THE Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) has warned of a possible spike in the prices of local vegetables and rice due to El Niño.
Meanwhile, the government has stepped up efforts to convert the country’s dependence on water supply from underground water to surface water, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said his government will seek a review of the treaty agreements signed between the Philippines and its long-time ally, the United States, while seeking more partnerships and enhance current deals on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
In an interview with broadcaster and former Social Welfare secretary Erwin Tulfo, the President said he would like to see agreements on climate change.
Mr. Marcos said Manila and Washington will discuss commitments to the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), a 70-year-old accord between the two allies. “We have to evolve it. It has to evolve,” the President said, noting the changes in the situation in the South China Sea, events in Taiwan and in North Korea. “The situation is heating up a bit,” he said.
Mr. Marcos said the MDT and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) will be among the topics that he will take up with US President Joe Biden during his official working visit to Washington starting May 1.
The Philippines earlier this year identified Camilo Osias Naval Base in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Is-
POLICE Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Monday assumed
top post at the Philippine National
Police (PNP), which has been rocked recently by allegations that officers had been kept a portion of seized drugs to sell.
In appointing Acorda, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged the new PNP chief to “serve
the people with integrity, with accountability and genuine justice.”
“Always be open to public scrutiny, and practice restraint and maximum tolerance in the face
THE government is carefully studying the proposal to move the school “summer” break to March due to hot
weather, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday. The President made the statement in an interview with broadcaster Erwin Tulfo, who asked if the government would bring
back the school vacation to March instead of having it from June to July.
“We are carefully studying that because a lot of people are suggesting it since the lockdown is over and most
schools are already implementing faceto-face classes,” he said.
The current academic break is scheduled from July to August, given the
By Maricel V. Cruz
THE House of Representatives Committee on Dangerous Drugs expects former police master sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr. to attend its congressional inquiry Wednesday on the controversial drug bust involving 990 kilos or P6.7 billion worth of “shabu” last year. Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, panel chairman, made the statement as nearly 50 national police officials are involved in the incident, which had been tainted by an alleged cover-up.
“Actually, we invited all of them... all those who were involved and suspended by Sec. [Benjamin] Abalos,” Barbers said in an interview.
“We invited all of them; all those involved in the issue, including...Sergeant Mayo. Maybe, if sergeant Mayo will be allowed to attend via Zoom,
WIDOW AND SUSPECTS.
Department of Justice compound
to
THE country’s oil firms cut pump prices across all products effective 6 a.m. Tuesday with gasoline leading the price cut of P1.40 per liter.
The oil firms announced a price cut of P1.40 per liter for gasoline, P0.70 per liter for diesel, and P0.20 per liter for kerosene to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market.
“Effective 12:01am Apr. 25, 2023, Caltex (Chevron Philippines, Inc.) will decrease fuel prices of Platinum and Silver by P1.40 per liter, diesel by P0.70 per liter and kerosene by P0.20 per liter,” Caltex said in its advisory.
The price rollback is within the forecast announced by an oil industry source over the weekend.
The source said gasoline prices may be rolled back by P1.35 to P1.55 per liter
and diesel by P0.55 to P0.65 per liter.
The Department of Energy confirmed on Friday the possible price cut by Tuesday, based on the four-day monitoring for the international oil market.
DOE director for Oil Industry Management Bureau Rodela Romero said oil prices declined due to “the monetary policy of US of further interest rates that could slow growth and curb oil
GOVERNMENT plans to begin its evacuation of more Filipinos from strife-torn Sudan “within 24 hours,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.
Three Filipinos were safely evacuated from the northeast African coun-
begins today
try and have already arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said in a television interview. The number of Filipinos requesting repatriation has reached 156 as the armed conflict between the Sudanese military
and a paramilitary group continues, the Foreign Affairs executive added.
“Our embassy there said over 500 Filipinos sent them a message. Out of the 500 plus, 156 are ready to go home at any moment,” de Vega said.
THE Philippines has recorded 32 percent more COVID-19 cases from April 17 to 23 compared to the previous week, the Department of Health said Monday, even as Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno downplayed concerns over the recent rise of coronavirus cases, saying this was “nothing to be scared of.”
The country recorded 3,148 COVID-19 cases in the past week or an average of 450 daily infections, said the DOH, which put the national positivity rate at 8.8 percent.
Of these, 14 cases were considered severe or critical, according to the DOH’s latest bulletin.
As of Sunday, 345 cases or 8.7 percent of total COVID-19 admissions were in
severe and critical condition, the agency said. At least 275 or 13.7 percent of intensive care unit beds for COVID patients were occupied. The non-ICU bed utilization rate was at 17.4 percent. During the past week, the DOH also verified five more COVID-related fatalities, citing late encoding of death information. None of the deaths occurred from April 10 to 23,
the department said. Based on the DOH’s COVID-19 Tracker, the Philippines has 4,336 active COVID-19 cases as of April 24.
Three years since the start of the pandemic, the country has recorded over 4,089,394 coronavirus infections. The death toll stood at 66,444.
To date, more than 79.1 million Filipinos are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Of the figure, over 24.1 million have received their first booster dose while almost 4.4 million have gotten the second booster shot.
Meanwhile, at the Development Budget Coordination Committee press
briefing, Diokno said he believes there won’t be new lockdowns and that COVID-19’s impact on the economy will not be significant because of the availability of vaccines and the readiness of medical facilities.
“I don’t think that’s kind of scary. I don’t even think why you are wearing your mask here. Really, there’s nothing to be scared of,” Diokno told reporters.
Several areas in the country have reported an increase in COVID cases, but the DOH said no area has been escalated from Alert Level 1 to 2 this year.
The DOH said 26 provinces will remain under Alert Level 2, the second least restrictive level.
Willie CasasFFF chairman Leonardo Montemayor, a former Agriculture secretary, said the lack of water during El Niño will adversely affect the production of crops, including vegetables.
“That will really depend on how severe the dry spell will be. A severe El Niño will have a critical effect on vegetables. However, a mild El Niño will have a lesser impact on crops,” Montemayor said.
The group said the Department of Agriculture – currently headed by the President as concurrent DA Secretary -- should be able to prepare in advance measures to mitigate the impact on crops and encourage farmers to shift to planting crops less susceptible to El Niño.
Montemayor said farmers planting rice might opt to plant El Niño-resistant crops or crops that are less likely to be affected by the dry spell.
“The DA should prepare alternative planting materials such as vegetable or root crops, so farmers can easily adjust and shift their planting intentions to crops other than rice,” he added.
The President made his comment in a radio interview with former Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo, stressing the need for different government agencies to make the necessary preparations to address the looming dry spell or El Niño phenomenon.
“Because we are talking about water, there are many elements that need to be included in that talk. But we are slowly converting our dependence on water supply from underground water to surface water,” the President said in a mix of English and Filipino. “That’s the most basic, and then the distribution systems.”
“If you go to the distribution system of our water authorities, the pipes were installed during the war (World War II),” the President said.
Mr. Marcos, who recently signed an executive order creating a Water Management Office (WMO), said the government platform will help deal with the country’s water crisis.
“Our approach is to have enough supply of clean, safe water that even if the rain is scarce or El Niño occurs, we still have water supply,” he said.
The President said the government has ramped up its alert and warning systems to provide El Niño forecasts.
RETIRED Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Monday urged the Marcos Jr. administration to begin exploring Reed Bank in the West Philippine Sea, believed to be rich in oil and gas deposits. Should the Philippines lose resources at Reed Bank to China, Carpio said this would push power rates in Luzon higher. This will not also bode well for the government, he added.
“Our most pressing problem with China now is how to get the gas in Reed Bank because Malampaya is running out of gas,” the former magistrate told ANC’s “Headstart”.
THE titling of lands given to agrarian reform beneficiaries has hit a snag as thousands of titles have been found to overlap with ancestral lands.
As a result, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has temporarily excluded more than 100,000 hectares of landholdings from the titling program.
These tracts of land are covered un-
der 13,604 Collective Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CCLOAs) that were found to have potential overlapping ancestral problems in connection with the implementation of the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) project. Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III alerted field implementers of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) to be wary of lands suspected of
having overlapping issues between agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and indigenous communities in pursuit of their task of subdividing CCLOAs.
“Remember, time is of the essence. We cannot afford to be entangled in a complicated situation, which will only tie our hands by inadvertently covering lands that were partly or wholly owned by indigenous communities,” Estrella said.
“The formula is to send our survey ship to Reed Bank accompanied by the Navy and have joint patrols with the US in the same area. That’s really the solution.”
Reed Bank, also known as Recto Bank, is within the Philippine exclusive economic zone northwest of Palawan.
A 2013 report from the United States Energy Information Administration claimed Reed Bank could hold up to 5.4 billion barrels of oil and 55.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
In the interview, Carpio also explained how the Philippines’ expanded Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the US plays a role in a possible oil exploration in Reed Bank.
“How does EDCA come in here?
...The Supreme Court said that it implements the Mutual Defense Treaty because the US would be repositioning their military equipment [and] weapons in warehouses in Philippine bases,” he said.
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of harsh criticism,” said the President, who led the change of command ceremony and retirement honors for the outgoing PNP chief, Rodolfo Azurin Jr. at police headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City.
“Protect the people, especially the weak, the vulnerable, and those who indirectly work with us in the same cause, such as journalists, civic action groups, civil volunteers, and the like,” Marcos said.
land in Palawan as additional locations that can be accessed by US troops under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
In terms of climate change initiatives, the President said he will be meeting with top US officials to discuss “green bonds,” which are financial instruments linked to climate change solutions and are specific projects to help reduce carbon emissions.
The meeting between Mr. Marcos and Mr. Biden will take place as tension between the US and China escalates due to the issue in Taiwan. China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory.
The White House earlier said Mr. Biden and Mr. Marcos would tackle regional matters and coordinate efforts that will uphold international law and
promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The leaders will also review opportunities “to deepen economic cooperation and promote inclusive prosperity, expand our nations’ special people-topeople ties, invest in the clean energy transition and the fight against climate change, and ensure respect for human rights,” the White House said.
On Friday, Filipino, American, and Australian special troops conducted resupply bundle drop operations (also known as parachute resupply or airdrops) in the coastal waters of Barangay Punta Baja, Rizal, Palawan as part of this year’s “Balikatan” exercises.
The Western Command (Wescom), in a Facebook post Sunday, said participating units are from the Army 18th Special Forces, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Special Operation Group alongside their American and Australian counterparts.
The exercise involved the dropping of resupplies using a Lockheed Martin
C-130J “Super Hercules” of the US Air Force flying at low altitude. Participating forces then immediately recovered the materials using indigenous fishing boats.
“This realistic scenario is designed to train the participants in the effective conduct of resupply missions in a denied area,” the Wescom post said.
Wescom said this “Balikatan” exercise is a good opportunity for local and foreign allied forces to share knowledge and skills together toward boosting their capabilities, combat readiness and interoperability.
Meanwhile, Wescom said that its 3rd Marine Brigade and its subordinate units participated in so-called “visit, board, search, and seizure” (VBSS) exercises held at the Joint Maritime Law Enforcement Training Center in Barangay Magarwak, Sta. Lourdes, Puerto Princesa City.
Among the participants were the PCG, 2nd Special Operations Unit of the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, and the US armed forces.
As he took command of the 228,000-strong PNP, Acorda said he would put a premium on moral ascendancy in the promotion and placement of officers in key positions also vowed that he would lead by example for all members of the PNP to always do what is right (see related story on A1 – Editors).
“As we give a premium to the morale and welfare of our men and women in the organization, assignment and positioning will be based on merit, ability, and moral ascendancy. Under my leadership, we will be your partner in ensuring a secure, peaceful, and crime-free community,” Acorda said in his speech as he expressed gratitude to the President for his trust and confidence in him.
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because he has already been charged and is held at the (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology),” Barbers said.
Rep. Barbers’ interview coincided with the assumption of General Benjamin Acorda Jr. as the 29th PNP chief Monday who vowed to continue the cleansing of their ranks (see related story on A1 – Editors).
Barbers said if Mayo will be allowed to attend the inquiry that would be for the best because there are questions pertaining to Mayo.
The hearing on Wednesday is in response to House Resolution 495 which Barbers himself filed back in November 2022.
In filing the resolution, Barbers cited the need for Congress to look into the alleged involvement of police officers in the alleged cover-up and attempts to recycle the illegal drugs seized during the Oct. 8, 2022 drug bust in Tondo, Manila.
On that day, the police confiscated 990 kilos of shabu from the office of a lending company owned by Mayo, who was formerly connected with the PNP-Drug Enforcement Group.
Prior to posting, Mayo and other police officials invited as resource persons in the congressional inquiry have yet to confirm their attendance, Barbers said.
The official, quoted by ABS-CBN News, said the three rescued female Filipinos were airline workers at Saudia who were stuck in Khartoum amid the ongoing clashes there.
He noted there are only around 300 Filipinos who are registered residents of Sudan. However, the envoy said there
could be up to 700 Filipinos, mostly undocumented, residing there to date.
Filipinos in Sudan are appealing for help in leaving the battle-torn country where deadly fighting raged into a second week (see related story on World page – Editors).
Reports said the forces loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy turned rival Mohamed Hamdan Daglo declared a 72-hour truce for the Muslim holiday of Eid, and Filipinos are worried over clashes worsening again now that the
holiday is over, ABS-CBN News reported.
