Manila Standard - 2023 June 13 - Tuesday

Albay expands Mayon danger

zone to 7km; Phivolcs: Prepare for evac

By Charles Dantes, Rio N. Araja, Joel E. Zurbano and Maricel V. Cruz

THE danger zone around Mayon has been extended to seven kilometers due to the volcano’s increasing

unrest, the Albay provincial government said Monday. In an advisory issued by Albay Gov. Edcel Greco Lagman, the provincial government said that to ensure public safety and to sustain zero casualties,

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PBBM: Declare liberty boldly

Warns of ‘new oppressors’ as PH marks 125th Independence Day

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

FACED with “new oppressors,” the country must declare its freedom boldly, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday as the nation marked its 125th Independence Day celebration.

“With new oppressors and challenges, our people remained defiant -- af-

firming that it is in our core to defend what is ours. And with all that this occa-

sion symbolizes and entails, we understand better now that liberty will not flourish on its own: freedom will not materialize unless it is declared boldly, believed sincerely, and demonstrated passionately,” the President said in his Independence Day message.

Marking the anniversary at the

Speaker to Filipinos: Awaken the spirit of heroism

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday urged all Filipinos to awaken the spirit of heroism in their selves and help the country overcome present challenges as a gesture of

gratitude to the heroes who gave up their lives to secure the nation’s freedom.

In his message during the commemoration of the 125th anniversary of Philippine independence at the monument

Washington reaffirms alliance with Manila, ‘cherishes’ longstanding ties

By Rey E. Requejo

THE United States reaffirmed its longstanding alliance with the Philippines and assured Manila it will continue to

partner with the country as it sent well wishes for its celebration of the 125th Independence Day on Monday. The US, through Secretary of State

AI tools new ‘calculator’ for pupils, won’t supplant learning ChatGPT

ARTIFICIAL intelligence tools will revolutionize education like calculators did, but will not supplant learning, ChatGPT’s founder Sam Altman told students in Tokyo on Monday, defending the new technology.

“Probably take-home essays are never going to be quite the same again,” the OpenAI chief said in remarks at Keio University.

have a new tool in education. Sort

of Andres Bonifacio in Caloocan City, Romualdez pointed out the present battle is not against foreign invaders but for freedom against the shackles of poverty

Oil price hikes erase rollbacks from last week

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE country’s oil firms on Monday announced pump price hikes of as much as P1.40 per liter for diesel effective 6 a.m. Tuesday to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market.

The firms also raised the price of gasoline by P1.20 per liter and P1.30 per liter for kerosene.

“Petron will implement the following

(from left) look on after the Independence Day celebration at the Andres Bonifacio Monument. Ver Noveno

Ex-senator, AFP chief ‘Pong’ Biazon

Day at 88

By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Charles Dantes, and Maricel V. Cruz

FORMER Senator and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Rodolfo Biazon Sr., who was diagnosed with lung cancer in July last year, passed away on Monday morning, his family said. He was 88. Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon confirmed the passing of his father, who has been confined at the Asian Hospital since May 21 due to pneumonia. He was intubated from May 23 until June 3.

PULLING TOGETHER. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. pulls the rope along with the First Family and select military officers to raise the flag at the Rizal Park Monument in Manila as they lead the nationwide celebration of the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood on Monday. The Chief Executive also salutes all the people who marched past him at the Quirino Grandstand (inset). Revoli Cortez and Alfred Frias

RITES AT KAWIT. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin raises the flag at the Aguinaldo Shrine in celebration of the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite. With Bersamin are Kawit Mayor Angelo Aguinaldo, Cavite 1st District Rep. Jolo Revilla, and 7th District Rep. Crispin Diego Remulla. Norman Cruz

SPEAKER AT CALOOCAN. House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (second from left) receives a token of appreciation from Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo Malapitan while the city’s 1st District Rep. Oscar Malapitan, Vice Mayor Karina Teh-Limsico, and 3rd District Rep. Dean Asistio

PBBM keen on high-growth path

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday vowed to lead the Philippines in overcoming challenges toward a highgrowth path as it recovers from the crippling effects brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Earlier in the day, the President led the country in celebrating the 125th anniversary of the proclamation of the Philippine independence at the Quirino Grandstand and Rizal Park in Manila for the traditional flag-raising ceremony.

“Today’s celebration has taken a whole new different meaning, as we mark this occasion with renewed hopes and spirited resolve to rise anew as a nation, not from political oppression but

from economic scarring engendered by the crippling and lingering effect of the pandemic,” President Marcos said in his toast remarks during the vin d’honneur in Malacañan Palace.

“That is why, as a way to honor our forebears, it is my duty as President to keep this house in order, and steer the country to a high-growth path whose effect will be felt by each and every ordinary Juan dela Cruz,” he said.

The President expressed hope that this year’s celebration and commemoration would be a continuing reminder to Filipinos that it is only through unity and solidarity as a nation that they can safeguard the freedom won by their ancestors.

Mr. Marcos encouraged his fellow Filipinos to look at history as they set their sight toward the horizon, where the promise of a brighter future awaits the nation.

“It is our shared responsibility to foster a society that upholds democracy, social justice, and inclusivity so that every Filipino can flourish and contribute to our nation’s growth,” he said.

“From where our country stands now, we recognize that challenges will continue to test our mettle as a nation, but with unity and solidarity of the Fili-

pino people, we can endure even another 125 years with our heads held high.”

President Marcos also hopes the country could continue strengthening its ties with the members of the diplomatic community, as he called for ways “to take our relations to new heights.”

The President likewise invited his colleagues in government and partners from the private sector to continue drawing inspiration from the courage and determination of our ancestors as they work to improve the living conditions of the Filipino people.

The vin d’honneur is an official reception hosted by the President at Malacañan Palace, traditionally held on New Year’s Day and on Philippine Independence Day.

Weekly COVID cases drop, but severe ones rise

THE Philippines listed 6,630 new COVID-19 infections last week or from June 5 to June 11, the lowest weekly tally of fresh coronavirus cases in six weeks.

The Department of Health (DOH) weekly bulletin said the daily case average last week was 947, lower compared to the average daily 1,301 infections monitored from May 22 to June 4. Latest data also showed 112 cases this week were tagged as critical and severe, the highest in 66 reporting weeks, GMA Integrated News Research noted.

This also marked the sixth straight week of at least 50 severe new cases.

all residents inside the seven-kilometer extended danger zone were placed under preparedness status and will be evacuated at any time.

Mayon Volcano remained on Alert

Level 3 after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised its alert level status last June 8.

Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol urged the public—even those outside the six-kilometer permanent danger zone -- to prepare for evacuation.

He said Phivolcs would not raise Mayon Volcano’s alert status to Level 4 “for now.”

Phivolcs recorded 21 volcanic earthquakes, 260 rockfall events, and three pyroclastic density current events as of Monday at 5 a.m.

A fair crater glow also remained visible to the naked eye, while its edifice was inflated.

The volcano emitted 642 tons of sulfur dioxide on Sunday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday reported that 14,000 residents have been evacuated due to Mayon Volcano’s continued unrest.

The NDRRMC said 13,792 individuals or 3,782 families were taking shelter in 22 evacuation centers while 584 people or 156 families were staying somewhere else.

Of the displaced families, 883 were from Camalig, 57 were from Ligao, 615 were from Daraga,

The government has allotted P20.1 million worth of assistance to Region V.

Meanwhile, the Philippines National Police (PNP) said 800 of its personnel were deployed in different evacuation centers and areas in Albay as it strengthened its emergency response unit amid Mayon’s activities.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said a Reactionary Standby Support Force is also available in case more policemen are needed.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Monday sent more advisories to flight operators to avoid flying close to Mayon, Taal, and Kanlaon volcanoes.

“Flight operations are advised to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft,” the CAAP said.

Quirino Grandstand, Mr. Marcos said he was honored to stand as the country’s representative to commemorate the heroism of the Filipino heroes who fought for the country’s independence.

“The heroes of our liberation would be proud to know that we have thrown off the ‘ominous yoke of domination’; never again to be subservient to any external force that directs or determines our destiny.” President Marcos said.

He also urged the Filipino people to pause and reflect on how far the Philippines had come “from that transformative event” in Philippine history.

“I appeal for unity and solidarity in our efforts to perfect our hard-fought freedom, and achieve genuine national progress. Heeding this call will indispensably require patriotism and a strong sense of community, diligence, industry, and responsibility from all our citizens,” Marcos said.

The President recognized the “immeasurable courage and loss” of valiant Filipino heroes during the darkest times of their lifetime.

“Now, in the age where battles remain but occur in places the eyes cannot see, it is more necessary to take to heart the immeasurable courage and loss that came out of our heroes,” Marcos said.

“I challenge each of us: On the 125th year since the declaration of our freedom, let us assert our liberty day by day. In everything we do, let us pursue excellence and integrity with the knowledge that we are living out the visions our predecessors held on to and the comfort they toiled for,” the President said.

“As we look towards a bright future, I urge all of us to take ownership of the fight that gave birth to the independence of our noble and indomitable republic,” he added.

Simultaneous flag-raising and wreathlaying ceremonies were held in Rizal Park, Cavite, Bulacan, San Juan, Caloocan, Angeles City, Cebu City and Davao City, according to a calendar of activities released by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

A grand civic and military parade

and hunger.

“There will be no complete freedom if there are Filipinos still mired in pov-

was held at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine National Police followed by various local government units and private volunteer groups. This was the first time in 18 years that a military and civic parade was staged during the Independence Day celebration.

President Marcos received a set of commemorative stamps for Independence Day from the Philippine Postal Corp. The commemorative stamp shows the sewing of the Philippine flag by Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo and Delfina Herbosa Natividad in Hong Kong.

Another stamp features the raising of the Philippine flag in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898.

VP Duterte-Carpio:

Youth must ‘break free’

Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio on Monday called on the nation to support the education sector to help the youth “break free” from the risks posed by armed struggle.

In her Independence Day message, Duterte, who also sits as Education secretary, said the painstaking years of martyrdom are an inspiration to continue pushing for inclusive development that will remove Filipinos from poverty, insurgency, drug addiction, and other threats to national security.

“Let us rally behind our education sector to enable our children and youth to break free from the dangers of armed struggle so that they can realize their full potential and serve as agents of positive change in society,” she said.

Supreme Court: Protecting freedom

Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo on Monday urged Filipinos to continue to protect and enrich the country’s freedom that had been fought for by our heroes in the past.

“As Filipinos, we have the responsibility to protect and enrich the freedom we inherit. All of us are called to endeavor to carry out the dreams of those who supported our desire to be free,” said Gesmundo, who was guest of honor and speaker at the grounds of the historic Barasoain Church in the City of Malolos, Bulacan.

erty,” he said.

“The fight for freedom is not only a war against invaders. It is also the fight to end hunger, the fight to experience comfort in life, and the fight to ensure a better future,” he said.

He said the road towards a better fu-

The Chief Justice also said that everyone has a subsequent duty that must be borne along with the rights and freedom they enjoy.

Senate: Pressing issues

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri assured that the upper chamber will uphold and watch out for the freedom of the country and of every Filipino, particularly the freedom to become a fullfledged and peaceful democracy and the freedom from hunger and poverty.

Senator Risa Hontiveros said Filipinos must address the pressing issues that affect the country’s sovereignty and regional stability.

“As a nation, we have always valued diplomacy and peaceful dialogue as the means to address conflicts,” said Hontiveros. “We must stand together, transcending political differences, to protect our territorial integrity and safeguard our national interests.”

DND: Keeping the country safe

The Department of National Defense (DND) on Monday said it remains committed to ensuring the Philippines remains safe, peaceful, united, and progressive for all of its citizens.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. also expressed hope that Filipinos would continue to be worthy of the heroes’ legacies and responsible stewards of the next generation’s birthright.

“Amid current and emerging challenges, we will continue to strive for the protection and betterment of our Motherland,” the DND chief said in his Independence Day message.

Remulla: Keep fighting for freedom

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla urged all Filipinos to continuously keep and fight for freedom.

“On this day, we celebrate the spirit of independence and freedom and to pay tribute to our heroes who sacrificed sweat and blood for our future,” Remulla said, in a Facebook post.

“In every opportunity, we should always show love for our country, honor the principles that our ancestors fought for, and help push peace, justice, and progress in our nation,” the Justice secretary added.

ture could not be unfolded if people do not reflect and learn from the lessons left by the country’s heroes, like Andres Bonifacio, the Father of the Philippine Revolution. “On this day, let us awaken the heroism in each of us,” he said.

Maricel V. Cruz

its June 4 meeting.

Meanwhile, five COVID-19-related deaths were reported belatedly by the DOH, four last month and one in March. No fatality was reported from May 29 to June 11.

The agency said 527 severe and critical cases were admitted to hospitals as of June 11. This accounts for 11.3% of the total coronavirus admissions.

Out of 2,134 intensive care unit (ICU) beds for coronavirus patients, 377 or 17.7% are occupied, the lowest in five weeks, while 3,493 or 19.5% of the total 17,922 non-ICU beds were in use.

As for COVID-19 vaccination, the DOH said it was still unable to generate the latest numbers “due to the ongoing migration of the Vaccine Information Management System (VIMS) by the DICT (Department Of Information And Communications Technology).”

