuloy Pa Rin.” His voice always owns a song as if he’s behind the original. What’s more if it’s a new track in search of identity?

A lot has changed since Joey G. decided to part ways with the group that gave him his first taste of fame, and several hit songs primarily associated with his voice. With all due respect to Side A, the group has remained strong despite his departure. Yet, in the context of the title of Joey G’s new single, it’s not easy for his fans to let him go and fade into the night.

“Strange may it seem, but baby it’s true/From the start I was already loving you,” said a couplet in “Letting You Go.”

Joey G and his fans can surely relate to that, while the new music in the digital realm is set to do its job of revitalizing a beloved man’s storied career.

Stream and Download: https://orcd. co/letting_you_go

Rihanna’s Super Bowl performance breaks the internet

RIHANNA made her long-awaited return to the stage at the Super Bowl with a careerspanning medley of pop bangers, but it was her baby bump that dominated the conversation.

The megastar appeared in the stadium midair on a floating stage, donning a clingy, all-red ensemble featuring a molded bustier —and a belt below what many viewers deduced was another mini RiRi in the making.

Representatives for the singer confirmed the speculation to trade magazines Rolling Stone and The Hollywood Reporter: Rihanna is pregnant with her second child.

The 34-year-old welcomed her first child, a son, with rapper A$AP Rocky in May.

Rihanna’s night on the world’s biggest stage offered a nostalgia tour of hits past. She delivered her club smashes including “Where Have You Been” to “Only Girl (In the World)” and the time-tested “We Found Love.” “Rude Boy,” “Bitch Better Have My Money,” “Work” and “All of the Lights” were also on the setlist, as a sea of

dancers performed stunning acrobatics. “Wild Thoughts” “Run This Town” and, of course, “Umbrella” and “Diamonds” rounded out the show. She did not, as many stars do, bring out any guest artists, commanding the stage all on her own. The evening marked a reversal after Rihanna had previously turned down the gig in protest of the National Football League’s handling of race issues.

But in accepting the coveted slot this time around, the Barbadosborn singer said it was “important for representation.”

Since releasing “Anti” in early 2016, Robyn Rihanna Fenty has taken a break from recording but has by no means taken it easy: she’s become a billionaire, parlaying her music achievements into successful makeup, lingerie, and high-fashion brands. AFP

Training the global spotlight on a Filipino film about nurses

By Patricia Taculao

“

‘Pag nurse ka at napanood mo ‘to, gugustuhin mo ulit maging nurse sa second life. Pero kung ordinaryong tao ka, papangarapin mong maging nurse—ikaw o ‘yung anak mo—because everyone wants to be heroes. Everyone wants to be appreciated,” were the words Dr. Carl E. Balita used to describe the film Siglo Ng Kalinga

As the producer of the film, through Dr. Carl E. Balita Productions, he promises that Siglo Ng Kalinga will tug on the audience’s heartstrings as they realize the relevance of nurses in society as they a particular level of care that brings patients comfort and security during times of ailment.

The film is the Philippine Nurses Association’s (PNA) cinematic offering to celebrate their centennial or 100 years of formation. Siglo Ng Kalinga touches on the life of Anastacia Giron-Tupas, the founder of PNA, and two other generations to highlight her life experiences, work, advocacies, teachings, and learnings as a nurse.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses served as the first and last line of defense against the virus. Yet despite their efforts and being named heroes, they’ve to receive the proper compensation to match their sacrifices. Nonetheless, Siglo Ng Kalinga hopes to inspire viewers and unlock their passion for healthcare to continue the long-standing tradition of Filipino

nurses being the best in the world while calling upon administrators to recognize the profession’s relevance.

In the meantime, Balita knows that the film can touch more people if given the appropriate platform to reach Filipino nurses overseas and represent their community globally. Fortunately, he has Nancy Hoff, the President of the Philippine Nurses Association of America Foundation (PNAAF), to support his lofty goal.