Speaking with TeleRadyo, Noemi Sanchez urged Philippine officials in Sudan to do everything to evacuate Filipinos quickly.
Over the weekend, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said the government could not ascertain a secure land route for the Filipinos to leave because none of the airports are functioning and there is a long distance between Khartoum and Cairo where the embassy is located. Rey E. Requejo
consumption and the fear of stronger dollar will hurt global oil demand making it more expensive.”
On April 18, the country’s oil firms implemented a mixed oil price movement. The oil firms increased the price of gasoline by P0.30 per liter and P0.10 per liter for kerosene but rolled back the price of diesel by P0.40 per liter.
These resulted in a year-to-date net decrease for diesel at P2.35 per liter and kerosene at P3.35 per liter.
Gasoline, on the other hand, has a net increase of P8.95 per liter.
COVID-19 pandemic.
The Department of Education also continues to study the proposal, agency spokesman Michael Poa told reporters yesterday, while the Alliance of Concerned Teachers suggested the DepEd adjust the school calendar to 185 school days so classes could return to their April-May summer break.
The proposal to change the summer vacation, according to the President, will be decided “very soon.”
“The system we are enforcing, which is the hybrid system where some are online and others are physically attending classes, means there are students who really want to attend class,” he said. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III on Monday urged the government and employers to suspend work during the hottest period of the day. Pimentel made the call following weather bureau PAGASA’s announcement that it might issue an El Niño alert next month, along with the fear the phenomenon may last until next year. “At least for outdoor work, it could be suspended from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the
peak of the heat. It’s done in other countries... The important factor is the temperature level, if it’s already hitting the dangerous level,” Pimentel said.
He added that the break should not mean extending work hours and should be considered part of their rendered service.
Among those that must be covered by temporary work suspension are construction workers, street sweepers and traffic enforcers, Pimentel said.
“You were required to travel from your house to your workplace, when the temperature suddenly shot up to a dangerous level, you should no longer be required to work then. That’s not your
fault, it should be paid,” he added.
Mr. Marcos said the World Health Organization is still considering the coronavirus as a health emergency.
The Geneva-based WHO would meet next month to assess if they would lift or continue to declare COVID-19 as a “public health emergency of international concern.”
The work suspension should be based on PAGASA’s advisory and actual temperature reading, the senator suggested.
Among those that must be covered by temporary work suspension are construction workers, street sweepers, and traffic enforcers, Pimentel added.
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) expressed alarm over recurrent interceptions of Senegalese citizens using fake documentation.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said he is concerned over the recent interceptions of Senegal nationals who were caught in possession of passports with fraudulent BI stamps and visas.
“This implies that there might be a syndicate that defrauds these Africans and offers to fix their documents, but instead gives them fake ones,” he stated.
The BI earlier reported intercepting in March three Senegalese passengers, including two minors, at the MactanCebu International Airport (NAIA) for attempting to leave with fake BI stamps in their passports.
Further examination of their passports by the BI’s forensic documents laboratory revealed that the Schengen visas pasted on their passports are also counterfeit.
Earlier this month, the BI also reported intercepting the application of a Senegal man with a fake BI stamp impressed on his passport.
Following the interceptions, the BI issued immigration alerts on the schemes. “Foreign nationals in the country should not seek the assistance of fixers that promise to process your papers illegally,” Tansingco said.
“Report these fixers immediately to the police so they can be arrested and jailed,” he added.
POLL candidates in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) whose Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) were rejected by local office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) may still appeal the decision before the Commission.
In a radio interview, Comelec chairperson
George Garcia said they are ready to decide on such cases if elevated to them.
“They can come to us and appeal the decision by our local Comelec,” he said, adding that “when we see there is something wrong with the ruling, we will reinstate their name as a candidate.”
He also assured that they will immediately resolve the cases as they committed to decide on all cases before the end of October.
“Our commitment, we must resolve cases before October 30 to provewhether it should be accepted or not. At the same time, if we affirm, if they want, they can file in a higher court,” he said.
SENATOR Francis Tolentino has postponed the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged smuggled sugar from Thailand because the resource persons on the case are on official foreign trips.
Department of Agriculture (DA) officerin-charge Senior Undersecretary. Domingo Panganiban and other DA officials are
currently in China.
Panganiban left the Philippines Monday morning to attend a meeting in Beijing of agriculture officials from different countries.
Tolentino also said that Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who requested for the Senate probe, is in Japan.
Hontiveros tagged Panganiban as the one who issued the order for the importation of sugar despite the absence of a Sugar Order
or authorization from the Sugar Regulatory Administration.
The opposition senator described this sugar importation as “state-sponsored sugar smuggling.” Domingo was also named as behind the government’s favoring three companies to import sugar even without sugar order.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, officials of the Bureau of Custom, SRA and
If it’ss not resolved, their names will not be included, but of course that’s unfair. So it needs
be resolved before October 30,” Garcia added.
Earlier, the Comelec said it will not accept
of overaged SK bets and non-resident barangay candidates.
It noted that COCs of youth bets that are over 24 years old and village aspirants not residing in the communities they seek to lead will not be accepted.
The filing period is set from Aug. 28 to Sept.
2, 2023.
Under Republic Act 10742, those who are running in the SK polls must be a citizen of the Philippines; a registered SK voter; a resident of the barangay for not less than one year immediately preceding the day of the elections; at least 18 years but not more than 24 years of age on the day of the elections; able to read and write; and must not be related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected national official or to any incumbent elected regional, provincial, city, municipal, or barangay official, in the locality where he or she seeks to be elected.
SENATE Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko”
Pimentel III said there is no need to extend the ongoing SIM card registration which will end on April 26.
He said the object of the law is really to find out which SIMs are not being used for illegal activities.
“If only 44% are worth keeping active, then so be it,” he added.
Sen. Win Gatchalian also believes there is no need to extend the deadline as SIM registration will never reach 100%. There are an estimated 110 million prepaid SIM cards in the Philippines
“Our population including children and babies is 109 million,” he said, adding that this means that many people own multiple prepaid SIM cards. It is natural that the number of prepaid SIM cards will go down because people are already foregoing ownership of multiple prepaid SIM cards, he said.
members of private companies importing sugar are supposed to attend the Senate hearing.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said Domingo and Hontiveros can attend the hearing virtually. He noted that Panganiban should attend the next scheduled hearing to avoid doubts he is mere evading the probe. He said there might appear a pattern of this connotation.
An extension of the SIM Card registration period loomed very likely as more than 40 percent of cell phone users in the country still have to comply with the list-up with only four days left in the original time frame set by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
Telecommunication companies (telcos) Smart, Globe, and DITO said the requirement for identification cards (IDs) posed a big problem in the registration process.
DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said they will meet on Monday with representatives of the telcos and other stakeholders with a view to identifying solutions to the problem.
The DICT said earlier ruled out any extension of the April 26 SIM registration deadline despite calls from telcos to give their respective customers more time to register.
LONDON—The coronation of King Charles III will be attended by just 2,000 people including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines -- a fraction of the more than 8,000 guests who crammed into Westminster Abbey for Queen Elizabeth II’s crowning in 1953.
Here’s what we know about who is expected to be there and who’s not.
Turning up
• Prince Harry, estranged from most members of his family after quitting royal duties and airing his grievances in public, confirmed he will attend after months of reported negotiations with Buckingham Palace. He will not be accompanied by his wife Meghan who will stay at home in California with their children.
World leaders including the French President Emmanuel
Macron; Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese; German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier; Polish President Andrzej
Duda; President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr; and Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission
• World leaders including the French President Emmanuel Macron; Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese; German President FrankWalter Steinmeier; Polish President Andrzej Duda; President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr; and Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission.
• UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty along
with members of the Cabinet.
• Hundreds of community heroes honored by the monarchy including English schoolboy Max Woosey who slept in a tent in his garden for three years to raise money for charity, and Richard Thomas who delivered 10,000 prescriptions to people during the COVID-19 lockdown.
• Four hundred young people from organizations supported by the royal family.
• Royals including King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain; Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark; Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko of Japan; Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco; and King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan.
• Around 80 members of the lower and upper houses of the UK parliament.
• Food writer Tom Parker Bowles and art curator Laura Lopes, Queen Camilla’s children. Staying away or not invited
• US President Joe Biden will be represented by his wife First Lady Jill Biden. UK and US officials say this is in line with precedent and no president has ever attended a British sovereign’s coronation.
The White House insisted the noshow by Biden who is famously proud of his Irish roots “is not a snub.”
It said the president and the king enjoyed a “good relationship” and Biden had already accepted Charles’s invitation for a state visit to the UK.
• Prince Harry’s wife Meghan will remain in California with children Lilibet and Archie, whose fourth birthday falls on the day of the coronation.
• Most of Britain’s 24 non-royal dukes.
The aristocrats normally attend in coronation robes and coronets but appear to have lost out due to Charles’s reported wish for the invitation list to be “meritocratic not aristocratic.”
The Duke of Rutland told the Daily Mail he was disappointed as it had been “families like mine that have supported he royal family over 1,000 years.”
• British MPs have not been allowed to bring spouses or partners.
• Sarah Ferguson, ex-wife of the king’s brother Prince Andrew who still lives with him on the royal family’s Windsor estate. Ferguson has repeatedly embarrassed the royal family.
• Lady Pamela Mountbatten, 94, daughter of Charles’s great uncle and mentor Earl Mountbatten of Burma and one of only two surviving bridesmaids from Queen Elizabeth II’s 1947 wedding. Her daughter, India Hicks, said on Instagram the family had been contacted by a royal aide.
She said they understood that the king was sending “apologies for offending many family and friends with the reduced list.” AFP
WHEN President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged this week his 114 million countrymen to participate in world efforts to address the negative effects of climate change, he on the nose marked the gravity of the global problem.
The world, which now has 8 billion people, celebrated Earth Day on April 22 – but this should be in the awareness of the people every day for 365 days of the year.
“This Earth Day, we urge the public and our fellow public servants to join the global action against climate change,” President Marcos said in a post on Twitter.
The Philippines has been cited as among the most vulnerable countries to climate change with an average of 20 typhoons visiting it annually.
The President is aware of the figures, chasing that with “Our administration remains fully supportive of environmental programs and policies.”
Unquestionably, there are government initiatives to combat climate change,which are clear on the social media sites of the Climate Change Commission, the lead policy-making body which the President chairs.
The CCC ensures mainstreaming climate change in national, local and sectoral development plans towards a climate-resilient and climate-smart Philippines.
At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
We join advocates in not only imagining a #HealthierTomorrow –let’s make it happen
CEO Summit in Bangkok, Thailand in November last year, the President highlighted that climate change was “the most pressing existential challenge of our time” that indelibly impacts the global economy. He underscored how the Philippines was at great risk from the climate crisis, as it stood to lose over six percent of gross domestic product annually by 2100, citing a study by the Manilabased Asian Development Bank. Indeed, Filipinos should rally behind the President and recognize the importance of our planet for the sake of our health and that of the succeeding generations.
Research has shown that 66,230 died in the Philippines in 2019 from the negative effects of air pollution alone, of which 64,920 deaths were estimated to be adults and 1,310 children.
This is significantly higher than previous estimates made for the country, aligning the impact with the most recent literature. They are among more than 13 million deaths round the world, caused by avoidable environmental factors, based on analysis by the Geneva-based World Health Organization. This figure takes into account the accelerating climate crisis, which is the single biggest health threat facing humanity, but also includes air pollution, inadequate sanitation and clean water, exposure to chemicals and radiation, and unsafe urban environments. Indubitably, our environment provides the fundamental requirements for life: clean air and water, safe food, and shelter.
But, as the WHO says, nature is both the origin of infectious and vector-borne diseases and the source of medicines, including many antibiotics, stressing human impact on the environment is increasing the risk of emerging infectious diseases in humans, over 60 percent of which originate from animals, mainly from wildlife.
We are inspired by experts’ recommendation to adopt a One Health policy recognizing the inter-connection of human, animal and environmental health and tackle environmental issues to set societies on the right track for future generations.
We join advocates in not only imagining a #HealthierTomorrow – let’s make it happen.
IN THE the Gospel narrative last Sunday from St. Luke, the risen Christ, the disciples who had just encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus and recognized him in the breaking of bread are in the midst of sharing their experience when Jesus appears to them. He who had truly risen from the dead mysteriously stands before them inviting them to look at his hands and feet and to touch and see that he had risen and walks now in their midst.
The disciples are amazed beyond belief to the point of being startled and terrified, assuming he is a ghost.
But it is Jesus’ words to the disciples that convey the heart of the Easter mystery into the depths of their hearts and minds.
Jesus greets them with his divine gift of peace when he says, “Peace be with you!” Then Jesus calms their troubled souls when he asks, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?”
We are living in a troubled world that engenders a stressful existence.
Often, we are overwhelmed with anxiety, but just as the Gospel will tell us, it is in recognizing the risen Lord even in these troubled times that we can find and experience true joy.
It is in recognizing the hand of the hidden Lord that we discover the peace that calms us down.
Surely, in troubled times, our tendency is to complain, regret, or finger-point. We tend to brood in our melancholy and sadness.
From the human perspective, we ask ourselves -- how can there be happiness and joy in the midst of anguish?
When every day we are bombarded by negativity and pessimism. yet the Gospel tells us that if we only know how to open our eyes and hearts, we can see that God, in his tenderness and compassion, continues to accompany us even in the midst of poverty, nakedness, and persecution.
