BEIJING has proposed possible war games with Manila amid continued Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea.
“They offered us that prospect but we’ll have to study it further,” Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner said.
“They said they submitted some white papers so we’ll have to study it
LAKE TRAGEDY. In these screengrabs from a news broadcast, fishermen and local rescuers scramble to save the passengers of the motorboat Princess Aya, which capsized in Laguna Lake off the waters of Binangonan, Rizal on Thursday. The Coast Guard confirmed at least 23 casualties, including women and children (inset photos).
By Joel Zurbano
AMOTORIZED boat capsized in Laguna Lake off Binangonan, Rizal on Thursday, killing 23 people with six others missing, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.
The accident occurred in the early afternoon near the northern shore of Laguna de Bay after Typhoon “Egay” had swept out of the northern Philippines, PCG spokesman Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said (see related story
WATERWORLD.
Residents of Abulug in Cagayan are stranded on the roofs of their houses after the Cagayan River overflowed amid heavy rains brought by Typhoon Egay on Wednesday and Thursday. Meanwhile, in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, rescuers evacuate residents and their pets as local officials reminded them to not leave their animals behind. PDRRMO, Mayor Michael Keon FB Page
-- Editors).
“What happened was they panicked after a sudden gust of wind. They ran to the left side and the boat capsized,” Balilo told Teleradyo TV in an interview.
The small passenger boat “Princess
Aya” was making its regular run from the town of Binangonan to the island of Talim in the middle of the lake, Kenneth Cirados, a rescue official in the municipality, told Agence France-Presse. Rescuers retrieved the 23 bodies from the water, including women and children, with 40 survivors, he added. Hours after the accident, rescuers and local fishermen were still scouring the lake off the coast of Barangay Kalinawan for the six people still missing,
THE death toll from a typhoon in the northern Philippines has risen to six, official figures showed Thursday, as the storm swept towards southeastern China.
Typhoon Egay (international name Doksuri) battered Luzon on Wednesday, toppling trees, knocking out power, and forcing the evacuation of thousands of people from coastal communities before exiting the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) at 8 a.m. Thursday.
Before leaving Kuala Lumpur for Manila at the end of his three-day state visit to Malaysia, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed that aid will be pro -
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has lifted the declaration of a state of national emergency on account of lawless violence in Mindanao.
Citing the improved peace and order situation in the country’s southern re -
gion, Mr. Marcos issued Proclamation 298 which repealed a 2016 proclamation on the state of national emergency because of a “spate of violent and lawless acts across many parts of Mindanao.”
The President, through Proclamation 298, noted that lawless violence perpetrated by private armies and local
Marcos seals $285m in deals from Malaysian execs before going home
By Charles Dantes, Othel V. Campos and Maricel V. CruzMALAYSIAN business leaders on Thursday pledged a total of $285 million in investments during a roundtable meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malaysia.
“I had the benefit of meeting a number of Malaysian [business leaders] in the key sectors of agriculture, transportation, and technology,” President Marcos said before leaving for Manila, where he was
expected to arrive at 11 p.m.
The Malaysians expressed interest in investing in the food processing industry, multi-service digital platforms, aviation, aviation maintenance support services, logistics, manufacturing, infrastructure, and water and wastewater treatment in the country, he said.
Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said five companies that signed letters of intent with the Philippine government will help develop industries
warlords, bandits, criminal syndicates, terrorist groups, and religious extremists “have been significantly mitigated or reduced.”
“Through successful focused military and law enforcement operations and programs that promote sustainable and inclusive peace, the government
has made significant gains in improving and restoring peace and order in the region,” the new proclamation read. The President said lifting the state of national emergency would help boost economic activity and hasten the recovery of the local economy.
vided to the victims of Typhoon Egay, including those farmers whose crops have been damaged.
“Yes, we have been watching over this, at this point, a lot of houses have been damaged, a lot of property flooded away,” Mr. Marcos told the Philippine media delegation.
“Some areas had just been planted (with crops), so we have to find out what are the areas that were ruined to we can help the farmers recover and salvage this crop season,” added the President, who is concurrent Agriculture Secretary.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the adoption of the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan (PHFDP) 2020-2040, which will serve as the country’s overall plan for medical infrastructure and investment.
Under Memorandum Circular No. 26, the Department of Health is directed, in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, to facilitate the dissemination and ensure the effective implementation of the PHFDP at the local level.
The DOH was also instructed to assist and support local government units in translating the PHFDP into a longterm local health facility development
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Friday expressed doubts that a Senate resolution that aims to draw international attention to China’s aggression in the West Philippines Sea would reach the United Nations (UN).
Before leaving Kuala Lumpur at the end of his three-day state visit to Malaysia, Mr. Marcos said the UN “entertains governments; not parts of government, not the judiciary or the executive.”
“The senator (Risa Hontiveros) is free to file whatever resolution she wants, but I do not know how that would translate to any action that would reach the United Nations General Assembly,” the President told reporters before heading to Manila, where he was expected to arrive late Thursday (see related story on A1 -- Editors).
This was as Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri expressed confidence Thursday that the UN General Assembly will pass a resolution reaffirming the country’s sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), despite misgivings that such a move could weaken Manla’s position if countries close to China vote against it.
Zubiri said he was unsure if the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) would keep the original wording of Senate Resolution 659 authored by Senator Risa Hontiveros.
“That remains to be seen. We will meet with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Task Force on the West Philippine Sea (WPS), and the National Intelligence Coordinating Authority (NICA) to hear their concerns,” he said.
Zubiri said he is also confident that they can word the resolution in such a way that the concerns of all members of the Senate are addressed.
Earlier, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said filing such a resolution before the UNGA could backfire and weaken the country’s position if not enough countries vote for it.
But Zubiri said a reaffirmation of the country’s claim to the WPS before the UNGA would solidify and rally international support against China’s military and political incursions into Philippine territory.
Although the senators differ on how to go about this, the Senate leader said they are united in the desire to condemn the harassment and bullying of Filipino fishermen and the Coast Guard in the WPS.
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Cirados said.
Authorities said the passenger boat was about 45 meters from land when it was hit by strong winds, causing the passengers to panic and move to one side.
The mishap struck hours after Egay left the Philippine area of responsibility, battering the country with strong winds and heavy rainfall.
The Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, has a poor maritime safety record, with scores dying in mishaps at sea each year, usually aboard wooden-hulled outriggers used for fishing or to move people from one small island to another. With AFP
plan which will be reflected in their respective Local Investment Plans for Health and Local Development Investment Programs.
MC 26 likewise ordered the DOH to monitor the implementation of the PHFDP 2020-2040 and the development of local health facilities by encouraging the LGUs to enter into public-private partnerships (PPPs) to address the gaps in the development plan, with the assis-
tance of the PPP Center.
The department was mandated to issue guidelines for the effective implementation of the health plan and submit annual reports to the Office of the Executive Secretary on the progress of the development plan.
“Moreover, the DOH, in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry-Board of Investments and the Fiscal Incentives Review Board, shall study, formulate, and implement policies that will encourage both domestic and international enterprises from the private sector to invest in health facilities aimed at addressing gaps in the PHFDP,” MC 26 read.
The funding requirements for the implementation of PHFDP 2020-2040
ARTA chief sacked
will be charged against the existing appropriations of respective agencies and LGUs.
Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act of 2019 provides that the State shall adopt a framework that fosters a whole-of-system, whole-ofgovernment, whole-of-society approach in the development and implementation of health policies, programs, and plans to ensure a people-oriented approach to the delivery of health services.
The health development plan operationalizes one of the strategies under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, particularly on the promotion of human and social development by boosting health through an accessible, efficient, and strengthened healthcare system.
ABOUT 1,000 personnel of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City have been relieved from their posts following a gang fight inside the state penitentiary that left an inmate dead and nine others injured.
NBP deputy director Angelina Bautista said that the staff members were sacked for allegedly “conniving” with
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in the country and create more than 8,000 new jobs.
“We are optimistic that these signed LOIs will materialize in the coming months,” Pascual said.
One of the signed LOIs is with Malaysian dairy company Farm Fresh Berhad, which is keen on breeding cattle for milk production. The $20 million milk project is projected to start commercially by 2028 employing 200 workers.
Pascual said the new investments are on top of the ongoing construction of a 6,000-square-meter dairy processing facility in Pampanga with a lease contract for 200 to 400 hectares of contiguous farmlands suitable for raising 2,000 milking cows.
The President flew to Malaysia for a three-day state visit after receiving an invitation from the King of Malaysia.
Pascual joined the President in a series of meetings with Malaysian businesses during the trade mission, which is part of the President’s state visit to Malaysia.
The President said the meetings proved that the two neighboring countries are on the right track in establishing each other as an ideal investment partner.
“The investments that we have agreed on so far will inject a total of about $285
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first,” Brawner added.
The military chief cited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s policy statement that when it comes to foreign policy, the Philippines is “a friend to all and an enemy to none.”
For his part, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian urged Manila to “resist external interference” in addressing matters concerning the Indo-Pacific region, citing the need to maintain “good neighborliness.”
Huang made the statement during the 96th founding anniversary of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army on Wednesday which was attended by Brawner.
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Strong winds and heavy rain pummeled the lightly populated Babuyan islands and northern provinces, triggering flooding and landslides.
A mother and her three children were killed Wednesday morning when a landslide struck their house in Buguias municipality in the mountainous province of Benguet, local disaster official Satur Payangdo said.
Five other people in the house were rescued.
That took the death toll to six after a woman was killed by a falling coconut tree in Isabela province and a 16-yearold boy was crushed to death by a landslide in Baguio city.
Egay had been a super typhoon as it
inmates. Among those relieved were the camp commander and officers who were on duty when the fight broke out. Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday said there could be more mass graves inside the maximum-security compound of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
“We think that we might find two more mass graves inside the maximum-
security compound,” Remulla said in an interview with CNN Philippines.
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) earlier said the incident stemmed from two members of the Bahala Na Gang and Batang City Jail who had a quarrel that was eventually settled before they parted ways. But one of the inmates pulled out a gun and started shooting, injuring fellow inmates.
THE Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal from service of former Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) director general Jeremiah B. Belgica and four other officials after finding them guilty of grave misconduct in connection with the grant of telecommunication frequencies to NOW Telecom Company Inc.
In a 14-page decision prepared by a four-member special panel and approved by Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires, the anti-graft body declared Belgica, his former deputy Eduardo V. Bringas, division chief Sheryl N. Pura-Sumangil, and directors Jedrek Ng and Melamy A. Salvadora-Asperin guilty of grave misconduct.
The order carries the accessory penalties of cancellation of civil service eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification to hold public office.
If the penalty can no longer be enforced due to separation from the service, the same shall be converted into a fine in the amount equivalent to the respondents’ salary for one year, payable to the Office of the Ombudsman, and may be deductible from their retirement benefits, accrued leave credits or any receivables by respondents from their office.
The case against Belgica and company stemmed from a complaint filed by DITO Telecommunity Inc., which accused the respondents of giving preferential treatment to NOW Telecom. Rey E. Requejo
A MANILA court has acquitted an activist who lost her baby while undergoing trial, in a case that highlighted concerns over the plight of pregnant women under detention.
million, serving as a robust and affirmative indication of the ongoing trust and keen interest of businesses and investors in the Philippines,” President Marcos said.
The Philippines is considered a conducive business environment for foreign investors as many see the country as one of the best-performing economies in the Asia Pacific region, he said. Pascual lauded the Malaysian com -
According to Huang, countries in the region “must keep abreast with the changing times” and “avoid Cold-War mentality and ‘bloc’ confrontation.” He underscored the need to “resist external interference and jointly safeguard the regional peace dividend.”
“China is willing to work with the Philippines to adhere to independence and good neighborliness, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, properly manage differences through consultation and dialogue, and ensure China-Philippines relations remain healthy and move steadily into the future, so as to write a new chapter of friendship and cooperation between the two countries,” Huang said.
Huang said that Mr. Marcos and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed to handle “maritime issues through
swept across the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday but weakened as it neared the Philippines.
At 10 a.m. Thursday, Egay was estimated at 255 kilometers west of Itbayat, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour near the center and 185 kph gusts, the state weather bureau said.
In the next three days, the habagat or monsoon enhanced by Egay would continue to bring occasional rains over the western portions of Central Luzon and Southern Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
It kept wind signal 2 raised over Batanes, the northwestern portion of Cagayan (Claveria, Santa Praxedes) including Babuyan Islands, and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Adams, Bangui, Dumalneg, Burgos).