Napakasaya namin na magkakaroon ng ganitong panahon na makikita ng lahat ang tunay na mga ginagawa ng mga nurses sa simula pa. Kasi hindi lang naman kami nag-aalaga ng may sakit sa ospital, madaming madami pa

ang ginagampanan ng mga nurses dito sa mundo,” she said.

Moreover, Siglo Ng Kalinga doesn’t stop at highlighting nurses’ stories. Balita confirmed that he maintained his decision to strictly hire nurses with a passion for acting to play the character roles. It took a month to find the right cast, but it paid off. Who else could know what nurses go through than those in the profession themselves?

“They did not act, actually. They just did what they do and knew what to do,” Balita said.

Archie Del Mundo, the film’s scriptwriter and line producer, meticulously went through the

applicants until he found Joy Ras and Tads Obach for the lead roles. Seated at the director’s chair is Lemuel Lorca who is known for his previous work on local independent films. With the support of the PNAAF, Balita and Hoff decided to show the movie through screening venues in the United States. Part of the proceeds from the screenings will go to the PNAAF, the organization’s philanthropic arm. Balita also expressed his interest in participating in the summer leg of the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival with Siglo Ng Kalinga as an official entry. Siglo Ng Kalinga will premiere this April 2023.

Real-life sweethearts Andrea and Ricci Rivero star in new MV

REAL-LIFE sweethearts actress Andrea Brillantes and basketball player Ricci Rivero star in a music video released by SV Squad. Entitled “Sayang Tayo” for its EP Dear SV, the song is now streaming on its official YouTube channel.

SV Squad is an up-and-coming generation of young, fresh group of individuals who have been making waves on their own, producing tracks here and there. These individual talents were drawn into a singular, collective hip-hop / P-pop force. With this in mind, SV3 collaborated with hip-hop/R&B artist Mstryo and music producer Allegra to create a group together with JSE, Jake P, and Kxle. They are social media personalities and hitmakers with millions of followers on their respective accounts.

Led by Sam “SV3” Verzosa III, an architecture graduate and a businessman who owns a production agency, production rental services, importation, distribution, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and a clothing line. He is also the younger brother of Congressman Sam “SV” Verzosa

Like his brother SV who helps in various charities, SV3’s love and appreciation for local music and art has honed a way for him to give back to society by being very supportive of

the local music scene and providing opportunities to this special young breed of talents so that they can make a break on their own.

In return, he hopes that his support and initiative will eventually help him as well in expanding his vision of uplifting the mindset and showcasing the Pinoy Music and Fashion industry to a whole new level.

SV Squad has been making waves in the music industry since 2022. SV Squad has also collaborated with the likes of Miss Universe Philippines. Their latest music video collab, “Talk To Me Nice” just hit 3.4 million, “Nasasanay Na Ako” with 7.7 million views, and “Tito Tita” with 5.2 million views on YouTube.

Meanwhile, SV Squad remains unstoppable in all its creative endeavors. SV3, even while being busy propelling his own business empire to the forefront of local marketing. His clothing line, SV Merch is making a name in the field of fashion as well.

“We’ve been meaning to release more music with the goal of promoting good vibes and continuing to inspire individuals to explore their own passion,” Verzosa mentioned. That can only attest to the unstoppable velocity of this fast-rising artist, and businessman. As he said: “Aside from business, my heart also really lies in music and fashion. I also want to uplift those around me, especially young artists with potential. I was also a young one, dreaming of achieving something big and

there’s no better way to make that young kid proud than to give opportunities and provide platforms to others.”