Recognizing the real presence of the risen
By Melandrew T. VelascoFOR a country that is a net importer of energy, it is greatly affected by volatility in fuel prices. It has a long way to go to achieve energy security – energy affordability, accessibility, and reliability.
Energy security is essential to attract more investments, both foreign and local. Its Its absence has been identified as one of the reasons for the slow growth in energyintensive investments and of domestic manufacturing industries.
The recent inauguration of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility in Limay, Bataan celebrates hope towards energy security.
Project proponent of the BESS is San Miguel Corporation through its subsidiary SMC Global Power Holdings, Inc.
The 50-MW BESS in Limay is part of the 1,000-MW BESS network SMC is putting up nationwide. It is the first of its kind in the country and one of the largest in the world.
The BESS makes possible the storage of power when it is not needed or when there is an oversupply.
The stored power could be released when
required or when there is under supply. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who was guest of honor during the event, acknowledged that the problems “in terms of energy supply, energy cost are one of the biggest obstacles when we talk to potential investors to come to the Philippines.”
The Philippines has one of the highest electricity prices in Asia.
Aside from finding ways to increase the supply of power while decreasing its cost, the government is working on ways to improve the mix of traditional and renewable sources of power.
SMC’s initiative to introduce a storage component into the overall energy infrastructure was lauded by President Marcos.
“Given the increasing generation of renewable energy, it is vital then that we advance and incorporate Energy Storage Systems, or ESS, in our overall energy infrastructure.”
According to SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang, BESS “is among the best solutions we need to help us achieve energy security for our country, provide access to reliable and affordable electricity for many Filipinos, and accelerate our renewable
energy transition.” Battery energy storage facilities can also facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources such as wind or solar into the grid. According to the President, the BESS technology is carving out a distinct path towards a more energy-secure and sustainable future for the country.
“It is clean, it is zero-emission, zerowater extraction, no noise pollution.” The BESS is also expected to generate “green jobs” for the people.
SMC Global Power Holdings is spending
Lord in our situation will give us reason to be joyful, knowing that Jesus has resurrected and is risen from the dead.
God himself knows what pain and suffering but with his resurrection he is telling us if only we believe we too can conquer sickness and even death.
The Gospel tells us that when the disciples recognized Jesus, all their fears began to dissipate, and replaced by irreprehensible joy!
Often, life can be taxing; stressful and many become overcome with despair and loneliness.
heart burns as I mourn my crucified dream
Sometimes, we may feel helpless.
But just as the Gospel will tell us, it is in recognizing the risen Lord even in these troubled times that we can still find and experience true joy.
It is his kind of peace that soothes our spirits amidst this turmoil.
The gospel narrative also tells us that when the disciples begin to recognize Jesus, their hearts burn, and instantly set out to tell the others that Jesus rises.
The disciples start to understand that death is not the last word on the life of each one of us as we cannot be ‘held in its power.’
Recognizing the real presence of the risen Lord gives us reason to be joyful, knowing Jesus has resurrected and is risen from the dead.
God himself knows what pain and suffering but with his resurrection he is telling us if only we believe we too can conquer sickness and even death.
These past 10 days have been challenging as I had to confront health and personal crises.
I had to make tough and difficult decisions, including letting go of a dream project in Mindanao that I thought would be my final legacy in the field of human rights, support for the Lumad and especially indigenous children, and environmental and climate justice.
It was a dream project I shared with others and we had worked on it intensely for the last 12 months even with my cancer diagnosis.
I had actually given up almost all my other work, including most of my teaching, to work on this project full time. But it was clear last week that I had to let go while continuing some of its components. I was filled with an overwhelming sense of loss and sadness when this decision was made with my main partner.
I rebelled at first, angry even, but quickly as I understood what was happening and no one was at fault in this, I realized that loving more here meant letting go.
Above all, having a resurrection lens helped me understand where I was.
I am in my own personal road to Emmaus, surprised by God with a gift that saved me from perhaps even a worse situation. In this road, I am guaranteed to meet the resurrected Christ, who will walk with me, our Messiah whom John Shea has described as the “arsonist of the heart.”
Of course, that is why my heart burns as I mourn my crucified dream.
Website: tonylavina.com. Facebook: tonylavs Twitter: tonylavs
rehabilitate critical watersheds through the Million Trees Foundation, Inc.
SMC also utilizes fully certified biodegradable plastic packaging and implements a zero-waste returnable glass bottle system.
over US$1 billion to build battery energy storage facilities in strategic sites in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
This will give consumers in other parts of the country access to stable and good quality. It will also spur industrialization and economic growth in areas outside the National Capital Region.
With the BESS in place, investors will be encouraged to locate their plants in these areas.
SMC under RSA’s leadership has embarked on several projects to benefit the nation. It is among the active partners of government in nation-building.
Further than what SMC is achieving for the energy sector, it has taken up the challenge of environment protection through its various green projects.
It has embarked on a sustainability program that aims to cuts its domestic and utility use of water by 50 percent by 2025.
In its commitment to eliminate water wastage, it has undertaken the reuse and recycle of more water across the SMC group of companies.
To protect essential water sources, it has extended support to the Annual Million Trees Challenge, a project that aims to
It has discontinued its plastic bottled water business and utilizes plastic wastes to power its cement plants. It rehabilitated the Tullahan River without government funding and is nearing the completion of the Pasig River rehabilitation.
It also supports the Enhanced National Greening Program of the government through its tree-planting programs.
Thus far, SMC’s tree-planting activities have resulted in more than 5.4 million trees added to the country’s forest cover.
There is no illusion that much remains to be done for our country to attain energy security and sustainable development.
“I look forward to more positive things and important advancements we can all create for the Philippines and our countrymen,” RSA said. With private sector partners like SMC as allies, we shall succeed and win the future for our beloved Philippines.
(The author is president and executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc. He is also a prolific writer and publisher of biographies and coffee-table books.)
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PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vowed to set up more Kadiwa centers across the country to help local agricultural producers boost their income by eliminating middlemen and enable the consumers to buy their needs at affordable prices.
The President made the pledge in an interview with broadcaster and former Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin Tulfo on Monday.
“What we’re doing at Kadiwa (is) we’re really multiplying that. What is happening is that we really need to watch the supply of agricultural commodities because we take everything when they are cheap, we pass through Kadiwa. Eh,
QUEZON City Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas has posted a record of filing more than 50 bills that passed on third and final reading in the House of Representatives which were subsequently referred to the Senate.
A staunch believer that “development greatly depends on the quality of the people,” Vargas sponsored proposed laws anchored on human resource development.
“Only by holistically looking at the population can one legislate better for the people. Anytime between the working ages of 15 to 64, we can all be contributors to development, there just must be guiding policies in place that will allow citizens to do so,” Vargas said.
Among Vargas’ measures ratified by the lower chamber was House Bill 1680, also dubbed The National Apprenticeship Program geared towards addressing the long-standing job-skill mismatch in the labor market.
He was also among the policymakers who pushed for HB 7370, or the Creation of a Tripartite Council to Address Unemployment, Underemployment, and the Job-Skills Mismatch in the Country.
Vargas, a deputy majority leader, said that human resources, particularly the youth are essential aspects of development. This he said is one of the main reasons he proposed HB 0673 Philippine Entrepreneurs Academy—for the capacity building of the youth who wish to pursue short-term technical-vocational non-degree courses for the purposes of continuing or starting up their own businesses. Maricel V. Cruz
STATE pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has opened its emergency loan window in five more areas in Oriental Mindoro affected by the oil spill from tanker Princess Empress that capsized and sank off Naujan and Pola towns on February 28.
“We have allocated P193.92 million in emergency loans for our 7,714 active members and old-age and disability pensioners in Calapan City, as well in as the municipalities of Baco, San Teodoro, Soccoro and Victoria. They may now apply for the loan until May 17,” GSIS president and general manager Wick Veloso said.
Qualified to apply for the loan are members in active service and not on leave of absence without pay; have at least three months of paid premiums within the last six months prior to application; have no pending administrative or criminal case; have no due and demandable loan; and have a net take-home pay of not lower than P5,000 after all required monthly obligations have been deducted.
Old-age and disability pensioners are also qualified to apply if their resulting net monthly take-home pension after loan availment is at least 25% of their basic monthly pension, the GSIS said in a statement.
Members with existing emergency loan balance may borrow up to P40,000 to pay off their previous emergency loan balance and still receive a maximum net amount of P20,000. Meanwhile, pensioners and those without existing emergency loan may apply for a P20,000 loan.
very popular with people, of course and the price is really better than other places,” the Chief Executive said.
While the goal is to reduce the price of rice to P20 per kilo, Marcos said the government has stepped up efforts to improve the supply chain efficiency and make food and other essential commodities affordable, especially in the provinces.
“Our arrangement with the Department
of Agriculture (DA) is not over yet.
But, slowly we know what we need to do. We already know where the system is strong, where the system is relatively weak, where we can really... really need help, that’s what we’re looking at now,” Marcos said.
“So maybe the PHP20, maybe down the road we can reach that. But more important than...’those specific products is that Kadiwa reaches many places,” he added.
The President also said the long-term plan is to lower prices of goods not just by expanding the ‘Kadiwa ng Pangulo’ program across the country,but also by making the goods affordable in local markets.
“Because sometimes we forget, we always think about increasing the production. It is also necessary, I said, not to forget that the farmer earns a good income. That’s why we do this so that the farmers
have a good job,” the President said.
“So, we are slowly improving and hopefully... the time will come when we are not only in Kadiwa feeling low prices but in all the markets, because we have a lot of supply, we have a lot production. We no longer rely on imports alone,” Marcos said.
Kadiwa is a market linkage facilitation program of the DA aimed at making products such as rice, fish, poultry and other live stocks, fruits, vegetables, and other basic commodities accessible and affordable for the poor.
Kadiwa centers, now numbering 300 nationwide, also seek to establish an additional market for small farmers and fishermen to sell their products and increase their income, as well as ensure a stable price and supply of food and other basic commodities in areas where poor families live.
THE Department of Justice (DOJ)
mulls tagging suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. as a terrorist, along with some of his close associates suspected of complicity in certain criminal acts including the murder of Governor Roel Degamo last March 4.
Meanwhile, Teves asserted that the police raid on his property in the province was meant to pin him down.
In an interview, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed that the plan to designate Teves as a terrorist, along with possibly five of the embattled lawmaker’s cohorts including Marvin Miranda, one of the suspected brains behind the assassination of Degamo.
“We’ll be meeting with the Anti-Terror Council (ATC) very soon, in the next few days, and we’ll be discussing… the designation of Congressman Teves as a terrorist. And some of the people who work with him to… have the same designation,” Remulla said.
“We’re looking at three, four, or five other people who may be considered as part of the terror organization of Mr. Teves,” he added.
Asked if this included Miranda, Remulla admitted that he (Miranda) was part of the “core group.”
“He (Miranda) is a member of the core group ... what others call a terrorist cell. He is included,” the DOJ chief said.
According to Remulla, the five people were not government officials, but played “very pivotal roles” in the killing of Degamo and eight others on March 4.
“That act alone instilled fear in most people in Negros Oriental. If they can do it to a governor, what more for other people, ordinary people. I think that’s something we should remember,” Remulla stressed.
He emphasized that the five personalities played “different roles” when asked if the five people they are seeking to designate as terrorists are the same five possible masterminds in the Degamo killing.
THE National Electrification Administration (NEA) on Monday vowed to address Occidental Mindoro’s power crisis which involves 20-hour daily outages.
“I will be flying in tomorrow to see for myself the situation of the PSI power plant (in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro), if it has([indeed) dependable capacity of six megawatts. If it can deliver and discharge already, I will contract them to discharge the six megawatts,” NEA administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda said in a press conference.
Occidental Mindoro was placed earlier under a state of calamity due to power crisis.
“NEA will be the one to lease the power plant to augment the power [supply and address the shortage,” Almeda said.
Almeda also reported that the Department of Energy already
issued a certificate of exemption or EPSA (emergency power supply agreement) which allowed the government to enter into a contract with DMCI for additional power supply. He said the contract involves the generation of 17 megawatts of power supply.
“DMCI promised to roll out 10 megawatts in a matter of 30 days, (and another) seven megawatts in two months,” Almeda said.
He said he has also instructed the cooperatives in possession of the four units of modular generator sets with two-megawatt capacity each to send it over to Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (Omeco) to provide immediate power supply for hospitals and public schools.
Meanwhile, local officials were considering filing a case of economic sabotage against the power supplier and distributor in the province due to the ongoing power crisis.
SECRETARY Rex Gatchalian of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday met with British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils with a view to strengthening bilateral relations and discuss possible partnership in capacitating the social welfare workforce, as well as combatting hunger in the Philippines.
During the British envoy’s courtesy visit at Gatchalian’s office in Quezon City, the secretary briefed Beaufils and her delegation on DSWD’s initiatives to retool its workforce and mitigate hunger in the country.
As part of its plans to further equip and train the social welfare workers and other service providers offering and implementing social protection packages, the DSWD aims to revitalize its Social Wel-
fare and Development Center for Asia and the Pacific (SWADCAP) as an academy for social workers and those involved in social welfare programs.
