Manila Standard - 2023 September 10 - Sunday

6.8-MAGNITUDE QUAKE KILLS 820 IN MOROCCO

NO PINOYS HURT, DAMAGE EXTENSIVE AFTER NIGHT TEMBLOR

GRANDPARENTS DAY.

SM Supermalls is rolling out the red carpet for the pillars of society, the country’s lolos and lolas, for Grandparents Day at SM.

SM Supermalls has designated spots for families to snap picture-perfect memories and to throw a celebration that’s all about honoring the elders who’ve helped Pinoys grow and learn.

MARRAKESH—Morocco’s deadliest earthquake in decades has killed at least 820 people, officials said Saturday, causing widespread damage and sending terrified residents and tourists scrambling to safety in the middle of the night.

The 6.8-magnitude quake struck a mountainous area 72 kilometers (45 miles) southwest of tourist hotspot Marrakesh at 11:11 pm (2211 GMT) Friday, the US Geological Survey reported.

Strong tremors were also felt in the

coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca, and Essaouira.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. joined world leaders in expressing sadness and condolences over the disaster, the Palace said Saturday (see

related story in World, A4— Editors). No Filipino was reported hurt in Morocco after the powerful earthquake late Friday (local time).

In a text message on Saturday morning, Philippine Ambassador to Morocco Leslie Baja said the embassy continues to monitor the situation as reports come in from local authorities.

Filipino community leader Regina Castillo said she has yet to receive reports of injured compatriots in her area of jurisdiction in Casablanca. Castillo, who is currently in the city of El Jadida, about 230.2 km. from Marrakech, said the quake was so strong

GEOTHERMICA, PH EAGLE, DIES IN SINGAPORE

that she and her kids hadto rush out of their place to take cover.

“We felt a very violent tremor, and I realized it was an earthquake,” Abdelhak El Amrani, 33, told AFP by telephone from Marrakesh.

“I could see buildings moving,” said Amrani who went outside, joining many other people, “all in shock and panic. The children were crying and the parents were distraught.”

It was the most powerful quake to ever hit the country, and one expert called it the region’s “biggest in more than 120 years”.

AFP with Charles Dantes

DRIVERS SAY P10K FUEL SUBSIDY LACKING WITH PRICES RISING

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE P6,500 to P10,000 one-time fuel subsidy is not enough amid increasing pump prices, the transport group Pagkakaisa ng Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) said Saturday.

This was as Unioil Petroleum Philippines forecasted a higher oil price hike

on Tuesday of P0.40 to P0.60 per liter for diesel and P0.10 to P0.30 per liter for gasoline.

Unioil said in its advisory the higher fuel prices will be reflected starting Sept. 12 to Sept. 18 and asked consumers to “load up accordingly.”

On Friday, the oil firms estimated diesel prices to go up by of P0.10 to P0.20 per liter and gasoline and

kerosene to have minimal raises but warned it was still subject to adjustments based on the Friday trading.

Rising pump prices have led to an income loss of P100 per day fordrivers, PISTON President Mody Floranda said in a radio interview on Saturday.

“This only quenches our drivers’ thirst because at P6,500, it’s only worth four days of fuel for our drivers

and operators, assuming they load about 30 liters a day,” he told radio dzBB.

“If we look at it over 25 days, our drivers directly lose aroundP3,000 in earnings (from higher fuel prices). At first glance, the fuel subsidy may be helpful, but overall, it doesn’t count for much owing to the continuing fuel price increases,” Floranda added.

THE Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) on Saturday mourned the death of Philippine Eagle “Geothermica,” whom they credited for bringing international attention to the species’ plight.

In a Facebook post, the organization said Geothermica, a 19-yearold male eagle, died on Thursday, Sept. 7., in a Singapore zoo.

“Sambisig,” a female Philippine eagle, and Geothermica were on a breeding loan program under a Wildlife Loan Agreement between the Philippines and Mandai Wildlife Group in Singapore, the foundation said.

“They are the first eagle couple placed under an international cooperation in 2019 to save this Philippine national bird from extinction,” the PEF said.

The Philippine Eagle is listed as critically endangered — “considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild” — by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

There are an estimated 392 pairs of Philippine Eagles left, PEF said on its website. The species is threatened by deforestation, which forces them away from their hunting grounds and closer to the risk of being shot by people.

DSWD SEES HIKE IN CASH AID FOR RICE RETAILERS

THE P15,000 financial assistance for qualified rice retailers affected by the price cap on regular and well-milled rice varieties could be increased, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said. This was as an estimated 25,000 qualified micro rice retailers began receiving their Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Saturday.

“We got to talk to the President. He instructed the DTI (Department

of Trade and Industry) and DSWD to calibrate and check the financial assistance. If it is not enough, it should be increased,” Gatchalian said in a TV interview.

The DSWD chief said the agency and the DTI started distributing the cash assistance to affected retailers in three cities -- Caloocan, Quezon City, and San Juan.

“For the President, it is important that the MSMEs be assisted. We know they have made sacrifices during this time, so the government

wants to help them. We know that although they are traders, they are small traders,” Gatchalian said.

Even sari-sari (retail) stores outside wet markets and public markets are eligible for a P5,000 subsidy, he said in a statement late Friday.

“Unlicensed rice retailers and sari-sari store owners selling rice are also included in the SLP payout, which is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive that the list of beneficiaries should be inclusive,” he said. With Jun David

RACE TO RESCUE. Rescue workers search for survivors in a collapsed house in Moulay Brahim, Al Haouz province, Morocco on September 9 after an earthquake, the country’s deadliest in decades, killed at least 820 people, officials said. The quake caused widespread damage and sent terrified residents and tourists scrambling to safety in the middle of the night. AFP

AFP HITS CHINA COAST GUARD

‘MISPLACED BULLYING’ IN WPS

THE presence of the China Coast Guard (CCG) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is “misplaced bullying” amid China’s continued aggression in the country’s territorial waters, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said.

AFP spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar, in a forum, also cited the latest “harassment” of the CCG and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) after Chinese vessels reportedly made dangerous maneuvers against Philippine ships in a recent resupply mission.

The AFP successfully resupplied its Marine contingent on the BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea Friday but condemned “illegal” actions by Chinese vessels that interfered with the operation.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, which includes key Philippine government agencies, said it “strongly deplores and condemns

the continued illegal, aggressive, and destabilizing conduct” of Chinese coast guard and “militia” vessels in the waters.

On Friday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) escorted supply vessels to Ayungin Shoal in the Spratly Islands, where a handful of Filipino Marines are stationed on a crumbling navy ship, the BRP Sierra Madre, the task force said.

While the mission was successful, the task force said it was informed that CCG and CMM vessels had carried out “harassment, dangerous maneuvers, and aggressive conduct” toward the Philippine boats.

