Manila Standard - 2023 July 25 - Tuesday

PH ‘sound and improving’

PBBM: Despite rising threats, ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ has arrived

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday described the state of the nation as “sound and improving” despite rising hurdles, with inflation and the threat of the El Niño phenomenon among the biggest challenges.

In his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) to Congress, Mr. Marcos cited the country’s growth momentum post-pandemic, buoyed by government efforts to improve agricultural production and infrastructure connectivity, among other achievements in his first 12 months in office.

The Chief Executive also said his government has enabled a more competitive workforce and created job opportunities for Filipinos, including returning OFWs; stamped out corruption and promoted transparency through digitalization programs; and ensured a strong and stable rule of law that gears the war on drugs toward rehabilitation and extending amnesty to rebel returnees.

“The state of the nation is sound and is improving. Dumating na ang bagong Pilipinas (The new Philippines has ar-

Speech lasts

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wrote his second State of the Nation Address, which lasted for an hour and 11 minutes and was applauded at least 68 times yesterday.

The President received a standing ovation during the last part of his speech where he said that the “new Philippines” (Bagong Pilipinas) has arrived and that the state of the nation is strong and improving.

Days before his SONA, Mr. Marcos rolled out the country’s new brand of governance and leadership campaign -- Bagong Pilipinas -- which he said was characterized by a “principled, accountable, and dependable government.”

According to presidential son and Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, his father had to trim his initial draft to keep the speech under an hour and a half.

“He started with quite a long draft but he was able to shave it down a little

PAG -IBIG Fund netted a record high income of P20.61 billion in the first half of 2023, the agency’s top executives announced Monday to coincide with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address.

In a

By Maricel V. Cruz, Macon Ramos-Araneta, Julito G. Rada, and Vito Barcelo

LAWMAKERS on Monday applauded President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA)

for its “no-nonsense” accounting of what the administration has achieved and what more must be done, but labor groups and the urban poor said not much has changed for them.

Speaker Martin G. Romualdez said the President delivered his message

loud and clear.

Despite the turmoil in other parts of the world, Romualdez said, the country’s economy is doing well and a large number of Filipinos are benefiting from it.

“We in the House of Representatives

will support the President’s agenda,” Romualdez said as he vowed that Congress will work on the immediate passage of the legislation identified by the President in his speech.

Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. said

Solons laud ‘no-nonsense’ accounting of Marcos admin’s first year SONA fashion: Yellow for First Lady Liza, Sara

POLITICIANS , government executives, and other personalities made statements with their Filipino attire on Monday as they walked the red carpet at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City before hearing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA).

First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos wore a bright yellow embroidered Maria Clara dress as she sat beside Vice President and Education Secretary Sara DuterteCarpio in the VIP section.

In keeping with her Mindanaoan roots, DuterteCarpio paid tribute to the Moro tribe in a traditional Maguindanaon dress in yellow-gold designed by Cotabato City-based designer Israel Ellah Ungkakay with a matching turban.

Meanwhile, presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos welcomed her brother with an ensemble inspired by the people of the Cordilleras. She matched her outfit with temporary tattoos on her body.

“This is from Cordillera. The fabrics given to me were woven together. This represents the Filipino before we

’Egay’

to peak just under super typhoon level

By Rio N. Araja and Darwin G. Amojelar

TYPHOON “Egay” is forecast to continue intensifying and become a super typhoon by late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

Should it shift closer to the landmass of Luzon, however, Egay may peak at an intensity just below the super typhoon threshold, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PA-

Gasoline price up by P1.35/l, diesel by 45c

By Alena Mae S. Flores

OIL companies raised pump prices by as much as P1.35 per liter effective 6 a.m. Tuesday to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market, higher than the forecast amounts last week. The oil firms raised the price of gasoline by P1.35 per liter, diesel by P0.45 per liter, and kerosene by P0.35 per liter.

The price increases were announced

71 mins., applauded at least 68 times

GASA) said.

It may weaken by Wednesday afternoon or evening as it enters the cooler waters southwest and west of Taiwan, it added.

A total of 17 areas were placed under storm signal No. 2 on Monday, with Metro Manila and its neighboring areas under signal No. 1.

Two people drowned in separate incidents in Pangasinan over the weekend as the province’s disaster management office urged residents to avoid swimming in oceans and rivers with Egay’s influence on the southwest monsoon.

Close to 5,000 passengers were also stranded in ports in Bicol Region and Northern Samar as authorities canceled sea trips over the adverse weather conditions.

Iloilo City also suspended classes in all levels as heavy rains flooded the western Visayas metropolis, the latest local government to do so with the growing threat of the tropical cyclone.

Egay is forecast to track north-northwestward in the next 12 hours before turning generally northwestward and heading closer to the landmass of Northern Luzon toward the Luzon Strait.

The typhoon is forecast to cross the Luzon Strait and make landfall or pass very close to the Babuyan Islands-Batanes area between Tuesday late evening and Wednesday morning.

Pagasa said Egay may exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday.

The center of the typhoon was estimated at 500 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora.

Packing maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 190 km/h, it was moving north-northwestward at 10 km/h.

ing amnesty to rebel returnees, and I ask Congress to support me in this endeavor,” he said.

Food and water security

rived),” the President told around 2,000 guests at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

While inflation remained high at 5.4 percent in June, he said it has already eased from 8.7 percent in January and is expected to be reduced further to 2.9 percent by next year.

“What this means is that in spite of all the difficulties, we are transforming the economy. We are stabilizing the prices of all critical commodities,” he said.

“On matters of the economy, there are many things over which we have no control. But over those where we do have control, we are doing everything we can,” the President said.

War on drugs, amnesty program

A strong and stable rule of law, the President said, will “strengthen the foundation of our transformation” as he renewed his policy statement that implementation of the war on drugs during his term will be unlike the bloody campaign waged by his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte was absent from the SONA anew, unlike past Presidents Joseph Estrada and current Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who were in the VIP section hearing Mr. Marcos’ 72-minute speech (see related story on A1 -- Editors).

“The campaign against illegal drugs continues—but it has taken on a new face. It is now geared towards community-based treatment, rehabilitation, education, and reintegration, to curb drug dependence amongst our affected citizenry,” he said.

Mr. Marcos, however, warned “narco-cops” to submit their resignations immediately.

“Unscrupulous law enforcers and others involved in the highly nefarious drug trade have been exposed. I will be accepting their resignations. In their stead, we will install individuals with unquestionable integrity, who will be effective and trustworthy in handling the task of eliminating this dreaded and corrosive social curse. We cannot tolerate corruption or incompetence in government,” the President added.

Mr. Marcos said he will likewise issue an amnesty proclamation for rebel returnees, citing the need for unity and social cohesion.

“To complete the reintegration process, I will issue a Proclamation grant-

Pag-IBIG...

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billion, driven mainly by earnings from its housing and short-term (cash) loans, and investment portfolios.

“I am happy to report that Pag-IBIG Fund’s performance this year remains strong. Our P20.61 billion net income during the first half of the year is the highest for any January to June period in our history,” said Secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), who serves as chairperson of the 11-member PagIBIG Fund Board of Trustees.

“Our performance shows how excellently we are managing the funds that our members have saved with us. With our strong fiscal standing, we remain in a strong position to finance more homes under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino or 4PH Program, in line with the directive of President Marcos Jr under the Bagong Pilipinas Campaign to help more Filipinos have better and more dignified lives,” Acuzar said.

He also added that as of June, the agency’s total assets have already reached P873.15 billion, a 6% or P45.75 billion growth from the yearend 2022 level of P827.40 billion.

Solons...

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the President’s speech was “spectacular and no-nonsense.”

“As expected, the Chief Executive gave a clear, factual, and comprehensive report to the Filipino people, detailing his administration’s achievements after a year in office, giving us a lot of hope and optimism,” said Barzaga, who chairs the House committee on environment.

“The President went straight to the point, keeping his performance report simple and bereft of gimmicks -- no pomp and circumstance. It was terse but meaningful,” Barzaga added.

Barzaga said the speech showed the President is dead serious about getting things done and proving that the administration’s pro-people agenda is not mere lip service.

“I could sense his confidence when he said that the state of the nation is sound and improving and as the song goes, ‘we’ve only just begun’,” he said.

Mr. Marcos said the government will train its guns on smugglers and hoarders of agricultural products, which he said contribute to rising prices on top of inflation pressures.

“Not only farmers are affected, but consumers as well, that’s why we won’t allow such practice. The days of smugglers and hoarders are numbered,” he said.

The President also asked Congress to pass new laws to amend the Fisheries Code and the Cooperative Code to boost agricultural output.

He said the country is also preparing for the full impact of the El Niño phenomenon as he ordered government agencies to improve buffer stock and implement cloud-seeding if necessary.

He also renewed his appeal to lawmakers to pass a law creating a Department of Water Resource Management.

“Water is as important as food. We have to ensure we have enough potable water for us and the next generation –including water for irrigation,” he said.

“Considering its fundamental importance, water security deserves a special focus. Our efforts must not be scattershot, but rather, cohesive, centralized, and systematic,” the President added.

Build better infrastructure with Maharlika help

The President said a key element to post-pandemic economic rebound is the government’s massive infrastructure program that covers 104 flagship projects in the areas of physical connectivity, water resources, agriculture, health, digital connectivity, and energy.

“Physical connectivity infrastructure—such as roads, bridges, seaports, airports, and mass transport—accounts for 83 percent of this program. Our infrastructure spending will stay at 5 to 6 percent of our GDP,” he said.

In the pipeline, Mr. Marcos said, are the 1,200-kilometer Luzon Spine Expressway Network Program and the Mega-Bridge Program that includes the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge, Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges, and the Samal IslandDavao City Connector Bridge.

The President said the Maharlika Investment Fund will provide strategic financing for high-priority projects “without the added debt burden” (see related story on A4 -- Editors).

“To ensure sound financial manage -

ANTI-SONA PROTEST. Members of the Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya march in a protest rally at the Chino Roces Bridge in Manila to voice their opposition to the second State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Norman Cruz

Speech... From A1

bit,” the younger Marcos said.

“As a general rule, he always says that if it goes over one hour thirty, one hour fortyfive, no one will listen anymore,” he added.

Among the President’s audience were two “golden” women seated next two each other and wearing matching shades of yellow: Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio in a traditional Maguindanaon dress and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos who wore a Lesley Mobo hand-embroidered terno.

ment, a group of internationally recognized economic managers shall oversee the operations of the Fund, guided by principles of transparency and accountability. This guarantees that investment decisions will be based on financial considerations alone, absent any political influence,” Mr. Marcos said.

Renewable energy is way forward

The President said his administration will aggressively promote renewable energy to meet the target of attaining a 35 percent share in the power mix by 2030 and then on to 50 percent by 2040.

“Renewable energy is the way forward,” he said.

“The Malampaya project has been a boon to our country, energizing 20 percent of Luzon. The renewal of the contract guarantees continued revenues and energy production for another 15 years. But aside from Malampaya, we will also push for more gas exploration in other parts of the country,” the President added.

Mr. Marcos, however, called the attention of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines over 68 delayed grid connections.

“We are conducting a performance review of our private concessionaire, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines. We look to NGCP to complete all of its deliverables, starting with the vital Mindanao-Visayas and Cebu-Negros-Panay interconnections,” he said.

Learning recovery and ‘Filipinnovation’

As the country moves forward from the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Marcos said learning recovery becomes even more crucial as the government recalibrates the K-10 curriculum and amid the return to hybrid or full face-to-face classes.

“Everything begins with education... Learners will be made more resilient. Our public schools and facilities are being increased and fortified,” he said. A culture of innovation must be fostered, the President said.

“This is ‘Filipinnovation.’ Science, technology and innovation will drive the quality and competitiveness of our workforce, as well as our manufacturing, export, creative, and service industries, in existing markets and in new ones waiting to be explored,” he said.

Addressing health inequities

“We are now refocusing our health priorities, applying the lessons learned from the pandemic and addressing the

weaknesses that it has exposed. Healthier communities and lifestyles are our advocacy,” the President said.

He cited the pilot Food Stamp Program which seeks to supply the nutrition needs of a million most food-poor Filipinos as he assured the public the government will also do a catch-up on the routine vaccinations that were affected by the pandemic.

“To address the current shortage of healthcare professionals in our country, and to help us achieve our goal of universal healthcare, we are greatly expanding our medical and nursing education programs. We will push the envelope even further. We are helping nursing graduates hurdle their board exams so that they will obtain their licenses and join our pool of healthcare professionals,” the President said.

Data-driven fight vs. corruption

The President said the government will fully embrace digitalization to provide better service to the people, through its vital frontline services and its back-end functions.

“Digitalization will support the government’s data-driven and sciencebased planning and decision-making. It is the greatest, most powerful tool, not just to improve the ease of doing business, but also against many forms of graft and corruption,” he said.

“Consistent with this transformative policy direction, all government offices must then ensure that their vital services are digitized immediately,” Mr. Marcos added.

Priority legislative measures

Mr. Marcos also listed 16 priority legislative measures for Congress to work on, namely:

- Excise tax on single-use plastics;

- VAT on digital services;

- Rationalization of mining fiscal regime;

- Motor vehicle user’s charge/road user’s tax;

- Military and Uniformed Personnel Pension;

- Amendment of the Fisheries Code;

- Amendment of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act;

- Amendment of the Cooperative Code;

- New Government Procurement Law;

- New Government Auditing Code;

- Anti-financial accounts scamming;

- Tatak-Pinoy law;

- The Blue Economy law;

- Ease of paying taxes;

- LGU income classification; and

- Philippine Immigration Act.

SONA...

From A1

were colonized. This is the vanishing culture,” the senator – the President’s older sister -- told CNN Philippines.

Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros wore a dress made of piña fiber and woven by the weavers of Lumban in Laguna. She paired her attire with a purse made from Samar and shoes from Marikina.

House Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas made a statement with a Filipiniana

The President assured the people that he is striving to put flesh on his campaign promises of uplifting lives and uniting the country, Barzaga said.

Reps. Salvador Pleyto Sr of Bulacan and Ralph Recto of Batangas were also positive about the President’s speech.

“It’s a compendium of the initial steps the President has done, and it’s obviously a good start,” Playto said. “There are still five more years to go but at least we now have a more concrete idea of the things to come. Simply put - it’s a job well done, Mr. President.”

Recto said: “Overall, it was a good accounting of the state of the nation” even as he said the speech was partly a lecture on the Medium Term Development Plan.

“For those expecting SONA as theater, what he delivered instead was a teach-in. He traded oratorical flair for as many facts as he can squeeze in such a short time,” Recto said.

“He was not fishing for applause, choosing fewer sound bytes so he could mention more sound programs,” he added. “It was a speech designed not to get us excited, like the ones that will make us jump to our feet, but to get us thinking for a long time on the hard work ahead.”

Gasoline...