As of March 19, 78.4 million Filipinos were already fully vaccinated against COVID-19, covering 100.4% of the government’s target population. At least 7.1 million senior citizens, or 82.16% of the target A2 population, have also received their primary vaccine series.

Washington...

From A1

Antony Blinken, congratulated Filipinos in celebrating Independence Day on June 12.

In a statement, the top American diplomat reiterated his country’s intention to keep working with the Philippines to confront challenges together.

“We have accomplished much together, and I am confident we will continue to collaboratively confront the most pressing regional and global challenges,” Blinken said.

He also stressed that the US cherishes its longstanding alliance with the Philippines.

“Today, I want to reaffirm the longstanding US-Philippines Alliance and celebrate our strong people-to-people ties, acknowledging the shared sacrifices that form the foundation of our Alliance,” Blinken said.

“The United States cherishes the partnerships we have developed across so many fields, including fostering inclusive and broad-based prosperity, investing in the clean energy transition, upholding international peace and stability, and so much more,” he added.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo has urged Filipinos to cherish the qualities exemplified by Filipino ancestors to achieve Philippine independence.

of like a calculator for words,” he said. “And the way we teach people is going to have to change and the way we evaluate students is going to have to change.”

ChatGPT has captured the world’s imagination with its capacity to generate human-like conversations, writing, and translations in seconds.

But it has raised concern across many sectors, including in education, where some worry students will abuse the tool or turn to it rather than produce original work.

Altman was in the Japanese capital as part of a world tour where he is meeting business and political leaders to discuss possibilities and regulations for AI.

He has regularly urged politicians to draft regulations for AI, warning “if this technology goes wrong, it can go quite wrong”.

“The tools we have are still extremely primitive relative to tools we are going to have in a couple of years,” he said Monday, again urging safety measures and regulation.

He said he felt “positive” about new regulatory frameworks for AI after meeting world leaders, without offering details, but reiterated his fears.AFP

price increases effective 6 a.m. on June 13: P1.20 per liter for gasoline, P1.40 per liter for diesel, and P1.30 per liter for kerosene,” Petron Corp. said in an advisory.

“These reflect movements in the international oil market,” the oil refiner said.

PTT Philippines, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Seaoil Philippines, PetroGazz, and Jetti also announced their price movements.

Department of Energy director for the Oil Industry Management Bureau

Rodela Romero said world oil prices went up after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies agreed on production cuts during

ond was “more serious than the first which had further weakened his lungs,” Mayor Biazon said.

“The market reacted to that. Middle of last week, there were also fears of inflation and recession, that’s why prices got pulled down last week, but prices were still pulled upwards,” Romero said during the Laging Handa briefing on Monday.

She said other mitigating factors were the weakening trade data from China, which may affect oil demand.

NCR Defense Command in 1988-90, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)

Vice Chief of Staff in 1990-91.

In his message for the 125th Independence Day, Manalo honored the sacrifices of Filipino ancestors, saying: “The hardfought freedom by our forebears has not only shaped our nation’s history but also continues to shape its future.”

“As we celebrate Kalayaan 2023, let us look to the future while cherishing the exceptional qualities that our ancestors exemplified and that continue to define the Filipino spirit today –courage, resilience, compassion, and a deep love of country,” the country’s top diplomat said.

staunchest defenders of the peace and democracy that Filipinos enjoy today.

“Thank you so much for all the prayers. It was truly worth it. Papa fought a long and exhausting battle. It’s time to get rest Papa! We love you so dearly! Thanks for bringing honor to the Biazon family. We are proud of you!” said the mayor. He said his late father courageously fought his last battle like a Marine would, “but it is the Lord’s will which prevails.”

According to Mayor Biazon, his father underwent appropriate cancer treatment in July last year.

However, the elder Biazon caught pneumonia twice this year, and the sec-

The late “Pong” Biazon was a senator from 1992 to 1995. He was elected again in 1998 and served in the Senate until 2010.

Before joining the Senate, he was the Armed Forces chief during the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino.

Born on April 14, 1935 in Batac, Ilocos Norte, Biazon took up mechanical engineering at FEATI University before he entered the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 1957.

He also served the following posts: Superintendent of PMA in 1986-87, Commandant of the Philippine Marines in 1987-89, Commanding General of the

He was also a congressman of the lone district of Muntinlupa, was reelected in 2013, and retired from politics in 2016.

Senators mourned Biazon’s death on Independence Day, which his son said was “perfectly fitting” for a soldier “who dedicated his life and laid it on the line in defending freedom and democracy, (and) has been set free from the pains of this world.”

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said necrological rites for Biazon were set in the Senate on June 19, Monday at 10 a.m.

He described the day Biazon died as “a bittersweet Independence Day.”

He noted that Biazon was one of the

“It was a gift to have been a novice senator during a time when Senator Biazon was still in office. I had the great fortune of learning from him and being inspired by his uncompromising public service—not just as a veteran legislator but also as a veteran military man, having been the chief of staff of the Armed Forces. He brought that same military discipline and commitment to his work in the Senate, and to every aspect of his life as a public servant,” he said.

“I am grateful for the time that we spent in the Senate together, and I am glad we had one last chance to reconnect with him last November when he attended the Senate reunion,” Zubiri said.

IN BRIEF

Pinoys in Taiwan mark PH Independence Day

AFTER a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Filipinos in Taiwan on Monday celebrated anew Philippine Independence Day, under the auspices of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taipei.

The MECO said more than 7,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from various parts of Taiwan, turned out for the patriotic observance.

Aside from the 125th anniversary of Philippine independence, the event coincided with the observance of Migrant Workers Day in recognition of the valuable contribution of overseas workers to the country’s growth, MECO chair Silvestre Bello III said.

Among the highlights of the celebration was a fun run and Zumba contest at the Sanchong Metropolitan Park, New Taipei City. The OFWs were also feted with live musical entertainment from local Filipino groups, with guest performers from Manila, and big raffle and cash prizes.

The event was graced by national and local leaders from Manila led by Senator Francis Tolentino, Gov. Dennis Pineda of Pampanga, former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson, and a host of Filipino mayors. In a video message, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., called on the expatriates to unite and continue working for a “just and inclusive Philippines.”

“This is the first time after three years that our OFWs are seeing each other in this kind of activity and express their unity in helping our government move our nation ahead,” Bello said. Vito Barcelo

DMW holds job fair with 40 recruiters

FORTY licensed recruitment agencies with overseas job offers totaling 11,750 took part in a “mega job fair” held at the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) main office in Mandaluyong City in conjunction with Monday’s observance of the 125th Philippine Independence Day.

DMW Assistant Secretary Levinson Alcantara said the recruiters screened the applicants based on their skills and work experience.

“Ang hinahanap ng mga private recruitment agencies at manning agencies ay yung mga matched ang skills at experience dun sa requirements ng mga employers nila na nasa overseas,” Alcantara said.

“So if they see you as the closest match, they will set an appointment for your interview, or they will give you a slot or date so that you can complete the requirements. If that is the case, you are probably matched with the vacancy they are looking for),” he added.

A total of 32 private recruitment agencies and eight manning agencies took part in the job fair.

These agencies seek nurses, welders, construction workers, waiter/waitresses, baristas, warehouse supervisors, food servers, chefs, accountants and seafarers.

There are 17 countries of destination for interested Filipino workers which include Guam, Maldives, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Ireland, Japan, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Bahrain, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Czechia Republic, Macau and the United States of America.

Bataan eases rules to enhance tourism

THE Bataan provincial government has scrapped its documentary requirement for visiting tourist for being outmoded and no longer relevant to existing conditions, and in a bid to enhance local tourism.

Then Acting Governor Cris Garcia issued Ordinance No. 06 repealing an earlier ordinance setting up the Bataan Visitors information and Travel Assistance application for provincial tourism activities

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by then Acting Vice Governor Tony Roman unanimously passed the new ordinance authored by board members Jomar Gaza, and Harold Espeleta, and sponsored by councilor Popoy Del Rosario. chairman of the Committee on Tourism.

Del Rosario said after 10 months of running the system, and given the impending lapse of the term of subscription to the App, the Provincial Tourism Office conducted consultations with the Provincial information and Technology Office, as well as other information technology consultants, which led to conclusion that the continued subscription to the App is no longer cost-efficient.

He also pointed out that several measures have already been issued relaxing health and safety protocols and requirements. Butch Gunio

Group airs concern for 5.6m kids of impoverished Filipino families

“MILLIONS of Filipino children remain poor due to inequality and discrimination, and their situation is exacerbated by the climate crisis. Many of them lack access to basic services on health, education, proper nutrition, or adequate housing.”

The advocacy group Save the Children Philippines made this unsettling observation as it urged the government to act decisively and mitigate the effects of climate change of the children, particularly the impoverished families.

In an interview with ANC network, the group noted that the country was on top of the

2022 World Risk Index in terms of calamities and disasters worldwide.

“In the Philippines alone, around 5.6 million Filipino families... including children, who are perennially living in poverty and are not able to adapt well to the climate crisis,” according to the group’s director George De La Rama.

In a report titled “Born into the Cli-

mate Crisis,” Save the Children Philippines said

Filipino children born in 2020 will live through 4.9 times more scorching heat waves, 2.3 times more river floods, 1.2 times more droughts and 1.5 times more crop failures than their ancestors who were born 60 at least years ago.

“You can just imagine the generational gap and the generational impact of what’s happening to them versus to those who were able to live in the past and how children are bracing themselves for the future with the impacts they are experiencing right now,” De La Rama said. In a statement, Save the Children

Philippines chief executive officer lawyer Albert Muyot stressed that no child deserves to grow up in poverty and an unsafe environment. Save the Children Philippines is deeply concerned for the safety and welfare of children from 5.6 million poor families who are exposed to various risks and hazards from disasters and emergencies as the country braces for 15 cyclones this year. With the Philippines ranking first in the 2022 World Risk Index with the highest risk of disasters in the world, families living in poverty have less protection from the impacts of climate disasters and have less support and resources to adapt to climate-related change.

DAR says only SC can stop it from executing CARP

By Rio N. Araja

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Monday maintained that only the Supreme Court can stop the agency from implementing the land reform program and the selection of farmer-beneficiaries despite the filing of land dispute cases to derail the land distribution scheme.

Agrarian Secretary Conrado Estrella III emphasized that it is the “solemn duty” of the DAR to implement the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and other agrarian reform laws “with full conformity to the constitutional mandates of due process, equal protection, just compensation and social justice.”

in Monday’s celebration of the 125th Philippine

BI intercepts three outbound prospective OFWs

By Vito Barcelo

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has prevented from leaving three prospective Filipino overseas workers (OFWs) believed to be victims of a human trafficking syndicate.

In another preemptive move, the bureau also denied the entry of two foreign-registered sex offenders (RSO) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the three Filipino passengers were denied departure at the country’s premier airport as they were about to leave for the Middle East.

“Members of the BI’s travel control and enforcement unit (TCEU) decided to offload the passengers from their flights after they admitted the real purpose of the travel during secondary in-

spection,” Tansingco said.

“They all initially alleged they were traveling as tourists and one of them even pretended to be a nanny for the 16-yearold boy who is her supposed companion in her trip,” the BI chief added.

The drama however, easily collapsed as the purported nanny later confessed that she was not a tourist, but would be traveling to Syria to work as a domestic helper.

Another passenger claimed she was going for a vacation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia but later admitted she was going to Lebanon where she had previously worked as a household help.

The third passenger presented a fake Saudi Arabian, visa but eventually surrendered her United Arab Emirates (UAE) visa, and divulged she was going to Dubai to work as a maid.

The three rejected passengers

were turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for investigation

Meanwhile, BI agents denied the entry for two registered sex offenders (RSO) who were deemed a threat to public morals. They were identified as Donell English and Brandon Todd Killen, both American nationals, were found to have criminal records as sex offenders.

“Sex offenders pose a significant risk to society, and the Bureau remains steadfast in its efforts to prevent their entry into the country,” the BI said.

A total of 75 RSOs were prevented from entering the country from January to May this year. This sends a clear message that the Philippines is committed to upholding its values, safeguarding public morals, and protecting its citizens from potential threats.

Estrella cited Section 55 of the Republic Act No. 6657 of the CARP Law, as amended, for such initiative, saying only the Supreme Court could stop DAR from implementing the CARP through the issuance of a temporary restraining order.

The provision states; “Except for the Supreme Court, no court in the Philippines shall have jurisdiction to issue any restraining order or writ of a preliminary injunction against the PARC, the DAR or any of its duly authorized or designated agencies in any case, dispute or controversy arising from, necessary to, or in connection with the application, implementation, enforcement, or interpretation of this Act and other pertinent laws on agrarian reform.”

DAR Undersecretary for field operations Kazel Celeste clarified, however, that each case would be treated differently, depending on its intent and purpose.

“If the protest from CARP coverage or a petition for exemption or exclusion is still pending with the DAR regional office, the Office of the Secretary, or the Office of the President, the land and distribution process shall proceed up to the issuance of the Republic of the Philippines title,” Celeste said.

The process could go as far as issuing and registering certificates of land ownership award and installing the beneficiaries “if the Office of the President affirmed the CARP coverage and denied any motion for reconsideration,” she added.

COA confers on QC gov’t highest audit rating for third straight year

FOR the third straight year, the Quezon City government has received an “unqualified opinion” from the Commission on Audit (COA) for its 2022 audit report following an extensive assessment, Mayor Joy Belmonte announced during Monday’s 125th Independence Day ceremony.