Aguilar also said a Chinese rubber boat experienced bad fortune while

tailing Philippine ships going to the Ayungin Shoal for the resupply mission as the rubber boat got entangled in a mooring line.

“One of their RHIBs (rigid hull inflatable boat) got entangled with the mooring line of a fishing boat that was near the BRP Sierra Madre,” Aguilar said.

The AFP spokesperson added that troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre offered to help, but “of course, China refused because they don’t want Filipinos to be helping them.”

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea meanwhile stressed that China has “no authority” to carry out any law enforcement operations inside the country’s exclusive economic zone, National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said.

China claimed that they were conducting law enforcement

CACDAC VOWS TO CONTINUE OPLE’S DMW PROGRAMS

operations in the area when the Armed Forces of the Philippines and PCG ran its rotation and reprovision (RoRe) mission in the Philippines waters.

Malaya refuted China’s words, citing that the law enforcement operations within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) are well within its sovereign rights and responsibilities.

“Law enforcement operations in the exclusive economic zone are within the purview of elements of the Philippine government – and that is why the Chinese Coast Guard’s statement is wrong,” Malaya stressed.

In the recently concluded 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Indonesia, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asked world leaders to take action on the “dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea. Charles Dantes

‘PH SHOULD BAN TIKTOK FOR NATIONAL SECURITY EXECS’

THE government should “seriously consider” banning the use of the Chinese social media app TikTok for security officials, Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general of the National Security Council (NSC) said.

Malaya said several countries-including the United States and New Zealand--earlier banned TikTok on government-issued devices over concerns that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) can use the social media app for spying or propaganda.

“We should seriously consider for the security sector alone, not for

forum in Quezon City. The official however clarified that the NSC has yet to conduct a full study on whether or not TikTok in the Philippines is being used for propaganda, amid the continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

Malaya said the NSC will need to study this very carefully based on “national security considerations,” adding that the NSC will also work with the National Security Adviser if it will be proper for the Philippines to take this step.

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesper -

son Col. Medel Aguilar earlier said the AFP had already “initiated professional measures so that the AFP can be insulated from the spyware in these kinds of applications.”

Quote by reports, Aguilar said the AFP already has a policy on the use of social media platforms to make sure the security of the organization is not exposed or compromised and the credibility of the military is also not compromised. There are certain instances in military camps where officials and visitors are required to surrender their mobile devices, while there are also areas where the recording of footage

is prohibited, he added.

The European Commission and Canada had also banned the use of TikTok in its devices, but the social media giant has repeatedly denied accusations that it shares data to the Chinese government, reports said. Its parent company ByteDance, however, had admitted that its Chinabased employees had accessed Americans’ data but rejected allegations that information was being turned over to authorities.

In January 2023, TikTok was the third most used social media app in the Philippines, according to an industry study from Meltwater.

By Vito Barcelo

DEPARTMENT of Migrant Workers (DMW) officer-in-charge Leo Hans Cacdac vowed to continue the programs that the late Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople started in the agency. Cacdac said included in his top list is to assist at least 10,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who had worked for nine Saudi companies that declared bankruptcy following the economic crisis in 2015.

The official said the DMW will assist the said OFWs in receiving their pending wages in full.

He is also focusing on the unfinished filling of nearly 1,000 plantilla positions in the department and the enhancement of the DMW full-cycle reintegration program for OFWs.

Among the programs to be accomplished were the strengthening of the One Repatriation Command Center (ORCC); intensifying anti-illegal recruitment and human trafficking efforts; providing legal, medical, and humanitarian assistance through the P1.2B AKSYON Fund; and, continuing the organization and building of the DMW through the establishment of all our proposed 17 regional centers and four additional Migrant Workers Offices (MWOS) overseas.

SOLON SLAMS CHARGES VS. PAGCOR HEAD

By Maricel V. Cruz

CAVITE Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. slammed the filing of what he termed as “trumped-up” charges against the chairman of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) and nine others before the Office of the Ombudsman.

The case stemmed from the alleged disappearance of P75 million in performance bond posted by an e-sabong firm.

Barzaga, a former chair of the House committee on games and amusement, said PAGCOR chairman Alejandro Tengco has nothing to do with the allegations because the head of the PAGCOR then was Andrea Domingo.

Barzaga said it seems the complaint was meant to harass the PACOR chief.

Among those charged with malversation of public funds, qualified theft and falsification of private and commercial documents with Domingo and Tengco were his chief of staff Dianne Erica Jogno, and former board members Gabriel Claudio, Carmen Pedrosa, Reynaldo Concordia, and James Patrick Bondoc. Joaquin Sy, chairman of the board and chief finance officer of Kamura Highlands Gaming and Holdings Inc., was the one who filed the complaint.

AUSTRALIA OPENS WORK, HOLIDAY VISAS TO PH

THE Australian Embassy in Manila said Friday that the application for the “work and holiday visa” will open next year as Canberra agreed to include Filipinos in the new visa scheme.

The “new reciprocal work and holiday visa for Australians and Filipinos” was announced by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during his official visit to Manila on Sept. 8 as he and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sought ways to increase Philippine-

Australian economic, cultural, and people-to-people links.

According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs, this type of visa allows eligible nationals aged 18 years to 30 years to have an extended holiday in Australia and do short-term work to help fund their trip; study for up to four months; or do three months of “specified subclass 462” work to become eligible for a second work and holiday visa.

One of the requirements is enough

funding to support one’s self while in Australia.

The home affairs department said this could be about 5,000 Australian dollars (approximately P180,900) for the initial stay and additional cash enough to purchase a flight ticket to leave Australia at the end of the stay.

The work and holiday visa itself costs about 635 Australian dollars (approximately P22,974) and will give the holder at least 12 months of stay in Australia.

CHRISTMAS DÉCOR. A woman makes lanterns signaling the start of the yuletide season. The lanterns are set to be delivered to a barangay hall in Manila and will be used as street decorations in preparation for the Christmas season. Danny Pata

WPS CONCERNS. National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya (right) and Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela discuss ongoing concerns on the West Philippine Sea during a forum in Quezon City. Robert Gines

the civilian agencies of government,” Malaya said in a news (AFP)

GOV’T SECURES MORE THAN $1B FOR AGRI PROJECT FINANCING

THE country has secured more than $1 billion in official development assistance (ODA) financing for the development of the agriculture sector during the first year of the administration, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.

DOF Secretary Benjamin Diokno also said among the ODA financing was the $500 million loan agreement of the Philippines with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the Competitive and Inclusive Agriculture Development Program (Subprogram 2), which aims to increase the competitiveness and inclusiveness of the agriculture sector.

Diokno added that the DOF also signed loan agreements with the World Bank (WB) worth $876 million to develop the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

The first loan deal with the WB was the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP), which aims to sustainably increase the agricultural productivity, resiliency, and accessibility to markets and services of organized farmers and fisherfolks in selected ancestral domains and for selected value chains in Mindanao, the official, quoted by reports, said.