From A1

by Caltex (Chevron Phils. Inc.), Jetti Petroleum, Petro Gazz, Cleanfuel, and Seaoil Philippines.

This is the third consecutive week that the prices of diesel and kerosene have gone up and the second consecutive week for gasoline.

Last week, the Department of Energy (DOE) warned consumers to brace for another round of oil price hikes this week.

“This is attributed to the production cuts implemented by Saudi Arabia and Russia and that oil prices edged higher in early trade after sinking in the previous session on weaker-thanexpected Chinese economic growth, as investors eyed a possible tightening of US crude supplies,” DOE director for the Oil Industry Management Bureau Rodela Romero said.

On July 18, the oil companies increased the price of gasoline by P1.90 per liter for gasoline, the price of diesel by P2.10 per liter, and kerosene by P1.80 per liter.

This resulted in a year-to-date net decrease of P0.85 per liter for diesel and P3.70 per liter for kerosene. Gasoline, on the other hand, had a net increase of P7.55 per liter.

dress adorned by artwork that represented the public’s opposition to the Maharlika Investment Fund. The artwork was made by local activist-artist Michael Joselo. “Fashion functions as a mirror to our times. And today, we live in an era where the government ignores our calls for a significant wage increase and chooses to sign a law that will gamble the people’s money instead,” said Brosas in a statement.

Senator Francis Escudero’s wife, actress Heart Evangelista, did not fail to charm with a white Michael Leyva creation.

Two former Presidents likewise graced the event -- Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is also a House deputy speaker. Despite confirming his attendance earlier, former President Rodrigo Duterte skipped the SONA.

Sen. Christopher Go, a long-time aide of Duterte, said the former president returned to the country Saturday night after a weeklong trip to China and was” very, very exhausted.”

Before entering the plenary, Mr. Marcos was also greeted by his sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, who showed to him her henna tattoo to match her Igorot tribal outfit.

Sen. Imee Marcos (left) and Audrey Tan-Zubiri, wife of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, flank President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after his second State of the Nation Address. Revoli Cortez

Zubiri lists Senate priority measures

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATE President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday called on his colleagues to pass bills creating the Center for Disease Control, Virology Institute of the Philippines, and the Medical Reserve Corps for the people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, among other vital measures.

Zubiri gave assurance however, that the Senate which will remain independent and that the proposed laws they would be crafting are not upon the behest of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,

but by the people. “Never must we be caught flatfooted again,” Zubiri said as he led the opening of the Second Regular Session of the 19th Congress.

“To farmers who feed other people but cannot feed their own, let us pass a stronger anti-agricultural smuggling law,” he added. In this way, according to him, the flood of imports will not drown the crops the farmers grow.

He also batted for the passage of the Ease of Paying Taxes Bill so that taxpayers burdened by complicated tax rules formulated by “men who can change them at will.”

He also cited the need to pass the Wasteto-Energy Bill so that “trash can power the very homes where it came from.”

“To seafarers battling the elements, loneliness, unsafe working conditions,

Gov’t eyeing

recoup of P2-b payment for

DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Monday said the government is studying how it could recover its P2-billion downpayment on a cancelled order for Russian military helicopters.

At the same time, Teodoro said the government was working on a reorganization for the Department of National Defense (DND) to make it more responsive to “evolving threats.”

Teodoro said the Department of National Defense (DND), in collaboration with the Office of the Solicitor General and other agencies, is looking at the best options in getting back the funds within the year.

The Philippines had agreed to pay P12.7 billion for the 16 Russian Mi-17 helicopters, as

it sought to modernize its military hardware.

But the United States and its allies intervened, imposing sanctions on Moscow in the wake of the Russian assault on Ukraine in 2022. The sanctions sought to cut off Russia from the global financial system and choking off funds available to Moscow to finance it conquest of Ukraine.

Philippine ambassador to Washington Jose Romualdez had said the termination of contract on the Russian choppers was due to “the Ukrainian war.”

Romualdez said Manila was cautious on getting on the wrong side of a US law passed in 2017 that frowns upon any country doing business with Russia’s in-

‘Libreng Sakay’ cushions impact of Manibela-led transport strike

By Joel E. Zurbano

BUS and jeepney drivers and operators launched their three-day transport strike a few hours before the second State of the Nation Address by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., but offers of free rides cushioned the impact of the protest action. Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it would deploy 17 vehicles to help convey passengers affected by the ongoing transport strike.

The strikers, mostly members of the Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (Manibela), kicked off their protest action with a motorcade rally at the University of the Philippines in Diliman and along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, brandishing banners that read, “No to PUV phaseout”.

The projected Monday-to-Wednesday transport strike was meant to express their grievances regarding the government’s

planned phaseout of traditional jeepneys and utility vehicle (UV) Express, to be replaced by vehicles with environment-friendly fuels.

The drivers and operators claimed that the high costs of the modernization program will definitely become a burden to commuters.

Other participants in the protest action came from Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon regions.

But according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, traffic in all major thoroughfares in the National Capital Region remained normal as of 12 noon.

The MMDA’s Metrobase monitors through closed circuit television (CCTVs) cameras major roads in Metro Manila that will be affected by the transport strike for quick dispatching of “Libreng Sakay” vehicles.

MMDA chairman Romando Artes said MMDA traffic enforcers with the assistance from the local police were also managing the traffic flow and crowd control where the transport groups were holding protest.

let us pass a Magna Carta that will serve like a safe harbor that will protect them,” Zubiri said.

“To people looking for jobs, let the National Employment Action Plan be the guide towards gainful employment in which fair work is rewarded with fair pay,” he added.

“To those who toil in starvation wages, let us put ourselves in their shoes, provide relief to their families, and pass the long-awaited across-theboard legislative wage hike.”

He also proposed an end to bureaucratic red tape for the benefit of citizens to which the internet is a boon.

Like an app, E-Governance Act is in

need of an update, the Senate leader noted.

“To consumers who source goods online, let us firewall them against scams which the Internet Transactions Act will put up. Let us debug this commerce platform of its budol virus,” he stressed.

“To a country whose sovereignty has been disrespected, we will pass a bill that will modernize our defenses,” Zubiri said.

According to him, there are still many laws that the Senate needs to debate on and need to pass.

“And how do we measure the value of our labors, and the common good of our policies that we have created?” he asked.

DepEd launches new program to enhance education system

THE Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday launched a voluntary three- to fi ve-week learning recovery program during the current school break to boost students’ performance and teachers’ capacity.

Dubbed the National Learning Camp (NLC), the program would be offered every end-of-school-year break to “complement learning efforts in the previous school year and provide a firmer basis for further gains in the upcoming school year.”

As envisioned, it will have a phased implementation starting with Grades 7 and 8 this 2022-2023 EOSY break with focus on English, Mathematics, and Science.

Expansion to other grade levels and learning areas is set in the succeeding school years, with national programs on Reading, Mathematics, and Science and Technology targeted to be rolled out starting School Year 2023-2024.

Under the NLC, learners who will join would be enrolled in one of the three camps based on their specific needs: con-

Russian choppers

telligence or defense sectors.

Teodoro disclosed that the DND was crafting a draft reorganization bill that seeks to increase its personnel and equipment.

“Kailangan natin ng mas maraming tao at mas maraming kagamitan upang ma-manage ang limang ahensya sa ilalim namin nang tama. Dahil sa ngayon napakababa ng ratio ng mga empleyado namin at mga co-workers namin ng departamento kung ihahambing namin sa laki ng halaga ng responsibilidad namin, ng equipment, at sa dami ng stakeholders,” Teodoro said.

He likewise bared that he was eyeing a separate retirement system for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“There are lines of convergence but it is a distinct discipline and organization from the rest of the law enforcement agencies. And their mission roles are different and we shall be coming out with a suggestion to Congress on a bill for that,” Teodoro told ANC.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been pushing for “self-regenerating” pension plans for both the AFP and the Philippine National Police. According to the Presidential Communications Office, Marcos wanted the AFP and the PNP to have a self-sustaining pension plan and to avoid a scenario where the funds will be depleted. Vince Lopez

solidation, enhancement, or intervention.

The consolidation camp is designed to “provide further practice on and application of previously taught competencies.” Opportunities will be provided in this camp to identify links connecting concepts and skills across grade-level competencies.

The enhancement camp, meanwhile, aims to “enrich learning for advanced learners by providing greater depth, breadth, and complexity of learning area competencies.”

The intervention camp seeks to “support high-need learners who are yet to grasp Foundational Mathematics and/or Foundational English skills.”

Students who will accomplish learning tasks required in their camp will be given a certificate of completion, while teachers who will render service for the NLC will get a certificate of recognition.

Learning tasks that will be given to learners are assignments, presentations, practical exercises, and other relevant activities that assess their understanding and application of competencies.

IN BRIEF

BI chief takes control of border enforcement

BUREAU of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco will directly lead and control a unit within the agency primarily to combat human trafficking.

Tansingco said the unit, called the Travel Control and Enforcement Unit, used to be under the BI’s intelligence division, but will now be directly under Tansingco’s office.

The TCEU will also be renamed as the immigration protection and border enforcement section (I-PROBES).

The primary goal behind this reorganization is to strengthen the agency’s ability to intercept human trafficking and illegal recruitment of victims at the borders,” said Tansingco.

He said the strategic move aims to enhance supervision and coordination in addressing trafficking concerns, ultimately ensuring better protection for Filipino citizens departing the country. Vito Barcelo

BI holds 2 suspected tra icking victims

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has advised prospective overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs) to be vigilant when applying for jobs abroad.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco issued the advisory following the interception of two suspected trafficking victims at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2.

The victims, both females aged 42 and 30, were referred for secondary inspection after presenting fraudulently-acquired work documents.

LIBRENG SAKAY. The Malabon City Government provides free rides for stranded commuters to partly negate the impact of a 72-hour transport strike by some 40,000 public utility vehicles.

DOJ: Public bidding not needed for Nayong Pilipino lease deal

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has rendered an opinion that public bidding is not required for the validity of the P1.2 billion lease agreement entered into by the Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF) with West Side City, Inc., formerly known as Resorts World Bayshore City Inc. (RWBCI) covering 5.43 hectares of the former’s property.

In a four-page legal opinion issued by Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty, the DOJ reiterated its previous legal opinions that there is no law requiring the conduct of public bidding for the lease of government property. The DOJ issued its Legal Opinion No. 29 last July 6 in response to the request

of NPF executive director Gertrudes Duran-Batocabe who sought the DOJ’s legal position on whether public bidding is an indispensable requirement for the validity of the lease agreement between the NPF and the RWBCI forged on August 20, 2014.

Batocabe told the DOJ that the NPF decided to lease a portion of NPF’s property with an area of 5.43 hectares to RWBCI for a consideration of an upfront advance rental of P1.2 billion in order to generate funds necessary for the development of Nayong Pilipino Cultural Park (NPCP).

According to Batocabe, the advance rental enabled the NPF to sustain its operations since it did not receive any allocation of government funds under the General Appropriations Act.

A report from the BI’s travel control and enforcement unit revealed that the victims were told to pretend to be outbound seafarers by a local manning agency.

One of the victims admitted to paying P120,000 to a recruitment agency, which was sent via money transfer. They were then referred to a local manning agency to secure their documentation.

Both were promised work as a cleaner and as a household service worker, and were given fake transit visas and seaman’s books. Vito Barcelo

BI nabs 2 Vietnamese in crypto con game

IMMIGRATION agents have arrested two Vietnamese nationals allegedly involved in cryptocurrency scam activities.

BI intelligence division chief Fortunato Manahan, Jr. identified the two Vietnamese as Phan Thi Lien, 27 and Nguyen Sanh Huy who were also arrested earlier by the Philippine National Police –AntiCybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) last May in Mabalacat, Pampanga.

They were said to be working in a crypto scam hub with trafficked employees, according to the PNP-ACG.

They were subject of an immigration deportation case and will be immediately sent back to their home country.

“Cases were previously filed against them, but their physical custody remains with the arresting agency,” he said.

“We were surprised to find them in our office, inquiring about the status of their case,” he added. Vito Barcelo

BACK TO WORK. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri formally declares the opening of the chamber’s second regular session for the 19th Congress Monday morning, hours before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his second State of the Nation

Address. Senate PRIB photo

LEADER OF THE HOUSE.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez presides over the opening of the 2nd Regular Session of Congress Monday morning at the House of Representatives. Earlier, Romualdez handed over to  Speaker Kim Jin-Pyo (left, inset) of the National Assembly of South Korea a copy of House Resolution No. 93 expressing the country’s strong support and solidarity with the Republic of Korea in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement.

‘Congress will address agri issues’

By Maricel V. Cruz

HOUSE Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday vowed to look into the problems of the agriculture sector to help millions of Filipino farmers and fishermen.

He told his colleagues at the start of the Second Regular Session of the 19th Congress that the chamber would also prioritize the approval of the remaining nine urgent measures identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

Romualdez stressed Congress is focused on approving the 20

LEDAC bills.

According to Romualdez “it is equally imperative to address the issues confronting our agricultural sector in the soonest possible time.”

“We shall safeguard our farmers’ interests, ensure equitable market conditions, and foster sustainable farming methods to ensure our nation’s

PBBM: MIF will play major role in gov’t infrastructure plans

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) will play an important role in the government’s aggressive push for more infrastructure projects.

Mr. Marcos, during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, also said the government intends to keep infrastructure spending at 5% to 6% of the country’s gross domestic product.

He added that his P8.3 trillion “Build Better More” program “is currently in progress and being vigorously implemented.”

“For strategic financing, some of the nation’s high-priority projects can now look to the newly-established Maharlika Investment Fund without the added debt burden,” President Marcos said, adding that the government currently has 194 major infrastructure projects, of which 123 are new.

Among the projects he specifically mentioned in his SONA were the 1,200-kilometer Luzon

IN BRIEF

Solon urges colleagues to pass agri business bill

REP. Wilbert T. Lee of AGRI party-list group said the initial success of the Department of Agriculture (DA) program is a “proof of concept” that should convince House leaders to prioritize the passage of a measure that will institutionalize the agribusiness and marketing initiative intended to help link local farmers and fishers directly to consumers.

Lee, principal author of House Bill No. 3957 or the Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminal Act, made the statement with the government aggressively pursuing the establishment of Kadiwa centers around the country.

Lee pointed out that “data from the DA shows that by April 2021, 41,357 farmers had already benefited from the Kadiwa program, generating sales of 7.241 billion pesos and serving nearly 4 million households.”

Filed by Lee in August 2022, the Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminal Act aims to scale up the Kadiwa food terminal model and effectively promote the growth of the local agricultural markets while providing consumers with affordable agriculture and fisheries products.

“Once rolled out in every city and municipality, these agri-food terminals and centers can serve as a location where local farmers and fisherfolk can sell their goods directly to the consumers and the general market,” explained Lee, who stressed that prices in Kadiwa centers should be lower by 10 to 20 percent “since bringing the products won’t entail high transportation costs.”Maricel V. Cruz

food security,” he added.