Unqualified opinion is the highest audit rating that the COA can give to a government agency, including a local government unit.

“In the past three years, we are fortunate that we are blessed that we have been awarded this recognition. This only proves of our good governance, and of how we take good care of our funds,” Belmonte said.

“We cannot achieve this without the

Gov’t set to resurrect Masagana rice production program

THE National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has disclosed a plan to revive the Masagana rice industry development program, saying four government agencies will collaborate to execute it under the Marcos administration.

Masagana 99 was a flagship agricultural program of the late Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., father and namesake of the current Chief Executive, to increase rice production in the country.

During the Laging Handa briefing on Monday, NIA acting administrator Eduardo Guillen said the program

will be a collaborative initiative of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Guillen said the Masagana rice program aims to assist Filipino farmers cope with climate change concerns and make their farms more resilient to adverse weather conditions.

Among the responsibilities of the DPWH is to facilitate water management by connecting small water-im-

pounding projects to irrigation facilities, Guillen said. “On the part of (the) NIA, our suggestion is to reposition our production. For example, during the dry season, we know that the yield of the hybrid is high, so we will teach hybrid production in the dry season. And then in the wet season, we will see, we should release water…So those are the systems,” he added.

Guillen also said the program eyes one irrigation cooperative per town by putting together all irrigation associations in each municipality.

effort of our hardworking and sincere employees,” he added.

Belmonte was informed of the award, the highest recognition given by the COA to government agencies, during a courtesy visit by Joseph Perez, supervising auditor of COA-QC.

The city government’s fi nancial statements have met the “applicable fi nancial reporting framework” following extensive scrutiny by COA, Perez said.

Belmonte personally received the COA annual report from Perez, together with city administrator Michael Alimurung, secretary to the Mayor Ricardo Belmonte Jr., and Office of the City Mayor chief of staff Rowena Macatao. Rio N. Araja

Caloocan City police chief Col. Ruben Lacuesta elds questions from journalists, assuring them of their safety at work.

Andrew Rabulan

WARDEN’S FREEDOM DAY GIFT. Bureau of Corrections chief Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr, talks with inmates at the maximum security facility of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City where he announced extended visiting time for relatives of the prisoners, euphemistically called Person’s Deprive of Liberty, as his Independence Day present. Joseph Muego

FEMME FATALE. The dista side of the police’s elite unit of combatants takes part

Independence Day at the Rizal Park in Luneta, Manila. Revoli Cortez

Independence Day celebrations should inspire more health laws

THE country’s Independence Day celebration should inspire lawmakers to craft and improve laws that will give Filipinos freedom from the financial burden of out-of-pocket spending for healthcare services, Rep. Ray T. Reyes of Anakalusugan party-list group on Monday stressed.

“Today we are celebrating our independence and this should inspire us lawmakers to craft laws that would free Filipinos from out-of-pocket medical expenses,” he said.

Reyes also lamented a recent study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) which showed how Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) members still pay out-ofpocket for medical services despite the Universal Health Care law.

In its December 2022 study, PIDS said the elderly, women, rural and poor Filipinos are more likely to spend more, with the national health insurance program coverage limited to 40 percent of

total hospital costs.

“Our UHC law is a big relief but we still have a lot to do to improve it even more,” Reyes, vice chair of the House committee on health, said.

“I for one will continue to push for additional taxes for sugar sweetened beverages not only to help fund UHC but also to promote healthier lifestyle among Filipinos,” he added.

Apart from crafting laws in congress, he said Anakalusugan party-list group continues to bring healthcare access closer to people in underserved areas.

Recently, Anakalusugan partnered with local government units in Batangas to vaccinate senior citizens and other vulnerable sectors against Pneumonia.

An estimated total of 1,000 beneficiaries availed of the Anti-Pneumonia vaccination drive in the towns of Laurel, Balete, Sta. Teresita, Malvar and Nasugbu. Maricel V. Cruz

Sandigan acquits solon of P14.5m graft case

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Sandiganbayan has acquitted former Nueva Ecija congressman Rodolfo Antonino of graft and malversation charges over the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) amounting to P14.5 million.

In a 94-page decision promulgated last June 1, the anti-graft court, in acquitting Antonino, cited as reference the 2013 Supreme Court decision

(Belgica v. Ochoa) which states that PDAF, or pork barrel funds, covered by Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) issued by the Department of

Budget and Management (DBM) is not considered released.

“Because accused Antonino had control over his PDAF allocation, which are, without question, public funds, he was accountable therefore. But this Court must emphasize that accused Antonino was accountable for his PDAF allocation only when he had control thereof, or until the transfer thereof to the Department of Agriculture (DA), and thereafter,” the Sandiganbayan said.

“Applying Belgica [ruling], accused Antonino was accountable for his

PDAF allocation only until the issuance of the Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) by the DBM. Here, NCA No. 336323-1 was issued on February 23, 2007, and hence, he is considered accountable for the subject funds only until the said date,” it added. NCA is a cash authority issued by the DBM to cover the cash requirements of government agencies.

The anti-graft court also stated that SARO, as defined by the DBM, “is only a specific authority issued to identified agencies to incur obligations not ex-

Villafuerte asks DOH chief to act on P12.57b aid for frontliners

CAMARINES Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte on Monday expressed hope that newly-appointed Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa will make good on his promise to facilitate the speedy release of the unpaid health emergency allowances of healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-HCWs who had played a crucial role in saving lives during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Villafuerte also said Herbosa should find out soonest what could be done about the P12.57 billion worth of health emergency allowances that medical front liners have yet to receive but which the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) claimed had been released already to the DOH.

“We hope that newly-appointed Secretary Ted (Herbosa), who is a veteran in the healthcare sector, would deliver on his promise to give priority to looking into the still-unpaid Covid-19 allowances—and get to the bottom of what happened to the P12.5 billion in Covid-19 allowances that the DBM claimed to have released to the DOH months back but which have yet to be handed out by the health department to the intended beneficiary-HCWs and non-HCWs, as provided by law,” Villafuerte, sitting president

of the National Unity party and majority leader of the House contingent’s Commission on Appointments, said.

“We want to know soon enough from the new Secretary when the DOH is going to release the balance of about P12.57 billion from the P19.96 billion in Covid-19 benefits and allowances of HCWs and non-HCWs for their medical services rendered to our people at the height of the pandemic that the DBM claimed to have released already to the health department,” he added.

Given the new DOH chief’s impressive record in the health sector, including stints as Special Adviser to the National Task Force Against Covid-19 and trauma division chief at the surgery department of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), “I assume Dr. Herbosa, as a medical frontliner himself, will agree with me that it doesn’t make sense that for all their life-saving efforts at the height of the pandemic, our HCWs and non-HCWs in hospitals and other health institutions have yet to receive the emergency allowances due them up this time when the WHO (World Health Organization) had already declared this global public health emergency as over,” said Villafuerte. Maricel V. Cruz

Tolentino urges DOH to lay down new plans to entice nurses

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Francis Tolentino urged the new leadership of the Department of Health (DOH) to lay down fresh innovations that would encourage Filipino nurses to remain in the country.

He also asked the newly-appointed DOH Sec. Teodoro Herbosa to come up with plans to entice nurses to remain in the Philippines.

According to Tolentino, the main problem hounding Filipino nurses has always been the issue of their com-

pensation, whether they are working in the government or private medical facilities.

Tolentino said there is a wide gap between the salaries of nurses in the Philippines and those in medical facilities overseas.

“And that’s why most of them have no choice but to seek greener pastures abroad or, worse, seek a different career path,” he said.

Herbosa for his part agreed with Tolentino’s observation, saying that he is currently in talks with the Profes-

Herbosa praises efforts of Taguig LGU to promote bicycle use

By Joel E. Zurbano

DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH)

secretary Teodoro Herbosa has commended the efforts made by the Taguig City government to mainstream biking during the city’s Community Bike Ride on June 10.

“I’m glad that the City of Taguig has emphasized cycling,” he said in his message before 500 cyclists and bike enthusiasts. “I laud mayors like Mayor Lani [Cayetano] who have built 60 kilometers [of bike lanes]!“

Herbosa first saw the bike lanes as an adviser of the COVID-19 Task Force that visited the Taguig Lakeshore facility, he said. He added that he was impressed seeing how many bikers used them and how secure they were.

The DOH chief pledged to partner with mayors and local government units to prioritize the safety of twowheelers, including cyclists. Inspired by its commitment to bike-friendly systems and policies, he said he would begin the project with a partnership between Taguig and DOH.

The Taguig Community Bike Ride is an annual event that promotes a healthy and active lifestyle through biking.

Herbosa shared the positive impacts of biking on health: “Walang smoke emissions which is bad for your health. You become fit. So it’s very important na mapush natin to.”

To encourage more people to choose biking, he explained, towns and cities must ensure that risks to their life and safety are eliminated.

sional Regulations Commission (PRC) to somehow relax the licensing rules to allow the employment of nurses in government health facilities, especially fresh graduates.

Herbosa said the problem is that the country’s civil service guidelines allow only licensed nurses to work in the health sector in the government.

Herbosa said he already talked to the PRC to give temporary licenses for three years to nursing graduates to entice them to work in the government.

“We start with the government first

since it will be difficult if we extend to the private sector,” the DOH chief said.

In October,Tolentino filed Senate Bill No. 1447 or the proposed “Philippine Nursing Practice Act of 2022.”

The proposed legislation aims to increase the ranks of better-trained, better-compensated, and better-appreciated nurses.

The senator noted that providing local nurses with better compensation and training will play a vital role in achieving a more efficient access to Universal Health Care for every Filipino.

ceeding a given amount during a specified period for the purpose indicated.”

The release of fund in SARO, as stated in the court ruling, is still subject to compliance with specific laws or regulations, or is subject to separate approval or clearance by competent authority.

In Antonino’s case, the court stated that he did not commit any wrongdoing. “After the issuance of the NCA to the DA, which is tantamount to the release of the funds thereto, accountability is transferred to the DA,” the Sandiganbayan said.

IN BRIEF

Duterte pushes free dialysis treatment for indigents

REP. Paolo Duterte of Davao City is pushing for the passage of a bill mandating government hospitals to set up wards for dialysis and provide this treatment for free to indigent patients.

Duterte filed House Bill (HB) 7841noting that dialysis treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5 (CKD 5) or end-stage kidney disease remains costly for most Filipinos, especially for poor patients.

“Dialysis facilities also remain limited in public hospitals, resulting in long lines for poor CKD patients seeking treatment for this dreaded disease,” he added.

Duterte filed the bill together with Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Edvic Yap.

Duterte and his fellow authors said that even with the upgrade on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) coverage for hemodialysis from a maximum of 90 to 144 sessions, this is still not enough to cover the actual number of dialysis treatments needed by many CKD patients, given the severity and chronic nature of their disease. Maricel V. Cruz

Air Asia chief vows more jobs for Pinoys

CAPITAL

A chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes on Monday announced it will create more jobs for Filipinos as part of AirAsia Philippines’ short and long-term plans.

“I am excited to put in more investments in the Philippines. We have a great logistics business coming—Teleport Philippines, which we think will be great for e-commerce providers in the Philippines to sell their goods all over,” Fernandes said.

Fernandes is anticipating hiring an additional 1,000 employees to support the airline’s expansion in the next three years on top of the 6,000 jobs expected to benefit from the introduction of Capital A’s ridehailing business in the Philippines.

“We want to build an engineering company here, on top of Lufthansa Technik’s. We would like to bring ADE, which is really a fantastic engineering company,” he said.

Joel Zurbano

SM City Bataan holds earthquake drill

SM City Bataan recently conducted an earthquake drill on June 8 as part of its participation in the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill led by the National Disaster and Risk Reduction and Management Council.

The drills aim to enhance the preparedness and response capabilities of employees, tenants, and customers in the event of a seismic disaster.

With its proactive approach, SM City Bataan said it aims to set an example of responsible corporate citizenship and emergency management. This is in line with SM Supermalls’ continuous education and awareness drive for its front liners and partners on natural and man-made calamities.

Recognizing the importance of being well-prepared for unforeseen emergencies, SM City Bataan emphasizes the significance of early warning systems, effective evacuation procedures, and post-incident response measures. The activity provided an opportunity for employees to familiarize themselves with the appropriate actions to take in case of an earthquake and also educated front liners and tenants about safety protocols.

Gunio

AT PINAGLABANAN SHRINE. San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora and Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco (left) lead the commemoration of the 125th Independence Day at Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan City on Monday. Manny Palmero

Battle of Bessang Pass: Rape of Manila (Part 1)

June 1945 in Cervantes, a municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, located 382 km north of Manila. The area serves as a gateway to the Cordillera mountains and the city of Baguio.

“Bessang Pass was a stronghold of the Japanese imperial forces under Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, known as the “Tiger of Malaya” and conqueror of Singapore.

Crushing the climate crisis

THE El Niño Alert is up.

TOMORROW, June 14, the nation is supposed to mark the 78th Anniversary of the Battle of Bessang Pass in Northern Luzon which effectively caused the surrender of the Japanese Commander of the Japanese Imperial Forces in the Philippines, General Tomoyuki Yamashita.