The second loan financing was the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project, which aims to improve fisheries management, enhance the value of fisheries production, and elevate incomes in selected coastal communities, while the third is the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Scale-Up, which aims to boost farmer and fisherfolk access to markets, increase income from selected agri-fishery value chains, and improve efficiency in the

FEEDING PROGRAM TO BENEFIT OVER 1.8M KIDS–DSWD

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will start the 13th feeding cycle of its Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) on the second week of September, DSWD Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez said.

The DSWD said with the SFP, more than 1.8 million children are expected to get an additional boost in their nutritional needs.

The SFP provides food in addition to the regular meals of children enrolled in local government unit-managed Child Development Centers (CDCs) and Supervised Neighborhood Plays (SNPs).

Lopez said the program is also part of the department’s contribution to the government’s Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Program, and in line with Republic Act No. 11037 or the “Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act.”

The 13th feeding cycle will cover school year (SY) 2023 to 2024, undernourished daycare children aged three to five years old will be provided with at least one fortified meal for a period of not less than 120 days in a year.

In the 12th cycle of the program, which started in August 2022, some 1,933,671 children were served with hot meals nationwide.

During the same cycle, 90,262 children enrolled in CDCs and SNPs were served with milk.

“Rest assured that the DSWD will continue to provide technical assistance to our local government counterparts for the efficient implementation of the SFP,” Lopez said.

LIFELINE DELAY SEEN TO ADD MORE 4PS BENEFICIARIES

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE decision to delay the full implementation of the new lifeline rate program to January 2024 will allow more beneficiaries to be included in the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said.

‘PHILHEALTH OWES PRIVATE HOSPITALS MORE THAN P10 BILLION’

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has yet to pay claims with private hospitals worth more than P10 billion, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PHAPI) said.

PHAPI president, Dr. Jose Rene De Grano in a super radyo dzBB interview on Saturday, said the amount is based on the group’s estimate is from three to four months ago.

“What they called an additional of over P10 billion, those are what they call in-process claims. More or less, half of that comes from private hospitals,” De Grano said.

He said that the unpaid claims continue to increase as patients keep coming every day, adding that private hospitals can’t refuse to accept patients nor can they not grant PhilHealth benefits as patients might suffer.

De Grano added: “Our countrymen will be in a bad spot if we don’t admit them to our hospitals.”

Reports said PhilHealth now owes hospitals in the country some P27 billion but promises to settle them in the next 90 days.

PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Ledesma cited the agency’s more than P400

TRUMP TO RALLY AT SITE OF

billion in investible funds and over P68 billion in net income as proof of its liquidity and capability to meet its financial obligations.

Ledesma told the House Appropriations Committee they would be rolling out soon the debit credit payment mechanism for the purpose.

During the committee hearing, AGRI party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee scored the PhilHealth for not being able to pay the hospitals.

As a consequence, Lee said some hospitals no longer accept PhilHealth payments even as they could no longer afford the salaries of its staff.

On Sept. 5, 2023, the Department of Energy (DOE), Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the DSWD signed a tripartite advisory postponing the full rollout of the lifeline rate program to January 2024 to enable more qualified poor households to avail of the cheaper electricity.

“The DSWD welcomes the decision to move to January 2024 the full implementation of the lifeline rate program as this will enable more 4Ps beneficiaries and other qualified poor households to avail of the discounts in their electricity bills,” DSWD Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez said.

Lopez, who is also DSWD spokesperson, noted that the full rollout was supposed to happen this month of September but was extended due to low registration.

PEZA SAYS ECOZONE INVESTMENTS HIT P111.2B FROM JAN. TO SEPT.

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) approved P111.2 billion of committed investments from January to September 7, which is 180.6 percent higher than the P39.71 billion investments generated during the same period in 2022.

“We are on track in not just realizing our target for the year, which is a 10 percent increase in investments and where we expect also the Philippines to achieve a 6 to 7 percent GDP growth rate,” said PEZA director general Tereso Panga.

He said the PEZA target is all aligned with the targets of the other key industries such as the electronics and semiconductor sector, IT-business process management, and the real estate sector.

PEZA reported that investments in August 2023 reached P14 billion, by 65

percent from P8.48 billion in the same month in 2022.

The investment promotion agency (IPA) noted that almost all of its growth indicators are positive when it comes to investments, number of projects, and additional jobs, except for export sales which dropped 2.12 percent to $63.99 billion from $65.37 billion, one year since the new administration took over.

However, fresh data will show that exports from July to September will reflect positive growth, Panga said.

In the first half of 2023 exports the country’s total exports amounted to $34.94 billion. Of this figure, PEZA exports accounted by 59.23 percent of total exports during the period or about $20.69 billion, which was higher the the 56 percent share of PEZA exports to total in 2022.

Among the IPAs, PEZA also had the

highest share in foreign direct investments of 60.5 percent, contributing P35.75 billion out of the 59.9 billion in the second quarter of 2023.

Japan led the list of top countries with the highest investments, accounting to 27.334 percent, followed by local investors with 23.19 percent, US firms with 14.82 percent, Dutch with 11.68 percent and British companies with 6.84 percent. Semiconductor and electronics remain the top sector when it comes to investments followed by IT services and fabricated metal products.

“This year we see a strong potential in metals as well as transport because of the entry of investments into the EV (electric vehicle) sector,” Panga said.

Ecozone investments have benefited host local government units (LGUs) through taxes paid by the locators.

WARM WELCOME. Performers welcome the arrival of foreign and local tourists in Bohol province, one of the most visited destinations in Central Visayas. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. earlier ordered agencies to improve the country’s tourism industry. Manny Palmero

FREE EDUCATION. Students lit candles to protest moves to amend the country’s free education policies and express concern over a measure that seeks to make the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) mandatory. Norman Cruz

food supply chain, the DOF reported.

IN BRIEF INDIA CHANGING NAME TO ‘BHARAT’?

NEW DELHI—Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his opening address to the G20 summit Saturday with his country nameplate labelled “Bharat”-- an ancient Sanskrit word— in the biggest signal yet of a potential official change.

The gesture came days after invitations to the summit dinner were sent out in the name of the “President of Bharat”, prompting rumours that official usage of the country’s English name would be scrapped.

Modi himself typically refers to India as “Bharat”, a word steeped in Hindu religious symbolism and dating back to scripture: in the Mahabharata, King Dushyant and Shakuntala’s son was named “Bharat” and the kingdom he inherited came to be known as “Bharatvarsha”.

Hindus are the overwhelming majority of India’s 1.4 billion population but many religious minorities, in particular its more than 200 million Muslims, fear that Modi wants to remould India as a Hindu nation. AFP

GROUP OF 20 NATIONS EXPANDS AS AFRICAN UNION JOINS BLOC

NEW DELHI -- The African Union joined the Group of 20 leading economies at its summit on Saturday, giving the continent broader representation in the oftendivided bloc as host Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks to portray his country as a voice for the Global South.