Structures made of light materials
panies for their sustained interest and confidence in the Philippines and apprised them of the investment opportunities in the country.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Thursday hailed the partnership established between the Philippines and Malaysia in the Halal industry, saying it would create more jobs and business opportunities for the people of both countries.
friendly consultations.”
“As long as the consensus between our top leaders is implemented in real earnest, we will be able to see new progress in the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, and contribute to peace and stability in the South China Sea,” Huang said.
China has consistently rejected an international arbitral ruling invalidating its nine-dash-line claim over the entire South China Sea.
Meanwhile, Brawner said the AFP is looking to acquire multi-role fighters, additional naval assets, and shore-based deterrents for Horizon 3 of its ongoing modernization program.
“For the 3rd Horizon of the (AFP) modernization program we are looking at acquiring multi-role fighter aircraft, naval assets, command and control or
could be partially damaged or unroofed in these areas, while most banana plants and some trees could be broken, PAGASA said.
Signal 1 was raised over Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, the rest of Ilocos Norte, the rest of Cagayan, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Abra, Benguet, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the northern portion of Aurora (Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dilasag), the northern part of Nueva Ecija (Cuyapo, Guimba, Pantabangan, Science City of Muñoz, Carranglan, San Jose City, Lupao, Nampicuan, Talugtug), and the northern portion of Tarlac (Paniqui, Moncada, Pura, Camiling, Ramos, San Manuel, Anao, San Clemente).
Thousands of passengers were stranded in ports nationwide due to ‘Egay’.
Strong winds brought by typhoon Egay damaged structures in Aparri, Cagayan.
In a resolution dated July 17, 2023, Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 47 Judge John Benedict Medina acquitted Reina Mae Nasino and her two companions, Ram Carlo Bautista and Alma Moran, of illegal possession of firearms and explosives due to insufficiency of evidence. Nasino was pregnant when she and her companions were arrested in November 2019. She gave birth while under detention. Her baby, named River, died after being separated from her mother.
In acquitting the three, the court reconsidered its earlier ruling which dismissed their demurrer to evidence, essentially a motion to dismiss due to lack of prosecution evidence.
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Former president Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation 55 on Sept. 4, 2016 after an explosion in Davao City killed 14 individuals and left more than 60 hurt.
Duterte, in his proclamation, cited lawless violence in Mindanao, including abductions, hostage-takings and murder of innocent civilians, the bombing of power transmission facilities, highway robberies and extortions, attacks on military outposts, assassinations of media people, and mass jailbreaks.
Proclamation 55 was also issued amid government intelligence reports about “credible threats of further terror attacks and other similar acts of violence by lawless elements in other parts of the country, including the metropolitan areas.”
Meanwhile, a low-pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine area intensified into a tropical depression on Thursday morning, PAGASA said.
At 10 a.m., the new cyclone was spotted 1,585 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, packing 55 kph maximum sustained winds and 70 kph gusts, the weather agency said.
It may enter PAR on Saturday evening or Sunday morning as a typhoon and will be called “Falcon.”
While it is not expected to directly hit the country, the cyclone will enhance the “habagat,” which could bring more rain in parts of Luzon and the Visayas, PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said.
Damage and losses to agriculture due to Typhoon Egay have been estimated at P53.1 million as of Thursday noon, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
THE New Nissan Almera has everything you want in a sedan: cutting-edge style and innovative technology. But what if we told you that you can now start its engine from afar using your mobile phone? How about having immediate assistance in case of emergency by just pressing an SOS button?
Now, with the Almera’s latest technology, you can!
The New Nissan Almera now comes with NissanConnect Services*. It’s a new way to stay connected to your vehicle through your mobile phone, offering excitement and seamless connectivity that enables you to access some of its integrated features—a first in the market for subcompact sedans. A 3-year subscription to NissanConnect Services worth ₱30,000 is included with every purchase of the Almera VL variant.
NissanConnect Services allows you to start your car and even get the air-conditioning running with the Remote Engine Start/Stop feature, so it’s cool when you enter the cabin. Not sure if you locked your car? The Remote Lock/ Unlock feature lets you conveniently doublecheck through your phone. But if your car gets broken into, Theft Alert will notify you whenever it detects any forced entry. In case of a collision or when the airbags deploy, the Almera’s integrated emergency services can get you immediate assistance through features such as Automatic Collision Notification or SOS Emergency Call Button. The NissanConnect Services app also allows you to monitor your vehicle’s health and reminds you of maintenance appointments.
On top of those, the New Nissan Almera also comes with the best of Nissan Intelligent Mobility like the Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection, while adding new class-leading features such as Lane Departure Warning* and High Beam Assist* for a safer and more confident drive. Never run out of juice for your gadgets as it comes with a wireless charging pad** for added convenience.
With great technology, comes great style. The New Nissan Almera updates its look with newly designed front and rear fascias, a new 16” alloy wheel design, and black leather interiors with dark blue contrast stitching*. And to top it all off, it even comes with a Nissan 5-year warranty* to give you peace of mind and convenience.
Elevate your drive with the latest in cuttingedge tech, wrapped in a stylish exterior.
Experience a sedan that’s truly engineered for excitement: the New Nissan Almera. Know more about the Almera here: www. nissan.ph/almera
*For VL variant only.
** For VL and VE variants only.
A PETITION for relief from judgment is a legal remedy for a judgment that has attained finality.
As discussed in my most recent article, such a petition is one of the legal remedies available to an aggrieved party to question a final and executory judgment.
“A petition for relief from judgment is an equitable remedy… allowed only in exceptional cases. It is not available if other remedies exist, such as a motion for new trial or appeal” (Madarang v. Spouses Morales G.R. 199283, June 9, 2014). It may not also be filed if the latter remedies were not availed of, or the period to utilize them has expired due to the fault of the petitioner.
“The petition is the proper remedy of a party seeking to set aside a judgment rendered against him by a court whenever he was unjustly deprived of a hearing, was prevented from taking an appeal, or a judgment or final order entered because of fraud, accident, mistake or excusable negligence” (Lasam v. Philippine National Bank, et al., G.R. 207433, December 5, 2018).
To avail oneself of the petition for relief, the grounds provided in Rule 38 of the Rules of Civil Procedure must be present in the petition and must also be filed within the required periods.
These grounds are fraud, accident, mistake, or excusable negligence.
“To set aside a judgment through a petition for relief, the negligence must be so gross ‘that ordinary diligence and prudence could not have guarded against.’ This is to prevent parties from reviv[ing] the right to appeal [already] lost through inexcusable negligence”(G.R. 199283, June 9, 2014).
214593, July 17, 2019 citing Apex Mining, Inc. vs. Court of Appeals). In the case of Lasam v. Philippine National Bank, et al., “Lasam claimed she only learned of the finality of the February 23, 2010 Order after she consulted a different lawyer. She also averred that she was seriously deprived of her right to present her case due to the gross negligence and ignorance of her former counsel…” (G.R. 207433, December 05, 2018).
Lasam summarized the actions of her former lawyer as: (a) her failure to appear on the February 23, 2010 hearing of the case; (b) her failure to file the motion for reconsideration on time; and (c) her use of the wrong remedy by filing a second motion for reconsideration which led to the finality of the February 23, 2010 Order (G.R. 207433, December 05, 2018).
“The records reveal that Lasam’s knowledge of the… Order could be traced to at least two periods: on February 23, 2010, when the Court issued the subject Order and… Lasam was… in attendance; and on July 23, 2010, the date… [of] the Verification and Certification for the Petition for Certiorari filed with the CA [as signed by Lasam]”(G.R. 207433, December 05, 2018).
“[W]hile there was an attempt to argue the compliance with the 60-day period in the petition for relief, there was no effort to show that the six-month period – which is equally relevant for a petition for relief – was complied with. It may be that this was consciously adopted to conceal the fact that the petition for relief was also filed beyond the sixth month reglementary period”
But instead of bringing electricity costs down, Epira has failed to do so, more than two decades later, for one reason or another
But domestic consumers are also up in arms against what they consider as excessive electricity rates increasingly going beyond their reach, and therefore an unnecessary burden for those living in both urban and rural areas. What’s bothersome in all this is there’s already a law that seeks to bring electricity rates down.
Republic Act 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (Epira), was enacted to institute reforms in the industry.
The major reforms contemplated under the law included the restructuring of the entire power industry to introduce competition in the generation sector, a change from government to private ownership, and a stable regulatory
framework for the electricity sector.
But instead of bringing electricity costs down, Epira has failed to do so, more than two decades later, for one reason or another.
This has prompted a lawmaker, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, to urge the national government to implement immediate policy changes to reduce power costs.
One, the Energy Regulatory Commission or ERC should reduce the excessively high 15 percent weighted average cost of capital that she says has benefited Meralco and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) since 2015.
If this is done, there will certainly be a decrease in distribution and transmission charges, easing the burden on consumers.
Two, the ERC and the Department of Energy should investigate fraudulent contracts, power shortages and delayed transmission projects that directly affect consumers.
They should also correct and monitor power supply agreements between generation companies and distribution utilities.
And three, the government should reject the proposed imposition of a value-added tax on “already expensive” power rates as this would further burden families across the archipelago.
Two years ago, the legislators called for a probe of the alleged failure of government agencies to ensure the affordability of electricity rates in the country. Senate Resolution No. 746 wanted to determine the “deficiencies and failures” of the DOE and the ERC to bring down power rates in the country. Today, however, power rates still remain high, despite Epira, and its objectives of reliable and secure electricity supply likely to remain just that: a promise. Perhaps never to be fulfilled at all?
We’ll be more than glad, like other consumers, to be proven wrong.
In the case of Madarang and Bartolome v. Spouses Morales, “[p]etitioners argue that their former counsel’s failure to file a notice of appeal within the reglementary period was ‘a mistake and an excusable negligence due to [their former counsel’s] age.’ This argument stereotypes and demeans senior citizens… [and] asks this court to assume that a person with advanced age is prone to incompetence… [which] cannot be done” (G.R. 199283, June 9, 2014).
“Since petitioners filed their notice of appeal only on August 11, 2010 (or beyond the deadline of July 9, 2010), the trial court correctly denied the notice of appeal… There is… no showing that the negligence could have been prevented through ordinary diligence and prudence… [hence], petitioners are bound by their counsel’s negligence”(G.R. 199283, June 9, 2014).
“Jurisprudence provides that fraud, as a ground for a petition for relief, refers to extrinsic or collateral fraud which, in turn, has been defined as fraud that prevented the unsuccessful party from fully and fairly presenting his case or defense and from having an adversarial trial of the issue, as when the lawyer connives to defeat or corruptly sells out his client’s interest” (Santos v. Santos, G.R. 214593, July 17, 2019 citing Lasala v. National Food Authority).
“[I]n cases of gross and palpable negligence of counsel and of extrinsic fraud, the Court must step in and accord relief to a client who suffered thereby. [F]or the extrinsic fraud to justify a petition for relief from judgment, it must be fraud which the prevailing party caused to prevent the losing party from being heard on his action or defense… [the] fraud concerns not the judgment itself but the manner in which it was obtained” (G.R. 214593, July 17, 2019).
“If the incompetence, ignorance or inexperience of counsel is so great and the error committed as a result thereof is so serious that the client, who otherwise has a good cause, is prejudiced and denied his day in court, the litigation may be reopened to give the client another chance to present his case” (G.R.
(G.R. 207433, December 05, 2018).
“As pointed out by the PNB, the RTC’s February 23, 2010 Order was, in effect, entered on May 3, 2012, when this Court’s February 22, 2012 Resolution in G.R. No. 199846 was entered in the Book of Entries of Judgments…
[I]t is clear that Lasam failed to comply with the 60-day period… when she filed her petition for relief on January 22, 2013, or almost three years from the time she acquired knowledge of the order sought to be set aside” (G.R. 207433, December 05, 2018).
“Likewise, she failed to comply with the six-month period provided in the same Rule when she filed her petition for relief more than eight months from the date of entry of the order sought to be set aside… Since strict compliance with the relevant periods was not observed, the RTC correctly dismissed Lasam’s petition” (G.R. 207433, December 05, 2018).
A petition for relief from judgment must be “filed within 60 days after petitioner learns of the judgment, final order, or other proceeding to be set aside, and not more than six months after such judgment or final order was entered, or such proceeding was taken; and must be accompanied with affidavits, showing the fraud, accident, mistake or excusable negligence…”
(Section 3, Rule 38, Rules of Civil Procedure).
