Manila Standard - 2023 August 22 - Tuesday

MMDA STARTS ARRESTING BIKE LANE VIOLATORS

EX-AGRI CHIEF SEES RICE PRICES HITTING P60/KILO

DepEd: Keep school walls bare

By Gabriellea Parrino and Maricel Cruz

NO MORE alphabet charts. No more multiplication tables.

No more pictures of national heroes or past and present presidents. Not even crucifixes.

Bare walls only for public classrooms was the directive of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Brawner denies Kyodo News bit on naval drills

By Vince Lopez

THE Armed Forces Philippines (AFP) denied the claims of Kyodo News that the country will host joint naval exercises by the United States, Australia, and Japan in the West Philippine Sea.

“We heard about this from the Kyodo News article. We asked our counterparts, Japan, the US, and Australia. They don’t know anything about the exercise. We don’t know where this came from,” Brawner said in an interview in Camp Aguinaldo.

“Per coordination with our counterparts, there is no exercise among the three nations in the next few weeks,” he added.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Defense

“I know that President (Ferdinand) Marcos (Jr.) and all other former presidents and all heroes past and present will not at all be bothered if learners focus on their teachers, lessons, projects, and assignments,” Duterte-Carpio said in a statement.

“The order is what it is. Take out everything on the wall and let learners focus

on their studies. Classrooms and schools should be clean, orderly, and functional,” added DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa in a TeleRadyo interview.

Under Department of Education Order No. 21, all schools shall ensure that school grounds, classrooms and all its walls, and other school facilities are clean and free from unnecessary art-

work, decorations, tarpaulins, and posters at all times.

“The directive of the Vice President is bare walls for our classrooms to be clean, orderly, and functional,” Poa said in a television interview.

The DepEd undersecretary said the order also applies to the artwork of students.

Expert: China coast guard ship poised to block PH supply mission

OSPREY RIDE. People get on board a MV-22B Osprey aircraft in Tarampitao Airfield in Rizal, Palawan on August 21 as a part of the Indo-Pacific Endeavor 2023 between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Australian Defence

President on Ninoy Aquino Day: Cast aside politics, personal biases

By Charles Dantes and Rio N. Araja

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

yesterday urged Filipinos to cast aside politics and personal biases and unite behind the country’s welfare as the

public observed Ninoy Aquino Day.

“I wish everyone a meaningful remembrance,” Mr. Marcos said of the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., whom he described as “relentless and resolute.”

“I stand united with all Filipinos worldwide in commemorating the Ninoy Aquino Day. By standing for his beliefs and fighting for battles he deemed right, he became an example of being relentless and reso -

lute for many Filipinos,” the President said.

“In our purposive quest for a more united and prosperous Philippines, let us transcend political barriers that

2 more Pinoys found dead in Hawaii blaze

By Rey E. Requejo

TWO more Filipinos have been added to the list of fatalities in the ongoing search and recovery operation following the wildfires that ravaged the resort town of Lahaina in Hawaii.

In a Facebook post on August 20, Edna Sagudang confirmed that her mother, Conchita, and her elder brother, Danilo, both from the province of Abra, were identified by forensic experts.

Sagudang said her mother and elder brother died while attempting to escape the wildfire in the Paunau

Jeepneys, taxis ask for fare hike as oil prices rise

By Rio N. Araja, Alena Mae Flores and Macon Ramos-Araneta

JEEPNEY operators will ask the government for a one-peso increase in minimum fares today amid spiraling fuel prices and rising inflation.

The petition, Pasang Masda group president Roberto Martin explained in a television interview, would ask for a provisional increase of more than P1 for the first four kilometers and a scaled increase for every succeeding kilometer.

Traditional jeepneys charge a minimum P9 fare while modern or ejeepneys charge P11 minimum. They were briefly at P12 and P14 minimum, respectively, until the government ordered the fares rolled back in April.

“To our commuters, we ask for your understanding. We hope you empathize with the plight of our members

CLEAN. Following Department of

tion Order No. 21 from Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio, this classroom in Mogpog, Marinduque is stripped clean of its wall decorations, which Duterte said only distracted students while they were studying. Facebook via Romelie Mangui

Bicycle lane apprehensions begin

By Joel Zurbano

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority began apprehending motorcycle riders using exclusive bike lanes on Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), but did not issue tickets yet to fine violators.

“We will not issue tickets yet,” MMDA chairperson Romando Artes said in a television interview.

“We still haven’t finalized the policy on how we will go about this. We’ll consult our stakeholders,”

he said.

This was contrary to MMDA’s statement on Sunday that violators will be slapped with a P1,000 fine.

“Starting, August 21, motorcycles using bicycle lanes on EDSA will be apprehended. The violation will be disregarding traffic signs, which has a corresponding P1,000 fine,” MMDA said.

“A bike lane is not a fast lane for motorcycles,” the agency added.

but only during the time of the lesson.

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro denounced the bare classroom walls policy of DepEd.

Artes, however, said that the MMDA can only recommend but it is the Department of Transportation (DOTr) that will decide on the policy.

From 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. yesterday, which was a non-working holiday, MMDA officials said they apprehended at least 30 motorcycle riders inside bike lanes.

The MMDA said it expects more apprehensions on Tuesday when workers report for duty.

Ex-Agri chief sees rice prices hitting P60/kilo

By Maricel V. Cruz

FORMER Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor on Monday forecast an increase in rice prices in the next few weeks to as high as P60 per kilo for regular milled rice.

Rice prices have been going up in the past few weeks in the wake of floods brought by typhoons and the southwest monsoon.

in the transport sector,” Martin said.

Meanwhile, taxi operators again petitioned the government to raise the flag-down rate from P40 to P70 as the price of gasoline rose for the sixth consecutive week.

The president of the Philippine National Taxi Operators Association, Emmanuel Jesus Suntay, said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulator Board (LTFRB) has yet to act on their request to raise the flagdown rate.

“In fact, our appeal, the original petition, has been pending way back in 2021,” he said.

The last time they were granted an increase was in 2017 when the price of gasoline was only P34 to P38 per liter. It now stands at about P68 a liter.

Also, motorists traversing the Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) will pay more starting Aug. 21 as the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) approved its rate adjustments.

In a statement, Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. (CIC) said the toll hike –which is allowed every three years –ranges from ₱2 to ₱25.

Pump prices went up by as much as P1.10 per liter for gasoline, P0.70 per liter for kerosene and P0.20 per liter of diesel effective 6 a.m. Tuesday to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market.

Seaoil Philippines, Jetti Petroleum, Cleanfuel, and PetroGazz issued separate advisories of the latest oil price hike. This will be the sixth consecutive weekly price hike for gasoline and the seventh for diesel and kerosene.

The LTFRB approved a fare increase of P5 for taxis but taxi operators did not implement the increase since they were asking for an additional P30 to the flag-down rate.

Suntay said the “boundary” for taxis is still at P900 to P1,300 for 15 years.

“We want a fare increase so that our drivers will earn. If our drivers will earn, they will go out and drive. If that is the case, the operators will also earn,” he said.

The Department of Energy (DOE) director for the Oil Industry Management Bureau Rodela Romero said the recent oil price hike can be attributed to the economic slowdown of China and the gradual decline in demand; signs of resurgence of US inflation; and a stronger dollar.

On Aug. 15, the oil companies raised the price of gasoline by P1.90 per liter, diesel by P1.50 per liter, and kerosene by P2.50 per liter.

These price adjustments resulted in a year-to-date net increase of P13.40 per liter for gasoline, P8.60 per liter for diesel, and P5.14 per liter for kerosene.

On Monday, Senator Grace Poe, who chairs the Senate committee on public services, urged the government to immediately release funds allocated for a fuel subsidy as pump prices continued to rise.

“Decorations, pictures, photos, artworks -- all of these we want to remove...

We want a conducive environment for our learners,” he said.

Asked if crucifixes should also be removed, Poa said public schools should be non-sectarian.

“Let’s just try to keep our walls bare and clean,” he said, adding that even prayers should be non-sectarian.

“We pray but what we want is for our prayer to be for all religions, not just for Catholic,” Poa said.

He said visual aids can still be used

on his Twitter/X account.

Powell’s tweet said Chinese coast guard ship 3303 was arriving at Mischief Reef and would “likely participate in expected blockade activity vs. the next Philippines resupply of near BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, together with maritime militia also active in the area.”

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has received a similar report and soldiers are already prepared should there be a repeat of the water cannon incident on August 5, a “24 Oras” television report added.

“They will block our resupply ships with several ships which are coast guard, including their fishing vessels, their maritime militia, to divert us from reaching the Ayungin Shoal,” AFP chief of staff General Romeo Brawner told GMA Integrated News.

To protect the soldiers who will figure in the mission, Brawner declined to give further details on the resupply run. He said the military would observe tolerance and not retaliate should the mission encounter aggressive behavior.

“We will restrain ourselves. Our ships are also equipped with water cannons but we don’t use them to attack. Instead, we use it to save lives. An example is when a ship catches fire, we use our water cannon,” Brawner said.

“The DepEd order is extremely deplorable,” Castro said.

“The government address instead the lack of classroom space and reduce class size so that teachers can focus more on students,” she added.

ACT chairperson Vladimer Quetua said visual aids help engage and motivate learners.

“Teachers will now have to rush to their respective classrooms and schools to take down these materials which they’ve spent time and money on to prepare the classrooms,” Quetua said.

This developed as Brawner Jr. said the Philippines exposed Beijing’s activities in the South China Sea during the recent Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defense conference in Fiji earlier this month.

“We mentioned China’s activities in our discussion. We exposed them to different countries,” Brawner told radio dzBB.

The conference was attended by defense officials from over 20 countries, including the deputy chief of China’s defense force.

Brawner said China responded by saying they follow international rules, that the South China Sea is theirs, and that the 2016 arbitration ruling that favored the Philippines is “invalid and unacceptable.”

China also said that they will continue their activities in the South China Sea, Brawner added.

Brawner said the AFP will conduct another resupply mission for the Filipino Marines stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in the Ayungin Shoal.

“We cannot give the details of our operations but we will definitely have a resupply mission because we cannot neglect our soldiers,” he said.

“Let’s remember we occupy eight other islands here in Kalayaan group of islands [and] all of them... have soldiers so we have to resupply them regularly,” he added.

On Aug. 5, Chinese vessels fired water cannons at and blocked Filipino boats trying to resupply the Marines on the BRP Sierra Madre.

Beijing claimed that the Philippine

ties in the wildfires.

The death toll has now reached 114, with the Maui Coroner’s Office establishing a command post to process the bodies found.

Subdivision in Lahaina.

She expressed gratitude to her friends and family who participated in the search for her mother and brother when they were initially reported missing.

“My sister Evelyn and I want to send out a big Mahalo to everyone, especially family and friends, who put in their time and effort to help look for them and have sent us love and prayers,” she said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said a 79-year-old Filipino was among the over 100 fatali -

ous assault ships, America and Canberra, respectively.

“With the walls painted over, we will not only be welcomed by the smell of paint, but the schools will look like cemeteries because they are empty,” he added.

The Teacher’s Dignity Coalition earlier urged school heads and teachers to “not take too literally” the DepEd order that prohibits classroom decorations, saying this only pertains to unnecessary posters.

“We have to understand that posters and educational materials are a big help to students. Studies have shown that they help greatly in the kids’ understanding because visually, they can add to their learning,” TDC chairperson Benjo Basas said.

ships intruded into their territory and violated their laws when it conducted the resupply mission—which is contrary to the decision of the arbitral court.

Several countries — led by the United States, Australia, Japan, and Canada — expressed support for Manila and criticized China’s actions, the latest in the string of several reported incidents of harassment against Philippine vessels this year.

In response to the Chinese claims, Brawner said, “Well you have historical claims on the South China Sea, we also have historical claims on the West Philippine Sea,” Brawner added. Brawner said some of the countries were taken aback by the blunt presentation.

“So the other countries were really surprised, but the US, Australia, and when Japan came to me and I talked to them. They said, that was very gutsy but you did the right thing they said,” Brawner said. “We were waiting for you to do that. Of course, I said we have to speak up.”

In July 2016, the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, based on a case filed by the Philippines, junked China’s nine-dash line claim virtually covering the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.

China, however, rejected the Philippines’ call to comply with the ruling, calling the decision “illegal and invalid.”

Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday renewed his push to expedite the procurement of defense equipment.

culty in identifying the people who died in the wildfires that ripped through the island of Maui in Hawaii.

Government estimates, however, see a decline in rice prices as harvest has started and will peak in October (see related story on A4 -- editors).

“I would not be surprised if the retail price of rice reaches more than P60. Every week we have seen the price rise by up to P5 over the price of the previous week,” Montemayor, who served in the Duterte administration, told a television interview.

But a group of rice millers in Nueva Ecija believed otherwise.

Elizabeth Vana, president of the Nueva Ecija Rice Millers Association, said the price of rice will start going down as harvest in Nueva Vizcaya already started.

“Actually, they are now harvesting in Vizcaya, there are some who have yet to do so. But for us in Nueva Ecija, we will start harvesting around the second week to third week of September,” Vana said.

On Sunday, the farmers’ group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) asked for the abolition of the National Food Authority over its alleged preference to import rice rather than buy from Filipino farmers.

SINAG chairman Rosendo So said NFA is currently negotiating with India for rice procurement.

“They’re not buying from our farmers anymore. They’re buying from Vietnam, India... The NFA mandate is to buy palay isn’t it? What are they doing negotiating with India to buy rice?” So said.

President...

From A1

hamper us from securing the comprehensive welfare and advancement of our beloved people,” the President added.

The Aquino patriarch, a staunch critic of Mr. Marcos’ late father, then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was gunned down at the Manila International Airport on August 21, 1983, moments after he landed in the Philippines after a three-year exile in the United States.

Minister Richard Marles will travel to the Philippines to observe joint training drills focused on regional security, his office said on Monday.

More than 2,000 Australian and Philippine defense personnel will participate in amphibious landing and air assault drills, with two Australian navy vessels, HMAS Canberra and HMAS ANZAC, having arrived to conduct the bilateral exercises with the Philippines Navy.

Citing multiple unnamed sources, Kyodo News reported on Friday that Tokyo, Washington, and Canberra, would hold joint naval drills in the South China Sea this Wednesday.

The report said the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force would send its largest destroyer, the Izumo. The US Navy and Royal Australian Navy, meanwhile, will supposedly deploy their amphibi-

Brawner also denied the Japanese news agency’s report that the Philippines declined to participate in the trilateral drills, explaining that the country hoped to conduct more joint exercises.

“We also asked the Philippine Navy, they don’t even know. We don’t know of any refusal from the AFP to join this exercise. Contrary to that, we encourage joint exercises among like-minded nations.” the AFP chief said.

“From our point of view, we don’t know anything like that and we don’t refuse. I think that Exercise Alon was just misinterpreted. Australia and the US were with us, but we did not send a ship. Instead, we sent our Philippine Marines to exercise with the US Marines and Australian Defense Force,” he added.

