www.manilastandard.net
‘NOT AN INCH OF OUR TERRITORY.’
open carrier car – a tradition accorded the guest of honor during the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Homecoming 2023 in Fort Del Pilar Baguio City on Saturday, February 18, 2023. In his speech, the commander in chief assured Filipinos his administration will not surrender even an inch of the country’s territory to any foreign power. Alfred Frias
n By VITO BARCELO AND VINCE LOPEZ
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday said the Philippines will not invoke the country’s Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States after a laser-pointing incident in the West Philippine Sea by a Chinese Coast Guard vessel, saying it will only intensify tensions with Beijing.
Mr. Marcos, however, accused China of using military-grade laser against a Philippine Coast Guard vessel off Ayungin
Shoal on Feb. 6, refuting claims of the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines that
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THE Philippines will not cooperate with the International Criminal Court because it has a “good” and working justice system, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Saturday.
Mr. Marcos’ remarks came after the ICC Prosecutor’s Office urged the ICC Appeals Chamber to dismiss the Philippine government’s application for the suspension of the reopening of the drug war probe involving his predecessor, former
president Rodrigo Duterte.
Speaking to reporters in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City, Mr. Marcos said the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines, which he emphasized is a “sovereign nation.”
“My position has not changed. I have stated it often, even before I took office as president, that there are many questions about (ICC’s) jurisdiction, and what we in the Philippines regard as an intrusion into
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n By JOEL ZURBANO, MARICEL CRUZ, NASH MAULAN AND BOBBY LAGSA
The Philippine National Police will conduct manhunt operations against those responsible for the ambush on the convoy of Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto-
Adiong Jr. that left four of his police escorts dead as Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio and Speaker Martin Romualdez led political leaders across the country in condemning the attack.
PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said they are also suspending the “Permit To Carry Firearms Outside of Residence” (PTCFOR) in three Mindanao provinces
– Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, and 63 barangays in North Cotabato.
“I condemn the ambush that apparently targeted Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong in the town of Maguing Friday. As a nation, we should collectively reject this cowardly act of violence and demand that the perpetrators are immediately brought
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MICROSOFT’S nascent Bing chatbot turning testy or even threatening is likely because it essentially mimics what it learned from online conversations, analysts and academics said.
Tales of disturbing exchanges with the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot—including it issuing threats and speaking of desires to steal nuclear code, create a deadly virus, or to be alive—have gone viral this week.
“I think this is basically mimicking conversations that it’s seen online,” said Graham Neubig, an associate professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s language technologies institute.
DISTURBING EXCHANGES. A screenshot of the conversation of a New York Times reporter with the fledgling Bing chatbot. The New York Times Twitter account
“So once the conversation takes a turn, it’s
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determine if these were legally imported or not.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Saturday his administration will do a meticulous balancing act to protect the environment and enforce the country’s law on responsible mining.
In a media interview after attending the Philippine Military Academy(PMA) alumni homecoming in Camp Gregorio Del Pilar, Baguio City, the President was asked about his policy direction toward protecting the environment in the Cordillera amid
n By JOEL ZURBANOA CESSNA plane carrying four people went missing in Albay Saturday morning minutes after take off, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said as it declared the emergency to be in “distress phase.” Four people—one pilot, one crew, and two passengers—were on board the Cessna 340 plane with registry number RP-C2080 that left the Bicol International Airport at 6:43 a.m. yesterday. This happened more than three weeks
mining projects in the area.
He said mineral exploration and extraction are very important parts of his administration’s plan for the economy, even as he stressed the government does not want a repeat of the unfortunate incidents that happened in the past.
“So it is really a question of enforcing the law in terms of responsible mining and that is what we will continue to do. We will always make sure that the mining companies who come in, once they are
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after another Cessna plane with six persons on board also went missing in Isabela Province.
CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said communication searches with CAAP Air Traffic Service Facilities, Manila Area Control Center, Naga Tower, Clark Tower, and Sangley Airport yielded negative results for any information on the aircraft. Concerned agencies and authorities such as the local government unit of Camalig, Philippine Air Force (PAF), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Office of
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‘Angry’ chatbot just mimicking humans—experts
Cessna plane missing, 4 on boardBIG HAUL. Personnel from Bureau Of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (BOC-CIIS) together with the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and the Philippine Coast Guard inspected several warehouses and storage facilities in Manila and Malabon, flagging some 300 metric tons of suspected smuggled onions, garlic and mung beans amounting to more than P100 million on Saturday. The produce will be the subject of a joint investigation to Danny Pata President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rides an
CHARTER change proponents have continued conducting public consultations notwithstanding President Marcos’ earlier pronouncement that amending the Constitution is not a priority of his administration.
On Saturday, the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments held public dialogues in San Jose Del Monte City in Bulacan on legislative measures seeking to rewrite the Constitution.
SPEAKER Martin Romualdez has said the House of Representatives is considering several judicial reform bills to speed up the administration of justice in the country, Romualdez made the statement during the 19th National Convention of Lawyers and the golden jubilee celebration of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, of which he is a member.
passed on December 8, 1930, which “has served us well.”
“However, with globalization and the
THE Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) is unlikely to allow the showing of the film “Plane” in Philippine theaters due to the bad image it portrayed about the Philippines.
Meanwhile, organizers of the first summer Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) scheduled in April have started accepting movie entries.
Senator Robinhood Padilla raised the possibility of disallowing the movie “Plane” to be shown in domestic theaters as he called for the ban of the film.
Padilla on Saturday said he received a commitment from MTRCB officials led by chairperson Diorella Sotto, when they met at his Senate office on Friday.
“Yes, they told me they have talked to the film’s Philippine distributor. And now we want to write the producers of the film,” Padilla said in a radio interview when asked if he received a commitment from the MTRCB not to allow the showing of the film in the Philippines.
Padilla thanked Sotto for her promise to call the attention of the film’s Philippine distributor. He said he explained to Sotto his reasons for calling for a ban on the film.
birth of the internet in 1983, many of the injustices that society endures at present, like cybercrime and transnational crime, are simply beyond the ambit of the Revised Penal Code to address,” he said.
He commended the inter-agency Code of Crimes Committee, headed by retired Sandiganbayan presiding justice Edilberto Sandoval, for drafting the proposed Code of Crimes.
The Speaker said the draft code provides, among others, a new system of penalties that may be imposed for proven criminal activities, including community service and more realistic fines and other penalties.
It also proposes to modernize the
penal terminology, incorporate the Dangerous Drugs Act, and define and include cybercrime.
He thanked the Sandoval committee for exercising prudence in “leaving certain matters to the discretion of Congress, such as the imposition of the death penalty and the like.”
Romualdez said in recognizing the “inherent risks in the practice of law,” the House is tackling a bill that seeks “to protect the practice through the imposition of stiffer penalties for the killing of members of the bench and bar.”
Another bill proposes to grant hazard pay to regional trial court judges and prosecutors.
Nearly 700 participants from various sectors attended the event hosted by SJDM City Rep. Florida Robes and her husband, Mayor Arthur Robes at the City Convention Center in Barangay Sapang Palay Proper. Robes, chair of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, said the consultation was important to get the views of the people on proposals to amend the 1987 Constitution some of which provisions, according to her, are no longer attuned to the current times.
“Kailangan natin ito upang masigurado na ang inaamyendahang Konstitusyon ay matibay. Tatlumpu’t anim na taon na ang nakalilipas at marami na ang nagbago at maraming dapat ayusin,” the lawmaker pointed out.
“Ang layunin ng pampublikong konsultasyon ay malaman ang saloobin ng nakararami kung dapat nga bang magkaroon ng repormang konstitusyunal sa anumang pamamaraan gagawin ang reporma at ano ang mga iminumungkahing reporma. Kabilang dito ang pagsulong ng repormang makapagpapabuti sa ekonomiya ng bansa kagaya ng pagluwag sa investment barriers,” she added.