Santa Banana, sadly this signal victory of the USAFIP-NL or the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines-Northern Luzon was never marked as an event that should be celebrated, unlike the Fall of Bataan and the Fall of Corregidor that we celebrate every April 9 as “Araw ng Kagitingan” or Day of Valor.

I call this unfortunate due to the nation’s damaged culture when we mark defeats instead of victories.

There was a time when the Fall of Bataan and the Fall of Corregidor were celebrated separately, but were soon marked as a Day of Valor (Araw ng Kagitingan), my gulay!

USAFIP-NL was composed of more than 20,000 men, mostly Ilocanos and Igorots who fought the Japanese as a guerilla force in many battles in Northern Luzon during the almost four years of the Japanese Occupation.

It was part of the triangular defense of General Yamashita in the north, namely the Balete Pass, Villaverde Trail and Bessang Pass, guarding the Ifugao-Northern Luzon borders.

‘Its fall at the hands of the United States Army Forces in the Philippines-Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL) on June 14, 1945 paved the way for the entrapment of Yamashita’s forces in the Cordillera until the general’s surrender in September 1945.

‘The USAFIP-NL was composed of five infantry regiments and a field artillery battalion of about 20,000 men, all Filipinos except for five American officers, and commanded by Col. Russell W. Volckmann.

“The troops bore the brunt of the fighting, sustaining over 3,375 casualties, including over 900 men killed, from 9 Jan, through 15 June 1945.

“The units of the USAFIP-NL that fought at the battle were the 121st, 15th, 66th, the Provisional battalion, and the 122nd Field Artillery. They faced the 73rd Infantry and the 76th Infantry, part of the 19th Division led by Lt. General Yoshiharui Ozaki.

“The Japanese forces fortified the hills and the ridges to stop any American offensive on the way to Cervantes and the Cordillera stronghold of Yamashita.

“The initial fighting started in February 1945 with an advance inland to the town of Cervantes by the 121st Infantry. After liberating San Fernando, La Union, on 23 March, the USAFIP-NL forces started the all-out assault on Bessang Pass. However, on 17 May, the 73rd Infantry, 19th Division made a strong counterattack, pushing back the 121st.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)-Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section has said this climate crisis is likely to develop between June and August this year and may persist until 2024.

What does this mean? With scientists announcing the start of a potentially strong El Niño climate pattern in June 2023, what effect might this climate challenge have on our lives?

Weather experts have noted a vast body of warm water has been slowly sloshing across the tropical Pacific Ocean in the direction of South America.

The raised Alert is the second in the tri-level warning system, which is issued when El Niño is likely to develop within the next two months, and there is at least 70 percent chance it would develop.

El Niño (“little boy” or “Christ Child” in Spanish) – which last whipped the country in 2019 – occurs every two to seven years and it lasts eight to 12 months, according to PAGASA. Its strongest occurs every 10 to 15 years.

Another question may be “How long do El Niño and La Niña typically last and when do they develop?”

El Niño and La Niña episodes typically last 9-12 months. It is somewhat easier for a La Niña event to last longer (up to 2–3 years) than an El Niño, which rarely persists for more than a year at a time. The worst case of El Niño in the Philippines happened in 1982-1983 and was recorded to be the worst in history, as trade winds not only collapsed but also reversed.

It is comforting to note that with the foreseen onset of El Niñor, the DA will further strengthen measures that will address the effects of the expected drought, including the reactivation of an inter-agency El Niño Task Force to mitigate the potential effects of the phenomenon to the agriculture and fisheries sector.

We understand under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the government will put up more water-related infrastructure such as hydroelectric power plants, flood control projects and irrigation systems. An overall plan to change the way water supply is acquired will also be undertaken, according to the DA, which is headed by the chief executive.

That signal victory of the USAFIP-NL was under an American Colonel Russel Volckmann , together with Americans who were recruited as USAF officers when World War II broke out. They were in the Philippines engaged in mining operations.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines in its annals labelled the Battle of Bessang Pass poetically as the “Battle Among the Clouds,” my gulay.

I am passionate about this signal victory of the Battle of Bessang Pass because my elder brother Desiderio, who later on became an associate Justice of the Court of Appeals, and my other brother Willie, were in the Battle of Bessang Pass as officers of the 21st Infantry, Third Battalion under the late Major Conrado Rigor.

I am now quoting official sources on that battle, which took almost 5 1/2 months forcing the forces of Yamashita to retreat to the Cordilleras when the Americans started landing in the Philippines when then General Douglas MacArthur fulfilled his promise, “I shall return.”

My brother Desi, as Lieutenant of Company E, led the final assault against the Japanese who were on the higher grounds, which finally caused the surrender of the Imperial Forces.

Yamashita fled to the forests of Kalinga, but was soon captured by a combined force of the USAFIP-NL.

Desi was awarded a Silver Star for “courage and bravery” beyond the call of duty.

Here’s the account of official sources of the signal victory of Filipinos that led to the surrender of Yamashita and his execution in as a war criminal:

The Siege “ The Battle of Bessang Pass was a major battle during the Philippines Campaign of World War II.

“It was fought from January 9 through 15

By Richard Orsino

THE Supreme Court has decided with finality – Bonifacio Global City and 10 adjacent barangays are under the jurisdiction of Taguig City.

Despite the high court’s final and executory decision, why is Makati City Mayor Abby Binay refusing to recognize the ruling?

They refuse to give up because, political observers say, those areas are the stronghold of her husband, Makati Second District Rep. Luis Jose Campos Jr.

The second district of Makati represented by Campos are 13 barangays, including Cembo, Comembo, East Rembo, Guadalupe Nuevo, Guadalupe Viejo, Pembo, Pinagkaisahan, Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, Post Proper Southside, Rizal, South Cembo and West Rembo.

Of these 13 barangays, 10 were ordered by the Supreme Court to be transferred to the jurisdiction of Taguig, including Cem-

“On 1 June, Volckmann started his renewed attack with three regiments abreast. They cleared the Lamagan and Lower Cadsu Ridges by 5 June. Magun Hill was captured by 10 June, and the Upper Cadsu Ridge was taken by 12 June, On 10 June, the units of 121st launched a final assault and by 14 June, the “last opposition melted away.”

Cervantes was secured by 15 June.

“On September 3, 1945, Gen. Yamashita formally surrendered, along with his less than 50,000-strong command in Camp John Hay, Baguio City.

“General MacArthur, five other generals, and the Supreme Court of the United States ultimately held Yamashita responsible for war crimes, since he was in command of all Japanese troops in the Philippines at the time.

“Yamashita was convicted on the grounds that he made no attempt to discover or stop atrocities from being committed.

“This would be known as the Yamashita Standard. Yamashita was sentenced to death by hanging. He was hanged on 23 February 1946 in a camp south of Manila.”

Sadly, despite my many urgings the AFP and the Department of National Defense mark June 14 as a signal victory in our fight against imperialism, only the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. and the late President Fidel V. Ramos recognized Bessang Pass. Ramos even built a shrine in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur for the relatives of those who fought to commemorate the June 14 victory of the Battle of Bessang Pass.

Dates to remember

Here are dates to remember in connection with the Japanese Occupation and the end of World War II.

-Battle of Bessang Pass : January 9 to June 15, 1945

-The drop of the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima, Japan: August 6, 1945

-The drop of the the Atomic Bomb on Nagasaki: August 9, 1945

-Surrender of Japan: September 2, 1945

-Actual surrender of Yamashita in Baguio City: September 3, 1945

-Hanging of Yamashita: February 23, 1946. (To be continued)

bo, Comembo, East Rembo, Pembo, Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, Post Proper Southside, Rizal, South Cembo and West Rembo.

In deciding the territorial dispute, the Supreme Court said in its 36-page decision that it carefully considered the “best interest” of the constituents.

The Supreme Court said: “It would thus be an abdication of our duty if we would not look into all facets of the present dispute in coming up with a judicious adjudication of Makati and Taguig’s conflicting factual claims.

“We have to resolve, with finality, the territorial dispute that has gripped both cities for decades, bearing in mind the best interest of the constituents of the affected government units.”

The Supreme Court was clear in its ruling.

It is unfortunate that Binay used the benefits they provide for their constituents so the residents would also oppose the transfer of the BGC and “embo” barangays to Taguig City.

This basically agricultural economy of 114 million people last experienced El Niño from2018 to 2019.

Under the 2023 El Niño Mitigation and Adaptation Plan, the government said the Department of Agriculture will set in motion strategies that aims to lessen the impact of the El Niño phenomenon to the agriculture and fishery industries and restore productivity in affected areas.

Based on the 6-month rainfall forecast data of the DOST-PAGASA last March 22, at least 16 provinces in Central Visayas (Region VII), Eastern Visayas (Region VIII), Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX), the Caraga Administrative Region (Region XIII) and Calabarzon (Region IV-A, particularly the province of Quezon, will be affected by the prolonged dry season.

Part of the government’s master plan to address El Niño is to save the vulnerable areas through appropriate water management, while irrecoverable areas will be rehabilitated.

Chains making independence a mirage

THIS year, we celebrate the 125th Independence Day of the Philippines.

June 12, 1898 is considered the first when Emilio Aguinaldo signed “Acta de la proclamacion de independencia del pueblo Filipino.”

However, the period that seemed like independence was just waiting time as Spain sold us to America.

The date we consider as Independence Day has been controversial since time immemorial.

It’s a tricky thing to answer, but the trickier question seems to be, have we ever really been free?

As my colleague Bernardine De Belen and I write in another article, this sounds like a philosophical question, but it is also political.

More than a century has passed, yet we still find ourselves plagued with the same (or even worse) sociopolitical issues. We have not been liberated.

True liberation means more than just picking a date when we commemorate Independence Day.

Genuine freedom demands to be continuously fought for.

There are many aspects that go into our lack of liberation; some of these being the state of human rights, education, and our environment.

The state appears to have no problem with human rights violations.

Especially involving those who choose to fight for genuine liberation. Extrajudicial killings are not new or few in the Philippines, many victims being activists.

In February of 2022, news broke out that five individuals who were variously Lumad teachers, community volunteers, and human rights defenders were killed in Davao de Oro.

They are now referred to as New Bataan 5.

The AFP claimed they were killed in an encounter with the NPA but the NPA denied this.

Duterte’s anti-poor war on drugs also added at least 6,252 victims to the EJK statistics as of May 31, 2022. This war has not ended under Marcos Jr.’s current administration.

Some we find killed, and some we have not found at all.

Another common human rights violation in the Philippines being enforced disappearances.

Many activists have been abducted by the state force as a form of political repression.

Bazoo de Jesus and Dexter Capuyan were just disappeared last April 28.

We also have political prisoners who have been jailed for their political stance. This is how Reina Nasino lost Baby River.

Authorities refused to let a mother care for her sick child.

To make it worse, those who suffer these human rights violations are red-tagged to justify violence against them.

They are called communists, or rebels, or terrorists for fighting for liberation.

In the aspect of education, the Philippines is also not doing well.

According to Sara Duterte’s Basic Education Report (BER) last January, the Department of Education faces many challenges in delivering basic education to Filipino students.

Among other things, there continues to be a lack of school infrastructure and resources.

supposedly there to support us, such as human rights and education, continue to oppress us.

But even at the very basic level of the environment, we are chained.

Related to the closing of Lumad schools, indigenous peoples in our country who are in the frontlines of environmental defense are continuously red-tagged and violated.

According to a report by Global Witness in 2022, the Philippines is the deadliest country in Asia for land and environmental defenders. In 2022 alone, 19 defenders were killed, most of them being indigenous people.

Moreover, we continue to feel the intense impacts of climate change.

The summer heat was almost unbearable.

PAGASA has also warned that El Niño may develop from June to August of this year.

We are also bearing the brunt of extreme rainfall and intensified typhoons.

With dwindling trees, we continue to be prone to rising floods.

Our coastal communities are also more vulnerable to storm surges.

Our small islands, meanwhile, are facing the threat of disappearing completely with rising sea levels.

Many Lumad schools were also shut down.

As an attempt to justify these shutdowns, Sara Duterte red–tagged the volunteer teachers.

According to her, they had links with terrorists. The Lumad schools also suffered harassment from the Duterte administration, with Duterte himself threatening to bomb the schools.

Amidst all this flak though, it is important to remember that these schools exist solely to help Lumad children who want to learn and complete their education. They are taught basic education as well as sustainable agriculture, and indigenous arts and culture. They learn that liberating themselves starts with education.

Bern and I also point to institutions that are

of the land.

It becomes a law that anyone is compelled to follow.

Any violation is met with the appropriate sanction under existing laws.

There is a Latin term which originated in the 11th century as a principle of Canon law and church law, and underscored in the country’s Revised Penal Code, which says “dura lex sed lex.”

This means the law may be harsh but it is still the law.

Yet we do not find our government prioritizing climate justice.

As Bern and I observe we are celebrating the 125th Independence Day, but we still find ourselves unshackled from our long-standing chains. We can only celebrate real independence when we are genuinely liberated from the systems and chains that oppress us.

As the popular Filipino saying goes, ‘Hindi ka malaya, mahaba lang ang tanikala.’

Here’s to the continuous fight for genuine liberation!

Here’s to breaking out from the chains that make our independence a mirage?

Website: tonylavina.com. Facebook: tonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

There is another saying “Salus populi est supreme lex” which means “Let the good of the people be the supreme law.”

It is very important that all public officials follow the law and respect the decision by the highest court.