Brawner said that the three ships en route to the WPS were also coming here, but that their visits were not connected. The Japanese warship will make

The American Red Cross has initiated a mass fatality operation to expedite the identification of the bodies recovered.

There are still around 1,000 individuals missing, and authorities do not yet have a definitive list of how many are unaccounted for.

However, they are hopeful that the number of missing will decrease as power lines and communication are gradually restored in the area.

Over the weekend, the Philippine Consulate General described the diffi-

a port call in Manila to conduct resupply and re-provisioning.

He added that the HMS Canberra is taking part in “Exercise Alon,” joint exercises between Australia and the Philippines in Palawan, while the USS America was “just there watching,” but did not join the exercises.

Filipino and Australian forces on Monday conducted an air assault exercise at Punta Baja in Rizal, Palawan as the first major training serial for “Exercise Alon” being carried out by the AFP and the Australian Defense Force (ADF) from Aug. 14 to 31.

“This marked the first major training serial as part of the bilateral cooperation between the AFP and the ADF as part of the latter’s Indo-Pacific Endeavor (IPE) activities for 2023,” AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto said in a statement.

This involved coordinated air, land, and sea actions to simulate realistic combat scenarios, enhancing the forces’ preparedness and operational readiness.

Consul General Emil Fernandez said authorities had to get DNA samples from people who said their relatives were still missing from the fires.

“A big part of the operations is gathering the remains and painstakingly identifying them kasi ito ay burnt victims,” Fernandez said in a radio interview.

“Unless you have DNA samples, if (the subject) doesn’t have a fingerprint or dental (records)… you have to rely on their DNA. That is why they are soliciting DNA from those who are missing loved ones,” he added.

Ileto said the Palawan air assault exercise involved the insertion of ground combat elements via MV-22B “Osprey” tilt-rotor aircraft from Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D), launched from the Royal Australian Navy’s landing helicopter dock, HMAS Canberra (LO2), to the Punta Baja Airfield last Aug. 20.

The helicopter assault force established a link with the 3rd Marine Brigade to secure the Punta Baja Airfield and set up a forward arming and refueling point.

“On Aug. 21, 2023, a joint raid was conducted at Tarumpitao Airfield by the combined forces of the AFP, ADF, and USMC (United States Marine Corps) with close air support provided by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A ‘Lightning II’ aircraft,” Ileto said. Meanwhile, exfiltration will take place on Aug. 22 and will have the force departing from Tarampitao Airfield via MV-22B and returning aboard the

The Aquino clan, relatives, friends, and supporters on Monday attended a mass commemorating the 40th death anniversary of the late senator at the Sto Domingo Church in Quezon City. Ballsy Aquino, one of the late senator’s five children, thanked those who joined them in remembering her father.

“To our fellow Filipinos who joined us today when being seen with the Aquinos is not exactly in fashion during this time, thank you for being one with us today in remembering Ninoy Aquino: the man who dreamed the impossible dream, to fight for the right with, for the Filipino he believed is worth dying for,” Ballsy said.

Mr. Marcos, for his part, called on Filipinos to strive toward an inclusive Philippines.

HMAS Canberra.

The exercise involved 175 troops from the AFP and two platoons from the ADF, with support from the USMC, as well as a Philippine Marine Corps ground-based security force along with HMAS Canberra and frigate HMAS Anzac (FFH-150) and air support by USMC MV-22B, and RAAF aircraft.

IPE23 serves as Australia’s flagship international engagement activity in the Southeast Asian and Indian Ocean regions.

It aims to promote security, stability, and stronger partnerships through bilateral and multilateral engagement, training, capacity building, and humanitarian efforts.

“Exercise Alon 2023” marks the first bilateral amphibious exercise between Australia and the Philippines, aimed at enhancing interoperability and enabling the forces to share tactics, techniques, procedures, and best practices in the conduct of amphibious operations.

BuCor tears down ‘kubols’ in all prisons

THE Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has started tearing down walls of the socalled kubols or makeshift cells in prisons all over the country.

Meanwhile Senator Ronald Dela Rosa said the security lapses at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City that enabled prisoner Michael Cataroja to escape were “unacceptable.”

BuCor chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. said a total of 23 dormitories in six buildings at the NBP have been dismantled. He said each floor of the NBP buildings has about 50 to 70 kubols.

“Dingding lang naman ang tinatanggal natin. Wala na pong talop. Doon nagkakaproblema kasi pag sarado, di natin nakikita,” he said in a radio interview.

Catapang said each kubol houses about 5-10 inmates. However, some kubols have only one occupant, usually a group leader or mayores.

“May nakita kami doon sarili niya lang, ‘yung mga mayores. Dapat pantaypantay lang. Mayores pa rin siya pero di sarado ang kanyang kwarto,” Catapang said. He said inmates put up walls in their rooms for privacy. “Now we have a visitation area,” he said.

Daily search operations will also be conducted in the NBP to rid the penitentiary of all contrabands.

Last month, Catapang learned that some NBP personnel were allegedly allowing the entry of contrabands inside the prison facility.

Group eyes speedy passage of bill on new Building Code

A CONSUMER advocacy group urges legislators to speedily act on a bill amending the 50-year-old National Building Code of the Philippines to make it responsive to the digital economy and treat connectivity as a basic utility akin to power, water, and sanitation.

“Residential and commercial spaces need to have provisions to connect with digital infrastructure,” said Teofilo Abejo, co-convenor of the advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines.

“Our building code needs to be updated to be responsive to the emerging digital economy,” he stressed.

CitizenWatch which earlier pushed for the crafting of a telecommunication infrastructure code said the Building Code of 1977 needed to be updated.

“Developers of residential and commercial properties, both horizontal and vertical, need to understand their responsibility in providing connectivity as early as the project inception phase,” Abejo said.

He said House Bill No. 900, also called “An Act Providing for the Telecommunications Technology Readiness of Buildings and Structures, Amending Certain Sections of Presidential Decree 1096, or the National Building Code introduced by Rep. Christian Tell Yap needed some improvements.

“In advanced economies, having a mobile phone and a reliable broadband connection are as normal as having electricity or running water,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the original plans of some communities and high-rise buildings that are under development do not even contain such provisions the way they do for water or power. This is not acceptable in this information age,” he said.

Abejo pointed out that demand for telecommunication facilities can only increase especially after the pandemicdriven lockdowns forced many to find ways to remain connected for school, work, and even everyday personal transactions.

“It is also crucial during disasters, when preparation, rescue, and rehabilitation work hinges on connectivity,” Abejo said.

Comelec rules on EMBO case for barangay, SK polls

By Vito Barcelo and Joel E. Zurbano

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ruled that the 10 former barangays of Makati City will be part of Taguig City for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

The Taguig City government welcomed the Comelec decision to consider the 10 previously Makati-controlled barangays to be part of Taguig for purposes of the BSKE.

Meanwhile, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition of the Philippines (TDC) called for a smooth transition to end the Makati-Taguig dispute concerning 30,000 public school learners.

In a memorandum dated Aug. 19 signed by director Consuelo Diola, the

Comelec said it approved the recommendation of its law department to consider the villages involved in the land row to be “part of Taguig City for the purposes” of the upcoming elections.

“The barangays situated in Parcel 3 and 4, PSU-2031, can now be considered part of Taguig City for purposes of the 2023 BSKE,” the Comelec said in the memorandum.

Parcel 3 and 4 consisted of the 10 enlisted men’s barrio (EMBO) barangays.

IN BRIEF

P3-m smuggled diesel seized off Tawi-Tawi

Earlier, Comelec chairman George Garcia said voters in the affected barangays need not re-register for the upcoming elections.

He said voters from the barangays formerly declared as part of Makati will be automatically transferred to Taguig.

The period for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2023 BSKE will run from August 28 to September 2, while the campaign period is from October 19 to October 28 only.

Meanwhile, the Comelec also approved the law department’s recommendation for the Election Records and Statistics Department (ERSD) to provide the Information Technology Department (ITD) with an updated coding system for the barangays.

SIDEWALK ARTS

GALLERY.

An unidentified artist displays and sells his paintings at P2,500 apiece on a sidewalk in Malate, Manila. Lino Santos

Adiong eyes conformity in Lanao Sur dev’t projects

By Nash B. Maulana

MARAWI CITY--Governor Mamintal

Alonto Adiong, Jr. wants municipal programs aligned with the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan 2020-2040, the Vision 2040 of the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Information

Taguig mayor commends TCU graduates

THE Taguig City government on Monday lauded the 1,338 students of Taguig City University (TCU) who received their diplomas and awards during the third and last day of the school’s 17th commencement exercises held at the Bonifacio Global City.

The event also recognized graduates for their outstanding accomplishments in academic excellence, leadership, and athletics.

“As your Mayor, I have always believed that the Taguigueño students are the greatest asset of our city. We have invested in providing quality education as we believe in your potential and that your achievements will mirror the goals and aspirations of our own Probinsyudad,” said Mayor Laarni Cayetano, who attended the ceremony along with

deans, program chairs, the Board of Regents, and university officials.

Cayetano shared words of admiration for the accomplishments and encouraged the graduates to embrace their roles as responsible and productive members of the community.

The mayor reiterated her commitment to improving programs that facilitate accessible, high-quality education for the residents of Taguig.

Last month, 347 graduates from senior high school at the university were given cash incentives by the city government.

The senior high school graduates were awarded scholarship vouchers that they can use for the courses they want to take at public or private universities. Joel E. Zurbano

Office of Lanao del Sur has launched a series of focused group discussion on the Solo Parents Welfare Act Adiong disclosed this during the Caucus of Lanao del Sur Local Chief Executives’ Caucus in Cagayan de Oro City on August 17, 2023.

Lanao del Sur League of Municipalities president Mayor Dimnatang

Pansar said one of the main objectives of the caucus was to ensure that all programs of the municipal governments in the province were “aligned with the direction and programs under the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan 2020-2040, the Vision 2040 of the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur.

THE Philippine Navy’s Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), through its operating unit in coordination with other Law Enforcement Agencies along with the Bureau of Customs Tawi-Tawi interdicted a vessel allegedly involved in seaborne oil smuggling. The unit apprehended the M/B Annabel for transporting undocumented petroleum products in the sea waters off Panampangan Island, Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi on August 18.

The MB Annabel, with an 11man crew, was found carrying 250 drums of undocumented petroleum oil lubricant (POL) products, specifically diesel, approximately 50,000 liters, valued at P3 million.

The boat, its crew, and the seized items were turned over to the Bureau of Customs Tawi-Tawi for appropriate disposition.

Vince Lopez

BI nabs Polish fugitive,

rescues 2 traffic victims

BUREAU of Immigration (BI) have arrested a Polish fugitive and rescued two trafficking victims in a separate operation at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The foreigner, identified as Cezary Krynski, was arrested by the BI operatives in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Intelligence Group, the Regional Special Operations Group of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), and the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC), and Interpol NCB Manila.

The arrest stemmed from information provided by Polish authorities through the PNP’s Intelligence Group, stating that Krynski is the subject of a warrant of arrest issued by the district court in Bielsko-Biala for fraud, swindling, and forgery.

Krynski’s names was reportedly also in the Interpol Diffusion list due to his crimes.

The Polish was found to be overstaying in the Philippines, apart from being tagged as an undesirable alien. Vito Barcelo

Go says OFWs must have own hospitals

SENATOR Christopher Go has pushed for the institutionalization of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) Hospital, as well as the establishment of an OFW ward in DOH hospitals.

Go stressed the need to maximize and ensure continuing operations of the OFW Hospital in San Fernando City, Pampanga, a facility dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of OFWs and their families.

The senator, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, recalled the dream of having a department for OFWs, referring to them as the country’s modern-day heroes. He emphasized the significant investment made in the hospital.

“Remember, we have more than 10 million Filipinos abroad, OFWs included. We worked hard for them to have one department. I am one of the authors and co-sponsor of the law to establish the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW),” Go said. Macon Ramos-Araneta

RESCUED FISHERMEN. Philippine Coast Guard personnel assist two Filipino fishermen rescued by a tanker off Poro Point, San Fernando City in La Union. After physical and medical evaluation, the duo were transported to Barangay Cato, Infanta, Pangasinan where they rejoined their families.

DOGS DAY. Philippine Animal Welfare Society executive director Anna Cabrera and her pawed friend pose with other owners of Aspin (Asong Pinoy) breed during the observance of National Aspin Day held at the UP Town Center Quezon City, Manny Palmero

REMEMBERING NINOY. Supporters of the late Senator Benigno Aquino arrive at the Sto. Domingo church in Quezon Avenue to attend a mass celebrating Aquino’s 40th death anniversary on August 21 (inset). Aquino was assassinated on the tarmac of the then Manila International Airport while deplaning from a China Airlines flight upon his arrival in the country. Danny Pata and Manny Palmero

IN BRIEF

Romualdez calls for unity, peace in Eastern Visayas

By Maricel V. Cruz

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romual-

dez is urging all members of the Regional Peace and Order Council in Region 8 (RPOC-8) to work together for a safer and more prosperous Eastern Visayas through collaborative decision-making.

Speaking before the 3rd Quarterly Meeting of the RPOC-8, Romualdez underscored the importance of the council in keeping the peace in the region.

“Our convening today underscores our shared commitment to addressing the most pressing concerns of our region, from the state of criminality and peace and order to the challenges of drug-related issues and insurgency. Such issues not only impact Region 8 but reverberate throughout our nation,” Romualdez, the leader of the 312-member House of Representatives, said.

“Gen. Vincent Calanoga, RD Edgar Jubay, and Gen. Camilo Ligayo, the insights and updates you provide today serve as a bedrock upon which we base our decisions and strategies. Our objective remains clear: a safer, more prosperous, and united Region 8,” he added.

SBMA turns

over revenues to local gov’ts

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) formally turned over revenue shares for local government units (LGUs) covered by the operations of the freeport.

SBMA chairman and administrator Jonathan D. Tan led the turnover of the revenues to mayors of the eight LGUs.

LGU shares are derived from the 2% of the 5% corporate taxes paid by Subic Bay Freeport-registered enterprises from January to June 2023, which amounted to P207.65 million.

Less net retention amount of P4.62 million, LGU shares in the amount of ₱203 million were turned over by Tan for the first time during a simple ceremony at the Subic Bay Travelers Hotel.

Grateful for the positive turnout of LGU officials, Tan gave a briefing of the future development projects that the agency will be undertaking during the next few years of his term.

“These development projects will surely add value to the agency as it makes an effort to attract more investments; and with more investments, more jobs will be created not only for the residents of the neighboring towns of Subic, but also for the residents of neighboring provinces,” Tan assured. Butch Gunio

Solon slams unpaid NGCP franchise taxes

REP. Ray T. Reyes of AnaKalusugan on Monday slammed the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) for allegedly not paying its franchise tax for 12 years and instead passing on to consumers the 3 percent tax it owes to the government.

“This is a deplorable practice, and one that warrants a thorough review of the franchise of the NGCP,” Reyes, a member of the House Committee on Energy, said.

Reyes noted that based on the financial statement sent by NGCP to the SEC, NGCP is more than capable of paying its franchise tax yet still chose to pass on the responsibility to consumers.