“Hindi maikakaila na kailangan natin ng reporma kaya tayo ay magkakaisa sa pagsulong ng repormang makatutulong sa ating mahal ng Pangulong Bongbong Marcos at higit sa lahat para sa isang matatag na pamayanan ng Pilipinas.” Maricel V. Cruz
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intercepted some P90 million worth of smuggled sugar and cigarettes contained in five container vans at the Manila International Container Port (MICP). Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said the shipment was discovered
after the Bureau conducted physical examination of five shipments at the MICP.
The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-MICP (CIIS-MICP) recommended the issuance of Alert Orders (AOs) after receiving information about the shipments—three of which were from Hong Kong, and two from China. Examinations revealed an estimated
P90,442,850 worth of smuggled cigarettes and sugar inside the five vans.
The shipments arrived between January 5, 2023, and February 12, 2023.
“These contrabands threaten the economy and put Filipino consumers at risk. I’d like to assure everyone that we are equally relentless in our efforts to keep our borders secure from these smuggling activities, Rubio said.
He said the agency had been “actively
monitoring” information about shipments that possibly contain smuggled goods in an intensified effort to curb the entry of contraband and illegal products into the country.
“We cannot stress it enough: it is unlawful to bring products into the Philippines without the proper permits. By now, these unscrupulous groups should understand the severity of our non-stop campaign against their illegal activities,” he said.
CAMARINES Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte on Saturday pushed for the passage of a bill imposing stiff taxes on gun owners in order to reduce the number of firearms in private hands.
Villafuerte, principal author of House Bill 367, said the imposition of higher taxes on guns held by persons “who are not in law enforcement” will raise funds for programs against gun violence.
JOB FAIR. Job hunters go over the lists of job openings offered by various companies that took part in the Pasig Mega Job Fair at the SM City East Ortigas, Pasig City. Vice-Mayor Robert Jaworski Jr. led the ribbon-cutting for the event, joined by SM City assistant vice president for operations John Brian Tarnate. Norman Cruz
THE Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) have sealed an agreement to strengthen the protection of intellectual property (IP) rights and enable more effective implementation of pertinent policies.
In a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by MIAA general manager Cesar Chiong and IPOPHL director gen-
eral Rowel Barba, the two agencies agreed to consolidate information and facilitate cooperation for the prevention and suppression of the importation, exportation, sale, and distribution of counterfeit and pirated goods, products, or materials.
The MOU was meant to identify new measures to create more comprehensive and systematic mechanisms that will suppress IP infringement and foster collabo-
ration on how such new measures can be operationalized.
“With this new partnership, MIAA can finally participate in training sessions on IPR, laws and optical media piracy that will equip our personnel with the knowledge and expertise that will ensure effective enforcement of IP laws in the country’s main gateway,” Chiong said. Joel E. Zurbano
FOLLOWING the success of its initial thanksgiving concert in Cebu City, Tingog party-list rocked the people of Tagum City in Davao del Norte with the second leg of its musical extravaganza on February 17,2023.
Staged at the City Hall Square in Tagum, the “Tingog ng Pasasalamat” concert drew
a crowd of thousands, similar to the rousing reception of the first leg in the series of such performances held last February 12, 2023 in the “Queen City of the South.”
The series of free concerts kicked off in the Love Month of February featuring a powerhouse cast of performers as a
gesture of thanksgiving by Tingog Party-list not only to its supporters but to the Filipino people, in general.
By virtue of the votes it received in the 2022 national elections, Tingog party-list gained two seats in the House of Representatives. Maricel Cruz
The bill, co-authored by three fellow congressmen from Camarines Sur, namely, Miguel Luis Villafuerte and Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata of Camarines Sur and Bicol Saro Rep. Nicolas Enciso VII,I seeks amendments to the 2013 law on firearms and ammunitions to make gun ownership costlier by imposing a 10 percent tax on small firearms or handguns, ammunition and accessories, and a higher 11 percent tax
on other firearms along with the ammunition of, and add-ons or accessories.
The proponents envisioned the additional revenues to be generated by their measure to be used exclusively for promoting responsible gun ownership, reducing firearms-related violence, and other programs enhancing peace and order in communities.
“Our bill uses a novel approach to address this peace-and-order issue,” Villafuerte said of HB 3367. “Through a market-based strategy, HB 3367 aims to reduce the number of guns in circulation by raising the cost of ownership while using tax revenue to actually promote preventive and capacity-building measures for the professionals responsible for regulating the gun industry in the country.”
THE FUTURE IS HERE. With more and more people acquiring electricity-powered cars (e-vehicle), the SM malls chain introduced the first e-vehicle charging station in Cagayan de Oro City, offering services free of charge as a manifestation of support to the government’s program to promote the use of renewable energy. The charging stations are installed in SM CDO Downtown Premier and SM CDO Uptown malls. Danny Pata
NOTHING is ever deleted or forgotten on the internet.
Turkish officials learned that the hard way when grieving users began sharing old tweets and videos embarrassing for the government after last week’s disastrous earthquake.
One clip shows President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulating officials for adopting an amnesty law in 2018 forgiving faults in nearly six million buildings that failed safety regulations.
Filmed during rallies in Hatay, Kahramanmaras and Malatya – all areas badly affected by the February 6 disaster – Erdogan boasted that he had “solved the problem” for residents to stay in their homes.
“We have seen many similar Twitter accounts created since the mid-2010s, because after the 2016 coup attempt, the government tried to reset the collective memory,” said Sarphan Uzunoglu, communications professor at Istanbul’s Bilgi University.
Following a media crackdown, “newspapers destroyed their archives to remove certain words they used in the past and that they now consider improper,” Uzunoglu added.
Erdogan unleashed a sweeping crackdown after the 2016 failed coup that placed much of the media under the government’s and its business allies’ control. Opposition and independent media have published images and reports
damaging for the government, but these never make it on Turkish television news.
Mainstream channels broadcast a continuous loop of rescue footage in the first 10 days.
This is because of self-censorship, said Uzunoglu.
Turkey in October passed a law punishing the dissemination of “fake news” by up to three years in prison.
According to Reporters Without Borders, Turkey ranked 149 out of 180 for press freedom in 2022.
“All possible means are used to undermine critics,” RSF said.
But it is not easy for officials to keep users from sharing archive images.
“These types of accounts can be created again and again,” Uzunoglu said, adding that he believed some of them are fed by Erdogan’s opponents – including those in exile.
A gunman killed six people in the southern US state of Mississippi on Friday, prompting President Joe Biden to call again for tightened gun restrictions only days after he pleaded for action following a deadly university shooting. Police in Mississippi said a man shot and killed a person at a store in the small town of Arkabutla, then went to a nearby house and killed a woman, according to local media.
CNN later reported, citing the county sheriff, that the woman was his ex-wife. Police then tracked down his vehicle to a home later determined to belong to the suspect, and found two more men killed nearby, Sheriff Brad Lance told CNN. The fifth and sixth person, a man and a woman, were found shot and killed in a neighboring house, and were possibly related to the suspect, who was detained as he attempted to flee, Lance said. AFP
Erdogan’s popularity over his two-decade rule rested on his ability to create an affluent new middle class and modern, affordable housing in an underdeveloped region.
rule rested on his ability to create an affluent
But those comments, while well-received by people who avoided losing their homes at the time, now look ill-conceived.
Experts say that contractors’ failure to comply with building codes in the earthquake-prone region explain the huge death toll, which has climbed above 38,000 in Turkey and approached 3,700 in Syria.
“Buildings kill people, not earthquakes. We must learn to live with earthquakes... and take measures accordingly,” Erdogan tweeted in 2013, when he was prime minister.
That tweet has now been shared thousands of times.
In another viral video from 2011, former finance minister Mehmet Simsek explained that a special “earthquake tax” introduced after the 1999 quake that killed around 17,000 people in northwestern Turkey was used to pay for roads and hospitals.
The tax was intended to prepare cities to better withstand earthquakes.
One viral video from 2019 showed Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu conducting an earthquake simulation exercise for Kahramanmaras residents.