The 30-year territorial dispute between Makati and Taguig has been settled by the SC and decided that the territory in question is under the legal jurisdiction of Taguig based on historical evidence, cadastral survey and contemporaneous acts of lawful authorities or events in the past.

Binay is really bent on defying the order when she said the Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments on the case.

But there is no truth to this because Supreme Court Spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka himself has clearly denied the high tribunal has issued an order to conduct a hearing on the case.

When the Supreme Court issues a final ruling it becomes part of the country’s jurisprudence and, therefore, part of the law

Lex is opposed to Jus where Lex is a law created by human while Jus is a natural law and “cannot be modified by an act of legislature.”

Perhaps parties to any litigation may well be reminded that local laws are made not just to protect the people but also maintain peace and order in a society.

Some laws might be difficult to obey but everyone must comply because Ignorantia legis neminem excusat (Ignorance of the law excuses no one).

SC Spokesman Hosaka said there has been an Entry of Judgment in Civil Case 63896 where any attempt to revive the territorial dispute by filing any pleadings, letters, motions or any communication related to the case will not be accepted by the Supreme Court.

(The author is a retired executive who worked for three decades in the telecommunications industry)

NATO begins largest air drill in Europe

NATO began the largest air force deployment exercise in Europe in the alliance’s history yesterday in a display of unity toward partners and potential threats such as Russia.

The German-led “Air Defender 23” will run until June 23 and include some 250 military aircraft from 25 NATO and partner countries including Japan and Sweden, which is bidding to join the alliance.

Up to 10,000 people will participate in the drills intended to boost interoperability and preparedness to protect against drones and cruise missiles in the case of an attack on cities, airports or sea ports within NATO territory.

Presenting the plans last week, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz of the German Luftwaffe said “Air Defender” was conceived in 2018 in part as a response to the Russian annexation of Crimea from Ukraine four years before, though he said it was “not targeted at anyone.”

He said that while NATO would defend “every centimeter” of its territory, the exercise would not “send any flights, for example, in the direction of Kaliningrad,” the Russian enclave bordering alliance member states Poland and Lithuania.

“We are a defensive alliance and that is how this exercise is planned,” he said.

US Ambassador to Germany Amy Gutmann said the drill would show “beyond a shadow of a doubt the agil-

ity and the swiftness of our allied force” and was intended to send a message to countries including Russia.

“I would be pretty surprised if any world leader was not taking note of what this shows in terms of the spirit of this alliance, which means the strength of this alliance, and that includes Mr Putin,” she told reporters, referring to the Russian president.

“By synchronizing together, we multiply our force.”

Russia’s war on Ukraine has galvanised the Western military alliance set up almost 75 years ago to face off against the Soviet Union.

Finland and Sweden, which long kept an official veneer of neutrality to avoid conflict with Moscow, both sought membership in NATO after Russia’s February 2022 invasion.

Under NATO’s Article Five, an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

The exercise will include operational and tactical-level training, primarily in Germany, but also in the Czech Republic, Estonia and Latvia. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will visit pilots based at the Schleswig-Jagel airfield in northern Germany on Friday. AFP

Italy’s ex-leader, media mogul Berlusconi dies

SILVIO BERLUSCONI , who dominated Italian public life for decades as a billionaire media mogul, businessman and prime minister, has died aged 86.

The larger-than-life character, who once compared himself to Jesus, was Italy’s longest serving premier but was also plagued by scandal.

Despite being diagnosed with leukaemia, he was active in politics to the end as a senator and partner in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s rightwing government.

Berlusconi also wielded huge influence through his television and newspaper interests – he effectively invented commercial TV in Italy – his ownership of AC Milan football club, and his sheer wealth, as Italy’s richest person for a decade.

Long before Donald Trump parlayed his business success into a White House bid, Berlusconi charmed millions of Italians by presenting himself as a self-made man who enjoyed life and spoke his mind, even to the extent of insulting fellow leaders.

To his critics, however, the right-winger was a tax-evading playboy who used his vast media empire to further his political career, and then exploited his power to protect his business interests.

He spent much of his life embroiled in legal action, and the cases around his notorious “Bunga Bunga” sex parties, attended by young girls including underage escorts, were only wrapped up in February 2023. Despite remaining president of his Forza Italia party, a junior partner in Meloni’s coalition, he had largely retired from public view in recent months.

He suffered increasing health problems – although he maintained his pride in his appearance, always smartly dressed, his slickedback hair never showing the slightest trace of grey. AFP

IN BRIEF

Ten dead in ‘unimaginable’ wedding bus crash in Australia

A BUS carrying wedding guests overturned and killed 10 people in an “unimaginable” night-time crash as it travelled through a wine-growing area north of Sydney, police said Monday, announcing a string of charges against the driver.

The white Linq Buslines coach was ferrying 35 passengers from a wedding at a local winery when it flipped onto its left side late on Sunday, coming to rest on the pavement alongside roadside barriers at the entrance to a major roundabout.

It was Australia’s deadliest road accident in 16 years.

Police said they had charged a 58-year-old man with 10 offenses relating to dangerous or negligent driving “occasioning death” and denied him bail ahead of a court hearing at nearby Cessnock on Tuesday.

A dozen emergency workers wearing high visibility yellow vests were at the scene soon after the accident on a foggy night near the town of Greta, helping to ferry more than 20 people to hospital.

Among those still in hospital, one patient was in a “critical” condition and 20 others were “stable,” police said.

After a day-long effort, bodies were still being recovered from the scene. AFP

British man arrested after climbing skyscraper in Seoul

A BRITISH man was arrested in South Korea on Monday after he attempted to climb the country’s tallest skyscraper – the fifth highest in the world – without equipment, police said.

The man was scaling the 123-storey Lotte World Tower in southern Seoul early Monday when staff spotted him, forcing him to stop his ascent as he reached the 73rd floor.

“Lotte staff had to go on a gondola lift to persuade him to stop when he was still climbing above the building’s 70th floor,” an official from the National Police Agency told AFP.

“He finally gave in and we arrested him at the scene for obstruction of official business. He is currently being questioned at a police station in Seoul’s Songpa district.”

The 555-meter (1,820-feet) Lotte World Tower is the world’s fifth tallest building.

Alain Robert, widely known as the “French Spider-Man,” was jailed in 2018 after climbing the same building without permission. He ascended to the 75th storey.

Local media, including newspaper Chosun Ilbo, have identified the British man in custody as George King-Thompson. AFP

DANCE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. People dance under a giant Pride flag as they attend the 2023 LA Pride Parade in Hollywood, California. The LA Pride Parade marks the last day of the three-day Los Angeles celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) social and self-acceptance, achievements, legal rights, and pride. AFP

‘Everlasting (Book)Mark’

OUR CEO series class had the opportunity to meet and know the president of Bookmark PH. Unlike the previous CEOs, Dr. Anna Maria Tan-Delfin is the president of a family business, and some might say that she inherited the position from her father.

I realized there must be something different in her mindset as a CEO. I first noticed that Ma’am Delfin is grounded by her core value of close family ties. She might be a successful president, but the whole talk has this ambiance of closeness, simplicity and openness. It felt like a family reunion rather than a class session.

The Unchosen One

There are times when opportunities choose us even though we don’t expect it.

For Ma’am Delfin, this is exactly how her life began. She grew up believing that she would be a veterinarian. She has the license and the expertise for that profession, but life has different plans for her. Because of her business instincts and innate closeness to their family staff, the board of directors chose her to inherit the CEO title.

Ma’am Delfin was open to the fact that she didn’t have the right expertise to lead their business. She had to shadow his father, give him time to train on the job and slowly understand the ins and outs of their operations.

It was mind-boggling to me because it was not like she wanted the job; the directors chose her. Here, I realized that being a CEO is not confined by our chosen career path. Sometimes, the chance to be a leader suddenly appears, and we must take advantage of it.

Moreover, I realized that technicalities in leadership could be learned in many ways. Ma’am Delfin learned it on the job, while I’m currently trying to learn it as an MBA student.

Leadership is vague and detailed all at the same time. It can be both instinctual and calculated. For this reason, leaders can be made or be born. As for Ma’am Delfin, she got the job not only because she was born to be a leader but also because she stayed on the top and made herself into a competitive CEO.

Love for Marawi

The topic that made a lasting impact on me was the Marawi storybooks initiative from Bookmark.

Bookmark assisted our war-stricken homeland by crafting storybooks about the lore and history of Marawi and Lanao Del Sur. The publishing company welcomed

the culture of Muslim Mindanao with open arms. They did not impose the practices and normalcy of our society. Still, they got experts from Lanao Del Sur to create historically accurate stories infused with the ethos of the IDPs of Marawi. It was an initiative to preserve and promote a distinct and rich culture.

As a Muslim and a Mindanaoan, the moment Ma’am Delfin started to talk about the Marawi initiative, it made me realize what her real mission is as a publishing company leader. As a family-centric CEO, she wanted to use her platform to educate our country on how beautiful our diverse culture is. She wanted to show that diversity is a weapon and, at the end of the day, we are all Filipinos.

GREEN LIGHT

BALIAMEN

III

As I asked more about the Marawi storybook initiative, she gave me precious advice about cultural preservation. She said that, as Muslims, we should always keep our culture at the forefront and that even if we need to adapt to steadily live a stable life, we must take opportunities to promote our culture when able.

In less than 20 minutes of talking, Ma’am Delfin made me think about my decisions as an MBA student. Now I realize that I chose this path not only for myself or the betterment of my career but, in some way, also to show society that my culture is not a hindrance but an asset to give me an edge in being a successful business professional.

Ma’am Delfin was not the most prominent among the CEOs we had, but she made the most impact on me. I started absorbing her values and rethinking mine. She made me reignite my dreams for a better Mindanao and reassured me that our uniqueness is a gift and not a burden to this challenging world.

Editor’s Note: Dr. Anna Maria

T. Delfin died on May 7, 2023. The author’s reflection based on her talk to the class is a fitting tribute to a wonderful person who touched so many lives. Rest in Peace, Mari.

The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, DLSU. He can be reached at baliamen_mamainte-iii@dlsu.edu.ph.

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

A shareholder arrives for the general meeting of shareholders of UBS bank in Basel, on April 5, 2023, following the takeover by UBS of Credit Suisse hastily arranged by the Swiss government on March 19 to prevent a financial meltdown. AFP

UBS embarks on ‘bumpy’ integration of Credit Suisse, faces tough moves

ZURICH, Switzerland—UBS said Monday

that it had finalized the takeover of its former rival Credit Suisse, clearing the way for a Herculean task of integration that will be closely watched by clients, employees and Swiss political leaders.

The coming months are likely to be “bumpy”, UBS chief Sergio Ermotti had warned Friday, saying the government-orchestrated operation would require “waves” of difficult decisions, particularly regarding employment.

“We have finalized the legal takeover of Credit Suisse,” the bank said in an open letter published in the NZZ newspaper, calling it “the beginning of a historic new chapter.”

UBS, the country’s leading bank, was forced into the marriage to prevent its rival from going under—with potentially catastrophic consequences for the global financial system -- but it had not waited for Monday’s announcement to start preparing to absorb Credit Suisse.

“From Monday onward, UBS can start to be proactive,” Andreas Venditti, a financial analyst for Vontobel, told AFP.

UBS has been preparing since mid-March and already has an idea of what it wants to keep, close or sell, but had been “limited in what they could do” until the merger was sealed, Venditti said.

The merger of Switzerland’s two biggest banks will be complex both technically and politically, resulting in a megabank unlike the Swiss have ever seen—a size that has political leaders worried.

Thousands of jobs could be lost because of overlapping operations.

But according to Thomas Jordan, chair-

European stocks climb at open, Asia cautious

LONDON, United Kingdom— European stock markets advanced at the start of trading on Monday, with all eyes on central banks this week and their latest decisions over interest rates. London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index rose 0.4 percent to 7,592.36 points.

In the eurozone, Frankfurt’s DAX index grew 0.6 percent to 16,048.20 points and the Paris CAC 40 won 0.6 percent to 7,255.13.

The US Federal Reserve is widely expected to pause its campaign of interest rate increases on Wednesday to give policymakers more time to assess the economic impact of existing hikes and recent banking stresses.

A day later, the European Central Bank will almost certainly deliver another interest rate hike, pressing ahead with its fight against inflation even as the eurozone slides into a recession, according to analysts. Policy announcements from the central banks of Japan and China are also due this week after Canada and Australia unveiled rate hikes last week.

Meanwhile, Asian investors traded cautiously Monday

as they awaited key US inflation data and the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision later this week.

Markets globally have enjoyed a broadly strong runup this month on hopes the US central bank will decide against an eleventh successive hike at the end of the meeting on Wednesday.

Positive readings on jobs in the past few weeks— indicating the economy remained healthy but gave the Fed room to stand pat in June—have added to the broadly upbeat mood.

However, with the policy board split on the best way forward for fighting still-too-high inflation, there remains a certain amount of uncertainty on trading floors.

The decision comes a day after the release of consumer price inflation data, which could play a major role in officials’ thinking.

For now, the forecast is for the Fed to hold this month but announce another hike in July. Policy announcements from the central banks of Japan, China, and the eurozone are also due this week, after Canada and Australia unveiled small increases last week.

Meanwhile, concern about China’s sluggish recovery and signs of further weakness in Europe continued to weigh on sentiment.