Through the academy, Gatchalian said “the DSWD will provide certificate programs and short courses on various fields like social protection and disaster preparedness, among others to further improve the provision of social welfare programs to the
THE Sandiganbayan has pressed the arrest of a vice mayor in Maguindanao who allegedly failed to attend the promulgation of its decision on an anti-graft case last February 9. The anti-graft court reiterated its ordered for the arrest of Vice Mayor Vice Mayor Datu Sajid Islam Uy Ampatuan of Shariff Saydona Mustapha town in Maguindanao for his failure to attend the Feb. 9 promulgation of the decision that found him guilty of 126 counts of falsification of public documents, four counts of graft, and four counts of malversation of public funds.
Ampatuan earlier filed a petition asking the court to excuse him from attending the promulgation because of gastritis and swollen knees. Ampatuan claimed he could barely walk, let alone travel due to his medical condition. He submitted a medical certificate which indicated he had to rest for 10 days.
But the court rejected his petition “A convicted accused who fails to appear during the promulgation of judgment without justifiable cause loses standing in court and loses the remedies available under the Rules of Court,” the anti-graft court stressed. Maricel V. Cruz
poor and the vulnerable sectors.”
In addressing hunger in the country, Gatchalian tackled the DSWD’s plans to implement and provide digital food stamps that may be used by its recipients to buy goods in grocery stores and supermarkets.
In response to the Secretary, the British envoy vowed to share the British government’s curriculum and other materials that may be used by the DSWD for its academy.
STOCKHOLM, Sweden
—Europe’s military spending grew at a record pace in 2022, reaching a level unseen since the Cold War following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, global security researchers said Monday.
The rise in Europe helped global military expenditures reach an eighth straight record at $2.24 trillion, or 2.2 percent of the world’s gross domestic product, according to the Stockholm
CANBERRA—Australia launched its biggest defence shakeup in decades Monday, vowing to turn a military that is “no longer fit for purpose” into a fighting force that could deter China or any would-be foe.
Defence Minister Richard Marles unveiled a strategic review that called for a sharp shift toward long-range deterrence—using missiles, submarines, and cyber tools to keep adversaries at arm’s length.
“Today, for the first time in 35 years, we are recasting the mission of the Australian Defence Force,” Marles said.
Describing China’s military build-up as the largest and most ambitious of any country since World War II, the review warns “the risks of military escalation or miscalculation are rising”.
Australian planners have viewed China’s military rise warily, fearing Beijing’s now-vast capabilities could effectively cut Australia off from trading partners and global supply chains.
In response to that threat, Australia’s military will develop the ability to strike from air, land, and sea, strengthen northern bases and recruit more troops.
“We aim to change the calculus so no potential aggressor can ever conclude that the benefits of conflict outweigh the risks,” the review said.
Australia has already announced a key tool in its new strategy—the development of stealthy long-range nuclearpowered submarines that could retaliate with a barrage of cruise missiles and little warning. AFP
International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
“It’s driven by the war in Ukraine, (which is) driving European budget spending upwards, but also the unresolved and worsening tensions in East Asia between the US and China,” researcher Nan Tian, one of the study’s co-authors, told AFP.
Europe spent 13 percent more on its armies in 2022 than in the previous 12 months, in a year marked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The figure does not take into account sharp inflation rates, which means actual spending was even higher, the think tank said.
That was the strongest increase
in more than 30 years, and a return, in constant dollars, to the level of spending in 1989 when the Berlin Wall fell.
“In Europe, it is at its highest level since essentially the end of the Cold War,” Tian said. Ukraine alone increased its spending seven-fold to $44 billion, or a third of its GDP. The country has additionally benefitted from billions of dollars of weapons donations from abroad, SIPRI noted.
At the same time, Russian spending rose by 9.2 percent last year, estimates showed.
“Irrespective of whether you remove the two warring nations, European
spending has still has increased by quite a lot,” Tian said.
Spending in Europe, which totalled $480 billion in 2022, has already risen by a third in the past decade, and the trend is expected to continue and accelerate over the next decade.
The continent could “potentially” see growth levels similar to 2022 for several years, Tian said.
After declining sharply in the 1990s, global military expenditure has been on the rise since the 2000s.
The upturn was initially the result of China’s massive investments in its military, which was then followed by renewed tensions with Russia after its annexation of Crimea in 2014.
The US alone accounted for 39 percent of global military expenditure. Together with China, which came in second at 13 percent, the two nations accounted for more than half of the world’s military spending.
Those next in line lagged far behind, with Russia at 3.9 percent, India at 3.6 percent and Saudi Arabia at 3.3 percent.
“China has been increasingly investing in its naval forces as a way to expand its reach to Taiwan of course, then further out than the South China Sea,” Tian said.
Japan, as well as Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Australia are all following the trend. AFP
SINGAPORE—British tycoon Richard Branson on Monday urged Singapore to halt the imminent execution of a man sentenced to death over one kilogram of cannabis, saying it “may be about to kill an innocent man.”
Singaporean Tangaraju Suppiah, 46, is scheduled to be hanged on Wednesday, the city-state’s Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) has said.
“Tangaraju was actually not anywhere near these drugs at the time of his arrest. This was largely a circumstantial case that relied on inferences,” Branson, who is a member of the Geneva-based Global Commission on Drug Policy, wrote on his blog.
TAKEN TO AMMAN. People evacuated from Sudan arrive at a military airport in Amman on April 24. Foreign countries rushed to evacuate their nationals from Sudan as deadly fighting raged into a second week between forces loyal to two rival generals. AFP
KHARTOUM—Foreign countries rushed to evacuate their nationals from Sudan as deadly fighting raged into a second week between forces loyal to two rival generals.
Evacuation flights were continuing early Monday, with hundreds of people flown out overnight on military aircraft.
Foreigners also fled the capital Khartoum in a long United Nations convoy, while millions of frightened residents hunkered down inside their homes, many running low on water and food.
Across the city of five million, army and paramilitary troops have fought ferocious street battles since April 15, leaving behind charred tanks, gutted buildings and looted shops.
DY, NIÑA SARAH SAN
BUENAVENTURA DY, RAMON MARTIN SAN
BUENAVENTURA DY and CONCEPCION DY
MACABABAYAO, per Doc No. 152, Page No. 32, Book No. II, Series of 2023, of the Notarial Registry of Atty. Raychelle S. Pacheco, Notary Public for and in the City of Makati.
(MS-APRIL 18 25 & MAY 2, 2023)
More than 420 people have been killed and thousands wounded, according to UN figures, amid fears of wider turmoil and a humanitarian disaster in one of the world’s poorest nations.
US special forces launched a rescue mission Sunday for around 100 embassy staff and their relatives, swooping in with Chinook helicopters to fly them to a military base in Djibouti.
US forces “will remain deployed in Djibouti to protect United States personnel and others until the security situation no longer requires their presence”, President Joe Biden said Sunday in a letter to the Speaker of the House. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
SEOUL—South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol flew to Washington Monday for a six-day state visit, as the allies move to bulk up military cooperation over North Korea’s expanding nuclear threats.
Pyongyang has conducted another record-breaking string of sanctionsdefying launches this year, including test-firing the country’s first solid-fuel ballistic missile this month—a key technical breakthrough for Kim Jong Un’s military.
said UK forces had also rescued diplomats and their families while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country had temporarily suspended its evacuation operation. “Our diplomats are safe—they have been extracted and are working from outside the country,” Trudeau tweeted. ‘Landed safely’ Germany and France meanwhile said they had also begun evacuating their nationals and those from other countries.
Two French planes carrying around 200 people of multiple nationalities landed in Djibouti.
The German army said it had evacuated 101 people on the first of three military aircraft sent to Sudan. AFP
“Killing those at the lowest rungs of the illicit drug supply chain... is hardly effective in curbing an international trade worth hundreds of billions every year,” he said, adding he hoped authorities would review the case.
In many parts of the world -- including in neighbouring Thailand -- cannabis has been decriminalised and rights groups have been mounting pressure on Singapore to abolish capital punishment. The Asian financial hub has some of the world’s toughest anti-narcotics laws and insists the death penalty remains an effective deterrent against trafficking. AFP
YANGON—Former United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon has arrived in Myanmar, state media reported on Monday, as the bloody conflict engulfing the country spirals.
Diplomatic efforts to end the crisis unleashed by the military’s 2021 coup have stalled, with the junta ignoring international criticism of its brutal crackdown on dissent and refusing to engage with its opponents.
Myanmar media gave no details of Ban’s visit, but he is a member of “The Elders” group of world leaders founded by Nelson Mandela, which works to promote peace and defuse conflicts.
Ban and his team “arrived in Naypyidaw by air yesterday evening”, the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported.
He was met by the deputy ministers for defence and foreign affairs, the newspaper said, without providing details.
A bulletin on state-run TV showed Ban waving for the cameras as he arrived at the airport, accompanied by several officials.
AFP has contacted The Elders for comment on Ban’s trip.
Ban, who also served as South Korean foreign minister, travelled to Myanmar several times during his time as UN secretary general, with varying degrees of success negotiating with the generals.
In 2009 he visited to pressure then junta leader Than Shwe to release Aung San Suu Kyi, but the general brazenly snubbed his attempts to visit the prodemocracy figurehead. AFP
(MS-APRIL 3,10 & 17, 2023)
In response, Yoon has pulled South Korea closer to long-standing ally Washington, and the trip has a packed schedule including a summit with US President Joe Biden on Wednesday, where the pair will celebrate 70 years of ties.
“The two leaders will spend a lot of time together over the course of many events to celebrate the achievements of the South Korea-US alliance over 70 years, and exchange in-depth views on the alliance’s future,” principal deputy national security adviser Kim Tae-hyo told reporters ahead of the trip.
But analysts say Yoon and Biden will have a lot to hash out at their summit, as even though such events are “highly scripted” the two leaders have some “uncomfortable” topics to discuss, said Katharine Moon, Professor Emerita of Political Science at Wellesley College.
The trip comes as Yoon grapples with the South’s increasingly nervous public about the US commitment to so-called extended deterrence, where US assets —including nuclear weapons—serve to prevent attacks on allies. AFP
BAMBOO ‘MOAR’. Police remove activists of the environmental group “Last Generation” (Letzte Generation) sitting on the ground and causing a traffic jam on Berlin’s highway A100 during a protest for climate change on April 24. The group announced it would block the whole capital and plans to carry out several similar actions to draw attention to the climate crisis. AFP
LIMA—Peru’s former president Alejandro Toledo was jailed on Sunday, hours after arriving back in his homeland following extradition from the United States to face charges of money laundering and corruption during his mandate.
The 77-year-old, who served as Peru’s president from 2001 to 2006, was flown in the evening by helicopter to the Barbadillo prison, journalists witnessed.
Toledo is wanted by Peruvian prosecutors investigating a sprawling scandal involving Brazilian construction conglomerate Odebrecht.
He is accused of having received millions of dollars from Odebrecht in return for public works contracts, and prosecutors are asking that he be sentenced to more than 20 years in jail.
Toledo arrived in Lima from Los Angeles in the custody of Interpol officers, who handed him over to local law enforcement, television images showed.
The former president, wearing a red sweater, appeared before a judge and gave his name, age and national identity number, the judiciary tweeted along with a series of photos. Toledo had been living in the United States for several
EXTRADITED. This handout picture distributed by the Peruvian National Police showing Peru’s former president Alejandro Toledo being escorted on arrival after being extradited from the United States, at the Jorge Chavez international airport in Callao, Lima, on April 23. AFP
ZURICH—Tens of billions were withdrawn from Credit Suisse in the first three months of 2023, but its profit swelled as the bank’s high-risk debts were wiped out in an emergency takeover by UBS.
Switzerland’s long-time second largest bank saw 61.2 billion Swiss francs ($68.6 billion) withdrawn in the first quarter alone, it said Monday in what is likely its final quarterly report before it is swallowed by its larger domestic rival, UBS.
Investors had been eagerly awaiting the results as they seek clues to the magnitude of the challenges facing UBS, which was strongarmed last month by Swiss authorities into the mega-merger.
Credit Suisse said the “significant net asset outflows” were particularly heavy in the second half of March, as it was engulfed by panic amid the hastily arranged takeover by its larger domestic competitor.
“These outflows have moderated but have not yet reversed as of April 24, 2023,” the bank said in its earnings statement. At the same time, the bank said it saw its net profit swell to 12.4 billion francs, up from a significant loss a year earlier, after holders of high-risk Credit Suisse debt were wiped out in the emergency takeover deal.
LOCAL stocks and the peso moved up Monday as economic managers maintained the 2023 growth forecasts and more companies reported healthy earnings in the first quarter.
The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index climbed 77 points, or 1.20 percent, to close at 6,598.38, as four of the six subsectors advanced , with financials leading the way.
The index representing all shares also picked up 21 points, or 0.63 percent, to settle at 3,510.09, on a value
TO: ALL STOCKHOLDERS OF GMA NETWORK, INC.
Please be notified that the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of GMA Network, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held on May 17, 2023 (Wednesday) at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom application through https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84219442424 to consider, discuss or vote on the following:
1. Call to Order
2. Certification of Notice and Quorum
3. Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting Held on May 18, 2022
4. Annual Report of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
5. Financial Report
6. Ratification of the Acts of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and Corporate Officers
7. Approval of the Meritorious Justifications for the Retention of Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban and Dr. Jaime C. Laya as Independent Directors
8. Election of Directors (including the Independent Directors)
9. Election of the External Auditor
turnover of P5.34 billion. Losers edged gainers, 96 to 94, while 47 issues were unchanged.
Seven of the 10 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Bank of the Philippine Islands Inc. which jumped 6.52 percent to P109.50. BDO Unibank Inc. gained 3.33 percent to P139.50, while Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. added 2.56 percent to finish at P60.00.
