Manila Standard - 2023 September 3 - Sunday

MATCH. up for two of his 34 points over two defenders as Gilas Pilipinas bows out of the FIBA World Cup with a 21-point rout of China last night at the Araneta Coliseum. Fiba.basketball photo

SAVING ITS BEST FOR LAST, GILAS DUMPS CHINA, 96-75

By Peter Atencio

THE win came five games late, but it didn’t matter. We beat China.

Gilas Pilipinas buried the misery of four straight losses with an electrifying 96-75 victory over a stunned Chinese team in front of an exuberant Filipino crowd of 11,080 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 on Sunday.

With a back-and-forth game and a winless campaign staring the team straight in the eye, NBA star Jordan

Clarkson ran amuck with 4 straight triples in an insane 27-4 third-quarter run as Gilas tore the game wide open at 73-51 going into the final period after trailing the Chinese by a point at the half, 39-40. Gilas was never really threatened from there as it ended its campaign in the World Cup with a 1-4 record.

Meanwhile, Chot Reyes said he is “stepping aside” as the national team head coach, saying he leaves the final decision to the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas. He said he didn’t want

to use the term “resign” because he is not a quitter. But the Utah Jazz star, who went nuts with 34 points—24 in the third-- 2 rebounds and 3 assists, wasn’t the only hero for Gilas, which notched its first win in the World Cup in nine years since beating Senegal in overtime during the 2014 edition. There was Rhenz Abando, who had 14 points and 5 rebounds, and birthday boy Dwight Ramos, who had 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.

3 AGENCIES TO ENFORCE NEW PRICE CAPS ON RICE

DTI, DILG, DA VOW STRINGENT MARKET MONITORING

By Charles Dantes and Maricel V. Cruz

THE Departments of Trade and Industry, Local Government, and Agriculture will work together to strictly enforce the new price ceilings on rice in local markets as ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., their leaders said Saturday.

Trade Secretary Fred Pascual emphasized that to fully execute Executive Order No. 39 issued on Friday, the DTI will coordinate with the DILG and local government units for price monitoring.

“We recognize the urgency of addressing the escalating rice prices in the market. In parallel, it is imperative to maintain stringent oversight over

rice pricing and supply to preclude any potential hoarding and price manipulation by traders and retailers,” said Pascual in a statement.

To fortify the department’s monitoring and enforcement, the DTI will mobilize its price monitors and will ask LGUs to activate their Local Price Coordinating Councils, he added.

DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority acting chairman Don Artes also instructed Metro Manila mayors to post copies of EO 39 in all supermarkets nationwide, as they vowed to lead the information campaign in the capital region.

Abalos reminded market masters, government officials, and state employees of the possible penalties they may face if the order was violated.

On Friday, the President approved the DTI and DA’s recommendation to set a price ceiling of P41 per kilo for regular milled rice and P45 for wellmilled grains, stemming from the surge in retail prices in local markets.

The price cap will take effect on

Tuesday, September 5.

However, small rice sellers complained of possible bankruptcy following Malacañang’s mandate, even as a group of rice traders expressed readiness to cooperate with the government in implementing the EO.

The Federation of Free Farmers also said they were “very worried” about the order, as farmers from Pampanga and Sultan Kudarat already reported a P3 per kilogram decrease in palay prices.

But Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement lead convenor Rowena Sadicon, through the Presidential Communication Office, said Saturday their group will be working with the government to provide consumers with affordable and quality rice.

RAINFALL MAPS.

These maps from the state weather bureau PAGASA show the normal and forecast rainfall for the month of September, which started with three storms influencing the southwest monsoon or ‘habagat’.

‘HABAGAT’ TO DUMP MORE RAIN ON PH ‘TIL MONDAY

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” is projected to bring a significant amount of rain in the next three days, keeping still-flooded areas across the country under water, the state weather bureau said Saturday.

In its 5 p.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the Ilocos Region,

Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro provinces can expect rainfall of up to 200 millimeters until Monday, September 4.

Metro Manila, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Antique, and northern Palawan including the Cuyo and Calamian Islands could see rainfall of up to 100 mm every day over the weekend, PAGASA’s Weather Advisory 18 added. This developed as the estimated

damage to infrastructure in four regions reached P442.34 million, due to the enhanced habvagat and the effects of Typhoon Goring.

The Department of Public Works and Highways said in a news release Saturday that of the total damage in the Cordillera, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley and Mimaropa regions, P146.28 million was damage to roads, P14.68 million to bridges and P281.38 million to flood-control structures.

ENTREPRENEUR GETS CREATIVE WITH PHILIPPINE CHOCOLATE BUSINESS|B2

DOG SLEEPING POSITIONS AND WHAT THEY MEAN PETS|C4

ISLA VERDE PROJECTION. A mother and her sons walk inside a dome hologram showing the underwater beauty of Isla Verde in Batangas during the 34th Philippine Travel Mart at the SMX Mall of Asia on Saturday. The event focused on introducting tourism travel to Kalayaan Island and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Danny Pata

PULSE ASIA: 4 IN 10 DISSATISFIED WITH SR. HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM

By Joel E. Zurbano

VILLAGE POLL ASPIRANTS BEAT ‘COC’ FILING PERIOD

education.

ONLY

41 percent of Filipinos are satisfied with the senior high school program, a Pulse Asia survey commissioned by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian showed.

Of the 1,200 respondents surveyed nationwide, over four in 10 or 42% were dissatisfied with the senior high school program under the K-to-12 curriculum, the poll noted.

Gatchalian said the survey reflects the Department of Education program’s failure to make graduates college-ready and work-ready.

The DepEd, however, said it has created the National Task Force to review the implementation of the SHS

program, and that the Bureau of Curriculum Development has also started its review of the senior high curriculum following the revision of the K-to-10 curriculum into the recently launched Matatag system.

According to a 2020 discussion paper by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), only a little over 20% of senior high school graduates enter the labor force, while more than 70% continue with their

The survey revealed that senior high school graduates have no significant advantage or disadvantage compared to Grade 10 and secondyear college completers in terms of basic pay per day.

According to the poll, dissatisfaction is highest in the National Capital Region (NCR), with 53% of respondents dissatisfied. In Luzon, 43% are satisfied, while 35% are dissatisfied. In the Visayas, 42% are satisfied and 42% dissatisfied, while almost half of respondents in Mindanao are dissatisfied. Gatchalian recently filed the Batang Magaling Act to address the mismatch between senior high school graduates’ skills and labor market demands.

Earlier, the senator said he would

raise the recurring issues on the hiring of teachers ahead of the Senate deliberations of the DepEd’s proposed 2024 budget.

Gatchalian has repeatedly urged the DepEd to speed up its hiring process.

Data from the Department of Budget and Management reveals that as of February 17, 2023, there are 24,254 unfilled teaching positions in the DepEd. This is equivalent to almost 3% of the DepEd’s 879,789 teaching positions.

The bigger portion of these unfilled positions are entry-level positions such as Teacher I, Special Science Teacher I, Special Education Teacher I, and Master Teacher I.

The DepEd previously said that the hiring process, which also involves the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the DBM, usually takes six months.

DIOKNO WANTS TO ‘OPTIMALLY ALLOCATE’ PH SCHOOL FUNDS

By Julito Rada

FINANCE Secretary Benjamin Diokno wants to revisit the present “free” college education system in state universities and colleges (SUCs) to “optimally allocate resources”that are funded mainly by taxpayers.

Diokno said this said over the weekend following his previous statement that the free access to state university education was “unsustainable.”

“Government resources funded by taxpayers’ money, by nature, are finite… The present regime is unwieldy, inefficient, and wasteful,” Diokno said in a message.

“An indicator of wastefulness is the rising dropout rate. The proposed reform also aims to reduce the threat to the robust private school system,” he added.

“The elements of my proposal are the following: first, focus on strengthening the K-12 program; second, filter,

through a nationwide test, those who should be entitled to free education.”

“Third, allow those who passed the nationwide exam and are entitled to ‘free’ education to use their entitlement [a 4-year voucher] to enter or reject their assigned state university, and if the latter, choose an accredited private university; and reduce the number of existing SUCs [state universities and colleges] overtime through mergers,” Diokno said.

He said the poor have a better chance of entering college and completing the same if they have a good foundation.

“That’s one of the goals of the K-12 program. That’s the key — excellent basic education. That should be our focus,” he said, Diokno said the other goal of the K-12 program is to prepare the student for gainful employment or higher education. “Many are not interested in

going to college; they just want better jobs,” he said.

Last month, Diokno said in a forum led by the University of the Philippines School of Economics that he was not in favor of Republic Act (RA) 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017, calling it “anti-poor” because more people do not attend college.

The law provides eligible students free tuition and exempts them from other fees charged by state universities and colleges, as well as local universities and colleges.

Diokno said if the government wanted to help the poor, it should focus more on enhancing basic education.

The government is allocating P924.7 billion for education in the 2024 National Expenditure Program, which is 3.3 percent higher than the 2023 budget.

Elaborating on the filtering process, Diokno said there should be a nationwide test for those aspiring to go to

college.

“Assuming the national budget can afford x number of government scholars per year, say x is 2 million. Then every year the government will choose x over 4 or 500,000 scholars per year. SUCs are not equal. Some are excellent, others good, some are barely adequate. The score of the examinee will determine to which SUC and its campus he or she will be assigned.”

“Theoretically, as a government scholar he is entitled to y amount of education vouchers. He may refuse to enroll in an SUC assigned to him,” he said.

Diokno said the voucher would be released annually and be based on the satisfactory performance of the government scholar.

On the mergers of SUCs, Diokno said it could be done over a period of years. Initially, he said it could be started by having the same set of trustees in all SUCs within the same region.

By Vito Barcelo

THOUSANDS of aspirants for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan posts trooped to Commission on Elections offices to file their certificates of candidacy despite heavy rains and floods brought by Typhoon Hanna on Saturday to beat the September 2 deadline.

Comelec chairman George Garcia reiterated that there will be no extension of the period for the filing of COCs for those intending to run in the October 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), except in the National Capital Region, Abra, and Ilocos Norte.

The Comelec said there will be no more extensions in the COC filing period set which ended yesterday.

According to Comelec rules, if aspirants remained within 30 meters of the designated queuing or waiting area at 5 p.m. on the last day of the COC filing, their names will be listed and consecutively numbered.

As of September 1, more than one million individuals have already filed their COCs.

Comelec data shows that a total of 1.204,,325 COCs have been filed from August 28 to 31.

Garcia said the filing will continue until Sunday after but only at the NCR, Abra, and Ilocos Norte offices.

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE proposed P80-million budget to improve Pag-asa Island’s defenses and facilities under the 2024 national budget may not be enough, Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Ralph Recto said Saturday.

“For all the loud noises the government makes in defending what is ours in the West Philippine Sea, it seems that the funds it is proposing in the 2024 national budget for improving military facilities in Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan, Palawan amounts to a whimper,” Recto said in a statement.