The clip showed a damaged building in one shot, with a sign nearby saying Saffron Hotel. Reality sadly caught up with fiction: an eight-storey hotel named Saffron in Kahramanmaras collapsed on February 6. AFP
A PAINTING by Marc Chagall, stolen by Nazis in occupied Poland and returned last year to the owner’s family who quickly auctioned it off, is on display through 2023 at the Jewish Museum in New York. The oil on canvas, which the Russian-born Chagall painted of his father in 1911 after moving to Paris, was sold last November for $7.4 million at the Phillips auction house, capping a tumultuous history. Purchased in 1928 by Polish-Jewish violin maker David Cender, “The Father” was left behind when his family was forced to move to the Lodz ghetto. Deported to Auschwitz, where his wife and daughter were killed, Cender survived and moved to France in 1958, where he died less than a decade later without regaining possession of the painting. AFP
maz, with 720,000 followers, has posted
A popular Twitter account, @ArsivUnutmaz, with 720,000 followers, has posted more than 50 similar videos, photos and old documents since the tremor.
Many have been shared tens of thousands of times and received millions of views.
PBBM:.. it was an ordinary greenlight pointer that can be bought online and used in a classroom.
“If we activate that, what we are doing is escalating, intensifying the tensions in the area and I think that would be counterproductive,” the commanderin-chief said in a media interview after attending the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) alumni homecoming in Baguio City yesterday.
“Besides, despite the fact that it was a military-grade laser that was pointed at our Coast Guard, I do not think that that is sufficient for it to trigger the Mutual Defense Treaty,” he added.
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, who was earlier summoned by Mr. Marcos over the laser-pointing incident, said the laser used by the Chinese Coast Guard was an ordinary one used to detect distance and speed.
“It was not a military-grade laser... Of course we have no intention to harm any person,” Huang said.
Prior to Mr. Marcos’ remarks Saturday, the PCG and the Department of Foreign Affairs rejected Huang’s version of the incident.
Mr. Marcos said he reminded Huang that laser-pointing is not something that close friends will do to each other.
“I said that the laser-pointing incident was only a part of what we are seeing as intensifying or escalating of the actions of the militia– the marine militia of China, the coast guard of China, and the navy of China. Actually I said we have to find a way around this because if we
are such close friends such as China and the Philippines, these are not the kind of incidents that we should be talking about between the President and the Ambassador to the Philippines from China,” the President said.
“And I reminded him that this was not what we agreed upon with President Xi (Jinping) when I visited him in Beijing. So we are hoping that we can find a better way rather than these incursions into our maritime territory and the rather aggressive acts that we have been seeing in the past few weeks and months,” Mr. Marcos added.
He said the Philippines is “in constant contact with our treaty partners, not only with the United States but also our ASEAN partners and our partners here in Asia.”
PRESIDENT... our internal matters and a threat to our sovereignty,” he said.
“I do not see what their jurisdiction is. I feel that we have in our police and our judiciary a good system. We do not need assistance from any outside entity.”
“The Philippines is a sovereign nation and we are not colonies anymoreof this former imperialist. So that is not something that we consider to be a legitimate judgment. So until those questions of jurisdiction and the effects on the sovereignty of the Republic are sufficiently answered, I cannot cooperate with them,” the President added.
Earlier this week, Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led her fellow Pampanga legislators and 15 other congressmen in urging the 19th Congress to rally behind Duterte. Arroyo, a former President, led 19
PART OF THE HEALING. A volunteer of Bonyan Organization in costume of clown plays with a child during an entertainment show for Syrian and Turkish children in a school in the city of Gaziantep, where they have been displaced, to get them out of the psychological effects of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake which struck parts of Turkey and Syria. AFP
PRESIDENT Joe Biden will be “messaging” Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin when he speaks in Warsaw next week, while hailing NATO’s unprecedented effort to help Ukrainians save their country as the war reaches the one-year mark.
The White House says Biden will give the speech in Poland – a key US ally and fulcrum of vast efforts to arm Ukraine and receive refugees – on Tuesday.
That’s the same day Putin is set to give his own speech in Moscow, three days from the February 24th anniversary of Russian tanks rolling into Ukraine.
A year ago, the world looked on in horror as a huge Russian force headed directly towards Ukraine’s capital Kyiv for what Moscow planned to be a rapid conquest, leading to capitulation and installation of a pro-Russian
legislators in filing House Resolution 780, which called on the House of Representatives to declare “unequivocal defense of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.” HR 780 emphasized that Duterte’s “remarkable accomplishments brought about by his relentless campaign against illegal drugs, insurgency, separatism and terrorism, corruption in government and criminality” made the life of Filipinos “better, comfortable and peaceful.”
MORE... to justice. I commiserate with the bereaved families of the four security escorts of Gov. Adiong who died in the ambush,” Duterte-Carpio said.
Romualdez added: “This senseless act of violence has no place in a civilized society like ours.”
“I want the gunmen identified and whoever is the mastermind unmasked. I want them all to be placed behind bars and brought to the bar of justice as soon as possible. I call on our law enforcement agencies: waste no time in running after the perpetrators of this dastardly crime. They need to restore peace and order in the province immediately,” the House Speaker said. “I grieve with the families of those who were killed and I pray for the safety and speedy recovery of our dear governor. We, in the Lakas-CMD, will extend all assistance necessary,” he added.
Adiong is a member of Lakas-CMD – the political party of the Vice President and the House Speaker.
The governor is the vice president of Lakas-CMD for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. According to a statement from the
NORTH Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile Saturday which landed in Japan’s exclusive economic zone, Seoul and Tokyo said, after Pyongyang warned of a strong response to upcoming USSouth Korean military drills.
The launch, Pyongyang’s first in seven weeks, comes days before Seoul and Washington are due to start joint tabletop exercises aimed at improving their response in the event of a North Korean nuclear attack.
regime.
Instead, Biden will be commemorating the partnership between NATO countries and what was to many an unexpectedly well-organized Ukrainian military, which has not only repelled Russian forces from the capital but recaptured swaths of territory.
Biden will touch down in Warsaw on Tuesday and meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda. On Wednesday he meets with leaders of the Bucharest Nine, a group of NATO members in eastern Europe – Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
In addition, he will speak by phone next week with the leaders of Britain, France and Italy, the White House said. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is due in Washington on March 3. AFP
governor’s office Friday night, Adiong is “safe and out of danger” and is in “very stable condition.”
Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said the PNP will conduct manhunt operations to immediately capture the suspects.
GOV’T... finished mining, that they leave the site in the same condition as it was when they found it,” the President said.
“In terms of protecting the environment, it’s very clear that the position of this government has always been an important part of all our policies – that we are environmentally conscious, that we are moving the economy toward green technologies. We are moving our production of power towards renewables,” he said.
The President said the Philippines can now monetize its forest cover— giving it a peso value or a dollar value – and also take advantage of being more active in promoting and monitoring, regulating and encouraging the care of its forests.
“So in that regard, all our forest cover is important and must remain– that is giving the Philippines, we fall into the category of a carbon sink country because of our forest cover, and so that is a very valuable asset for the Philippines," he added.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources oversees 15 million hectares of land classified as forestlands.
CESSNA... Civil Defense (OCD), and National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council (NDRRMC) have been informed about the incident and are coordinating with CAAP in the search and
Japan said North Korea “fired one ICBM-class ballistic missile” which flew for some 66 minutes before landing in the country’s exclusive economic zone, chief government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters.
Tokyo’s defense minister Yasukazu Hamada said the missile could have had the capacity to fly 14,000 km (8,700 miles)—which would mean it was capable of hitting anywhere on the mainland United States.
Seoul’s military told AFP it had detected the launch of an ICBM, which was fired on a lofted trajectory—up instead of out, typically done to avoid overflying neighbouring countries—and flew some 900 kilometers (560 miles).
“Detailed specifications are being closely analysed by South Korea-US intelligence authorities,” it added in a statement. AFP
rescue (SAR) operations for the aircraft. “CAAP has also dispatched officers from its Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board (AAIIB) to assist in the emergency that is now in Distress Phase,” said Apolonio.
The Manila-bound flight’s last contact with the air traffic control was at 6:46 a.m. while abeam the Camalig Bypass Road.
In January, the Cessna 206 type plane with six persons on board went missing following its departure from Cauayan Airport.
‘ANGRY’...probably going to stick in that kind of angry state, or say ‘I love you’ and other things like this, because all of this is stuff that’s been online before.”