Dr. Carl Balita (fourth from right) and Nancy Hoff (third from right) with the all nurses cast of ‘Siglo Ng Kalinga’

First-rate balladeer Joey G’s new song ‘Letting You Go’ drops in digital stores on Valentine’s Day, February 14

Real-life sweethearts actress Andrea Brillantes (right) and basketball player Ricci Rivero

SV Squad is an up-and-coming generation of young individuals making waves by producing tracks here and there

Rihanna breaks her seven-year hiatus with a live performance at the 2023 Super Bowl

Visual serenade

Celebrated artist Edgar Doctor presents a rare solo exhibit

A FAST-DISAPPEARING cultural form, the harana is a formal declaration of affection by a man to his beloved, expressed as a serenade at night. Often accompanied by his closest friends who would most likely be accompanying him with a guitar and other stringed instruments, the man’s song, often in the form of the soulful, melodious, and poetic kundiman, is heard not just by his beloved, but often by her family, and neighbors within earshot, making his romantic intent known not just to the object of his affection, but by the community in general.

Harana is a grand gesture that signifies not only affection, but the purity of intention, laid down most respectfully for the beloved, but also for everyone to bear witness to.

Edgar Doctor presents his exhibition as a heartfelt harana to those who would care to be touched by his paintings that, though silent and wordless, are nonetheless visually melodious with their lyrical abstract expressionism.

Layers of color, in various levels of transparency are punctuated with the rhythm of

flowing lines, jagged lines, and contrasting colors, imbibing a lively rhythm and complexity to each piece. Each composition is a passionate paean to nature in her attributes as nurturing mother, transcendent beauty, and sustaining love. In the words of the artist, each piece is “frozen music” which connects to the innermost being of the viewer.

A consistent art competition winner, Edgar Doctor has been recognized since 1960, when at 18 years of age, his work Grazing Carabaos won third prize at the Shell National Students art Competition. His work Rizal Monument would win him the grand prize in this same competition four years later. He would win subsequent accolades in the Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) Annual Exhibition.

Doctor’s foray into sculpture is also marked by the Best Entry Award for his Metropolis #2 by the Society of Philippine Sculptors in 1971, and Economic Aggression would be the grand prize in 1972 in the AAP Annual Exhibition.

He has had over 25 solo exhibitions and countless group exhibitions in various institutions and galleries in the country and

Edgar Doctor’s paintings are visually melodious with lyrical abstract expressionism

abroad, such as the International Exhibition of Drawings at the Triennial in New Delhi in 1978, The Festival de la Peinture in Cagnes Sur Mer, France and the VIII Biennial of Fine Arts in Valparaiso, Chile in 1985, among others. His works are in many important personal collections and a good number of institutional collections which include the National Museum of the Philippines, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Ateneo Art Gallery, De la Salle University Museum, GSIS Museum, The Central Bank Collection, The Philippine Center Collection, New York among many others. For his dedication and excellence in art, he has been awarded the Tanglaw ng Bayan Mayoralty Award in 1999 in Calabanga, Camarines Sur. He was recently awarded as one of the Lifetime Awardees of the 4th Las Piñas Kawayan Award for Visual Arts in 2021.

Edgar Doctor’s Harana is a call not only to appreciate and preserve the beauty of nature, but also to ponder community and how we live life in this fast-paced, impersonal city. It is a deep expression of the need for connection with ourselves, each other, nature, and the Creator from whom all these good things emanate from. Harana is supported by the National Commission of Culture and Arts and 10 Days of Art by Art Fair Philippines.

The vibrant ‘Alay sa Musika’

Layers of color, in various levels of transparency are punctuated with the rhythm of owing lines, jagged lines, and contrasting colors are dominant in Doctor’s pieces

Hope and homecoming

AS THEY say, everyone loves a love story.

Edgar Doctor’s Harana is presented by Art Lounge Manila at Molito Lifestyle Mall, Ayala Alabang, until tomorrow February 16.

Supporting artists and art lovers

PHILIPPINE Arts staunch advocate Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is back at Art Fair Philippines 2023 with more support for artists and art lovers alike.

GLAZING LIFE

BY GLAIZA LEE

Whether intentional or not, every love story we heard becomes an inspiration to anyone who dares to listen to the narratives, hoping that someday they could live and tell their own love story.