The peso rose 0.45 percent Monday to close at 55.77 a dollar from 56.02 on April 20.
Meanwhile, Asian markets were mixed on Monday, with investors mostly treading water ahead of key data releases this week, including earnings results from US tech behemoths.
Europe opened lower and US equi-
A brief description of each item is summarized under Annex “A” of this Notice. Moreover, the rationale for each agenda item including the requirements and procedure for nomination and election of Directors is set forth in detail under Annex “B” of the Notice of the Meeting attached to the Definitive Information Statement (“DIS”). The DIS, the Management Report, and the Annual Report may be viewed at and downloaded from www.gmanetwork.com/asm2023.
For purposes of the meeting, the Board of Directors has set April 26, 2023 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice, to participate, and to vote in absentia, at such meeting and any adjournment thereof.
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Company will be conducting the annual stockholders’ meeting via remote communication. The conduct of the annual stockholders’ meeting including the attendance and participation thereto will be through Zoom application.
Stockholders of record who intend to attend and participate via remote communication and/or vote in absentia shall notify the Office of the Corporate Secretary by email to GMA2023ASM@gmanetwork com beginning April 26, 2023 until May 8, 2023 and shall register in accordance with the procedure set forth in the attached Procedure for Registration, Participation and Attendance in the 2023 GMA Annual Stockholders’ Meeting by Remote Communication and Procedure for Voting in Absentia (Annex “A” of the Notice of Meeting attached to the DIS). All information to be submitted as required under Annex “A” shall be subject to verification and validation by the Corporate Secretary. Upon successful registration, the meeting link will be sent to the participant/stockholder.
ties futures were also down following a muted finish on Wall Street last week, with a wait-and-see mood taking hold of markets as they awaited results from the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, Google parent Alphabet and owner Meta.
“Mega tech earnings will be important this week for the rally in risk sentiment since the beginning of the year,” Tapas Strickland of National Australia Bank said.
Traders will also be looking for clues about the US Federal Reserve’s next steps on interest rates.
Though swaps markets indicate that some traders think a peak and subsequent cuts are just around the corner, upcoming US data on growth, inflation and wages could see that forecast change, analysts say. With AFP
absentia on or before May 15, 2023 in accordance with the procedure set forth in Annex “A” of the Notice of the Meeting attached to the DIS. In order to allow time to validate the votes, the deadline to cast votes shall be on or before May 15, 2023. Votes submitted after May 15, 2023 will no longer be included in the tabulation of the total votes cast for each of the items in the Agenda.
We are not soliciting your proxy. However, if you are unable to attend the meeting but would like to be represented thereat, you may accomplish the sample Proxy Form(s) attached to the Notice of the Meeting attached to the DIS (as Annexes “C” and “D” thereof). Stockholders who wish to appoint a proxy should submit advance electronic copies of their duly accomplished forms during registration and must send the originals on or before 3:00 p.m. of May 8, 2023 at the Office of the Corporate Secretary at 15/F Sagittarius Building, H.V. De la Costa Street, Salcedo Village, Makati not later than May 8, 2023, for validation purposes. Any stockholder may vote by proxy provided that such authorization remains unrevoked and on file with, or is submitted to, the undersigned at the said address.
A video and audio recording of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting will be available ten (10) days after the meeting and the recording shall be available for access by the stockholder within thirty (30) days from posting date, subject to the stockholder’s compliance with the requirements set forth in Annex “A” of the Notice of the Meeting attached to the DIS.
For complete information on the annual meeting, kindly visit: www.gmanetwork.com/asm2023 through the QR Code provided hereunder.
Swiss authorities required that close to 16 billion Swiss francs ($17.9 billion) in so-called additional tier 1 (AT1) bonds be rendered worthless before Switzerland’s two biggest banks united. The order by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) infuriated bondholders, and a number of them have begun launching legal action against the regulator. AFP HANOVER–Manufacturers are hoping for the artificial intelligence revolution to reach their factories, envisaging robots being used to repair complex machinery.
10. Consideration of such other business as may properly come before the meeting
11. Adjournment
There has been an explosion of interest in uses of AI across many sectors since the launch last year of chatbot ChatGPT from US startup OpenAI.
And at last week’s Hanover Fair on industrial technology in Germany, the potential for artificial intelligence in the manufacturing sector was firmly in focus. Via the tablet in his hands, a young employee of American IT services provider HPE chatted with an AI-equipped virtual assistant, asking it to operate the arm of a robot.
In order to solve a technical problem, “factory workers no longer need to get a qualified expert on site: the artificial intelligence takes charge” of guiding the repairs, said Thomas Meier, a data analyst from HPE who was presenting the prototype.
The US firm, which has some 60,000 employees, has been working for the past year with Aleph Alpha, a German startup with some 50 staff, seen as one of OpenAI’s leading European rivals. The innovation communicates with factory workers who can, for example, send a photo of a machine for the program to detect any problems or check that it is correctly installed.
Aleph Alpha’s resources are modest compared to those available to OpenAI, which has received major financing from Microsoft. But the German startup believes it has at least one major advantage —it will keep customer data in Europe. AFP
The Chairman will call the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. on May 17, 2023.
The Corporate Secretary will certify that a written notice for the meeting was duly sent to stockholders and that a quorum exists for the transaction of business. Kindly see Procedure for Registration, Participation and Attendance in the GMA Annual Stockholders’ Meeting 2023 by Remote Communication and Procedure for Voting in Absentia under Annex “A” of the Notice of the Meeting contained in the DIS.
The approval of the minutes of the previous year’s Annual Stockholders’ Meeting is made part of the agenda for transparency and in order to comply with the requirements of the Company’s By-laws, the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 11232), as well as the pertinent rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). A copy of the Minutes of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held on May 18, 2022 was posted on the Company’s website within five (5) business days from adjournment of the said meeting and is attached to the Notice of the Meeting attached to the DIS as Annex “I” thereof. These minutes are subject to stockholders’ approval during this year’s meeting.
Voting for matters to be submitted for approval, including the election of directors, shall be made in absentia through a secure online voting facility. Once duly registered, the stockholder may vote in
The annual report of the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer is made part of the Agenda in order to inform the stockholders of the Company’s ratings and financial performance during the previous year and to adhere to the principles of transparency and good corporate governance. The annual report also contains the Audited Financial Statements (AFS) for the year ended 31 December 2022 which was audited by Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV. & Co.) which have been reviewed and approved by the Audit and Risk Management Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company on March 31, 2023. Stockholders may request for a hard or soft copy of the 2022 Annual Report through GMA2023ASM@gmanetwork.com. The Annual Report is also posted on the Company’s website.
The Company’s financial performance during the year 2022 has been detailed in the Audited Financial Statements (AFS) of the Company which were reviewed in audit by the Company’s independent external auditor. The AFS have been reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors, as recommended by the Audit and Risk Management Committee. The Company’s 2022 AFS is attached as Annex “G” of the DIS.
The Acts of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Corporate Officers taken or adopted since the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting on May 18, 2022, until May 17, 2023 were duly deliberated upon prior to their approval and were conducted in the Company’s ordinary course of business. The aforementioned acts of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Corporate Officers are submitted for approval to the stockholders
ANNA TERESA M. GOZON-VALDES Corporate Secretaryin compliance with the Company’s By-laws, the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines, as well as pertinent rules and regulations of the SEC. APPROVAL OF THE MERITORIOUS JUSTIFICATIONS FOR THE RETENTION OF CHIEF JUSTICE ARTEMIO V. PANGANIBAN AND DR. JAIME C. LAYA AS INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
On March 31, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Company provided meritorious reasons for the retention of Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban and Dr. Jaime Laya as Independent Directors, subject to the stockholders’ approval at the May 17, 2023 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting. The meritorious reasons for their recommended retention are set forth as Annex “B-1” to the DIS.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The incumbent Directors have been recommended by the Company’s Nomination Committee for reelection. On the basis of the nominated directors’ proven track record as shown by the results of the Company’s performance and after review of their qualifications, the said Directors were recommended for re-election by the Nomination Committee. Their appointment is submitted for approval to the stockholders in compliance with the Company’s By-laws, the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines, as well as the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Procedure for Nomination of Directors is set forth under Annex “B” of the Notice of the Meeting in the DIS.
Upon the recommendation of the Audit and Risk Management Committee and after proper deliberation, the Board approved the reappointment of SyCip Gorres & Velayo & Co. (SGV) as the Company’s external auditor for 2023. The SGV’s appointment is submitted for approval to the stockholders in compliance with the Company’s Revised Manual on Corporate Governance, the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines, as well as the pertinent rules and regulations of the SEC.
Over $68 billion withdrawn from Credit Suisse prior to takeover by UBS
THE inter-agency Development Budget Coordination Committee on Monday maintained its 2023 gross domestic product growth forecast at 6 percent to 7 percent despite the headwinds associated with geopolitical tensions, higher interest rates and elevated inflation.
DBCC—composed of the secretaries of the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Finance and the National Economic and Development Authority—also expressed optimism that the high-growth performance would continue until 2028.
“With increased domestic demand along with better labor conditions, improved tourist turnout and resumption
of face-to-face classes, the Philippine economy grew by 7.6 percent in 2022, outperforming the DBCC’s growth target of 6.5 to 7.5 percent. This high-growth performance is projected to continue until 2028, aligned with the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework,” the economic managers said in a joint statement.
“Thus, we maintained our growth targets at 6.0 to 7.0 percent for 2023 and 6.5
PLDT Inc., through its legal counsel, asked a US court to deny the class action lawsuit filed by certain investors against the company and nine of its current and former executives over the alleged P48-billion budget spending mess, citing minimal losses incurred by complainants.
PLDT said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange Milbank LLP, an international law firm based in New York City, entered its appearance on behalf of the company on April 17 in the US class action, and filed a notice of interested persons or entities and corporate disclosure statement and memorandum of points and authorities for consideration by the US Federal District Court in the Central District of California.
Sophia Olsson, who claims to have owned two PLDT shares and allegedly suffered $22.69 in losses and Kevin Douglas, who claims to have owned 35 PLDT shares and allegedly lost $240.23 in the aftermath of the disclosure of the “budget overrun”, each represented by a different law firm, sub-
mitted separate motions to the court to serve as lead plaintiff in the US Class Action on April 7.
PLDT said in a memorandum filed before the court that Olsson and Douglas failed to establish that they are appropriate lead plaintiffs in the US class action given that under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, lawsuits by shareholders with a small position in the security at issue are discouraged.
“Consequently, the company argued that the de minimis purported losses alleged by the movants in this case ($22.69 for Olsson and $240.23 for Douglas) fall far short of the basic requirement that a lead plaintiff make a prima facie showing that he or she is an adequate representative who will prosecute the action vigorously on behalf of the putative class,” it said.
PLDT said Olsson’s and Douglas’ nominal losses show that they “lack sufficient financial interest in the outcome of the [US Class Action] to incentivize them to monitor counsel’s performance and control the litigation on behalf of the putative class.”
to 8.0 percent for 2024 to 2028 in consideration of the risks posed by geopolitical and trade tensions, possible global economic slowdown, as well as weather disturbances in the country,” they said.
The agency said that in line with the Philippine Development Plan 20232028, the strategies of the government would focus on modernizing agriculture, expanding agri-business, encouraging private sector participation in infrastructure development, promoting digital transformation and enhancing the competitiveness of local industries, among others.
“By implementing the reforms and strategies already outlined in the PDP 2023-2028, Filipinos can expect a more robust Philippine economy with a single-digit poverty level,” they said.
DBCC raised the average inflation rate
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of FIRST GEN CORPORATION will be conducted at 10am on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at The Fifth East at Rockwell, 5th Floor Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City. Following is the agenda1 of the meeting:
1. Call to Order
2. Certification of Notice and Quorum
3. Approval of the Minutes of the May 18, 2022 Annual General Meeting
4. Annual Report and Audited Consolidated Financial Statements
5. Ratification of the Acts of the Board of Directors and Management
6. Election of Directors (Including Independent Directors)
7. Election of External Auditor
8. Other Matters
9. Adjournment
Only stockholders of record as of March 3, 2023 are entitled to notice of, and vote at, the meeting.
Pursuant to the March 13, 2023 Notice of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Information Statement and its attachments, minutes of the previous meeting of stockholders, and other documents related to the meeting, can be accessed through the company website www.firstgen.com.ph. The meeting proceedings will be recorded in audio and video format.
Should you have any questions about the conduct of the meeting, you may send an email to 2023asm_info@firstgen.com.ph.
Pasig City, April 25, 2023.
By Order of the Board of Directors: RACHEL R. Corporate Secretaryassumption for 2023 to 5.0 to 7.0 percent from the previous 2.5 percent to 4.5 percent amid the persisting high prices of food, energy and transport costs.
The Inter-Agency Committee on Inflation and Market Outlook said it is committed to pursuing an all-of-government approach to continuously implement immediate and medium-term strategies to alleviate inflation, ensure food and energy security and return to the target range of 2.0 to 4.0 percent between 2024 and 2028.
The assumption for the price of Dubai crude oil for 2023 was pegged atS$70 to $90 per barrel considering the global demand slowdown. The latest forecasts suggest that global crude oil prices would continue to decline in 2024 before stabilizing at $60 to $80 a barrel between 2025 and 2028.