A chatbot, by design, serves up words it predicts are the most likely responses, without understanding meaning or context.
However, humans taking part in banter with programs naturally tend to read emotion and intent into what a chatbot says.
“Large language models have no concept of ‘truth’—they just know how to best complete a sentence in a way that’s statistically probable based on their inputs and training set,” programmer Simon Willison said in a blog post.
“So they make things up, and then state them with extreme confidence.” Laurent Daudet, co-founder of French AI company LightOn, theorized that the chatbot seemingly-gonerogue was trained on exchanges that themselves turned aggressive or inconsistent. AFP
FromtheFRONTPAGE
collaborative communal enterprise--that’s how the residents of Alitaptap Artist Community describe their home.
In a sprawling 12-hectare mixed-use land, artists convene to create, trade, do business, entertain, learn and co-exist.
Henry “Bokeng” Ancanan, the commune leader and Alitaptap Artists Community president, shares the struggle, joys and adventure transient artists experience through-out their stay in the community and how they migrated from other parts of the county to form a collective of like-minded people.
“Ours is a community within a ommunity. Local artists have gathered here to learn from each other and share their arts and knowledge to the entire commune. Some have learned to love the countryside and decided to stay here for good, while others visit to refresh their mind and body, hoping to spur a new wave of artistic ideas.
Still, others are here to learn more and perfect their crafts,” he said.
Alitaptap Artist Community is an iconic collective in the small community of Barangay Halang in Amadeo, Cavite where Ancanan grew up.
The community, created in 2018, is a collaborative idea of Ancanan and long time friend, painter and sculptor Adrian “AJ” Manuel. Most of the resident artists offer residency art courses, where the students are allowed to stay within the community to learn the craft while dealing with life in a commune set-up.
At the heart of the community, despite individual spaces, is sustainability. No trees or plants that were harmed in the development of the community. An annual clean-up drive sustains the ecological balance and maintains the pristine nature of a river passing within the commune.
Ancanan, who is one of the biggest stakeholders in the community with over 2 hectares landholding, is a proud mixed media painter and installation artist who has been active in the art scene for over 30 years. His wife Cristy is also a painter and a potter. Their children Pula, Bayan and Malaya are also budding artists and musician.
The community started on barely 3
TASKUS, a provider of outsourced digital services and next-generation customer experience to fast-growing technology companies, today announced that it joins 484 other companies as a member of the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI), a modified market capitalizationweighted index developed to gauge the performance of public companies dedicated to reporting gender-related data.
This reference index measures gender equality across five pillars: leadership & talent pipeline, equal pay & gender pay parity, inclusive culture, antisexual harassment policies, and external brand.
“TaskUs is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive space for our talent coming from all ages, genders, and racial backgrounds. We have strong anti-discrimination policies as part of our Global Code of Conduct; focusing on providing equitable benefits; and arranging cultural sessions and providing resources to educate and discuss Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) issues, among many others,” said TaskUs senior director for global diversity & inclusion Ana Marfil.
“It is a continuous effort and commitment, so we are excited to be working closely with the other members of the Bloomberg GEI to help create more inclusive workplaces that equally talented and skilled people across the world deserve,” she added.
or 4 hectares of land, half of which is Ancanan’s inheritance from his parents.
The first few hectares bought through shared capital from artist friends were subdivided into lots for resident artists.
Visiting artist friends who came to love the place started buying adjacent lots as a recreation and relaxation space and many have decided to stay for good. Uprooting their families from their hometowns was a tough decision but it was even tougher to resist the call of nature.
Each resident artist owns at least 1,000 sqm of land which also serves as a personal art space. Some own half a
hectare, others have more than 1 or two hectares. Since 2018, there are more than 25 residential structures in the community with over 40 artists residing in the area. Artists from Manila and from as far as Baguio and Cebu, have sought lifelong refuge in Alitaptap. While some are painters, sculptors, musicians and a few are art performers, they are all entrepreneurs selling crops and crafts. Some artists even came from Angono, Rizal, the art capital of the Philippines.
“It’s no mystery they like it here, especially the artists from Cebu. The com-
munity’s closeness to Manila, where the major art scene is, must have convinced a good many of them to settle in this community,” Ancanan said.
“While we have our own spaces here, we do have common activities. The entire year is filled with monthly campaigns and projects that serve as outlet for the collective. Some of these activities are entrepreneurial, others are recreational and educational,” he added.
Every year, the community is encouraged to observe a year-starter event that involves tree planting and mural mak-
PHILCEMENT Corporation (PCC), a unit of PHINMA Corporation, received 3 ISO certifications for its Mariveles Cement Processing Plant, underscoring its adherence to global standards. The ISO certifications are testament to PCC’s commitment to making lives better, by ensuring consistent operations that result in quality cement offerings while maintaining a safe and sustainable workplace, said
Philcement president and CEO Eduardo A. Sahagun.
“These ISO certifications validate our efforts to constantly improve our operations to be able to provide our clients products of great quality. These also affirm our thrust in being a holistic company by taking care of our employees and preserving the environment,” he said. In February 1, 2023, the TUV NORD
Philippines awarded the Bataan facility the ISO 9001: 2015 for Quality Management System; ISO 45001:2018 for Occupational Health and Safety Management System; and ISO 14001:2015 for Environment Management System.
The Bataan plant – where Union Cement is processed, packaged, and distributed from –had its integrated management system (IMS) audited in October 2, 2022 by TUV NORD.
Auditors found PCC to have met the requirements for ISO 9001: 2015 after evaluating its ability to consistently meet customer needs and comply with statutory and regulatory requirements.
PCC was also found to be compliant with occupational health and safety protocols that aim to eliminate hazards and minimize risks that earned the cement plant the ISO 45001:2018 certification.
Adherence to manage environmental responsibilities also paved the way for the firm to clinch the ISO 14001:2015.
An ISO certification is a seal of approval from a third-party body that a company conforms to the standards developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This gives credence to an organization’s delivery of products and services to its stakeholders and clients.
APPROACHING 2023 with a greater vision, JobStreet Philippines aims to expand and mobilize the job market—looking to secure 40 million+ job applications and 30,000+ new hirers from across the country.
Jobstreet marketing manager Kim Viray said the team aims to make the platform and opportunities more accessible as it plans to expand its services in Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Davao Region, Central Luzon, and Southern Luzon.
“2023 is a new year with limitless opportunities, whether this is in your personal life or in your career. We at JobStreet encourage you to take the step, start fresh, seek better,” he said. As a thought leader in the industry, JobStreet will continue providing valuable insights to further educate companies in their hiring strategies given the ever-changing recruitment landscape.
The job portal released several relevant reports, and just recently, JobStreet unveiled its 2022-2023 Outlook - Hiring, Compensation, and Benefits Report.
For JobStreet, stabilizing the labor market in these difficult times was a challenge to overcome, a
hard but definitely not an impossible task. “Our team has been working hard to assist hirers—we want them to help them hire a qualified candidate. Through our platform, they will see how much value their candidates will bring right away, saving them time and money,” Viray said.
A leading career marketplace, JobStreet has paved the way to connect Filipino job seekers and employers during the onslaught of
the pandemic and in transition to the new normal. Backed by its team of experienced marketing professionals, the company has held various initiatives demonstrating its commitment to empowering both hirers and candidates. At the onset of the pandemic, JobStreet has been assisting in ensuring that opportunities are reaching the jobseekers and hirers are able to find quality talents.
The platform has spearheaded several initiatives including its notable Virtual Career Fairs. The job portal hosted 3 nationwide virtual career fairs, all targeting fresh graduates and working professionals who are in hunt of jobs. The said initiatives were also in collaboration with Tech In Asia, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Civil Service Commission (CSC). JobStreet also partnered with the city government of Pasig to provide assistance to locals and to conduct an on-ground career fair for Pasigueños. It also launched a regional campaign, SEEK Better, which aims to empower candidates to attain their desired transformation in the new normal by seeking better jobs that will allow them to become the best version of themselves.
ing in the month of January. During February is the community’s biggest event which is the art camp. March is a women’s group activity while April is a medical mission month dubbed as “Sining Gamutan”. May features “Arte de May”, a representation parade of artistic works.