After a positive but light lead from Wall Street— with the S&P 500 extending its bull market run—Asian traders struggled on Monday to build on last week’s advances. AFP

NOTICE AND AGENDA OF THE ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING

TO ALL STOCKHOLDERS:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of GLOBAL-ESTATE RESORTS, INC. (the “Company”) will be held on 03 July 2023 at 9:00 a.m. to be conducted virtually, through the link https://geri.com.ph/asm2023/ that can be accessed through the Company’s website, with the following agenda:

I. Call to Order

II. Certification of Notice and Quorum

III. Approval of the Minutes of the previous Annual Stockholders’ Meeting

IV. Annual Report of Management

V. Appointment of External Auditor

man of the Swiss National Bank, there was no other solution. “Of course, it’s a pity there is only one [big bank] left. But I am sure that if the takeover by UBS hadn’t succeeded, there would have been an international financial crisis,” he said Sunday in an interview with the weekly Sonntagszeitung. ‘Talent retention’

Credit Suisse risked collapse when its share prices plunged more than 30 percent during trading on March 15, after three US regional lenders folded.

The Swiss government, the central bank and financial regulators stepped in and strongarmed UBS into a $3.25-billion takeover announced on March 19.

The deal includes guarantees for UBS in case there are any nasty surprises in the Credit Suisse cupboards.

UBS and the Swiss government signed the guarantee contract on Friday, which can reach up to nine billion Swiss francs ($9.85 billion), if the losses exceed five billion francs.

Many questions surrounding the merger remain unanswered, but Venditti said the picture should be clearer after second-quarter financial results emerge.

UBS has pushed the publication date back by more than a month to August 31.

Ipek Ozkardeskaya, an analyst at Swissquote Bank, said “talent retention” would be one of the biggest challenges, as staff departures multiply in the face of downsizing fears.

From the political standpoint, the financial regulators FINMA “should make sure to protect competition, which could necessitate an eventual spin-of of certain business units”, Ozkardeskaya told AFP. AFP

VI. Ratification of all acts and resolutions of the Board of Directors, Board Committees and Corporate Officers adopted during the preceding year

VII. Election of Directors

VIII. Other matters

IX. Adjournment

Stockholders of record as of 02 June 2023 will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting.

Pursuant to Article V, Section 2 of the Company’s Amended By-Laws and Sections 23 and 57 of the Revised Corporation Code and to conform with the government’s regulation on social distancing and prohibition on mass gatherings, the Company decided to hold the Annual Meeting via remote communication, and allow the stockholders to cast their votes by remote communication or in absentia, or by proxy.

To participate in the Annual Meeting, stockholders must register from 9:00 AM of 16 June 2023 until 5:00 PM of 26 June 2023. The procedure for participation via remote communication and in absentia is contained in the Information Statement.

Stockholders who wish to appoint proxies may submit proxy instruments until 5:00 pm of 26 June 2023 to the Office of the Corporate Secretary at 9th Floor Eastwood Global Plaza, Palm Tree Avenue, Eastwood City, Bagumbayan, Quezon City or by e-mail at corpsecretary@globalestate.ph. Validation of proxies shall be held on 28 June 2023. A sample proxy form will be enclosed in the Information Statement for your convenience.

The Information Statement and other pertinent documents and information on the Annual Meeting are available through the Company’s website. For any clarifications, please contact the Office of the Corporate Secretary via email at corpsecretary@global-estate.ph. Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines, 08 May 2023.

MARIA CARLA T. UYKIM Corporate Secretary

Filipinas need more financial assistance

By Peter Atencio

MORE financial assistance is needed to help the Philippine national women’s football team as it embarks on a first-ever campaign in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand this month.

Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta said they have been seeking funding from the Philippine Sports Commission for the Filipinas, who have gone into the final phase of their preparations this week in Sydney, Australia.

“We have reached out to him (PSC chairman Richard Bachmann). We hope they give more to sustain the preparations,” said Araneta.

Araneta said the PFF is seeking around P30 million for their campaign.

Their first game in the FIFA tournament is against the New Zealand Fern on July 25 in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Love or hate him, Djokovic is undisputed king of tennis

PARIS—Novak Djokovic, who won a record-equalling 23rd Grand Slam title on Sunday, is driven on through controversy by his determination to be the greatest ever.

The Serb’s victory over Casper Ruud in the French Open final took him past great rival Rafael Nadal at the top of the list of all-time men’s major champions.

For 36-year-old Djokovic, it matters to be the best, and he has a strong sense of his historical place in tennis now that he has become the first man to win all four Slams at least three times.

He also keeps ploughing on through the highs and lows because it is “a great school of life”.

“I would like to send a message to every young person out there. I was a seven-year-old dreaming that I could win Wimbledon and be world no.1 one day,” he said Sunday.

“I am beyond grateful but I feel I had the power to create

By Randy Caluag

my own destiny. I believe it and feel it with every cell in my body. Be in the present moment, forget about the past. If you want a better future, you create it.”

While Nadal and now-retired Roger Federer are widely admired, Djokovic continues to divide as well as unite.

His staggering achievements on the court have often been overshadowed by blunders and missteps off it.

The latest was in the first week of the French Open when he wrote “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia” on a courtside TV camera lens as ethnic tensions were again rising in the Balkans.

On court, he was booed for fist-pumping as semifinal rival Carlos Alcaraz wilted with cramping.

“I don’t mind. It’s not the first; probably not the last. I’ll just keep winning,” said Djokovic.

His most controversial moment was his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid, which culminated with Djokovic last year being deported from Melbourne on the eve of the 2022 Australian Open.

His uncompromising stance on the vaccine also saw him barred from the United States and unable to

play in the US Open.

Even before that, the Serb was seemingly doomed never to be held in the same esteem as Federer or Nadal, the undisputed people’s champions.

There are those who see something too calculating in the Djokovic make-up—an intense, brooding presence prone to affectation. His infamous default from the US Open in 2020 for petulantly swiping at a ball that hit a female line judge gave a glimpse of his fiery character.

And some of his personal stances have drawn criticism—one claim that raised eyebrows was his belief that it was possible to alter the composition of water and food through positive thinking. Ticking clock

However, the career achievements and resolve of a player who was the first to smash through the $150 million prize-money barrier cannot be doubted. Djokovic, who left Belgrade when he was 12 to train in Munich and escape NATO’s bombardment of his home city, captured the first of his 23 majors at the Australian Open in 2008. AFP

Filipino hospitality fuels World Cup hype

THE International Basketball Federation listed 100 reasons why fans should be excited about the coming Basketball World Cup 2023, ranging from the presence of a possible record number of NBA stars and the exciting prospect of a free-for-all fight for the diadem.

Topping the list, however, is the muchanticipated brand of hospitality by hosts Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.

t’s the “Welcome Mat”, said the FIBA in its article entitled “100 reasons to get hyped for the FIBA World Cup 2023 posted on its official website.

“Traveling fans will love basketball, and the hospitality of Manila, Okinawa, and Jakarta,” the article said.

For a start, led by the Philippines’ initiative and partly due to the Covid-19

pandemic’s isolation policy, players and officials will be allotted single-bedroom accommodation.

“For the first time ever at a FIBA

event, players will have single rooms. The player’s experience will be a priority this summer,” said the article.

“This will be the first World Cup to ever be played across three different countries.”

The Filipinos are even more excited not just because their Gilas Pilipinas squad gets to play in the World Cup finals against the best teams in the world, but because of the arrival of NBA superstars playing for their respective countries.

FIBA noted that there was a total of 54 NBA players from 17 countries who saw action at the 2019 World Cup for 17 countries. This could be broken this time as FIBA, in quoting NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum, said “Twenty countries at least are going to have some NBA players. NBA players are going to

be everywhere at this World Cup.”

Aside from Team USA, whose lineup will be bannered by NBA stars, “numerous contenders in the 2022-23 NBA MVP Race like Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece and Nikola Jokic of Serbia, as well as future contenders Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Canada, Luka Doncic of Slovenia and Domantas Sabonis of Lithuania are expected to be at the World Cup.”

Ricky Rubio, World Cup 2019 Most Valuable Player, also promised that he will be back to defend the title with Spain.

There’s also France’s rising star Victor Wembanyama, who is considered to be the greatest NBA rookie prospect of all time. He is expected to be picked by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2023 NBA draft.

Iron-willed Dutch, Japanese overcome odds

SUBIC—Dutch Eric van der Linden and Chigusa Yamashita of Japan battled through choppy waters, strong winds and wet conditions and came out on top in a stern test of will and limits of human endurance that kicked off in the rain early Sunday and ran through near-midnight.

Van der Linden and Yamashita bagged the overall championships in the Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines in practically the same fashion, taking command early in the swim and cranking up leads in the bike that cushioned the impact of their wavering finishes in the closing run stage.

The 49-year-old van der Linden from Schagen, North Holland posted a clocking of 9:56:20 over the energy-sapping 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42km run race as he held off South Africa’s Michael Kramer’s rally to secure the championship which he put into motion with a 1:01:19 effort in the opening leg in rough waters.

The 2000 Sydney Olympics veteran then flashed superb riding skills with a best 5:04:21 time in the next event then

physical experiences that an athlete can choose to put themselves through with the last entry checking in at 11:53 p.m.

Hong Kong’s Richard Hall placed third in 10:14:18, Giuseppe Solla of Italy timed 10:15:32 for fourth while Jet Ramos emerged the top Filipino finisher at fifth with a 10:20:34 clocking in the event organized by The IRONMAN Group/Sunrise Events, Inc.

Yamashita, on the other hand, built an 8-minute lead over compatriot Ayaka Suzuki with a 1:11:41 time in swim, and like van der Linden, stamped her class in bike in 5:55:52 before slowing down in the run with a 4:11:17 clocking.

The 34-year-old campaigner finished with an 11:30:02 effort, 14 minutes ahead of Suzuki, who clocked 1:19:26 in swim and struggled in bike (6:19:22) before charging back with a division best 3:51:46 in run.

Victoria Hill of Great Britain came in third in 11:47:31 while Kuboth Rena, also of Japan, placed fourth in 11:55:04 and Alessandra Castaneda matched Ramos’ fifth place finish with a 12:17:46 clocking.

Coach Alen Stajcic, on Saturday, named 29 players to his provisional squad.

“I hope the PSC can give us some funding for that also. Because we know that they have given P1 billion to basketball as host, and we have (also) qualified for the World Cup,” added Araneta.

Veterans like co-captains Hali Long and Tahnai Annis are among the players listed, along with mainstays Olivia McDaniel and Inna Palacios.

Araneta bared the budget for their campaign has reached around $3 million as they were able to get some support from the FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation.

Just like every player seeing action in the competition, members of the Filipinas are guaranteed to receive at least $30,000 from FIFA.

This is assured to each of the 32 countries that qualified for the World Cup, with each team to take in least $1.56 million.

The funds will be paid to the individual federations, with the expectation they pass on to the players the money earmarked for them by FIFA.

This will grant each player around P1.7 million once the funds are given out.

There are plans for FIFA to distribute money directly to players rather than to national federations.

Mangliwan, Asusano earn slots in world para games

JERROLD Mangliwan and Cendy Asusano, two of the most bemedalled Philippine bets in the athletics meet of the 2023 ASEAN Para Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, could find themselves in Paris next month.

Mangliwan and Asusano have earned slots in the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships this July in Paris and have been recommended by their coach Joel Deriada.

Deriada said during Sunday’s festivities, courtesy of sponsors Wrist_ Pod 5, Throws For All and EdObee Sports, celebrating the victory of the Philippine para athletics team in Phnom Penh, that he hopes that organizers will still be able to accept their entries despite delays in the submission of requirements.

“We hope that they can still go. We have asked for an extension for them,” said Deriada, with the tournament slated from July 8 to 23 at the Charlety Stadium.

The 43-year-old Mangliwan, who is into wheelchair racing, ended his campaign in Phnom Penh with golds in the 200-meter and 400-meter runs of the T52 class for those with polio.

Asusano delivered three medals, two golds in the women’s shot put and javelin throw F54 categories, to go with a bronze in the discus throw.

Their efforts added up to the Philippines overall strong showing of 34 gold medal, 33 silvers, and 50 bronzes.

This was better than last year’s 28-3046 performance in Hanoi.

As for athletics, Deriada said the Philippines also did better with their 10-10-11 haul.

“Compared to other Para Games, maganda ang result, and that’s from last year’s 6 golds, four silvers and four bronzes,” said Deriada.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic gives the thumbs up as he celebrates his victory over Norway’s Casper Ruud during their men’s singles nal match in the Roland-Garros Open tennis tournament at the Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris. AFP

Eric van der Linden and Japanese Chigusa Yamashita withstood the rigors of the grueling run

DENVER—Denver Nuggets head coach Michael

Malone knows the mind can play tricks on players when it comes to crunch time in the NBA Finals, so he’s trying out some mental games himself.

His team needs one more win against the Miami Heat to secure their first NBA championship title, after Friday’s victory in South Florida gave them a 3-1 lead in the series.

Back on home court Monday, the odds favor the Nuggets who in the last two games have had the measure of Miami in every department of the game. The home crowd will turn up expecting a celebration and the pundits will talk of Denver needing to simply wrap-up the series but Malone knows that kind of mood spells danger.

“My biggest concern going into any close-out game is human nature and fighting against that,” he told reporters.