PAG-IBIG Fund released a record-high P27.57 billion in home loans in the first quarter of 2023, an increase of P3.36B or 14 percent from P24.21 billion in the same period in 2022, top executives said Monday.
“We are happy to report that we have started the year strong by posting a new record-high in home loan releases for the first three months of 2023. This means that more Filipino workers have been helped by Pag-IBIG Fund in acquiring their own homes. All these are part of our efforts under President Marcos’ Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing or 4PH Program to move forward in solving the housing backlog of our country,” said Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, who heads the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund board of trustees. Acuzar said the amount of home loans released by the agency in the first quarter enabled 21,870 members to acquire their own homes. He said of this number, 2,968 or 14 percent are Pag-IBIG Fund members from the minimumwage and low-income sectors who were able
to secure a total of P1.26 billion in socialized home loans.
Meanwhile, Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive Marilene Acosta said the agency’s performance at the start of the year showed that it had sustained the momentum of its record-high achievement in 2022, when it released P117.85 billion in home loans for the year and surpassed the P1-trillion level in total home loan releases since its inception.
“After coming off our best-performing year in 2022, we have yet again set another recordhigh in housing loan takeout for the first quarter of 2023. Our strong performance in the housing loan front is an indication of the trust of our members in our programs. More importantly, our record-high numbers reflect the increasing number of Filipino workers we have enabled to gain new or better homes. Our members can rest assured that we shall do our best to make our housing loan programs, as well as all our other services, continuously accessible so that they may fully enjoy their benefits as Pag-IBIG Fund members,” Acosta said.
Authority], and there are other economic zones that are not under PEZA that also work to promote and welcome investments in the country. There are those that are not seeking incentives and are not looking for locations in our economic zones. Adding to this is the BPO [business process outsourcing] industry that’s also still growing,” he said.
Among the sectors attracting major investments is the renewable energy sector, particularly on solar and wind energy projects. The BOI noted an influx of investments in renewable energy projects after the government lifted the restrictions on foreign ownership. Othel V. Campos
26 percent to P8.1 billion from P6.4 billion. “Meralco’s operational and financial performance in this first quarter indicates that we are off to a good start,”
Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan said.
“I think 2023 is looking quite good so we should be able to report double-digit growth in core profitability,” Pangilinan said.
Consolidated revenues went up 23 percent to P105.6 billion from P85.9 billion. Energy sales volumes in the first quarter rose to 11,287 gigawatt-hours from 11,069
GWh a year ago, with volumes of Meralco and Clark Electric Distribution Corp. increasing 2 percent and 9 percent, respectively. Alena Mae S. Flores
TRADE Secretary Alfredo Pascual on Monday expressed optimism that net inflows of foreign direct investments would match, if not surpass the record $10.5 billion achieved in 2021, after declining to $9.2 billion in 2022.
Pascual, in an interview with Market Edge, underscored the Department of Trade and Industry’s and the Board of Investments’ efforts to attract P1.5 trillion worth of investments this year.
“That’s what we are aspiring for, and that’s just the BOI alone. There are other investment promotion agencies like PEZA [Philippine Economic Zone
FLI seeks to exceed pre-pandemic
FILINVEST Land Inc., the property development unit of the Gotianun family, is bent on rebuilding its revenue stream back to pre-pandemic levels by boosting its residential, commercial and office leasing businesses.
FLI chief executive Lourdes Josephine Gotianun-
Yap said during the company’s annual stockholders meeting Monday that while revenues and pre-tax earnings posted year-on-year growth in 2022, the attributable net income was still lower than a year ago.
Yap said, however, that the company saw a significant increase in demand from rental assets and expected occupancy to fully recover by 2024.
“We have set priority, [and] the first program is to build back revenue stream to pre-pandemic levels on our growing asset base. The last decade before the pandemic, we grew our residential business at compounded annual growth rate of 17 percent and rental business at a compounded annual growth rate of 21 percent. We aim to get back on this track,” Yap said.
FLI president Tristaneil Las Marias said the group renewed its focus on developing township projects which would enable it to develop more residential, commercial and industrial projects. “This allows us to create fully-integrated and self-sufficient communities, catering to the diverse needs of our customers,” Las Marias said. Jenniffer B. Austria
TOP athletes Filipino like 2020 Tokyo Olympics silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, Olympian and world gymnastics champion Carlos Yulo and world No. 3 pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena are expected to shine for Team Philippines when they compete in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games scheduled April 28 to May 17 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
But new faces, who can make podium finishes are also seen to emerge and provide more medals, and a better finish for the Philippines in the biennial meet.
THE Philippine men’s football squad, cricket and chess players will begin the country’s quest for glory in the Cambodian Southeast Asian Games 2023 on April 29, ahead of the opening ceremony on May 5 at the Morodok Techo Stadium in Phnom Penh.
The Philippine men’s under-22 national team has already arrived in Cambodia to train and will take on Indonesia Olympic National Stadium. It next faces host Cambodia on May 2 and Timor Leste on May 4.
In cricket, the Philippines take on host Cambodia in a preliminary match on April 29, while the chess competition also gets going with preliminar-
THE Letran Knights, the reigning champion of the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament, will have a new coach in Season 99 when they defend their crown.
Rensy Bajar will call the shots after head coach Bonnie Tan announced his departure from the team on Sunday.
“I’m grateful for the opportunities that Letran has afforded me. I’m deeply appreciative of how the community has welcomed me since I came on board and being considered as an honorary Letranite will always be one of the biggest achievements I could ever receive,” said Tan in a statement.
Baja r, one of Tan’s assistant, took over practice sessions starting Monday.
Tan has coached Letran over the last four years, with the Knights claiming titles in Seasons 95, 97 and 98.
“Coach Rensy has been with us during the three-peat era and I’m confident that he can sustain the winning culture that we have built with the Knights,” added Tan. In the next conference of the Philippine Basketball Association, Tan will focus on rebuilding NorthPort Batang Pier, where he is the head coach in an interim capacity.
The 50-year-old Tan took over the Knights when he replaced Jeff Napa back in Season 95.
Bajar also handles the Diliman College Blue Dragons.
Tan also thanked San Miguel Corporation top executive Ramon S. Ang and sports director Alfrancis Chua for their support.
Ang and Chua have shifted their support to the development of the University of Santo cage program in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. Peter
Atencio
ies in the men’s 5-minute singles and 60-minute quadruples.
The Filipino indoor hockey team begins its campaign against Thailand in both the men’s and women’s preliminaries at the Dinosaur Park Hall, Chroy Changvar on May 1. The sailing competition also starts on the same day.
Filipino athletes will all see action
in chess, cricket, sailing, football, and hockey on the next day up until May 5 when competitions take a halt to give way to the opening ceremonies at the Morodok Techo Stadium.
The action goes full swing in 38 sports for the next two weeks with Vietnam aiming to retain the overall championship of the biennial meet among neighbors in the Southeast Asian region.
The Philippines is sending 840 athletes, bigger than last time in Vietnam, where the Philippines sent 656 and brought home 226 medals (52-70-104 gold-silverbronze tally) for a fourth-place finish.
POC president Rep. Bambol Tolentino said the increase in number was caused by the POC’s decision to join more team events, including men’s and women’s crickets, basketball, and football.
“Marami tayong sinalihan na hindi natin alam paano lalaruin. Para bang hindi tayo papayag na hindi natin laruin kasi maraming formula na ginawa ang hosts. The only way to increase or sustain everything, salihan natin lahat. Madali naman practice-in pag aralan ‘yun,” Tolentino said.
When Manila hosted the 2019 SEA Games, 1,119 Filipino athletes saw action in 56 events to bag the overall championship with 119 gold medals.
The Cambodia-bound Team Philippines was given a fitting sendoff on Monday at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. The country’s campaign will be led by chief of mission Chito Loyzaga baseball and deputies Paolo Tancontian (sambo) and Leonora Escollante (canoe-kayak).
These expectations were expressed to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during Monday’s sendoff ceremony for Team Philippines at the Reception Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
Marcos, who briefly showed up at the festivities, met with the athletes, coaches and officials of the national delegation to games, which will begin this weekend with the men’s football games. He encouraged even those who have not won medals to fight on.
“We can see that everyone is ready to compete for their sport. Kahit hirap mag-ensayo sa pandemya dahil sa lockdown, pero pinagpipilitan pa rin dahil hanggang ngayon ay nananalo po,” said Marcos, who had a photo session with members of the national team after he got down from the stage.
Filipino athletes and coaches fly to Cambodia in batches based on their competition schedule, starting with men’s and women’s football team, and the men’s and women’s volleyball squads this week.
“Iyung ibang nagpunta sa Cambodia na hindi pa nananalo ay sana mag-champion din. You are the hopes, dreams and aspirations of our countrymen,” added the President.
TNT Triple Giga and Vietnam’s VN Red & Gold crowned themselves men’s and women’s champions of the inaugural Asia Tour 3x3 by posting similar pulsating wins at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
Two days after TNT’s breakthrough win in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Friday night, TNT Triple Giga became the first champion of the two-day event after import Raoul Odou hit a buzzer-beating putback to complete the team’s stirring 19-18 victory over Vietnam’s The Performance Lab Vietnam.
Odou’s slam capped TNT’s gritty stand after playing without injured star Samboy de Leon in the finals six minutes of play.
TNT’s win denied Vietnam of a sweep of the tournament after VN Red & Gold pulled off a thrilling 2116 come-from-behind win over Sniper Thailand on Saturday—thanks to Kaylynne Truong,
Truong struck hardest for the Vietnamese national team after scoring the final six points in a per-
formance that showed their readiness for the coming SEA Games in Cambodia next month.
THE world’s biggest basketball tournament is about to unfold in Manila at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, with basketball legend Luis Scola gracing the much-anticipated draw with performances by American rapper Saweetie, Sarah Geronimo, and Billy Crawford this Saturday, April 29 at the Smart Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.
Scola has won multiple medals as a member of the national men’s basketball team of Argentina. He played for Argentina’s national squad from 2001 until 2019, winning two silver medals at the FIBA World Championships, one each in 2002 and during his final tournament in 2019 at the age of 39. During the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship tournament, Scola became the all-time leading scorer in FIBA AmeriCup history and won his 4th tournament MVP.
On the live performance side, Saweetie
is an American rapper who made a name for herself by rhyming over iconic tracks, giving a nod to those who came before while building her own catalog of fiery hits such as “My Type,” “Tap In,” and “Best Friend,” a collaboration with Doja Cat.
Meanwhile pop superstars Sarah Geronimo and Billy Crawford are expected to represent the Filipino side at the international event happening on Saturday, 7:30 p.m. at the Big Dome.
Ranked #40 in the world, the Philippines has gained an outright berth in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Games by being one of the host nations alongside Japan and Indonesia. This is the sixth time that the Philippines is playing on the world stage, and its second time as host nation following its hosting in 1978 where it finished in the top eight.
As a FIBA global partner, Smart is going all-out for the FIBAWC 2023 Draw
Event as anticipation reaches a new high with all the 32 qualified nations receiving their country assignments during the spectacle. This year’s much-anticipated FIBA draw will finally announce the matchups and finalize which countries will be playing in the Philippines, giving Pinoy basketball fans time to plan which games and basketball greats they wish to see live in action.
Catch Ben&Ben live and win prizes from Smart at ‘FIBA in Manila’ in BGC
Basketball fans can also join the allday festival party, “FIBA in Manila,” at BGC Uptown area, corner of 9th Avenue and 36th Street in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) from 10 am onwards, also on April 29.
Ben&Ben’s performance at the “FIBA in Manila” will be streamed live via Smart’s official Facebook page at 2pm.
Truong went on to finish with 12 points.
Without de Leon, Ping Exciminiano took charge offensively, finishing with 10 points on the way to winning the MVP plum apart from leading TNT to winning the $10,000 top prize.
VN Red & Gold, on the other hand, bagged $5,000 top prize in the event which has SM as venue partner, Smart as broadcast partner, and Wilson as official game ball, with Heritage Hotel, Fiber Kinetics, Gatorade, Healthy & Pure Brand Water, Center for Culinary Arts, and Spurway Enterprises as sponsors.
In advancing to the final, TNT downed sister team Cavitex, 21-18, in the semifinals of the event that saw David Carlos winning the Dunk Contest worth $500.
Sniper Thailand’s Khwanjira Thongdaeng ruled the women’s TwoPoint Shootout to take home the $200 cash prize.
WREXHAM—Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney cried tears of joy as they watched Wrexham, who the duo bought in 2020, reach the English Football League for the first time in 15 years on Saturday.
Reynolds and McElhenney were joined in their box at the Racecourse Ground by fellow actor Paul Rudd to watch a 3-1 win over Boreham Wood that secured the Welsh side’s passage to the fourth-tier of the English football pyramid.
“I think we can hear what it feels to the town. It’s a moment of catharsis for them and celebration. For us to be welcomed into their community and be welcomed to this experience, has been the honour of my life,” said McElhenney, most famous for his role in comedy series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”.
Wrexham have garnered global appeal since “Deadpool” star Reynolds and McElhenney took control from a supporters trust with an initial £2 million ($2.5 million) investment.
A documentary series “Welcome to Wrexham” has captured the highs and lows
BRICE Baisa kept his dominant run in the PPS-PEPP junior circuit, repelling top seed Vince Serna, 7-6(2), 6-2, in the boys’ 18-and-under finals to fashion out another two-title romp in the Imus City National Championship at the Imus/Meadowood courts in Cavite over the weekend.