The months of June, July and August are devoted to farming and catching up with unfinished art works. September is a month of concerts. Come October is the community’s founding month celebrated through a string of festivities. November and December are preparation months for the annual gift-giving activity for the elders and the young kids below 12 years old, in the bigger community outside Alitaptap.
Art Camp
February is arts month in the Philippines and the most exciting month for the Alitaptap Artist Community.
This February 21 to 25, 2023, the community is organizing one of the country’s biggest art camp. The annual Pilipinas Art Camp carrying the theme “Pista ng Sining” is a community initiative in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Cavite.
“This is not the first art camp in the Philippines, but surely this is one of the biggest, so far,” Ancanan said.
About 150 artists from Northern Luzon will set camp inside the community throughout the event. Some 200 guests, on day tour, are also expected to further populate the community during the event.
The art camp is a venue for local artists to get together, showcase their craft and make a sale or two. Big arts collectors are expected to drop in along with the multitude of visitors from all over the country.
Among the highlights of the art fest are art exhibits, art demo, art talks, acting workshop, outdoor painting sessions, a painting contest open to all high school students in Cavite, and on the culminating day, a 7-hour concert featuring local sounds by alternative musicians Joey Ayala, Lolita Carbon and the Wuds, and a queue of bands and performances.
“For the upkeep of the place, we will be charging P50 for every delegate and visitor who are joining the festivities and P100 for the concert. They are free to roam around. There are many studios scattered within the community that they can check out. They can also visit the riverside but swimming is prohibited ,” Ancanan advised. Othel V. Campos
L’OREAL Philippines new country managing director Yannick Raynaud is leading the postpandemic recovery of L’Oréal Philippines. She has boosted the company’s focus to digital, and beauty tech to adapt to the dynamic behavior of consumers.
Raynaud has built a stable and flourishing career taking on various leadership roles in marketing, brand management, and business management across several mature and emerging markets in North America and Europe, after joining L’Oreal 23 years ago.
“In my years of experience in L’Oréal, I was able to witness the growth of different kinds of markets, catering to a wide range of consumers.
The Philippines is a beauty market to watch out for as it is driven by an increasing beauty and personal care consumption, digitalization, and growing consumer sophistication. I am excited to be trailblazing in the field of beauty in the Philippines, powered by the global expertise of L’Oréal Group and shaped by the Filipino consumer behavior and habits. I’m also equally inspired to continue our sustainability and social impact transformation to help improve the lives of Filipinos through the power of beauty,” she said.
Raynaud has led teams in numerous countries before taking on her most recent role as managing director of Travel Retail Americas, leading a vast team across the Americas. Under her leadership, she’s significantly increased market share and achieved record leadership position in those regions.
Since her arrival in the Philippines in the second half of 2021, Raynaud spent time taking in the local beauty landscape while guiding the company’s marketing force to seize the beauty market’s rebound post pandemic, in trying to reshape the 5-year growth strategy of L’Oréal Philippines.
COMPETITION is bound to get stiffer for the Collegiate Center for Esports (CCE) Season 3 set for May with all the 10 teams looking to beef up their squads.
All eyes will still be on Lyceum of the Philippines University which ruled the first two seasons of the country’s fastest-growing collegiate Esports league as it seeks to complete a three-peat.
The Pirate Esports squad got valuable experience after representing the CCE in the Sibol National Team Selection qualifiers last January as they tried to earn their place as the country’s representative in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games Mobile Legends: Bang Bang men’s division.
Lyceum was one of the few amateur squads to get an invite to the tourney.
Led by coach and team captain Paul Adrienne “FAE” Huang and back-toback CCE MVP Mark Kenneth “Mark” Delos Reyes, LPU gave its all before falling to AP Esports in the quarterfinals.
But despite the Pirate Esports setting the standard, it doesn’t mean that the field is just easy for their taking.
Colegio de San Juan de Letran made an amazing turnaround in Season 2, finishing as runner-up behind the efforts of Kurt “Xeero” Pugao and Jade “ImbaDeeJade” Mercado after the Cyberknights’ forgettable run in the inaugural season.
Arellano University and Jose Rizal University have also made great strides in the past staging, while Season 1 runner-up San Sebastian College-Recoletos remains a tough draw.
“It’s humbling to see how the schools have embraced Esports and we’re just glad to be part of its growth in the academe,” said CCE president Stanley Lao, who is supported by commissioner Waiyip Chong and general manager Jesse Nocom.
Local qualifiers are already ongoing among schools in search of the best Esports athletes that their campus can produce to represent their school in the tilt supported by Galaxy Racer and Smart, with SM Mall of Asia, Cyberzone,
Legion by Lenovo, Mountain Dew, Hawk Bags, Fantech, Huawei AppGallery as sponsors, and MPL-Philippines serving
as an official partner. Mapua University already held its qualifiers during its 98th Foundation Day
with Prodigy emerging as champions, while College of St. Benilde, Emilio Aguinaldo College, San Beda University, and
the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA are all gearing up to fare better come Season 3.
NATIONAL U primed up for the UAAP wars by sweeping the National College Tennis Team Championships, edging the University of the Philippines in the men’s final, 3-2, and trouncing Ateneo, 3-1, for the women’s crown at the PCA outdoor courts in Paco, Manila last Friday.
Vince Tugade delivered in the clutch, dominating Zire Mina, 4-1, 4-1, in the deciding singles after UP’s Walther Luzon and Rafael Liangco repelled NU’s Ibarra Ortega and Jules Lazaro, 4-2, 4-2, to sweep the doubles and force a 2-2 count in the best-offive tie.
But the Bulldogs stamped their class in individual play as skipper Jude Ceniza turned back Loucas Fernandez, 4-1, 5-3, in the first singles and Aljon Talatayod routed Janus Ringia, 4-1, 4-1, after the pair of Jonas Silva and Karl Miguel outlasted Feb Deja and Rucell Cero, 4-2, 3-5, 10-2.
The victory was a big shot in the arm for the Bulldogs, who placed third here last year and reached the semis in the PCA Open Inter-Collegiate.
“We did not lose hope. As what coach Bobby (Esquivel) told us, whatever the result, as long as we give our best,” said
Ceniza. But the Lady Bulldogs banked on a strong start to get past the Lady Eagles, winning the first two matches on Elizabeth Abarquez’s 4-0, 4-0 romp over Francesca Cruz in singles and Danna
Abad and Rovie Baulete’s tough 1-4, 5-4(5), 10-8 victory over Melanie Dizon and Mariam Garsin in the doubles. Althea Ong kept Ateneo in the hunt with 4-1, 4-1 win over Jan Anghag in the second singles but Allyssa Bornia and Al-
liah Ragunton smothered siblings Gabby and Nina Sandejas, 4-0, 4-1, in the other doubles to wrap up the tie.
“We joined this tournament for exposure. We have to be competitive to defend our (UAAP) title,” said Bornia, who will
ZAMBOANGA City bets Austin John Hampac and Jetro Paul Abilla made a strong 1-2 finish in the premier 5KM category of the first leg of the 1st Zamboanga Peninsula Open Water Swim Circuit (ZPOWSC) recently held at the eco-cultural tourism site “Onse Islas” of Zamboanga City.
Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe joined the kick-off at Barangay Panubigan for the event that drew 114 participants from all Zamboanga, Manila, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and neighboring provinces with 54 competitors in the 5KM distance swim, 11 participants for the 3.5KM distance and 47 for 2KM distance.
The event, led by the Department of Tourism Region 9 and sponsored by the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, was organized by the Zamboanga Open Water Swimming Club Inc. in collaboration with the City Government of Zamboanga through its Local Tourism Office, Zamboanga City Police Office, 1st Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company, Philippine Coast Guard-Zamboanga, Zamboanga City Health Office, Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office and Onse Islas Community Organizations (11 Islands Ferry Association and 11 Islands Tour Guide Association).
Placing third in the 5K event was Jie Mark Emol of Pagadian City.