For 2024, a measly P80 million, insofar as itemized expenditures in the 2024 budget bill goes, the former longtime senator added.

Recto said P40 million in the budget proposal goes to “igloo-style ammunition storage” and another P40 million for a two-storey military personnel barracks. These two projects are found in the P3.8 billion“Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad Program “ or TIKAS program , under DPWH, said Recto.

The share of Pag-asa Island, which hosts the Rancudo Air Station and Liwanag Naval Station, translates to a mere 2.1 percent of TIKAS funds, he noted.

“But if it is just P80 million then who would have thought that the government will be proposing a budget that small for a frontline military outpost in the middle of an area rife with tension?” Recto asked.

DICT: SYNDICATES USING PRE-REGISTERED SIMS

THE government has started tracing organized syndicates using pre-registered SIM cards to scam people, amid questions on how this scheme works, the Department of Information and Communications Technology said on Saturday.

Earlier, lawmakers urged the DICT to explain the proliferation of text scams despite the presence of the SIM Registration Law.

DICT Secretary Ivan Uy, quoted by

for 28 capital towns, as well as seek an exception to the general rules on conversion from town to city laid down in Section 450 of the Local Government Code. Manny Palmero

reports, said criminal syndicates have bought pre-registered SIMs (subscriber identity modules) from individuals who were willing to sell these, even if SIMs have their names. Each SIM may cost at least P500, Uy said. He also warned the public from participating in selling their SIMs. Uy disclosed that some individuals buy 10 SIM cards under their names and then sell the SIM cards.

The official said these individuals probably do not know that in the case of a lawsuit -- particularly involving the use of SIM cards—they will still be part of the case, and will need legal counsel, which can be costly.

Officials earlier reported that authorities were already able to apprehend many syndicates involved in this type of fraud, the latest of which involved six individuals operating on 25,000 preregistered SIMs in Pasay City.

HARVEST TIME. Father and son load their motorbike cart with their new rice harvest, among the first for the month of September, in Barangay Lanit, Iloilo City. Consumers hope to see the price of rice drop in markets as the second harvest season has started. Robert Guinness

‘P80M BUDGET FOR PAG-ASA NOT ENOUGH’

PROJECT 28 TEAM. Mayors of provincial capital towns pose at the launch of Project 28, a movement to pass the pending Capital Towns Bill in the 19th Congress, on Saturday in Quezon City. Group co-convener Mayor Juris Sucro of Kalibo, Aklan said five bills are currently pending in the House of Representatives that propose the automatic cityhood

INC LEADER TAPPED ANEW AS OFW SPECIAL ENVOY AMONG 28 EXECS

PRESIDENT

Ferdinand Marcos

Jr. on Saturday appointed Iglesia ni Cristo Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo as a special envoy for overseas Filipino concerns.

Manalo is the eldest son of the late INC executive minister Eraño Manalo, the son of the homegrown church’s founder.

The INC, known for its blocvoting practice, endorsed Mr. Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte in the 2022 national elections. It also supported Mr. Marcos’ vice presidential candidacy in 2016.

Manalo was last appointed to the post in 2018 during President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, with then-spokesman Harry Roque Jr. citing the INC executive’s “vast network” abroad.

Malacañang also released the names of 28 new appointees of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., including two special envoys for overseas Filipinos’ concerns and to the United Arab Emirates for Trade and Investments.

The roster of newly appointed officials also included businessman Norman Vincent Wee, who was tapped as Special Envoy to the UAE for Trade and Investments.

Mr. Marcos appointed Grace Tan as the new chairperson of the National Labor Relations Commission, an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment mandated to adjudicate labor and management disputes involving both local and overseas workers through compulsory arbitration and alternative modes of dispute resolution.

RIDER IN MAKATI ROAD RAGE FACES MORE CHARGES

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE armed motorcycle rider involved in a road rage in Makati City is now facing a new set of charges.

Angelito Rencio was charged with violating Republic Act 493 and Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code for using fake identification cards of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces.

These are additional charges to those that were previously filed against him for violating RA 10591 (Possession of Firearm), Article 177 (Usurpation of Authority), and Article 151 (Resistance and Disobedience to a Person in Authority).

A viral video showed Rencio in a scuffle after his motorcycle side-swiped the vehicle driven by Pasay City policeman SSgt. Marsan Dolipas on Aug. 25 along Osmeña Highway in Barangay Pio del Pilar, Makati City.

Rencio refused to apologize and insulted Dolipas, reports said. Dolipas claimed he alighted from his vehicle and confronted the man. Upon seeing a gun tucked in Rencio’s waist, he identified himself as a police officer, took the gun, and subdued Rencio as a precautionary measure.

The two were brought to Makati Police Substation 3 for questioning.

At the substation, Rencio, who identified himself as a member of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, surrendered his firearm and requested to go home supposedly to get the documents of his firearm, which according to the Southern Police District, should not have been allowed.

UNIVERSITIES LEAD EDUCATION, ARTS, CULTURE CONFAB

ORGANIZERS said the Malikhaing Guro International Conference on Culture-Based Education is set to take place in its 10th year, using a hybrid and multi-venue approach.

The event will be held at Far Eastern University Cavite, Colegio de San Juan Letran Manaoag, and the University of the Philippines Los Banos on September 9 to 16 and September 23.

HISTORIC GOV’T-MNLF 1996 PEACE ACCORD REMEMBERED

By Ben Cal

SEPTEMBER 2, 1996, at exactly 9:22

a.m., went down in the annals of Philippine history as the moment the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) formally signed a peace agreement that ended a quarter of a century of fratricidal war in Mindanao.

The peace agreement was concluded after four years of tough negotiations held in Libya; Jakarta, Indonesia; and Mindanao.

The late President Fidel V. Ramos led government officials and foreign dignitaries in witnessing the historic signing at the ceremonial hall of Malacañang.

The signing was preceded by an

initialing of the final draft between former ambassador Manuel Yan, head of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) peace panel, and MNLF chairman Nur Misuari in Jakarta. Signatories to the peace accord were Yan, Misuari, Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, and Dr. Hamid Algabid, secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). Indonesia and the OIC were instrumental in the final settlement of the Mindanao conflict that had killed over 120,000 during almost 27 years of fighting.

The formal signing was made amid thunderous applause from the audience that included members of the

TRUMP TO RALLY AT SITE OF DEADLY ANTI-GOVERNMENT SIEGE IN WACO

diplomatic corps, officials from the OIC member-states, Mindanao leaders, and representatives of various peace advocacy groups.

The forging of the formal peace accord signaled the end of hostilities waged by the 25,000-strong MNLF fighters in Southern Philippines since 1972. It also meant the promise of full development in the country’s second-largest island, which is endowed with abundant natural resources.

In his speech, Ramos said that the “peace agreement falls squarely on our aspiration of total peace and development for all, especially the millions of poor masses in our southern regions.”

The conference, organized by the Arts Research and Training Institute in Southern Tagalog, Inc., in collaboration with the Linang Culture and Arts Network and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, aims to reach more educators and cultural advocates from all over the country.

The conference responds to UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development and aligns with the Department of Education’s Matatag Curriculum.

The event aims to embrace the changing landscape of knowledge production, dissemination, and utilization on local and global levels, reflecting the evolving role of cultural education in addressing pressing challenges while celebrating the diverse heritage of the Philippines.

CUSTOMS BEATS AUGUST COLLECTION TARGET BY 4.7%

Byline Vito Barcelo and Joel Zurbano

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it has surpassed its collection target performance for August 2023 by as much as 4.7%, or equivalent to P3.367 billion.

In a statement, the bureau said it exceeded the official target set by the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), collecting P 75.642 billion to exceed the target of P 72.275 billion.

The BOC likewise beat the sevenmonth collection from January to August 2023 compared to the same period last year.

The bureau generated P 582.133 billion in revenue, surpassing the target of P 567.740 billion by 2.54%, equivalent to P 14.393 billion. Compared to the previous year’s collection of P

558.455 billion during the same period, this year’s revenue grew by 4.24%, amounting to P23.678 billion.

The collection performance of the BOC can be attributed to efficient customs operations, enhanced trade activities, and revenue collection measures, Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio said.

The BOC further reported that it has made significant strides in border control and national security through its X-ray Inspection Project (XIP).

The XIP under the supervision of Collector Carmelita Talusan has successfully deterred and intercepted numerous smuggling attempts, leading to the seizure of illegal drugs worth over P1.161 billion from January to August 2023, the bureau said.

Talusan’s team uses 107 active X-ray machines strategically deployed

across multiple ports, sub-ports, and airports to identify hidden contraband.

The unit also advocates real-time information exchange among ports to thwart smuggling attempts. The XIP’s strategy focuses on enhancing border control and national security.

XIP agents assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport recently intercepted a passenger who was caught carrying a bag loaded with more than P18 million worth of cocaine from Addis Ababa.

The woman traveler arrived from Hong Kong on board Ethiopian Airlines flight ET644 and was originally from Addis Ababa as her port of origin. Her baggage was recommended for 100% physical examination by the customs examiner, resulting in the discovery of 3.4 kilos of cocaine.

flag that was draped on top of his casket. Ver Noveno

SEPTEMBER FASHION MONTH. Celebrity couple Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli ushered in the September fashion month by modeling pieces from the new fall-winter 2023 collection of international fashion brand Uniqlo at the

SM Aura Premier at BGC in Taguig City. Manny Palmero

FOCUSING ON MINDANAO. A woman from Northern Mindanao sells multi-colored necklaces, chokers, earrings, and bracelets while a group of dancers perform during the 34th Philippine Travel Mart at the SMX Mall of Asia on Saturday. Danny Pata

LAST RESPECTS. People pay their last respects to the late veteran radio broadcaster and news anchor Mike Enriquez during his wake at the Christ the King Parish Church in Green Meadows, Quezon City on Saturday. Manny Palmero

IN BRIEF

CANADA NEWS LAW HAS META, GOOGLE BALKING

OTTAWA—Ottawa on Friday spelled out how a new law requiring digital giants to pay publishers for news content will work in practice, including how much it could cost Meta and Google.

The bill aims to support a struggling Canadian news sector that has seen a flight of advertising dollars and hundreds of publications closed in the last decade.

Effectively it targets only Google and Meta -- which control about 80 percent of all online advertising revenues in Canada.

The government estimated it could cost the two companies a combined Can$230 million (US$170 million) by requiring them to make fair commercial deals with Canadian outlets for the news and information that is shared on their platforms, or face binding arbitration.

POPE WARNS MONGOLIA OF RISKS FROM CORRUPTION, ENVI DAMAGE

ULAANBAATAR -- Pope Francis celebrated Mongolia’s rich and ancient culture Saturday during the first papal visit to the country, while warning the young democracy of risks from corruption and destruction of the environment.