Over the weekend, the House leader promised to closely monitor the implementation of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, under which P5.7 billion in debt incurred by 610,000 farmers and other agrarian reform beneficiaries are to be written off.

He said the House would also “upgrade and modernize” by strengthening PublicPrivate Partnership program.

Romualdez also reassured foreign investors that the House would continue to pursue investor-friendly measures.

“We will actively engage in discussions and cooperate with the global business community to create an international

business environment in our country,” he said.

Meanwhile, Romualdez enumerated the 20 measures: (1) amendments to the BOT Law or Public-Private Partnership bill; (2) National Disease Prevention Management Authority; (3) Internet Transactions Act or E-Commerce Law; (4) Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team Act, formerly Medical Reserve Corps; (5) Virology Institute of the Philippines; (6) Mandatory ROTC and National Service Training Program; (7) Revitalizing the Salt Industry; (8) Valuation Reform;

(9) e-Government and e-Governance;

(10) Ease of Paying Taxes Equally; (11) National Government

Spine Expressway network, the “Megabridges” program, and the North-South Commuter Railway project.

The President Marcos also mentioned the Bataan-Cavite Interlink bridge, the Panay-Guimaras Negros Island bridges, and the Samal IslandDavao City Connector Bridge as priorities of his administration.

Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman meanwhile said the MIF will enable the Marcos administration to expand its financing sources.

“This administration has 194 infrastructure projects amounting to P80 trillion. We could not afford to provide funding for all of these),”

Pangandaman said in a radio interview with dzRH.

With the establishment of MIF, the government will have another option to fund its infrastructure projects under the “Build, Better, More” program, Pangandaman said. Charles Dantes

House adopts resolution on PH, South Korea solidarity

THE House of Representatives on Monday adopted a resolution expressing support and solidarity with the Republic of Korea in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27.

House Resolution (HR) 1126, which was also based on the celebration of the 10th United Nations (UN) Forces Participation Day, was introduced by Speaker Ferdinand

Martin G. Romualdez, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Senior Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan and Tingog Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre.

“This resolution recognizes the longstanding friendship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea

that started way before the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement in 1953 and has flourished since then. We hope the ties that bind both our countries together shall be perpetually strong,” said Romualdez, leader of the 312-strong House of Representatives. Romualdez also presented to Speaker Kim Jin-Pyo of the National Assembly of South Korea the resolution.

According to the resolution, the year

2023 marks the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953, by military commanders from the United States that represented the United Nations Command, the Korean People’s Army and Chinese People’s Volunteer Army, ending roughly three years of fighting of the 1950-1953 Korean War. Maricel V. Cruz

Zubiri: Senators united in passing resolution vs. Chinese incursions

SENATE President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday said he cannot secondguess who will oppose the proposed Senate resolution to elevate Chinese incursions to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

He said 95 percent of the senators agreed to pass a strongly-worded statement to China.

“That’s why we’re going to pass a resolution recommending it to our government agencies like the Department of Foreign Affairs and the President himself that we should file all the evidence (including videos) in the last seven years,” Zubiri said.

He said this will form part of the evidence that the senators will submit to UNGA. This will show that the Chinese “what they’ve been doing is

building, reclaiming islands, building bases,” he said.

Zubiri also said these are bases carrying missiles and ships all around the areas that are part of the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines as declared by the arbitral ruling in 2016.

“So we have to go back to the United Nations, show them that this is not being respected,” he said.

“China may not do anything, or they may ignore these, but we’ll let the international community know what is happening here near our shores in the Philippines, within our EEZ,” he further stated.

He also called neighbors in China to get out of the country’s territory. “Get out of our territory. It makes no sense it is so illogical,” he said Macon Ramos-Araneta

Go: Regional

specialty health centers needed

SEN. Christopher Go underscored the importance of bringing specialized medical services closer to communities by establishing dedicated specialty centers in regional hospitals under the Department of Health (DOH).

He shared the progress of the measure, saying, this still lacks the signature of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

He said it is the priority of the President to establish a specialty center in every sa regional hospital,” he added.

The bill aims to distribute specialized medical facilities more equitably across the country, thereby making such services available to a larger number of Filipinos.

For example, under the Act, services provided by the Philippine Heart Center, currently located in Quezon City, will also be available in regional DOH hospitals in cities such as Zamboanga City

Go further emphasized that the enactment of the measure will not be limited to cardiovascular care.

It include services for a broad range of specialties, including lung care, orthopedics, neonatal care, renal care, cancer care and mental health, making it a comprehensive nationwide healthcare improvement plan.

On May 31, the Senate ratified the Bicameral Conference Report on the Regional Specialty Centers Act.Macon Ramos-Araneta

CA scraps appeal to inhibit judge in Masbate murder case

THE Court of Appeals (CA) has scrapped a petition asking for inhibition of a Manila judge from handling a murder case filed against a town vice mayor in Masbate and others by his predecessor for being moot and academic.

This, after the appellate court’s 11th Division granted the motion filed by Butuan, Masbate vice mayor Nelson P. Cambaya to withdraw his petition against Manila regional trial court (RTC) Branch 42 Judge Dinnah C. Aguila-Topacio based on a four-page decision promulgated on July 20.

Cambaya decided to withdraw his petition for the inhibition of the magistrate following his acquittal on the murder charges by the Manila RTC on Jan. 16, 2023.

Acquitted alongside Cambaya were former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board member Sandra Cam and five others over the death of former Batuan vice mayor Charlie Yuson III in 2019.

“The proceeding having been concluded, with petitioner having been acquitted of the felonies charged during the promulgation of judgment, the Court sees no reason to resolve the present petition as it would serve no purpose at all. Indeed, the petition has become moot and academic,” the CA said.

Local airlines lift face mask requirement

By Darwin G. Amojelar

LOCAL airlines on Monday announced that the wearing of face masks would no longer be implemented on all domestic flights after the government lifted the state of a public health emergency.

The wearing of face masks for international destinations, meanwhile, shall remain subject to the existing health protocols in the destination country. AirAsia destinations Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have lifted the face mask requirement as early as the first quarter of 2023, the airline companies said.

Despite dropping the face mask policy, AirAsia Philippines remains committed to adhering to the highest standards of safety among all its flights.

Steve Dailisan, AirAsia Philippines country head for Communications and Public Affairs saiddeep cleaning and aircraft sanitation will still be in effect after every flight. This way, guests will have peace of mind and confidence as air travel returns to normalcy.

“There is no room for complacency in the airline business. We want our guests to feel secure when they fly with AirAsia. Although it is no longer a policy, guests, and crew may still opt to wear face masks whenever they deem necessary,” Dailisan said.

Ver Noveno

SONA PROTESTS. Members of militant groups from different sectors gathered along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the House of Representatives. Revoli Cortez

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Benjamin Acorda

(SONA).

Norman Cruz

Marcos’ second SONA

SINCE this column appears the day after the SONA or State of the Nation Address, and since this column had to beat its deadline on Sunday, I could only guess and surmise what President Marcos Jr. said.

As a prelude to the SONA, BBM said that during his first year in office and after his first SONA he made “significant progress.”

The question may be asked: On what did he make significant progress?

In fairness to the President, he assumed office following the COVID-19 pandemic and at a time when there was a looming threat to food security, and a rising inflation that threatened the economy and the well-being of every Filipino.

Added to that were those health protocols requiring masks, social distancing, and washing of hands, and, even worse, those lockdowns.

BBM had in fact assumed the secretaryship of the Department of Agriculture since he realized that food security affected every Filipino, and that following rising inflation when the prices of all consumer goods and services were affected with rising costs.

Since the crimes leveled against Duterte and Dela Rosa are crimes against humanity will they ever escape from the long arms of the ICC?

This is why I consider it unfair to rate the President’s performance whether he failed or not because of what he had to do.

When BBM said that he made “significant progress” since his first SONA, I can guess and surmise what he meant.

As acting DA secretary, he had to tackle rising prices of almost everything.

What was worse was that prices of gasoline and oil worsened by the Russia-Ukraine War had a domino effect not only on transport fares, but on commuters who had to go to office and work, and those who had to earn for their daily existence.

That’s why I can only guess what he meant by “significant progress” on what he had accomplished.

Yes, indeed BBM made significant progress in ensuring food security for all Filipinos and giving them food on the table at affordable prices.

He also had to contend with the smuggling of agri products, like rice, sugar, meat products and even fish and onions, and when there was the need to import, he did authorize importation.

And he even had to contend with cartels that not only hoarded and manipulated prices, which until now is a problem.

There were also other looming crisis brought about by climate change, like water and now even the El Nino phenomenon which tends to affect the country’s farmers and fisherfolk.

At this time , with the onset of the typhoon season, he must contend with floods and landslides.

Yes, the President made significant progress in making the Philippines a foreign investment destination with his many official and state visits not only to countries in Southeast Asia but to the United States and Europe, that, according to records, have begun investing in the Philippines which will provide a lot of jobs for the unemployed and under-employed.

And with the creation of the DMW or Department of Migrant Workers, our OFWs are now protected from abuse and ensured from abuse.

Most importantly, remittances are ensured.

But there are a myriad of things yet to be done to solve the shortage of nurses who had no choice but to go abroad to seek greener pastures because of higher pay and working conditions.

They were even enticed with the benefit of bringing their families to go with them, my gulay! This problem must be prioritized because

El Niño poses risk

shortage of nurses also means shortage of health workers.

I must commend the President for having commendable economic managers, which is all-important for full recovery.

As expected, there of course are those who do not agree with the President that he has made significant progress.

In fact, some critics have claimed that during his first year, he failed to deliver his promises, while there are also those who agree with BBM that he made significant progress.

As for me, an incurable optimist, I always see the glass half-full, not half-empty.

Next move of ICC

Now that the International Criminal Court has denied the appeal of the Philippine Solicitor General to stop the ICC from further investigating former President Duterte’s brutal and bloody war against illegal drugs with its many extra-judicial killings, together with the reported Davao Death Squad and its many killings when Duterte was still Davao City mayor and vice mayor, what is expected next?

It has been made clear to the ICC the country will not allow ICC investigators to come to the Philippines to investigate since that would be an incursion on Philippine sovereignty since the country is no longer a member of the Rome Statute that created the ICC, aside from the fact that the justice system of the Philippines is working.

So, what next, Santa Banana! BBM had in fact been quoted as saying the country is “done with the ICC,” meaning the Philippines will no longer have anything to do with it.

The next move of the ICC is perhaps the issuance of the warrant of arrest on former President Duterte and then Police Chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, now senator, who was the author of that brutal “Operation Tokhang” when Duterte was President and the “Operation Double Barrel” that killed so many poor victims of illegal drugs and resulted in so many extra-judicial killings.

While official figures recorded some 6,500 killings during Duterte’s six year term, unofficial estimates claimed no less than 28,000 were killed on claims by the police that those killed fought back.

The vernacular is “nanglaban.”

Warnings

With the issuance of search warrants against Duterte and “Bato,” they have been warned against going to countries where the ICC has powers to arrest them, particularly European countries.

Since the crimes leveled against Duterte and “Bato” are crimes against humanity will they ever escape from the long arms of the ICC?

That to me, is a big question.

Well, that’s how it is now.

Once the arrest warrants against Duterte and “Bato” are issued and since the Philippines will not allow the ICC to come to the country, what then?

Santa Banana, I guess Duterte and “Bato” will remain wanted men for crimes against humanity, just like the “Wanted” people during the Wild Wild West, until the long arm of the law will catch up with them.

Frankly, I would not like to be in their shoes.

Challenge

With statements from some sectors of the Philippines that in case a warrant of arrest is reissued, my gulay, against those involved in the illegal drugs war of Duterte, is that under Article 19 of the Rome Statute creating the ICC which would raise the issue of jurisdiction since the country affected would have the right to issue jurisdiction over crimes committed before the Philippines withdrawal.

Santa Banana, the British lawyer was reported by Vera Files that Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Bong Go were mentioned.

This would be another issue that I cannot comment on at this time.

But, the PNP had said that now it will not cooperate with the ICC’s probe on those involved, and the Senate will never surrender “Bato” to the ICC. Abangan, as they say.

THE observation by some legislators the Philippines is on track to lead its Southeast Asian neighbors in economic growth and jobs creation in the months ahead whips up high emotions and expectations in this country of 114 million people.

But there are alarm bells that scathing El Niño weather conditions could pose some consequential peril, according to House of Representatives Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan.

“Government should spare no effort in mitigating El Niño’s adverse impact on irrigation water supply and farm harvests, which could put an unwanted upward pressure on food prices,” Libanan said on the eve of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address Monday.

Earlier on, the country;s Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) issued its first El Niño advisory as the Geneva-based World Meteorological Organization warned of surging temperatures across large parts of the world after the weather pattern emerged in the tropical Pacific for the first time in seven years.

“We are now really sure [that El Niño is here] because we are certain about the warming of ocean surfaces. We are not seeing any scenario where this would not

Hopes are high the country will be able to ride out the menace of El Niño

affect us,” Esperanza Cayanan, deputy director of Pagasa told a news conference. There are observations investments and employment are on the rise, consumption spending on the upswing, public and private construction revving up, and even foreign tourists coming back in droves.

Libanan remarked: “It would seem the President’s overseas promotional trips in his first year in office, particularly to Japan, Singapore and the United States, are starting to bear fruit in generating new investments.”

According to the Manila-based Asian Development Bank, the Philippines’ gross domestic product is projected to grow

at 6.0 percent this year—the highest in Southeast Asia—with Vietnam expanding by 5.8 percent, Indonesia by 4.8 percent, Malaysia by 4.7 percent, Thailand by 3.5 percent and Singapore by 1.5 percent.

Analysts have also said the country’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.3 percent in May this year from 6.0 percent in May 2022 and 4.5 percent in April 2023, based on the Labor Force Survey results released by the Philippines Statistics Authority on July 7. Weather observers have noted El Niño is present in the tropical Pacific and will persist until the first quarter of 2024, showing signs of strengthening in the next months.

Pagasa itself said: “El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could bring negative impacts (such as dry spells and droughts) in some areas of the country. “However, over the western part of the country, above-normal rainfall conditions during the Southwest monsoon season (Habagat) may also be expected.”

When the Philippines last endured a full-blown El Niño event in 2019, vast parts of the country, plus Metro Manila, reeled from a drought that caused widespread water shortages and farm losses, after dams and lakes that supply potable and irrigation water experienced a massive decline in rainfall. Hopes are high the country will be able to ride out the menace of El Niño.

Artisan Hub Creative: An emerging graphic design firm

By Armenio Manuel

IN TODAY’S visually driven world, graphic design plays a significant role in capturing attention and conveying messages effectively.

While larger design agencies have dominated the industry, a new player has emerged – a small yet fiercely competitive graphic design firm making waves with its perceived unique approach, fresh perspectives, and unwavering commitment to creativity.