Topping the 5KM event for 1-2-3 finishes were Jeddreauf Marrack (Zamboanga City), Henzpazeer
Participants pose before plunging into the open sea in the 1st Zamboanga Peninsula Open Water Swim Circuit that kicked off in Zamboanga City.
Adjilani (Basilan), and Raisan Mansul ( Zamboanga City). Winners in the 3.5KM category were Kevin Espina (Iligan City), Berto Abdulhamid- (Zamboanga) and GJ Joash Quiljoy of Iligan City
In attendance were Mayor John Dalipe, City Mayor of Zamboanga, Councilor and Tourism Committee
Chair Vino Guingona, City Councilor
Jerome “Joey Papaya” Santos, Hon. Manuel Dalipe, Former City Mayor of Zamboanga , Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar of the Office of the Secretary, DOT-IX Regional Director, Dara May L. Cataluňa and Mr. Japy
T. Silapan, President of the Zamboanga Open Water Swimming Club Inc.
Anchored on human-nature connection advocacy with the primary aim to protect and conserve the environment, support community-based tourism empowerment and women-led associations, and inspiring IP groups with potential talent in swimming, ZPOWSC is seen as another diversified tourism product portfolio and maximization of domestic promotion aligned with the current thrusts and 7-point priority agenda of Secretary Frasco. Celebrated during the conduct of the 1st leg are community builders and tourism workers of the Onse Islas Community Organization. Women–led Kulinarya Tourism Program recipients exhibited their food wonders and pre-
sentation for the lunch while men-led transportation and logistics on site also showed their recent skills learned during the Capacity Building training conducted by the Department of Tourism IX.
Zamboanga Open Water Swimming Club Inc. tap[ped the community for the food provision and logistical requirements along with “Team Huga Lodo” a non-profit outdoor sports organization in Zamboanga City to further emphasize the advocacy of the project, community support, collaboration, and empowerment. The project was conceptualized by the former Regional Director of the Department of Tourism -9, Crisanta Marlene “Krisma” P. Rodriguez and Zamboanga Open Water Swimming Club Inc. with the primary objective to introduce sports tourism anchored on conservation and community-based tourism support. Aside from finisher medals and shirts, two special awards will be given to male and female swimmers who will complete all four legs namely god Agwe (for male) and goddess Magnaye (for female), both are Philippine Mythology characters who rule the water element. Awards are to be presented during the final leg in Zamboanga del Norte.
spearhead NU’s crack at a sixth straight UAAP crown in three weeks’ time. The 23-year-old Bornia captured last year’s PCA Open and teamed up with Shaira Rivera to nail the doubles trophy in the inaugural Rina Cañiza Women’s Open recently. UST’s Nilo Ledama, meanwhile, foiled Tugade’s bid for a sweep, scoring a 4-0, 5-3, in the men’s singles individual final while La Salle’s Mikaela Vicencio also foiled NU’s Abarquez, 5-4(3), 4-1, for the women’s singles diadem. Richard Butista and Ericjay Tangub, also of UST, repulsed UE’s Stephen Guia and Marc Suson, 4-2, 5-4(3), while Ateneo’s Ong and Tracy Llamas ripped UP’s Bianca Pica and Dana Regala, 4-1, 4-1, to split the doubles titles of the event which served as part of the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala tennis program, led by president/CEO Bobby Castro.
Meanwhile, action shifts to San Pablo City, Laguna for the Escudero Cup Men’s Open Championship beginning tomorrow (Monday) with the juniors tournament set for Feb. 23-28 at the Aera Tennis Club courts. For details, contact tournament organizer Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.
DANNY Kingad is coming off a long layoff and hopes to stop Eko Roni Saputra’s winning streak in ONE Championship. Kingad said this at the end of his extended training camp with Team Lakay in Benguet.
“Binigyan pa ako ng ilang buwan para makapag-prepare. Kaya wala akong rason para matalo ako,” said Kingad, a 27-year old bantamweight, on Zoom.
He has not fought for more than a year following Kingad’s unanimous decision loss to Kairat Akhmetov in December 2021 during their showdown in One Championship - Winter Warriors 2. Coach Mark Sangiao said Kingad has bulked up during his months of layoff and has improved his physique for his coming fight.
“Malaki ang naging change niya sa physique, sa pangangatawan niya. Nasa peak na siya ng training,” remarked Sangiao. Kingad’s fight with Saputra will happen when they clash in a crucial flyweight bout at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Feb. 25.
Kingad was supposed to have a comeback last December against Gurdashan Mangat at ONE 164, but his Indian-Canadian rival backed out.
Saputra is out to extend his streak after having won seven fights in a row. And Saputra has gone undefeated defeat since his ONE Championship debut back in 2019.
SINCE its founding in 1989, DKNY has been synonymous with New York –the most iconic city in the world. This season, the brand pays tribute with the Spring 2023 “If You Know You Know” Campaign, a love letter to the city that provides constant inspiration.
From sitting on the steps of the MET to hopping on the ferry for Brooklyn, this is the real New York.
Photographed at hidden gems throughout the city, the campaign takes
inspiration from the local haunts and iconic
institutions that have shaped us over the years. Whether stopping for a slice of pizza downtown or skateboarding at flushing Meadows Corona Park, embrace the spontaneous nature of urban life and anything it may bring.
The campaign includes an eclectic cast of talent including model and social media personality Devon Lee Carlson, artist and musician Annahstasia Enuke, and Tiktok star Cameron Porras. Photographed by Dan Martensen and styled by Alastair McKimm, the images embody the invigorating,uninhibited energy of New York, from the Bronx to the basketball courts of West 4th Street.
It’s places like these that make New York, New York. Hero items from the collection include sports-wear-inspired outerwear, lightweight knitwear, and casual suiting. Styles are available in signature DKNY colorways of black and white, with colorful interjections of persimmon, cantaloupe, and goldfinch yellow.
In the Philippines, DKNY is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., and is located at Central Square in Bonifacio High Street Central, Alabang Town Center, Ayala Center Cebu, Greenbelt 5, Newport Mall, Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-la.
Items from the collection are available in the DKNY’s signature black and white, with interjections of color
IN COMMEMORATION of the National Arts
Month, spearheaded by the National Commission of Culture and the Arts (NCCA) through Presidential Proclamation 683, the Youth Arts Zone (YAZ) 2023 enjoins young studentartists to utilize their talent and skills, creativity, and imagination to respond to today’s pressing issues.
Now dubbed as YAZ, the revamped 18th Lasallian Arts Month rekindles the spirit of physically building and celebrating art with the community, two years since the pandemic shifted the world into virtual spaces and digital platforms.
Themed Kabataang Manlilikha:
Para sa Kalikasan, Kasaysayan, at Katotohanan, the month-long series of events encourage the youth to transform their imagination and artistry into proactive responses to initiate change.
Led by the Culture and Arts
Unit of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, the 2000s aestheticinspired installment commences with flash mob performances. Art
installations across three campuses, including an interactive life-sized puzzle board, provide a glimpse of the activities to come.
Empowered with the goal to champion shadowplay as a Filipino art form, the Karilyo Visual Arts Team spearheads an immersive pocket performance inspired by classic crafts television shows. Entitled Kanto Guhit ni Kapitan Katapan, it follows the journey of a sock puppet superhero in search of a side kick to help him save Mother Earth. The program includes a series of tutorials on the fundamentals of shadow play. Workshops on sustainable artmaking will be conducted. There will
likewise be talks on the rich tradition of the discipline and its significant contributions and impact on shaping society.
The Young People Power, one of the highlights of the annual YAZ, sets the stage for online showcases and digital artworks from the college’s growing roster of homegrown talents. The pieces, which were conceptualized and produced amid the height of the pandemic, depict the power of the youth in upholding the truth.
The highly anticipated Art Jam features the internationally lauded and award-winning artist groups Coro San Benildo, Dulaang Filipino, and Saint Benilde Romançon Dance Company. The exhilarating line-up likewise includes diverse creative performances, from spoken poetry and literary presentations to solo and band numbers and dance productions, supported by the Cultural Promotions Team and Stage Production Operations Team.