The 86-year-old Jesuit was feted in the morning with an official welcome ceremony and honor guard.

Meanwhile, Taiwan said on Saturday it supported the efforts of the Vatican to reach out to Beijing and hoped the move would improve China’s “deteriorating religious freedom and

‘SAOLA’ WEAKENS, BUT STILL THREAT TO SOUTH CHINA

HONG KONG—Typhoon Saola swept across southern China on Saturday after tearing down trees and smashing windows in Hong Kong, although the megacity avoided a feared direct hit from one of the region’s strongest storms in decades.

Tens of millions of people in the densely populated coastal areas of southern China had sheltered indoors on Friday ahead of the storm.

Southern China is frequently hit in summer and autumn by typhoons that form in the warm oceans east of the Philippines and then travel west.

Saola had triggered Hong Kong’s highest threat level on Friday evening -- issued only 16 times since World War II -- and registered winds of around 210 kilometers per hour at its peak.

It was downgraded before dawn on Saturday as the typhoon passed the city and tracked towards coastal areas of mainland China, with no reported casualties and far less damage than created by 2018’s powerful Typhoon Manghut. AFP

human rights issue”.

Pope Francis is currently in Mongolia on a state visit. As his papal plane passed over China’s airspace, the pontiff sent a customary telegram to Chinese President Xi Jinping bearing “greetings of good wishes”.

The Holy See is Taipei’s only diplomatic ally in Europe and does not have official ties with Beijing, which views self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory to be seized one day, by force if necessary.

“Our country fully respects religious freedom and supports the Holy See’s continuous attempts to engage in dialogue with China to resolve the Catholic Church’s religious issues in China,” Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“We hope that Vatican-China exchanges will help improve China’s deteriorating religious freedom and human rights issues and realize the

ideal of religious liberalization in China.”

President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, wearing a traditional “deel” tunic, descended a long line of red carpeted steps in front of a massive bronze statue of Genghis Khan to greet the pope.

The pontiff then addressed Mongolian dignitaries including the president inside the State Palace.

Praising the country’s “ranchers and planters respectful of the delicate balances of the ecosystem”, he said Mongolia’s tradition of living in harmony with nature and its creatures “can contribute significantly to the urgent and no longer deferrable efforts to protect and preserve planet Earth”.

He also warned that corruption was “the fruit of a utilitarian and unscrupulous mentality that has impoverished whole countries”. AFP

According to the draft regulations published on Friday, the measures would apply to companies with global annual revenues in excess of Can$1 billion, operating a search engine or social media platform actively used by at least 20 million Canadians and that distributes news. AFP

NOKOR FIRES MULTIPLE MISSILES TOWARD WEST

SEOUL—North Korea fired multiple cruise missiles off its west coast on Saturday, Seoul’s military said, the latest in a string of recent Pyongyang military actions.

The launches come three days after the North launched a pair of short-range ballistic missiles as part of a “tactical nuclear strike drill” prompted by the annual USSouth Korean Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises, which always infuriate the reclusive regime.

Pyongyang views such the drills as a rehearsal for invasion while the two allies say they are defensive in nature.

An unspecified number of cruise missiles were launched at around 4 am (1900 GMT) towards the Yellow Sea, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Saturday in the statement, adding the specifications of the missiles were being evaluated. AFP

ECUADOR INMATES FREE 57 GUARDS AND POLICE

QUITO—Inmates in six Ecuadoran prisons have released the 50 guards and seven police officers who had been taken hostage in the country’s latest spasm of narcotics-related mayhem, the state prison institute said Friday.

The prison guards and police “were freed and are undergoing medical evaluation to verify their health status,” the SNAI prison authority said, adding that all appeared to be in good health.

Authorities announced the hostage-takings on Thursday, but it remains unclear when the guards and police were captured and at which prisons.

At one prison in the Andean city of Cuenca on Friday morning, three inmates on the roof -- one in colorful pajamas holding a walkie-talkie -- shouted at a crowd of uniformed offices to retreat, according to an AFP journalist.

The news came after two car bombs were detonated near buildings belonging to the prisons authority in Quito overnight Wednesday, with no one injured. Three grenade explosions also shook the capital. AFP

KYIV: RUSSIAN AIRPORT HIT FROM OWN TERRITORY

KYIV—Ukraine’s military intelligence said Friday that a recent drone attack on an airport in northwestern Russia that damaged several transport planes was carried out from within Russian territory.

The claim, falling on the first day of the school year, came as President Vladimir Putin told Russian students that their country was “invincible” and police in Kyiv scrambled to respond to bomb threats in schools.

The attack this week on Pskov airport, around 700 kilometers (more than 400 miles) from Ukraine, marked the latest strike on Russian territory since Kyiv vowed in July to “return” the conflict to Moscow.

“The drones used to attack the ‘Kresty’ air base in Pskov were launched from Russia,” Ukraine’s intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said on social

media

Friday. “Four Russian IL-76 military transport planes were hit as a result of the attack. Two were destroyed and two were seriously damaged,” he added. Budanov said the aircraft had been used by the defense ministry to transport troops and cargo.

The Kremlin said this week that military experts were working to find out which routes the drones were taking in order “to prevent such situations in the future”.

Asked about Ukrainian claims on Friday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment and instead deferred questions to the defense ministry.

The region of Pskov, which was also targeted by drones in May, is surrounded by NATO members Estonia and Latvia to its west and Belarus to

its south.

- ‘Calm’ urged after bomb scareBudanov’s comments came hours after Russian air defenses destroyed a drone approaching Moscow, the city’s mayor said, a day after a similar attack on the capital.

Russian media reported that air traffic at Moscow’s Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports had been temporarily halted.

An uptick in aerial assaults have hit the capital’s financial district, ripped holes in commercial buildings and struck the Kremlin, but officials have dismissed the increase in attacks.

Russia’s defense ministry said early Saturday its forces had destroyed three Ukrainian naval drones targeting the strategic Crimea bridge which connects the peninsula to the Russian mainland. AFP

GREEN LOAD, GREEN LAKE. A woman carrying lotus roots rows a boat through a polluted portion of the Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir on September 1. AFP

FOREST CITY. A general view shows condominiums at Forest City, a development project launched under China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Gelang Patah in Malaysia’s Johor state on September 1. Moody’s further downgraded the credit ratings of Chinese property developer Country Garden on August 31 as the heavily-indebted firm negotiates with creditors to avoid defaulting on a bond repayment. AFP

RECORD CHEESE BALL. People take photos as ranchers from Chiapas, in southern Mexico, set a new world record by making the world’s largest string cheese ball, weighing 558 kilograms, in Pijijiapan, Chiapas state, Mexico on August 31. The record was registered in the Guinness World Records book by achieving the huge ball of cheese, which required about six thousand liters of milk. AFP

ON THE ROAD

ABOITIZ POWER Corporation (AboitizPower) has officially initiated its corporate electric vehicle (EV) fleet transformation program with the unveiling of new plugin EVs at an event held at the Blue Leaf Cosmopolitan in Quezon City.

SUPPORTING CLEANER MOBILITY: ABOITIZPOWER LAUNCHES EV FLEET PROGRAM

This launch signifies AboitizPower’s commitment to Republic Act 11697, known as the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), and its dedication to fostering a more sustainable and eco-friendly transportation landscape in the Philippines.

In line with the EVIDA’s goal to reduce the reliance on imported fossil fuels in the local transportation sector, the act mandates industrial and commercial entities to allocate at least 5% of their fleets for EVs.

“As a leader in the energy

industry, we are dedicated to incorporating innovations that enhance the efficiency and sustainability of our operations,” stated AboitizPower President and CEO Manny Rubio.

The newly unveiled EVs, manufactured by Build Your Dreams (BYD), are set to be deployed in the franchise areas of AboitizPower distribution utilities (DUs), specifically Visayan Electric, Davao Light, and Cotabato Light. This EV fleet transformation program reinforces the demand for

cleaner energy sources and aligns seamlessly with AboitizPower’s growth strategy of adding 3,700 megawatts of renewable energy, such as solar, wind, and geothermal, to its generation portfolio over the next decade. This aligns with the Philippines’ objective of reducing its heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels for transportation and electricity generation by harnessing cleaner and indigenous energy sources. Beyond emissions reduction, the program also delivers improved energy efficiency and transportation

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023 | B1

MUSICAL CHAIRS

AMID the fervor surrounding the ongoing FIBA basketball tournament, two noteworthy stories have emerged in the world of automobiles.

Firstly, our applause goes out to the Ford Everest Club of the Philippines (FECP), led by Jay Cruz and Glenn Manikis, for an extraordinary achievement. They successfully shattered a Guinness World Record, securing the title for the “Largest Ensemble of Car Horns,” a record previously held for a decade by Mini Cooper in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. In an impressive display of unity, 1,077 Ford Everest vehicles gathered at the New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac, and synchronized their horns to the tune of “Philippine Jeepney/Let’s Go.” This triumphant moment, overseen by a vigilant Guinness World Records adjudicator, marked a new record at 1 minute and 6 seconds.

economics, with the cost per kilometer traveled being at least half compared to internal combustion engine vehicles.

In collaboration with its partners, AboitizPower currently boasts the largest and most diversified renewable energy platform in the Philippines in terms of installed capacity under its operational control. Nearly 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy projects, including wind and solar farms, as well as expanded geothermal capacities, are currently in development.

NEW MINI MAKES WAVES: CONVERTIBLE SEASIDE EDITION UNVEILED

front apron featuring a stylized “30” to mark the model’s anniversary, and a Caribbean Aqua paint finish that accentuates the sporty character. In Nanuq White, the MINI Convertible exudes elegance, reminiscent of spotted clouds against a deep-blue summer sky.

The “Seaside” lettering on the side scuttles and rear, along with floating wheel caps displaying the stylized “30,” add further exclusivity. Inside, edition-specific features include door sills with two white stripes and Seaside lettering, a sports leather steering wheel with “Seaside” lettering, decorative trim strips with printed patterns and lettering, and

Carbon Black leather seats with knee rolls and door armrests.

Even the MINI Convertible Seaside Edition vehicle key incorporates the edition-specific graphic wave pattern in iridescent blue tones, ensuring a piece of exclusivity accompanies owners wherever they go.

Equipped with the MINI operating system, navigation system, Apple CarPlay, and Driving Assistant for added safety, the MINI Convertible Seaside Edition offers a well-rounded driving experience. The MINI Convertible Seaside Edition is priced at PHP 3,720,000.00 and only 10 are to be made available in the country.

Additionally, FECP orchestrated a monumental convoy, stretching approximately 10 kilometers. This feat, although impressive, was not the one under official scrutiny during the event held in Clark, Pampanga, on August 27th. Looking back to a press conference in Quezon City just three days prior, the impending record-breaking attempt was already on the horizon. Chief organizer Norie Gotis, FECP’s administrator, revealed their ambitious goal of involving 1,500 Ford Everest cars—an astonishing endeavor given the club’s already substantial membership of 15,000, solidifying its status as the largest car club in the nation.