We spent some space to see the kind of story behind this budding firm and its owner to locate the factors that contribute to its remarkable success.

Artisan Hub Creative is owned by Heracles Lord Bernardo A. Cabie, an entrepreneur who owns multiple businesses whose vision is to challenge the status quo and deliver exceptional design solutions. Driven by his passion for artistry and a deep understanding of design principles, he embarked on a journey to carve out a niche for himself in a soggy industry. With a relentless pursuit of perfection and a “client-centric” mindset, his small firm quickly gained recognition for its ability to transform ideas into compelling visual narratives that captivate audiences across various platforms. What sets this small firm apart from its competitors is its distinctive approach to design.

Rejecting the notion of one-size-fits-all solutions, they prioritize collaboration and invest time in understanding their clients’ unique needs, brand values, and target audience. Armed with this knowledge, they infuse their creativity into every project, delivering tailored designs that seamlessly align with clients’ objectives.

Their work exudes innovation and elegance, incorporating cutting-edge techniques, fresh color palettes, and captivating visuals that leave a lasting impact.

As the graphic design landscape evolves, this new and small yet fiercely competitive firm believes it can stand alongside the industry giants

Despite its size, this graphic design firm keeps pace with the dynamic landscape of design technology.

They optimize their workflow, enabling them to efficiently execute projects with precision and speed.

They leverage technology to enhance their creative process and deliver outstanding results. This commitment enables them to compete with larger firms and consistently exceed client expectations.

Asked what the main key to his firm’s success is, Cabie said: “We still have a lot to learn in terms of the industry’s (design) dynamics and since we are fairly new to the game, I wouldn’t say we have reached success just as yet.

“We still have a long way to go. But to answer the question, I think collaboration, on

top of creativity, communication, strategy, problem solving and time management, lies at the heart of this firm’s success.

“Currently, we thrive on open communication and foster strong relationships with clients. By working closely with clients throughout the design process, we ensure that the final product accurately reflects the client’s vision while infusing it with our own unique expertise.”

He added: “This collaborative approach not only strengthens the creative output but also builds trust and long-term partnerships with clients.

“It is through this shared vision and seamless teamwork that we are able to consistently deliver exceptional design solutions.”

As the graphic design landscape evolves, this new and small yet fiercely competitive firm believes it can stand alongside the industry giants.

Their relentless pursuit of excellence, distinctive approach to design, technological leverage, and emphasis on collaboration have propelled them to the forefront of the field.

By offering custom-made solutions that effectively communicate their clients’ messages, they have cultivated a loyal client base and garnered acclaim within the industry.

As they continue to push boundaries and challenge conventional design norms, it is evident this firm’s trajectory is one of success and innovation, making them a force to be reckoned with in the graphic design world.

(Armenio Manuel, a free-lance writer, is a retired university professor who taught in different schools before the onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.)

Powerful Indian women seek reprisals over ‘heinous’ abuse video

PECHI AWANG LEIKAI, India—Gender

trumped tribe for a group of furious Indian mothers who torched the homes of two men from their own community who were accused of abusing women in a video that sparked outrage. At least 120 people have been killed during months of ethnic conflict between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki in India’s troubled northeastern state of Manipur.

The women from the Meitei community decided to show their anger after the humiliating video surfaced on Wednesday, which reportedly shows two Kuki women being forced to strip naked and then jeered at and harassed by Meitei men in May.

Police arrested four suspects on Thursday but, on the same day, a powerful group of Meitei women known as the “Meira Paibis”, or the Mothers of Manipur, set out to burn the homes of two of the accused.

“We condemn the violence against the women and that is why we want capital punishment,” Sumati, who gave only her first name, told AFP.

“That is why we destroyed his house.”

India is generally traditionalist, conservative and patriarchal but the Meitei have a history of women’s activism, with women having a more prominent role in society than elsewhere.

Tens of thousands of people have fled to government-run camps since the violence erupted in May but the video clip has shone a spotlight on the conflict.

‘Shamed India’

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after the video clip emerged that the incident had “shamed India”.

Manipur’s state government is led by Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party and has said it is investigating the “heinous” incident.

“Both communities are condemning this event,” said Suchitra Rajkumari, 42, a local activist. “At least in one point they are agreeing.” The Meira Paibis smashed down the walls of the homes of two of the accused before stuffing bales of hay inside and setting them on fire.

Thangjam Lata Devi, the mother of one of the accused, was told she had given birth to a “spoilt” son. Her home was also torched.

“If they decide to exile you, then that’s

The group has blocked roads to bar security forces multiple times during the unrest, accusing the army of being biased towards the Kuki

it,” she said. The Meira Paibis said the homes were burned to send a message.

“We condemn what happened to the women,” said Sumati, who helped set fire to one of the houses.

“The accused and their family will not be able to live in their village. That is why we destroyed the house.”

The Kuki oppose Meitei demands for reserved public job quotas and college admissions as a form of affirmative action, stoking fears that they might also be allowed to acquire land in areas currently reserved for tribal groups.

Human Rights Watch alleges the policies “promote Hindu majoritarianism.”

Vigilante justice

But just as Meira Paibis vigilantes administer their form of justice, they have also protected their men.

Some 500 women blocked roads to stop about 100 armed police arresting another suspect linked to the video on Saturday, jeering at security forces in a three-hour standoff.

“Kill us! Take us all!” the women screamed, brandishing burning torches. Their faces were smeared in toothpaste, which they say helps protect against tear gas.

This time, they alleged the men the police wanted to arrest were not responsible and the officers left empty-handed.

The group has blocked roads to bar security forces multiple times during the

unrest, accusing the army of being biased towards the Kuki.

“We have a legacy of protecting our people and that gives us inner strength,” said Meira Paibis member Matouleibi Chanu.

The Meira Paibis launched dusk-tilldawn patrols after the violence erupted, hammering on electricity poles to raise the alarm.

The army said in June they were forced to release 12 Meitei militia members after troops were surrounded by a 1,500-strong “mob” of women.

“We will do everything to protect our people,” said 60-year-old Chongtham Thopi Devi, another Meira Paibis member.

Police said in a statement on Saturday that six arrests had been made in connection with the video and they were conducting “raids” for other suspects.

“We can’t use the same force as we do in dispersing men,” a senior police officer said, asking not to be identified because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.

“We often find men hiding behind these women in protests and marches... the women lead always.” AFP

Missing for a month: Where is China’s foreign minister?

BEIJING—China’s Foreign Minister

Qin Gang has not been seen in public for almost a month, sparking a flurry of questions over his whereabouts.

Here’s what we know so far about the disappearance of one of China’s most senior diplomats:

Qin, considered a confidante of President Xi Jinping, was appointed foreign minister in December 2022.

The 57-year-old spent several years at the Chinese embassy in London and is a fluent English speaker.

Qin earned a reputation as a “Wolf Warrior,” a nickname given to a new generation of Chinese diplomats who push back with often inflammatory rhetoric against Western criticism of Beijing.

He said in 2020 the image of China in the West had deteriorated because Europeans and Americans—in particular the media—had never accepted the Chinese political system or its economic rise.

While serving as ambassador to the

United States, Qin stepped up his visibility through public and media appearances in Washington in which he explained the Chinese position.

Following his appointment as minister, he kept up a busy schedule, visiting Africa, Europe and Central Asia as well as hosting foreign dignitaries in Beijing.

Qin has not been seen in public since June 25, when he met with Russia’s deputy foreign minister Andrey Rudenko in Beijing.

But it was his absence from a highlevel ASEAN summit in Indonesia two weeks later that first raised eyebrows.

China’s foreign ministry said “health reasons” were to blame for Qin’s absence.

But that has done little to stem an explosion of rumors online.

“Everyone is concerned about something but cannot discuss it publicly,”

Hu Xijin, a prominent commentator with the state tabloid Global Times, said in a post on Weibo. AFP

‘Russian strike destroys Odesa grain hangar’

KYIV, Ukraine—A

Russian overnight drone strike on port infrastructure in Ukraine’s Odesa region destroyed a grain hangar, Kyiv’s military said Monday.

“Tonight an almost four-hour attack by ‘Shahed-136’ drones was directed at the port infrastructure of the Danube” in the Odesa region, Ukraine’s southern military command said on Telegram.

“As a result of the strikes, a grain hangar was destroyed, tanks for storing other types of cargo were damaged.” Three of the Iran-made Shahed attack drones used in the attack were destroyed

Lifeline to PM Sanchez seen in bitter poll

MADRID—Despite polls predicting victory for Spain’s right-wing Popular Party, Sunday’s election resulted in a hung parliament, offering a lifeline to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez who could cling on to power through a jigsaw of alliances.

The closely-watched vote took place just three weeks after Spain took over the rotating presidency of the European Union with the European left bracing for a fresh blow.

With 99 percent of the ballots counted, the PP won with 136 seats, while the prime minister’s Socialists came second with 122 in the 350-seat parliament—both far from the 176 needed for a governing majority.

And neither was able to reach that figure even with support from their main political partners, with the farright Vox counting 33 mandates and the radical left-wing Sumar winning 31.

With the PP and Vox falling short of a working majority, that gives the leftwing bloc a fresh chance to form another government because the Socialists have more options to create alliances.

In power for five years, Sanchez is in a far better position than his rival to seek the support needed to piece together a coalition, notably from the Basque and Catalan separatist parties for whom Vox is a bogeyman.

Polls had predicted a decisive victory for Alberto Nunez Feijoo’s PP, which was seen winning 145-150 seats. But without a working majority, the party would have been forced to turn to Vox for support to govern. AFP

FERRY SINKS. This handout photo from Indonesia’s National Rescue Agency (Basarnas) taken and released on Monday shows members of a rescue team setting out to conduct search and rescue operations in Buton Tengah, southeast Sulawesi after a ferry sank. At least 15 people were killed and 19 more were missing Monday. AFP

by air defenses, the military said.

“According to initial reports, about four workers of the port were injured, but the information is still being clarified,” it said.

Attacks on Ukraine’s Odesa region have increased since Russia pulled out last week of a key deal which had allowed the safe export of Ukrainian grain on the Black Sea.

Russian authorities then announced that they would consider any ships heading for Ukrainian grain ports on the Black Sea as military targets.

Kyiv has accused Russia of targeting grain supplies and infrastructure vital to any resumption of Ukrainian grain exports.

In Moscow, Russia said it had neu-

tralized two Ukrainian drones over the

capital in the early hours of Monday, with one crashing close to the defense ministry in the city center.

Officials said the drones struck nonresidential buildings in the capital and there were no casualties.

The attack came a day after Kyiv vowed to “retaliate” for a Russian missile attack on the Black Sea port of Odesa.

“A Kyiv regime attempt to carry out a terrorist act using two drones on objects on the territory of the city of Moscow was stopped,” Russia’s defense ministry said.

“Two Ukrainian drones were suppressed and crashed. There are no casualties.”

The TASS news agency reported one drone crashed in Komsomolsky Prospekt, near the defence ministry, while

another hit a business centre on Likhacheva Street by one of Moscow’s main ring roads.

AFP reporters at the scene saw a building with a damaged roof on Komsomolsky Prospekt, where police had cordoned off the area.

Several police cars and fire engines and an ambulance could be seen and an AFP reporter was instructed by a police officer to stop filming or face detention.

“I wasn’t asleep. It was 3:39am. The house really shook,” Vladimir, a 70-year-old local resident, told AFP about the moment of impact.

“It is scandalous that a Ukrainian drone almost flew into the defence ministry,” said Vladimir, who declined to give his last name, as he took pictures at the scene.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the drone strikes occurred at around 4:00 am local time (9 am in Manila). He said emergency services were working at the scene and also reported no casualties.

The RIA Novosti news agency posted a video of the business center, with some damage visible to the top of the tall building.

The road around it was closed. Moscow and its environs lie around 500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border but have been hit by several drone attacks this year, with one even hitting the Kremlin in May.

Earlier this month, Russia said it had downed five Ukrainian drones that disrupted the functioning of Moscow’s Vnukovo international airport. AFP

Biden urges Israel: Postpone ‘divisive’ judicial reforms

WASHINGTON, DC—President Joe Biden urged Israel in a statement not to rush increasingly “divisive” judicial reforms, given the other challenges facing the US ally.

In a statement first published by news site Axios and later shared with AFP by the White House, Biden said Sunday (Monday in Manila) “It doesn’t make sense for Israeli leaders to rush this — the focus should be on pulling people together and finding consensus.”

al to curb the power of judges to a vote in the Knesset as soon as Monday. The proposal triggered dueling protests over the weekend between supporters of the proposal and those who fear it will undermine Israel’s democracy.

BATTLING A BLAZE. Tourists wait in the airport’s departure hall as evacuations are underway due to wildfires, on the Greek island of Rhodes Sunday. Locals and tourists fled hot spots on Rhodes, as firefighters battled a blaze that had sparked the country’s largest-ever fire evacuation. Firefighters were bracing for high winds that could hamper their efforts. AFP

“From the perspective of Israel’s friends in the United States, it looks like the current judicial reform proposal is becoming more divisive, not less,” he said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks to bring his controversial propos-

Thousands of tourists flee wildfire on Greece’s Rhodes island

RHODES, Greece—Tens of thousands of people have fled wildfires on the Greek island of Rhodes as terrified tourists scrambled to get home.

And there were reports of wildfires breaking out on Corfu, another popular Greek island, with land and sea evacuations underway late Sunday.

On Rhodes, firefighters tackled blazes that erupted in peak tourism season, sparking the country’s largest-ever wildfire evacuation -- and leaving flights and holidays canceled.

Hundreds of holidaymakers milled inside Rhodes international airport, some trying to sleep on their beach towels as they waited for flights off the island.

Kelly Squirrel, a transport administrator on holiday from the UK, told AFP

she spotted the fires from the poolside and ran down to the beach after being told to evacuate.

“We were walking for about six hours in the heat” to escape, she said.

Rhodes is one of Greece’s most popular holiday destinations, particularly with British, German and French tourists. In the rush to leave, some visitors had to abandon their belongings.

“We had to lend a woman some of my wife’s clothes because she had nothing to wear,” Kevin Sales, an engineer from England, told AFP. “It was terrible.”

Other Greek islands were reporting similar problems.

A wildfire broke out on Greece’s second-largest island, Evia, according to the fire services, and several residential

areas had to be evacuated.

Evia, situated off central Greece’s eastern coast, was devastated last year by some of the worst wildfires in the country’s history.

And several hundred miles to the northwest, the Greek island of Corfu, another favourite with foreign tourists, was struggling with its own wildfires Sunday evening.

Officials on the island, which sits in the Ionian sea off the northwest of Greece, have already issued evacuation alerts for 12 villages there, the Athens News Agency reported.