We consume even the most tragic love stories because they mirror the different facets of this complex emotion, and reflect our very own stories. Stories, such as Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, do happen in real life.

With a compelling story of star-crossed lovers propelled Romeo and Juliet to the status of the most adapted love story in the romantic sphere.

The classic story has been adapted into different art forms, performed in all theaters possible, and has been constant in cinematic works because its themes are something that every generation could relate to.

Notably, there’s West Side Story, with love blossoming between two characters amid the gang wars of the Jets and Sharks. Or the Leonardo di Caprio starrer set in Miami beach. The story is also brought to life with ballet movements, danced to the music of Sergei Prokofiev. Then there’s also the opera version, particularly by Charles Gounod

As the ultimate representative of all star-crossed lovers’ stories are there anyway new ways to tell this classic?

Apparently, there will always be, as far as British choreographer Martin Lawrence is concerned. For Ballet Manila’s 25th performance season, Lawrence gave a new take on this classic ballet piece.

“Romeo and Juliet is very heavy all the way through. I need some variety, some light and shade. It is a sad story. I don’t want everyone walking out the theater wanting to cut their wrists,” shared Lawrence.

Lawrance’s iteration of Romeo and Juliet is uniquely done in the modern Filipino setting, and pushes the envelope in so many ways. The contemporary imagining of this iconic ballet classic will have dancers dressed in cool, hip costumes, dancing to a mash-up of the original Prokofiev score and popular OPM tunes such as Apo Hiking Society’s “When I Met You” and Yeng Constantino’s “Ikaw,” among others.

“I wanted that texture and variety. It is challenging to put everything together and make sure that what I take from West Side Story connects with OPM music. I need it to flow,” said Lawrence.

“When I saw the first run-through in the studio, I’ve never been excited to present a world premiere. This was inspired by the Romeo and Juliet that Martin presented during the Tuloy ang Sayawan concert. He had a 20-minute version that premiered in Star Theater at that time. I wanted to expand that, and make it into a full-length ballet and make it a season opener in February 2023, perfect for Valentine’s Day and the National Arts Month,” shared BM artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde

Lawrence’s Romeo and Juliet will have its world premiere on February 18, 8:00 p.m., with matinee performance on February 19, 5:00 p.m.

After the tragic story, Ballet Manila presents the radical adventures of Don Quixote, featuring San Francisco

Ballet principal dancer Esteban Hernandez and soloist Katherine Barkman, who will dance the lead roles Basilio and Kitri, respectively. The shows will be on May 27, 8:00 p.m., and May 28, 5:00 p.m.

Don Quixote will be a homecoming of sorts for Barkman, who was mentored by Macuja-Elizalde from 2015 to 2018 and became a principal dancer at Ballet Manila before moving back to the USA in 2018.

Don Quixote was my first full-length ballet; and it is going to be my second one, too. I feel honored to be back at the company that set my career in motion. It always feels like coming home, with lots of love and joy. That’s what Don Quixote is. What I’m feeling is probably how Kitri would feel,” said Barkman.

She added: “This ballet is full of joy – inner joy, outer

joy—nd sharing that joy on stage, and to the audience. After a very harsh couple of years, I think we can use a little bit of joy and laughter, and love of life and dancing.”

Principal danseur Hernandez agreed, saying: “Don Quixote is my favorite ballet to perform. It has something for everybody—there’s romance, there’s comedy, action, and exciting dancing.”

Macuja-Elizalde shared why she chose this classic ballet as part of BM’s new season.