“With everyone’s approval, I request the African Union head to take his seat as a permanent G20 member,” Modi said in his opening address, banging a ceremonial gavel.

EU, MIDDLE EAST, INDIA TO LAUNCH ‘SPICE ROUTE’ PLAN

NEW DELHI—Europe, the Middle East, and India will on Saturday unveil plans to create a modern-day Spice Route, boosting trade ties with potentially wide-ranging geopolitical implications.

The United States, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the United Arab Emirates, and others will launch plans to link data, railway, ports, electricity networks and hydrogen pipelines across the three regions when they meet on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in New Delhi.

Although heavily trade-focused, the plan could spur major political changes.

Signatories hope it can help integrate India’s vast market of 1.4 billion people with countries to the west, offer a counterbalance to lavish Chinese infrastructure spending, boost Middle Eastern economies and help normalize relations between Israel and Arab Gulf states.

The India–Middle East–Europe economic corridor is “nothing less than historic”, EU leaders are expected to say when the details of the plans are announced. AFP

Modi, who has painted the summit as India’s diplomatic coming of age and is pushing for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, said it turned the grouping into a “people’s G20”.

The African Union at full strength has 55 members but six junta-ruled nations are currently suspended. Collectively, it has a GDP of $3 trillion with some 1.4 billion people.

As the G20, the grouping included 19 countries and the European Union, representing 85 percent of the world GDP, with South Africa its only member state from the continent.

“As a continent, we look forward to further advancing our aspirations on the global stage using the G20 platform,” Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is at the summit, posted on

X, formerly known as Twitter. The G20 was conceived in the throes of the 2008 financial crisis as a way to manage the global economy, but finding consensus among members has been increasingly difficult in recent years. The AU membership could be among the most tangible outcomes from the summit, with Modi trying to forge consensus on a host of contentious issues and key G20 members deeply divided over Russia’s war in Ukraine and how to pay for climate change.

Infrastructure plan

G20 partners will unveil ambitious plans Saturday for a railway and ports project to bolster trade between India, the Middle East and Europe, the United States said. AFP

WESTERN ALLIES BEGIN BALTIC SEA DRILLS

BERLIN—Western allies kicked off a major naval exercise in the Baltic Sea on Saturday amid rising tensions with Russia over the conflict in Ukraine.

About 3,200 soldiers from 14 countries are taking part in the German-led Northern Coasts 23 exercise, the German navy said in a statement.

The exercise will involve 30 ships, submarines, up to 19 aircraft and various landing units, it said.

Other countries taking part include Italy, France, Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Canada, Belgium, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the US.

It is the first time the German navy has been charged with “planning and conducting a manoeuvre of such magnitude”, said Rear Admiral Stephan Haisch, director of the manouevre.

The Northern Coasts series was launched by the German navy in 2007. Responsibility for the exercise alternates annually between Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Finland.

This year, for the first time, “a realistic scenario is being practised within the framework of alliance defence”, according to the German navy. AFP

PUTIN CALLS FOR CLOSER TIES WITH NORTH KOREA

MOSCOW—Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday on the 75 anniversary of the country’s founding and called for stronger ties “on all fronts”.

“I am convinced that thanks to our joint efforts we will continue to strengthen... bilateral ties on all fronts”, Putin said in a message to Kim as quoted by the Kremlin.

“This fully corresponds to the interests of our people” and helps to ensure “the security and stability on the Korean peninsula and northeast Asia,” he said.

Putin noted that the Soviet Union was the first country to recognise the North Korean regime and said that “since then relations between our two countries have always been based on the principles of friendship, good neighbourliness and mutual respect”.

“I sincerely wish you good health and success and I wish all North Korean citizens peace and prosperity,” Putin added. AFP

WORLD LEADERS OFFER SOLIDARITY WITH MOROCCO

MARRAKESH, Morocco—Leaders and diplomats the world over expressed condolences and support on Saturday for Morocco after a devastating earthquake struck near tourist hotspot Marrakesh.

The 6.8-magnitude earthquake that hit late Friday killed at least 632 people and injured 329 others, including 51 in critical condition, according to Moroccan authorities.

Support poured in from leaders across the world, including:

- EuropeFrench President Emmanuel Macron said he was “devastated” by news of the quake, adding that “France stands ready to help with first aid.”

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, of Morocco’s cross-strait neighbour Spain, expressed his “solidarity and support to the people of Morocco in the wake of

this terrible earthquake... Spain is with the victims of this tragedy”.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said “our thoughts are with the victims of this devastating earthquake. Our sympathy goes out to all those affected”.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she “learned with grief of the tragic toll” from the quake and pointed to “Italy’s willingness to support Morocco in this emergency”.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed sympathy “with the Moroccan people in the face of the terrible earthquake”, while top EU diplomat Joseph Borrell said the bloc is ready to provide Morocco “the assistance it wishes”.

Swiss President Alain Berset expressed his condolences. The country’s foreign ministry said it

activated a crisis cell and is evaluating sending aid.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said his country stands by Morocco “in these difficult moments.”

Russia, Ukraine

The leaders of both Russia and Ukraine also offered their sympathies.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his “deepest condolences to HM King Mohammed VI and all Moroccans for the lives lost in the horrible earthquake.”

“Ukraine stands in solidarity with Morocco during this tragic time,” he said on social media.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed similar sentiments and said, in a message to Morocco’s king, “we share the pain and the mourning of the friendly Moroccan people.” AFP

REMEMBERING 9/11. People watch a test of the ‘Tribute in Lights’ 9/11 memorial light display, seen from Brooklyn, in New York on September 6. The anniversary of the terrorist attacks that downed the Twin Towers in 2001 is on Monday. AFP

FLOOD WHIRLPOOL. A worker works by a whirlpool as flood waters is drained on a road in Hong Kong on September 8. Record rainfall in Hong Kong caused widespread flooding in the early hours on Friday, disrupting road and rail traffic just days after the city dodged major damage from a super typhoon. AFP

MINI BURGERS FIRE UP ENTREPRENEUR’S DREAM

ALL things tiny and miniature capture the fancy of this first-time entrepreneur and former Guinness world record holder who has the insights to start a small business, with a big dream.

BatBurgs, coined with the hashtag “the cutest burgers in town”, is the brainchild of Bateng Arde, says long time business partner and fiancé Sarah Salido. Arde is a part of the service and culinary crew of an international cruise liner.

In 2015, the couple toyed with the concept of setting up a mini burger joint. As foodie explorers, Arde and Salido are quite adventurous, usually taking on different types of burgers.

“We love eating out, and food is something we take seriously, oftentimes reflecting, in jest, on how a particular food should be served and what could be the best way to enjoy them. We bond on anything edible, and that’s usually burgers. My fiancé had this idea of setting up a burger shop for some time, and he actually found the courage to finally make it happen,” Salido says.