The rising 16-year-old star from Puerto Princesa earlier topped his age-group bracket as an unranked bet, upending top seed Reign Maravilla in a tight quarterfinal duel, 5-4(6), 5-3, then blasting the Dilao siblings to match his feats in the Iloilo, Roxas City and Bacolod legs of the country’s longest talent-search presented by Dunlop early in the season.
He routed France Dilao, 6-0, 6-2, in the 16-U semis then crushed Frank Dilao, 6-3, 6-1, for the crown.
As second seed in 18-U play, Baisa repeated over France Dilao, 4-2, 4-2, in the quarters, re-asserted his mastery of Maravilla, 6-4, 6-4, in the semis before turning back Serna with a mix of everything in the championship.
Young Maristella Torrecampo shared the MVP honors with Baisa with a victory and a runner-up finish in the girls’ side of the Group 2 tournament held under the junior tennis program put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.
The Los Baños find ripped Kylie Cautivo, 6-1, 6-0, to run away with the 12-U trophy but yielded to top seed Joy Ansay, who came away with a 6-2, 6-3 victory in the 14-U finals of the tournament backed by ProtekTODO, PalawanPay, the Unified Tennis Philippines and UTR (Universal Tennis Rating).
Other winners were Bacoor, Cavite’s Czarina Ilano and Jana Diaz, Gen. Trias, Cavite’s Tristan Licayan, Alexandre Coyiuto of Makati City and Raven Licayan.
Ilano stunned top seed Diaz in the semis then held off Jeannieross Barcia from Spain, 6-4, 6-3, to snare the girls’ 18-U title after the latter beat the former, 6-2, 6-3, in the 16-U finals; Tristan Licayan foiled Marwin Plata, 6-4, 6-2, for the boys’ 14-U diadem; Alexandre Coyiuto smothered sibling Aaron Coyiuto, 6-1, 6-2, for the 12-U crown; and second seed Raven Licayan repulsed No. 1 Tyronne Caro, 4-2, 5-4(8), for the 10-unisex plum.
of the team and their celebrity owners.
But a huge investment in transfer fees and player wages for non-league level now has its reward.
“I am not sure I can process what happened tonight. I am still little speechless,” said Reynolds.
“People said at the beginning ‘why Wrexham?’. This is exactly why Wrexham. This happening, right now, is why.”
Boreham Wood threatened to spoil the party in front of 10,000 expectant home fans when they opened the scoring inside the first minute through Lee Ndlovu.
The tension was eased when Elliot Lee headed in 15 minutes later to spark the first high-fives of celebration between the co-owners in the stands.
Paul Mullin was one of those lured down the divisions by the riches on offer at Wrexham and the former Everton and
Liverpool youth player has proved worth every penny in the promotion race.
Mullin smashed home two brilliant strikes in the second half to take his tally for the season to 45 as Wrexham opened up an unassailable four-point lead over Notts County at the top of the National League table with only one game remaining.
“I would like to say Paul Mullin is one of the greatest footballer players in the world,” added McElhenney.
Wrexham boast a proud history as
the third-oldest professional football club in the world, with past glories including a FA Cup win over Arsenal and a European Cup Winners’ Cup triumph against Porto.
But they had fallen on hard times as financial problems saw an 87-year stay in the Football League come to an end in 2008.
Now they are back in circumstances a Hollywood script writer would struggle to match. AFP
BARCELONA—Carlos Alcaraz insisted Sunday that he is not Rafael Nadal’s “replacement” as the teenager comfortably defended his Barcelona title, bolstering his bid to succeed his compatriot as French Open champion.
The 19-year-old brushed aside Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4 to add the Barcelona trophy to wins in Buenos Aires and Indian Wells in 2023. He now has nine career titles.
With 14-time French Open champion Nadal sidelined since January with a hip injury and world number one and two-time Roland Garros winner Novak Djokovic struggling with an elbow problem, Alcaraz reinforced his credentials as a major contender to add the clay-court Grand Slam title to the US Open he captured last year. However, he was quick to dampen speculation that he is the French Open champion-in-waiting, just five weeks out from the second major of the year in Paris.
“I don’t want to be anyone’s replacement,” said world number two Alcaraz when confronted with his status as heir apparent to Nadal who turns 37 in June.
Nadal hasn’t played since his second round exit at the Australian Open and has missed Masters events at Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo as well as sitting out Barcelona for a second successive year.
“In the two years that Rafa hasn’t been here, I’ve been lucky or, let’s say, I’ve won the title,” said Alcaraz who defended his Barcelona title without dropping a set.
His win on Sunday was his fourth in four meetings against fifth-ranked Tsitsipas.
‘Build our history’
“I’ve always wanted to play against the best, it’s a shame that we haven’t been able to enjoy Rafa these last two years,” added Alcaraz.
“Let’s hope he continues to play for a long time and that we can enjoy his tennis, but obviously we are not here to take over from anyone, but to build our own history.”
Alcaraz’s caution is justified. Despite Nadal’s continuing injury woes, he boasts a stunning win-loss record at the French Open of 112 wins against just three losses
WHAT to expect in the new season of the PBA D-League will be talked about Tuesday in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
PBA Deputy Commissioner Eric Castro leads the panel of guests in the weekly session as they discuss the opening of the Aspirants’ Cup on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
A total of eight teams, bannered by defending champion La Salle EcoOil are competing in the tournament.
The 10 a.m. public sports program is presented by San Miguel Corporation, MILO, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.
since his title-winning 2005 debut.
Two of those defeats came against Djokovic who shares the men’s record of 22 majors with Nadal.
Djokovic reached that mark with a 10th Australian Open victory in January.
Despite concerns over his elbow, he knows that traditionally he improves as the clay season progresses —his record 0 shows two Monte Carlo titles, three at Madrid and six in Rome, the last significant event before Roland Garros.
Djokovic has successfully bounced back from elbow worries in the past -- in February 2018, he needed surgery on the injury but still won Wimbledon and the US Open later that year. AFP
The Forum is livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page fb.com/ PhilippineSportswritersAssociation and aired on a delayed basis over Radyo Pilipinas 2, which also shares it on its official Facebook page.
Shortly after the session, the PSA will be holding its election for a new set of officers to be presided by outgoing president Rey Lachica, sports editor of Tempo.
Lachica enjoins members and officers of the country’s oldest media organization to be present.
Next week, the PSA Forum will be having a break to give way to the country’s campaign in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
FOODPANDA crowns the champion team for this year’s Panda Legends:
Ultimate Battle, a Mobile Legends online tournament for its Ka-panda delivery partners.
Out of the 128 teams who registered last March 14 and showcased their gaming skills, only one team prevailed, taking home a prize pool of P250,000.
Aside from the cash prize, each winning team member also received P2,000 worth of gas vouchers, which they can use for their delivery shifts.
Before the finals round last April 21, the online tournament had a series of elimination games, with each round offering cash prizes to the participants.
The tournament is the third time foodpanda opened the mobile game competition to its delivery partners.
According to operations director Patricia Jacinto, Panda Legends aims to encourage foodpanda’s Ka-panda delivery partners to play like a panda and foster friendly competition amongst the rider fleet. “There’s no doubt that eSports continues to boom and is a favorite past-time within the Ka-panda community. After our successful first run last 2021, we knew we needed another round of competition, and this year became the perfect time to do it again.”
Panda Heist ML, the champion of this year’s Panda Legends: Ultimate Battle, receives its prize “Nabuo ‘yung grupo namin habang nag-aantay lang ng booking sa isang waiting shed. ‘Di namin akalain na makaka-abot kami hanggang finals at mananalo pa,” narrates Ka panda Art Randy Maliwat from the winning team. “Salamat foodpanda dahil bukod sa sobrang enjoy na makasama at makalaro ‘yung mga kapwa Ka-panda ko, nanalo pa kami ng malaking premyo.” Yran Basco, a Ka panda working stu-
dent from Marikina is elated to make it to the finals. “Pinag-igihan talaga namin ‘yung practice para dito at nagbunga naman ‘yung paghahanda namin dahil nakatungtong kami hanggang finals,” he shares. “‘Yung cash prize na natanggap namin, sobrang laking tulong para sa mga pansariling gastusin kaya malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa foodpanda dahil nabigyan kami ng pagkakataon na makasali dito.”
The champion team and finalists also
received exciting and valuable prizes from the tournament’s co-presenters and official partners such as Panther Gaming Gear, Unioil, GCash, and Motivo Tech.
The semi-finals and grand finals match was streamed live via foodpanda ph riders official social media pages, with eight finalist teams competing for the title.
Jacinto also added that initiatives like Panda Legends are a great way to bring a sense of community to their delivery partners from all corners of the country. “With initiatives like this, we are encouraging community-building nationwide as we provide a space for our Ka-pandas to take a break from their usual daily routine and come together for playful engagement activities – whether you’re a Ka-panda from Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao.”
To reward the Ka-panda community for their hard work, Jacinto revealed that they still have a lot in store to continuously engage their delivery partners for the rest of the year. “We will strive to offer our Kapandas with the best possible programs, services and assistance that will add value to their livelihoods.”
BROADWAY is the pinnacle of live theater, and for many performers like Alisah Bonaobra, it’s the ultimate goal in their career.
For a singer who dreams of performing on Broadway, Alisah a deep appreciation for the art of musical theater and a desire to showcase their talent on a grand stage.
“As someone who studied music, I wanted to use the techniques I learned as a classical singer. And as a theatrical performer, I really dream to see myself on Broadway,” Alisah told Manila Standard Entertainment noting Miss Saigon and Les Miserables as her favorite productions.
“I’m already content with my career but somehow people still have dreams that they wanted to fulfill. It’s like going to the next level,” she added.
Meanwhile, the singer was given the opportunity to revive a song originally sung by Angeline Quinto. Her version of “Hanggang Kailan” deserves to be released for good reasons, including the fact that it is essentially the “Composer’s Cut,” which to the song’s creator Joel Mendoza means you have to listen to it to find out why it should be a label that way and discover for yourself that it’s a rendition worthy of everybody’s attention.
It is the latest single from one of the country’s vocally gifted recording artists, released on digital stores on April 21.
“We recorded the track for six hours, with Joel Mendoza as my vocal coach. Sir Joel’s intense body language while we were in the studio all pointed to achieving what’s best for our version,” said Alisah who emphasized that she herself is a fan of Angeline Quinto.
Alisah’s “Hanggang Kailan,” recorded at Wild Grass Studio in Quezon City, is produced by the San Francisco-based RJA Productions, and distributed by mainstream label Star Music PH.
The song originally came out as a breakthrough composition for Joel during the Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs songfest in 2014, with its interpretation by Angeline becoming among the notable hits in that edition of the contest.
Joel likewise commends Alisah for her competence in keeping up with the high demands of “Hanggang Kailan” that they recorded free from the industry-abiding limitations set forth by a songwriting tilt. This new version is touted to be a masa favorite –a singer’s gift to fans who made her casual, live rendition of the famous track viral.
“Magaling si Alisah. She is vocally good and there’s excellent communication and understanding while we’re recording,” he noted.
The runner-up in The Voice of the Philippines in 2014 and likewise a remarkable participant at the X Factor UK
The cover art for ‘Hanggang Kailan’ by Alisah Bonaobra
listening public.”
The singer who describes herself as a fur mom, owing to her multiple cats and dogs, is currently doing shows in the United States, and nearly completing a podcast of 12 episodes filmed inside the state-of-the-art California Talk Studio of V81 Radio Los Angeles.
Alisah has a deep appreciation for the art of musical theater, hence her desire to perform on Broadway
three years later, Alisah has been releasing a variety of well-produced digital singles since her would-be manager Rosabella Jao-Arribas flew from the US prior to the pandemic to personally express her vision for
her career. Alisah’s originals, written by premier Filipino tunesmiths led by Cecile Azarcon, along with her version of the seasoned songwriter’s “Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin,”
“I think the party itself because it became a huge celebration that was attended by my family and loved ones. A few weeks after, I bought a lot. Tito Dominic (Ochoa) who is my co-star in Abot-Kamay na Pangarap advised me to be wise in investing. I also appreciate my parents because before they invest, they would ask me first if I like it,” ends Jillian.
* * *
EVEN now that she’s already 18 years old, Jillian Ward thinks there are no major changes in her life. Despite her youth, she is demonstrating a level of emotional intelligence and responsibility beyond her years.
“Perhaps, it’s because I’ve been working since I was a child. Early on, I already knew the responsibility and value of toiling hard for my family,” Jillian states.
At this point, she’s more focused on handling the pressure to improve and better her craft.
“I know that I have a long way to go and can still learn a lot of things considering that I am an adult now,” she adds.
In many cultures, 18 is considered a significant milestone in a person’s life as it marks the transition from adolescence to adulthood. With this transition, many young adults expect to have more independence in their lives, including the freedom to go out and drive their own car.
“Actually, ever since, I don’t go out without either my mom, dad or aunt. Yes, they’re strict but they understand better and are more flexible now. If I want to stroll, they still join me and prohibit me to drive because they’re concerned about my safety,” Jillian reveals.
“I believe that because I’m always
with my folks, I’ve learned a lot from them over the years. So, I already know what to do, I already know what’s right and wrong. In fact, it’s my parents who encourage me to go out and enjoy but I tell them that I prefer to focus on my work. So, as you can see, the discipline is there.”
Interestingly, now that she’s 18, is she already open to entertaining admirers who want to court her?