“My ballet teacher in Russia once said that a ballet company’s dancers get strong with putting up classical ballet. Honestly, the easiest to put on, with not many dancers, is Don Quixote. You can’t do Giselle if you don’t have 32 girls. And I don’t have that at this time.” Read full column article on manilastandard.net

For the love of art

ART and culture hub Shangri-La Plaza partners with ArtPh for its first-ever in-person group art exhibit SIBOL at the East Atrium. Curated by ArtPh co-founders art collector Lori Jurvida and television personality Christine Bersola-Babao SIBOL presents the works of emerging and established artists. The exhibit features hyperrealist works from young and talented artists from various provinces like Neill Christian Simon Onza, a Cagayanbased artist who went viral for his

contemporary take on Juan Luna’s Spoliarium; Nestor Abayon, Jr., an artist from Occidental Mindoro who earned praises for his painting of his farmer dad; and Jarren Dahan, a North Cotabato artist and a Fine Arts student at the University Of Mindanao who garnered attention also for his paintings of his farmer parents. Other artists joining SIBOL are Eloy Muñoz who already had a previous sold-out solo online exhibit with ArtPh called Kamay and Sonny III Tolentino who is known for painting cityscapes

BPI supports visual artists through partnerships and art lovers through the provision of greater access to artworks in art events such as Art Fair Philippines, which is coming back face-to-face from a three-year hiatus.

“As we appreciate the value of artists and their works, we also see the significance of collecting and keeping great artworks, which is why we at BPI continue to provide our support as well to art lovers who, time and time again, visit Art Fair Philippines and acquire valuable artworks,” said Jenelyn Z. Lacerna, the Group Head of BPI Unsecured Lending and Cards, Product and Sales. Art Fair Philippines 2023, happening from February 17 to 19 at The Link in Ayala Center in Makati City, will feature over 60 exhibitors from the Philippines and overseas as the art exhibition celebrates its 10th year. It is co-presented by BPI and Ayala Land, among other corporate supporters.

BPI has been the caretaker of more than 1,000 artworks by many prominent Filipino artists, such as Fernando Amorsolo, Jose Joya, and Ben Cabrera

One of the many galleries featured in the art fair is Art Cube, which provides a platform for talented young artists to showcase their works before an extensive roster of art collections.

The gallery, which will be located on the 5th Level, Booth No. 5, will feature the works of father-and-son Renato and Guerrero Habulan, showing a glimpse of ordinary people: iconic images of the masses, their dignity amid hardship, and as an inspiration. Renato, a post-war and contemporary painter, is one of the most influential and award-winning watercolor artists in the country. Guererro, a recipient of the Thirteen Artists Awards of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, combines different figurative styles and approaches—from hyperrealism to pop surrealism to the “ready-made” images of silk screen printing.

Also featured in this year’s edition of the art fair includes Celine Lee, who has been recognized for her work, including the Juror’s Choice Award of Merit at the Philippine Art Awards in 2020. She has a diverse portfolio that includes paintings, sculptures, embroidery pieces, and multimedia works that show her innovative use of different materials and media.

Art lovers can also check out the works of Winna Go, a finalist in multiple competitions in 2018, such as the LRT Art Competition, Shell National Student Art Competition, Metrobank Art and Design Excellence Competition, and Regional Winner for Philippine Art Awards. In most of her works, she gathers inspiration from the history of the Chinese diaspora, the richness of the Chinese and Filipino culture, her identity and positionality in society, and the beauty of nature.

and landscapes of his hometown Iloilo.

Award-winning contemporary artist Ted Peñaflor IV who paints surreal images featuring clouds and nature on canvas is also part of the exhibit. ArtPh, which started as an online fundraising auction, aims to support Filipino artists and enable their work to be more accessible to art collectors and enthusiasts here and globally through online auctions and exhibits. Its other two founders are broadcast journalist Julius Babao and motivational speaker and wealth coach Chinkee Tan

‘Kaleidoscope Experience’ by Edgar Doctor

Ballet Manila’s iteration of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is uniquely done in the modern Filipino setting

British choreographer Martin Lawrence

From left: Motivational speaker and wealth coach Chinkee Tan, television personality Christine Bersola-Babao, and broadcast journalist Julius Babao at the opening of ‘SIBOL’

‘Horse Men’ by Guerrero Z. Habulan