Testing the market with a nominal batch of six buns, the upstart entrepreneurs called for pre-orders and from there, new orders came in, growing steadily as the brand finds its niche. With a growing consumer base, they decided to set-up a food truck, an

upgrade from Arde’s home kitchen.

Bateng Burgers became one of the fave go-to burger shops in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Traveling entrepreneur

But as a job offer from a cruise line beckoned, a dream job which Arde has been ardently praying for, the business which was operating for a year took a back seat.

While recuperating from a costly surgery that left Arde in dire straits during the pandemic and with only P2,000 in his savings account, the thought of reviving the shelved business came to mind.

On a social medium platform, Arde and Salido organized an informal poll, asking previous customers if they wanted to reexperience Bateng Burgers. That met an overwhelming consensus.

After nearly six years in hiatus, Bateng Burgers resurfaced as the rebranded BatBurgs. The new label emits a more vibrant branding attuned to younger, more agile crowd. BatBurgs has a better recall than the previous branding, Salido says. The product, a mini burger that measures 2 to 2 1/2 inches in diameter, or about an inch smaller than the regular fastfood burgers,

comes in four flavors: barbecue, cheese, classic and garlic. The cute brioche buns, topped with crunchy sesame seeds, are homemade breads customized to fit the product description as no smaller-sized burger buns are available on a commercial scale.

To break the brand’s gustatory monotony, BatBurgs added mini sausage sandwiches to the lean menu which includes fries and soda pop for beverage. Going places

By sheer providence, BatBurgs landed its first bulk order for a community pantry in Cavinti, Laguna, a month after the burger shop reopened in April 2021.

In a span of three years, the mini burger venture opened two more branches—one in General Trias, Cavite and another in Las Piñas, Metro Manila.

Salido says the burger shop has plans to beef up its menu by adding pasta dishes and a variety of rice meals, as it aims to level up to have a full restaurant menu soon.

Arde, who once was a Guinness Book holder for the longest solo drum role at 12 hours and 3 seconds, thought about offering the 12-piece party pack as a tribute to his achievement.

“It’s not random decision to offer a 12-piece party pack. For him, this is the best way to celebrate his achievement,” Salido says, adding that a 24-piece pray package is also available.

To satisfy the Filipinos’ penchant for anything “buy 1, take 1”, BatBurgs introduced a similar

PH FINANCIAL FIRM MARKS 38 YEARS OF INNOVATION

THE Palawan Group of Companies, one of the best success stories that unfolded in the local business setting, celebrated its 38th founding anniversary on August 17, 2023.

Founded by Bobby and Angelita Castro, the Palawan Group did not only become the most trusted pawnshop brand in the Philippines and in the remittance industry, it has also woven its story into the fabric of countless Filipino lives.

“Our journey is all about continuous innovation and setting new industry standards.

Our goal is to offer the very best products and services. But beyond innovation, the true heart of our success thrives within our company culture - the genuine kindness we show to each other, the genuine concern that we extend to our customers, the unwavering passion that fuels all our efforts, our steadfast commitment to honesty and integrity, and the profound love we hold for our company and the communities we serve,” said company founder Bobby Castro.

The Castros opened their first shop in Puerto Princesa City on August 17, 1985 with only P40,000, marking the beginning of a journey that would touch millions of lives.

concept with the Ocho Burger—a twin burger of two flavors.

Sensing the growing demand for burgers, BatBurgs started offering party packages for corporate events, family gatherings and similar occasions. The biggest corporate catering they had so far was a combination of 300 BatBurgs mini burgers and 300 BatBurgs mini sausage sandwiches for a BPO company.

While the co-owners have yet to decide on new additions to the menu, both have plans to put up a fourth store in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and possibly a fifth in Quezon City.

Salido says it is their plan to put up 1 branch for every location, to avoid branches from competing with each other.

Having more branches means more time optimization for Salido, who is also working at a public relations firm. She does the daily operations for the three branches with the help from a lean yet very able crew.

Franchising the brand is not an option at the moment, she says.

“We still want to enjoy building the brand by ourselves. We’re not in a hurry to expand, and we really want to be careful on how we will step into franchising,” she says.

She advises people who want to realize their entrepreneurial dreams to be risk-averse and passionate of their vision. They should learn the rudiments of the business and be flexible enough to step into the crew’s shoes, she says.

Othel V. Campos

DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FIRM URGES FILIPINO RETAILERS TO LEVERAGE AI

THE “ber months”—September to December—are traditionally associated with the festive spirit of the holidays, and both consumers and retailers are caught up in a holiday frenzy that is tiring and exhaustive.

A recent study by RELEX Solutions revealed that Filipino consumers are expected to persist in seeking cost-saving measures especially during the “Ber Months”.

“As consumers leverage omnichannel to save up, Filipino retailers face challenges in manual inventory and promotion planning for both online and in-store,” said RELEX Solutions Philippines head of sales Donald Felbaum.

E-commerce surged during the pandemic, but in-store shopping remains strong for its immediacy and quality assurance. Consumers now compare prices both online and offline to find the best deals. However, for retailers, determining prices and crafting effective promotional offers can be challenging.

RELEX said retailers can optimize operations by leveraging retail operations to AI, enhancing data quality through the integration of company databases and real-world insights. The customized and precise data foundation empowers retailers with a clearer understanding of their data’s potential impact.

“With the emergence of technologies like ChatGPT, retailers must consider artificial intelligence (AI)-powered solutions to streamline processes and drive growth,” Felbaum said.

Recognizing the pressing demand for pawnshop services, especially among the marginalized sectors, Bobby and Angelita decided to expand their business, introducing money remittance services under the sub-brand Palawan Express Pera Padala.

The new business unit became a lifeline for many Filipinos here and abroad, providing an affordable and efficient means of sending and receiving money. It started offering international money remittance, foreign currency exchange, e-loading, bills payment, SME loans, and accident insurance ProtekTODO.

ABOITIZ GROUP ADOPTS SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY THROUGH ELECTRIC VEHICLES

ABOITIZ InfraCapital (AIC) Economic Estates recently unveiled the ambitious RED initiative within its flagship economic zone, the LIMA Estate in Batangas, Philippines.

The program marks a significant milestone in the country’s industrial development, focusing on decarbonization through an intra-estate transportation system while harnessing the power of smart technology and data science to optimize operations.

“We are dedicated to reducing our carbon emissions by transitioning to EVs and providing sustainable mobility to the tens of thousands of people that pass through LIMA Estate each day. These initiatives form the cornerstone of nextgeneration cities, enabling us to forge a sustainable future for the communities wherein we operate, as well as for the nation,” said AIC Economic Estates head Rafael Fernandez de Mesa.