Amidst the jubilant celebrations and the presentation of the Guinness World Record Certificate, one individual, Elmer Balayan, an FECP member, experienced an exceptional Sunday by winning a brand-new Ford Everest as part of the FECP’s 6th anniversary celebration.

As these records were being set, another intriguing phenomenon unfolded within the local automotive sector. Unlike my previous tenure as a motoring beat journalist from 2005 to 2011, when executive movements between car companies were rare, the current landscape presents a dynamic shift. Today, just one year into my return to the local motoring scene, we observe more than a dozen top and middle management personnel transitioning between different car companies.

The future of this “musical chairs” scenario remains uncertain, but it appears that as long as new car companies continue to enter the country, the quest for skilled automotive executives will persist.

EMBODYING the spirit of carefree adventures by the beach, MINI Philippines, in partnership with MINI Asia, has introduced the MINI Convertible Seaside Edition. The grand reveal took place at the MINI Bonifacio Global City Showroom in Taguig, featuring a lively event with music, refreshments, and engaging activities at the Quantum Golf virtual golf booth.

Available in the Cooper S variant, the MINI Convertible Seaside Edition celebrates over 30 years of open-air driving fun and individual style. With only 10 units available in Manila, lucky owners can look forward to an unparalleled level of exclusivity.

Willy Tee Ten, President of MINI Philippines, remarked, “Inspired by the breezy, carefree adventures

by the beach, we’ve taken our legendary go-kart feeling further with the new limited MINI Convertible Seaside Edition. We hope our loyal MINI family in the Philippines will warmly welcome this limited-edition model.”

The MINI Convertible, the world’s only premium convertible in the compact car segment, offers open-air driving pleasure. The Cooper S variant boasts a 2.0-liter, 178 hp 4-cylinder power unit with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.1 seconds. The electrically operated soft top can be opened or closed automatically at speeds of up to 30 km/h.

Distinctive design elements include double decorative stripes in white running from the side doors to the rear, a unique graphic on the

NLEX ELEVATING SAN SIMON SECTION, ADDRESSING FLOODING CONCERNS

NLEX Corporation is pleased to announce its proactive efforts to mitigate flooding issues in the San Simon area of Pampanga. The company is currently undertaking preliminary works to elevate a 200-meter section, with the aim of completing the project before the year’s end.

The comprehensive project encompasses several key components:

1. Detailed Engineering Design: NLEX Corporation is finalizing the detailed engineering design for raising the pavement of both the north and south bounds of the 200-meter section under the Tulaoc overpass by 0.7 meters. This enhancement will provide better flood protection.

2. Flood Management Infrastructure: The project also includes the construction of flood walls equipped with sump pits and sump pumps. These measures are designed to effectively manage floodwaters and prevent future flooding incidents in the area.

3. San Simon Ramp: The pavement of the San Simon ramp will be raised, and the drainage system will be improved to ensure smoother traffic flow and minimize flooding risks. The urgent need for these improvements became apparent during recent heavy rainfall, which resulted in extensive flooding in Central and North Luzon, including a 100-meter stretch of NLEX San Simon. This flooding led to traffic congestion as motorists sought alternative routes to avoid

the affected area.

NLEX Corporation President and General Manager Luigi L. Bautista highlighted the issue: “The flooding outside NLEX has overflowed into the lowest area of NLEX in San Simon. We have requested the DPWH to raise the Tulaoc overpass to elevate this section of the expressway.”

Department of Public Works and Highways

(DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan committed to raising the Tulaoc overpass by 0.7 meters. Following this, NLEX plans to add an additional 0.3 meters to the pavement, resulting in a total elevation of 1 meter for the 200-meter section of NLEX San Simon.

At the same briefing, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation President Rogelio L. Singson suggested the construction of a water impounding facility in Candaba as a long-term solution to prevent flooding in nearby low-lying areas of Pampanga.

Full text at www.manilastandard.net

ENTREPRENEUR GETS CREATIVE WITH PHILIPPINE CHOCOLATE

PHILO Chua grew up in a family who exchanged business ideas during dinner. At the time, business for him was just a conversation piece.

It was not until his Entertainment Technology studies in Pittsburgh, the United States that Chua developed a keen interest in baking chocolatebased cookies and brownies. Just as his curiosity on premium food ingredients was developing, a chocolate shop opened near his area to sell single-origin chocolates from around the world.

“This was back in 2007. I was e-mailing a friend about it and talking about how it would be interesting to have chocolates made from Philippine cacao. There’s cacao in the Philippines, but no one at that time was making premium chocolates out of it. While writing that email, the idea started,” Chua said.

Born to entrepreneur parents from Manila, the 44-year-old Chua returned to his roots in the Philippines, with a personal mission—to be a Filipino chocolatier who uses homegrown ingredients.

In his homecoming, Philo sought multiple ways of using chocolate as a main ingredient in food preparation. Significant attention was paid to product development, owing to his passion for understanding product components and their appeal to consumers.

In 2010, Chua launched Theo & Philo, coined from Theobroma Cacao, the scientific name of cacao tree and his name Philo. The brand’s vision is to mainstream Philippine-made artisan chocolates to the global consumers.

The bean-to-bar branding piqued the interest of retailers, aggregators and consumers. His initial capital of P1 million has gone a long way from product development to sourcing ingredients to various methods of processing chocolate, and finally, the production phase. Food bloggers, who noticed the brand, helped in marketing the products online.

Ethnicity as branding

Chua’s idea of using Pinoy cacao clicked, which further buttressed the branding. Using local cacao known for their distinct properties is the most logical idea for producing Theo & Philo chocolate and chocolate-based products.

Theo & Philo manufactures a range of products –from chocolate

BUS COMPANY

OWNER NOW AN HONORARY DOCTORATE DEGREE HOLDER

YANSON Group of Bus Companies

matriarch Olivia Villaflores Yanson accepted an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Negros Occidental–Recoletos (UNO-R) on August 30, 2023, in Bacolod City.

A nurse by profession, Olivia and her late husband Ricardo Yanson Sr., established Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI) in 1968 which grew to become the largest public transport company in the country operating 4,800 buses nationwide manned by 18,000 employees.

“My husband, the late Ricardo Yanson and I started a transportation business in our own humble way and dreamed that someday the business will blossom into something more, not only more profits but serving more people who needed to be transported to their places of destination,” she said.

bars to chocolate-coated mangoes, chocolate-covered nuts, hot chocolate mix and chocolate spreads from its facility in Valenzuela City, Metro Manila.

By the time the company was two years into operation, Theo and Philo was already exporting chocolate products to key markets overseas. The company successfully penetrated the selective markets of Germany and the Netherlands. It also exports to Japan, Taiwan and the US.

Theo & Philo products are sold, mostly, at coffee shops and specialty stores abroad. Locally, they are available at duty-free shops and Philippine heritage stores.

countries.

the

“Our best-selling products are our chocolate bars—in particular, recalled his first export to the European Union and how that first shipment required a bit of work to meet a set requirements for a buyer in Germany.

He said product labelling was a challenge for the company, given the EU market’s very stringent policies on labelling and adherence to environmental sustainability.

Its distributor to the EU helped the brand with the translation and compliance with labelling standards. When Chua was just starting to export, his regular engagement with the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions of the Department of Trade and

“I have found the DTI seminars an informative source of guidance towards exports,” he said.

European exposure

With Europe as the benchmark for the best chocolates in the world, Theo & Philo is under the impression its acceptance in the European market is “already an endorsement of top quality.”

The company believes that as a bean-to-bar producer of chocolate, its strategy worked wonders in attracting European buyers who are a purist when it comes to product origins and quality.

Theo & Philo exports to Europe under the EU Generalized System of Preference Plus (GSP+) that allows trade under preferential tariff rates. The brand derives 20 percent of its revenue from exports, including 5 percent from the EU.

Yanson was conferred with Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management (Honoris Causa) in recognition of her contribution to the world of business. She received the award from UNO-R president Rev. Fr. Joel Alve in a ceremony attended by her children Ginnette, Leo Rey and their families as well as company executives and employees.

Fr. Alve said Yanson was awarded the honorary doctorate degree “in recognition of her invaluable contributions to the business sector and how she shared her blessings to the less fortunate people in our society as part of her corporate social responsibility”.

Yanson said her journey to entrepreneurship is calling to serve humanity. She said while being a business owner is a major role for her, the humanity aspect of it is even bigger as the company transports people and human life is precious.

led him to join the prestigious International Food Exhibition Philippines, which created a network of clients and suppliers who were instrumental to the success of the brand.

Registering with the DTI in 2010 opened doors for Chua, including access to much needed capacitybuilding like export seminars, which further increased his knowledge about regulations in various

TOP JOB PORTAL CREATES LEARNING APP FOR JOBSEEKERS

LEADING talent recruitment and job-seeking platform JobStreet by SEEK, unveiled seekMAX, an in-app learning platform, dedicated to helping professionals further enhance their skills and advance in their careers.

“Candidates need to continue upskilling not only for professional growth, but also for honing their soft skills which is what most industries look out for nowadays, more than the candidate’s proficiency in their technical skills. Through seekMAX, they can learn new things, master their expertise, and be connected with industry experts as well as a supportive professional community,” said JobStreet Philippines’ managing director Dannah Majarocon.

With over a thousand free bite-sized video content, the JobStreet mobile app allows jobseekers to access the platform anywhere even without a JobStreet account. However, logging in is highly recommended for more personalized

experience to seamlessly continue the video from where one has left off.

Jobseekers are given access to high quality and engaging videos that feature industry-specific topics, soft skills, leadership tips, and various career-related advice, as JobStreet

collaborated with leading companies, local industry experts, and international media like Bloomberg, Microsoft, The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, Complexly, Tech in Asia, SDG Academy, Open Academy, and Deutsche Welle, among others.

Candidates can also get first dibs on salary negotiation tips from seekMAX’s original series Salary Squad.

According to the recent Decoding the Digital Talent Challenge report by JobStreet, 75 percent of Filipinos who are willing to retrain professionally prefer self-studying, while 65 percent use digital learning platforms. Not only does seekMAX offer helpful career-related content, but it also makes upskilling and reskilling more accessible and attainable. With this latest innovation, talents can rely on JobStreet’s talent market expertise to continuously provide exclusive and valuable career resources for ever-growing professionals like them.

Throughout his successful export journey, Chua has not forgotten those who helped him establish international recognition for the brand and for the Philippines. The company that began with three employees has become a team of 28 workers who are well-looked after.

With support from ARISE Plus Philippines, Theo & Philo carved a small but discernible niche of recognition for Philippine chocolates in the global market.