“My priority now is my career, family, and self-enhancement. Whatever I have right now, I want to develop further. I believe that love will come at the right time,” she explains.
What can she consider as her gift to herself on her recent debut?
In playing the role of Commander Robinson in the much-anticipated GMA offering Voltes V: Legacy, Gabby Eigenmann discloses that it was very challenging on his part.
“It is challenging especially on the physical side,” he avers. “I have to look the part. In the story, he is the leader of the Earth Defense Force which protects the Earth from aliens, and is the father of Jamie Robinson, the lone female member of the Voltes V team. He is a really big guy.”
Gabby admits that when he accepts an offer, he works hard on the character. He wants his portrayal to be believable starting with the physical aspect.
“It helped that after surviving the pandemic, I gained a little weight. So, when the role of Commander Robinson was offered to me, I thought that I should put on more weight. I’m happy that I was able to achieve my goal: I really looked big on screen!”
Apart from the physical look, Gabby also found it hard to deliver his lines.
“When the lines are given to us and we read the script, of course, we memorize and study them. But when we report to the set, it becomes different because there are jargon and scientific terms involved. The sound should be commanding and confidently delivered,” he concludes.
showcased her wide vocal range and amiable style.
Alisah shared, “How lucky I am to be an artist of RJA that every opportunity I’m given is a blessing I want to share with the
Joel is a star in his own right, a certified hitmaker who was recently given a tribute in ASAP, and whose colorful life, both as an accomplished songwriter and a top corporate executive who survived life-threatening ordeals, is featured on programs by Net 25 and GMA-7.
Simply put, the collaboration that produced the must-hear cover of “Hanggang Kailan” is a match made in heaven.
Atom Araullo wins ‘Most Trusted TV News Presenter’ at the 2023 Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand Awards
LEADING broadcast company GMA Network earns its seventh Platinum Award as the Most Trusted TV Network at the 2023 Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand Awards.
The Platinum Award is the highest honor given to shortlisted entries in the said annual event that recognizes the trusted brands in the Philippines.
“People know that GMA does what is good, correct, and ethical. This is the essence of what we call ‘Serbisyong Totoo’ or Genuine Service - the business of providing information without spin, without bias, just the truth,” says GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L.
Gozon GMA’s Senior Vice President for Corporate Strategic Planning and Business Development and Concurrent Chief Risk Officer and Head of Program Support Regie C. Bautista was in attendance to receive the award for the Kapuso Network last April 14.
GMA Integrated News broadcast journalist Mike Enriquez was also conferred his 9th award as the “Most Trusted Radio Presenter” while award-winning broadcast journalist Atom Araullo won “Most Trusted TV News Presenter.”
Enriquez was again recognized for his dedication and contribution to news reporting, which is much appreciated by his listeners and viewers across GMA Network. He anchors Super Balita sa Umaga Nationwide and Saksi sa Dobol B on the Network’s flagship AM station Super Radyo DZBB 594. On television, Enriquez co-anchors GMA’s flagship newscast 24 Oras with Mel Tiancgo and Vicky Morales
He is also the host of the long-running public affairs program Imbestigador Araullo, on the other hand, has been cited for earning the public’s trust as co-anchor of GMA Integrated News’ flagship newscast on GTV State of the Nation alongside Maki Pulido Atom also banners the bi-monthly public affairs program The Atom Araullo Specials and is one of the hosts of the long-running documentary show I-Witness Through its Trusted Brand Survey, Reader’s Digest recognizes the brands and services, as well as the personalities, that consumers trust the most.
Voted by 8,000 everyday consumers across the markets of the Philippines through Reader’s Digest’s Trusted Brand survey
On April 21, Ang Huling El Bimbo (AHEB) made its highly-anticipated comeback to the award-winning Newport Performing Arts Theater featuring a new cast, fresh choreography, stellar production, and iconic songs that struck a chord in the hearts of Filipinos.
The show has a regular schedule every Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., and matinee performances every Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. for April with new show dates recently added in May to accommodate more fans and theatergoers.
Newport World Resorts’ production outfit Full House Theater Company (FHTC) has pulled out all the stops to set the stage and prepare the cast during rehearsals. New members of the cast shared their epic experiences in bringing the show to life.
Even as a master of various crafts, awardwinning artist Nino Alejandro who plays
Anthony, still has plenty of new things to learn from the acting workshops with FHTC director Dexter Santos and co-artistic director Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo
Before joining the cast of AHEB, indie folk artist Bullet Dumas recalled singing the ‘90s iconic track “Poorman’s Grave” in gigs. Now, audiences witnessed him perform it onstage as Emman. Given his familiarity with the piece, the challenge was to give it a new flavor.
“When something you thought was very much familiar with somehow surprises you again and again, you will love the process. It always felt like a Eureka moment whenever Direk Dexter Santos, Menchu Lauchengco Yulo, Myke Salomon, OJ Mariano, and my castmates help me realize different approaches to how Emman can tackle the song, Actor, singer, and host Anthony Rosaldo made his theater debut playing young Hector, one of the
lead roles in the musical. Since the rehearsals, he knew AHEB is a difficult show to mount yet this brought a fun experience for him as a newcomer.
“Coming in as a newbie in theatre, it is important that I kept my focus and really put in a lot of hard work during our rehearsals. The audience will see a very excited and enthusiastic young Hector,” Rosaldo says.
Tickets are now available at Newport World Resorts Box Office, TicketWorld, and SM Tickets outlets: P3,776 (SVIP), 3,236 (VIP), P2,696 (Gold), P1,942 (Silver), and P1,079 (Bronze). Recommended for audiences aged 13 years old and above.
For inquiries, contact the Newport World Resorts National Sales Team via JhayR Dela Cruz at 0917 818 9847, Raf Sangco at 0917 807 9387, Carl Cuaresma at 0917 829 2173, and Girah Manaligod at 0917 872 8309.
AS I walked along the beach in front of the Huni Sicogon Resort Hotel, the warm sand beneath my toes, my mind was lost in thought. I couldn’t help but ponder what made Sicogon Island so different from all the other tropical paradises I had visited before.
Suddenly, a vivid memory of our island tour from the previous day came flooding back to me. It was then that I realized, Sicogon Island had a certain charm that reminded me of the world-famous El Nido in Palawan. The jagged limestone cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life all seemed to be in harmony with the natural beauty of the island, much like El Nido.
As I stood there on the beach, listening to the soothing sound of the rolling waves and inhaling the salty air, a sense of familiarity washed over me. It was then that I turned my gaze toward the horizon, and what I saw left me awestruck. The sun was setting in a burst of vibrant colors, ranging from reds to oranges and yellows, painting the sky with its brilliant hues. The cool
breeze that caressed my face only made the moment even more magical, and I couldn’t help but feel at peace. As I continued to walk, my attention was drawn to the beautiful structure of the resort hotel. Its architecture was meticulously designed to offer visitors the perfect backdrop for their Instagram snaps. The towering Mount Opao served as the perfect backdrop, enhancing the hotel’s beauty even further. I couldn’t resist snapping a few photos myself, wanting to capture the magical moment and the stunning scenery.
Located in the municipality of Carles in the province of Iloilo, Huni is a stylish and characterful hotel located on Sicogon Island. It offers 52 rooms spread over two floors and boasts a beachfront location with stunning panoramic views of the sea. Guests can enjoy direct access to San Fer-
nando Beach and can choose to relax by the infinity pool or explore the sandy stretches of the beach surrounded by trees. The resort also has an all-day dining cafe. Sicogon Island is known for its delectable seafood dishes, which are a must-try for visitors. One popular dish is steamed scallops, which are locally sourced and are usually served with garlic and butter. Another popular seafood dish is steamed crabs, which are often seasoned with local spices and are best enjoyed with vinegar dip. Grilled squid is another must-try dish that is cooked over an open flame and served with a side of steamed rice. Visitors can experience the island’s local flavors and seafood cuisine, which are a testament to Sicogon Island’s rich culture and history. The Huni Sicogon is one of the three leisure travel accommodations, all owned
EXPERIENCE Korea’s rich heritage and cultural traditions as the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) celebrates Spring in Joseon at SM Lanang Premier in Davao City from April 29 to 30.
Presented by the Korean Embassy and the Korean Cultural Center, in partnership with SM Lanang Premier, the two-day festival is a unique and exciting
opportunity to learn more about the roots of Korean culture and experience Korea during the Joseon dynasty through traditional food, performances, games, cultural activities, and aesthetic themed photo spots – which will be familiar to fans of the Sageuk or Korean period drama.
Spring in Joseon marks the beginning of present-day Korea when Hangeul (the
During the festival, mallgoers can get a taste of traditional Korean spring delicacies such as Hwajeon, pancakes topped with spring flowers
Korean alphabet) – among many other cultural legacies of the Joseon dynasty – was created. The Korean alphabet enabled Koreans to express themselves freely and led to the birth of Korean literature, and today through the widely popular K-drama and K-pop music.
Mallgoers can look forward to Hangeul classes; traditional Korean spring activities like Bongseonhwa Nail Dye (nail dye using balsam blossoms); traditional games such as Neolttwigi (Korean seesaw); springtime delicacies like Hwaejeon (flower pancake); to aesthetic photo spots of a Korean palace. Not to be missed are the performances of traditional songs called Pungmulnori
by Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), that welcome visitors to the island – whether you’re an experienced backpacker, thrill-seeker, leisure traveler, or holidaymaker. The other two are Hatch Sicogon and Balay Kogon. Hatch Sicogon, with 24 existing rooms and 28 more currently under construction, caters to backpackers and groups of friends. Balay Kogon, on the other hand, is a luxurious and unique resort situated along Buaya Beach on Sicogon Island. It is surrounded by lush green foliage and provides a cozy and comfortable retreat for couples or honeymooners with 26 rooms.
The resort offers bed and breakfast casitas that are designed with modern Filipino touches, providing perfect views of the sea and landscape. Guests can relax in the reception or bar, enjoy the picturesque seascape from the View Deck, and swim in Buaya Beach’s crystal-clear waters. The resort offers sea-to-table cuisine and warm local hospitality, ensuring a relaxing and memorable stay for visitors and guests.
The island itself measures 1,160 hectares. It lies off the northeastern coast of Panay Island and is part of the Visayan Sea. It is a master-planned sustainable tourism development project that aims to create a harmonious mix of commercial establishments and residential communities in sync with nature.
Sicogon Island has its own airport terminal and jetty port, making it easily accessible from Manila and other major tourist destinations. Named after cogon, a type of grass found in abundance on the island, this charmer offers pristine white beaches, crystal clear waters, and lush forests. Thrill-seekers can enjoy adrenaline-filled activities such as cliff jumping, ziplining,
paragliding, and stand-up paddle boarding. Those seeking fun and relaxation can try activities like snorkeling, kayaking, or biking through the island’s trails. Sustainable tourism
One of the highlights of my stay at Huni was a guided eco-trail tour. I learned that Ayala Land Inc. is not only focused on developing Sicogon Island as a tourism destination but also takes an active role in preserving the island’s environment.
One of its recent initiatives is the development of the Lagoon Eco-trail. This ecotrail offers visitors the opportunity to witness the diverse wildlife found within the island’s mangrove forest. Along the trail, visitors can observe different kinds of water birds, including the vulnerable Philippine duck and the nesting site of tabon birds or Philippine scrubfowl. The lagoon also serves as a habitat for little grebes, egrets, and black-naped terns, making it an excellent spot for bird-watching enthusiasts. Through initiatives such as the Lagoon Eco-trail, Ayala Land Inc. is helping to promote sustainable tourism on Sicogon Island while preserving its natural resources.
For a great change of pace and some much-needed rest and relaxation, travel to Sicogon Island directly via AirSWIFT (www.air-swift.com). Flights via the boutique airline are available from Manila to Sicogon Island. Van transport from the Sicogon Airport Terminal is provided to resort guests; get a Sicogon Island map from the airport to help you locate various areas on the island.
Sicogon Island is also accessible via commercial flights to Roxas City or Iloilo City. Allot 1.5 hours and 2.5 hours of travel time from Roxas City and Iloilo City airports, respectively, to reach Estancia Port, then take the designated outrigger boat to Sicogon Island.
For reservations, contact 09178270445 or reservations@sicogonresorts. com.
Mallgoers can participate in Neottwigi, a traditional Korean game much like a seesaw.
Photo from Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (percussion ensemble) and Pansori (solo musical storytelling). There will also be a special performance by P-Pop star and breakthrough artist, Mona Gonzales Davaoeños will also get a chance to showcase their talents in the first-ever KPop contest in the region hosted by KCC, Everyone’s KPOP: Davao on April 29.
The grand winner will perform again on stage on April 30 to cap off the entire festival.
Celebrate Spring in Joseon Korea Festival 2023 on April 29 to 30, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Fountain Court, SM Lanang Premier in Davao City.
This stunningly beautiful island welcomes visitors with lush green hills, fine sandy beaches, crystal-clear sea, and moreSicogon has its own airport terminal, making it accessible to tourists Entrance to Balay Kogon deck and restaurant The scenery from Lagoon Eco Trail viewing deck One of the accommodations at Hatch Sicogon Huni Sicogon with Mount Opao as the backdrop The serene Huni beachfront Tucked within the steep cliffs of Isla de Gigantes Sur in Iloilo is Tangke Saltwater Lagoon – a must-visit when traveling to Sicogon The media group, with friends from Turista.ph, poses for a photo op after exploring Cabugaw Gamay island A fresh and hearty serving of steamed scallops