At the core of the RED initiative are two integral components: Red Link and Red Pass, the Red Link which is a fleet of electric mini-buses providing eco-friendly transportation alternative for both locators and visitors, and the Red Pass, the access card to Red Link. Red Link effectively replaces conventional fuel-powered vehicles that were previously in use at LIMA Estate. AIC Economic Estates is committed to converting its entire service fleet to electric vehicles by 2025.

The Red initiative extends to the over 150 locators, its 66,000 employees, as well as the broader LIMA Estate community. The shuttles, which are supplied by Global Electric Transportation, will serve 7 different routes within LIMA Estate and will be powered by Aboitiz Power and LIMA EnerZone, tech provider of fastcharging stations.

Palawan Group president and CEO Bobby Castro

Business partners Bateng Arde and Sarah Salido

ON THE ROAD

OWNING AN ALFA ROMEO IS OWNING HERITAGE

ALLEN Ong’s passion for Alfa Romeo stems from its rich heritage, intertwined with the legendary Enzo Anselmo Ferrari, the iconic Italian racer, entrepreneur, and founder of the Scuderia Ferrari Grand Prix racing team.

“The Alfa Romeo legacy holds paramount importance for its buyers,” explains Allen, now 42. “With over 114 years of history, Alfa Romeo’s DNA can be traced back to Enzo Ferrari, who initially served as a racecar driver and test driver for the brand before establishing Ferrari.”

SUZUKI ERTIGA HYBRID MADE EVEN MORE STYLISH

SUZUKI Philippines has enhanced its iconic vehicle, the New Ertiga Hybrid, with cutting-edge technology and advanced safety features, elevating both its functionality and style.

The Ertiga Hybrid, Suzuki’s sleek seven-seater compact MPV, stands as the market’s first hybrid MPV and an iconic Suzuki model. In the face of rising fuel costs, its efficient engine, boasting an impressive 12.54 km/l fuel rating in city driving, ensures that comfortable and worry-free travel won’t be compromised.

In terms of aesthetics, the Ertiga Hybrid retains its standout appeal, featuring a stylish exterior that exudes strength and modernity. Its new front grille radiates dynamic elegance, while its aerodynamic, sleek lines offer a confident style for both driver and passengers.

The Ertiga Hybrid is equipped with practical features like follow-mehome headlamps, rear combination lamps, fog lamps, side mirrors with integrated signals, a chrome-accented tailgate, and 15-inch two-tone polished alloy wheels with 185/65 R

15 tires.

Inside, the Ertiga Hybrid impresses further with a stylish meter cluster, D-shape steering wheel, a 10-inch touch screen radio with a multiinformation display, keyless push start, and an automatic front air

MOVEM POWERS PACIFIC STAR EV CHARGING STATION

conditioner, making family trips enjoyable. This smart hybrid vehicle combines a powerful, fuel-efficient 1.5-liter petrol engine with a 12V lithium-ion battery to ensure continuous power availability.

The Engine Auto Stop Start System (EASS) helps save fuel even in heavy city traffic, supported by safety features like the Electronic Stability Program, SRS airbag system, and Antilock Braking System for emergency situations. The Ertiga Hybrid prioritizes safety not only for occupants but also pedestrians, thanks to its pedestrian injury mitigating body.

Today, the Ertiga remains a popular and wise choice for families seeking adventure without compromising savings. As a hybrid, it’s poised to be your family’s trusted mobility partner.

MOVEM Electric, Inc., Meralco’s green mobility subsidiary, has unveiled a new electric vehicle (EV) charging station at Makati City’s Pacific Star Building. The 22kw AC Type 2 charger is compatible with various four-wheeled EV brands. This partnership with Century Properties Management, Inc. (CPMI) aligns with Movem and Meralco’s commitment to the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act. They aim to provide comprehensive EV and charging infrastructure solutions for institutions and the public, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable transportation future under One Meralco’s leadership. At the turnover ceremony (from left) were: Darryl N. Francisco, Meralco real estate industry lead; Margarita R. Bautista, CPMI group projects operations head; Maria Francesca C. Defensor, Movem Electric chief operating officer; Streisand C. Tuason, CPMI senior vice president for operations, marketing, and aupport aervices; and Rafael G. Yaptinchay, CPMI president and CEO.

A FAST TRACK TO SUCCESS

SHELL Helix has consistently supported auto business owners by offering top-notch vehicle formulations. They understand the importance of auto workshops in the automotive industry and are dedicated to helping owners stay competitive. Shell Lubricants Philippines recently held the Fast Track Auto Workshop Business Summit at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, providing owners with valuable insights, industry trends, and networking opportunities. Their commitment to innovation and business excellence continues to empower business owners for success. (Panel Discussion photo L-R): Rizelle Malabanan, Shell Helix and Shell Advance Brand Manager; Leo Mendoza, Shell Lubricants Marketing Manager; Jacqueline Famorca, Shell Lubricants Vice President; Jensen Garcia, Shell Lubricants Business Development Manager; and Ika Halili, Digital Manager for Shell Commercial Lubricants and panel moderator.

Enzo Ferrari’s influence even led Alfa Romeo to consecutive victories in the first two Formula 1 Championships. Notably, Enzo Ferrari also played a role in designing the Alfa Romeo chassis, giving it a distinct character.

Long before entering the local Alfa Romeo distributorship in 2018, Allen had already been deeply involved in the automotive industry. His journey began with his father’s Foton dealership in Pampanga when he was just 27. Despite closing that dealership in 2020 due to new competition, they retained ownership of the premises, renting it out to two car and truck dealerships.

Subsequently, Allen established his own dealership by opening the Greenhills showroom for Alfa Romeo. “I began this Alfa Romeo distributorship in 2018 under Petromax Enterprise. Initially, it was a market test, but Alfa Romeo provided me with cars, parts, diagnostics equipment, and essential support, even though I wasn’t yet an official distributor.” Additionally, Allen also sells Abarth and Fiat, two other iconic Italian brands.

His success with Alfa Romeo is evident as he managed to sell a substantial number of vehicles even without official distributor status, a distinction currently held only by Hong Kong and Singapore in Asia.

Allen Ong

Regarding the affordability of Alfa Romeo ownership, Allen notes, “Entry-level Alfa Romeos start at around P4 million, while mid-level models range from P6 to 7 million, with room for negotiation.” He emphasizes that maintenance costs are reasonable, as annual servicing costs approximately P20,000. “Compared to other luxury cars, this is cost-effective. Our expert technicians provide thorough inspections, ensuring a hassle-free experience for our customers.”

Allen highlights the durability of Alfa Romeo, mentioning a client who raced one of their cars for 1,300 miles with no issues. “It’s truly a reliable car,” he asserts.

He recently relocated his Alfa Romeo showroom to Libis, offering a spacious venue with a 3-car showroom, a comfortable customer lounge, and a substantial service area. There’s even a popular coffee shop nearby, attracting car enthusiasts who visit the showroom regularly.