“That’s why my message to our team (on Sunday) was our approach has to be we are down 3-1. They are desperate; we have to be more desperate. They are hungry; we have to be hungrier,” Malone said. “You’re up 3-1. Most teams, when you’re up 3-1, they come up for air. They relax and they just kind of take it for granted that, ‘oh, we’re going to win this.’”

“The neat thing for us is that going back to the (Covid) bubble, we’ve been down 3-1. We’ve come back and won. We know anything is possible,” he said.

Three years ago the Nuggets pulled off the relatively rare series comeback twice in the same post-season.

They overturned the Utah Jazz’s 3-1 lead in the Western Conference first round and then did the same against the Los Angeles Clippers in

PSA Forum tackles PH’s World Cup preparations

MAJOR updates on the country’s preparations for its co-hosting of the FIBA World Cup will be solely tackled in a special Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday (June 13) at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Appearing in the 10:30 a.m. session to discuss the local organization and other related matters are Deputy Event Director Erika Dy and Joint Management Committee head John Lucas.

The Philippines will be the major lead in the staging of the World Cup set from August 25 to Sept. 10, which it co-hosts with Japan and Indonesia, marking the first time in its history the event will be held in multiple nations.

The weekly sports program is presented by San Miguel Corporation, MILO, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

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.

the semi-finals.

So Malone has told his team to put themselves in Miami’s shoes and play like a team who have to win to survive in the series.

“There is no celebrating after game four. We have another game that we have to win, and the closeout game is always the hardest game ever,” he said. There have only been eleven other cases in the NBA of a team winning from a 3-1 deficit and only once has it occurred in the finals—in 2016 when the Cleveland Cavaliers fought back against the Golden State Warriors.

At the same time, while demanding

that hunger, Malone has been reminding his team that they must stick with the approach that has taken them to their first ever finals.

“Stay in the moment and once that jump ball goes up tomorrow night, our players, every possession, every moment of that game can’t be (thinking) ‘We have to win this game.’”

“We have to stay true to ourselves, trust what’s gotten us to this point,” he said.

“After game four in Miami, everybody was yelling, ‘Just one more win.’ Hey, let’s just win the first quarter tomorrow night. Take it in small bites. And if you do that possession by posses-

sion, quarter by quarter, hopefully when 48 minutes are over, you’ve done what you needed to do.”

That is a mindset that requires cool heads and luckily for Malone, his star man Luka Jokic is ice-cool.

Asked about how he and the team would handle the emotions of such a momentous game, Jokic was utterly on-brand.

“I think it’s not going to be emotional,” said the Serb.

“It’s going to be a job that we need to do to be done. I think we are ready. I think we are going to be locked in and ready to go. It’s just going to be a game that we need to win.” AFP

DEFTAC-RIBEIRO JJ, Japanese Carpe

Diem Brazilian JJ and USA’s Checkmat reigned supreme in the Abu Dhabi Jiujitsu Pro Tour Philippines-National Jiujitsu Championships 2023 recently at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

DEFTAC bagged a total of 48 gold medals, 40 silvers and eight bronze medals with a leading 55250 points to clinch the overall title, while Carpe Diem Brazilian Jiujitsu of Japan gathered 12 golds, 12 silvers and 13 bronze medals for second with 21850 points.

Checkmat of USA had 12 golds, eight silvers and four bronzes for third overall with 15350, while Atos of the United States harvested seven golds, five silvers and two bronzes for fourth place with 9100.

Another Japanese team, Carpe Diem, picked up six golds, three silvers and one bronze for fifth with 6900.

“Their performance is a reflection of their hard work and I’m very, very happy with the results,” said DEFTAC-RIBEIRO JJ founder and coach Alvin Aguilar, who is also the president of Universal Reality Combat Championship.

One of the highlights of the one-day tournament participated in by 23 clubs from 16 countries, including the United States, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Brazil, among others, was the fight between South Korean Shin Yuchan and Filipino Allan Co.

Yuchan of Carpe Diem submitted Co in less than a minute to move to the men’s gi black professional 120 kg finals, but

DEFTAC team celebrates after winning the AJP overall championship recently the South Korean could not sustain his momentum as he lost to eventual gold winner, American Antonio Suazo of Six Blades Jiujitsu, also via submission.

Aside from the medals the team collected, DEFTAC had 55250 points to lead the tourney after getting 14 golds in boys’ gi, 10 in girls gi, nine in men’s gi, five in youth men’s gi, three in girls’ youth no-gi, three in men’s no-gi, two in boy’s no-gi, and one each in men’s gi open and women’s gi.

Brothers Alonso “Lukie” Aguilar and

Lucho Aguilar, sons of the first ever Filipino homegrown Brazilian jiujitsu black belter Aguilar, highlighted DEFTAC’S dominance by winning their respective classes in the tournament, attended by 350 competitors from around the world.

Alonso clinched the gold in youth men’s gi blue 55 kg, while his younger brother Lucho captured the boys’ gi teen orange green 62 kg gold medal.

Other gold medalists from DEFTAC were Zeke Erhan Holganza (boys gi kids 2 white 23 kg), Kyra Lee (girls gi kids 2

Malone: Nuggets must be more desperate than Heat DEFTAC-RIBEIRO Jiujitsu rules AJP Tour

Palanas halts Baisa win

faces

run,

Fuertes

in PPS finals

DAVE Palanas made his mark with a shock 6-2, 7-6 (7) reversal over third seed Brice Baisa in the semis while Stephen Fuertes stunned top seed Vince Serna in the quarters then routed No. 4 Randy Pausanos, 6-1, 6-1, on Monday as they sealed a clash for the PPS-PEPP Malita juniors tennis crown in Davao Occidental.

The eighth-ranked Palanas rode on the momentum of his victories over Jolimar Prado, 5-3, 4-1, and Yasasn Al Anazi, 5-3, 4-1, as he dominated the No. 3 Baisa in the opening frame then survived a tense-filled second set skirmish to earn a crack at the boys’ title in the Group A tournament, the biggest event staged in Davao region held side by side with the men’s and women’s Open singles hosted by Mayor Bradly Bautista.

Baisa, from Puerto Princesa, came into the event exuding confidence following a sweep of the 16- and 18-U titles in Iloilo, Roxas City, Bacolod, Imus, Cainta, Rizal and Apalit, Pampanga legs of the country’s longest-running talent-search put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro. After a bye and a walkover win, Baisa trounced Gene Espinoza, 4-0, 5-4(0) in the Last 8 but struggled in the early going against Palanas and lost in a duel of nerves to the Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay native in the second set tiebreaker.

Fuertes, meanwhile, repelled Raphael Duay, 5-3, 4-2, then held off Serna, 4-2, 4-2, before the rising Digos City star overpowered Pausanos with his superb all-around game to reach the finals of the event held in coordination with Davao Occidental Governor and tennis buff Franklin Bautista.

In girls’ play, General Santos City’s Angelie Ripdos surprised top seed AJ Acabo, 4-2, 4-1, in the quarters then turned back Juliana Carvajal, 6-0, 6-4, to arrange a showdown with No. 4 Chelsea Bernaldez from Tagum City, who posted a shutout win over Mae Gorre and trounced Faith Lazaro, 6-3, 6-1, to advance to the finals of the tournament backed by ProtekTODO, PalawanPay, the Unified Tennis Philippines and UTR (Universal Tennis Rating).

white 37 kg), Mohammad Ibrahim Burahan (men’s gi white amateur 77 kg), Fierre Proudhon Afan (men’s gi blue amateur 85 kg), Lord Gabriel del Rosario (men’s no-gi blue amateur 56 kg and men’s gi open blue amateur heavy -120 kg), Annie Lou Parungao (women’s gi blue amateur 49 kg), Santiago Lausa (boys gi kids 3 white 24 kg), Samoan Nelson Meleisea (men’s no-gi white master 1 120 kg), Julianna Louise Marte (girls gi infant white 25 kg), and Isis Olaso (girls gi junior white grey 40 kg).

1st PISSA Secondary Basketball Championship slated

By Graham C. Lim

THE Philippine Inter-School Sport Association, the national secondary federation recognized by the International School Sport Federation, will stage the first PISSA Secondary Basketball Championship from July 10 to July 31.

The cagefest will be the qualifying tournament to the International School Sport Federation Gymnasiade, to be held in Bahrain from October 23 to 31, 2024.

PISSA is a regular member of the ISF, the federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

The ISF organizes the Gymnasiade once every two years. Gymnasiade is also known as the World

School Games, a multi-sport competition that includes basketball, a discipline that the PISSA intends to take part in October 2024.

The PISSA Secondary Basketball Championship will be the first-ever tournament in preparation for the 2024 calendar of ISF events.

The championship will be played every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday only. Under study is the site of the championship.

For more details, send inquiries to the PISSA Central Office, pissa_phi@yahoo.com, addressed to the PISSA Secretary-General, Joseph A. Sy.

During the opening playdate of the PISSA

Championship, the PISSA will be extending an invitation to the president of the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines Edwin C. Fabro. This was disclosed by PISSA President Alvin Tai Lian. The PISSA is also affiliated with the FESSAP programs and sports activities.

PISSA Board of Directors are Edgardo Galeno, Chester Lim, Felix Tiukinhoy, Henry G. Ang, Carlito Fermanes, Benito Go Que, Cecille Sarmiento (Treasurer) and Ricky Lee Chua. In 2024, Macao will also host the ISF World School Basketball Championship.

Nikola Jokic and Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets participate during 2023 NBA Finals Practice and Media Availability at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. AFP

PISAA president Alvin Tai Lian

FESSAP president Edwin C. Fabro (right) with Atty. Maria Luz Arzaga Mendoza

ENTERTAINMENT

Netizens rave about JC Alcantara’s duality in ‘Drag You and Me’

By Nickie Wang

FOR JC Alcantara, tackling two different roles within the same series can be both challenging and exciting for any actor. It allows them to showcase their versatility and range by portraying roles with distinct identities and characteristics. When these roles involve contrasting aspects such as being straight and being a drag artist, it adds an extra layer of complexity to the performance.

In the iWantTFC original series, Drag You and Me, JC’s character has two types of personalities—his role as Jason, a straight male, and as Shania Lacroix, an up-and-coming drag queen whose identity is a secret to his homophobic family.

“I would have to be honest, I enjoy portraying those characters. They allow me to explore my acting skills. That’s why when the role was offered to me, I didn’t think twice,” JC told Manila Standard Entertainment adding that he was handpicked by the management to essay the roles.

Netizens are all praises for his impressive portrayal of both a straight male and an alluring bisexual drag queen in the series that also stars Brillantes and Christian Bables JC’s performance was widely applauded on social media for his convincing portrayal of a drag queen, complete with full-on make-up and glamorous outfits, as well as his palpable chemistry with both Betty (Andrea) and Charlie (Christian), his fellow drag queens. In the story, an unlikely love triangle will form as Charlie, who is also Jason’s drag mother, gets increasingly jealous of Betty and Jason’s closeness. Their relationship will get even more complicated when Betty develops stronger feelings for Jason and gets confused about their friendship. Drag You and Me, from iWantTFC, ABS-CBN Entertainment, and Dreamscape Entertainment, streams every Friday at 8:00 p.m.

COLDPLAY announces highly-anticipated return to the Philippines

By Angelica Villanueva

FOLLOWING the spectacular sellout success of its November 2023 Asia/Australia shows, internationally acclaimed British rock band Coldplay has revealed its highlyanticipated return to the Philippines. The band confirmed its upcoming concert as part of its Music of the Spheres world tour.

Presented by Live Nation, Coldplay’s performance in the country is set to take place at the Philippine Arena on January 19, 2024. This will mark Coldplay’s

return to the Philippines after its A Head Full of Dreams concert tour in 2017.

“Get ready to experience a technicolor spectacle as Coldplay returns to Philippines! Be prepared to sing your favorite anthems from this amazing band who performs a craftedto-perfection show, while championing sustainability,” Live Nation wrote in a social media post adding that there will be a pre-sale on June 19, while general sale happens on June 20.

In addition to the group’s stop in the Philippines, the four-member band will also be thrilling fans in Thailand (Feb. 3)and Singapore (Jan. 23, 24, 26, and 27).

Coldplay has also confirmed it will make a limited number of Infinity

Tickets available for the shows at a

later date. Infinity Tickets are released for every Coldplay show to make the Music of the Spheres World Tour accessible to fans for an affordable price. They will cost the equivalent of $20 per ticket. They are restricted to a maximum of two tickets per purchaser, and must be bought in pairs (which will be located next to each other).

The band has also revealed its support acts for Tokyo (Yoasobi), Kaohsiung (Accusefive), Kuala Lumpur (Bunga), and Jakarta (Rahmani Astrini).

DHL is the official logistics partner of the Music of the Spheres World Tour supporting the band in its mission to cut the tour’s direct emissions by 50 percent.

Fans can register for access to the ticket presale at signup.coldplay.com now.

featured actor.

TOM Stoppard’s play Leopoldstadt

a look at how one Jewish family confronts anti-Semitism and loss, and intimate tragicomic musical Kimberly Akimbo earned the top prizes Sunday at the Tony Awards, the highest honors in American theater.

Inclusion and identity were key themes on a night at which history was made—J. Harrison Ghee in Some Like It Hot and Alex Newell in Shucked became the first openly nonbinary actors to win trophies for their work on Broadway.