For more information about Benilde’s community of student-artists, visit BCAU on Facebook (https:// www.facebook.com/cultureandarts. benilde), Twitter (https://twitter.com/ CSB_CAU), Instagram (https://www. instagram.com/csb_cau/), or YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/ARTISHERE_OCA).
never static. They grow and evolve the way you and your partner do
ONE day you can’t keep your hands off each other, and you’re constantly finishing each other’s sentences; the next, you find once-cute quirks annoying, and you’re both more preoccupied with what’s in your phones rather than what the other has to say.
What happened to that intense, heady rush you felt at the beginning of your relationship when the mere presence of a person you couldn’t stop thinking and talking about made you blush and weak in the knees?
While Hollywood movies condition us to believe that passionate love is forever, science will tell you that the euphoria of a fresh new romance lasts anywhere from six months to two years.
“It’s a phase driven by hormones and chemicals in the brain, like dopamine and oxytocin, that trigger attraction, lust, and attachment,” explains Ma.
Gia Grace B. Sison, MD, Head of the MakatiMed Wellness Center of the top hospital in the Philippines, Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed). “Eventually, the levels of these feelgood hormones and chemicals taper, the so-called ‘honeymoon period’ is over, and that’s when you see your partner for what he or she truly is.”
Years into a relationship could make you fall into a rut. Suddenly, places and activities that excite you become unexciting and predictable. Respective careers and personal interests can also take your time away from your partner. Longtime couples with kids tend to put romance in the backburner once the responsibilities of raising a family become the top priority.
But just because the honeymoon is over doesn’t mean romance has to end too. “The bottom line is this: Relationships are never static; they grow and evolve the way you and your partner do,” says Dr. Sison. “They also need constant work, so if you want to revive the romance of your early days, you’ll have to be proactive and in it together. Both of you have to want it.”
The best part? If your relationship has matured through the years, any romantic feelings you rekindle with your mate will no longer be fueled by infatuation but by honest and deep love.
Communicate. Spend time together – whether on a mid-week date without the kids or an after-dinner stroll in
the neighborhood – to talk and listen.
“Refrain from touching on topics like home budget or what your children did in school,” suggests Dr. Sison. “Ask each other how your day went. Plan doable goals like getting fit together. Reminisce about your past—when you first met and what you liked about each other. Communication creates connection and intimacy.”
“Try new things. Dine in a restaurant you haven’t been to before. Book yourselves in a place other than your goto vacation destination. Learn a new skill or hobby together. Longtime couples are likely to have settled into comfortable, fixed routines,” Dr. Sison points out. “Shake things up occasionally by introducing some novelty into your habits. The shared experience will help bring you closer and give you something to talk about.”
Surprise each other. Here, you don’t have to spend much money or perform grand gestures to do it. “Slip written sweet notes into their bag, wallet, or pocket. Do a chore that your partner is normally in charge of. Drop by unannounced and pick up your Significant Other from work. The thoughtfulness and unexpected act are enough to make anyone feel giddy and loved,” Dr. Sison advises.
Schedule sex. Sure, it sounds unromantic, but if you schedule a few hours of intimacy instead of springing it on your partner, only to be scorned because “they have a headache,” you both have something to look forward to. Haven’t had sex in a while? “How about cuddling?” says Dr. Sison. “It’s still intimate and can even be sweeter.”
If despite all efforts, things aren’t improving, it’s recommended for couples to seek professional help like a counselor or a therapist. “You can try out individual therapy or marriage counseling. With these interventions, couples can learn healthy ways to communicate and prevent unhealthy habits and patterns, which will eventually help them de-escalate issues in the future and create a more loving relationship,” suggests Dr. Sison.
For more information, contact MakatiMed On-Call at +632.88888 999, email mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph. Follow @ IamMakatiMed on Facebook and Twitter.
FORMER The Voice Philippines Season
2 contestant Poppert Bernadas
teamed up with no less than Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid on a new pop song called “Bitaw.”
Poppert, together with A Team, produced the song that talks about having someone who serves as a reminder to let go of the negative things that may affect oneself.
“It’s ok to let go especially if you know you’re at the losing end. It suggests that even if it’s difficult, while it is still early, protect your heart from all the hurt and pain by letting go,” said Poppert on the inspiration behind the song released under Star Music.
The collaboration became a reality when Regine offered to sing the track with Poppert after his original collaborator backed out due to conflicting schedules. He described their duet as a dream come true of his.
IF Celine Dion gives you advice, you listen. Watch Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Sam Heughan, and Celine Dion in the official trailer of Columbia Pictures’ new romantic comedy Love Again, exclusively in cinemas across the Philippines soon. What if a random text message led to the love of your life? In the romantic comedy Love Again, dealing with the loss of her fiancé, Mira Ray (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) sends a series of romantic texts to his old cell phone number…not realizing the number was reassigned to Rob Burns’ new work phone. A journalist, Rob (Sam Heughan) is captivated by the honesty in the beautifully confessional texts. When he’s assigned to write a profile of megastar Celine Dion (playing herself in her first film role), he enlists her help in figuring out how to meet Mira in person…and win her heart.
The movie, which features multiple new songs from Dion, is written for the screen and directed by Jim Strouse Love Again is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, the local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.
“I am amazed how she works during our recording, ! It took almost two hours to record her part. Since she was very invested in the song, she added some vocal background to it,” he shared. “Never in my wildest dreams na maka-collab ko ang nag-iisang ‘Songbird!’ si Ms. Regine Velasquez, dreams do come true.”
Apart from his music career, Poppert also dabbles in acting. He previously starred as Rio in the ABS-CBN series Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin and as Kanor in Starla . He also played the role of Kenny in the hit musical Rak of Aegis In 2022, Poppert was also one of
HBO GO’s The Last of Us opened the love month of February with a touching romance between two men trying to survive at the end of the world. TLOU episode 3 prompted us to ask the question, “What is love?”
Is love letting go of someone sick and helping them end their life or does it mean holding on?
Everyone, it seemed, was caught off guard by the ethical and moral issues – and the tenderness – that surfaced on a show that’s primarily about surviving a zombie apocalypse.
Since cinema and TV were invented, the exploration of love in all its forms and disguises has taken us from the ancient past to the post-apocalyptic new age. With its blazing internet speeds, PLDT Home offers an uninterrupted viewing experience on top of complimentary or discounted vouchers on your favorite entertainment content platforms.
Watch love cross borders and conquer the most complicated twists on these shows—just in time for Love Month.
the male theater performers who headlined the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Triple Threat: Three
Tenors concert series. He is currency under Ogie Alcasid’s A Team and co-managed by Star Magic.
Marianne Sheridan (Daisy Edgar-Jones
Where the Crawdads Sing) and Connell Waldron (Paul Mescal, God’s Creatures) starting from their final days in high school to their university years at Trinity College. Like any interesting couple, the two have complex relationships and opposing personalities.
Bear witness as 19 talented and charismatic ladies take their chance at fi nding true love and vie for the affections of one of Indonesia’s most eligible bachelors.
Like every iteration of The Bachelor , he will eliminate ladies during the rose ceremony and choose only one after a series of dates (group and single) and parties. 19 women, one man – what can possibly go wrong?
Departure
There are quite a few series involving unexplained avionic phenomenon that you sometimes wonder if what you’re watching is pure fiction or real. Departure is partly real. It was inspired by Martin Caidin’s 2003 book Ghosts of Air, which recounts inexplicable events happening thousands of feet in the air. Pilots told Caidin the strange phenomena they experienced, such as Bermuda Triangle accounts, sightings of aircraft from the past, and ghost warnings to prevent a plane crash. Departure follows a brilliant man in 1973 Miami investigating
K-Love
The Last of Us
The series takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal and heartbreaking journey as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.
The series’ third episode is one of the most highly rated episodes on TV with most people predicting acting awards for the two guest stars, Nick Offerman ( Parks and Recreation ) and Murray Bartlett ( White Lotus ), who are actually better known as comedians than dramatic actors. It’s love, loneliness, sacrifi ce, and “resource management” at their peak.
The Bachelor Indonesia Season 1
It is the fi rst local version of the hit Warner Bros. Discovery reality series The Bachelor ever to be produced in the country. The 10-episode series takes viewers on the ultimate romantic journey fi lled with intense drama, rivalry, heartbreak, and passion.
how a 727 suddenly vanished into thin air and then reappeared 10 minutes later in the exact same spot.