His team provides the score during the biggest lead of a certain team in the game; the number of lead changes and course, and the players’ statistics—all computed manually and distributed via carbon copies.

He can also be asked about the records of previous teams or players, as far back as the earliest years of the league. “Tanong mo kay Mang Joe,” were the familiar words back then in the press room.

“Mang Joe” was the PBA’s walking encyclopedia of numbers.

Many years later, when the country hosted the FIBA World Cup 2023, a lady named Patricia Mae Concepcion, was sitting among men at the o cials’ table, keeping a close tab on the Final Phase of the World Cup.

It’s nothing big for her, however. After all, the job runs in her blood. Joe once suited up for Ateneo de Manila University during the Blue Eagles’ time in the NCAA before becoming the PBA’s o cial statistician until he died in 1999.

Nicknamed “Trisha,” she is the granddaughter of the late Joe Concepcion and the daughter of Merit and Gloria.

Trisha’s father, Merit, has been a xture of statistics teams in the UAAP, NCAA, and Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, while Gloria was one of the rst female statisticians in the Philippines before her passing.

That’s why even though she’s actually in rari ed air during the world meet, it’s all just part of the job for Trisha.

“Nung una, intimidating, siyempre. ‘Di ko rin in-expect na mag-stats ako sa FIBA. Pero inisip ko lang, kung kaya nila, kaya ko rin,” she said after mentioning that she sits alongside men who are hard at work as well. FOR FUN

Unlike her grandfather and parents, though, the thirdgeneration statistician is keeping

TRISHA CONCEPCION BASKETBALL NUMBERS RUNNING IN HER BLOOD

basketball,” she said. As the lone woman basketball statistician in Manila, Trisha is, for sure, making her family proud—and at the same time, giving Filipinos a good name in the eyes of FIBA itself.

“Patrisha Concepcion’s remarkable performance as a statistician in the FIBA World Cup 2023 should inspire other girls who would like to be active in basketball and follow her path,” said FIBA Statistics and Data Head Maarouf Mawloud.

“Statisticians’ contributions, including the participation of many female statisticians in Japan and Indonesia, have been instrumental in achieving outstanding results across all three host countries.”

Wherever she goes from here, Concepcion is certain about one thing: her family will always be behind her.

“Ang lagi lang

MIADO COMMENDS

LITO ADIWANG’S OVERSEAS

TRAINING

JEREMY “The Jaguar” Miado knows all about moving out of his comfort zone to ply his trade overseas and further his MMA career.

So he praised his old foe Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang when the strawweight decided to move back abroad and hone his craft outside of the Philippines.

Adiwang, now training out of HIIT Studio in Bali, Indonesia, is set for his return bout when he takes on Adrian “Papua Badboy” Mattheis at ONE Friday Fights 34: Rodtang vs. Superlek inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on September 22.

tabs on the best players in the world—mostly—for fun.

She’s a full-time senior analyst for Philippine Ratings Services Corp. after graduating from Ateneo with a degree in Applied Math.

“Actually, parang stressreliever ko ‘to kasi mahilig ako sa basketball talaga,” she said, with a smile.

While the now 27-year-old has covered leagues like the UAAP and Filoil Preseason with her dad as a “stress-reliever” since she was in college, her love for basketball started from an early age.

A loud and proud citizen of Lakers Country, aka the Philippines, she shared that Kobe Bryant is her all-time favorite.

“Numbers talaga hilig ko ever

since, pero napamahal ako sa math on my own lang. Siguro, yung pinakain uence pa nina daddy is yung

paalala sa’kin ni daddy, enjoy lang. Gusto lang niya akong maging masaya,” she said.

NBA 2K24 REVEALS UPGRADES TO M yTEAM

THERE are new features and updates coming to MyTEAM in NBA® 2K24 including gamechanging enhancements to the mode with all-new MTP upgrades, an overhaul of the XP system, and the new Player Market.

MyTEAM will also feature crossplay for New Gen, upgrades to Triple Threat Online and Clutch Time as well as the introduction of the brand-new multiplayer mode, Salary Cap, and much more.

“As one of our most engaged player bases within the series, we innovate MyTEAM every year by working with our community to deliver one of the most all-encompassing card-collecting modes in the industry,”said Erick Boenisch, VP of NBA Development at Visual Concepts.“Ushering in long-requested features, such as the new Player Market, increased MTP earn rates, and an overhaul of the XP system, are only a few of the ways we look forward to fans experiencing MyTEAM in NBA 2K24.”

Top highlights of this year’s NBA 2K24

MyTEAM updates include:

MTP Upgrades: MTP earn rates for all modes have been greatly improved, bringing more exibility to everyone just for playing games in MyTEAM.

Salary Cap: This new multiplayer mode coming to MyTEAM in NBA 2K24 features three, two-week rounds each Season. Each round comes with its own leaderboard, salary limit for lineups, and rewards.

New Player Market: MyTEAM continues to be the best place to assemble a roster of your favorite NBA players from any era, build your lineup, and dominate the competition. In NBA 2K24, player cards can be acquired directly from the new Player Market using VC or MTP, allowing more team customization options than ever before. The Player Market replaces the Auction House to create a level playing eld for everyone in MyTEAM while granting access to almost any Player Card available.

With the move, Miado believes that the already dangerous “Thunder Kid” will only get better.

“I see Adiwang winning, especially since he’s already abroad. I’m not saying that he wasn’t training right when he was in Team Lakay. But [in Bali], he’ll have plenty of options when it comes to training partners and gyms,” he said.

“I hear he’s cross-training as well with other gyms, and that’s a great thing because he can adapt to many styles and improve more. He was already good before, and I feel like he will only get better with this move. That’s his advantage over Mattheis.”

While the 30-year-old lauded Mattheis’ striking and punching power, the Filipino believes that his compatriot is just as good—if not better—than Mattheis on the feet, and has a deeper bag of tricks than his Indonesian counterpart.

That’s why he sees Adiwang finishing Mattheis, but not with a knockout.

“It’s going to be an exciting battle between two strikers, and I believe Lito Adiwang will take the win, either by submission or decision,” he said.

Adiwang is now back on his feet— literally—following a horri c ACL tear when he and Miado last faced each other. But Miado is happy to see the explosive Baguio City native healthy and up on the saddle.

However, would he be willing to give Adiwang a rematch after this ght to nish unsettled business? It’s possible.

“As for me, I really wouldn’t want to face a Filipino ghter again, but if that’s what ONE wants to do, then I’d have no problems with it,” he said.

“It’s still a good opportunity for us, plus we have un nished business from that previous ght. So I’m very open to it. For as long as ONE wants it, I have no problems with it.”

GO For Gold Philippines founder Jeremy Go recently handed out pairs of ghting shoes to the national wrestlers who engaged in battle during the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games.