“It should be noted that the 60-day period from knowledge of the decision, and the 6-month period from entry of judgment, are both unextendible and uninterruptible… A petition… filed beyond the reglementary period [must be] dismissed outright… because [it]… is an exception to the public policy of immutability of final judgments” (G.R. 199283, June 9, 2014).
For example, if the petitioner “learns” of the final and executory judgment on July 15, 2023, he has 60 days from July 15, 2023 or until September 14, 2023 to file the petition for relief from judgment. However, the 60 days is within a bigger time period of six months from the entry of judgment.
In case a petition for relief is denied by the trial court and such a denial is questioned in the appellate court, the latter must “determine not only the existence of any of the grounds relied upon whether it be fraud, accident, mistake or excusable negligence, but also and primarily the merit of the petitioner’s cause of action or defense, as the case may be” (G.R. 214593, July 17, 2019).
“If the appellate court finds that one of the grounds exists and, what is of decisive importance, that the petitioner has a good cause of action or defense, it will reverse the denial or dismissal, set aside the judgment in the main case and remand the case to the lower court for a new trial in accordance with Section 7 of Rule 38” (G.R. 214593, July 17, 2019).
MAKE no mistake about it: The Department of Agrarian Reform will continue to work against the conversion of agricultural lands into other uses, such as subdivisions.
This assurance was given by DAR
Undersecretary Luis Pagulayan in a recent Saturday News Forum in Quezon City where he discussed the key features of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act.
According to USec Pagulayan, the department will monitor arable tracts of land in the country and keep them from being converted into other purposes than agriculture.
“We’re talking here of land that can be tapped for agricultural development. Arable land that can be planted to crops, we will guard against converting these to other uses,” he emphasized.
“The Department will continue the agrarian reform program which is mandated under the 1987 Constitution. Article 13 of Section 4 of the fundamental law says it is a policy of the State to make the landless farmer and landless regular farm worker owners of the land they till,” Pangulayan explained. The DAR official pointed out that under Republic Act 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), Congress will continue to allocate funds to agencies implementing agrarian reform.
Pagulayan said the main components of agrarian reform— agrarian justice delivery, land tenure improvement and provision of adequate support services to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs)—will continue even after the remaining hectares of land have been distributed to landless farmers.
He emphasized: “In my view, the agrarian reform program implementation will remain the same: to make landless farmers owners of the land, coupled with adequate support services and credit facilities…The agrarian reform program is closely tied to the goals of food sufficiency and food security, even national security. “We cannot separate them from one another, as they are interlinked. DAR seeks the economic empowerment of our farmers as this will boost agricultural productivity and rural development.”
Having worked as a writer for DA in the late 1990s to mid-2000s, we are familiar with the mandate of the agency and its significant role in the government’s food security and poverty reduction programs.
CARP puts the farmers, who make up the vast majority of the rural population, right at the center of development. Farmers should no longer be passive recipients of government help, but active participants in their own development. They should no longer be held in perpetual
bondage to the soil, but empowered to utilize the bounty of the land to improve their lives.
More than an instrument for social and economic emancipation, CARP is an indispensable tool to expand the limits of human freedom for the millions of Filipino farmers.
The agrarian reform program has three key objectives: equity, capability, and sustainability.
One, it establishes equity by democratizing control over the country’s lands, incomes and opportunities to a large section of the population and enabling them to directly participate in nation-building.
population, especially the poor and the underprivileged, to take responsibility for their own development
Two, it builds the capability of farmerbeneficiaries to manage reformed lands productively by giving them the support services they need.
And three, it promotes sustainability by incorporating the ecosystem and stakeholder approaches to land use and management.
Through CARP, government, working in close partnership with the business sector and civil society organizations, can transform rural society and economy into an integral and vital component of equitable and sustainable national development.
To meet the three key objectives of equity, capability and sustainability, the government closely integrates land tenure improvement with program beneficiaries development.
This means that farmers will not be left to their own devices after they get land they can truly call their own. The basic approach is to help them manage the land so it becomes more productive.
The first step, however, is land distribution. Government has yet to complete land
Everybody was urged to stay home. By dusk, streets everywhere were desolate.
It seemed like everyone had to be indoors for fear of a vampire roaming at nightfall.
While the local and world news on COVID-19 was very bleak for the last nine months of 2020, regular television news updates kept the people from panicking.
distribution.
To avail oneself of the petition for relief, the grounds provided in Rule 38 of the Rules of Civil Procedure must be present in the petition and must also be filed within the required periods MORE
Here, there is the need on the part of government to exercise political will. But it also calls for cooperation by landowners.
A change in attitude—on the part of government, landowners, and the farmers themselves—will facilitate consensus and common action that will lead to social change for the benefit of all.
The other key step is maximizing the productivity of farmers and reformed lands through targeted support services and the promotion of private investments in the agricultural sector. By integrating support services to the land transfer process, government builds the farmers’ capacity at claim-making, the first step in the empowerment process. Equally important, the integration of land distribution and provision of support services will ensure that land is transferred together with the means that will make its new owners productive and competitive in a globalized economy.
At its core, combining redistributive reforms and capacity-building will enable the rural population, especially the poor and the underprivileged, to take responsibility for their own development.
(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)
(www.manilastandard.net)
According to Herbosa, Filipinos who have not been afflicted by COVID-19 will just have to avoid contracting the virus by staying safe at home, by avoiding needless trips outdoors, and by religiously following safety protocols such as hand-washing, the wearing of face-masks, and the observance of social distancing.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. recently announced he lifted the nation’s state of emergency regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
That means the pandemic is now manageable by the State.
Because there may still be some sporadic instances of the health menace anywhere in the country, the President retained the contingency measures on the distribution of the corona virus vaccines remaining in the country.
The announcement is welcome news, indeed.
I believe that nobody of sound mind and body today will forget the dangerous, uncertain and pessimistic months beginning in March 2020, when the entire world stood still, at a time when the anti-COVID-19 vaccines were still in the experimental laboratories of international pharmaceutical companies.
Food supplies were rationed, transportation was restricted, and many industries were forced to temporarily shut down.
A countless many lost their jobs due to the closure, in part or in full, of many businesses. Schools had to make do with substitute online classes.
It was the good fortune of the nation we had President Rodrigo Duterte leading the country during those dreadful times.
A no-nonsense president, Duterte enforced strict measures to contain the spread of the virus, and ordered the restructuring of health facilities and the optimum deployment of health workers.
With no historical precedent to guide him, and the entire world deeply in crisis, President Duterte had to use his practical wisdom and even his gut-feel to keep the Filipino people safe and the country intact.
Inevitably, the measures he took were very strict, due to the extra-ordinarily dangerous times.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a period comparable somehow to the difficult, harsh times of World War II in the Philippines, with the only difference that unlike during the war when the enemy was obvious, the corona virus villain is invisible.
Only the communists and their allies in the Liberal Party had the audacity to criticize President Duterte’s measures to address the COVID-19 menace.
One shining moment for Herbosa came in the third quarter of 2020 when he pointed out to the television audience that more COVID-19 patients were recovering
In the end, President Duterte’s strong leadership and long-range planning saved countless Filipinos from the virus which, for almost two years, had no reliable and safe vaccine against it. He also proved the communists and the Liberal Party were wrong. During those dreadful times, television kept the Filipino people updated on the news concerning COVID-19.
One person really stood out in those television announcements: Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, the former Health Undersecretary of a previous dispensation who was designated by the Duterte administration to form part of a team to manage and address concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Herbosa always told the television audience the truth about the pandemic, particularly the constant, rising number of daily deaths brought about by the virus, he made repeated assurances to the television audience the situation was not hopeless.
For instance, Herbosa pointed out early in the pandemic that there have been a number of COVID-19 cases where the patient eventually recovered despite the odds.
Herbosa stressed that although the number of those who recoverd from the corona virus remained low, the situation was far from being hopeless.
Herbosa also pointed out to the television audience that like any fast-spreading deadly disease, a plateau in the death statistics will eventually take place, and the discouraging statistical trend is bound to gradually decrease.
Herbosa likewise repeatedly assured the television audience the scientific community was rushing to develop an anti-COVID-19 vaccine, or at least one that could deter the chances of a healthy person contracting the corona virus.
One shining moment for Herbosa came in the third quarter of 2020 when he pointed out to the television audience that more COVID-19 patients were recovering.
That reassuring news kept the hopes of many Filipinos intact, long enough until the time the vaccines came.
In short, while President Duterte saved the Filipinos from the physical effects of COVID-19, Herbosa was the government official who almost single-handedly saved the sanity of the people.
The recent appointment of Herbosa as the Health Secretary is welcome news to everyone aware of Herbosa’s valiant role in fighting the COVID-19 menace, and his competence as a physician and as a health official. I trust that for the foregoing reasons, the Commission on Appointments will confirm him as health secretary.
FOREIGN investors often bewail high electricity costs in the Philippines as one of the main reasons that compel them to put their precious money elsewhere rather than here.
THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Thursday enumerated projects that could be implemented through the use of funding programs for local government units (LGUs).
The DBM said these funding programs include the Local Government Support Fund-Financial Assistance (LGSF-FA) to LGUs and Support for Capital Outlays and Social Programs.
In a statement, the DBM said the eligible projects that can be funded under the LGSF-FA to LGUs in the 2023 national budget include agriculture-related programs, projects, and activities.
LGUs, the DBM said, may also pursue projects for the digitalization of business processes; implementation of PPAs for disaster response; rehabilitation and recovery, including procurement or acquisition of disaster equipment and vehicles; and social programs such as Assistance to Indigent Individuals or Families.
The department reminded LGUs of the digital submission of requests for LGSF to streamline the processing of financial assistance for the implementation of their priority programs and projects.
“The initiative is in line with the government’s commitment to deliver efficient, transparent and accountable public service,” the DBM said.
The department said an LGU User Registration Form, accomplished by the local chief executive, should be notarized and submitted by the LGU to its nearest DBM regional office for verification.
It said LGUs with verified and registered accounts may access the Digital Requests Submission for Local Government Support Fund (DRSL) found in the DBM Apps Portal.
“All digital requests of LGUs shall be subject to evaluation by the DBM based on necessity, just and equitable distribution among LGUs, and/or fund availability,” the agency said.
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on March 8 issued Local Budget Circular 150, setting guidelines for the release and utilization of the LGSF-FA to LGUs.
Pursuant to the special provision of LGSF under the 2023 General Appropriations Act, around PHP1,925,500,000 will be used for financial assistance to LGUs and some PHP7,236,336,000 will be tapped in support for capital outlays and social programs of the local governments.
By Macon Ramos-Araneta
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the World Bank report citing that 9 out 10 Filipino children aged 10 cannot read or understand a story is “alarming.”
Gatchalian said the lack of face-to-face classes has been linked to learning loss, with the World Bank estimating learning poverty in the country at 90.9% as of June 2022.
The World Bank also projected a decline in Learning-Adjusted Years of Schooling (LAYS) from 7.5 years to 5.7 - 6.1 years, which means that 12 years of basic education would only be equivalent to around 6 years because of the pandemic’s impact.
Due to this, Gatchalian urged the enactment of the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program which he filed and sponsored.
He said the proposal will be crucial in accelerating “learning recovery,” a top priority of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s education agenda.
In his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Marcos expressed renewed hope in providing the best education to the country’s students, especially the 28.4 million learners who returned to school.
THE Sandiganbayan wants the camp of former Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chief Zenaida Ducut to explain why the pork barrel charges against her should not be reinstated after she fails to provide the anti-graft court with the necessary documents supporting her claim that she has dementia.
The Sandiganbayan Seventh Division, in a resolution dated July 25, 2023 said Ducut failed to comply with its order in July 2022 asking her to submit supporting documents from her mental examination report showing she continues to suffer from dementia.
“The two-page NCMH (National Center for Mental Health) report submitted by accused Ducut merely stated that Ducut was ‘seen and examined’ last 8 February 2023. It was not accompanied by copies of the results of medical tests supporting the report/conclusion,” the Sandiganbayan said.
“Moreover, the medical report only stated that this evaluation was ‘based on the history, mental status examinations, observations and psychological test.’ Considering that the evaluation is supposed to be on a yearly basis [as ordered by the court], it fails to specify what tests were conducted this year to support the indicated assessment and remarks,” it added.
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is set to launch its e-visa system in seven foreign service posts in China starting August 24.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jesus Domingo said the move was in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directives to facilitate ease in doing business in the Philippines and revitalize the country’s tourism sector.