The coast guard there said a rescue operation was underway at Nissaki beach on the northeast of the island, due to a wild fire. AFP

15 perish, 19 missing after Indonesian wooden boat sinks off Sulawesi coast

KENDARI, Indonesia—At least 15 people were killed and 19 more were missing on Monday after a wooden boat sank off the coast of Indonesia’s Sulawesi island, search and rescue officials said.

The boat sank with 40 people onboard just after midnight local time (1 am Monday in Manila), the local office of Indonesia’s search and rescue agency said in a statement. Six people were rescued and taken to hospital for treatment, it said, and the cause of the sinking was being investigated.

“Provisionally, there are 19 people who are still being searched for,” Muhamad Arafah, head of the local search

and rescue agency in Kendari city in Southeast Sulawesi, said in the statement.

One search team will dive around the accident site, while another will search the water’s surface using boats, he said.

The agency shared images of rescuers mobilising for the search effort, and several dead bodies covered by sarongs laid on tarpaulin at a local hospital.

The boat

the villages of Lanto

in Central Buton regency on Muna island in Southeast Sulawesi, the local office’s spokesperson Wahyudin, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, told AFP. AFP

The driving force behind the reforms, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, said the bill being put to lawmakers on Monday had undergone changes to accommodate critics, but added that the coalition was still open to “understandings.” Netanyahu faced other challenges over the weekend, not the least of which was a trip to the hospital to have a pacemaker fitted after he was hospitalized for a reported spell of dizziness. AFP

11 dead after school gym roof collapse

BEIJING—Eleven people died after the roof of a school gym collapsed in northeastern China, state media reported Monday.

The gym at the No. 34 Middle School in Qiqihar, Heilongjiang Province collapsed just before 3 pm (0700 GMT) on Sunday, state news agency Xinhua said.

“A total of 11 people died in the accident,” state broadcaster CCTV said, adding that an investigation of the accident was in progress.

Nineteen people were at the gym when the accident took place, local newspaper Heilongjiang Daily said. Four escaped and four others survived after being pulled from the rubble. Footage aired by CCTV showed the entire roof collapsed onto the gym and rescue workers picking through the debris.

The search and rescue operation, which had involved nearly 160 firefighters and 39 fire trucks, has now wrapped up, CCTV said.

An initial investigation into the collapse found that construction workers had placed perlite—a form of volcanic glass—on the roof, Xinhua said. Heavy rain then led the perlite to expand, causing the roof to collapse, it added.

“Those in charge of the construction company have been taken into police custody,” the state news agency reported. AFP

was crossing a bay between

and Lagili

MISSILE STRIKE. Taken on Sunday, this shows shows the destructed House of Scientists following a missile strike in Odesa, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s latest missile attack on Odesa left two dead Sunday, wounded many and badly damaged a UNESCO-listed Orthodox cathedral, drawing a vow of retaliation from Ukraine’s leader. AFP

TOP GAINERS

Market declines as investors await President’s new policies

By Jenniffer B. Austria

LOCAL stocks traded sideways

Monday ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address.

The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index slipped 16.31 points, or 0.25 percent, to close at 6,631.25, while the broader all-shares index went down 4.19 points to 3,526.71.

China Bank Corp. managing director Juan Paolo

Colet said trading started in the green but closed the day in the red as investor sentiments turned cautious ahead of SONA.

“Market value turnover was relatively thin with many traders on the sidelines as they await this week’s news flow,” Colet said.

TOP LOSERS

MOST ACTIVE

“Reaction to the SONA may drive market activity tomorrow, but investors are likely to hold off their major bets until the Federal Reserve’s policy meetings,” he said.

Meanwhile, Asian equities were mixed Monday, with investors gearing up for policy decisions at major central banks this week, while concern over the Chinese economy continued to dampen sentiment.

With recent data releases suggesting inflation is now coming down after more than a year of interest rate hikes, hope is building that officials are close to bringing an end to their tightening cycles.

The key focus will be on the Federal Reserve, which is widely expected to announce another increase in borrowing costs, while traders are looking for guidance on its plans after that.

Debate is swirling about whether or not it will call it a day or keep going in order to bring inflation down to its two percent target, from the current three percent.

A string of positive data in recent months has given the Fed some room to take its foot off the pedal and allow the economy to avert a feared recession.

“The Fed should not signal another skip in September, as doing so for the June meeting really handcuffed the Fed at a time when it needed maximum flexibility,” said Win Thin at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. “Given how firm the labour market remains, we believe the right thing for the Fed to do is to emphasize a more data-dependent approach and stress that a skip in September should not be assumed.”

And Deutsche Bank economists wrote in a recent note to clients that they “see the line between mild recession and soft landing as increasingly fine and view the probabilities of the latter outcome undeniably on the rise”.

Goldman Sachs has cut its probability of recession in the next 12 months to 20 percent from 25 percent. With AFP

Paris airports under intense pressure for 2024 Olympics

PARIS, France—Paris’ airports face a double challenge during the Olympics next year—already under huge pressure, they will also be the first impression that many foreign visitors get of the Games.

France’s main international airport, Charles de Gaulle (CDG), and the smaller Orly will be two crucial gateways to the Olympics, which open in around a year on July 26, 2024.

and officials will be accredited for the Olympics and the Paralympics, excluding spectators, said Renaud Duplay, the deputy director of CDG.

“In terms of numbers, it’s a drop in the ocean” compared to the approximately 340,000 people who pass through CDG and Orly on peak summer days, he said.

SAN FRANCISCO, United States—

Twitter’s owner Elon Musk and its new CEO said Sunday that the social media network would ditch its bird logo, be rebranded with the name X and move quickly into payments, banking and commerce.

Founded in 2006, Twitter takes its name from the sound of birds chattering, and it has used avian branding since its early days, when the company bought a stock symbol of a light blue bird for $15, according to the design website Creative Bloq.

Tweeting a picture of the company’s new logo—a white X on a black background—late Sunday night, Twitter chief executive Linda Yaccarino said “X is here! Let’s do this.”

Also late Sunday night, Musk changed his profile picture to the company’s new logo, which he described as “minimalist art deco,” and changed his Twitter bio to “X.com,” which now redirects to twitter.com.

Musk had earlier tweeted that “If a good enough X logo is posted tonight, we’ll make (it) go live worldwide tomorrow.”

Musk also tweeted that under the site’s new identity, a post would be called “an X.”

The changes were not visible on the website as of 0630 GMT Monday.

PARIS—France on Sunday blamed Russia, after the G20 failed to agree on a roadmap to phase down the global use of fossil fuels during a meeting of energy ministers in India.

A final statement after the meeting on Saturday, does not even mention coal,, a major contributor to global warming.

Explaining the stalemate, G20 president India said that some members had emphasized the importance of seeking a “phase down of unabated fossil fuels, in line with different national circumstances”.

But “others had different views on the matter that abatement and removal technologies will address such concerns,” it added.

France’s minister of energy transition on Sunday pointed the finger of blame at Russia.

“I profoundly regret that there was no common declaration at the end of this meeting, notably because of Russia,” Agnes Pannier-Runacher told AFP.

The G20 failure to agree the roadmap came despite G7 leaders agreeing in Hiroshima in May to “accelerate the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels”.

A coalition of key EU economies -including Germany and France -- and some of the most vulnerable island states this week urged the G20 group of wealthy nations to accelerate plans to reach net zero emissions and phase out fossil fuels, adding: “Humankind cannot afford to delay”.

But many developing economies argue that the developed West must pay more as a legacy polluter and greenhouse contributor.

They insist that any transition needs huge capital and new technology, while giving up on polluting fuels without affordable alternatives will condemn their huge populations to poverty. AFP

The Parisian airports’ authority ADP believes it can cope with the increased traffic in July and August next year in what is already one of the world’s most visited cities.

What is keeping managers awake at night is the exceptional nature of tens of thousands of the arrivals -- and their outsized baggage. Some 85,000 competitors, coaches

On the other hand, the Olympic arrivals have expectations that are “different from those for which our infrastructure is designed”.

The canoeists, for example, will bring kayaks, there will be crates and crates of bicycles and unwieldy poles for pole vaulters.

“There will be a volume of oversized luggage that is just not the one we usually have,” Jerome Harnois, the top state official in charge of Paris’ airports, said.

Lost or misplaced equipment could mean competitors missing out on Olympic glory, and trigger a storm of negative publicity for the organizers and France as a whole.

Access to the centre of Paris is also a concern.

The upcoming extension of the Metro’s line 14, which will link Orly to the centre of the capital and several key Olympic venues in Seine-Saint-Denis to the north of Paris, should help alleviate some pressure.

On the other hand, a long-planned fast rail link between CDG and Paris will not be ready, leaving the often-derided RER B suburban train line as the alternative.

Coach and bus traffic between the two airports will be strongly regulated “to avoid chaos,” Duplay said. AFP

Musk had already named Twitter’s parent company the X Corporation, and previously said his takeover of the social media giant was “an accelerant to creating X, the everything app” -- a reference to the X.com company he founded in 1999, a later version of which went on to become payments giant PayPal.

Such an app could still function as a social media platform, and also include messaging and mobile payments. “Powered by AI, X will connect us in ways we’re just beginning to imagine,” Yaccarino tweeted earlier on Sunday.

Yaccarino, an advertising sales executive at NBC Universal who Musk poached last month to become Twitter’s CEO, said the social media platform was on the cusp of broadening its scope. AFP

France blames Russia over G20 failure to agree on fossil fuel cut

COLLAPSED BRIDGE. Rescuers work at the site of a collapsed bridge under construction between the cities of Patras and Rio, in Patras, on July 23, 2023. The collapse of a bridge undergoing works in western Greece on July 23 killed one person and wounded eight others, Greek authorities said. AFP

LOW EMISSION. Traffic pass a sign indicating the ultra-low emission zone near Hanger Lane in west London on July 22, 2023. Sadiq Khan intends to expand the Ultra-Low Emission Zone to the whole of the British capital on Aug. 29—barring a last-ditch High Court bid to stop it. The scheme— introduced in inner London in 2019 and separate from its two-decades-old congestion charge—requires more polluting vehicles to pay a £12.50 ($16) toll on days they are driven within its borders. AFP

Bulacan airport, Metro Manila subway likely to open by 2028

By Darwin G. Amojelar

The Department of Transportation said Monday the Bulacan International Airport and the Metro Manila Subway Project are expected to be partly operational by the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term in 2028.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the land development of the P740-billion New Manila International Airport project in Bulacan being developed by San Miguel Corp. is now almost 70-percent to 75-percent completed.

“We’re expecting it to be completed by the end of this year or early first quarter of next year, and after that the group of Mr. Ramon Ang can start con-

struction of runways and the passenger terminal building,” Bautista said in an interview with ANC.

“I had a meeting with Mr. Ramon Ang. He said that all the plans are on track and financing is available. Their technical people are working on it, and we continue to review their submission of documents,” he said.

Bautista expressed optimism the new airport would be partly operational be-

fore the end of the term of the president.

The project will feature four parallel runways, a world-class terminal and a modern and interlinked infrastructure network that includes expressways and railways

San Miguel tapped the services of global firms Groupe ADPi, Meinhardt Group and Jacobs Engineering to design and build the New Manila International Airport.

Bautista also said the P488.5-billion Metro Manila Subway Project was expected to be partly operational by 2028 and commence full operations by 2029.

“We’re hoping that the tunnel from Valenzuela to Ave. Avenue will be completed by the end of the year,” he said.

“We’re taking delivery of more tunnel boring machines which operate simultaneously, so that we will be able

PAL expands codeshare accord with China Airlines

PHILIPPINE Airlines said Monday it expanded its codeshare agreement with China Airlines to serve the growing travel demand between the Philippines and Taiwan.

The expanded codeshare arrangement allows PAL and China Airlines to offer greater connectivity and convenience to customers, with each carrier promoting the development of the air travel market between the two territories.

to finish the project by 2028 or maybe 2029. But we will try our best to complete it by 2028 or make it partly operational by 2028,” Bautista said.

The 33-kilometer subway, dubbed as the “project of the century”, span from Valenzuela in the north to NAIA Terminal 3 and FTI in the south.

It is expected to reduce travel time between Quezon City and NAIA from one hour and 30 minutes to 35 minutes.

It is designed to serve around 370,000 passengers a day in its first year of full operations and up to 1 million passengers a day in later years.

It will be interconnected and interoperable with the North-South Commuter Railway System’s south segment, enabling a passenger to board a subway train at North Ave. Station of MMSP and get off at the Calamba Station of NSCR.

“Philippine Airlines is keen to serve the growing demand for travel stimulated by the continuing visa-free arrangement for Filipino travel to Taiwan. We will build on our strong partnership with China Airlines to offer more convenient access for Filipino tourists to visit Taiwan, even as we welcome Taiwanese tourists to come and visit the fun and festive Philippines,” said PAL vice president for sales Bud Britanico,

“Cebu is a great destination for both business and leisure, while Kaohsiung is a dynamic port city and economic hub that also houses many Overseas Filipino Workers. We are glad to expand our network, even as we continue to offer regular twice daily flights between Manila and Taipei,” he said.

PAL is now offering four times weekly codeshared services between Manila and Kaohsiung and five times weekly Cebu to Taipei fights. Darwin G. Amojelar Bureau

warns farmers against 5 common pests

THE Bureau of Plant Industry warned farmers against the most common pests that could impact on the expected yield in the wet cropping harvest.

The BPI-Crop Pest Management Division listed five possible pests that farmers might encounter during the wet planting season. These are bacterial leaf blight, brown plant hopper, rodents, rice stem borer and rice black bug.

The CPMD issued an alert to all crops technical staff to closely monitor areas that are prone to infestation or infection by the five pests that occur in the third quarter of the year, based on historical data.

It asked farmers to be vigilant of their crops and actively work the government for immediate implementation of pest management activities. The bacterial leaf blight traditionally occurs in Regions 1, 3, 4-B, 5, 6, 7 and 8. Farmers are advised to adopt good planting practices and were also told to avoid excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer. Othel V. Campos

Euromoney names

BPI ‘Best Bank’ in PH

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS. Meralco Rescue, in coordination with the Bureau of Fire Protection-Pasig and the Pasig Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, hold an emergency preparedness educational tour for 23 preschoolers of the Philippine Montessori Center. The children were taught basic skills on handling emergency medical incidents such as calling for help via the 911 hotline, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, how to use an automated external defibrillator, how to escape burning buildings through rappelling/zipline, what to do during zero visibility scenarios, and fire suppression. The training conducted at the Meralco Rescue Fire Sub-Station aims to instill the importance of emergency preparedness, alertness and presence of mind in the children, which can greatly help in times of crisis.

DoE: New Malampaya deal opens doors to more projects

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Department of Energy on Monday identified the renewal of the Malampaya service contract as one of the major accomplishments of the Marcos administration that focus on indigenous energy sources for reliable, stable and affordable electricity supply.

The DOE said in a report the Malampaya’s Service Contract 38 extension until Feb. 22, 2039 is a key indicator of progress in the development of the natural gas industry.