“This is a cause for concern,”

Reyes said, noting that the corporation had a net income of more than P20 billion annually since 2011.

“I am appalled and we should be deeply concerned as this is but part of a long list of questionable practices by the NGCP,” he added.

Maricel V. Cruz

Bill backs community part in LGU planning

DAVAO City Rep. Paolo Duterte on Monday pushed for the passage of a measure institutionalizing the involvement of marginalized communities in the planning, budgeting, and implementation of projects.

Duterte said the enactment of House Bill 500 will help address poverty at the grassroots level.

In filing the bill, Duterte said this globally-recognized strategy, called the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach, should be institutionalized and provided sufficient funding to ensure that underserved and remote communities can decide which programs and projects should be implemented to suit their needs. Maricel V. Cruz

DA: Farmers benefitting from higher rice prices

By Charles Dantes

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday said that farmers are benefitting from the surge in rice prices as global fears of a rice shortage forced the world market to tighten its supply.

“For the longest time, Filipino farmers have always been at the losing end of the rice sector. But now, Filipino rice farmers are enjoying better prices from their fresh harvest, perhaps sparked by global fears of a shortage resulting from the adverse impact of El Niño forcing world suppliers to tighten supply in the world market,” Agriculture Undersecretary Leo Sebastian said.

According to data from the DA National Rice Program, prices rose to P17.69 a kilo

BIKE PATROL. Members of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) ‘Bike Patrol’ stand on guard at the bike lane along EDSA. Starting Monday, motorcycle riders using the bicycle lanes will be fined P1,000, the MMDA said. Manny Palmero

(for fresh) and P19.73 (for dry) in March 2023, compared to last year’s P15.99 for fresh and P18.41 for dry palay.

He added that in April 2023, the price of fresh palay was P17.66 per kilo and P20.38 for dry while in April 2022, the prices were P15.57 for fresh and P17.95 for dry.

Moreover, a price monitoring done by the Philippine Rice Information System showed that average dry palay prices were P19.5 per kilo for January to June 2023, compared to P18.3 per kilo from the same

period last year.

Recently, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is also the concurrent DA chief, said that the government is expecting lower rice prices as three major riceproducing provinces officially start their harvest to help stabilize the country’s supply Sen. Francis Escudero on Monday meanwhile joined calls to abolish the National Food Authority (NFA) saying that “it’s useless anyway, so why not just abolish it.”

“I believe that what is really needed is to strengthen the power and capacity of the NFA to do its mandate,” he said.

With a measly funding of only P8.5 billion, Escudero also questioned how the NFA can procure enough palay from local farmers at a “higher price” and sell it at a “lower price” to consumers.

Villafuerte files House bills to cut power, oil prices

By Maricel V. Cruz

CAMARINES Sur Rep. Luis Raymund

Villafuerte on Monday asked Congress to hasten the passage of three measures that mandate tax reductions to pull down the cost of power and petroleum products.

Villafuerte said passage of the measures will help the people cope with elevated inflation.

The lawmaker pushed this price-cut

proposal as oil companies raised last week the pump prices of gasoline and diesel for the sixth time in six weeks amid rising global demand and continuous supply cuts by Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter.

In House Bill (HB) 8231, Villafuerte, sought the amendment of various sections of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997 by imposing a temporary suspension for three years of, or a 50

PCU ordered to halt non-authorized programs

THE Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Monday ordered the Philippine Christian University (PCU) to cease and desist from offering non-authorized programs.

This came following the CHED’s issuance last Aug. 15 of a show cause order against the PCU for multiple offenses.

In a statement, CHED chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III warned the public following the PCU’s violation of regulations on its operations.

“PCU is ordered to immediately cease and desist from offering and implementing any and all programs for which it does not have official CHED permit, recognition or authorization to offer or conduct, including but not limited to, transnational higher education, distance education and

fully online classes,” he said. De Vera cited a series of violations verified on the CHED’s initial findings. Among these include the offering of Transnational Higher Education (TNHE) programs without a permit from the government; non-authorized public announcements for its TNHE programs; failure to provide data on its international partners, as well as partnering with institutions abroad with no recognition from its respective governments as quality HEI.

De Vera also noted the PCU’s “noncompliance with the prescribed faculty to student ratio” for the Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management program and the offering of non-authorized shortened graduate programs through online or distance “extension classes.”

percent cut on, certain tax payments, to lower electricity rates and the retail prices of fuel products.

“This proposed measure seeks to reduce the excise tax on petroleum products and coal by 50 percent, suspend the imposition of applicable duties on their importation, and exempt the system loss charge in the sale of electricity from the value-added tax (VAT), for a period of 3 years,” Villafuerte said.

Romualdez said that as leaders, every resolution dialogue and strategy the council deploys has real-world implications.

“The aspirations of our families, the dreams of our youth, and the well-being of our communities hinge upon our decisions,” he stressed.

“Furthermore, the significance of gatherings such as the Regional Peace and Order Council meeting cannot be understated. It is an embodiment of collaborative decision-making, a deep understanding of regional dynamics, and an unwavering commitment to the allocation of resources where they are most needed,” he continued.

‘DOH budget to increase despite proposed cut’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SEN. Sonny Angara said he is confident that the Department of Health’s (DOH) budget will be increased after the proposed P10-billion reduction in the agency’s funding passes through Congress.

“Legislators historically augment the program for MAIP or medical assistance for indigents,” Angara, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said.

During the deliberations on the DOH budget, Sen. Francis Tolentino said they will ask for the specific reasons for the reductions.

The country’s four specialty hospitals, he said, deserve more resources considering that they treat non-communicable chronic diseases that are long-lasting such as pulmonary fibrosis and other cardiovascular ailments.

These diseases affect a large segment of our population, he said.

Sen. JV Ejercito added that “we can make sacrifices elsewhere but we cannot compromise the budget for health programs, especially for the implementation of Universal Healthcare Law, which would benefit all Filipinos.”

Sen. Bong Revilla said the amount seems insufficient as it will be smaller compared to the 2023 budget. He said the DOH’s current budget is not enough for the hospitals. “We need to address the sector’s needs better,” he said.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said wasted allocation will be unacceptable considering the proposed cut. He said there should be no wastage and leakages when it comes to the purchase of vaccines, medicines, vitamins, and other supplies.

BALLOTS FOR BSKE.

A National Printing Office (NPO) personnel work on ballots for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). The NPO churned out 1,089,328 barangay ballots and 393,719 Sangguniang Kabataan ballots for Baliwag, Bulacan, Carmona, Cavite, Maguindanao del Norte, and Maguindanao del Sur. Manny Palmero

Funny, laughable conundrum over Ayungin Shoal

find a government regulator issuing licenses for the approval of casinos also operating casinos. It is unethical, Santa Banana!

It would do well to know how PAGCOR started during the incumbency of then strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

I knew the Philippines became a good hunting ground for gaming operators before Martial Law.

‘Existential

threat’

THE conundrum over who said it or not, and whether or not there was a promise made by the Philippines to tow away that rusty BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal)—China insists there was really a vow to get rid of that vessel with the standoff between the Philippines over the shoal – is fast becoming funny and even laughable.

The entire brouhaha, Santa Banana, started with the column of my favorite columnist in another newspaper that it was former President Erap Estrada who made that promise or vow to have the BRP towed away to settle the row over Ayungin Shoal, called internationally Second Thomas Shoal, between China and the Philippines.

But, the two senator sons of Erap - Jinggoy Estrada and JV Ejercito both denied it. Columnist Rigoberto Tiglao came out with his column confirming that Erap did really make that promise and vow.

Not to be outdone, Tiglao’s fellow columnist Kit Tatad joined the fray and further worsened the conundrum.

The debate could have been readily solved if there was a direct and written proof such a promise or vow truly existed after a spokesman of the National Security Council said what China was claiming was “just a figment of their imagination.”

Then this was followed by another statement that China was using a psycho war and that some “operatives” were being used against the Philippines.

Who really did it or not is no longer an issue after no less than President Marcos Jr. stated “at this moment I rescind it.”

And when Martial Law was declared in 1972, the father of BBM named his own people as gambling operators. And to regulate the operations of gaming, the PAGCOR was created.

That eventually led to gambling operators to leave the country, but PAGCOR continued to exist as a source of revenue for the country’s sports, medical needs, schools and the like, my gulay.

At that time, PAGCOR already had some 45 casinos nationwide, which became very profitable.

Records show that the total income of PAGCOR rose to P58.96 billion in 2022 from P35.48 billion in 2021. Records also show that PAGCOR’s total contributions to nation-building rose to P34.67 billion in 2022 from P22.92 billion in 2021.

According to records, in the first half of this year 2023, the total income it generated was already P36.21 billion and its total income is expected to be P75.49 billion.

While there are those who say that “why privatize when PAGCOR lays the golden egg?”

But in effect, being a government regulator operating 45 casinos is truly unethical.

Probationary status

It is well to note the government lost P2.2 billion during the past administration when a POGO or Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator just closed shop and all its Chinese officers and workers just disappeared and left the country just like that, without paying their taxes and license fees.

Santa Banana, that’s a lot of money.

This was revealed during the deliberations on the budget of PAGCOR.

Once again, the government became the victim of POGO scams, my gulay!

As a result, PAGCOR chairman and executive officers had placed all 32 POGOs under “probationary status” from August 1 to September 14. In other words, all existing POGOs must now have to reapply for new licenses, otherwise they are considered illegal.

Well, that’s one way of getting rid of POGOs, an activity China itself considers illegal, and they are flourishing in the Philippines, with all the social costs they are giving the country when criminal syndicates from Mainland China have made the country their playground by kidnapping other Chinese officers and workers of POGOs for ransom often torturing them.

It’s for this reason why there have been clamor from Filipinos just to ban POGOs totally.

And yet, the government appears hesitant to ban POGOs because of money reasons and all the revenue the government gets from them.

ABLISTERING heatwave is sweeping the northern hemisphere, including parts of Europe and the Americas, with record-high temperatures triggering devastating wildfires in countries like Greece, Italy, Spain, Canada and Algeria along the Mediterranean.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres aptly described the intense heat as a “cruel summer” while pleading for immediate radical action on climate change.

He was to the purpose when he said the record-shattering temperatures last month show Earth has passed from a warming phase into an “era of global boiling.”

In the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself often mentioned the need to address climate change and protect the environment in his speeches since becoming chief executive of this country of 114 million people in June 2022.

“The building blocks of progressive, livable and sustainable communities will never be complete without appropriate and responsible action to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change,” the 65-year-old President said, adding his administration treats climate change as an “important criterion” in crafting national policies. The chief executive earlier on cited the need to develop green and blue economies, and protect and preserve forests as well as the commitment of the country to meet the global

decarbonization goals.

He also touched on the adoption of a “circular economy” – or maximizing resource efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions.

“Just like our climate change action, this new system requires the participation of all sectors of society, up to each individual citizen, for it to succeed,” the President said.

Speaking in New York recently, Guterres said the heat last month for the entire planet “is a disaster” and noted that “short of a mini-Ice Age over the next days, July 2023 will shatter records across the board.”

He added: “Climate change is here. It

Power of sacrifice

IT IS exactly 40 years since Ninoy Aquino was found face first and dead on the tarmac of Manila International Airport.

When he faced the Military Tribunal with charges of murder, illegal possession of firearms, and subversion, he refused to submit to Marcos’ iron fist.

is terrifying. And it is just the beginning. The era of global warming has ended; the era of global boiling has arrived.”

US President Joe Biden at the White House himself has said that, with large swathes of the United States facing a record-breaking heatwave, the soaring temperatures from climate change is an “existential threat.”

The extreme impacts of climate change have been in line with scientists’ “predictions and repeated warnings,” Guterres said, adding the “only surprise is the speed of the change.”

In the face of “tragic” consequences, he repeated his call for swift and farreaching action, taking aim once again at the fossil fuel sector.

“The air is unbreathable. The heat is unbearable. And the level of fossil fuel profits and climate inaction is unacceptable,” said Guterres, Portugal’s former prime minister.

“Leaders must lead,” he said. “No more hesitancy. No more excuses. No more waiting for others to move first.”

Ahead of the Climate Ambition Summit he is set to host in September, Guterres called on developed countries to commit to achieving carbon neutrality as close to 2040 as possible, and for emerging economies as close as possible to 2050.

The “destruction” unleashed by humanity “must not inspire despair, but action,” he said, warning that to prevent the worst outcomes humanity “must turn a year of burning heat into a year of burning ambition.”

Thus for all intents and purposes, the conundrum should end there, period, Santa Banana!

If only to show how important the Ayungin Shoal is to the Philippines, it is well within the 130 nautical miles of the Exclusive Economic Zone within the continental shelf of the country that China is claiming to be part of its territory.

Of course, China is relying on its historical map and its mythical nine-dash line that had been ruled by the Arbitral Court to be illegal when the country went to the Hague to protest it, and to get rid of that rusted BRP Sierra Madre would in effect admit that China really owns Ayungin and is part of its territory.

That’s how crucial Ayungin Shoal is to the Philippines and it was precisely because of that that the government had grounded the BRP Sierra Madre.

But, as I said, that conundrum about who or what was said that the Philippines would tow away the BRP Sierra Madre was fast becoming a big joke after the statement of BBM.

And it would do well for people just to stop the debate.

What I’m really afraid of is that we Filipnos cannot even agree on whether or not there was such a promise or vow to give way to China to take over Ayungin Shoal, from my point of view, a score for China over the Battle of Ayungin Shoal.

China’s President Xi Jinping must be laughing at us.

Privatization

Alejandro (Al) Tengco made a lot of sense when he revealed during the budget hearings the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) should be privatized.

PAGCOR operates 45 casinos nationwide.

Tengco said it does not make sense that PAGCOR as the regulator of gaming should operate those 45 casinos.

I have been wondering why a gaming government agency also has gaming casinos nationwide. It is perhaps only in the Philippines where you

MOSCOW—The Luna-25 probe, Russia’s first Moon mission in almost 50 years, has crashed on the Earth’s natural satellite after an unspecified incident during pre-landing maneuvers, the Russian space agency Roscosmos said.

The crash comes almost a year and a half into Russia’s Ukraine offensive that has seen Moscow isolated, with punishing sanctions that have affected its space industry.

The failed mission comes as several companies and nations have entered a Moon race, and put a spotlight on the Russian space sector’s troubles —from corruption to lack of innovation and partnerships.

Communication with Luna-25 was lost at 2:57 pm (7:57 August 19 Manila time) on Saturday, Roscosmos said.

According to preliminary findings, the lander “has ceased to exist following a collision with the Moon’s surface..

“Measures taken on August 19 and 20 to locate the craft and make contact with it were unsuccessful,” the space agency added.

It said a ministerial investigation would be

Santa Banana, the hesitance of the government to ban POGOS has raised the question: Is the country so desperate for revenue from an activity considered by China as illegal?

With the hesitancy of the Marcos administration in totally banning POGOs, it does seem the country is indeed so desperate for POGO money at all costs, my gulay!