“The e-visa system is part of the DFA’s strategic goal of optimizing ICT (information and communications technology) for its consular services and is in line with the President’s emphasis to embrace digitalization in the government’s transaction in his State of the Nation Address last Monday,” Domingo said.
“The issuance of e-visas is also aimed at supporting the thrust of the Department of Tourism, led by Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco in augmenting tourism arrivals,” Domingo added.
The e-visa concept arose from a memorandum of understanding between the DFA and the Department of Information
Communications Technology.
Starting August 24, Chinese nationals planning to come to the Philippines may either visit the website visa.e.gov.ph or download an app. They will be required to create an account before proceeding with the e-visa application.
Applicants will have to provide personal and travel details, answer security questions and upload required documents. They can also choose between single entry and multiple entry visas for tourism, business, or other purposes.
Once all information have been supplied, the applicant will be asked to pay $25 for single entry visas and $60 for multiple entry visas.
The DFA clarified however that the rates were still under review. Once the fee is paid, the application is considered officially lodged. A visa officer will assess whether there is a need for additional documents or even a face-to-face interview. Once approved, applicants will receive their evisa via email.
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) is poised to launch its own investigation into the alleged massive smuggling of onions into the country where consumers suffered extremely high prices of the spice last year.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) vowed to bolster proactive measures to combat agricultural smuggling. In a related development, a legislator appealed for the immediate passage of a bill declaring “large-scale” agricultural smuggling, hoarding, cartelization and profiteering, and other acts of market abuse as economic sabotage. The DOJ said it will summon officials
of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to present documents on onion importations for the past decade for its formal investigation into the onion smuggling controversy.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the investigation on onion smuggling as ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will start next week.
Remulla said on orders of the President,
SENATOR Francis Escudero on Thursday warned that if tax measures will be a burden to the people, they will face rough sailing despite in the chamber despite backing by President Ferdinand Marcos.
“Approval of President Marcos’ tax proposals will not be a “slam dunk” in the Senate, and may even be blocked, if they will cause misery to an already overtaxed people,” Escudero said.
He added however, that he was open to proposals and study the merits of the tax measures in deference to the President.
He gave assurance that the Senate is a free market for ideas, and every idea must be given its day.
He also admonished that if the administration team that would be selling the tax proposals “is the same crew that did a poor job in explaining the Maharlika Investment Fund,” the Malacañang-certified revenue measures might be doomed.
“At this time, selling taxes to Filipinos is like asking an Eskimo to buy a freezer,” he pointed out.
According to Esudero, the Philippines “has become an e-commerce republic.”
Because of this, vigorous opposition is expected when the government starts taxing consumer goods.
The senator was referring to a Palacebacked bill aiming to impose taxes on online purchases.
He also predicted that the proposal to raise motor vehicle registration fees would likewise face stiff opposition since car owners are already being taxed twice because of the VAT and excise tax on gas purchases.
He also cited the difficulties motorists suffer due to the government’s failure to fix damaged public roads.
He said the Marcos administration will be putting “its huge political capital on the line” in pushing these measures in the time of “high prices and low wages.
the DOJ created the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Task Force along with a special team of prosecutors primarily focused on protecting the entire agricultural sector, not only the onion industry.
Included as members of the task force were the Office of the Prosecutor General (OPG) headed by Chief State Prosecutor Richard Fadullon and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) headed by Director Medardo De Lemos.
“We have formed a group that will focus on this problem and the fact-finding is being done right,” Remulla said in an interview with CNN Philippines.
“But the formal fact-finding starts next week where we will summon the BPI together with all the documents on importation for the past decade,” he said.
The task force will determine the timeline and trace where every importation permit, Remulla said.
“We have identified the personalities.
We will file the cases in due time,” he said.
He also disclosed that the task force will investigate “as many as 20 people” in the onion smuggling, although there were only four identified main players.
“They control 80 percent of the onion supply that’s why the price can be manipulated by them whenever they wish,” Remulla noted.
He added that the so-called “onion queen” controlled 55 to 65 percent of the supply.
“But she has contacts in the entire country so they can control the price,” the secretary said.
In a statement, the BOC gave assur-
THE House committee on public accounts on Wednesday issued a subpoena to Mexico, Pampanga Mayor Teddy Tumang who skipped the previous hearing on alleged procurement irregularities in his municipality dating back to 2007.
Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel, assistant minority leader of the Commission on Appointments (CA), moved to subpoena Tumang who was di-
PRETTY AS THEY COME.
Laguna Rep.
Ann Matibag and husband
Melvin Matibag strike a pretty pose on the red carpet with their sampaguitainspired attire designed by Lumbanbased designer Frederick Berches.
rected to appear in the next hearing.
Committee chairman, ABANG LING-
KOD Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano of the ABANG LINGKOD party-list approved Pimentel’s motion to subpoena Tumang who sent a lawyer to attend the past hearing on his behalf.
“We need Mayor Tumang to be physically present. As I’ve said, he’s not around, he waived his right,” Paduano said. He subsequently told the lawyer to submit
Tumang’s explanation for his absence.
During his interpellation, Pimentel expressed frustration over the mayor’s absence since no other invited resource person could have been able to answer his questions.
“Mr. Chair, my questions will be directed to Mayor Tumang because the subject matter of the this audit report which is about two inches thick is Mayor Tumang himself. Because he signed
the P149 million supposedly anomalous transactions by himself,” Pimentel said.
“So we need Mayor Tumang himself to answer this.
We need the principal resource person because there have been several hundred vouchers signed by Mayor Tumang,” Pimentel, added. He warned Tumang’s legal counsel about the possible consequences on his client’s actions.
INSPIRED by the first-year achievements of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., San Pedro City in Laguna has been one of the progressive cities in the Philippines focusing on providing basic livelihood projects like the sampaguita industry since last year to uplift the lives of its people, Laguna Rep. Ann Matibag said.
In a statement, Matibag said San Pedro has achieved considerable success in using indigenous products for its livelihood projects. These include sampaguita growing as its main industry, mushroom growers, nutribun making, soap making, and duck growing, salted egg and balut industry, among others.
Matibag started these projects last year to give her people “more jobs and business opportunities aside from their medical missions, infrastructure projects, financial and medical assistance, and scholarship programs.”
“I observed that President Marcos is oriented
towards agriculture development, not to mention the provision of housing, health, and educational programs, among others,” Matibag said. “Programs focused on raising the quality of life of the people are what I continuously push for the people of San Pedro.”
Matibag promoted San Pedro’s indigenous sampaguita industry during Monday’s State of the Nation Address by the President.
San Pedro has been engaged in sampaguita propagation since the 1980s, the essence of which is used to make soaps, perfumes, cosmetics, and deodorants, among others, like herbal medicines.
Commenting on President Marcos’ SONA about agricultural production and development, Matibag said the direction of the Marcos administration in the sector would definitely give life to San Pedro again as the country’s sampaguita capital.
ance to maintain close coordination with other government agencies to curb agricultural smuggling, considered a form of economic sabotage.
“We will enhance both pre-arrival and post-arrival technical targeting and fraud detection mechanisms for imported goods. Investing in additional equipment and providing capacity building for our personnel that will further strengthen our intelligence and enforcement capabilities,” the BOC statement read.
Included in the bureau’s proactive measures is its commitment to support prosecution to run after the smugglers.
“Through DOJ, we will strive to increase the conviction rate against smugglers, serving as a deterrent to others involved in such illicit activities,” it added.
Agents seize P5.9-m shabu in Pasay City
GOVERNMENT agents assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have seized two shipments of shabu worth more than P5.9 million at a cargo warehouse in Pasay City.
A composite team from the Bureau of Customs, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the NAIA InterAgency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG) confiscated the contraband at the DHL Express Cargo Warehouse.
Based on import and export documents, the shipment bound to Australia and the other came from the United States were falsely declared as eyelash set, hair dryer, hairbrush, and bread toaster.
But Customs agents, with assistance from the DHL Assessment and Export Division Units, placed the shipments under X-ray screening and physical examination, resulting in the discovery of 878 grams of shabu.
Joel E. ZurbanoTWO college students accused in the hazing death of Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig have pleaded not guilty before a Biñan court.
The prosecutors said Armando Hernandez Jr. alias Tyler and Lester Sus alias Biggie pleaded not guilty before the Biñan Regional Trial Court Branch 155 for violation of the Anti-Hazing Law.
The case stemmed from the complaint filed by Earl Justine Abuda and Alexander Marcelo or who claimed they were with Salilig during the initiation rites, as well as the complaint filed by Salilig’s brother, John Michael, and neophyte Roi Dela Cruz. Abuda and Marcelo’s complaint was filed against 17 respondents, while Dela Cruz and John Michael’s complaint cited 11 individuals along with a certain “McGregor.”
THE Quezon City government has launched a new program designed to encourage students to go into business. Dubbed StartUp QC Business Plan Competition, the scheme aims to bolster the youth’s entrepreneurial spirit.
“Through the Startup QC Business Plan Competition, our aim is to foster an innovative culture among our youth, enable them to broaden their perspectives, and open up opportunities for them to reach their full potential. I am confident that our QC students of today will become the future business leaders and technopreneurs of tomorrow,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said. The program is open to all students of legal age residing in the city, who are enrolled at any school, college, or university in the Philippines. Rio N. Araja
UNITED NATIONS, United States – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “strongly condemns the unconstitutional change in government” in Niger, his spokesman said Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) after an apparent coup in the West African nation.
Guterres is “deeply disturbed” by the detention of President Mohamed Bazoum by members of the Presidential Guard, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
“The Secretary-General calls for an immediate end to all actions undermining democratic principles in Niger,” Dujarric added.
Meanwhile, in Wellington, New Zea-
US says New Zealand welcome WELLINGTON, New Zealand—US
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that New Zealand would be welcome to engage in the AUKUS alliance, a landmark pact aimed at counterbalancing China’s rise in the Pacific.
“The door’s very much open for New Zealand and other partners to engage as they see appropriate going forward,” Blinken said as he visited Wellington, a trip aimed at shoring-up Washington’s alliances in the contested Pacific region.
AUKUS is a pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States that includes ambitious plans to supply Canberra with nuclear-powered submarines.
New Zealand has been treading carefully around involvement, hoping to avoid angering its largest trading partner Beijing.
China vehemently opposes the pact, saying it ignores “the concerns of the international community” and plunges the region “further down the path of error and danger.”
But Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Wednesday he was “open to conversations” about limited participation.
New Zealand has ruled out any involvement in nuclear-related projects, socalled “pillar one” of the AUKUS deal.
Nuclear submarines are banned from entering New Zealand’s waters under a widely popular anti-nuclear policy adopted in the mid-1980s. AFP
TOKYO—A Japanese mayor has apologized after a public outcry over a flyer issued to pregnant women advising them on what most irritated husbands after their wives became mothers, an official said Thursday.
The flyer included a section titled “Advice from fathers to you”, which included answers to a survey of new fathers conducted five years ago in the city of Onomichi in western Hiroshima prefecture.
Officials have been sharing the responses with expectant women ever since, apparently thinking it would be helpful to know what new fathers liked and disliked about their wives’ behaviour after giving birth.
Some men said they were annoyed when their wives became “irritated for unknown reasons” or could “not do housekeeping work” because they were too busy taking care of the baby.
Japanese women have long struggled against deeply entrenched gender stereotypes, and there was a furious reaction when the document was shared on social media this week.
That prompted Onomichi Mayor Yuko Hiratani to publish an apology on Tuesday and retracted the flyer, city official Akira Takahashi told AFP on Thursday.
“The document is against the feelings of people who are raising children including pregnant women and mothers with newborn babies, offending many people,” the mayor said in a statement. AFP
land, visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for the “immediate release” of Niger’s leader Mohamed Bazoum on Thursday, as soldiers surrounded the presidential palace in Niamey and claimed to have taken power.
“I spoke with President Bazoum earlier this morning and made clear that the United States resolutely supports him as the democratically elected president of
Niger. We call for his immediate release,”
Blinken said on a visit to New Zealand.
“We condemn any efforts to seize power by force. We’re actively engaged with the Niger government, but also with partners in the region and around the world, and will continue to do so until the situation is resolved appropriately and peacefully.”
Blinken refused to be drawn on whether the military revolt was a coup, a designation that could forestall US cooperation with Nigerian authorities, including on counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism.
“Whether this constitutes a coup technically or not I can’t say, that’s for the lawyers to say. But what it clearly constitutes is an effort to seize power by force
and to disrupt the constitution,” he said.
Blinken added that the United States was warning citizens in Niger “limit any unnecessary movements”.