“What we offer is pure and affordable and stands apart from chocolates from other countries because of the cacao grown in our country,” Chua said. Othel V. Campos

“I speak for the past and the present because I feel and I know that I am needed here in this life to serve humanity. Being a nurse, a businesswoman, a mother, a grandmother, a good friend, a relative, all amount to loving and serving humanity with compassion and caring, touching people’s lives as I am there for them in God’s will,” said Yanson, a woman of strength, dignity and resilience who has a generous heart and who is committed to her life’s work.

Yanson also helped support education by providing buildings and educational resources to schools and colleges and funding the education of underprivileged children.

AWARD-WINNING FINTECH PLATFORM SUPPORTS BACK-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAM

DIGIDO Finance Corp. (DFC), operator of award-winning consumer finance platform Digido and in-app and instore installment solutions provider UnaCash, organized a dispatch of back-to-school essentials in support of the country’s annual Brigada Eskwela campaign.

“One’s education is directly correlated to one’s degree of participation in the financial ecosystem. Through this initiative, we aim to make change by removing immediate barriers in the way of students’ focus on learning and upskilling,” said Digido country manager Farit Shakirov.

Held last August 24, 2023, DFC management and employees handed over notebooks, writing and coloring materials, a variety of other supplementary materials to 230 students of Malanday Elementary School in Marikina City, one of the public schools affected by recent typhoons.

The initiative aligns with 2 pivotal Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations - quality education and reduce inequalities.

“Endeavors such as Brigada Eskwela are an opportunity to invest in the bedrock of enduring education, and by extension, holistic maturation. The organization is more than pleased to offer its assistance for such initiatives within the best of our abilities,” added Aleksei Kosenko, president of UnaCash.

dark chocolate with green mango and salt, and the dark chocolate with siling labuyo [chili],” Chua said as he

Theo & Philo founder Philo Chua mans the booth at the International Food Exhibition 2023.

Transportation entrepreneur Olivia Villaflores Manson

Team DFC distributes school supplies to public school students.

JobStreet Philippines managing director Dannah Majarocon at the Philippine launch of seekMAX.

KAI SOTTO AND SOUTH SUDAN: MOVING ON, LESSONS LEARNED

By Randy Caluag

WHAT’S next for Kai Sotto after the FIBA World Cup 2023?

Finally, the 7-3 Sotto got ample minutes in their fourth game and gave solid numbers with 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 shot blocks in a losing cause against South Sudan on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Fans had a lot of expectations from Kai before the World Cup. In fact, the young NBA aspirant is all red up himself prior to the World Cup.

“It’s extra energy and motivation for me every time I play here in the country, I’m very happy,” said Sotto during PUMA’s ‘Our Ball Above All’ event where he was introduced as the brand’s ambassador at Glorietta Activity Center on Saturday.

“Blessings yan and it’s also a challenge that I have to do whatever it takes to do my best and make them proud,” he added.

But much to the chagrin of his fans, he was used sparingly and unable to prove himself in all the rst three losing games of Gilas Pilipinas in the rst phase of the FIBA World Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Then it lost again, this time to a small country that had just started playing serious, organized basketball as a FIBA member in 2013.

And so, the Philippines missed the last bus going to the Paris Olympics 2024 and if it had to get one, the FIBA World Cup was not the right route.

Sotto, though, has learned to just shrug it o and asked the fans to continue supporting Gilas.

“Please continue to support us. We’re doing our best naman to get the win. Kinukulang nga lang, pero that’s basketball, walang madaling game. For us, move on lang.

After the World Cup, Sotto will go back to his professional sojourn in the Japan B League where he signed a contract extension with the Dragon ies which he helped reach the nals before bowing to top-ranked Chiba in three games.

Sotto averaged 8.92 points, 6.08 boards, 1.38 assists, and 1.29 blocks with Hiroshima in 24 games in the recent season.

As a Puma ambassador, Sotto said he will continue to set an example and strive for the best to achieve his dreams, including a stint in the NBA.

“(t’s)extra energy, extra motivation for me to push myself knowing that there’s always a lot of people supporting me,” he added.

But will we ever see Sotto in uniform again in the future? Interestingly, Sotto is one of the names that Reyes mentioned to be the future core of Gilas, along with AJ Edu and Dwight Ramos.

LEVEL INFINITE SHOWCASES LATEST GAMES

Assassin’s Creed Jade

FIRST things rst, this latest addition to the epic franchise is now o cially known as Assassin’s Creed Jade, as showcased in this latest trailer, features the series’ iconic stealth, parkour, and assassination for the rst time on mobile devices. Players wanting to experience the action ahead of the full launch will be able to participate in a second closed testing phase coming soon. Further information is available on the o cial Assassin’s Creed Jade site.

Arena Breakout

A new trailer revealed content heading to the highly immersive and tactical FPS in a major update - " Battle for the Port" - due for release this October. This update will see players ghting it out on the all-new Port map, taking on new Boss - Delwin Pan, and to make things even tougher there’s a typhoon approaching! Discover more at the o cial site.

Command & Conquer: Legions

More details were shared on what players can expect in this recently announced addition to the Command & Conquer series in an exclusive new trailer. Currently in development for mobile devices, Command & Conquer: Legions combines iconic Command & Conquer elements with engaging strategic gameplay and social interaction.

From tomorrow, August 25, a new test phase will commence for Android players in Australia, Canada, France, Mexico, New Zealand and the Philippines, with other regions to follow later this year. For a full intel brie ng head to the game’s o cial HQ.

Delta Force: Hawk Ops

“They de nitely grew as a group from this experience and learned a lot. There is a lot to look forward for those guys.”

But then again, leaders at the Gilas program should take a look at South Sudan, if they want to make long-term progress in the sport that make the Filipinos’ heart beat fast and loud.

SOUTH SUDAN STORY

While the Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign did not end well and generated a lot of hate among fans, Sudan was just happy to play and show the world how appropriate planning can make a di erence.

“We use basketball for peace and to change the narrative in our country. Everybody is watching us.

In basketball, we share the vision of friendship, love, and sportsmanship,” said Sudan head coach Royal Ivey.

A young country with just 11 million plus population, South Sudan is one of the least developed countries in the world.

It gained independence from Sudan in 2011 after su ering ethnic violence and enduring a couple of civil wars and is now a member of the United Nations and the African Union. Things improved tremendously for South Sudan when NBA legend Luol Deng became president of its

GO FOR GOLD JUNIOR RIDERS BRACE FOR TOUR DE DMZ

TAPPING the nest junior riders in the country, the Go For Gold Cycling Team will carry the national colors in the famed Tour de DMZ International Road Cycling in South Korea.

Laguna’s Kien Ebojo, John Arwin Velasco of Batangas, Cebu’s Samstill Mamites, Nueva Ecija’s John Paul Escubine, Justhene Navaluna and Mac BJ Arellano from Ilocos will race against the best riders in the world their age in the ve-stage, 532-kilometer bikathon on the fringes of the Korean border.

Go For Gold is adopting a similar program for these young cyclists following the success of 17-year-old mountain bike (MTB) cyclist John Andre Aguja, who already ruled two international races—the 2023 Thailand Mountain Bike

Cup and the 2023 Coupe de Japon MTB Yawatahama in Japan.

”We have proven that in our MTB teams, where we won several gold medals. We are bringing the same program to road racing and hopefully we can also reap success,’’said Go For Gold founder Jeremy Go.

The eight-man Philippine squad left for Ganghwa late Tuesday afternoon, three days before the multi-stage race kicks o Friday.

Aside from winning a number of Union Cycliste Internationale junior MTB races recently, Go For Gold riders consistently finished on the podium in Southeast Asian meets.

The sixth edition of the Tour de DMZ, a Men Junior Nations Cup sanctioned by the UCI, will have the Demilitarized Zone

Sotto vows to always make his country proud of him

national basketball federation. He acquired former teammate Royal Ivey as head coach in September 2012 and from there, made major ascent in African basketball, capped by the masterful conquest of Tunisia.

In the World Cup in Manila, South Sudan earned its rst World Cup victory by beating Asian mighty China and later broke the hearts of the hometown crowd by topping host Gilas Pilipinas.

Using South Sudan’s story as a motivation, Sotto and Gilas Pilipinas can still set things in the right direction.

Following its announcement during yesterday’s Opening Night Live, viewers got to meet several members of the game's development team as part of an introduction to Delta Force: Hawk Ops. This all-new addition to the franchise will bring the series’ iconic tactical FPS play to console, PC and mobile players at launch. For more details about this Operator-based tactical shooter, visit playdeltaforce.com.

Dune: Spice Wars

In the latest trailer for the title, Shiro Games and Funcom revealed a September release window for Dune: Spice Wars. The game has seen numerous updates during Early Access, thanks to community feedback, and the team is very excited to get the 1.0 update in players’ hands. For more game details please visit dunespicewars.com.

GTFO

10 Chambers premiered the trailer for their next big content update of hardcore co-op Shooter GTFO – ALT:// Rundown 6.0 Destination, which will add thirteen new expeditions to the game – for free. When the update arrives in September, GTFO will have over 70 playable expeditions in total. To learn more about ALT://Rundown 6.0 head to gtfothegame.com.

Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story Raul Rubio, Tequila Works’ CEO and Rowan Parker, Creative Director of Riot Forge at Riot Games, joined the showcase hosts to share a new sneak peek of Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story. This story-driven adventure follows League of Legends champions Nunu & Willump, two best friends who embark on the ultimate road trip through the frozen wilds of the Freljord, meeting other legendary champions along the way. Song of Nunu is scheduled for release in fall 2023. To learn more, please visit www.songofnunu.com.

Stampede: Racing Royale

Following the debut of the latest trailer, it was confirmed that the PC version of Secret Mode’s 60-player kart racer will be power sliding into Early Access on November 2. Ahead of this, players can still get an early taste of the action via the game’s second Playtest on Steam, which runs until August 28.

Stampede: Racing Royale is also scheduled for a console release at a later date. For more game details head to stampederacing.com

And what’s the biggest lesson the Philippines should have learned from a small, poor country like South Sudan?

The Go For Gold riders during a break in their training (DMZ) as backdrop that serves as the border of the two Koreas. The race likewise commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice with the theme ``70 years of DMZ, Beyond the Border into the Future.’’

”We would like to thank PhilCycling and POC president Abraham ``Bambol’’ Tolentino and PhilCycling secretary general Atty. Billy Sumagui for their continuous support to our developmental program,’’ said Go.

Sudanese fans greet one of their players after winning over Gilas Pilipinas (FIBA photo)

Kai Sotto in action against a Sudanese foe (Photo from FIBA)

THE ROLE OF THE YOUTH IN NATION-BUILDING

By Patricia Taculao

AFTER a long delay, the Philippines will again vote for capable youth as leaders in their respective barangays this coming October 30, as the last Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections occurred in March 2018, two years before the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

The next elections were scheduled for May 2020, but in December 2019, former President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law rescheduling the exercise to December 2022. By October of last year, incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reset the date to its current date. SK elections have since become a platform for the youth to exercise their passion for public service and leadership, sometimes becoming the springboard for many to venture into more prominent roles in the government.