The Makati-Taguig turf war

Following the tension with public schools opening on August 29, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte had the DepEd take over the 14 “embos” public schools, which used to be within the jurisdiction of Makati, but which the Supreme Court ruled as part of Taguig City. These “embos” of enlisted men barrios are thickly populated and are known to be pro-Binay.

With the take-over by the DepEd and with the opening of public schools on the 29th, it is hoped the Makati-Taguig turf war will simmer down.

But, I don’t think it will since some 30,000 public school students had expected Makati Mayor Abby Binay to give free uniforms, sneakers, leather shoes, lunch boxes and other perks and benefits.

Binay had sought a writ of execution from the High Court, but Taguig had resisted, insisting the takeover by Taguig of the 14 “embos” public schools did not need a writ.

In taking over the public schools of the 14 “embos,” Duterte mandated the DepEd to promote every Filipino’s right to accessible, equitable and quality education and as such, the DepEd must provide a safe and enabling environment to students, teachers and personnel, thus placing the “embo” schools under the direct supervision of the Schools Division Office of both Taguig and Makati.

The turf war will at least give way for the August 29 opening of schools.

The Philippine National Police has been ordered to ensure the strict implementation of the DepEd directive.

This was later renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in commemoration of him. Imagine a sea of people in yellow waiting for the return of their hero after leaving home, like the arc of a classic Filipino epic.

With this gravity, picture how devastated the Filipinos were when we heard the gunshots.

How can the Filipino people not be?

By 1983, the Philippines had been under the dictatorship for 18 years. When you live in dark times and you think you finally see light at the end of the tunnel, having that light stolen from you hurts tenfold.

I’m not sure what I can say about Ninoy Aquino that hasn’t already been said yet.

Ninoy Aquino was the typical overachiever from a well-known landowning family in Tarlac.

He became the youngest mayor, the youngest vice governor, the youngest governor, then the youngest senator.

He was a full-fledged politician at 22. If we think about it, he was well-off enough to have chosen a safer route.

He could have chosen to stay quiet amidst Marcos Sr.’s atrocities.

He could have chosen to not go home to the Philippines, and yet…

Any Filipino, with admiration or disrespect, knows Ninoy as a ‘staunch critic of Marcos.’

He criticized the 1967 election, Marcos’ overspending on infrastructure turned edifice complex, as well as the militarization of government offices.

A proof of the claim he was in the opposition came the morning after the declaration of martial law.

He was arrested and detained in Camp Crame with other opposition members. And even in detention, he remained firm with his beliefs.

Of course, many people questioned and continue to question his bourgeoisie background.

Class is always a part of the discussion, and rightfully so.

However, it seems that when it came down to it, when he was challenged, he chose to stand by his principles and with the Filipino people.

Ninoy Aquino is an icon all on his own, but his assassination has made him even more so.

We are allowed to be upset about the devastating state of our nation; in fact, we should be

In hindsight, if you watch his last interview, he was not deluded.

He knew that there was a big possibility that he will not be stepping into the Philippines alive again and yet… His privileged background would have been enough to let him off the hook.

He could have lived comfortably in the United States with no consequences.

But he didn’t.

When you make a choice as large as that, knowing you could have escaped and yet choose to sacrifice for the greater good, you become an impeccable representation of sacrifice, courage, and love for your people.

However much we deny it, Ninoy Aquino’s death was a huge reason why People Power was possible. When the

Russia’s Luna-25 probe crashes on the Moon

opened into the causes of the crash, without giving any indication of what technical problems might have occurred. With Luna-25, Moscow had hoped to build on the legacy of its Soviet-era Luna programme, marking a return to independent Moon exploration in the face of financial troubles and corruption scandals at the program and growing isolation from the West.

Valery Yegorov, a former researcher with Russia’s space program who now lives in exile, said the crash would severely affect Roscosmos’s future missions, with the next one not planned until 2028 or “even later”.

He suggested the probe’s failure was linked to electronic problems, possibly resulting from Western sanctions on Moscow.

The Luna-25 launch was postponed several times in the last five years, Yegorov said, “because of sanctions imposed on Russia in response to seizing Crimea.” Research ‘not a priority’

“Science, fundamental research, some kind of

humanistic ideas about space colonization, about revealing the secrets of the universe, are clearly not a priority right now,” said Yegorov, who has denounced the Kremlin’s Ukraine offensive.

The 800-kilogram Luna-25 probe was to have made a soft landing on Monday on the Moon’s south pole—which would have been a historic first. Russia has not attempted to land on a celestial

body since 1989, when the Soviet Union’s Phobos 2 probe to explore the moons of Mars failed after an onboard computer malfunction.

Roscosmos chief Yuri Borisov had said the venture would be “risky,” telling President Vladimir Putin in June that the probability of it succeeding was “around 70 percent.”

Luna-25 had been successfully placed in the Moon’s orbit on Wednesday after being launched from the Vostochny cosmodrome in the Russian Far East.

Space race

But on Saturday, Roscosmos said an “emergency” had been detected during a maneuver by the probe before its landing, preventing the operation from being carried out.

Luna-25 had been expected to stay on the Moon for a year, collecting soil samples and looking for water -- an ingredient enthusiasts hope could be used to make rocket fuel for future launches and support potential colonies living there.

Cameras installed on the lander had already taken shots of the lunar surface.

oppressors steal the light at the end of the tunnel, you can be the light.

And that’s exactly what the Filipino people did.

To sacrifice is to know you will have to suffer and yet choose suffering for a greater cause.

Ninoy Aquino, along with many other martial law victims, chose suffering in exchange for the possibility of democracy.

In exchange for the possible toppling of a dictatorship.

True enough, their sacrifices were not for naught.

Ninoy Aquino Day will always be relevant for this reason.

But this is even truer now with another Marcos leading the country.

At present, it is even more important, not only to commemorate it, but to draw inspiration from it.

We are faced with the same things –constant human rights violations, increasing prices, and the proliferation of a fake history that makes the Marcoses heroes.

We are allowed to be upset about the devastating state of our nation; in fact, we should be.

But we must remember that despair can only take us so far.

We are tasked to call on the same spirit Ninoy Aquino had.

To choose what is courageous, what is just, what is good for fellow Filipinos.

To persist.

Of course, I do not believe that life is all sacrifice, but it is an essential part of a life well-lived, of a country well-loved.

Ninoy Aquino might not have been perfect, but he was and is definitely someone to look up to when we need light and courage to make sacrifices.

Doubts had already emerged about Russia’s long-running space cooperation with the West in the wake of its military campaign in Ukraine.

While Russia has said it intends to use the International Space Station until 2028, the European Space Agency has dropped plans to co-operate with Moscow on Moon and Mars missions.

Moscow last landed a probe -- Luna-24 -- on the Moon in 1976, before shifting away from lunar exploration in favor of missions to Venus and building the Mir space station.

Landing Luna-25 successfully would have paved the way for further Russian missions to the Moon, at a time when India and China are launching their own probes and the United States returns to manned missions.

India’s competing space probe, Chandrayaan-3, entered the Moon’s orbit earlier in August, also with the goal of landing on the south pole. Only Russia, the United States and China have previously achieved a controlled landing on the Moon. AFP

With the hesitancy of the Marcos administration in totally banning POGOs, it does seem the country is indeed so desperate for POGO money at all costs

The UN chief has repeated his call for swift and far-reaching action, taking aim once again at the fossil fuel sector

Canada wildfires merge as evacuations pick up

KELOWNA,

fast-moving

wildfires merged overnight in western Canada, threatening hundreds more homes and forcing continued evacuations in a wide swath of British Columbia province, officials said Sunday (Monday in Manila).

The growing blaze is now centered near the town of Shuswap, 500 kilometers northeast of Vancouver, and it covers more than 41,000 hectares, fire officials in British Columbia said.

Strong northern winds continued to fan the flames, as hundreds of firefighters struggled to control them. Across the province, some 30,000 people have been ordered to evacuate while 36,000 others have been told to be prepared to leave in short order.

Canada’s Northwest Territories, north of

British Columbia, are also facing a grave fire threat.

The territorial capital Yellowknife has been surrounded by wildfires for days. Nearly all the city’s 20,000 people have left.

After overnight rains brought fire crews a brief respite, the fire threat was growing again on Sunday, the authorities said.

Many of the thousands of evacuees were converging on the city of Kelowna, which lay under a dense layer of smoke visible from 100 kilometers away.

A 39-year-old hotel worker named April,

who declined to give her last name, said she had had to evacuate with two small children.

“I was crying, crying, crying,” she told AFP. “It was really sad to leave our things, our house—I don’t know what will happen.”

One official warned that some evacuations might not be short-lived, lasting “weeks and not days.”

That message, from Mayor Kandis Jameson of Hay River, a small town near Yellowknife, added that the situation would be reviewed weekly. AFP

Biden heading to Hawaii to view damage, meet survivors

WASHINGTON, DC—President Joe Biden was heading to Hawaii on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) to view the widespread damage from the recent Maui wildfires, meet with survivors and fend off political criticism that his government was too slow to respond to the disaster.

There were no immediate details on the precise itinerary awaiting Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, or the identities of those they would meet as they arrive nearly two weeks after ferocious, wind-whipped blazes claimed at least 114 lives -- and likely many more.

Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said, however, that “he is going to be able to see what I saw when I went to Maui last week, and just really experience the complete and utter devastation that this town had experienced.

“But he’s also going to be able to talk with people and hear their stories and provide a sense of hope and assurance that the federal government is going to be with them,” Criswell said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.”

In a statement Sunday Biden said, “I know how pro-

Firefighters

LA OROTAVA, Spain—Fire-

fighters made gains in their battle against a vast wildfire on Tenerife on Sunday after better-than-expected overnight weather helped them keep the blaze from destroying homes on the Spanish holiday island, regional officials said. The blaze broke out late Tuesday in a mountainous northeastern area, quickly morphing into the Canary Islands’ biggest-ever wildfire.

So far, the fire, which now has a perimeter of 84 kilometers, has burned through 11,600 hectares of land, which is nearly six percent of Tenerife’s overall surface area. And it has forced more than 12,000 people to flee their homes, the regional government said, citing police figures.

Despite expectations of a difficult night, things went “much better than expected”, Canary Islands leader Fernando Clavijo said.

“We warned of a complex situ-

foundly loss can impact a family and a community and I know nothing can replace the loss of life. I will do everything in my power to help Maui recover and rebuild from this tragedy.” Biden issued a major-disaster declaration on August 10, two days after the devastating fires, to expedite federal funding and assistance to the area.

But some critics, including disgruntled survivors in Hawaii and some Republicans hoping to face Biden in next year’s presidential election, say federal aid has been inadequate and poorly organized.

Former president Donald Trump said it was “disgraceful” that his successor had not responded more quickly, though White House spokesmen have said Biden delayed his trip so as not to distract officials and rescuers on the ground from recovery efforts.

Criswell, defending the government’s response during appearances on Sunday talk shows, said Biden’s presence Monday should underscore his commitment to ensuring Hawaii’s recovery. AFP

LOS ANGELES, United States—

Heavy rains lashed California on Sunday (Monday in Manila) as Tropical Storm Hilary raced in from Mexico, bringing warnings of potentially life-threatening flooding in the typically arid southwestern United States. With people already on edge, nature struck in another scary way: a 5.1 magnitude earthquake hit near the southern California town of Ojai but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

As of Sunday afternoon Hilary’s core was in California packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour, after barreling up Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, the US National Hurricane Center said of this tropical weather event which was very rare for southern California. The storm was moving at the brisk pace of 37 kph.

“Catastrophic and life-threatening flooding likely over Baja California and portions of the southwestern US through Monday,” it warned.

“This is an unprecedented weather event,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warned.

Beaches were ordered closed and people rushed to stores to stock up on water and other essentials. Flash flood and even tornado warnings were issued for some areas.

Hilary earlier reached Category 4—the second-most powerful on the five-step Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale -- but was downgraded to a tropical storm as it headed towards the densely populated Mexican border city of Tijuana. AFP

gains against Tenerife wildfire

ation, with rising temperatures and wind... and it’s true the night started very hard with many calls saying the fire was very close to people’s homes,” he told reporters early Sunday.

But the firefighters “worked very intensively” and got through the night without losing a single home to the blaze, he said, describing it as “almost a miracle”.

Montse Roman, technical head of the operation, said overnight operations were “mainly focused on defending infrastructure and homes on the northern flank of the fire”, confirming there had “not been any more evacuations or confinement orders”.

However, officials on Sunday ordered the evacuation of the luxury state-run Parador hotel next to Mount Teide volcano, Spain’s highest peak, the emergency services said.

SKRYDSTRUP, Denmark—Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Sunday a “historic” decision by the Netherlands and Denmark to provide American F-16 fighter jets, the latest move by Western allies to bolster his country’s efforts to fend off Russia’s invasion.

Zelensky had sought the advanced jets for months to strengthen Ukraine’s Soviet-era air force as it pursues a grinding counter-offensive against Russian forces in the east.

Washington announced its approval of the F-16 transfers on Fri-

GAINS MADE. A helicopter drops water in the area of La Florida over a huge wildfire raging through forested areas that surround the Mount Teide volcano natural park, on the Canary island of Tenerife, on Sunday. Firefighters made gains in their battle against a vast wildfire after Better-than-expected overnight weather helped them keep the blaze from destroying homes on the Spanish holiday island. AFP

It was not immediately clear how many people were evacuated from the hotel, which is located in the middle of the Teide national park at 2,000 meters above sea level. AFP

day, with training of Ukraine pilots set to begin this month, which may allow Ukraine to begin deploying the jets in early 2024. The decision is “absolutely historic, powerful and inspiring for us,” Zelensky said alongside Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte during a visit to the Eindhoven air force base in the Netherlands. Rutte said the number of F-16s provided to Kyiv had not been determined, but Zelensky said in a later statement that “Our warriors will receive 42 great combat aircraft.” AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

make

Battle-scarred Ukraine hails

‘historic’ decision to supply F-16 jets

Canada— Two

“extreme”

RESTLESS RAZE. An aerial view shows charred remains on the side of the road beside the highway in Enterprise, Northwest Territories, Canada, on Sunday. Enterprise and Hay River were put on evacuation orders prior to the city of Yellowknife. Residents of Yellowknife in Canada’s far north raced last weekend to evacuate ahead of a midday deadline as wildfires bear down on the remote city and other parts of the vast country. AFP

AIR POWER. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left)) and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen sit in an F-16 fighter jet in the hangar of the Skrydstrup Airbase in Vojens, northern Denmark, on Sunday. Washington has told Denmark and the Netherlands they will be permitted to hand over their F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine when the country’s pilots are trained to operate them, the US State Department said. AFP

China cuts key interest rate to support growth

BEIJING—China’s central bank on Monday cut a key interest rate in an attempt to counter the post-Covid growth slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy.

Activity has been dragged down recently by uncertainty in the labor market and global economic sluggishness, weakening demand for Chinese goods.

Financial troubles in the real estate sector, with several leading developers on the verge of bankruptcy and struggling to complete projects, also pose a major obstacle to growth.