It allows full production of the gas field in northwest Palawan through full utilization of its remaining reserves of about 147 billion cubic feet.

The DOE said this would jump start the exploration and development of other fields in the area which reportedly contain up to 210 billion cubic feet more of natural gas.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. noted in his 2022 State of the Nation Address the “uncertain policy in upstream gas, particularly in the area close to Malampaya.”

Marcos said this required “clarification of the processes and review of service contract policy.”

The government then took the lead in providing investment incentives by approving the sale of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V.’s 45-percent stake in SC 38.

The DOE report said the approval of the Shell shares’ sale to Malampaya Energy XP Pte. Ltd. on Sept. 30, 2022 “resulted in an all-Filipino consortium now operating the Malampaya Deepwater Gas to Power Project, the largest

upstream petroleum operations in the country.”

Prime Exploration Ptd. Ltd. led by businessman Enrique Razon Jr. formalized in July 2022 its purchase of MEXP, which had acquired the Shell shares.

Razon’s Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc., through subsidiary Prime Energy Resources Development B.V., holds a 45-percent operating stake in the Malampaya gas-to-power project.

The extended SC 38 required the Malampaya consortium to explore the area around Malampaya for new wells.

Megaworld set to open largest PH hotel in Paranaque this year

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PROPERTY developer Megaworld Corp. said Monday it is set to open the Philippines’ largest hotel within the year as it bets on the strong recovery of travel and tourism industry.

Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it would open before the end of 2023 the 1,530-room Grand Westside Hotel within the 31-hectare Westside City in Entertainment City in Parañaque City.

“Once it opens, Grand Westside Hotel will become the biggest hotel property in our portfolio and in the entire country to date,” said Megaworld Hotels & Resorts managing director Cleofe Albiso.

Grand Westside Hotel will offer a variety of room types and sizes, ranging from queen suites, twin suites and executive suites with up to 48 square meters to twin suites (35 sq. m) and queen suites (37 sq. m.) designed for specially-abled guests.

Grand Westside Hotel will be the 19th hotel property launched by Megaworld and the second homegrown hotel brand to rise inside Westside City.

“It will be just a short drive away from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport via the NAIA Expressway and promises to delight guests with wonderful views of the world-famous Manila Bay sunset as well as the skylines of Makati, Manila and Taguig City,” said Albiso.

THE Bank of the Philippine Islands was named the Best Bank in the Philippines and Asia’s Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility in Euromoney’s Awards for Excellence 2023 for its impressive growth in 2022 and financial literacy programs across the country.

“BPI regains the award as the country’s best bank by posting excellent numbers over the past year. BPI’s net income grew by 65.8 percent to a record of P39.6 billion last year. While its rivals saw a decent jump in net income, BPI’s pace of growth was the fastest,” Euromoney said.

The prestigious international publication noted that BPI’s return on equity grew to 13.14 percent last year from 8.4 percent the year before, while total deposits rose 7.2 percent yearon-year to P2.1 trillion, beating the industry average.

“We are very honored and grateful for these awards because they reaffirm the Bank’s renewed strength and solid performance in delivering best-in-class products and services. They also bolster our commitment to improve the lives of Filipinos through financial literacy programs and inspire us to continue building a better Philippines – one family, one community at a time,” said BPI president and chief executive TG Limcaoco.

Sardines industry enjoys stable power supply of Zamcelco

THE canned sardines industry benefited from the stable electricity supply of Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative Inc. which helped fuel the city’s economic growth.

The city is dubbed as the “sardines capital” as bulk of the country’s sardines and canning factories are located there.

Zamboanga City vice mayor Josephine Pareha said the stable electricity supply from Zamcelco greatly helped the sardines industry and enticed more investors.

Pareha said prior to Zamcelco’s investor management contract with Crown investments Holdings Inc., several hours of power outages resulted in sardines spoilage.

SPROUT’S ACQUISITION. Sprout Solutions, the leading homegrown B2B SaaS company and HR tech leader in the Philippines, finalizes the acquisition of Aiah AI, a pioneering artificial intelligence company with offices based in the Philippines and Singapore. Aiah AI, through its technology, automates recurring business processes to increase productivity among companies and divert its focus to more higher-value activities. Signing the agreement are Sprout Solutions chief executive and co-founder Patrick Gentry (left) and Aiah AI chief executive and co-founder of Gian dela Rama.

It will also be the biggest hotel development in the Philippines in terms of total room keys.

The first tower of Grand Westside Hotel is slated for opening this year, while the second tower will welcome guests by 2024.

Repower Development lists in PSE after raising P1.15b

RENEWABLE energy producer Repower Development Corp. on Monday listed its shares on the Philippine Stock Exchange after raising P1.15 billion from an initial public offering.

The stock opened at P5.01 and hit a high of P5.20 before closing at P5.04, up P0.04 from its IPO price of P5.

The company raised P1.15 billion in gross proceeds from the sale of 200 million shares, with an over-allotment option that allowed it to offer another 30 million

common shares.

REDC president Eric Peter Roxas said during the listing ceremony the proceeds would enable it to build more renewable plants and enhance shareholder value.

PSE president and chief executive Ramon Monzon commended REDC for braving the market even as several companies had deferred similar plans because of the current the market conditions.

REDC said it would use the proceeds to

The hotel will have four function rooms which can be combined to form a bigger hall good for events with a capacity of up to 300 people. It will have four dining outlets, including an allday dining restaurant that can accommodate nearly 250 persons.

from initial public offering

fund the equity portion of its hydropower projects, the development and acquisition of renewable energy projects and operating and working capital requirements.

The company, a subsidiary of Pure Energy Holdings Corp., earlier said it planned to spend P15 billion to develop 50 megawatts of capacity and other possible RE projects in the next three to five years. Its projects under development include the 15-megawatt Pulanai mini-hydro

power plant in Bukidnon and the 4.5MW Piapi mini-hydro power plant in Quezon which are expected to come online by 2025.

The company’s portfolio of operating and income-generating mini-hydro power plants include the 1.5-MW Palakpakin, 1.1-MW Balugbog, 300-kilowatt

Calibato, 2.19-MW Majayjay, 1.6-MW

Inarihan, 3.456-MW Upper Labayat, 5-MW Tibag and 1.4-MW Lower Labayat facilities.Jenniffer B. Austria

“During blackouts, it takes 10 to 15 minutes for the generators to run and, in that time, the fish becomes spoiled and the smell of rotting fish was so strong. Today, people no longer complain about that,” she said.

Pareha said more investors were coming into the city such as malls and large real estate projects.

Business process outsourcing companies and call centers also started to take interest in Zamboanga City’s potential.

“When investors come in, they want stable electricity first and second water supply. Today, many businesses are coming in and Zamcelco has to be ready for that,” Pareha said.

Zamboanga City councilor Vincent Paul Elago said Zamcelco’s GetSET25 (Get Stable Electricity Twenty-25) campaign would help ensure better services and stable power.

“This is really meant to bring about a better Zamcelco, which means better provision of power energy, electricity to the people of Zamboanga...We never saw anything as aggressive as what they trying to do with a timeline 2025,” Elago said. Alena Mae S. Flores

Possible PH vs. China duel may lead to Olympic berth

A TICKET to France for the 2024 Paris Olympics will be up for grabs for Asian teams competing in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, and a possible meeting between China and the Philippines could be a crucial game.

The Philippines is in Group A with Italy, Dominican Republic, and Angola, while China is in Group B with South Sudan, Serbia, and Puerto Rico. Both groups will then merge for the second group stage (top two) or for the classification phase (bottom two).

In 2019, no Asian squad made it to the second group stage, so any Asian squad that picks up two wins in the first group stage will be a heavy favorite.

Jordan is in an unbelievably difficult group with the USA, New Zealand, and Greece, and Japan will need all the help it can get against Germany, Finland, and Australia.

Iran is grouped with Spain, Brazil, and Cote d’Ivoire, and Lebanon will be heavy underdogs against Canada, Latvia, and France.

Asian teams only scored wins against other Asian or African squads in the last FIBA Basketball World Cup so the Philippines, China, and Iran got a bit of luck from the draw.

If the Philippines and China perform similarly in the first group stage, then a meeting will be inevitable.

Back in 2019, Iran finished with the same 2-3 win-loss record as China, but Iran qualified for the Olympics due to a better point difference. It was a frustrating finish for the Chinese side as the team had high hopes, being the host of the tournament.

Now China is out for revenge led by Serbian head coach Sasha Dordevic and 2016 NBA draftees Wang Zhelin and Zhou Qi. However, Gilas Pilipinas, already hard at work at home following its European training camp, will maximize home-court advantage as the host team targets to win as many games as possible in front of the Filipino fans.

Both Gilas Pilipinas and China will play all their group stage games, including their possible matchup, at the SmartAraneta Coliseum. Tickets are available via ticketnet.com.ph.

Tickets for all SM Mall of Asia Arena contests are available via smtickets.com

Podium feats for Hallasgo, Salano in 30th Pattaya race

SOUTHEAST Asian Games veterans Christine Hallasgo and Richard Salano braved the rainy weather to come up with good podium finishes in the 21-km action last Sunday in the 30th Amazing Thailand Pattaya Marathon 2023.

The 30-year-old Hallasgo, who earned a bronze medal in the recent Cambodian meet, stayed behind Ethiopian Gebeyehu Adbaru from start to finish to settle for a silver medal.

Their times were close as Adbaru conquered the rolling and sloping terrain in one hour, 21 minutes and seven seconds.

Hallasgo was 17 seconds behind Adbaru for second place, followed by Ornanong Wongsorn of Thailand, in third at 1:26.09.

Lodkeo Inthakoumann landed fourth in 1:26.08, followed by Filipinas Nhea

Ann Barcena and Cherry Andino in fourth and fifth, respectively.

“Malakas lang ang ulan, kaya basa kami habang tumatakbo. Nakikipagagawan sa position iyung Ethiopian,” said Hallasgo, who came with a group of 39 runners supported by 7-Eleven and Jose C. Ang Jr., the managing director for eWallet and eCommerce and Head of General Merchandise Division.

Salano (1:12.04) made it to third place in the face of a strong challenge of Kenyan John Moriuri, who took the men’s division title in 1:09:40, followed by Thailand’s Sanchai Namkhet in 1:09:51.

“Malakas ang start nu’ng karera. Medyo uphill nu’ng first 5-kilometers. Pero, nakasabay ako dahil magandang warmup,” said Salano.

Overall route of the race covered the area of Pattaya City From North Pattaya Road, Pattaya Beach Road, Pattaya 2nd Road, Thappraya Road, Jomtien 2nd Road, Sukhumvit Road and Jomtien Beach Road. Peter Atencio

NATIONAL TAEKWONDO MEET. Some 2,000 taekwondo jins, including collegiate stars, competed in the 46th National Taekwondo Championships on July 22 and 23 at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Events played were Advance and Novice that featured four divisions each, namely seniors, juniors, cadet and grade school – both male and female. In order to eliminate human error, the PTA utilized the KPNP technology as Protector and Scoring System, apart from the implementation of the IVR (Instant Video Replay) system. Danny Pata

ATI-ATIHAN VS HAKA

Big PH community in NZ to back Filipinas vs Ferns

By Peter Atencio

ALARGE crowd of fans from a supportive Filipino community will compete with New Zealand supporters cheering for their team when the Philippine national women’s football squad battles the NZ Ferns on Tuesday at the Sky Stadium in Wellington.

The Ferns and their fans will most likely dance the “Haka” before the game to try to psych up the hosts against the Filipinas before the match.

The Haka is a combination of vigorous movements and stamping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment, of-

ten performed by a NZ team before a game. But Filipino fans in Wellington are expected to show up with their own version of the Haka, with reports on social media describing Filipino supporters dressed up in traditional tribal costumes to counter the hosts.

Manila completes World Softball Series title sweep

By Randy Caluag

TEAM Manila Softball completed a sweep of the opposition with a 6-0 blanking of Glory Adkins Bejar (Denton, Texas) in the final to emerge champion of the Pony International Softball World Series in Texas.

The Manila softbelles blazed their way to the finals, holding their earlier foes scoreless with only American Thunder Gulf Coast (Houston) scoring a solitary point before losing, 4-1, at the McAllen Softball Complex. The rest came out empty-handed

against the Manilans.

The Sheirylou Valenzuela-coached squad overpowered Nitro (Mexico), 4-0; Mustang SC (San Antonio, Texas), 7-0; STX Gladiatrix (Texas), 11-0; Texas Glory Adkins LT Wood (San Antonio) American Thunder Gulf Coast (Houston), 4-1; and Premier Fastpitch (California), 3-0. The Texas squad also came out undefeated in the earlier rounds, going into the finals, but it was still no match to Manila’s firepower, which revived the Philippines’ glory days in the prestigious tournament it ruled in 2017 and 2019.

Filipino expatriates, numbering close to a hundred, will be clad in colorful “Ati-Atihan” attire and do a street dance starting at 4 p.m. from Shed 6, a popular waterfront hangout in Wellington. From there, they will march towards the Sky Stadium in time for the kickoff

of the Philippine-New Zealand match at 5:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m. in Manila).

The colorful costumes are part of the popular annual “Ati-Atihan” festival in Aklan, one the Philippines’ top tourist attractions.

“It’s a special moment. One that the girls will cherish for the rest of their lives,” said the Filipinas’ Australian coach Alen Stajcic.

The Filipinas are coming off a 0-2 setback to Switzerland, with the PH’s Katrina Guillou almost scoring a goal early in the first half last Friday.

On the other hand, the Ferns scored a shock 1-0 upset win over Norway in their opening Group A fixture.

“We’ll just shut this out (the cheering of the fans). It wil l be exciting, and hopefully, we’ll ge t a shot on target,” said Guillou.

The Ferns, coached by former Czech national team member, Jitka Klimková, are just a victory away from a place in the knock-out stages.

The odds favor New Zealand, no. 26 in the FIFA rankings.

Members of the Manila Softball Team display the Philippine flag. Team Manila Softball FB

It skipped the 2019 edition to give way to the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games before the world of sports stopped due to the Covid pandemic.

Team Manila is composed of Kylemarie Matarong, Annerose Macatbag, Rheamay

Quilongquilong, Anne Frensbelle Patricio, Rheamay Quilongquilong, Anne Frensbelle Patricio, Kenchie Tan, Jhaycel Roldan, Maryjane Libaton, Sathia Nicole Romero-Salas, Mary Jane Beronilla, Maryjoy Alpitche and Katherine Ditchon.

Talion, Ungco win at Junior PH Golf Tour

LEVONNE Talion turned a losing stand into a winning run while Roman Ungco dominated as they topped their respective divisions with 42 and 53 points, respectively, in Round 3 of the ICTSI Junior PGT Series’ 18hole stroke play tournament at the Valley Golf Club’s North course in Antipolo last Sunday.