Earlier, Blinken warned soldiers who claimed to have overthrown the Niger government that US economic aid to the country was contingent on “democratic governance.” Disgruntled members of the elite Presidential Guard sealed off access to the president’s residence earlier and claimed to have “put an end to the regime.”
In Niamey, Niger, the soldiers said “all institutions” in the country would be suspended, borders were closed and a curfew imposed “until further notice” from 10 pm to 5 am.
“We, the defense and security forces...
SEOUL—South and North Korea remain technically at war 70 years after fighting ended on July 27, 1953, with the signing of an armistice deal that turned into the world’s longest ceasefire.
The conflict, which broke out on June 25, 1950, killed millions of people— mostly civilians—and left the peninsula divided, with the two Koreas still at loggerheads many decades later.
AFP takes a look at what we know:
Two Koreas
The United States and the former Soviet Union agreed to divide the Korean peninsula between them in the days after Japan’s 1945 surrender ended the Second World War and To-
kyo’s rule over the territory, which it had colonized in 1910.
In the South’s capital Seoul, the Harvard- and Princeton-educated Syngman Rhee led a US-oriented administration.
Moscow appointed Kim Il Sung, who had led a Korean contingent in the Soviet army, as head of the North. His son and grandson have since retained an absolute grip on power in Pyongyang. Both the communist North and the capitalist South claimed to be the legitimate government of the entire peninsula and, in theory, still claim so to this day. Invasion and counter-attack
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan— A Norwegian woman and her Nepali guide set the record Thursday for the fastest summit of all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter mountains, their team said in a statement.
Kristin Harila and Tenjin Sherpa -known as Lama -- completed the feat in three months and one day after summiting Pakistan’s K2, the last peak on their quest.
The record reflects “their unwavering determination, teamwork, and sheer tenacity throughout this monumental endeavour”, the team statement said.
“Harila and Lama’s collaboration has showcased the essence of mountaineering unity, transcending borders and cultures to achieve greatness together.”
The pair surpassed Nepal-born British adventurer Nirmal Purja’s record of six months and six days, set in 2019. Purja is currently attempting to set
the record for the fastest ascent of all 14 peaks without supplemental oxygen.
In her race to set the record, Harila had to summit 12 of the mountains twice, including K2, after delays in securing visas from China to climb Shishapangma—wholly in Tibet—and Cho Oyu, normally climbed from the Chinese side.
More than 40 people have summited the world’s top 14 peaks, only a few of them women.
Last year, despite her proven climbing prowess, 37-year-old Harila struggled to secure sponsors, forcing her to sell her apartment to fund her quest.
“I think to do this project if I was a man would be much easier,” she told AFP in an interview in May.
“It is just different to be a woman in the world, not just with the sponsorships.” Harila is a native of Vadso, on the
Barents Sea in Norway’s northernmost reaches, where the highest point is just 633 meters.
She did not take to climbing from an early age, dedicating herself to football, handball and cross-country skiing.
It was only in 2015 when she won a trip to Kilimanjaro in Tanzania from her employers—a chain of furniture shops—that she discovered her passion.
Lama, who has been a guide since the age of 16, was Kristin’s companion throughout her record-breaking journey.
“Lama’s invaluable expertise and profound connection with the mountains have been integral to their success in navigating treacherous terrains and facing harsh weather conditions,” the team’s statement said.
Pakistan is home to five of the world’s 14 “super peaks,” and climbing them all is considered the ultimate achievement of any mountaineer. AFP
have decided to put an end to the regime” of President Bazoum, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane said in a televised address late Wednesday.
“This follows the continued deterioration of the security situation, poor economic and social governance,” he added, surrounded by nine other uniformed soldiers.
Regional and global leaders have called for the release of Bazoum, who entered office two years ago in Niger’s first peaceful transition of power since independence from France in 1960.
The president of neighboring Benin, Patrice Talon, will head to Niamey for mediation efforts, the head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said. AFP
SEOUL—Walking past huge intercontinental ballistic missiles and previously unseen military drones, Kim Jong Un gave Russia’s defense minister a tour of North Korea’s newest and most advanced weaponry Thursday, state media reported.
After Washington earlier this year accused Pyongyang of supplying Moscow with weapons for its war in Ukraine, photographs in state media showed Kim walking Moscow’s Sergei Shoigu through a vast defence exhibition showcasing the North’s nuclear missiles and what Seoul-based specialist site NK News said were new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The North invaded the South on June 25, 1950, as Kim Il Sung attempted to reunify Korea by force.
The UN Security Council authorised armed intervention in support of the South; Moscow did not veto the resolution because it was boycotting the body at the time.
The South’s forces crumbled before the Northern advance and Pyongyang’s army seized Seoul just three days after crossing the 38th parallel.
Multinational UN forces, led by the United States, arrived in the South to help but they were pushed back to the Pusan Perimeter, a pocket on the peninsula’s southeastern tip around the city now known as Busan. AFP
Manila Standard TODAY
VOLOS, Greece—Greek fire crews on Thursday scrambled to put out wildfires raging for two weeks around the country that left five dead before strong winds forecast for the day rekindle blazes.
Hundreds of firefighters backed by European Union reinforcements were struggling to contain the flames on the islands of Rhodes, Corfu and Evia, in addition to a new front that erupted Wednesday in central Greece.
Early Thursday, another fire broke out near homes in the leafy Athens suburb of Kifissia but was swiftly extinguished.
Officials have said more than 600 wildfires have broken out around the country since July 13.
The civil protection ministry has warned of an extreme danger of fire in over a dozen Greek regions on Thursday.
Tens of thousands of residents and tourists at the height of the busy travel season have been evacuated, including 20,000 people on Rhodes.
A dangerous fire broke out Wednesday near the industrial zone of the central city of Volos, leaving two dead.
An elderly disabled woman was found dead inside her burned camper van in a coastal area near Volos and a cattle farmer was killed while trying to rescue his livestock. AFP
Shoigu and a high-ranking Chinese delegation are in Pyongyang as Kim’s first known foreign guests since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the country marks the 70th anniversary of the signing of the July 27, 1953, Korean War armistice, which ended open hostilities and is celebrated as Victory Day.
Kim and Shoigu visited the “Weapons and Equipment Exhibition 2023”, the official Korean Central News Agency said, showing photos that featured North Korea’s largest intercontinental ballistic missiles, the Hwasong-17, and the Hwasong-18 solid-fuel ICBM.
Russia, a historic ally of North Korea, is one of a handful of nations with which Pyongyang maintains friendly relations. Kim and Shoigu had earlier discussed “matters of mutual concern in the field of national defence and security and on the regional and international security environment,” KCNA said.
The North Korean leader has been steadfast in his support for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, including, Washington says, supplying rockets and missiles -- a charge Pyongyang has angrily denied.
During the visit, Kim told Shoigu “about the weapons and equipment which were invented and produced” under North Korea’s national defence plan and “repeatedly expressed belief that the Russian army and people would achieve big successes”, KCNA added. AFP
Notice is hereby served to the public that MR. WU HYUNG LEE died on January 6, 2023. This publication is in compliance with the requirement of the Philippine Retirement Authority for SRRV cancellation, subrogation and withdrawal of visa deposit.
(MS-JULY 28, 2023)
THE Contact Center Association of the Philippines expressed confidence the information technologybusiness process management sector would break investment, employment and output records in line with the 2028 industry roadmap despite the challenge posed by artificial intelligence on local jobs.
CCAP managing director Rosario Cajucom-Bradbury said the contact center industry was expected to account for additional 2.3 million of the 2.5 million employment target of the entire ITBPM industry by 2028.
“We are confident that the target employment figure will be achieved
even with the emergence of generative AI [artificial intelligence],” CajucomBradbury said at the CCAP Contact Islands 2023 in Cebu City.
“Contrary to common assumptions, our group believes that the new technology will bolster the sector’s productivity instead of threaten jobs. Generative
AI can enhance the strengths of our Filipino agents who can then focus on active listening and become more empathetic and engaging when rendering service to our customers,” she said. She said Filipino agents were continuously being upskilled to equip them with the right knowledge and skills amid the evolving nature of jobs across the sector and the industry.
CCAP, however, underscored challenges in operating under the new normal. In 2022, the Department of Trade and Industry allowed the transfer of registration of industry firms from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority to the Board of Investments to allow 100-percent work-from-home arrangements.
15% to P856m in Q2
WILCON Depot Inc., a leading home improvement and finishing construction supplies retailer, said Thursday second-quarter net income fell 15 percent to P856 million from P1 billion in the same period last year on lower foot traffic and transaction count.
“The hybrid business model is becoming popular within the IT-BPM industry. But it is a constantly changing setup. At the end of the day, the working setup will still depend on clientele preferences. Some clients are fine with the work-from-home setup of agents, while others require working at the office to ensure confidentiality and data privacy. There’s room for flexibility,” she said.
Another issue the sector is facing is the wage increase, which some analysts see as a pending threat to the industry’s cost-effective advantage. The group said labor cost is one of the many factors that clients look at when signing up for contact center or BPO services across the globe.
Wilcon said in a disclosure to the stock exchange second-quarter net sales inched up by 4 percent to P8.62 billion, thanks to the contribution of newly-opened stores.
Wilcon president and chief executive Lorraine Belo-Cincochan said the slower growth in the second quarter was mainly due to the decline in foot traffic in old stores and the slowdown in private construction in April.
Belo-Cincochan said the company was coming from a high base, as there was pent-up demand in the same period last year.
“Historically, months with longer holiday stretches were periods with relatively lower sales since construction projects are usually also paused to save on labor cost or homeowners go on holiday themselves. While our sales still grew modestly in the second quarter, this was not enough to cover the increases in our fixed costs, which comprises the bulk of our opex.” she said. Jenniffer B. Austria
MCDONALD’S EMPLOYMENT. McDonald’s Philippines, majority owned and operated by Golden Arches Development Corp., renews its commitment to generating employment for Filipino students through its partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment. Attending the signing of a memorandum of agreement for the collaborative implementation of the Special Program for the Employment of Students on July 14, 2023 are (from left) DOLE assistant secretary Paul Vincent Añover, Undersecretary Carmela Torres, Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, McDonald’s Philippines president and chief executive Kenneth Yang, managing director Margot Torres, and vice president for human capital group Ben Marasigan.
FOREIGN portfolio investments posted net inflows of $1.23 million in June, a reversal of the $342-million net outflows a year ago, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Thursday.
This was the first net inflows recorded following four consecutive months of net outflows, the BSP said. The $889-million gross inflows in June narrowly surpassed the gross outflows of $888 million.
Portfolio investments are also called “hot money” because of the ease they are invested in and taken out of domes-
tic financial markets.
Data from the BSP showed registered investments in June went up by $45 million or 5.3 percent from $845 million in May.
Most registered investments ($700 million or 78.7 percent) were in Philippine Stock Exchange-listed securities mainly in property, banks, holding firms, food, beverage and tobacco and telecommunications. The rest went to peso government securities ($190 million or 21.3 percent) and in other instruments (less than 1 percent).
Switzerland with combined share to total of 84.2 percent.
The BSP said despite June’s positive performance, foreign portfolio investments in the first six months yielded net outflows of $803.33 million, a reversal of the $778.28-million net inflows a year earlier.
Registration of inward foreign investments delegated to authorized agent banks by the BSP is optional under the rules on foreign exchange transactions.
exchange corporations for repatriation of capital and remittance of earnings that accrue on the registered investment.
The BSP said without such registration, the foreign investor can still repatriate capital and remit earnings on its investment, but the foreign exchange will have to be sourced outside the banking system.
DOTr eyes
2,400 km of bike lanes by 2028
THE Department of Transportation said Thursday it will increase the country’s protected bike lane network to 2,400 kilometers by 2028 under its Bike Lane Master Plan. Transportation assistant secretary for road transport and infrastructure James Andres Melad said the Bike Lane Master Plan aims to establish active transport infrastructure to promote sustainable modes of transportation in key cities.
The agency turned over the master plan to the Department of Interior and Local Government and local government units.
“This master plan represents months of tireless collaboration and careful planning. It is a testament to our shared commitment to create an environment where people can move freely, safely and sustainably,” Melad said.
He said the bike lane blueprint envisions a healthier and sustainable transportation for the benefit of various sectors of the society.
“This plan envisions a comprehensive network of interconnected bike lanes that will traverse our bustling streets, connecting neighborhoods, schools, businesses and recreational areas,” he said. Darwin G. Amojelar
THE Department of Energy underscored the need to implement the 60-day completion of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines’ system impact study providers to fast track the development of power generation projects.