The People’s Bank of China on Monday cut the one-year loan prime rate, which serves as a benchmark for corporate loans, from 3.55 percent to 3.45 percent.

However, the five-year LPR, which is used to price mortgages, was held at 4.2 percent.

Closely followed by the markets, the two rates are now at historic lows, after previous reductions in June.

The decision is intended to encourage commercial banks to grant more loans and at more advantageous rates.

Monday’s measures—which run counter to rising interest rates around the world as other major economies work to curb inflation—aim to indirectly support economic activity as growth flags.

The long-awaited post-Covid recovery following the lifting of health restrictions at the end of 2022 has run out of steam in recent months.

In another sign that the recovery is faltering, loans to households fell last month to their lowest level since 2009.

To reinvigorate the economy, the central bank reduced the rate for its medium-term lending facility to financial institutions last Tuesday.

And financial regulators agreed Friday on the need for “financial support”, while avoiding “risks and hidden dangers”, state media reported.

Analysts polled by Bloomberg expected a bigger cut to the LPR following the Friday meeting. AFP

Markets mixed on China’s move to cut interest rates

HONG KONG, China—Markets were mixed Monday as China’s decision to cut interest rates again failed to reassure investors, who are increasingly worried about the outlook for the world’s number two economy.

Sentiment has been hammered this month by a string of weak data out of Beijing indicating the post-Covid recovery has run off track.

Speculation that the US Federal Reserve could tighten monetary policy further and keep rates elevated for some time has added to the gloom as it tries to bring inflation down to its two percent target.

Wall Street provided a tepid lead, while focus turns to a symposium of

top central bankers and business leaders at Jackson Hole, Wyoming, this week, with dealers hoping for some guidance on rates.

“From recent commentaries, it appears that central bankers will keep the flexibility to hike rates further, while clearly avoiding committing to cut rates soon,” said Redmond Wong at Saxo. While the Fed and others contemplate more increases, the People’s Bank of China announced on Monday another cut in a bid to kick start the sputtering economy.

The decision to lower the one-year loan prime rate, which serves as a benchmark for corporate loans, comes after a reduction in June and leaves it at a historic low.

However, it stood pat on the five-year LPR, which is used to price mortgages and the reductions were smaller than forecasters had predicted. The announcement did little to soothe

Stocks plummet

PSEi August 18, 2023

TOP GAINERS

TOP LOSERS

worried investors, who are calling for leaders to unveil more concrete measures to boost growth.

A series of pledges to reinvigorate the economy have been made but with very little detail.

Hong Kong led losers, extending a sell-off to a seventh straight day and leaving it more than 20 percent down from its January high.

Shanghai was also in the red along with Sydney, Singapore and Wellington, though Tokyo, Seoul, Mumbai, Bangkok and Jakarta rose.

“Unsurprisingly markets were less than impressed by this move, expecting authorities to be much more forceful. This lack of urgency... is unlikely to spark demand in an economy where loan demand appears to be low anyway,” said Michael Hewson of CMC Markets. London, Paris and Frankfurt were higher in the morning. AFP

Race to link people’s brains to computers is heating up with AI’s help

SAN FRANCISCO, United States—

Brain implants have long been trapped in the realm of science fiction, but a steady trickle of medical trials suggests the tiny devices could play a big part in humanity’s future.

Billions of dollars are flowing into a clutch of specialist companies hunting for treatments for some of the most debilitating ailments.

And pioneering studies have already yielded results.

In May, a Dutchman paralyzed in a motorcycle accident regained the ability to walk thanks to implants that restored communication between his brain and spinal cord.

That experiment was one of several eye-catching trials that have helped spark a huge buzz around the industry.

In the decade to 2020, investors poured more than $30 billion into neurotechnology more widely, according to UNESCO.

And the money has continued to flood in thanks, in part, to rapid improvements in artificial intelligence (AI), used by researchers to interpret the data from the implants.

Tech titan Elon Musk has refocused

GREEN LIGHT

JONATHAN

IN TODAY’S complicated social and economic world, there are rare gems that not only dare to dream but also work hard to make those dreams come true. Richard Anthony Tagle is one of these fantastic people. He is currently the president and CEO of the Denver Public Schools Foundation.

Richard’s journey shows a variety of lessons and insights that can help us grow as people and professionals. He is known for his unwavering commitment to helping children, families and communities who have been left behind.

Tagle was on track to becoming an investment banker when he went to American University. However, he got pulled into the world of sociology by accident. His path changed when he became interested in foreign agencies. This made him realize how complicated it is for organizations to shape social structures and relationships. He finally got a Master’s degree in applied sociology because of this new interest, which set him on the path to use his knowledge

some energy on his Neuralink firm after it received permission in May to test its implants on humans, helping it to raise $280 million in funding.

And other firms with less prominent bosses are proliferating, offering hope for sufferers of ailments from rare nerve diseases to severe epilepsy.

‘Turning point’

Synchron, a company formed more than a decade ago, raised $75 million

CEO & Founder of, Synchron, Thomas Oxley, holds a stentrode in his office on August 9, 2023, in New York. Synchron got permission from US authorities in 2021 to test its implant and has on nine people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. The implant allows the use of messaging apps and browsing online using only eye movements and thoughts. Unlike other implants, it does not need invasive surgery. Oxley thinks the technology, known as braincomputer interface, is now at a “turning point.” The industry must aim to make the implants widelyaccessible, he told AFP. AFP

this year with backing from the likes of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos. The firm got permission from the US authorities in 2021 to test its implant, and has since rolled it out to nine people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)—the motor neurone disease that physicist Stephen Hawking suffered from.

Its implant allows patients to use

MOST ACTIVE

messaging apps or browse online using only eye movements and thoughts.

One of the big selling points is that, unlike other implants, it does not require invasive surgery.

The first goals of the Synchron test, said Dr David Putrino, who oversaw the medical trial at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, were to make sure the implant was safe and could monitor the brain over long periods.

On both fronts, he said, the trial had been a success.

Synchron founder Tom Oxley thinks the technology, known as brain-computer interface (BCI), is now at a “turning point.”

The industry must aim to make the implants widely accessible, he told AFP.

Brain attack

There are still pretty hefty impediments before that can happen, not least that the most powerful results often come from the most invasive implants.

For example, a patient in the US, Ian Burkhart, who was left paralyzed from the neck down after a diving accident, told AFP that getting an implant that allowed him to control his arms and hands again was a “magical moment.” AFP

A journey to education and leadership

and skills for the good of society as a whole.

This “accidental sociologist” has become influential in many fields, thanks to his schooling and 30 years of nonprofit work. He has worked as a senior program officer for the United States Conference of Mayors, chief of staff at the Public Education Network and CEO at the Andy Roddick Foundation and Higher Achievement.

Richard is also the founder and managing principal of High Think and is currently in charge of the Denver Public Schools Foundation.

Tagle has shown that he believes in the power of community spirit and kindness in every job he has had, with a focus on how society treats children and people who are weak. In the mid1990s, he built health centers in schools, made programs for neighborhoods that didn’t have enough services and raised millions of dollars for programs that help children and families.

Tagle’s journey has not been easy. He knows that unexpected things will happen and that it’s essential to be strong when facing them. He has learned to listen carefully to understand what is said, what isn’t and the real stories behind the tales. These events

have shown him how important it is to learn from mistakes, which is a crucial part of his job as CEO. He says that to be successful in foreign business, you need to be fluent in multiple languages, understand different cultures, be able to handle different situations and have a global mindset. Tagle’s belief in the power of listening and judging shows that he is sure that good leadership always needs learning and teaching.

How can you use what you’ve learned at a place like the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas? First, Tagle’s focus on the bigger picture aligns with what the central bank should do. It shows how important it is for us to keep our country’s finances stable and ensure that the economy grows sustainably. This is a goal that we should be committed to.

Second, his experience with being strong in the face of problems significantly impacts the bank. As BSPers, we need to be able to respond quickly to changes in the outside world and be strong when the economy is uncertain.

Third, Tagle’s emphasis on listening and good judgment shows us how important these skills are in business.

In our jobs, we must pay attention to how the market moves, spot economic trends and know what our policy choices mean.

Lastly, the focus on learning and teaching relates to our ongoing career growth. The BSP pushes its workers to go to school, learn new skills and share their knowledge with their coworkers.

Like Tagle, we should try to learn and teach throughout our lives.

Tagle’s trip shows the power of a new direction, leading to a deeper understanding of society’s workings. His story is a lighthouse that guides us on how to follow our dreams and learn from our mistakes. When we compare his trip to what we do in the BSP, we see that our work is about more than just economic policy. It’s about making the world a better place for everyone.

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

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

Japanese looks at wearable

TOKYO, Japan—Selling jackets with built-in fans, neck coolers and T-shirts that feel cold, Japanese firms are tapping into a growing market for products to help people handle the summer heat.

Japan—like other countries -- is seeing ever-hotter summers. This July was the warmest in 100 years, with at least 53 people dying of heatstroke and almost 50,000 needing emergency medical attention.

BANGKOK—Thailand registered lower than expected economic growth of 1.8 percent in the second quarter, official data released Monday showed.

Officials blamed a slowdown in exports, which fell 5.7 percent yearon-year, for the weak pace.

Workman, which makes clothes for construction workers, launched a version of their fan-fitted jackets adapted for the high street in 2020 as demand grew.

The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) cut its forecast for 2023 to between 2.5 and 3 percent, citing poor global conditions.

The mechanism is simple -- two electric, palm-sized fans powered by a rechargeable battery are fitted into the back of the jacket.

They draw in air to then deliver a breeze—at variable speeds—onto the wearer’s body.

The jackets retail for 12,000 to 24,000 yen ($82-164).

“The growth in the second quarter is lower than expected due to the slowdown of exports which fell for three quarters respectively since last year,” said Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the NESDC.

“As the weather gets hotter, people who have never worn fan-equipped clothing before want to find ways to cool down... so more people are interested in buying it,” Workman spokesman Yuya Suzuki told AFP.

Output from manufacturing fell 3.3 percent and government spending also dropped 4.3 percent, the data showed.

“Just like you feel cool when you are at home with a fan, you feel cool just by wearing (the jacket) because the wind is blowing through your body all the time,” he said.

The kingdom is stuck in a political deadlock three months after a national election, with no prime minister able to form a government.

Ageing population at risk

Danucha sought to calm investors’ fears of looming instability, noting political demonstrations so far have been small and peaceful.

Japanese summers are known to be hot and humid, but this July Tokyo really sweated.

The average temperature was 28.7 Celsius (83.7 Fahrenheit), the highest on record since 1875.

Just three years ago violent street protests brought capital the Bangkok to a standstill for months.

Heatstroke is particularly deadly in Japan, which has the secondoldest population in the world after Monaco.

“If the transition (of government) runs smoothly, investors will be confident and come to invest,” he told reporters.

The figures were released ahead of a key vote in Thailand’s parliament due Tuesday that could see the deadlock broken, and a new prime minister finally elected. AFP

Thailand posts lower economic growth of 1.8% in 2nd quarter

NUCLEAR MEETING. Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (L) greets Masanobu Sakamoto (R), head of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations, and other representatives the prime minister’s office in Tokyo on August 21, 2023. Kishida met the fisheries industry head on August 21 to seek an understanding of the contentious release of treated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean. AFP

BSP seen matching Fed’s rate cuts if inflation ebbs

By Julito G. Rada

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is expected to match any move by the US Federal Reserve to cut interest rates in the coming months, a scenario that will be positive for the local financial markets, including the peso, an economist said Monday.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said any Fed rate cut might take place if inflation in the world’s largest economy hits the target of 2 percent.

“If the US CPI/inflation goes to the Fed’s target of 2 percent later this year, at the earliest, then this could eventually justify and usher the start of Fed rate cuts especially into 2024 that could

PSE INDEX CLOSING

also be matched locally and would become a major positive lead/catalyst for the global and local financial markets for the coming months,” Ricafort said in a report.

The next local policy meeting is scheduled in September 2023, and Ricafort said local monetary authorities could match the Fed’s move to maintain healthy interest rate differentials to

support the stability of the foreign exchange rate, import prices and overall inflation.

“[A] pause on local policy rates [is] also a possibility, especially if the peso exchange rate is relatively stable,” he said.

The peso gained P0.59 to close at 56.18 on Aug. 18, a day after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas kept the local policy rates unchanged, but signaled a hawkish pause and readiness to tighten monetary policy if needed and if upside inflation risks happen.

Ricafort earlier said one factor that contributed to the peso’s weakness was the “tail end” of the seasonal increase in OFW remittances for tuition and other school opening-related payments, followed by the seasonal increase in im-

IN BRIEF

Villar’s retail companies eye expansion in 2024

RETAIL companies of businessman Manuel

Villar disclosed plans to resume aggressive expansion next year after slowing down in the past few years amid the pandemic.

portation in the third quarter.

The interagency Development Budget Coordinating Committee in June revised down the peso-dollar exchange rate assumption for 2023 to a range of 54 to 57 and 53 to 57 in the medium term.

The peso fell to an all-time low of 59 per US dollar in October 2022 amid expectations that the Fed by that time would raise interest rates. The peso ended 2022 at 55.755, losing P4.756 compared to 50.999 against the greenback on the last trading day of 2021.

BSP Governor Eli Remolona said in an interview with CNBC Friday there is still room for local monetary authorities to increase the prevailing interest rates, if needed, without leading to economic contraction.

Villar said AllHome Corp. and AllDay Marts Inc. would be more aggressive with store expansion next year in line with improving economic conditions. He also reported the change in management for these companies, saying he hired a foreign executive to handle his retail business.

AllHome is the listed home improvement retail chain of the group, while AllDay is the supermarket operator which primarily caters to the mid-premium segment. “We will come back strongly next year. AllDay and AllHome will resume their expansion next year,” he said. Villar said to adapt to market conditions, the soon-to-open AllHome stores would be smaller in size compared to previous stores. He said from a net selling area of 10,000 square meters, the upcoming stores will have only 6,000 to 7,000 sq. m. Jenniffer B. Austria SMC taps students as trainees for MRT-7 SAN Miguel Corp. said it tapped 115 promising engineering graduates from various universities to undergo extensive training for the commercial operation of Mass Rail Transit Line 7 in 2025.

“MRT-7 promises to be a game-changer for the Philippine transportation landscape, and we are confident our young professionals will set new benchmarks in efficiency, safety, and service excellence,” said SMC president and chief executive Ramon Ang.

The new graduates—mostly from Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ Railway Engineering Program which is the only specialized program of its kind in the country— started their training in the country while 40 cadets who topped evaluation tests were sent to South Korea to train under its national railway operator, Korail, SMC’s partner in the MRT-7 project.

“Investing in the growth, development and well-being of young local talents is part of our commitment to nation-building and ensuring our country’s long-term success and prosperity,” Ang said.

“We want to be able to provide them with the tools they need to enhance their competencies, prepare them for when the MRT-7 starts operating and eventually make meaningful contributions to the wider community. I am confident they will not only shine but also redefine standards,” he said.