Talion birdied the 18th for an 84 in medal play to complete a clutch two-shot swing as Rafa Anciano bogeyed the closing par-4 hole in an earlier flight, enabling the former to score a repeat of her feat in the girls’ 13-14 division at Mt. Malarayat in Batangas where she nipped the latter by one point last month.

Anciano dropped four strokes in the last three holes, including a double-bogey on No. 16, and finished with an 85 worth 41 points, while Talion charged back with a bogey-bogey-birdie finish to spike her fightback from three strokes down for the victory in the one-day tournament played under the Molave scoring system.

Chloe Lim actually made it a three-way battle as she tied Talion at 11-over with three holes left. But she post-

ed a bogey-bogey-triple bogey windup for third with an 88 for 38 points in the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.organized event, which drew a huge field of 45 players in three age-group classes (boys’ and girls’ 9-10, boys’

and girls’ 11-12 and girls’ 13-14).

While Talion won in a cliffhanger, Ungco ran away with the boys’ 11-12 trophy as he bucked a double bogey-bogey start with a birdie-eagle-par-birdie feat from No. 6. He made the turn at one-under 35 and closed out with a 38 that included two more birdies for an impressive one-over 73 for 53 points.

Ungco beat Jacobo Gomez by 12 points as the latter scored 41 points on a gross 85, while Aenzo Sulaik ended up third as he lost to Gomez in the countback after also carding 41 points.

In the boys; 9-10 side, Ryuji Suzuki fired 53 points from a gross 73 for a six-point victory over Jacob Casuga, who shot 47 points from a 79 while Mt. Malarayat leg winner Vito Sarines ended up third with 45 points from a gross 81.

Maurysse Abalos took the girls’ 9-10 diadem with 37 points from an 89, one-point better than Quincy Pilac, who had 36 points from a gross 91, while Margaux Namoco edged Kelsey Bernardino in the countback for third with 33 points after both finished with 93s.

Filipino expatriates in NZ are shown dressed for their “Ati-Atihan” pep rally. (David Unwin of the Dominion Post)

Ryuji Suzuki Precious Zaragosa

HOYLAKE, United Kingdom—British Open champion

Brian Harman says he will celebrate his fi rst major win at Hoylake by jumping on his new tractor, joking that he is a man of many layers “like an onion”.

The 36-year-old American returned a score of one under par in his final round on Sunday for a 13-under total, finishing six strokes clear of the chasing pack.

As the rain lashed the Royal Liverpool course, Harman, a passionate bow-and-arrow hunter, plotted some down time back in the United States.

“I had a nice week a couple weeks ago and I bought a new tractor for my hunting place, so I’ll get home and I’ll be on the tractor mowing grass in the next few weeks, so I’m excited about that,” he said.

“Just put my phone away and go get on the tractor.”

Harman said he had not yet told his wife how much his new orange Kubota machine cost -- but he certainly has his work cut out.

“We’ve got about 25 acres of food plots that need, and, gosh, I don’t know how many miles of roads, but I’d call it probably 40 acres total that needs to get mowed,” he said.

A reporter said he had never known an Open champion celebrate by mowing grass on a tractor.

“I’ve got a lot of layers, man,” he replied. “I’m like an onion.”

Harman, ranked 26th in the world, has previously won just two events on the PGA Tour, though he finished tied for second at the 2017 US Open.

He described the soaking wet conditions at the course on England’s northwest coast on Sunday as “Armageddon”.

“It was bad, it was really tough,”

British Open king Harman to celebrate on his tractor

Jhanlo Sangiao new face of Team Lakay

JHANLO “The Machine” Sangiao knows that he has ways to go before he can be considered as the new face of Team Lakay. But it doesn’t mean that he can’t work his way to get to that level, one that he looks to inch closer to in his next fight against Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu at ONE Fight Night 13: Allazov vs. Grigorian on August 5 inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

“Nagte-training lang ako at ineenjoy ko lang ito. Ipapakita ko kung ano ‘yung kaya ko sa loob ng Circle. ‘Yun lang naman ‘yung goal ko eh,” the bantamweight rising star said.

“Kung sabihin nila na ako yung bagong face ng Team Lakay, pasalamat lang ako pero pinagtatrabahuan ko naman lahat ng ito.”

Sangiao being considered as the new torchbearer for the famed Baguio stable isn’t really that much of a surprise considering the changes that Team Lakay had to endure in the past few months.

he said. “I haven’t historically done very good in the rain. It’s just always bugged me. I was really proud of the way that I struck the ball in the rain today.”

Despite his generally solid performance, Harman said he had “fleeting” doubts during his final

round, though he tried not to let them into his head.

“I really honestly didn’t think about winning until I had the ball on the green on 18,” he added.

“I’ve always had a self-belief that I could do something like this. It’s just when it takes so much time it’s hard not

to let your mind falter, like maybe I’m not winning again.

“I’m 36 years old. The game is getting younger. All these young guys coming out hit it a mile and they’re all ready to win. Like when is it going to be my turn again? It’s been hard to deal with.” AFP

Criscini, Geluz dominate PPS Legends series

RENELLE Criscini and Aldrin Geluz pulled off a double victory in the PPS-PEPP Legends tennis series, sweeping the 40s and 50s crowns in the Rep. Alonte-Naguiat Championships at the Brent Tennis Center in Binan, Laguna on Sunday.

Criscini and Geluz toppled Roy Tan and Expedito Lim, 8-2, in the 40s division finals then turned back

Jun Pomer and Mike Sotingco, 8-4, to clinch the 50s trophy and complete a two-title romp in the event held side by side with the national juniors.

On their way to the 40s final, the Criscini-Geluz tandem repelled Jeg Vallido and Sherwin Ordones, 8-5, then crushed Jim Rellona nad Justino Buendia, 8-1, and sustained their charge in the 50s, ripping Ju-

lius Villavelez and Leovy Mercado, 8-1, and routing

Noel Lontok and Bugsy delos Reyes, 8-2.

JD Benitez and Danny Olosim, on the other hand, grabbed the 30s title with a tough 8-6 victory over 40s finalists Tan and Lim. Benitez and Olosim earlier outlasted Gene Angcao and Marlon Barbo. 8-5, and survived Topie Uy and Bryan Saarenas, 8-6.

Arabie Agero and Tracy Bautista, meanwhile, pocketed the lone women’s doubles trophy in the tournament presented by Dunlop and sponsored by Rep. Marlyn AlonteNaguiat with an 8-2 romp over Brasilla Uy and Joanna Tan.

In juniors play, top seed Jana Diaz and No. 3 Sandra Bautista posted contrasting wins to seal a showdown for the girls’ 18-U crown with the former blasting Shaira Silva, 6-0, 6-0, and the latter upending second seed Chloe Mercado, 7-5, 4-6, 10-7.

Diaz and Bautista will also dispute the 16-U crown after the former put away Alexie Jarata, 6-1, 6-1, and the latter foiling Mercado in another tight duel, 3-6, 7-6(3), 10-4.

No. 4 Ariel Cabaral likewise stunned top seed Vince Serna in the boys’ premier division, carving out a 6-2, 6-3 win for a crack at the title against No. 2 John Kendrick Bona, who got past Kale Villamar, 6-2, 6-0.

Other finalists in the Group I tournament which drew a record field of 272 and held as part of the country’s longest talent-search put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro are Bona and Al Tristan Licayan (boys’ 16), Joy Ansay and Maristella Torrecampo (girls’ 14), Licayan and Lexious Cruz (boys’ 14), Torrecampo and Alexa Cruspero (girls’ 12), Jan Caleb Villeno and Marben Alimarin, Jr. (boys’ 12) and Villeno and Raven Licayan (10-unisex).

1st PISAA Juniors Basketball Championship slated in August

By Graham C. Lim

IT’S all systems go for the 1st Philippine Inter-School Sport Association Juniors Basketball Championship, to be staged from August 11 to September 11 this year.

Playdates are scheduled every Saturday and Sunday with a quadruple header held every time from 9 a.m. up to 3 p.m. in Lam-An Multi-Purpose Gym located at 2725 Jose Abad Santos, Tondo, Manila 1013.

PISSA Management Committee announced that this first-ever project of the organization is being held in preparation for future international participation.

PISSA president Alvin Tai Lian will grace the opening ceremony on August 11 with a simple toss ball to open the games. Tai will be assisted by PISSA secretary general Joseph A. Sy.

An invitation has also been extended to Edwin C. Fabro, the president of the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines, with which the PISSA is affiliated. Other special guests on opening day are FESSAP Honorary Life President Angel Ngu, FESSAP

Honorary Life President David Ong, who will represent Philippine Airlines, and Yang Hua Hong, the CEO of OMNI Electrical and Lighting that is one of the major supporters of the FESSAP and PISSA.

PISSA is the national secondary federation recognized by the International School Sport Federation. Its competitions serve as the Qualifying Tournaments to the International School Sport Federation Gymnasiade to be held in Bahrain from October 23 to 31, 2024.

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

PISSA is affiliated with the FESSAP for high school competitions.

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 1st PJBC is Open to all studentathletes 18 years old and below. All School and Local Government Units (LGUs) teams are welcome to participate. Teams will play a single roundrobin during the elimination round. Each Team will have a maximum of 15 players with five officials allowed

to sit on the bench.

All student-athletes registered with their respective schools are allowed to participate. LGUs athletes must be certified by their respective Local Government officials to be able to participate so long as they are 18 years old and below (authenticated through the submission of a birth certificate).

The officiating arm of the championship will be the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP).

The champion of the 1st PJBC will represent the Philippines in Macau’s ISF Basketball Championship in October 2023.

Yet it’s also a bit of a no brainer, with the 21-year-old leading the new cavalry of Igorot warriors in The Home of Martial Arts as he has gone undefeated in his three fights including a jaw-dropping first round submission win over Matias Farinelli where he only needed 58 seconds to lock in the kneebar and force a tap at ONE Fight Night 9: Nong-O vs. Haggerty last April.

Making Sangiao more dangerous is the rejuvenated feeling he has seeing his fellow Team Lakay bet Carlos Alvarez score a second round submission victory over day Fights 25—further proof of the tides turning once

Eala falls to French foe, misses WTA finals

By Peter Atencio

ALEX Eala missed the finals of the W100 Vitoria-Gasteiz on Saturday after going down in a 6-2, 4-6, 2-6 setback in her semifinal encounter with no. 3 seed Jessika Ponchet of France at the Peña Vitoriana Tennis Club in Spain.

The WTA No. 258 Eala enjoyed a 3-0 lead following a forehand error from her 137th-ranked foe.

But the 26-year-old Ponchet turned the tables around, producing eight aces and three double faults in their match that almost reached two hours.

Eala served one ace and five double faults during the game.

With the win, Ponchet kept her lead in their head-to-head with Eala, 3-1, and advanced to the final against Ukrainian sixth seed and World No. 155 Daria Snigur.

For Eala, it was her best W100 finish after posting second-round results in 2022 at the Shrewsbury qualifiers in Great Britain and Grodzisk Mazowiecki main draw in Poland.

Eala reached the semis after hurdling Romanian fifth seed Jaqueline Cristian in the opening round, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (1), 6-2, Chinese qualifier Tianmi Mi in the second round, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-0, and Spanish Lucia Cortez Llorca in the quarterfinals, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2. Teaming up with local bet Marina Bassols Ribera, they came away with a 6-2, 6-2 ouster of Indian second seeds Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare.

After that, they fell in a 5-7, 6-1, 9-11 quarterfinals loss to Latvian Diana Marcinkevica and French Estelle Cascino.

US golfer Brian Harman poses with the Claret Jug, the trophy for the Champion golfer of the year after winning the 151st British Open Golf Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Course in Hoylake, north west England. AFP

Jhanlo Sangiao

Photo shows (from left) PPS-PEPP Committee on Tennis Sports-Calabarzon Jonathan Bernardo with Legends winners JD Benitez, Danny Olosim, Rennel Cresicini, Aldrin Geluz, Joanna Tan, Brasilia Uy, Arabie Agero, Tracy Bautista, Expedito Lim, Jr, Roy Tan and Dra. Dinah Bernardo.

Edwin Fabro (left) and Alvin Tai Lian

Jessy Mendiola

Jessy Mendiola eager to work with Marian Rivera

DURING a recent interview, Jessy Mendiola expressed her desire to collaborate with

Kapuso actress Marian Rivera in the near future, especially now that GMA and ABSCBN are working together.

Jessy stated that she would be honored to work with Marian and that many have suggested they could portray sisters onscreen due to their Mestiza looks. Jessy even mentioned that she would gladly accept a role as Marian's Personal Assistant (PA) if that opportunity arose.

“Even if my role will be her PA, I will accept it,” she said in jest. The actress also revealed her admiration for Marian, saying that she looks up to her. Jessy shared that she follows Marian's family on social media, which illustrates the level of respect she has for her.

When asked about the reasons for her high regard towards the Kapuso actress, Jessy praised Marian's dedication to her family, particularly as a hands-on mom. She believes that this aspect is something they both have in common and could bond over. Jessy also commended Marian's acting skills, acknowledging her as the Queen of her craft and expressing her genuine eagerness to collaborate with her.

As for the GMA roster of actors, Jessy mentioned that given the chance, she would love to work with Marian's husband, Dingdong Dantes Having met Dingdong once before and being impressed by his kindness, she expressed her wish to be part of a project with him.

Interestingly, in what genre does she want to appear in her comeback project if ever?

“I prefer to play mommy characters. It will be a joy to see myself on screen with a kid. It’s heartwarming and inspiring. I’m really looking forward to go back to acting.”

The pretty actress clears though that her comeback will be gradual.

“I really requested to be given at least six months more so that I can witness and focus on the growth of my daughter Isabella Rose. I might do a mini-series first before I go full swing once again,” Jessy ended.

* * *

In a recent television guesting, Sef Cadayona revealed that he almost left showbiz especially when the public observed that he’s no longer part of Bubble Gang when the popular gag and comedy show transferred to a new timeslot every Sunday.

“I thought it was already time to graduate from the ‘biz,” he said. “But as you see, I’m still here. Actually, I haven’t left. If you still need me, I will always be around. Months before, this wasn’t the scenario. I was already contemplating quitting the business and looking into a different side of my life. I told myself, ‘I don’t want to be in showbiz anymore.’”

What was the reason why he came to that decision?

“Honestly, it’s because I wasn’t getting meaty offers then. It’s like, I was asking myself, ‘Am I still okay? Am I still able to portray my roles well?’”

onscreen magic transcends Heaven-Marco to real-life friendship

HEAVEN Peralejo and Marco Gallo's journey as a love team began with their hit series The Rain in España, and it's evident that their onscreen chemistry has blossomed into a beautiful and genuine friendship offscreen as well.

The success of their first project together not only captivated audiences but also paved the way for their follow-up venture, The Ship Show, where their bond is set to grow even stronger.