Moreover, the SK council has a profound signi cance in Philippine grassroots governance. The youth’s presence in the primary government unit in society–the barangay–provides locals with a voice to shape their destinies and trust someone to advocate their needs, especially those of the younger generations.

Electing competent and committed leaders also empower citizens to strengthen their communities and advocate for a vibrant democracy. Some of their tasks include promulgating resolutions issued by the national government, initiating programs designed to enhance the community, and creating committees, organizations, or bodies to help promulgate their plans, among other tasks.

Before aspiring applicants can become candidates, there are legal quali cations to

ensure elective aspirants for the youth’s barangay council. Basic requirements include being a Philippine citizen, a registered voter, and at least 18 years old, but not older than 24, on the election day. Other conditions include being literate and a resident of the barangay where they seek to run for public o ce at least one year before the election.

Given the age brackets of the elective aspirants, only speci c voters can exercise their rights. For instance, only individuals aged 15 to 17 can exclusively vote for the SK elections, while those aged 18 to 30 can vote for the barangay and SK elections. Any voter above 30 can no longer vote in the SK elections. One of the positions where young voters can elect their

LAS Piñas City once again won the award as the “Safest City” or the safest city in southern Metro Manila awarded by the Southern Police District (SPD) during the celebration of its 122nd Police Service Anniversary held at the SPD headquarters, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, last August 17.

Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice-Mayor April Aguilar, together with City Police Chief Colonel Jaime Santos, welcomed the Plaque of Recognition for Las Piñas as the “Safest City in the southern part of Metro Manila” in a simple ceremony of the turn-over

leaders is the SK Chairperson, who will serve as the dynamic leader representing the youth’s aspirations and concerns. As leaders, they can bridge the gap between the younger generations and the barangay council by advocating youth-oriented programs, projects, and policies.

There’s also the position of SK Kagawad or member, who will join forces with the SK Chairperson to be the driving force behind community development. Elected representatives often have a say in formulating programs to address their fellow young citizens’ needs.

Landing a position in the local government, even for a youthcentered council, entails signi cant responsibility, which is why young voters need to be discerning about the candidate’s priorities before casting their votes.

As the election period draws closer each day, remember to exercise the right to vote wisely for the youth council members who can bring change to the community and leave a lasting legacy that will set a benchmark for future aspiring public leaders.

THE Quezon City Government has launched a program to employ more persons with disabilities (PWDs) as part of the city’s commitment to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunity to the most vulnerable sectors of society.

Under the “Kasama Ka sa Kyusi: Ang Taong May Kapansanan ay May Karapatan at Kakayahan” initiative, the city government will hire 300 PWDs assigned to different departments and offices.

“Batid ng lokal na pamahalaan ang hirap na dinaranas ng mga kapatid nating may kapansanan lalo na sa paghahanap ng permanente at disenteng trabaho. Kaya sa pamamagitan ng programang ito, titiyakin natin na mas maraming magbukas na oportunidad para sa kanila na nakaayon din sa kanilang galing at talento,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

Data from the QC Persons with Disability A airs O ce (PDAO) revealed that 14 percent, or 7,620 of the 54,000 registered Persons with Disabilities aged 18 to 59, are unemployed as of July 2023.

Presently, the city government has 253 contractual, job order, and permanent employees belonging to the PWD sector, representing 1.2 percent of its total workforce of 17,000. Under Republic Act No. 10524 or the Act Expanding the Positions Reserved for Persons with Disability, at least one percent of all positions in all government agencies, o ces, or corporations allotted for PWDs.

Ang QC Government ang mangunguna at magsisilbing halimbawa sa iba pang government agencies at maging sa pribadong sektor sa pagbibigay ng trabaho sa mga PWD. Hindi hadlang ang kanilang kapansanan para maging produktibong mamamayan. Kailangan lang nila ng break o pagkakataon para mapatunayan ang kaya nilang gawin,” Belmonte added.

The city government took in 100 PWDs to jumpstart the Kasama Ka program. They underwent interviews and job assessments by the PDAO and the Public Employment Service O ce (PESO).

After evaluation, the applicants will be assigned to city departments based on their skills and capabilities. According to Mayor Belmonte, PWDs who perform well will receive a contract of service or permanent QCG employees.

Apart from employment, the city government is also distributing assistive devices such as hearing aids, eyeglasses, canes, wheelchairs, and walkers. PWDs also received social welfare assistance, livelihood training, and urban farming starter kits.

THE Public Safety and Traffic Management Department (PSTMD) personnel of the City Government of Caloocan received 30 new ticketing devices on Wednesday, August 23, to aid in implementing the Single Ticketing System (STS). The devices, distributed evenly to both North and South units of the PSTMD, are supposed to be ne-tuned to apply the penalties provided by the STS and harmonize local and national tra c regulations.

City Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan reminded motorists to observe traffic rules and noted that the success of the STS rests on the

proper cooperation between various departments of the city government and the general public.

“ Panawagan po natin sa ating mga motorista, ngayong mas makabago na po ang mga kagamitan at sistemamg sinusunod ng ating mga enforcer, panatilihin po natin ang pagsunod sa mga batas-trapiko upang makaiwas sa mga penalty at lalo na sa mga aksidente ,” Mayor Along stated.

“ Tulong-tulong po tayong lahat kasama ng PSTMD, City Treasury Department, pati na ang Caloocan City Police Station (CCPS) upang maayos na maipatupad ang STS sa ating lungsod ,” he added. Likewise, Mayor Along expects that the

at Las Piñas City Hall. On August 9, 2022, in the 121st Police Service Anniversary of the SPD, Las Piñas won the same award and recognition for maintaining peace and order throughout the city and having the lowest crime rate with the help of tight police visibility and checkpoints in di erent places. The full support of the Local Government to the Las Piñas City Police and close relations with the o cials of the barangays contribute to ensuring the continuous safety of the residents and a peaceful home in the city.

procurement of new devices for said city personnel will lead to fewer instances of corrupt practices concerning traffic management.

“ Matagal na po nating nilalabanan ang mga nanunuhol para lang makatakas sa kanilang mga nilabag na batas-trapiko, kasama pa ng mga ‘nangongotong’ sa ating mga kalsada. Sa pamamagitan po ng mga bagong ticketing at ng bagong sistema, mas mababawasan po ang ganitong mga gawain ,” the City Mayor said.

An additional ten devices will be provided to the CCPS in the coming days as part of their own tra c management responsibilities.

The QC Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD) is also organizing an Inclusivity Summit to encourage the private sector to hire more persons with disabilities in their workforce.

Several private establishments in the city already employ PWDs, like HisBeans Café, Cabalen Group, Shakeys, Pancake House, Overdoughs, Concentrix, and SM Malls. Other companies and establishments have already coordinated with the city to be part of this program.

CALOOCAN PUBLIC SAFETY DEPT. GETS DEVICES TO IMPLEMENT SINGLE TICKETING SYSTEM

Only a speci c age group can cast their votes for their SK candidates Norman Cruz

National Printing O ce (NPO) personnel work on ballots for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) Manny Palmero

300 PWD QCITIZENS RECEIVE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FROM CITY GOV’T

LAS PIÑAS NAMED ‘SAFEST CITY’ IN SOUTHERN METRO MANILA

From left: Las Piñas Vice Mayor April Aguilar, City Police Chief Colonel Jaime Santos, and Las Piñas Mayor Imelda Aguilar

LIFEYoung

YOUNG INNOVATORS DEVELOP CONCEPTS FOR SUSTAINABLE, REGENERATIVE FUTURE

ACCENTURE, a global professional services giant, challenged college undergraduates to create highlevel software and systems to reimagine value chains, industries, and cities in a hackathon.

The technology consulting firm tapped students from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Management and Information Technology (SMIT) to produce a proof of concept for their proposals with an option to build a prototype of their drafts.

For the competition, twenty-eight contenders were split into eight groups with three to four members each. Three units were hailed as winners.

Team GAS, comprised of Stephen Sausa, Sebastien Mendoza, and Gabriel Lee, clinched first prize and received P15,000 for their mobile application PinoyCareConnect. It ensures the accessibility of quality healthcare assistance for everyone. It expands the QR code setup for emergency aid and allows easier information gathering for clients with limited means.

Team Voltes IV, namely, David Concon, Alfred Layug, Christian Molino, and Nathanael Tecson, was lauded as second place and was awarded P10,000 for developing Coordinated Traffic Ordinance System (CTOS). The CTOS introduces a sensory unit to traffic lights that would detect available lanes and determine which should be prioritized. This intends to reduce traffic in Manila.

Team Genius Junction, including Kyle Dy, Jan Reily Rabot, and Cavin Ramirez, was the third finisher with P5,000 for their invention of a multifunction platform Household. Opportunities. Made. Easy (H.O.M.E). It empowers users through records management, vital support access, and employment opening alerts.

The participants were under the guidance of Benilde SMIT Analytics, Computing, and Infotech Cluster Associate Dean Catherine Mojado, together with educators and mentors Jelica Enriquez, Henry DV. Castro, Jacob Catayoc, and Veronica Gamboa

Entries were methodically screened by industry experts from Accenture, composed of Managing Director Rudy Guiao, Intelligent Automation Director Ebenezer Uy, and Recruiting Senior Analyst Veronica Hernandez

Accenture, in partnership with Benilde SMIT, also held a Career Fair and TechTalk Event. They featured Technology R&D Senior Analyst Jillian Ramos and Associate Application Developer Gian Book, who both discussed the assets and technology used in their company.

SINCE Casio launched G-SHOCK in 1983, the brand has established itself as a pioneering force in rugged timekeeping, proudly showcasing its durability and toughness even in the most extreme activities.

Over the years, G-SHOCK’s “toughness” has evolved and taken on new meanings, capturing the definition of toughness for different individuals. As the brand celebrates its 40th anniversary, G-SHOCK unveils its highly anticipated Masterpiece campaign.

The launch of the groundbreaking Masterpiece campaign symbolizes a new era of resilience and strength

with G-SHOCK as the brand cherished by adventurers and active individuals worldwide. It boldly redefines the conventional notion of toughness and embraces the idea of toughness having a different meaning for every individual.

The empowering tagline of Casio G-SHOCK’s Masterpiece campaign “That’s Tough” encourages individuals to redefine toughness on their own terms. It invites everyone to celebrate the diverse aspects of strength and resilience that reside within them. Through this campaign, Casio G-SHOCK aims to inspire a new era of toughness – one that embraces individuality, humour, kindness, and courage.