“That’s why the ES [Executive Secretary] as chair has scheduled for the next meeting of the EVOSS [Energy Virtual One Stop Shop] steering committee to deal with this issue on the system impact study,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said.
“The executive secretary is chairing this one so by the next meeting, we will be looking at how the transmission concessionaire, NGCP is going to specify the 60-day requirement for approval of just the SIS,” Lotilla said.
Lotilla said there were complaints of 1.5 to two-year delays in the SIS.
Power generation companies apply with the DOE for clearance to undertake SIS to determine their project’s impact on the grid. Once endorsed by the DOE, the NGCP and the SIS provider undertake the study to determine the impact of the power projects to the grid.
“These are the things that we want to be able to address, so that RE developers will be able to focus on the roll-out of their projects,” Lotilla said. Alena Mae S. Flores
The top five investor countries in June were the United Kingdom, the United States, Luxembourg, Singapore, and
Foreign portfolio investments posted net inflows of $887 million in 2022, a reversal of the $574-million net outflows in 2021, as fund managers remained confident in the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals despite uncertainties on the external front.
THE Department of Trade and Industry said Thursday it will review and approve 12 strategic projects with combined capital of P183 billion under Executive Order No. 18 or the Green Lane for Strategic Investments.
It said the EO is meant to expedite,
It is required only if the investor or its representative will purchase foreign exchange from authorized agent banks and/or their subsidiary/affiliate foreign
streamline and automate government approval and registration processes for priority investments aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2023 to 2028.
The DTI’s One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments said the projects
form part of the P230 billion announced by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his 2023 State of the Nation Address. DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the renewable energy, digital infrastructure, manufacturing and electricity projects were expected to open up 19,250
By Alena Mae S. FloresAMENDED SALARIES. The Governance Commission for GOCCs led by chairperson Justice Alex De Quiros (center) and commissioners Gideon Mortel (third from left) and Geraldine Berberabe-Martinez (sixth from left), approves the amended salary structure of the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. under the Compensation and Position Classification System. The amended salary scheme will retroactively take effect from the initial implementation of CPCS in October 2021. NHMFC is the government’s sole secondary mortgage institution under the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.
jobs for Filipinos.
Among the projects lined up for approval are SunAsia Energy Inc.’s P66-billion, 1,300-megawatt floating solar project in Laguna de Bay; NK Solar One Inc.’s P15-billion, 250MW floating solar project in Caliraya, Laguna; PhilTower Consortium Inc.’s P52-billion, 7,907 Built-toSuit Common Towers; and Narra Technology Development Park’s P50 billion Hyperscale Data Center in New Clark City, Tarlac.
Additional projects worth P78.5 billion are also under assessment by the Board of Investments. These include five floating solar projects, a microhydro electric plant, a reinforcing steel bars producer and a section mill project.
SunAsia Energy, the first project to receive a certificate of endorsement from the DTI, is a pioneer solar energy company. It will set up floating solar panels on Laguna Lake to produce 1.3 gigawatts with investments reaching $1.7 billion. Othel V. Campos
CONCEPCION Industrial Corp., a local air-conditioning and refrigeration appliance manufacturer, said Thursday net income attributable to parent firm grew 92.3 percent in the first half to P216.4 million from the same period last year.
First-half revenues climbed 8 percent year-on-year to P7.2 billion, the company said in a stock exchange filing.
CIC attributed the strong first-half re-
sults to higher sales volume in the second quarter, favorable impact of foreign exchange rates and income contribution from associate Concepcion Midea Inc.
Sales of from air-conditioning business and other appliance categories, particularly laundry products, grew by 18 percent and 112 percent, respectively.
The decline in elevator equipment and refrigerator businesses partially offset the growth. The consumer business accounted for
the bulk of sales, generating P5.3 billion for an increase of 2.7 percent from same period last year. CIC attributed this to the higher sales of window-type air conditioner inverter models in the second quarter. The group’s commercial business achieved sales of P1.9 billion, up 23.4 percent on higher air conditioning equipment and aftermarket service sales for both air conditioner and elevator businesses.
It said net income in the second quarter reached P162.8 million, up 21.6 percent year-on-year as net sales rose 20 percent to P4.35 billion.
“Our second-quarter performance demonstrated the strength of our core business and our ability to drive growth through our expanded portfolio, end-toend customized solutions and long-term relationships with our customers,” CIC chairman and chief executive Raul Joseph Concepcion said.
ABOITIZ Power Corp. said Thursday net income soared 79 percent in the first half to P17.8 billion from P10 billion in the same period last year.
Aboitiz said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange it recognized non-recurring gains of P37 million on derivative gains from commodity hedging, compared to the P853 million in non-recurring gains recorded in the same period in 2022.
It said that without these one-off gains, the company’s core net income in the first half was P17.8 billion, a 95-percent increase year-on-year.
“The company had an exceptional performance in the first six months of 2023, driven by fresh contributions of our strategic investments and operational excellence outcomes,” Aboitiz Power president and chief executive Emmanuel Rubio said.
“We remain on track toward achieving a 50:50 balanced mix portfolio by 2030 and continue to focus on providing reliable and innovative power while adapting to dynamic market conditions,” Rubio said.
Aboitiz Power’s net income in the second quarter went up 46 percent to P10.3 billion from P7 billion a year ago. It recognized non-recurring losses of P81 million during the period, versus the P923 million in nonrecurring gains a year earlier.
Core net income in the second quarter reached P10.4 billion, up by 69 percent from a year ago, on contributions from GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. and higher availability across the company’s portfolio.
REIGNING UAAP champion La Salle and NCAA titlist College of St. Benilde headline a stacked cast as the Shakey’s Super League stages another breakthrough tourney in the National Invitationals.
Top teams from the UAAP, NCAA, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao comprise the 12-team picture slugging it out for the prestigious national title starting on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
It’s another historic venture for volleyball patron Shakey’s, in partnership with Athletic Events and Sports Management Inc., after launching two upstart tournaments for the benefit of the Philippine volleyball development from the ground up.
AUCKLAND—Midfielder Sara Eggesvik’s familiarity of Norwegian football may come into play as the Filipinas play Norway in a critical match on Sunday at the close of Group A in the FIFA Women’s World Cup at Eden Park here.
Born in Norway, Eggesvik, who traces her roots in Davao City, delivered the assist that Sarina Bolden headed home for a 1-0 win over New Zealand last Tuesday in Wellington.
“I remember getting the ball in the box and just crossed it. It was an amazing header by Sarina over three defenders. It was a team effort. I am just so glad and grateful. I am so proud of this team,” she said.
The win put the Filipinas in contention for a place in the knockout round
of the tournament.
Eggesvik was born in the coastal city of Bodø, northeast of the capital of Oslo and located near the Artic Circle.
Eggesvik is midfielder for KIL/Hemme in 1 division of the Norwegian league, making her somewhat familiar on how Norwegian football is played. She caught the attention of Filipino fans during last year’s 10th AFF Women’s Championship, where her midfield mastery and fluid play were in full display as the
Filipinas bagged the country’s first major international title at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. Trying to hold back her tears, Eggesvik said the victory over the fancied Ferns showed that “this team is really something special. It shows we can compete at this level and we will keep on fighting. It shows that it is possible to get a win, to get a goal and get points from our games. That motivates us.”
Eggesvik paid tribute to coach Alen Stajcic and the rest of the staff “who keep on pushing us and making us better every day. We have always believed in ourselves even when we lost and played bad games. We will keep on playing hard.”
She acknowledged that while they would savor the winning moment, the Filifpinas will have to brace for a tough battle against the Norwegians who are
SENATOR Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has filed Senate Resolution No. 695 seeking to commend and congratulate James Aranas and Johann Chua for securing the country’s historic fourth World Cup of Pool title, the most for any country, in Lugo, Spain early this month.
“Their journey from being underdogs to unexpected champions, toppling highranking players and defending titleholders, and in the process, setting off the country’s resurgence and supremacy in the sport, can inspire the entire nation to overcome current adversities and challenges,” Estrada said.
Aranas and Chua not only ended the decade-long title drought in the annual international single-elimination tournament for doubles teams in nine-ball competition, their record-breaking victory also reaffirmed the country’s standing as the best in the sport.
The Philippines is now the winningest country in the World Cup of Pool, breaking the tie with three-time winner China.
THEY say that in football, chances and opportunities rarely come. And when they do, one must grab that opportunity or chance with both hands and never let go. Just like life itself.
Our Philippine Women’s National Football Team or Filipinas did just that on July 25 in Wellington against the co-hosts, the New Zealand Football Ferns. Sarina Bolden scored the first ever goal for the country in the World Cup. The same goal was enough to power the Filipinas in posting the biggest upset so far in the tournament against the highly-favored hosts. But more importantly, that lone goal changed the fortunes of the team. Nobody really paid much attention prior to the biggest soccer event this year until that shocking win against New Zealand. From being just debutants, the Filipinas
Aranas and Chua are the third Filipino pair to rule the World Cup of Pool, joining the legendary duo of Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes and Francisco ‘Django’ Bustamante who ruled the inaugural competition in 2006 and replicated their feat in 2009, and the tandem of Dennis Orcollo and Lee Vann Corteza who bagged the title in 2013.
Aranas and Chua, both 31 years old, entered the tournament unseeded and became the first unseeded team to ever capture the championship title.
The duo’s remarkable journey started in the early rounds as they knocked out Francisco Sanchez Ruiz and David Alcaide of Spain, the 2022 defending champions, in a 7-5 match on June 27.
The Philippine pair again prevailed versus another bet of the host country, Jose Alberto Delgado and Jonas Souto Comino, with a convincing win of 7-2 on June 30.
They continued their winning streak in the quarterfinals, dominating the team from
are now in serious contention to go past the group stage. A win against Norway in their final group A fixture will seal the Philippines’ passage through the last 16.
Who would have thought that the qualifiers in Group A would be decided in the last two matches? Switzerland will face New Zealand and the Filipinas will take on the Norwegians on the 30th for tickets to the next round and group honors. And who would have thought, in a million years, that the Philippines is very much in the fight to extend their campaign in New Zealand and probably even extend their stay up to Australia?
As it stands, Switzerland is still leading the group with one win and one draw or 4 points. New Zealand is second with 3 points, tied with the Philippines, but ahead in goal difference. Norway is fourth with one point after two games.
All teams are still in contention to advance. All need to win their last games to do so. A draw against Norway may be enough for the Filipinas to advance but a win is a must to avoid complications.
While this is easier said and done, Norway is no pushover. The Gressshoppene or The Grasshoppers are former world, European and Olympic champions. They won the World Cup in 1995 after losing in the finals four years earlier. Coached by Hege Riise and led by team captain Maren Mjelde, Norway is currently ranked the 12th best team in the FIFA pecking order. The Filipinas, on the
Chinese Taipei composed of Ko Pin Yi and Ko Ping Chung in a thrilling 9-8 match. In the semifinals face-off, they stunned spectators as they outplayed Albin Ouschan and Mario He from Austria, twotime event titleholders.
other hand, are 46th, their highest ever.
If we talked about the rankings, then the Filipinas simply have no business tangling against one of the favorites to win the tournament. But do not tell that to the Filipinas, do not mention this to Olivia “McSaver” McDaniel, to Sarina “Golden” Bolden, to Captain Hali Long, to Sara Eggesvik or to all the players fighting for the three stars and the sun. But, most especially, do not tell this to Head Coach Alen Stajcic simply because he wants nothing to distract him –not the odds, not the chances and not the favorites that are expected to march to the second week of the tournament.
Time and time again. Stajcic has proven to be the best coach for the team. He was able to bridge the gap that would taken decades to do so, as eloquently summed up by my “panganay” Cedelf Tupas in a recent interview in our radio show 3PTS-Pambansang Tambayan ng Sports over DZME 1530, in just 18 months.
To say that he made a team out of players coming from diverse backgrounds and cultures is an understatement. He made a world-class team, to say the least.
His defensive strategy against New Zealand is a masterclass. And against the heavilyfavored Norway, with a seat in the knockout match at stake, we can expect Stajcic to come up with another brilliant strategy to win the game for the Philippines. Simply put, in Stajcic we trust!
ranked 34 places higher than the Filipinas at No. 12.
“We have to restart again and think of the next game,” she said. “We have to take advantage with what we havez We want to see if we can create trouble and be competitive. To keep our heads down and keep fighting.”