G. Amojelar

Darwin

Lower spot market prices observed in past 2 weeks

MRT-7 TRAINEES. San Miguel Corp. selects 115 engineering graduates from various universities in the country to undergo extensive training for the commercial operation of Mass Rail Transit Line 7 project in 2025. The new graduates, mostly from Polytechnic University of the Philippines’s Railway Engineering Program which is the only specialized program of its kind in the country, started training, while 40 cadets who topped evaluation tests were sent to South Korea to train under its national railway operator, Korail, SMC’s partner in the MRT-7 project.

DOE pushes for tariff removal on hybrid electric vehicles

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Energy is calling for the amendments to Executive Order No. 12 to include plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in the list of vehicles that can enjoy tariff-free privileges.

Patrick Aquino, director of the DOE’s Energy Utilization Management Bureau, said the proposal aims to harmonize the implementation of the EO which is time bound, “unless they will liberalize it.”

“We’re confident that the Tariff Com-

mission will follow the same trajectory and listen to our recommendation, because it’s not only the DOE who’s pushing for it. We also have the DTI [Department of Trade and Industry] and NEDA [National Economic Development Authority] that have also thrown their support,” he said.

Aquino said while EO 12 is a timebound measure meant to increase the utilization of EVs in the Philippines by temporarily suspending import tariffs on EVs, the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act is a watered-down mea-

sure that has limited support to users and consumers.

The only benefit consumers get from the law is exemption from the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program and 30-percent payment of motor vehicle user’s registration, he said.

Meanwhile, Aquino said the TC would discuss the merits of the proposal to include various EV models in the amendment sought by stakeholders.

EO 12 reduced the tariff rate for certain types of EVs to 0 percent duty from a range of 5 percent to 30 percent. EVs

such as kick scooters, pocket motorcycles and self-balancing cycles were included in the tax breaks for a period of five years. Two-wheeled electric motorcycles are still subject to 30-percent import duty.

Aquino said that after the public consultation, the amendments to the EO would likely be inserted once Congress is in recess. “That’s the only time the President can exercise his authority, and that means the window during the barangay election or during the Christmas break,” he said.

ERC asks congressional body to lift IPO requirement on renewable firms

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Energy Regulatory Commission asked the Joint Congressional Energy Commission to suspend the public offering requirement for generation firms owning and operating renewable energy facilities and those not part of a portfolio of generation companies under a parent company.

ERC chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta said 51 percent or 118 of 143 generation companies failed to comply with the requirement. She said of the 118 that were not-compliant, 65 are RE companies, including 24 small firms.

common shares of stock.

“When EPIRA was passed, the RE act was not yet enacted. The RE Act was enacted in 2008, so EPIRA could not have contemplated the emergence of small RE companies with 1-MW solar plant for example,” Dimalanta said.

She expressed hope the committee would consider the suspension of the requirement for small RE facilities and those stand-alone or single-asset owners.

Dimalanta said the permanent solution is an amendment to the EPIRA law. She said if this could be done quickly, “we hope that the committee can consider the suspension.”

THE Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines said Monday it observed lower spot market prices in the first two weeks of August on lower demand and improved supply margins.

Data from IEMOP, operator of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, the trading floor of electricity, showed that prices declined by P0.23 per kilowatt-hour to about P5.43 per kWh.

Average power demand as of Aug. 17 went down to 11,283 megawatts from 11,386 MW in July. “Lower prices were observed as a result of lower demand and sufficient supply,” IEMOP said in a report. Supply margins improved to 3,634 MW in August from 3,123 MW in July as supply improved to 15,394 MW from 14,917 MW last month.

IEMOP said baseload plants came back online from forced and planned outages. Power reserves, which include regulating, contingency and dispatchable reserves, were at 479 MW, higher than 408 MW MW in July. Alena Mae S. Flores

Youngest Yanson sibling tightens grip over Vallacar Transit

THE management of Vallacar Transit Inc. led by Leo Rey Yanson said Monday it further tightened its grip over the bus company’s operation, following a new Court of Appeals order affirming a warrant of arrest and hold departure order issued by a Bacolod City court against four of his siblings.

“This development stabilizes the management team headed by Leo Rey Yanson as president of VTI, and thereby ensuring the continuity of the transport company to serve the public,” the VTI management said in a statement.

VICT EXPANSION. Victoria International Container Terminal, International Container Terminal Services Inc.’s operation at the Port of Melbourne and Australia’s first fully automated container terminal, is expanding its equipment fleet with the addition of six new automated stacking cranes. Purchased as part of VICT’s expansion project, the new ASCs will operate on three new yard modules to increase the terminal’s yard and reefer capacity by 30 percent and 43 percent, respectively. Fifteen additional truck grids will also be added to the landside to increase slot availability by 30 percent.

“This is just our repeated plea to the JCEC. We have a pending request on this matter involving the public offer requirement or the public listing requirement that’s in Section 43 of EPIRA,” she said.

Secition 43 of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 requires generation companies to publicly offer or sell not less than 15 percent of their

The Securities and Exchange Commission is set to issue guidelines to encourage at least 150 power generators and distributors to comply with the required IPO.

These firms are required to hold stock offering five years from the effectively of the law or as early as 2006. However, several energy companies had delayed compliance with the IPO requirement, citing volatile market conditions.

DITO Telecom rolls out mobile, broadband postpaid plans to reach more Filipinos

By Darwin G Amojelar

DITO Telecommunity Corp. said Monday it rolled out new mobile and home broadband postpaid plans targeting the underserved market.

“The telco [business] is ramping up very aggressively on this new offering. They started with prepaid, now they are aggressively pushing on postpaid and moving into the home and fixed wire-

less product,” DITO CME Holdings Corp. president Eric Alberto said, referring to DITO Telecommunity.

The telco unit of DITO CME recently launched DITO Mobile Postpaid FLEXPlans and DITO Home Unli 5G to provide affordable high-speed 5G connectivity.

“While we embrace the power of technology, we also recognize the significance of making these advance-

ments accessible to all. Inclusivity is the driving force behind our innovation, as we strive to empower individuals and communities with our transformative mobile and broadband solutions,” said DITO Telecommunity chief commercial officer Evelyn Jimenez.

DITO Mobile Postpaid FLEXPlans gives every Filipino a chance to upgrade to postpaid. Customers can choose from affordable and flexible

SIM-Only Plans, with a locked-in period of six months, or Handset Plans with a locked-in period of 24 months.

DITO Telecom said for as low as P588 a month, Filipino customers can enjoy the benefits of DITO Mobile Postpaid such as generous data allocation, data rollover, UNLI all-net calls & texts, premium handset offerings and a bonus Prime Video subscription for 12 months.

The Court of Appeals affirmed the warrant of arrest and hold departure order issued by a Bacolod court against four Yanson siblings for the non-bailable offense of qualified theft in connection with the missing equipment, documents and other assets during their July 2019 attempt to take over the control and management of VTI that operates the Ceres Liner fleet.

The 19th Division of the Court of Appeals in Cebu City issued a resolution on June 21, 2023 declaring that the Bacolod court’s order dated Dec. 2, 2022 which found probable cause for qualified theft against Roy Yanson, Ricardo Yanson Jr., Ma. Lourdes Celina Yanson and Emily Yanson (commonly known as Yanson 4 siblings) “was an exercise of her [judge’s] inherent power to amend and control the court’s processes and orders as to make them expeditious and still conformable to law”.

The Yanson 4 siblings filed a motion for reconsideration and supplemental motions before the CA to challenge the warrant of arrest and hold departure order issued against them by Bacolod City Regional Trial Court Branch 44 Presiding Judge Ana Celeste Pinero Bernad on Dec. 2, 2022 in Criminal Case No. 20-52097.

Lady Titans show worth, turn back Lady Stags

ENDERUN Colleges squandered leads in the first two sets but overcame a 0-2 set deficit and stunned San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 21-25, 21-25, 25-16, 25-23, 15-12, in the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena in Manila late Sunday.

Erika Deloria banged in 17 points for the Lady Titans with majority of her 16 spikes effectively breaking through the Lady Stags’ defense in the crucial stretch to help the team complete the two-hour reversal, the biggest thus far in the week-long tournament among the country’s top collegiate squads organized by Sports Vision.

“Nakita namin na kaya naman nila kasi first two sets leading na kami, hinabol lang nila,” said Enderun head coach Dong Dela Cruz. “Sabi ko lang sa kanila, ipakita niyo lang kung sino kayo.”

Althea Botor sizzled on the left wing and fired a game-high 21 points while Zen Peronilo added 12 markers for the Lady Titans, who bounced back from a shutout loss to the UE Lady Warriors last Wednesday.

Tina Marasigan came away with 19 attack points while Kat Santos finished 18 points, including two aces, for the Lady Stags, who fell to 0-2.

In the other women’s match, Mapua University also upended Lyceum of the Philippines U in five, 23-25, 25-19, 2523, 22-25, 15-11, to tie the Lady Titans while dealing the Lady Pirates their second straight loss.

Middle Nicole Ong came away with 12 points on eight kills, three kill blocks and an ace as she provided solid backup to Raisa Ricablanca’s 17-point performance, including clutch hits in the deciding set.

“Naging tight ‘yung game. Dito kasi sa V-League, may kino-construct kami na bagong system, kaya minsan nawawala yung mga players. But a win is a win,” said Mapua head coach Aying Estaban after their grueling two-hour, 19-minute win.

Basketball frenzy in PH continues at PSA Forum

IT’S still basketball frenzy in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum in the final week leading to the FIBA World Cup.

The television side of the Aug. 25 to Sept. 10 quadrennial showcase and a newly-launched, comprehensive book about Philippine basketball are the two topics to be discussed in the weekly session that start at 10 a.m. at the conference half of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Sienna Olaso, VP Production Finance and Special Projects at Cignal TV Inc., will talk about the television coverage of the World Cup games to be televised on free-to-air channels TV5 and One Sports and on Cignal TV.

Former sportswriter Noel Albano of the Journal Group of Publications meanwhile, is going to promote and discuss the book “When We Were Champions’ which chronicles the journey of Philippine basketball through the years.

Joining Albano is former sportswriter, journalist, and ex-mayor of Valderrama, Antique Ray Roquero, representing Anakalusugan Party list, who serves as book publisher.

The Forum is presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, MILO, Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philipine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

PSA president Nelson Beltran, sports editor of the Philippine Star, enjoins members to attend the session before the Forum takes a two-week break to give way to the country’s hosting of the World Cup.

Gilas squad still error-prone, but coach Chot sees progress

By Peter Atencio

COACH Chot Reyes said he was surprised Gilas Pilipinas was able to match world’s no. 18 Montenegro toe to toe in the first half of their tuneup game at the Philsports Arena Sunday evening, before NBA star Nikola Vucevic of the Chicago Bulls took matters into his own hands starting in the second half.

The 6’10” Vucevic took charge during the third period, pouring in 11 of his 18-point output to put Montenegro way ahead en route to a 102-87 victory.

“I was surprised na dumikit tayo nang ganoon. Ang lakas ng team na kinalaban natin,” said Reyes on Gilas, noting some progress.

Vucevic, who unloaded three triples, got big help from Bojan Dubljevic with 16 points, along with naturalized player Kendrick Perry (15), and Vladimir Mhailovic (12).

For the second straight tuneup game,

the Filipinos fumbled the ball lots of times. Against Montenegro, they had 19 errors, which followed an 18-turnover game against Ivory Coast the night before.

Gilas actually led, 22-16, early in the second quarter and relinquished it at 33-29.

Costly turnovers took its toll on Gilas, with 12 committed in the first 20 minutes, five coming from NBA star Jordan Clarkson by the time the first half ended, with Montenegro ahead, 44-42.

In the third period, Montenegro banked on its height and experience and just let

Vucevic dominate the first 10 minutes of the second half.

From there, Montenegro went 8 of 9 from the field, to go with 8 assists, as it left Gilas behind with a 68-53 edge at the five-minute mark.

“When we started the third quarter

with three straight turnovers, then they scored two three-pointers for an 8-0 run, that turned the tide. When we give good quality teams like Montenegro a lead like that, it will be tough to recover,” said Reyes. “They have to help on penetration, protect the rim, and still close out on their men when they are shooting from the outside. But it’s not totally their responsibility, their teammates must help as well and rotate to shut those guys down,” opined Reyes on the inside games of Japeth Aguilar, Kai Sotto and JuneMar Fajardo during the time that Vucevic was leading a run.

Clarkson led Gilas with 27 points on 9 of 9 free throw shooting, with 5 assists. But he also picked up a total 8 miscues.

Fajardo added 19 points, but got into foul trouble early, while Dwight Ramos had 13. Sotto failed to score in 14 minutes.

Reyes utilized a 14-man roster against the Montenegrins, with Ray Parks and Thirdy Ravena left sitting on the bench, and Calvin Oftana given some minutes.

No rest for weary as PH 5 practice intensifies

THERE will be no rest for the weary as far as Gilas Pilipinas is concerned, with only a few days to go before the FIBA Basketball World Cup commences at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Asked whether he will consider giving his players a break after three grueling tune-up games—the third against Mexico Monday night—Gilas coach Chot Reyes shook his head.

“Hindi na, tuloy-tuloy na kami, tatlong araw na lang eh,” Reyes said, minutes after Gilas Pilipinas faced Montenegro and Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic, holding the world No. 18 at bay in the first half before losing steam in the third quarter of a 102-87 loss Sunday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Indications are that Reyes will be exhausting his remaining pre-World Cup team practices starting Tuesday to further sharpen the team’s game before submitting his Final 12 lineup at the Managers’ Meeting on August 23 or 24.

Gilas kicks off its bid to emerge as the World Cup’s top Asian finisher, thereby securing a spot to the Paris Olympics next year, on August 25 against FIBA Americas qualifier Dominican Republic.

The Nationals next face FIBA Africa entry Angola on August 27, and wrap up the first round of the Group Phase against world No. 10 Italy, from FIBA Europe, on August 29.

Two wins out of three could merit the Philippines passage to the second round of the Group Phase where the top two teams

from the bracket that contains South Sudan, China, Puerto Rico and Serbia await.

The Dominican Republic, behind Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns, who had 20 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists, beat Canada, 94-88, in a preparatory friendly in Granada, Spain recently.

Reyes, who describes Towns as a “legitimate NBA All-Star first team player,” said the Dominican Republic is “truly strong,” adding that although it lost to defending champion Spain in a succeeding tune-up 86-77, it still looked impressive

“They have Towns and that other guy, [Lester] Quiñones,” said Reyes. “They are very good. The game against Spain was close [up to the third quarter].”

Sarines pulls off squeaker vs. Zaragosa in JPGT Sta. Elena

MONA Sarines outdueled Precious Zaragosa in a gripping duel of skills and nerves, topping the putting challenge while finishing second both in chipping and driving to claim the top honors in the girls’ 11-12 category of the Junior PGT 2023 Series at the Sta. Elena Golf and Country Club in Laguna last Sunday.