With “That’s Tough,” Casio G-SHOCK empowers people to see toughness as a multifaceted concept, personalized and defined by each individual’s journey and experiences. By breaking the barriers of conventional norms, this campaign opens the door to a world where uniqueness is celebrated, and strength is embodied in a myriad of ways.

COS’ Autumn Winter 2023 seasonal campaign pays homage to the brand’s design roots, introducing a fresh approach to timeless style, led by an uncompromised dedication to craftsmanship, fine detail, and modern tailoring.

Celebrating the creativity and talent of diverse individuals, the collection is brought to life by singer-songwriter and producer Kelela, musician, singersongwriter, and actor Curtis Harding and actors Will Poulter and Havana Rose Liu, alongside models América González, Vika Evseeva, Dara Gueye, Taemin Park, and Selena Forrest

Photographed by Daniel Jackson in an intimate studio setting, the campaign spotlights each individual’s distinctive energy while encapsulating the season’s mood. The captivating images highlight the intricate craftsmanship and quality for which COS is renowned and portray timelessness, strength, and confidence.

The season’s campaign collection empowers the wearer; strong shoulders create a bold visual statement, while versatile RWS wool maxi-length coats are worn oversized. Creative layering enhances shapes and proportions – showcasing innovative and elevated tailored fits, kick flares, and slouched menswear trousers offer a relaxed take on suiting.

Further reinventing classic tailoring, methods of deconstruction and reconstruction form unexpected silhouettes; low-waisted trousers with turn-over waistbands meet cropped, raw-edged jackets, while traditionally formal pinstripes drape asymmetrically, creating modern proportions.

Colors are harmoniously combined as nature continues to inspire the season’s palette; soothing neutrals in natural oatmeal complement tones of camel and brown alongside bespoke floral designs. Exploring contrasts, smooth finishes meet textured shearling, while intricate embroidery and quilting techniques enhance unique leather accessories.

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s Team Gas takes home the Grand Prize Award for their mobile application PinoyCareConnect

Accenture partners with Benilde SMIT to hold the Career Fair and TechTalk Event

Accenture taps students from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde to come up with high-level software and systems

The campaign highlights the distinctive energy of the wearer while encapsulating the season’s mood

G-SHOCK launches its

Masterpiece campaign

NADINE LUSTRE THRIVES ON CHALLENGING ACTING ROLES

TIKTOK PH UNVEILS NOMINEES FOR 3RD AWARDS SHOW

IT’S the time of the year again to recognize and celebrate aspiring Filipino content creators at the upcoming TikTok Awards Philippines 2023.

By Nickie Wang

Nadine Lustre gets excited when she is offered challenging acting roles. She finds inspiration in crime and thriller movies and in watching actors take on transformative characters.

The multimedia star, who recently clinched her second win at the FAMAS Awards for her outstanding performance in the movie Greed, spoke about how stepping into the shoes of various out-of-the-box characters fills her with excitement.

“When I watch a film like ‘Joker,’ we can see that Joaquin Phoenix’s character was something he hadn’t done before, but he portrayed it with so much passion. Watching films like that and seeing actors do something like that inspires me to do the same,” Nadine told Manila Standard Entertainment in an interview.

“You know, it’s very exciting trying out different roles and putting myself in the shoes of another character,” she added. Taking on another unconventional role, Nadine is starring in a film unlike anything she’s done before. Entitled Nokturno, the film is directed by award-winning director Mikhail Red Mikhail expressed his preference for creating diverse films, saying, “I enjoy exploring various genres with each project. While ‘Nokturno’ is another horror film, it takes place in a completely different setting. My previous work was in the techno-horror genre, whereas this new film is set in a remote rural area, which adds an intriguing twist to it.”

The film revolves around a curse brought on by The Kumakatok – creatures with tall, thin, and long, pale fingers from Filipino folklore who wear veils that obscure their faces, and come knocking in the dead of the night. Those who answer the door are cursed to die or lose a loved one in three days.

Nokturno is the second team-up of Mikhail and Nadine following their box office hit and MMFF Best Picture Deleter for which they also won Best Director and

Best Actress, respectively.

In Nokturno, Nadine plays Jamie, who returns to her hometown of San Sebastian in the Philippines after rumors of a curse and her sister Joanna’s tragic fate. Joanna, played by Bea Binene, shares Jamie’s desire to leave their conservative town. However, they are cursed by the Kumakatok before they can escape.

Eula Valdez portrays Lilet, their mother, who believes the curse haunts their family. Lilet becomes overprotective, fearing Jamie’s investigation might bring further harm. Despite their conflicts, they realize they must work together to break the curse.

The cast also includes JJ Quilantang as Julius, Jamie’s mature 13-year-old brother, who collects insects as a coping mechanism.

Wilbert Ross plays Manu, Joanna’s boyfriend, and Ku Aquino as Tito Jun, Lilet’s protective brother and barangay captain.

JOSE MARI CHAN KICKS OFF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON CELEBRATION

SEPTEMBER marks the beginning of the yuletide season in the Philippines, and this tradition is deeply ingrained in Filipino culture. So, it’s no surprise that you’ve been seeing the legendary Jose Mari Chan on your social media feed.

The songs of “King of Filipino Christmas Carols” have the power to evoke feelings of nostalgia and warmth, making them a staple during the holiday season.

To kick off the early holiday season in style, there’s going to be a holiday hits party led by Jose Mari Chan himself. This event promises to be a

memorable celebration of Christmas spirit, and it’s not just Jose Mari Chan who will be gracing the stage.

It’s Showtime’s Isip Bata kids Kulot, Jaze, Lucas, and Imogen will add a youthful and energetic touch to the festivities. Anji Salvacion, P-Pop girl group Calista, and the entire ASAP family, including Edward Barber, will also be joining in on the fun.

Join the early Christmas celebration in ASAP Natin ‘To today at 12:00 noon via Kapamilya Channel, Jeepney TV, A2Z, and TV5, online through Kapamilya Online Live and iWantTFC, and worldwide via TFC.

Brilliant talents who embraced the platform’s brand value, expanded the country’s entertainment landscape, led the trends, and established positive influence within the community will be put in the spotlight, indicating TikTok’s commitment to prioritize its users by providing an avenue where they can freely express their creativity and authenticity.

The special awards night will be hosted by Jaz Reyes and Mikee Reyes, with thrilling and proudly Filipino performances from BINI, Lola Amour, KAIA, Dilaw, Paul Pablo, Playertwo, and more. It will be an evening full of surprises and positive vibes reflecting the platform’s mission to inspire creativity and bring joy to the community.

TikTok will be acknowledging creators that revolutionized the phenomenon of content creation. Their exceptional artistic abilities and innovative creative expression will be rewarded under two categories – “People’s Choice Category”, where users can vote for their favorite creators, and Judges’ Pick Category”, where a panel of judges will select the set of winners.

In the “Rising Star of the Year” category, talented creators christy_tabanyag, laaainebernardo, kirbyquimado, tereedaisuke, kabradervlogs, _mikeereyes, and justine.dale have gained significant attention for their content.

In the “Popular Creator of the Year” category, TikTok influencers erickapineda09, nianaguerrero, incorrectlyroce, itsevantan, spencer_serafica, andweaso, itssassagurl, danlaudit, and carlyncabel are nominated for their unique styles and engaging videos.

In the “Celebrity Creator of the Year” category, notable celebrities like Yassi Pressman, Francine Diaz, Yeng Constantino, Dennis Trillo, Jillian Ward, David Licauco, AC Bonifacio, Barbie Forteza, Rayver Cruz, and Maris Racal are nominated. Vying for the “Song of the

Year” are catchy TikTok anthems “Ikaw Lang” by Nobita , “LDR” by Shoti, “Paligoy-ligoy” by Nadine Lustr e, “Uhaw” by Dilaw , “Gento” by SB19 , “Muli” by Ace Banzuelo, “Na Na Na” by BINI , and “Jopay” by Mayonnaise Read full list of nominees on manilastandard. net

2023 FAMAS

Best Actress Nadine Lustre

From left: ‘Nokturno’ stars Bea Binene, Eula Valdez, JJ Quilantang, and Nadine Lustre

From left: JJ Quilantang, Bea Binene, director Mikhail Red, Nadine Lustre, and Wilbert Ross

Filipino singer-songwriter Jose Mari Chan

P-pop kings SB19’s hit song ‘Gento’ is vying to become Tiktok’s ‘Song of the Year’

Social media personality and Tiktok creator Sassa Gurl

WORLD-CL ASS CULINARY JOURNE Y

THE country’s top culinary school, the Center for Culinary Arts (CCA) Manila, has taken a bold step forward with the opening of its new home located in the heart of Bonifacio Global City.

Dedicated to providing aspiring chefs and culinary enthusiasts with real-world training, this new facility includes a grand kitchen laboratory and a modern kitchen studio ideal for product demonstrations, private dinners, and industry events.

“Our new home is located inside the academic enclave of the University of the Philippines BGC campus for professional studies. Since this area is also within the University Parkway where international schools are located, our students will have easy and safe access to top destinations such as restaurants, malls, parks, offices, and residential buildings,” said Badjie Trinidad, President of CCA Manila.

Aside from the kitchen studio, CCA Manila in BGC also features a grand kitchen laboratory with 45 individual

cooking stations, ensuring that each student has a dedicated space for hands-on learning.

“I guess it’s the biggest kitchen now in the country,” said CCA Culinary Director Philip John Golding.

“We have a state of the art, world-class campus with a show kitchen that has an area that can sit 25 for private dinner. It is a fantastic setup. For our students, it is such a great time to be involved in culinary,” Golding added.

This hands-on approach, which CCA Manila has been known for, instills kitchen independence, enabling students to explore their culinary creativity while mastering essential techniques.

CCA Manila in BGC also embraced technological trends in the culinary industry, housing the latest model of the Rational iCombi Pro, induction hobs, griddles and ovens, sous vide machines, and even smoke guns.

And at the core of CCA Manila’s curriculum is an array of comprehensive courses catering to culinary enthusiasts of all levels.

The flagship program, the Diploma in Culinary Arts and Technology Management, is proudly accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF). The two-year program offers a holistic understanding of culinary techniques, kitchen management, and the art of gastronomy. Led by seasoned chefinstructors and industry experts, this program equips students with skills, creativity, and leadership necessary for success in the culinary world.

Students of this program may take further studies with the University of Asia & the Pacific (UA&P) to earn a BS in Entrepreneurial Management Major in Culinary Arts or a Diploma in Culinary Agripreneurship in partnership with the University of the Philippines, Los Baños.

“CCA Manila is a pioneer in introducing programs that build a strong foundation for future chefs. We are proud of our graduates who are now food entrepreneurs, restaurateurs, and heads of kitchens of top hotels, cruise ships, commissaries,” said Trinidad.

“CCA Manila graduates have truly conquered the world one kitchen at a time,” she added.