Winners, performers, and presenters alike at the United Palace theater in Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood also offered their full

Dingdong Dantes makes thrilling comeback to silver screen

DINGDONG Dantes is making a comeback to the silver screen. This exciting news was revealed in a recent interview, where he confirmed that he is currently working on a new movie produced by GMA Public Affairs.

The project, titled Firefly, is currently in production, as shared by Dong himself. The film boasts an impressive cast, including Miguel Tanfelix, Ysabel Ortega, Alessandra de Rossi, Max Collins, Cherry Pie Picache, Yayo Aguila, Epi Quizon, Kokoy de Santos, and child star Euwenn Aleta. Dingdong expressed his enthusiasm for being part of the movie, even at this early stage.

In addition to Firefly, there have been talks circulating about Dingdong starring in a potential film alongside his wife Marian Rivera under Star Cinema. This project is rumored to be part of the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival.

Regarding this speculation, Dingdong expressed his excitement, saying, “Hmmm... let’s wait for that. But that’s also one dream project for me!”

Furthermore, there are news reports that Dingdong may venture into producing movies once again through his AgostoDos Production. When asked about this, he explained that as a producer nowadays, the goal goes beyond theatrical releases. The focus is on how stories can reach a global audience, considering the widespread presence of Filipinos worldwide. While cinema releases are important, they are just one avenue among many.

Clearly, Dingdong has a busy work calendar for 2023. He can be seen in various hit Kapuso programs like Family Feud and Amazing Earth. Additionally, he is set to host the reality franchise show The Voice Generations and take on a leading role in the prime series Royal Blood Dingdong shared that many of these projects were originally planned during the pandemic, but due to the lack of activity during that time, he is now fully engaged. He hopes for continuous opportunities, especially in the film industry, with the aim of reviving it. He wants people to return to theaters despite having other options for watching movies.

Dingdong’s return to the silver screen and his extensive lineup of projects showcase his passion for entertainment and his commitment to delivering exceptional performances to his fans.

* * *

It’s fortunate that when Joshua Garcia’s love team with Julia Barretto came to an end, he was successfully positioned as a solo actor capable of being paired with various actresses. A concrete example of this is his screen partnership with Jodi Sta. Maria and Gabbi Garcia in the series Unbreak My Heart, which is a collaborative effort among GMA, ABS-CBN, and Viu.

Joshua has now established himself as one of the top leading men of his generation.

“I am grateful for this development,” Joshua expresses. “I have been eagerly waiting for this to happen. After the pandemic, my career is flourishing, and I couldn’t be happier.”

Speaking about his role as the main male lead in Unbreak My Heart, how does Joshua feel about this significant opportunity?

“I am proud and delighted that the producers have entrusted me with this project,” Joshua shares. “I feel honored and blessed to have been given this golden opportunity. It marks a historic partnership between the Kapuso and the Kapamilya networks.”

Joshua reflects on his journey as a solo actor and expressed his gratitude for the opportunities that have come his way. When asked about the realization of his latest role as the main male lead in the soap opera Unbreak My Heart, Joshua admitted that he initially felt a mix of nervousness and excitement.

Joshua also sees this opportunity as a significant milestone, appreciating the trust placed in him by the producers and acknowledging the historical collaboration between GMA, ABS-CBN, and Viu.

support to striking writers in Hollywood.

The 85-year-old Stoppard, who won his fifth Tony for best play with Leopoldstadt, a work inspired in part by his own family history, called out artificial intelligence, saying he was “teeming with emotions a chat box wouldn’t begin to understand.”

In the 55 years since his first Tony for best play for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Stoppard said, “I have witnessed the theater writer getting progressively devalued in the food chain. It’s just something I thought I’d mention.” The play won four awards overall, including best director and best

Kimberly Akimbo—about a high school student suffering from a genetic disorder that causes her to age prematurely – won five Tonys including best musical and best lead actress for Victoria Clark Britain’s Jodie Comer, known to TV fans as the assassin Villanelle on Killing Eve, won for best actress in a play for her searing one-woman show Prima Facie, about a lawyer who defends men accused of sexual assault, until she herself is attacked. Sean Hayes, who starred in TV’s Will and Grace, won for best actor in a play for Good Night, Oscar AFP

‘Leopoldstadt,’ ‘Kimberly Akimbo’ top Tony Awards

Kapuso actor Dingdong Dantes returns to the cinema with his upcoming movie under GMA Public Affairs titled ‘Firefly’

‘Drag You and Me’ lead stars (from left) Christian Bables, Andrea Brillantes, and JC Alcantara

JC Alcantara plays the role of Shania Lacroix, an up-and-coming drag queen whose identity is a secret to his homophobic family

Jason’s drag mother, gets increasingly

British rock band Coldplay is set to perform at the world’s largest indoor arena, the Philippine Arena, on January 19, 2024

Coldplay is composed of four members—Chris Martin (lead vocalist and pianist), Will Champion (drummer), Jonny Buckland (lead guitarist), and Guy Berryman (bassist)

The band last performed in the Philippines in April 2017 for its

of Dreams’ concert tour

Nickie Wang, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

Global brand unveils expansion plans, sustainable initiatives in PH

By Nickie Wang

BEKO, renowned for its advanced technology and innovative home appliances in Europe, is now making its mark in the Philippines. With a strong commitment to delivering top-notch products, the brand is introducing the same level of European technology to Filipino households, revolutionizing the way people experience everyday tasks.

Speaking to Manila Standard Life during its trade launch held at the Grand Ballroom of Marriott Hotel Manila, a Beko executive said that their business has grown exponentially since introducing the brand to the market and having a local ambassador to introduce their products.

“Our sales increased 114 percent. Right now, we have partnered with influencers in amplifying all our efforts with Judy Ann Santos. We believe she is the perfect product endorser for the brand,” Beko’s country director in the Philippines Gurhan Gunal said alluding to TV host and actress Judy Ann who was introduced last year as their celebrity endorser.

Beko Philippines is entering a new phase of business in its journey to bring the European brand to a sustainable lifestyle for Filipino customers. In celebration of its third year of operations, Beko announces its goal of being the number one European brand in the Philippine market in the next five years.

“We are very happy to be holding this trade launch for our dealers and stakeholders as we share that Beko will be a bigger and better brand in the Philippines in 2023 and beyond,” said Gunal who also presented the company’s business development plans of Expand, Grow, Connectivity, and Sustainability for the Philippines along with the brand’s hero technologies at the anniversary trade launch.

This is the heart and reason why this year, Beko will be made available soon in other appliance stores nationwide as it continues to “expand” its distribution to other retail channels.

To further “grow” brand awareness and visibility they also announced the renewal of their brand ambassadorship with Judy Ann alongside digital and traditional media investments.

As one of the “leading” manufacturers of home appliances, Beko promotes the Live Like a Pro lifestyle and inspires Filipinos to experience a more convenient way of living through European-style product lines. They stated that Beko Pilipinas Corporation is the exclusive distributor of Hitachi Major Domestic Appliances as part of their brand portfolio. Beko appliances are made smart, relevant, and designed to easily support Filipino families. With the HomeWhiz function,

you can easily “connect” to your Beko appliances with the use of your smartphones. As part of Beko’s global sustainability effort, Beko Philippines announces its partnership with Plastic Credit Exchange, which serves a global ecosystem of carefully vetted partners that recover, process, and recycle plastic waste with programs that improve livelihood, scale up social impact, and reduce the flow of plastic pollution into nature. The partnership is in line with Extended Producer Responsibility Law, which holds companies responsible for the plastic packaging they use throughout the lifecycle of their products.

Showcasing hero technologies

As Beko marked its third year in the Philippines, the appliance brand held a grand trade launch for its dealers at the

Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom with the theme “Empowered to Live Like A Pro.”

During the whole-day event, guests, including media and dealers, got to experience Beko’s range of appliances. They also got tips from a chef and an interior designer on how to manage their homes like a pro.

Beko Philippines showcased its hero technologies, such as HarvestFresh, ProSmart Inverter Technology, Steam Cure, Hygiene+, AeroPerfect TM, and many others. These technologies help you live like a pro. Among the products displayed that day were cookers. The HII64205F2MT is a 60x50cm built-in induction hob with four Cooking Zones and two 2 Flexizone, nine cooking levels, and a glass burner plate. Meanwhile, the BBIS14300XCSE 60x60cm. multifunction built-in oven with six cooking functions, including Steam Aid feature for moist and even cooking. There were also refrigerators, one of the appliances which Beko is famous for. The GNO480E40HFGBPH is a 16.6cf inverter multi-door refrigerator with Neofrost Triple Cooling Technology, HarvestFresh, Prosmart Inverter Compressor, in sleek

black glass door finish. Also featured is the Hitachi Refrigerator R-WB640VG0-1 GBK with Vacuum Technology with Platinum Catalyst, Inverter X Dual-fan Cooling with Eco-thermo sensor.

Other appliances include the CEG7302B, a bean-to-cup espresso machine, and the BSEOG180/181 2Hp air-conditioner with Go Clean Technology, MicroClean TM Filter, Gold Guard, ZoneFollow, 4D Auto Swing, and HomeWhiz.

Beko appliances are available at 1st Megasaver, Abenson, All Home, Anson’s, Appliance Centrum, Asian Home Appliance, Automatic Centre, BHF, Echo Electrical, Fair N Square, Gloria Bazaar, Great World, Hat, J Marketing, Lazada, Magic Appliance, Manhattan Appliance, Mike’s Department Store, NB Marketing, Pricewise, RS David, Our Builders, Robinsons Appliance, Savers, Shopee, SM Appliance, Solidmark, SVC & Plusign, United Motoliance, and Western Appliance.

For more information about Beko in the Philippines, go to http://beko.ph or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bekoph and their Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/bekoph/.

Sin City’s iconic Filipino hangout spot makes triumphant comeback

Manager Chris Flores, were present to welcome their loyal customers during the relaunch.

On regular days, Gimik lovers can enjoy fantastic Filipino food and music, along with special treats. They have Happy Hours offering 50 percent off on local beers and select appetizers, Karaoke Nightly where anyone can take the stage and sing their heart out, Industry Night every Tuesday with crazy price cuts on the entire menu for service workers, Girls Night Out every

Wednesday where ladies are the stars of the night, and, of course, the famous No Cover Live Band entertainment every Friday and Saturday.

Located at 3650 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89103, Gimik Republik RestoBar operates from Tuesday to Sunday, opening from 5:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m.

WE all have that one place, don’t we? That place where we feel completely at home even when we’re thousands of miles away from our real home.

For Filipinos in Las Vegas, that place is easily Gimik Republik, a place that brings back memories of comforting home-cooked meals and mouthwatering street food that pairs perfectly with a cold beer. Not to mention, the live band playing OPM rock songs creates an almost intimate atmosphere in this iconic Filipino hangout spot.

Gimik Republik, which is known as a destination for leisurely fun activities, has been around since 2019 in the Chinatown district of Las Vegas. It quickly became a

beloved hub for fun-loving Filipino immigrants who gather there for authentic Pinoy cuisine and a live OPM music experience.

Like many other businesses, Gimik Republik faced challenges during the pandemic and had to temporarily close. However, they made a strong comeback late last year via a two-day grand relaunch on March 11 and 12. It was a resounding success with a packed crowd.

During the event, attendees were treated to performances by some of the best Filipino live bands in Las Vegas, including Heroes

of the Day The Playlist LV Left Arm Scar, Vegas Pnoy Band, and the Hausband. These bands played iconic songs from Filipino rock legends like Eraserheads and Rivermaya. On the second night, the audience enjoyed a surprise jam session with celebrity guests Teddy Corpuz of It’s Showtime and Gladys Guevarra, formerly of Eat Bulaga.

The owners of Gimik Republik, Geraldine Zheng and John Claudio, along with PR Associate Jessica Claudio, Operations Manager Jessie Claudio, and Entertainment

Leading carrier commemorates PH Independence Day with special seat sale

WHETHER you want to dive into the pristine waters of General Santos City’s beaches, taste the delicious street food in Bacolod, try sandboarding in Laoag, discover the mesmerizing underground river in Puerto Princesa, or indulge in the authentic cuisines of Davao, now is your chance.

Cebu Pacific commemorates the 125th anniversary of Philippine independence with its signature Piso Sale. For as low as P1 oneway base fare (exclusive of fees and surcharges), travelers can book select domestic and international destinations until June 15. The travel period is from November 1 to May 31, 2024, perfect for travelers who wish to plan their next getaway.

If you’re in the mood for international adventures, CEB makes travel hassle-free and convenient with direct flights from Manila, Cebu, or Clark to popular destinations like Hong Kong, Seoul (Incheon), Macau, and Taipei.

CEB flies to 35 domestic and 25 international destinations, spanning across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

To book your seats now, click on the link bit.ly/CebuPacificSale.

Beko PH and APAC Executives

Gurhan Gunal, Manager of Beko Philippines

Country

Dyeun Zapanta, Marketing Head of Beko Philippines

Pinoy performers Teddy Corpuz (right) and Gladys Guevarra

From left: Entertainment Manager Chris Flores, Operations Manager Jessie Claudio, Owners Geraldine Zheng and John Claudio, and PR Associate Jessica Claudio

Gimik Republik is a hub where fun-loving Filipino immigrants can experience authentic Pinoy cuisine and live OPM music