Playing in such kind of skills contest for the first time, Sarines proved up to the task, pooling 115 points, including 55, 32 and 28 points in putting, chipping and driving, respectively, as she edged Zaragosa, who assembled 113 points on a top finish in driving (46), and runnerup and third place efforts in putting (46) and chipping (21).

Tiffany Bernardino scored 91 points, including a top-scoring 36 points in chipping, to place third in Round 4 of the series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

“It was our first experience being in a drive, chip and putt competition, speaking for myself and my three junior golfer kids (Mona, Lisa and Vito),” said Arminda Sarines. the US College Golf 36-hole rounds),

this DCP provides a different twist – it is not only fun but also exciting, or as the kids would describe as ‘exhilarating.’”

“The energy was so welcoming, everyone was focused on the specific golf task. And the rewarding outcome after the game was all the kids were happily

playing with each other, running around and being kids again,” she added.

Roman Ungco emerged No. 1 in driving. (43 points), wound up second in chipping (40) and placed third in putting (36) as he took the boys’ 11-12 trophy with 119 points in a big follow-up to his

victory in the 18-hole stroke play format at Valley Golf last month.

Aenzo Sulaik ruled the chipping challenge (50 points) and came in second in putting (37) to finish behind Ungco with 104 points while Javier Bautista put in an 83-point output for third after sharing the top spot with Lujo Gomez in putting (40 points) and winding up third in driving (32).

Sharing the spotlight in the one-day tournament sponsored by ICTSI as part of its commitment to enhance junior golf are girls’ and boys’ 9-10 age group winners Makayla Verano and Vito Sarines, respectively, and Maria Angelica Bañez, who ran away with the girls’ 1518 diadem with 116 points against Korean Ji Won Lee’s 81-point output.

Verano finished on top in putting (51 points), placed second in driving (28) and shared third place with Quincy Pilac in chipping (21) as she scored 100 points, five points clear of Pilac, who tied for first with Maurysse Abalos in driving (34) and posted a runner-up finish in putting (40) for 95 points.

The Enderun Lady Titans showed the San Sebastian College-Recoletos what they were capable of in a 21-25, 21-25, 25-16, 25-23, 15-12 victory.

Nikola Vucevic FIBA

Chot Reyes

Siblings Vito and Mona Sarines, (second and third from left, respectively) hold their medals as they pose with fellow age-group winners (from left) Makayla Verano, Roman Ungco and Maria Angelica Bañez.

Riera U. Mallari, Editor Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor

No. 3 Obiena seeks podium finish in world athletics’ tilt

By Peter Atencio

WORLD no. 3 pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena will be among three athletes representing the Philippines in the 2023 World Athletics Championships, which kicked off Sunday in Budapest.

Obiena will seek a podium finish with the world’s best in the 19th edition of the championships, taking place from Aug. 19 to 27, with Turkey having the most participants in the event with 17 athletes -- seven females and 17 males.

Joining Obiena are Robyn Brown in the women’s 400-meter hurdles and Eric Cray, who was already eliminated in the men’s 400-meter hurdles on Sunday.

The Italy-based Obiena was the first Filipino to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, when he leaped 5.82 meters during the Diamond League-Bauhaus Galan in Sweden on July 3.

Obiena will again be challenging Swedish bet Armand Duplantis, the current world record holder, along with United States bets Chris Nilsen and Sam Kendricks.

The Filipino temporarily occupied the world No. 2 spot after the Southeast Asian Games before Nilsen regained the position this month.

The 27-year-old Obiena also won the 2023 Asian Championships in Thailand in July, setting a continental record of 5.91m.

In the Monaco leg of the Diamond League, also in July, Obiena registered 5.82m to finish second behind Nilsen (5.92m).

Djokovic pulls off gritty win over No. 1 Alcaraz

CINCINNATI—Novak Djokovic needed five match points and nearly four hours to pull off a gritty victory over Carlos Alcaraz and claim a third ATP Cincinnati Open title on Sunday.

A titanic struggle between the world’s top two players saw Djokovic -- who looked out on his feet in the second set -save a match point before coming through on his own fifth match point for a 5-7, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/4) triumph.

“It’s crazy, I don’t know what I can say,” said 23-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic, who was seen by the doctors early in the second set for heat illness in a battle that lasted three hours and 44 minutes.

“It’s tough to describe. It was the toughest I’ve ever played in my life.

“From start to finish we both went through highs, lows, incredible points, bad games, heatstroke, comebacks.

“Overall this was the toughest and most exciting match I’ve ever been a part of.

“It’s matches like these that I continue to work for.”

It was another epic chapter to the

budding rivalry between 20-year-old top-ranked Alcaraz and the 36-year-old Serb star, who avenged his loss to the Spaniard in a five-set Wimbledon final last month. The two -- who have traded the number one ranking six times this year -- are now level on two wins apiece in their head-tohead rivalry.

“I feel proud of myself, honestly. I don’t know why I was crying because I fight until the last ball,” Alcaraz said.

“I almost beat one of the greatest of all time in our sport. I left the court really happy with what I did.”

The 20-year-old unleashed everything he had at Djokovic and found it wasn’t enough.

“It was really, really difficult playing. Novak returns five, six, seven balls on every point,” Alcaraz said.

“So fighting and running from one

Carmona pays tribute to father who died before final

MADRID—Spain’s Women’s World Cup heroine Olga Carmona paid tribute to her father on Monday for giving her the strength “to achieve something unique” after learning of his death following the nation’s 1-0 win over England.

The 23-year-old defender drilled home the only goal of the final in Sydney on Sunday to help La Roja win the World Cup for the first time in their history.

“And without knowing it, I had my Star before the game started,” she posted on X, formerly Twitter. “I know that you have given me the strength to achieve something unique. I know that you have been watching me tonight and that you are proud of me.

“Rest in peace, dad.”

The Spanish federation (RFEF) said Carmo-

32-member PH swim team joins Asian meet

A 32-member Philippine delegation —19 swimmers, 4 divers, 6 coaches and 3 officials—will leave for Jakarta, Indonesia on Tuesday to participate in the 45th Southeast Asian Age Group Aquatics Championship scheduled from August 24 to 26.

National junior record holder (13-under class) Jamesray Ajido and 2022 World Junior Championship campaigner Amina Isabelle Bungubung, will lead the team that was formed through intensive national tryouts conducted by the new Philippine Aquatics’ leadership, led by president Miko Vargas and secretary general Eric Buhain.

ALBERTO Lim, Jr. rounded off a brilliant week-long display of aggressive tennis as he smothered Fritz Verdad, 6-2, 6-1, in the final to secure the Mayor Eric Olivarez Cup National Open Tennis crown in Sucat, Parañaque last Sunday.

As what he had done all week, Lim went on an attack mode early and took the first three points in the first game off Verdad’s serve, only to yield the next four. What ensued was a virtual duel of nerves with Lim pulling through after five deuces, including a sweep of the last three points.

But after a hold-hold-hold game, Lim, 24, broke again in the fifth and held sway the rest of the way. They traded breaks in the first three games in the second frame before Lim held in the fourth to wrest a 3-1 lead then broke Verdad twice to essay the straight-set romp worth P50,000 and UTP (Unified Tennis Philippines) and UTR (Universal Tennis) points.

More importantly, the victory served as a big morale-boost for the former multi-titled junior campaigner, whose last big win was in Malaysia three

na “learned the sad news after the World Cup final”.”We send our most sincere embraces to Olga and her family in a moment of deep pain. We love you, Olga, you are in the history of Spanish football,” it added.

The Real Madrid star dedicated her goal to the late mother of one of her best friends, displaying an undershirt with “Merchi” written on it when she scored.

“I want to say this victory is for one of my best friend’s mother, who died recently. I celebrated the goal with that shirt,” Carmona told Spanish state broadcasters La 1, soon after the game’s conclusion.

Carmona’s club Real Madrid said it “wants to express its condolences and affection to Olga, her relatives and all her loved ones” in a statement.

“Rest in peace.” AFP

corner to the other one on every point is really tough to deal with for almost the whole match.

“I left everything on court. I’m working very well. But today, it was tough to deal with everything that Novak had.”

Djokovic, who earned a record-extending 39th victory at the elite Masters 1000 level, secured the first break of the opening set at love for a 4-2 lead.

Alcaraz broke back and broke again for a 6-5 lead then held to take the set before Djokovic left the court for a sevenminute change of clothes.

Djokovic, clearly affected by the hot, muggy conditions, was visited by the trainer and doctor in the second set.

He was broken to trail 2-1, Alcaraz grabbing a 4-2 edge with a drop shot that Djokovic couldn’t touch.

But the 23-time Grand Slam winner broke Alcaraz to pull level 4-4 on the way to a tie-breaker.

Djokovic saved a match point at 5-6 and forced a third set when Alcaraz dumped a shot into the net on Djokovic’s second set point. AFP

“We are sending a lean team but with a high chance of winning medals for our country. This is the first SEA Age Group team under the new administration of Philippine Aquatics. On behalf of our president Michael Vargas, we are proud of our team, and we are very happy that swimming is very active nationwide given the diversity of hometowns of our team,” said Buhain, a two-time Olympian, and Congressman of the First District of Batangas.

Aside from Ajido and Bungubung, who both come from Quezon City, the team also includes Mishka Sy, Jalid Taguinod, Makati City pride Ivo Nikolai Enot, Joshua Park from Paranaque City, Aishel Evangelista from Caloocan City, Estifano Ramos and Lance Rafael Cruz from Manila, Patricia Mae Santor and Shairinne Floriano from Antipolo City, as well as Peter Cyrus Dean from Quezon Province.

The team also includes Jie Angela Mikaela Talosig from Midsayap, North Cotabato; Catherine Cruz from Mabalacat, Pampanga; Arabella Taguinota from Pasig City; and Bea Mabalay and Jennuel Boo De Leon from Aklan.

Also joining the team are US-based Filipino-foreigners Clark Kent Apuada and Ava Samantha Bautista.

The four young divers aged 12 to 15 will be guided by coach Marie Dimanche.

Buhain appointed Ramil Ilustre as swimming head coach, along with assistants Cyrus Alcantara, Manuel De Leon Mark Pido, and Wilfredo Cruz, while Chito Rivera is head of delegation and coach Anthony Reyes as his deputy.

Spain’s defender

Olga Carmona celebrates after scoring Spain’s first goal during the 2023 Women’s World Cup final football match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney. AFP

Lim ends long spell, captures Olivarez Cup

years ago where he claimed both the singles and doubles titles.

“Winning this tournament gave me the confidence and belief that I can play toe-to-toe against our top-caliber players,” said Lim, who went on a hiatus due to illness before returning to competitive play in the Brookside Open last April.

“The key was to be aggressive right away and to not give my opponent a chance to get his rhythm and momentum,” said the former University of the East spearhead. “I obviously give the credit to Fritz, who was able to stay there and make me work for every single point.”

The unranked Lim, who dropped just 12 games in six matches, including a 6-1, 6-0 win over third seed Vicente Anasta in the semis, said he didn’t expect to go all the way to the championship in the event sponsored by the Olivarez family, stressing: “I was not expecting anything at all going into this competition. But I know I was ready to compete whoever it is that I’m going up against.”

Despite the setback, Verdad said he

was more than satisfied with his runner-up finish he spiked with a semis victory over recent Hagedorn Open winner and No. 4 Eric Jed Olivarez while coming off a long layoff.

“This means a lot because it’s a great comeback for my career. It’s really a great week because this is my first tournament this year,” said Verdad, who last won (doubles) in the Cainta Open in 2019 and didn’t lift a racket for seven months to finish his Coast Guard basic training.

Verdad and Rolly Saga later foiled Lim’s bid for a twinkill in the tournament held as part of the PPS-PEPP circuit put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro, stopping him and Ben Libao, 6-7(6), 6-1, 10-6, in the men’s doubles final, while Stefi Aludo and Danna Abad captured the women’s tiara over Paula Uy and Joana Tan.

In junior results, John Benedict Aguilar upended top seed Vince Serna, 6-2, 6-4, in the semis then crushed Lexious Cruz, 6-2, 6-0, to pocket the boys’ crown, while Aludo snared the girls’ trophy with a 6-1, 6-1 rout of No. 3 Joy Ansay.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the trophy after defeating Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the nal of the Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio. AFP

Rep. Eric Buhain

Ernest John Obiena

Espionage drama ‘Gray’ makes PH premiere on Lionsgate Play

GOLDEN Globe winner Patricia Clarkson takes the audience on a thrilling roller coaster ride through the high-stakes world of spies in Gray, streaming now in the Philippines on Lionsgate Play. The gripping series delves into a maze of espionage, where passion, deceit, the pursuit of truth, and the delicate fragility of life intersect in a captivating manner. The captivating series centers around

Nora Aunor unveils plans for film on her remarkable life journey

DURING a recent interview, Superstar Nora Aunor shared an exciting revelation about a forthcoming trilogy film that will chronicle her life’s journey.

La Aunor explained that the project is currently in its initial planning stages, and the decision to divide her rich array of experiences into three distinct parts is a strategic one.

Aunor humorously pointed out that attempting to encapsulate her entire life in a single movie would result in a runtime akin to the famously lengthy films of Lav Diaz

“If we’re going to watch it, we might finish it by tomorrow. So, it is safer to divide it into Parts 1, 2, and 3! They’re also planning a huge tribute for me next year. A big production outfit will handle it,” the 70-yearold actress shared.

Aunor is already thinking about who might take on the role of her younger self in her biographical film.

“We’ll be holding auditions, ensuring that ample time is set aside for the process,” she explained.

On a different note, the veteran actress has recently completed shooting for the movie Pieta, directed by Adolf Alix, Jr. She shares the screen with Jaclyn Jose, Gina Alajar, Bembol Roco, Ina Raymundo, and Alfred Vargas, who is also the film’s producer. Speaking of Vargas, Aunor praised him, noting his kindness and approachability. She also lauded his commitment to authentic acting, highlighting his willingness to seek guidance when needed.

Shifting to her forthcoming horror project, Mananambal, where she stars opposite

Bianca Umali, Aunor said that shooting has yet to commence due to ongoing script revisions.

Anticipating a September start date, she is enthusiastic about the venture.

In addition to these projects, Aunor provided updates on her other film endeavors. Ligalig, a project alongside Snooky Serna and Allen Dizon, has been successfully filmed under the skillful direction of Topel Lee. She also mentioned another film, Kontrabida, directed by Adolf.

The National Artist for Broadcast and Films also shared positive news regarding her health. Currently, she’s not faced with frequent hospital visits, expressing contentment with her well-being.

“God is so good. He gave me another chance to live. Maybe, I still have a mission to fulfill. I guess, I still have a lot of people to entertain!” ended Nora.

* * *

Asked about his reaction to the upcoming wedding of LJ Reyes and her fiancé Philip Evangelista, Paolo Contis openly expressed his genuine happiness for his former partner.

“Of course, I’m very happy for her.

I’m glad that she has finally found the love she truly deserves. I don’t have anything negative to say. It’s her right to find happiness,” he affirmed.