Honoring the rich Filipino culinary heritage, CCA Manila also offers the "Fundamentals in Filipino Cuisine," which bridges tradition and innovation, empowering students to reinvent classic dishes while preserving authentic flavors.

“CCA Manila is a champion of Filipino cuisine, as shown how we have continuously promoted Filipino ingredients and techniques, and proved that our chefs can be at par with the very best in the world,” Trinidad said.

(For inquiries and enrollment details, please visit the official website at http://www.cca-manila.edu.ph. To get in touch, reach out via email at talktous@cca-manila.edu. ph or follow CCA Manila on Facebook and Instagram @ ccamanila)

By Joyce Pangco Panares

MILKANA, the number one processed cheese brand in Germany, has brought its latest snack — creamy lollipops — to the Philippines.

The lollipops, which have no added preservatives, are excellent sources of milk protein, as well as calcium and vitamin D.

These come in four flavors: Fruit Heart Strawberry, the main variant with real fruit filling; Yogurt ’N Fruits, Mixed Berries, and Milky Ice Cream.

"Here at Savencia, we are always looking at new ways to provide better nutrition to consumers worldwide. Guided by our company’s mission –To Lead the Way to Better Food – we are happy and proud to launch our Milkana Creamy Lollipops in the Philippines in the spirit of contributing and helping parents bring healthy and nutritional snacks to their young ones,” said Flora Guyenot, Southern Asia Marketing Director of Savencia Fromage & Dairy, makers of Milkana.

With kids back at school, these lollipops are also the perfect “baon” or lunch box treats, a special partner of moms as they contribute to building their kids’ health and growth development.

“These are new dairy snacks made for kids from real cheese with a unique creamy texture and delicious fruity ingredients. These are not only healthy and yummy – they also come in a form that is mess-free and enjoyable to eat, which as a mom I believe is quite valuable,” Guyenot added.

Milkana Creamy Lollipops are available in these leading supermarkets and outlets: Robinsons, The Marketplace, Shopwise, South Supermarket, SM Supermarkets, S&R, Landers, All Day, Unimart, Cash&Carry, Makati Supermarket, Pioneer Center, Hi-Top, and Alfamart.

(To learn more about the all-new healthy and delicious Milkana Lollipops, follow https://www.facebook.com/MilkanaPhilippines and https://www.instagram.com/milkanaph/)

CREAMY LOLLIPOPS FOR KIDS AND KIDS AT HEART PHILIPPINES FIRST IN SOUTHEAST ASIA TO TASTE MILKANA’S LATEST SNACK

CCA Manila's 500-sqm grand kitchen has 45 individual stations, making it the largest working kitchen in the metro

CCA Manila students with a chef instructor

Tilmok (Pinangat) from Bicol Region

CCA Manila’s gorgeous plating of the Sinuglaw, an appetizer from the Visayas and Mindanao regions that combines sinugba and kinilaw

PETS DOG SLEEPING POSITIONS AND WHAT THEY MEAN

By Niko Gabriel Salgado

YOU might see your dog sleeping in an unfamiliar posture. Does it hold any significance?

Similar to humans, dogs exhibit a range of sleeping positions. Whether they are lying on their side or stretching out on their back with their paws elevated, we can know more about our canine companions based on their sleeping habits and postures.

“Dogs tend to sleep 80% ( per cent) of the time overnight and up to 37% (per cent) of the day. Dog also seem to prefer sleeping near their pet parents.” said Emma Stenhouse in “What Do Your Dog’s Sleeping Positions Really Mean?” in RoverThe Dog People website.

These various dog sleeping habits and positions serve as small hints that can provide us with an understanding of their emotional state.

The Donut

This position indicates their intention to safeguard themselves during sleep or getting used to the new environment. This is common among strays or new dogs.

“Some dogs also sleep like this when they’re cold.” Stenhouse noted.

The Lion’s Pose

When dogs sleep in this position, it indicates they are in a state of rest but not in a deep slumber.

The Side Sleeper

When your dog rests on its side while sleeping, it signifies a sense of relaxation and security within its surroundings.

Superman or “Sploot”

When your dog sleeps on its stomach in the "superman" position, it suggests that they are fatigued yet alert, prepared to engage in play if an opportunity presents itself.

The Burrower

When dogs burrow under clothes or blankets for warmth, they are actively seeking comfort and a sense of security. Dogs adopting this position use it to calm themselves down.

“This behavior is an instinctive response to create a protected environment,” Stenhouse said.

Belly Up

“This position allows them to cool down quickly.” Stenhouse said.

“Sleeping on their back with their belly exposed shows they trust and feel comforted by you.” Stenhouse added.

Head and Neck Raised

If your dog tends to sleep in a posture with their head and neck elevated, it could mean that they are having issues with breathing properly, which is often associated with chronic heart conditions and other health issues.

The Cuddler

This is a clear indication of bonding and signifies the dog's desire to be close to either you or other dogs.

Head and Neck Raised. This is Cassie who was given up by the owner after years of breeding and when she already has a recurring ear and skin problems. (Save Animals of Love and Light -Save ALL file photo)

Sleep-cuddling is a behavior carried over from your dog's puppyhood. As they grow older, cuddling transforms into a habitual source of comfort.

About the Author: Niko Gabriel Salgado is a graduate of consular and diplomatic affairs from De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, and worked at the House of Representatives. He is now an entrepreneur and a volunteer of the animal welfare group Save Animals of Love and Light- Save ALL.

The Belly Up, This is Siopao, rescued by Save Animals of Love and Light -Save ALL while wandering in the streets in Quezon City. The vet said he was used for breeding because part of his penis was always out of the sac. It is suspected that he was “released” from the house because he is sick (heartworm). (Save Animals Of Love and Light -Save ALL file photo) Side Sleeper. Cole slept on sidewalks with his loving second owner (a vendor) who agreed to let Save ALL take him for treatment for an oil gland problem. Cole was given to the sidewalk vendor by the original owner when he developed a skin problem. (Save Animals of Love and Light -Save ALL file

DOG EYE AILMENTS

Last of two parts

By Mariana Burgos Cataracts

Cataracts can be hereditary or induced by other medical conditions. Diabetes is one cause of cataracts because extra glucose causes the lens to enlarge. Uveitis, or serious inflammation of the eye, can result from a ruptured lens. If you discover evidence of cataracts in your dog's eyes, Hauser says owner must contact the veterinarian.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma in dogs is characterized by increasing intraocular pressure. Normally, fluid moves in and out of the eye to keep pressure constant. With glaucoma, either too much fluid enters the eye or there is a drainage issue, resulting in increased pres-

sure, says Hauser. Eye discomfort or redness, as well as visible capillaries on the whites of the eyes, are early indicators of glaucoma in dogs.

As the condition worsens, a dog's eye might swell and become uncomfortable, and the cornea can become opaque due to stretching.

Early glaucoma is treated with medicine that reduces fluid production in the eye and allows for improved outflow of fluid, lowering pressure. If the medicine does not reduce the eye pressure and pain, your veterinarian may prescribe eye removal, commonly known as enucleation. This may seem drastic, but dogs may still live a full life without the damaged eye.

Cherry Eye

Cherry eye is caused by the protrusion

(displacement) of the tear gland on the

third eyelid of a dog. It is particularly common in brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs like English Bulldogs, Beagles, and Pugs, as well as huge dog breeds with droopy eyelids like Bullmastiffs and Newfoundlands, although it can affect any dog.

The tear gland in the dog's third eyelid becomes inflamed and bloated, generating a ball of pink tissue that clogs the interior of their eye, says Hauser. When the cherry eye in dogs is mild, an anti-inflammatory eye solution might occasionally induce the tear gland to reposition itself. However, surgery is usually necessary to replace the tear gland beneath the third eyelid. Unfortunately, the cherry eye might reappear after surgery.

Entropion

According to Hauser, entropion is a condition in which the eyelid rolls inward. It can affect both the upper and lower eyelids.

A dog sniffing out a cat litter box. (Photo from the AKC article, Why Do Dogs Eat Cat Poop? How to Stop a Dog from Eating Cat Poop?)

YES, SOME DOGS EAT CAT POOP

By Mariana Burgos

ALTHOUGH it may appear nasty to humans, the average dog will consume cat poop at some time. If you have ever wondered why dogs eat feces (also known as coprophagy), here is all you need to know and what you should do if you notice your dog eating cat poop.

Anna Burke, in her article "Why Does My Dog Eat Cat Poop?" in the American Kennel Club website, listed the reasons for these seemingly repulsive habits of some dogs. These can be classified into two: behavioral and medical reasons.

Behavioral reason

Most dogs who eat feces are greedy eaters, which is a tough propensity to break, and the age of the dog has little to do with it. This is very normal; dogs are scavengers by nature. They eat a variety of unusual food. You may be glad to discover, however, that most canines ate fresh feces (and not just cat feces), which were considered as no more than two days old.

Burke said while you may think cat feces stinks, your dog most likely associates it with cat food. Because typical cat food appeals to a dog's sense of smell, and many dogs enjoy eating cat food, this is one of the reasons they are often ready to nibble out of the litter box. Cats are also frequently fed a high protein/ low fiber diet; after all, they are obligate carnivores, which results in poop with a high protein content. Protein will entice your dog, especially the one who enjoys eating, well, almost anything.

A dog rummaging in a trashcan. (Photo from iStock royalty-free images.)

Another typical reason why puppies begin eating poop is boredom. Because dogs explore the environment with their mouths, the litter pan is no exception, and then they find a reward concealed there, which keeps them coming back. Dogs who enjoy lots of playing, exercise, and interactive time with their families are less prone to develop coprophagia.

Another surprise reason some dogs begin to eat poop (and this is based on personal experience) is if they have an accident in the house and you have reprimanded your dog in any manner (including using a raised voice), they know they will be punished for their mistake, and some dogs will hide the evidence by eating it. This is just one of the reasons you should always employ positive potty-training approaches and never penalize your dog for accidents. When they learn they like the taste of feces, the issue can quickly move to the litter box.

To be continued.

A dog with conjunctivitis. (Photo from Dreamstine royalty-free images.)

Chow Chows, English Bulldogs, Irish Setters, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Saint Bernards, Shar-Pei, Rottweilers, Great Danes, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are the most often afflicted breeds.

Mild entropion may not be a concern, but if the hair surrounding a dog's eyes or their eyelid rubs against the surface of their eye, it can cause irritation, damage, and infection. It can cause irreversible corneal damage in chronic situations, resulting in visual loss. Surgery can correct entropion in dogs.

Proper care for your dog’s eyes Prevention is always the key to good health. Proper nutrition, good grooming, and training of good habits for your dog will help ensure good eye health.

About the Author: Mariana Burgos is a freelance artist. She has been a solo parent for 16 years now because she is wife to a desaparecido. She and her daughter are animal lovers and are active in advocating not only human rights but the rights of animals as well.

photo)

Illustration of dog sleeping positions from PetMD.