Normal People
The Guardian calls Normal People “a beautiful, hugely beautiful thing . . . a triumph in every way,” citing outstanding acting, direction, and script. Normal People is an Irish romantic psychological drama based on Sally Rooney’s 2018 novel of the same name. It follows the relationship between
Filipino series chronicles the story of five friends who share a love for Korean content. The cast includes Iza Calzado, Jake Cuenca, Isabelle Daza, Sue Ramirez, and Gabby Padilla. “What is it about K-drama that draws people?” asked the narrator. The answer is the same as what the series offers: love, loss, second chances, career, and relationships that are both good and bad that we immediately relate to their stories.
Why Her “Why her (or him)?” might as well be a question we ask our friends when they begin a new relationship. The series is about Oh Soo-jae, who works as
‘Why Her’ is about a lawyer in South Korea, whose chairman is enamored of her and would do anything to have her
a lawyer in the best law firm in South Korea, whose chairman is enamored of her and would do anything to have her. She is a talented, ambitious, and self-righteous lawyer, but one case gets her kicked out of the firm and she ends up teaching at Seojung University. There, she meets Gong Chan, a law student who falls in love with her.
PLDT Home customers can stream these series, shows, and so much more just with their subscription. Existing PLDT Home customers who sign up for PLDT Home Rewards from February 13 to 28 can earn 214 free Home Rewards Crystals that they can use to redeem exclusive perks, discounts, and bonuses.
WITH 2023 as the comeback year for travel, there’s no better way to start the first half of the year than booking a cherry blossom trip to explore the pink-hued pathways and enjoy the chilly weather.
The season is well underway and Klook is busting out the best deals for all your cherry blossom needs. Color your next trip pink with these unbeatable deals and promos in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.
Bucket-list experiences in Japan
The Sakura season of Japan is here. As the experience-experts, Klook has curated the must-do’s during the season with special discounts. From sunrise to sunset, there are tons of activities that let you marvel at the cherry blossoms at their best.
At sunrise, enjoy a classic Mt. Fuji Route Day Tour from Tokyo while visiting nearby destinations loved by locals and tourists, or go on a full exciting day trip to see Takayama
and Shirakawa-go from Nagoya to indulge in history. You can also visit the crowd’s favorite spots from Fukuoka, the Kumamoto Castle, and Kurokawa Onsen where you can get the chance to visit Mount Aso, an active volcano in the center of Kyushu.
For those who wish to start their adventure a little later, the sunset activities in Japan are just as exciting. Experience the 360-degree panoramic view of the Shibuya Sky and catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji, Tokyo Skytree, Roppongi Hills and so much more. If you prefer a relaxing drive around town, the Churashima Open Top Bus offers a look into the new scenery of Okinawa and passes through the first undersea tunnel for a breathtaking adventure.
ADVENTURE awaits travelers
this 2023. Explore the best of the world’s most beautiful destinations, from the well-known to the wellhidden, and get an intimate view of local life.
Start planning for your family’s next vacation when you sign up and spend with the EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Mastercard.
EastWest Singapore Airlines
KrisFlyer Mastercard cardholders are one step closer to reaching their travel goals faster with the EastWest and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer’s 1 million KrisFlyer miles giveaway promotion, running until March 3.
Existing and newly approved cardholders get a chance to be one of the lucky winners by earning e-raffle entries during the promotional period. Cardholders can earn one e-raffle entry for a minimum single-receipt spend of P3,000, while new EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Platinum or World Mastercard applications that are approved and activated within the promotional period will earn three e-raffle entries.
The promotion is open to
existing EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Mastercard cardholders with a good credit standing, and to new EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Mastercard applications that are approved and activated within the promotional period.
The first batch of winners was drawn via an electronic raffle during the Minor Draw on January 12. Additional ten winners were drawn during the minor draws on February 14 and March 17, and will each have the chance to win 25,000 KrisFlyer miles. During the Grand Draw on March 17, one winner will be drawn and receive 250,000 KrisFlyer miles.
For more information about the promotion, you can visit bit.ly/ EWSIA1MMILES2022. The promotion is covered by DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-156295
Dream-like experiences in Korea
The pink flowers can also be very romantic. Don’t miss out on starring in your very own K-Drama and witness the picturesque views that catch everyone’s attention on screen. Klook has got you covered with the best places to visit for the perfect Korean Drama moment.
Start the day with the perfect Nami Island Tour and visit some of South Korea’s most popular landmarks that are perfectly customizable to your preferences.
From Petite France, the Italian Village, Garden of Morning Calm, Alpaca Pasture, and the Gangchon Rail Bike, any option is bound to leave you in awe. Then at night, before tucking into bed at the Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel in Seoul, Myeongdong, marvel at South Korea’s growing entertainment prowess and enjoy the musical Wild Wild: Dream that centers on giving an electrifying body performance that you simply cannot forget.
LOCATED in the southern part of the Philippines and the center for development in Mindanao, Davao City is hosting this year’s MICECON once again after 10 years. The conference is deemed as an effective way to restart and boost economic and tourism activities, not only in the Davao region but also in the rest of the Philippines and the world.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) through the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines (TPB) and the City Government of Davao spearheads the M.I.C.E Conference (MICECON), the largest gathering of Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) professionals in the country to be held on March 1 to 3 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premier.
“Davao’s hosting of the MICECON will provide a tremendous boost to the city’s tourism industry and a huge step towards its own vision of making Davao a preferred MICE destination not only in the Philippines but in Asia,” said TPB COO Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles With the theme, “MICEConverge: Blaze New Trails,” the three-day conference will serve as a gateway to provide more business opportunities and strengthen ties with domestic and international stakeholders. It is a hybrid event expected to bring in 500 inperson delegates and up to 2,000 online
NICKIE WANG Editor Patricia Taculao Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
Natural wonders in Taiwan
Just approximately two to three hours from the Philippines by plane, you can instantly take in the natural beauty of Taiwan and enjoy romantically serene moments during cherry blossom season. Discover the great outdoors and see Taiwan’s very own cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Check out Taichung’s classic attractions and Gaomei’s Wetlands for an unforgettable sunset experience, be in awe of Taipei’s Yehliu Geopark, Jiufen, Shifen, and Golden Waterfalls, and get close and personal with nature at the Beitou and Yangmingshan One-Day Tour.
The trip to Taiwan also cannot end without booking your stay at the Grand Hotel Papa Whale and experiencing at least once Taipei’s Forest Spa Massage. The choices are endless when it comes to the cherry blossom season.
Whether it’s the serene parks in Japan, historical temples in Korea, or scenic lakes in Taiwan, the spring season is making itself known. Don’t delay any further and start your travel for the year with Klook. For more deals and promos, check out Under The Pink Sky at Klook’s official website and download the Klook app via the Apple Store or Google Play.
participants from here and abroad.
Highlights of the event include the MICE Youth Challenge, Power Dressing and Glam Makeup Sessions and Workshops where Davao’s finest tourism and product services will be on full display with the sub-themes, “Celebrating Nature,” “Celebrating Diversity,” and “Celebrating Travel and Technology.”
The first and much-awaited Philippine MICE Youth Challenge will take place on March 1 during MICECON 2023. It is a national contest for students who are enrolled or have recently completed
the MICE Management or Business Events Class in a Philippine-based university. This activity gives contestants the opportunity to conceptualize and present an event business plan that will be reviewed by a select panel of MICE experts to deepen their knowledge about industry practices.
This initiative aims to foster a culture of creativity and excellence among the participants and serve as a learning platform to better equip them to become MICE professionals. It was conceptualized by the Philippine MICE powerhouses who are members of the Philippine Association of Convention/Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers, Inc. (PACEOS) and the Philippine MICE Academy.
The participants of this challenge will be judged by esteemed representatives from the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA), and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
The winners of the challenge will win up to P15,000 plus tokens and the chance to compete at the Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations (AFECA) Asia MICE Youth Challenge.
For more information about the event, visit www.micecon.ph