When it comes to his future, does Paolo envision himself leaping into marriage? He shares, “It will come. Everything that’s currently unfolding in my life, including my demanding workload, is a blessing. These experiences are part of my preparation for the future. Once things are more settled, then I can consider the prospect of getting married.”

As for his current relationship with Yen , does he see a future with her? Paolo enthusiastically responded, “Absolutely! Why not, right? Given everything we’ve gone through, she’s a wonderful individual.

CIA agent Cornelia Gray, portrayed by Oscar nominee, Emmy and Golden Globe winner Patricia Clarkson. After twenty years in hiding due to suspicions of treason, she reenters her former life, only to uncover a new mole within her spy network, endangering her and her allies. Gray is based on an original concept by David Baldacci (Absolute Power), a renowned author with over 40 national and

international bestsellers. Bringing this tale to life are BAFTA nominee writer John J. McLaughlin (Point Pleasant; Black Swan) and award-winning director Ruba Nadda (Manifest; Magnum P.I.). Lionsgate Play exclusively premieres Gray in the Philippines, marking the series’ first release on the streaming service in any market. Tune in to Lionsgate Play on PLDT Home to catch more exciting premieres.

Michael V reunites with Ogie Alcasid in ‘It’s Showtime’

By Angelica Villanueva

FOR the first time, Pepito Manaloto stars Michael V and Manilyn Reynes graced the stage of the noontime variety show It’s Showtime

The Kapuso artists made a special appearance on Saturday, August 19, as part of singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid’s 56th birthday celebration.

Manilyn recalled the moment when she and the singer worked together in writing the hit song, “Pangako” while Bitoy had a duet performance of “Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang.”

This also marked the reunion of Michael V. and Ogie who was a cast member of the gag show, Bubble Gang before the latter moved to the Kapamilya network in 2016. The two considered each other best friends in the showbiz industry.

Mula na pumasok ko sa industriya, parang kami na yung magkasama ni Ogie sa OctoArts,” recounted Bitoy. “Kaming tatlo actually.”

Bitoy and Ogie also treated the madlang pipol with a performance of

their Yaya and Angelina characters.

On the other hand, Unkabogable Star Vice Ganda also grabbed the opportunity to interact with the multitalented comedian and shared their photo on her Instagram, with whom she described Bitoy as “ICON”.

Last month, the two comedians both expressed their hopes to work on a project together.

Vice Ganda mentioned during a past interview that it was her dream to become one of the guests of Bubble Gang

“Dream ko iyan dati, ‘yung Bubble Gang,” Vice Ganda said.

Meanwhile, Bitoy said that he also looked forward to working with the Kapamilya comedian.

“

Ako, in a heartbeat, gagawin ko kung walang magiging aberya. In a heartbeat, gi-guest ko talaga siya,” he stated.

“Sana nga. I’m hoping. Si Vice Ganda is open to collaboration. The last time we met, the last time na nagkausap kami, lagi niyang sinasabi, ‘sana makapag-guest ako sa Bubble Gang, ‘no?’ Sana. Sana,” he added.

John Arcilla ventures into TV hosting for the first time

ACCLAIMED Filipino actor John Arcilla, who made history as the first Filipino to win the prestigious Best Actor Volpi Cup at the 78th Venice International Film Festival, now adds another milestone to his career as the host of TV5’s innovative game show, Spingo

The game show, which brings a fresh concept to the small screen, will premiere on September 11.

IT was a good news/bad news weekend for Blue Beetle the latest superhero film to hit North American theaters and the first built around a live-action Latino protagonist.

The DC Studios/Warner Bros. production topped the charts for the Friday-through-Sunday period and even dethroned Barbie, that reigning queen of pinkness, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said Sunday.

But its estimated take of $25.4 million was “the lowest DC superhero debut of this era” other than 2021’s money-losing Wonder Woman 1984

Beetle stars 22-year-old American actor Xolo Mariduena – who is of mixed Mexican, Cuban, and Ecuadoran descent – as a new college graduate whose body is taken over by the mysterious Scarab, which gives him superhuman powers. Barbie, in its fifth week out, scored $21.5 million in ticket sales, “a huge result at this point in its theatrical run,” according to Variety. The Warner Bros. fantasy-comedy has now taken in an eye-popping $1.27 billion globally. In third, also in its fifth week out, was Universal’s

Oppenheimer, at $10.6 million. The historical drama about the origins of the first atomic bomb has passed the $700 million mark globally.

Fourth place went to Paramount’s animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, at $8.4 million. Its huge voice cast includes Maya Rudolph, Ayo Edebiri, John Cena, Jackie Chan, Ice Cube, and Paul Rudd

And in fifth was Universal’s new talking-dog comedy Strays, at $8.3 million, a concerning start for a movie made on a $46 million budget. AFP

“Hosting a game show like Spingo is something utterly new for me. This is the first time that I’ll be interacting live with contestants and audiences who are taking their chances to win a fortune. This is a big challenge for me but, at the same time, I am excited to explore my capacities in the field of TV hosting,” John shares.

Bannering the tagline “Sa bawat spin, go for the win!,” Spingo provides a new spin to the Filipinos’ alltime favorite game of chance, Bingo.

In addition to the show’s exciting challenges, Spingo features an innovative twist on audience engagement by offering its viewers the chance to win big prizes. By downloading the Spingo app from the Google Play Store, audiences can actively participate from the comfort of their homes.

Spingo will air from Monday to Friday at 5:30 p.m. on TV5.

New superhero film beats ‘Barbie’ at the tills

Lydia West (left) as Sara Beckham and Patricia Clarkson as Cornelia Gray star in the television series ‘Gray’

Award-winning actor John Arcilla

American actor Xolo Mariduena (middle) stars in the film, ‘Blue Beetle’

Superstar Nora Aunor in a scene from the film, ‘Pieta’

From left: Manilyn Reynes, Ogie Alcasid, and Michael V during their production number in ‘It’s Showtime’

Santos

From left: ‘Pieta’ stars Alfred Vargas, Nora Aunor, Gina Alajar, and director Adolf Alix

LIFE

Why investing in Vista Residences is a wise decision

WHILE reputable home builders continue to help address the country’s huge backlog in affordable housing, the same developers are eyeing the burgeoning middle class – the rich new market for condominium properties that tout great locations, the right density and cuts, and above-average amenities.

In the Philippines, the middle class makes up close to 45 percent of the population. Middle- to upper-middle-class earners can buy a car, send their children to college, and have enough disposable income to indulge in certain luxuries like dining out and occasional travel. They also know that buying or investing in properties may reap rewards in the future through value appreciation.

The foremost property brand for this demographic is Vista Residences, a condominium developer of Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. As the Philippines’ leading integrated property developer and largest homebuilder, Vista Land ensures that both existing and forthcoming VRI projects are in premier and growth sites nationwide.

With “location, location, location” a top consideration for a majority of property seekers, investors will be gratified to know that Vista Residences are situated close to the metropolis’ university belts, Central Business Districts, and transport hubs—yet with easy access to fringe cities and quiet suburban neighborhoods.

Unwind and reconnect at San Mateo's Amiya Raya community

EVERYONE needs a weekend away. Somewhere close to nature and cooler climes, ideally just a short drive away. For those who are not in the mood for the trek down South, one can head up North to the lush hillside town of San Mateo, Rizal. The area has become a favorite for adventure seekers looking for a unique barkada experience, and families looking for unique ways to bond. The unadulterated landscape and balmy weather is the perfect foil to calm the mind and relax the spirit.

As you drive up, the first thing you will notice is the spectacular view of the city unfolding by the side of the hill. The next thing that catches your attention is the hillside covered with a carpet of green rising on the side of the road.

The only other thing on your mind is to find one of the many quaint local restaurants around the area for brunch, lunch, or even merienda. Just make sure to pick a place with outdoor seating to enjoy the sunshine and gentle breeze. After that delicious meal, the family can spend the rest of the day exploring Avilon Zoo, where kids can learn more about wildlife and other animals. For the younger set in search of a bit of a challenge, they can drive over to nearby Tanay, Rizal. The area has become known for its adventure trails, hikes, and nature climbs. Mt. Masungki and Nagpatong Rock is a fun trek, regardless of whether you are a beginner or an expert hiker. For those who prefer a drive up the mountain, Treasure Mountain in Bgy. Cuyambay is not to be missed. Stay overnight to catch the sea of clouds and see the sunrise. Mt. Daraitan and Tinipak River boasts of limestone formations, caves, and natural pools, apart from the river. At the end of the trail, what will remain is a day well spent bonding with the barkada. Located in the heart of all this is the exclusive residential community Amiya Raya in San Mateo. The master-planned development is designed to feel like coming home to a place that takes the best of nature, and brings it closer to home. Modern amenities meet mindful design, taking advantage of the lush hillside, making it an

idyllic place to raise a family.

The soon-to-rise Shanti Condominium grants residents sweeping views of the mountains on one side, and the cityscape on the other. Imagine waking up to all this and immediately falling into a rested state of mind. Even Amiya Raya’s location is ideal – being close to commercial areas, schools, churches, malls, and government offices.

Amiya Raya’s vision is to create a community where families can come together for a fun day of activities. The cool weather makes it ideal for outdoor events that take advantage of the space and the beautiful scenery. Each event is designed to create opportunities for families and friends to bond, and also get to meet new neighbors in a relaxing setting against the amazing views of the hillside and the city.

Topnotch amenities and services likewise define the Vista Residence lifestyle. Well-curated facilities, such as fully equipped fitness centers, swimming pools, study rooms, and multi-purpose event spaces, offer unrivaled convenience. Lush gardens and walkable swathes of greenery spur residents to foster a healthy, active lifestyle. Likewise enhancing Vista Residences’ distinct character are its property management teams that implement strict sanitation and security protocols. All units are also internet-connection-ready for homeowners’ productivity and entertainment. Vista Residences Division Head Eda Tambologan stresses how the condo development provides an

unparalleled opportunity for investors and end users alike.

“Whether prospective buyers are embarking on their first condo purchase, or seeking a second home and retirement place, or looking to capitalize on the property market through leasing or flipping, there’s a lot of potential here for the highest returns,” she asserts, adding that “Vista Land embodies a legacy of reliability and quality, assuring you that your investment in Vista Residences is a solid and enduring one.” Interested buyers may learn more by exploring Vista’s official website, www.vistaresidences.com.ph, or stay updated through its official Facebook page at facebook.com/VistaResidencesOfficial

The annual Cinema Under The Stars (CUTS) recently held at Club Vihara is a favorite among the residents, and their neighbors from the area. Imagine watching a blockbuster movie under the star-filled night sky, while lounging in the grass while munching on yummy snacks. Around Easter time, “The Great Eggscapades” has children running around for the Easter Egg Hunt, Bunny decorating contests, face painting, and other fun activities.

The rest of the year will be a busy one at Amiya Raya, as they have a calendar full of fun things to do. Sports-minded folks can also test their skills at the badminton open, while photography enthusiasts can join the Photo Contest. It’s also best to plan costumes early, as the Halloween Trick or Treat activity is set to be a fun ghoulish affair. Rounding out the season is the Amiya Raya Annual New Year’s Countdown.

The fun nature getaway of San Mateo is just a short drive outside of the city. This makes it easy to plan either a quick weekend away for the family, or even just a fun activity-filled day with the barkada Amiya Raya finds itself in the middle of this cross-section of nature and urban living – with lots of things to do, eat, and try for everyone. The only thing better would be to come home to family in this space. To come home to Amiya Raya.

By Nickie Wang

SINGAPORE has a vibrant and diverse range of brands that have gained recognition both locally and internationally. These brands span various industries, reflecting the country’s innovative spirit, quality-focused approach, and commitment to excellence.

Discover the best of Singaporean food and lifestyle brands at Singaporium 2023, happening at SM Aura Upper Ground Atrium until August 27.

Organized by SM Supermalls and Enterprise Singapore, and supported by SM Supermarket and the Singapore Tourism Board, Singaporium 2023 brings together brands showcasing products ranging from healthy and delicious snacks to cutting-edge smart TVs.

Camel Nuts. With 50 years of heritage under their belt, the founders of Camel Nuts first embarked on a journey to deliver quality and healthy snacks using the traditional art of nut roasting in their backyard.

Now, the “Made With Passion” brand sources the finest quality nuts and snacks from top accredited farmers worldwide, making them the leading nut manufacturing

company in Singapore.

Eu Yan Sang. The saying “health is wealth” holds true, and since its establishment in 1879, Eu Yan Sang has become a reputable name in Singapore, focusing on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The brand blends traditional wellness practices with cutting-edge medical science to present groundbreaking healthcare remedies.

As a “Made With Passion” brand, Eu Yan Sang provides an extensive array of offerings. Encompassing more than 1,000 herbal ingredients, exclusive Chinese medicinal products, and health supplements like the well-received Essence of Chicken and Bottled Bird’s Nest, all crafted from entirely 100 percent natural ingredients.

FairPrice. As the largest grocery retailer in Singapore, FairPrice Group has a portfolio of 12 well-loved Singaporean brands with 2,000 high-quality products carefully sourced globally. These brands span over 50 categories, including snacks, cooking sauces and pastes, packaged meats, and more.

Gryphon Tea. The Gryphon Tea Company believes that drinking tea is like traveling – every experience offers a chance for discovery.

Tracing its origins to a family-owned tea importer founded in Singapore more than 100 years ago, a fourth-generation member of the family struck out on his own in 2006, and the “Made With Passion” brand quickly gained a following for its maverick ideas and heady enthusiasm.

Winner of 60 Great Taste awards by the UK Guild of Fine Food since 2011, this is a testament to Gryphon’s commitment to building quality products for years to come.

IRVINS. First launched in 2016, IRVINS has gained a loyal following in Asia

– offering a range of delicious products including Salted Egg Fish Skin, Potato Chips, and Salmon Skin.

The brand has also introduced new flavors such as Black Pepper Salmon Skin, Smoked Cheese Salmon Skin, and Truffle Potato Chips that are loved by their fans worldwide.

Come by to get your hands on IRVINS’ “Dangerously Addictive” salted egg snacks.

Kelly’s. Symbolizing a mother’s love and care for food preparation, Kelly’s offers an extensive range of western-style deli meats – with its best-seller being luncheon meats that not only contain no monosodium glutamate (MSG) but are gluten-free, too.

A quality brand under OTS Holdings Limited (OTS), you can find Kelly’s range of products across 300 stores in Metro Manila and counting.

PRISM+. Innovative, cutting-edge, and accessible. First established in 2017, PRISM+ is committed to making top-notch display technologies such as smart TVs and monitors accessible to all without compromising on quality.

The brand has now amassed fans globally with the immersive entertainment experience their products provide, and they have also gained recognition as the number one monitor and smart TV brand in Singapore.

Suu Balm. Suu Balm, formulated by Singapore’s National Skin Centre, is specially designed for eczema-prone, dry, itchy, and sensitive skin.

Their hypoallergenic product range caters to the body, face, and scalp – suitable for both adults and children, with no steroids, parabens, fragrances, or sulfates used.

In 2022, Suu Balm ranked as the number two bestseller in the hand and body moisturizers category in Singapore.