Throughout the filming of the series The Rain in España, Heaven and Marco spent a considerable amount of time working closely together, portraying characters deeply entwined in a romantic storyline. This shared experience allowed them to get to know each other on a deeper level, fostering trust and understanding between the two.

“We definitely became closer together and working in a new project makes our bond grow even stronger,” the love team said during The Ship Show’s media confer-

ence held over the weekend.

Beyond just their professional partnership, Heaven and Marco have also formed a genuine friendship behind the scenes. They've supported each other's endeavors, celebrated successes together, and navigated the challenges of the entertainment industry side by side. This shared journey has brought them closer, creating a special bond that goes beyond the characters they portray onscreen. Their fans, affectionately known as MarVen fans, have been delighted to witness the growth of their favorite love team, not only in their acting abilities but also in the depth of their connection. The onscreen magic that they bring to The Ship Show is a testament to the authenticity of their friendship and the trust they have in each other as co-stars.

Directed by the talented Jason Paul Laxamana, The Ship Show is a romantic-comedy movie that revolves around twelve individuals who are paired up to compete in a reality show, with the aim of becoming the country's next big love team.

duo of Nestor (Tomas Rodriquez) and Tintin (Ashtine Olviga); the confidently sexy team-up of Ashley (PJ Rosario) and Belline (Angelic Guzman); the former couple Buddy (Rabin Angeles) and Shey (Bianca Santos); the music enthusiasts Elbrich (Migo Valid) and Marge (Janine Teñoso); and the brainy love team Monti (Martin Venegas) and Amor (Madelaine Red). Each couple faces various tasks and eliminations, aiming to win the hearts of shippers and survive till the end. As the competition progresses, their bonds are put to the test, revealing true emotions and questioning whether they are with the right partners or if their hearts belong elsewhere.

Following the success of their series, Heaven and Marco will also lead the romantic-comedy movie directed by John Paul Laxamana

The six enchanting pairs of The Ship Show are: the introverted Araw (Marco) and the vibrant Chia (Heaven ); the cheery

ABS-CBN wins media company of the year award sixth year in a row

THE country’s leading content provider, ABS-CBN, bagged a total of eleven awards, including Media Company of the Year for the sixth year in a row, at the Golden Laurel: The Batangas Province Media Awards 2023 held at the Lyceum of the Philippines UniversityBatangas on Thursday (June 20).

Award-winning host and actress Charo Santos-Concio was given the prestigious Sotero H. Laurel Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to the Philippine entertainment industry, while Maalaala Mo Kaya, the Philippines' longest and most celebrated drama anthology program, was presented with the Meritissimus Award for Drama Anthology.

Directed by Jason Paul Laxamana, ‘The Ship Show’ delves into the story of twelve individuals, who are paired up to compete in a reality show, aiming to become the country's next big love team

Mac Ayres will be performing songs culled from his latest album, 'Comfortable Enough'

Mac Ayres announces live solo performance in Manila

RISING R&B star Mac Ayres takes the stage as part of the highly anticipated Insignia Presents Concert Series on August 19.

Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas recognizes ABS-CBN’s efforts in delivering entertainment to the Filipino audience during the Golden Laurel: The Batangas Province Media Awards 2023

“It has been an honor and privilege for me to serve the Filipino audience since my early days as an actress in Itim, as the host of the longest-running drama anthology, MMK, as president and CEO of ABS-CBN, and now as Tindeng in Batang Quiapo on weeknights. Your loving support has been a source of strength and motivation for me to keep doing what I have been doing throughout the years,” Santos-Concio shared.

Noontime program It’s Showtime was recognized as the Best Variety Show, while advocacy-driven legal drama anthology Ipaglaban Mo! bagged the Best Documentary Show award.

Other winners include Joshua Garcia (Best Drama Actor), Esnyr Ranollo (Most Outstanding Content Creator), and Princess Kathryn “Kulot” Caponpon (Breakthrough Batangueño Social Media Child Personality).

Meanwhile, TV Patrol won the Best News Program award, while its anchor Bernadette SembranoAguinaldo took home the Female News Anchor of the Year award. The company’s website, , was also awarded as the Online News Website of the Year.

"We will continue to uphold the truth to the best of our ability. We hope you follow and support us, whether you watch us digitally or on TV. Please don't leave us because we love you very much," Sembrano-Aguinaldo said. Organized by the Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas, the Golden Laurel Awards aims to recognize the institutions, shows, and personalities that made significant contributions to the Philippine entertainment industry.

'Barbie' trounces 'Oppenheimer' in 'historic' box office weekend

WITH legions of pink-clad moviegoers swarming theaters, Warner Bros.' Barbie conquered North American box offices in its debut weekend, raking in $155 million, Sunday estimates showed – nearly double the cash of its second-place competitor. The other half of the much-anticipated “Barbenheimer” cinematic weekend – which saw Universal's much darker biopic Oppenheimer released the same day and spurred hundreds of thousands to organize their own double features – brought in its own whopping $80.5 million, according to figures from Exhibitor Relations The coincidental same-day release of the two starkly different but highly anticipated films — following an iconic doll ready to paint the world pink

and the other about the scientist who helped invent the atomic bomb – created a bottom-up pop-culture phenomenon that transcended the individual marketing for either. Together, they also helped cinemas bring in massive crowds, a shot in the arm for an industry hit hard by the pandemic as well as the rise of streaming services.

"The subtext of the joke of 'Barbenheimer' is that these couldn't be two more different movies," David A. Gross, of Franchise Entertainment Research, told AFP At the same time, he added, "The movie industry has a very healthy record of accommodating two big pictures. Moviegoers go when there are hot movies."

The upcoming concert at Samsung Hall, SM Aura Premier, promises to be an unforgettable experience, as Ayres will perform his most beloved tracks along with new material from his latest album, Comfortable Enough. Fans can expect to be immersed in an evening of soulful vibes, groovy rhythms, and heartfelt storytelling.

Ayres, a prodigious singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, has been selling out venues across the globe and making waves in the music industry with his unique blend of R&B, soul, and jazz influences. Hailing from Sea Cliff, New York, Ayres has garnered a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim with his soul-stirring performances and introspective songwriting.

Renowned for his velvety smooth voice and heartfelt lyrics, Ayres has been hailed as a fresh and innovative voice in contemporary R&B. With influences ranging from Stevie Wonder to D'Angelo and John Mayer, Ayres seamlessly fuses elements from different eras to create a sound that is both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.

Tickets for the concert are available for purchase through www.InsigniaPresents.com and SM Tickets outlets nationwide.

In a Sunday note, Gross wrote that the opening for "Barbie" was "recordshattering." "No comedic film of any kind has opened higher than $85.9m over a 3-day weekend," he wrote. "Barbie has become what we call a zeitgeist movie. It seems to be hitting a chord," he told AFP.

Oppenheimer, for its part, saw a "superb opening," Gross wrote in his Sunday note.

The "Barbenheimer" films together left a massive gulf between the weekend's top two box office spots and the number three slot, occupied by Sound of Freedom

The controversial action thriller from Santa Fe Films and Angel Studios, which critics say plays into QAnon conspiracy theories, brought in $20.14 million.

Fourth and fifth place saw the sort of franchise sequels that have come to dominate the box office recently.

Paramount's Mission: Impossible

- Dead Reckoning Part One, the latest in the long-running series starring Tom Cruise, brought in $19.5 million.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, from Disney, brought in $6.7 million. This "Indy" episode, likely the last, again stars Harrison Ford as a whip-cracking archeologist. AFP

Actress Marian Rivera

Australian actress Margot Robbie as Barbie

Florence Pugh (left) and Cillian Murphy (left) in a scene from ‘Oppenheimer’

LIFE

AN ARTIST’S PERSPECTIVE.

Tagaytay Highlands presents a unique living experience—a ‘perfect modern summer’ in Primrose Parks, the newest residential enclave in Tagaytay Midlands.

Tagaytay Highlands stacks up against 2023 real estate trends

IN a recent PropertyGuru report, a look into the balance year of real estate shows that one of the biggest ongoing trends is a growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable homes. As buyers become increasingly concerned about climate change, the continued shift towards green living is leading more people to move out of the city and into the suburbs.

Taking on this perspective, Tagaytay Highlands, the country’s leading mountain resort real estate property, manages to tick all the boxes versus the current build-up of buyer requests. With its newly launched residential lineup and several projects in the pipeline, Tagaytay Highlands continues to provide discerning home buyers with more green choices just a few hours’ drive south of the metro.

Primrose Parks. This low-density

community spans 6.3 hectares of verdant greenery in the heart of the Midlands.

It has the luxury of so much refreshing green space—with only 99 lots spread at 16 units per hectare—that it lives up to its theme of a year-round ‘modern summer’.

With its future homes endlessly blooming, the residential village is endowed with close-to-nature facilities that include a lush linear park oriented towards the east so that a breathtaking sunrise greets everyone at dawn. At Primrose Parks, one can also visualize moving around a spacious, clutter-free dwelling highlighted by clean and minimal lines. What could be more enchanting than waking up to sunshine streaming through large window panels, then basking in the scent of pine wafting in the air and the bracing fresh mountain

breeze on one’s face. Midlands West. For today’s growing number of health-and-wellness-conscious individuals, Tagaytay Highlands has revealed its newest residential district—Midlands West. This 320-hectare mixed-use enclave will provide amenities, facilities, parks, and open spaces founded on the mountain resort’s inherent values of ecocentrism, sustainability, health and wellness, and luxury mountain living. These distinct design pillars are Midlands West’s answer to the changing demands of the times. Based on a recent global sustainability report, Filipinos have become more eco-conscious while favoring responsibly progressive developments that warrant enhanced quality of life not only in the present but also for future generations.

Rising soon in the heart of Midlands

West will be its very first residential lot community where the district’s distinct design pillars will converge. This new horizontal project is poised to mark a new beginning for Tagaytay Highlands’ luxurious residential concepts. Anchored on ecocentrism, it aims to weave together the potential of a beautiful mountainous environment and the consciousness of a community who understands the importance of conserving nature.

For providing safety and security to its residents, guests, and staff, Tagaytay Highlands has been awarded the Safety Seal of the City Government of Tagaytay.

Tagaytay Highlands’ developer, Highlands Prime, Inc., a subsidiary of SM Prime Holdings, has likewise been

Empowering brands and inspiring Filipino entrepreneurship

marketing, leveraging her online presence to drive product sales, makes her an ideal fit for Negosyo Goals. Anna’s ability to connect with audiences and inspire them ensures a compelling and relatable viewing experience for audiences of all backgrounds. As the new host, she will guide viewers through the inspiring stories of Filipino entrepreneurs, sharing their triumphs, challenges, and lessons learned.

MAKER’S Mind Media Production, a forwardthinking advertising, marketing, public relations, and digital media agency, has joined forces with Negosyo Goals, an inspirational TV show that showcases Their shared mission is to empower brands and cultivate a thriving culture of business success in the Philippines.

Dedicated to empowering brands, Maker’s Mind Media Production is known for crafting extraordinary experiences. By putting customers at the heart of their approach, they offer a comprehensive array of media solutions and marketing services that position them as the ultimate choice for businesses aiming to enhance their brand presence and create impactful moments. Meticulous attention to detail and a steadfast commitment to surpassing client expectations allow them to execute events with precision and creativity, delivering topnotch, unforgettable experiences that leave a lasting imprint.

Negosyo Goals, the brainchild of Ivy

Ataya, the creative force behind Maker’s Mind Media Production, has a noble objective: to motivate and empower Filipino entrepreneurs by sharing their stories of perseverance and achievement. Through captivating storytelling, the show aims to cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship, instilling hope and encouraging viewers to pursue their own business dreams.

With a successful premiere in March 2023 on the ALLTV network, Negosyo Goals focuses on showcasing the resilience of Filipinos, particularly those who have triumphed over the challenges posed by the pandemic.

The show’s main focus is on individuals in the Philippines who can serve as role models, offering valuable entrepreneurial knowledge and inspiration. Ivy

Ataya’s vision for Negosyo Goals sends a powerful message of empowerment and economic growth, leaving a meaningful imprint on the world of entrepreneurship.

Now on its second season, Negosyo Goals welcomes its newest host, Anna Magkawas. With her background as a content creator, social media personality, brand ambassador, CEO of a Health & Beauty Wellness Company, and TV host, Anna brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the show.

Magkawas’ success in influencer

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is deeply ingrained in the values of Maker’s Mind Media Production and Negosyo Goals. Both organizations actively engage in initiatives that contribute to the social and economic development of the Philippines.

Through their commitment to CSR, they demonstrate their dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of individuals, businesses, and communities they serve.

The success of Maker’s Mind Media Production and Negosyo Goals lies in their ability to deliver exceptional experiences, exceed client expectations, and make a positive impact on individuals, businesses, and society as a whole. They strive to be recognized as leaders in empowering brands and inspiring Filipino entrepreneurship, contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of the country.

named by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development as one of CALABARZON’s 2021 Outstanding Developers for Open Market Projects. Property management will also remain efficient in delivering quick crisis responses during adverse natural and high-risk events.

Tagaytay Highlands is confident that there will be continued strong interest in its premium themed residential communities as it remains committed to sustain its vision to be the exclusive leisure property of choice amid the demand for luxury mountain resort living. As Tagaytay Highlands continues to transition to the dawning of a new age, Midlands West is poised to adopt an eco-centric living concept for one to experience health and wellness in an incomparable mountain resort setting.

COS returns to New York Fashion Week

LONDON-based fashion brand COS is making its comeback to New York Fashion Week this September, unveiling its Autumn Winter 2023 campaign.

Building on its successful debut show in September 2022, the fashion brand will showcase its AW23 collection as a prominent feature of the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s official schedule. Through this event, COS aims to connect with vibrant communities driving the realms of fashion, art, music, and design.

Campaign imagery featuring singer-songwriter Kelela alongside actor Will Poulter offers an insight into the coming season. Paying homage to its design roots, COS showcases a fresh approach to understated luxury with a collection focused on uncompromising craftsmanship, fine details, and tailoring.

CFDA CEO Steven Kolb comments, “New York Fashion Week continues to be an important stage for global brands to make their mark. The CFDA is delighted to welcome COS back to the official NYFW schedule this September.”

The show is happening on September 12 at 7:00 p.m. EDT and will be streamed live on cos.com

More information on the show and Autumn Winter 2023 collection to follow in due course.

Inspired by contemporary culture, the Londonbased fashion brand is known for elevated wardrobe pieces and innovative designs that are made to last. Dedicated to quality and sustainability, COS takes a bespoke approach to design, creating unique collections that combine function with timeless style.

Anna Magkawas

company

‘Negosyo Goals’ host Anna Magkawas (left) and Maker’s Mind Media Production CEO Ivy Ataya (right)

‘Negosyo Goals’ focuses on showcasing the resilience of Filipinos, particularly those who have triumphed over the challenges posed by the pandemic

British actor Will Poulter

Singer-songwriter Kelela