While it appears to be a tall order, Eggesvik said that toppling Norway would not only mean advancing to the knockout round but also will have a huge impact for football development back home.
“Going to the knockout stage, that would mean a lot. From being a small football country, we can inspire a lot of girls and boys to start playing football and show that it is possible to do something great although you are from the Philippines,” she said.
Shakey’s held the first Collegiate PreSeason Championship last year featuring all 18 teams from the UAAP and NCAA before gathering the country’s 16 best high school teams for the Girls’ Volleyball Invitational League this summer.
This time, another bumper crop of talents seen as the country’s future will be on full display.
“True to our commitment to encourage more players, discover and showcase new talents, we’re gonna go nationwide,” said ACES president Dr. Ian Laurel. “Ito ang magandang way para makita natin kung ano pa ‘yung mga talents out there. This is the next one for us.”
Joining La Salle and St. Benilde are Adamson and University of Santo Tomas from the UAAP, Lyceum of the Philippines University and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta from the NCAA.
Completing the cast are Luzon bets La Salle-Dasma and Enderun Colleges, University of San Jose Recoletos and University of Southern Philippines from Cebu as well as Notre Dame of Dadiangas University and Jose Maria College Foundation of Davao City from Mindanao.
All teams, with coaches and officials from Shakey’s and ACES, will be introduced in the official press conference on Friday at 2 p.m. at the Shakey’s E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue in Quezon City.
MICO Villaran of Bacolod City will be among the many athletes expected to shine in the 2023 Palarong Pambansa, organized by the Department of Education.
Villaran will seek three gold medals in athletics when the games for elementary and secondary student-athletes make a comeback after three years of hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Student athletes from 17 regions are taking part, with Villaran competing for medals in the secondary boys 110-meter run, the 400-meter hurdles and the 200-meter dash.
The 15-year-old Villaran dominated the athletics competition of the Philippine Sports Commission-Batang Pinoy National Championships in Ilocos Sur with his three-gold sweep.
Hopefully, Villaran will be able to
By the way, Eggesvik can also provide an insight on Norway. She is very familiar with how the Grasshoppers play. The Pinay footballer is midfielder for KIL/Hemme in 1. divisjon in the Norwegian league.
So how big was the Filipinas’ win over New Zealand the other day? It was enormous, so big that it practically ensured that women’s football will always be a major fixture in the country’s sports future.
The Designated Kit Man was able to join the watch party of the Philippines vs New Zealand recently organized by the Philippine Football Federation and Coca-Cola Philippines (sorry just can’t help it). And judging from the reaction of the crowd, especially the girls who came in, the sport is expected to be alive and well in the coming years. Aside from putting the world on notice, the Filipinas’ remarkable run in New Zealand is now inspiring millions of young Pinays to take up the sport and in the hope of someday representing the country in future World Cups.
One of these young women is Chrisia Espiritu, whom I met many years ago, playing soccer when she was just in her elementary days and told me that one of her goals is to play for the Malditas, the former moniker of the women’s national team. And after almost a decade or more, I met her during the watch party and it was so good to know that she never let go of the sport. She is now playing as defensive central midfielder, and even as a winger, for
come to within range of the records made by Patrick Unso in the 110-meter and 400-meter hurdles, and Jomar Udtohan in the 200-meter dash.
Seven gold medals will be at stake when advanced competitions in athletics are held on the opening events of the 2023 Palarong Pambansa at the Philsports oval in Pasig on July 31.
Set to start at 8 a.m. are the elementary competitions of the pole vault and high jump events, while the secondary hostilities in both meets will be held in the afternoon, starting at 3 p.m.
Technical officials have adjusted the schedule since the track stadium inside the Marikina Sports Complex would not be able to accommodate all the events in athletics and the para games.
The venue, according to their studies, might be too small to handle the field events, which include pole vault and high jump.
Ateneo De Manila University. Keep on dreaming and believing, Chrisia!
Speaking of the further impact of the Filipinas’ fine showing in the World Cup, Filipinos based in many parts of the globe are being united by their love for the country. Their rekindled pride of being Filipinos are just one of the many positive sides to the impressive run by the Philippines despite the odds and the enormity of what they need to accomplish. Even my brother-from-another-mother and fellow Bedan Joey Gabrillo based in Bakersfield, California, took the time to watch the match and even managed to give me a blow-by-blow account of the game against the Kiwis. Joey was also up and ranted his heart’s out on the controversial calls against the Filipinas in their opening match against Switzerland.
Asikasom ya lanang ditan, aro!
A peek at various social media platforms will show that many Filipinos based abroad share this support, rallying behind the team despite different time zones and circumstances.
Football can do this, you know. For the meantime…
Laban, Filipinas! Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat
THE Philippines—with seasoned aces Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo on board—is out to wage a stronger fight when it hosts the second leg of the inaugural Southeast Asia (SEA) Volleyball League Friday at the City of Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.
Bagunas and Espejo, two of the country’s top spikers, will mark their national team return in the V.League to form a lethal troika with rising star Steven Rotter, who earned Best Opposite Spiker honors in the first leg held in Jakarta last week.
“They’re experienced players. They’re smart. They can share their experiences with others,” said national men’s team head coach Sergio Veloso as his wards brace for their SEA neighbors anew. “We can make a stronger job. I feel we can play better now.”
The Philippines takes on Thailand at 7 p.m. for the main event after the opener between Vietnam and Indonesia at 4 p.m. Up next for the hosts are Indonesia
and Vietnam on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
More than the games, the Philippines is putting a premium on another international tournament after successfully hosting the n’s Volleyball Nations League Men’s Week 3 earlier this month at the Mall of Asia Arena for the second straight year.
“Men’s volleyball is getting popular and we’re very happy to have our close neighbors with us here. We hope to expand next year with more countries,” said Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara in the event presser Thursday at the Seda Nuvali.
“This tournament is very important for Southeast Asia as we, the Philip-
Manila Standard TODAY Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Pasig City
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE ANCILLARY SERVICES
PROCUREMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND SN ABOITIZ POWERBENGUET,
pines along with Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia are bidding to host the 2025 Volleyball Women’s World Championship,” he added.
The SEA VLeague—presented by PLDT and backed by the City of Santa Rosa, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, One Sports and Cignal, is a brainchild of Suzara and Thailand federation president Shanrit Wongprasert.
The Filipino spikers went winless in three games in Jakarta but not without a fight, especially in the last match where they held a 2-0 lead against Vietnam only to run out of steam in a tough five-setter defeat.
Indonesia, led by MVP Fahry Septian Putratama, completed an unbeaten to become the first leg champion as Thailand and Vietnam completed the podium.
This time at home, the Philippines spikes for a breakthrough.
“It’s a competition so our target is victory,” added Veloso.
there is a need to comply with the system requirements for AS to ensure grid system security and reliability. As mentioned above, NGCP has the mandate to procure the required AS. However, the Honorable Commission must first approve the contract before the same can be implemented.
32. As the demand for power in Luzon increases, the requirements of the system likewise increases. Ensuring the integrity of the system is essential to protect the interests of the public. The absence of system reliability and stability will certainly discourage investments and growth.
33. Applicants respectfully submit that the immediate approval of the ASPA by this Honorable Commission is a necessity to maintain the present reliability and security of the Grid. In support of these allegations, NGCP submits a copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Ms. Lisaflor B. Kater,22 which is attached to this Application.
PRAYER
WHEREFORE, premises considered, Applicants respectfully pray that the Honorable Commission:
2. Applicant NGCP is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Philippines, with office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It holds a congressional franchise granted under Republic Act No. 9511, and is authorized to engage in the business of conveying or transmitting electricity through high-voltage back-bone systems of interconnected transmission lines, substations and related facilities, and for other purposes. The NGCP is authorized to conduct activities necessary to support the safe and reliable operation of the transmission system.
3. Applicant SNAP-BI is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal place of business at Binga Hydro Electric Power Plant, Brgy. Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet Province.
3.1. SNAP-BI is the owner and operator of the Binga Hydroelectric Power Plant, with a rated capacity of 140MW continuous output at 60Hz, including required ancillaries and spare parts, located in Brgy. Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet (the Generation Facility”), which was certified and accredited by the NGCP as capable of providing Contingency Reserve and Dispatchable Reserve.
4. NGCP and SNAP-BI may be served with orders, notices, pleadings and other legal processes through their respective counsels at the addresses indicated below.
ANTECEDENT FACTS
5. Republic Act No. 9136, also known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (“EPIRA”), provides that it is the responsibility of NGCP to ensure and maintain the reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the nationwide electrical grid in accordance with the performance standards for its operations and maintenance, as set forth in the Philippine Grid Code (“PGC”),3 adopted and promulgated by the Honorable Commission, and to adequately serve generation companies, distribution utilities and suppliers requiring transmission service and/or ancillary services (“AS” or Ancillary Services”)4 through the transmission system.5
6. Similarly, the PGC provides that NGCP is responsible for determining, acquiring, and dispatching the capacity needed to supply the required Grid AS and for developing and proposing Wheeling Charges and AS tariffs of the ERC.6
7. Ancillary Services is defined in Section 4 (b) of the EPIRA as referring “to those services
1. Immediately ISSUE a provisional authority to implement the subject ASPA executed on 02 May 2023; and
2. APPROVE, after notice and hearing, the subject ASP A.
3. ISSUE an Order treating Annexes “A”, “H”, “I”, “K”, “L”, “M”, “N”, “Q”, and “X”, as confidential information pursuant to Section 1, Rule 4 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure and prescribing the guidelines for the protection thereof. Other just and equitable reliefs are likewise prayed for.
The Commission hereby sets the instant Joint Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-Trial Conference and presentation of evidence on the following dates and online platforms for the conduct thereof, pursuant to Resolution No. 09, Series of 202023 and Resolution No. 01, Series of 202124 (ERC Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure):
Any interested stakeholder may submit its comments and/or clarifications at least (1) calendar day prior to the scheduled initial virtual hearing, via electronic mail (e-mail) at docket@erc.ph and copy furnish the Legal Service through legal@erc.ph. The Commission shall give priority to the stakeholders who have duly submitted their respective comments and/or clarifications, to discuss the same and propound questions during the course of the expository presentation.
Moreover, any person who has an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission via e-mail at docket@erc.ph. and copy furnishing the Legal Service through legal@erc.ph, a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) calendar days prior to the date of the initial virtual hearing and must follow the requirements under Rule 9 of the ERC Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicate therein the docket number and title of the case, and state the following:
1) The petitioner’s name, mailing address, and e-mail address;
2) The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and
3) A statement of the relief desired.
Likewise, all other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file through e-mail at docket@erc.ph. and copy furnish the Legal Service through legal@erc.ph, their Opposition or Comment thereon at least five (5) calendar days prior to the initial virtual hearing. Rule 9 of the ERC Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure shall govern. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following:
1) The name, mailing address, and e-mail address of such person;
2) A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and
3) The grounds relied upon.
All interested parties filing their Petition to Intervene, Opposition or Comment are required to submit the hard copies thereof through personal service, registered mail or ordinary mail/ private courier, within five (5) working days from the date that the same were electronically submitted, as reflected in the acknowledgment receipt e-mail
On 18 April 2023, the TPBAC issued a Notice of Award in favor of SNAP-BI,19 informing the latter that it is to be awarded with a contract for the Provision of Ancillary
The Cheating Game is a refreshing departure from the typical romantic comedies we've seen so far. GMA Public Affairs presents a bold and mature take on relationships, tackling the difficult and relatable issue of cheating.
Lead stars Julie Anne San Jose and Rayver Cruz deliver captivating performances that leave a lasting impression on the audience.
The film delves into the theme of handling betrayal, with Julie Anne's stellar performance as Hope, a determined and optimistic young woman. Her world shatters when a sex video of her boyfriend with another woman goes public.
Julie Anne's portrayal of Hope's emotional odyssey is praiseworthy, skillfully capturing the raw anguish and heartbreak that accompany such a betrayal, while also infusing the role with humor.
The story takes an intriguing turn when Hope decides to enter the dating world again armed with a self-designed 'cheat sheet.' This guide, outlining the 'anatomy of a cheater,' adds a unique twist to the rom-com genre, giving the film an element of mystery and self-discovery.
Rayver as Miguel, the self-made businessman who appears to be the perfect partner, is a great match for Julie Anne's character. Their chemistry on screen is palpable, making their blossoming relationship a joy to watch. However, as the story unfolds, long-kept secrets begin to emerge, challenging the newfound trust and happiness they've found in each other.
The Cheating Game stands out for its realistic portrayal of modern-day dating, shedding
light on the complexities and challenges that many face when navigating relationships. The film does not shy away from exploring the grey areas and nuances of human emotions, making it more relatable to the audience.
Kudos to the film's director and writers for their courage in delving into a sensitive and thought-provoking subject matter. Instead of resorting to clichés and easy resolutions, The Cheating Game highlights the importance of trust and honesty in a relationship, emphasizing that healing and growth can come from acknowledging our vulnerabilities.
Julie Anne and Rayver, known as 'JulieVer,' demonstrate their exceptional talent, proving that they are more than just singers and dancers; they are capable actors who can carry a film with depth and emotional range.
The Cheating Game is a mature rom-com that manages to strike a balance between heartache and hope, showcasing the value of trust and communication in relationships. It's a must-see for anyone seeking a fresh take on love and dating. The Cheating Games is now in cinemas nationwide.
Supermarket chain advocates for Pinoy youth talent through filmfest
Noble Queen of the Universe Ltd. Inc. (NQULI), in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Roces D3780 and Project Michelangelo Foundation (PMF), gave support to the children suffering from progeria syndrome, during the 2nd Philippine Progeria Assembly, held recently at Rotary Center, Mo. Ignacia St. in Quezon City.
It was no ordinary day for NQULI founder Eren Noche, RESPECT: Noble Queen of the Universe 2022 Cristina Gonzalez and Noble Queen of the Universe 2019 Patricia Javier, with RE-
SPECT: Noble Queen Earth 2022 and Ambassador of Environment Sheralene Shirata, who spent hours interacting with the ‘special angels,’ children with progeria, also known as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, an extremely rare, progressive genetic disorder which causes children to age rapidly, starting in the first two years of their lives.
“Courage, hope, purity, and kindness are just few of the lessons we learned from these ‘Special Angels.’ We are inspired by the bravery of these children struggling against the passage of time. Thank you to May God bless the PMF, headed by founder Jojo Sayson and its members for caring children and providing protection and support to the children,” said Noche.
First 16 candidates of Misters of Filipinas 2023 named
Meanwhile, coming off the successful Man of the World 2023 finals, Misters of Filipinas organization kicked off Misters of Filipinas 2023 search with the announcement of the first group of 16 official candidates during the first leg of Annual Casting, held at Newport World Resorts' Holiday Inn Express Manila, in Newport City.
The next batch of official candidates will be announced on Saturday, July 29. The 16 candidates are the following: Darwis Narollah Ismaeili, Nikko Nackaertz, Godfrey Nikolai Murillo, Simeon Cayetano, Aldrien David, Jr., Marvin Diamante, Kenneth Vincent Cabungcal, Yukio Koike, Archmylz Angel Perez, Brent Dalman, James Harley Lajos, Jaymark Omolon, Hawkin Madrid, Charlon Guanga, Timothy Armero, and Drei Arias Six wildcard applicants (Batch 1) were also named, who will compete with Batch 2 wildcard team, to make it to the official roster of official candidates. They are Joseph Garcia, Bryan Manalang, John Roy Reyes, Herbert Carrasco, Jovy Morante, and John Paulo Libang. Misters of Filipinas 2023 will celebrate its 10th Anniversary National Finals on September 17 at Samsung Theater in Makati City.
Actress and TV host Kim Chiu recently signed a new exclusive contract with ABS-CBN, solidifying her commitment to her home network for the past 17 years. "I started with nothing in my hand and in my pocket. I didn't know how to sing, dance, act, and even speaking was painful to the ears," she reminisced during the Keep Shining: The Kim Chiu Network Contract Signing "But here I am, living my dream." The It's Showtime host also reflected on how her
life has transformed throughout her journey with Kapamilya, which began when she was proclaimed the grand winner of Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition 1 in 2006.
"Because of ABS-CBN, our lives improved. It wasn't just my dream that came true, but also the dreams of my siblings.
I'm tremendously grateful and blessed. I'm simply returning everything to my home network, ABS-CBN, because they helped me
when I had nothing, so now they need my help, and I'm here. I will always be here, and I will always be a Kapamilya," she added.
Joining her at the contract signing were ABSCBN chairman Mark Lopez, ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak ABS-CBN COO of broadcast Cory Vidanes, ABSCBN head of TV Production and Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi, and Star Magic's Edith Fariñas Following the contract signing event, Kim shared that her fans should watch out for her upcoming projects aside from her hit Prime video series Fit Check and
Dreamscape series, Linlang with Paulo Avelino and JM de Guzman
Through the years, Kim has captured the hearts of Kapamilyas for her charm, charisma, and acting prowess, which made her one of the country's bankable stars.
Some of her notable works include Sana Maulit Muli, My Girl, Tayong Dalawa, Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin, My Binondo Girl, Love Thy Woman, and Star Cinema films Till My Heartaches End, Bride For Rent, Etiquette for Mistresses, The Ghost Bride, and a lot more. Aside from It's Showtime, she is also a mainstay of ASAP Natin 'To.
Student, amateur, and young professional filmmakers are poised to get their biggest break when they participate in Puregold’s CinePanalo Film Festival, an event that will feature new and original movies celebrating everyday winning moments in Filipinos’ lives. The CinePanalo Film Festival will consider only wholesome, inspiring, and family-oriented film concepts as entries, which should revolve around the theme, “Mga Kwentong Panalo ng Buhay.” It will have two different categories: short films for students and campus-based filmmakers, and full-length films for amateur and professional participants. The project will offer production grants to exemplary film concepts to help fund their creation. In the full-length category, a grant worth P2,500,000 each will be awarded to five select directors. Meanwhile, in the short film category, 25 grants worth P100,000 each will be given to aspiring student directors. “Puregold has always believed in upholding education and supporting the talents of Filipino youth,” says Puregold President, Vincent Co. “We endeavor to give young people a more sustainable, energizing environment in which they may pursue their passions. This is the driving force behind our latest initiative, the CinePanalo Film Festival.”
to kick-start their career in the film industry. “We will provide resources that every young filmmaker dreams of: the financial means to practice one’s craft and screening in major cinemas as well as online. These tools will help spark their creativity and lead to a priceless first-hand education on producing high-quality content.”
Piedad stresses the importance of advocating for the work of young student filmmakers in the short film category.
Award-winning filmmaker Chris Cahilig, CinePanalo festival director, speaks on what distinguishes it from other similar events, both foreign and local: “Unlike other film festivals, we will focus on films that inspire and uplift, crafted by Filipino filmmakers who want to share their talents with their peers.”
Puregold’s ‘CinePanalo Film Festival’ aims to show new and original movies that celebrate winning moments
Interested participants in both categories must submit the following: a duly accomplished entry form, a synopsis not longer than 300 words, a detailed sequence treatment, a resume of the director with links to sample works (if any), and a digital copy of the director’s profile photo. Interested participants may email thesecretariat@cinepanalo.com to receive the materials necessary to apply for the grant. All applications must be emailed back on or before October 27, 2023.
Puregold’s Senior Manager for Marketing, Ivy Piedad, says that the production grants may be what budding creatives need
Each participant in the CinePanalo Film Festival must submit their fully produced film on or before March 1, 2024. All final submissions in the short film category must have a minimum runtime of 20 minutes and a maximum runtime of 30 minutes. All feature film submissions must be at least 90 minutes long.
All completed film entries will be screened during the festival period from March 8 to 10, 2024, at the Gateway Cinemas in Quezon City.
Fully produced short film entries will be uploaded to the official Puregold Channel on YouTube, where these will join the company’s other digital retailtainment properties such as GV Boys, Ang Babae sa Likod ng Face Mask, 52 Weeks, and Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile
The CinePanalo Film Festival marks Puregold’s latest foray into integrating its sustainability and retailtainment efforts. Such an approach has allowed Puregold to reach out to the next generation of shoppers who are rediscovering the joys of heartwarming Filipino culture and stories. The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival is now open to interested filmmakers. For inquiries, email thesecretariat@cinepanalo.com.
The globe-trotting Filipina actress, artist, and fashion maven, who recently made head-turning appearances at the GMA Gala and the State of the Nation Address in impeccable garb, once again proved the power of her presence and brand as she emerged as the top driver of the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week’s MIV (Media Impact Value) in Asia Pacific.
MIV is a proprietary algorithm by Launchmetrics that measures the impact of media coverage of placements related to a particular subject, in this case, the much-awaited Paris fashion event.
The metric measures the equivalent monetary amount of public posts, articles, and audience interactions of a recognized influencer in the fashion, luxury, and beauty industries. Out of the event’s total MIV® estimated at $118.8 million, Heart, a fashion influencer loved by global brands, contributed $1.27 worth of mileage across 11 placements—only one of two who made a
Heart Evangelista stands out as one of the region’s top influencers, solidifying her position in the fashion industry
contribution past the million mark in the Asia Pacific region, an emerging fashion hotspot. Behind her was Indian actress and model Urvashi Rautela, who generated $1.24 million in MIV through five placements. Far runners-up were Asian American actress Lana Condor at $767,000, and Indian fashionista and entrepreneur Masoom Minawala who delivered $616,000. Other Asian stars who drew MIV dollars to the Paris fashion event were Bella Ranee Campen, Diana Penty, William Chan, Fan BingBing, and Thai superstar Tontawan Tantivejakul Heart’s Launchmetrics win was prominently reported on lifestyle website EnVi Media, which noted the list of “top APAC voices creating buzz during the event.” It cited how “fashion darling” Heart ranked at the top. And right at the fashion summit she is, as she continues to beguile audiences as an established fashion authority commanding global attention.
From left: Shanti Ayurveda Clinic Founder Sona Roy, Embassy of India in the Philippines Ambassador Shambhu Kumara, and CDH Wellness Corporation President Clara Day Herrera
“FOOD does bring people together” was my thought bubble after getting a bite of the piping hot dosa at the Ayurveda Home Cooking Workshop last Saturday. A dosa is a thin and savory pancake in India made from simple ingredients and can be eaten for breakfast, snack time, or any time of the day.
Heart contributed $1.27 million MIV across 11 placements, a significant achievement in Asia Pacific
One of the workshop participants was so kind to slice her freshly cooked soft and tasty dosa into small pieces and share it with others. Anyone passionate about food, wellness, and culture will surely be thrilled to grace an event with live cooking sessions and informative lectures. It was fun to see Ambassador Shambhu Kumaran of the Embassy of India in the Philippines donning an apron and demonstrating how to cook the perfect dosa. He was happily assisted by no less than Sona Roy, founder of Shanti Ayurveda Clinic and Shanti Institute of Ayurveda, and Clara Day Herrera, president and founder of CDH Wellness Corporation and Pillow Bread PH. Celebrity wellness expert Herrera dedicated years of studying Ayurveda right in its home base, India. Ayurveda is an ancient natural system of medicine dating back over 3,000 years. The word “Ayurveda” is a combination of two Sanskrit terms: “ayur,” which means life, and “veda,” signifying science or knowledge. Ayurveda blurs the line between good and bad food. Instead, it offers a systematic approach to creating balanced diets that optimize nutrition. This is achieved by formulating food groups that harmonize with one anoth-
er, promote proper digestion, and enhance the absorption of vital nutrients. Herrera’s path to becoming a wellness expert was set in motion when she experienced burnout from work a few years ago. Today, she owns a thriving wellness brand while passionately sharing her knowledge of yoga as an instructor. In an exciting collaboration, she teamed up with Ayurveda lifestyle expert Roy to introduce the benefits of Ayurvedic food in the Philippines.
“In Ayurveda, it is more of ‘You are what you digest,’” Herrera shared at the successful event in Makati Garden Club. “My company’s mission (CDH Wellness Corp) is to make wellness achievable for everyone, while Shanti Institute Ayurveda aims to promote health and happiness through the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda.”
Aside from Ambassador of India Shambhu Kumaran, other attendees were Agri Exim Global Philippines representatives, 22 Holistic Wellness Founder Joana Alberto, DOH Undersecretary Maria Francia Laxamana Dr. Gibsy Sanjeevi Goerge, DFA ASPAC Director Rona Goce, and DFA Assistant Secretary Aileen Mendiola
Some Ayurvedic dishes brought to the table were chicken curry with coconut milk, crispy fried fish, millet roti, millet dosa, monggo khichuri, carrot beans thoran, and finger millet upma. All these recipes contain healthy ingredients. In celebration of the Year of the Millet, some food items showcased in the event used highly nutritious grains as part of their recipes. Read full story on manilastandard.net