That act of generosity surely won’t be the last as it signals Go For Gold’s clear intention to help bring the country’s grapplers back to the world stage, speci cally in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“Pinag-usapan namin na gumawa ng program para sa 2028 (Olympics). We have been asked kung sino sa mga athletes namin ang may kakayahan na mag-qualify at willing tumulong si sir Jeremy hanggang makarating sila sa Los Angeles,’’ said national wrestling coach Efrelyn Calitis-Crosby.

It’s been a while since a Filipino wrestler grappled at the Olympics and a thorough ve-year plan to reach Los Angeles comes as a welcome proposition.

Freestyle wrestler Jiah Pingot is a prime candidate to join that elite core, having consistently claimed a silver medal for the past three editions of the SEA Games as well as Uzziah Asher Gulay, a 16-year-old prized nd from Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

“We believe that like weightlifting and boxing, wrestling can bring honor for our country. We aim for no less than a GOLD Medal in the 2028 Olympics.

PHL WRESTLING’S OLYMPIC BID GETS BACKING FROM GO FOR GOLD

We will have a ve-year road map to bring a pinoy wrestler to the highest of highs,” said Go.

Gulay has already begun to stack up his room with medals from both international and local meets after recently dominating the secondary boys’ 67kg freestyle event of the Palarong Pambansa last month. His Palaro victory, however, paled in comparison to the two gold medals Gulay won last year in the 14-17 cadet -70kg and +70kg freestyle categories at the Singapore Beach Wrestling Fiesta in Sentosa, Singapore.

“Pag-uusapan ulit namin ni sir Jeremy kung sino ang mga athletes na susuportahan kapag nailatag na namin ang programa,’’ said Calitis-Crosby.

Go For Gold is a consistent backer of the national wrestlers since the 2019 Philippine SEA Games when they were provided with singlets and living quarters before the Olympic village opened up for

the athletes at New Clark City in Tarlac.

“Never kaming hinindian ni sir Jeremy,’’ said Calitis-Crosby.

Go For Gold, a sports sponsorship program of the Powerball Marketing and Logistics Corporation, is committed to identifying, nurturing and supporting talented athletes across various sports.

Apart from wrestling, the Go For Gold program has supported athletes in cycling, triathlon, sepak takraw, dragon boat, skateboarding, chess, basketball, and volleyball, among others.

Florentino Tirante (men’s -52kg freestyle/ Greco Roman) and Dean-Carlos Manibog (men’s -60kg freestyle) were the last Filipino wrestlers who gured in the Olympics back in 1988 held in Seoul, South Korea.

The Philippine wrestling team is hoping to break the long wait for another Pinoy grappler

Go For Gold founder Jeremy Go (left) provides wrestlers from the Philippine team with ghting shoes. With Go during the simple turnover is national coach Melchor Tumasis (right). to show up at the biggest sports spectacle in the world. The ve-year plan that Go For Gold Philippines intends to support will reinforce that objective in LA 2028.

Lito Adiwang

BACK in the early 90s, teams’ and players’ box scores were given out to sportswriters covering basketball games by a team of statisticians led by mestizo-looking Joe Concepcion every after PBA game.

NBA 2K24 brings foundational changes to the overall structure of MyTEAM including MTP earn rates, new Player Market, Crossplay, and much more.

FIBA World Cup 2023 statistician Trisha Concepcion with official mascot, JIP.

World Cup Final Phase stats team with FIBA Asia Eligibility, Statistics, and Data Head Maarouf Marloud and Swiss Timing’s Stefan Schultz

UNDERSCORING its commitment to help build a #SafeandSmart nation, PLDT, Smart, and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) have rolled out another series of the ‘Project Ligtas’ Emergency Communications Training (ECT) to complement its PLDTSmart Ligtas Kit.

“The PLDT-Smart Ligtas Kit ensures that everyone in the community, including those with disabilities, can access communication aids during disasters through inclusive and sustainable mobile technology,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart.

The Project Ligtas ECT for local government units (LGUs) is a vital complement to PLDT and Smart’s Ligtas Kit, an all-in-one communications package that aims to provide quick, emergency communications support to communities during disasters and emergencies.

PLDT and Smart, in collaboration with PDRF, have conducted training to help bridge the gap in emergency communications during disasters. Integrating the equipment and capacity development components of the Ligtas Kit into the existing preparedness and response e orts of LGUs can further strengthen their institutional resilience.

Each Ligtas Kit given to LGUs comes with complete emergency communications equipment with comprehensive training to equip communities on inclusive emergency communication and e ciently utilize communication resources during disasters.

Due to its position in the Paci c Ocean’s typhoon belt, the Philippines is often vulnerable to natural disasters like storms, oods, and earthquakes. In recent years, known active volcanoes in the volcano ended their dormancy, causing signi cant distress among nearby communities.

With the Ligtas Kit, LGUs can streamline their disaster and emergency response to become more e cient, ultimately helping more people reach safety and mitigate any negative impacts.

“We hope this program can help our LGUs institutionalize

‘PROJECT LIGTAS’: LGUS JOIN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING

MARIVELES DEVELOPMENT COOPERATIVE CELEBRATES 22ND ANNIVERSARY

By Butch Gunio

MARIVELES, Bataan—Council-

or Ronald Arcenal wished the Mariveles Public Market Development Cooperative continuous success during its 22nd anniversary.

Arcenal, chairman of the Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Cooperatives, recently attended the cooperative celebration. “ Sa mga opisyal at mga kasapi nito, hangad po ng inyong lingkod na mas lalo pang umunlad, tumagal, at lumaki ang inyong cooperative. Happy 22nd anniversary,” he greeted.

Members of the cooperative thanked the councilor for nding time to join them in the special event. It will be recalled that Arcenal has authored an ordinance creating the Coop Pugay Award, recognizing the outstanding cooperatives in the municipality.

their respective communications mechanism, enabling seamless communication ow from the authorities to communities and vice versa, which can eventually save lives and protect livelihoods,” said Veronica Gabaldon, PDRF Executive Director.

LGUs represented by their respective municipal, city, and provincial disaster risk reduction and management o cers (DRRMOs)

THE City Government, through the City Legal O ce, and in partnership with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)- La Union Chapter, o ered free legal assistance and selected city services to residents during the Legal Aid Clinic held at the Basketball Court of Barangay Baraoas, City of San Fernando, La Union on August 25, 2023.

Around 160 residents of Barangays Baraoas, Nagyubuyuban, Pao Norte, and Pacpaco received legal assistance such as legal consultation or counseling, drafting and notarization of legal documents, and

have signi ed their commitment to building a more resilient Philippines by fully participating in the ECT.

“Communication plays a big role before, during, and after a disaster. This kit will serve as our link to rst responders, barangays, and families so that information and assistance can reach them quickly,” said Emerald Guevara, MDRRMO Head of Catarman, Northern Samar.

“With the help of the PLDT-

Smart Ligtas Kit, we are now more equipped to communicate with local government units during disasters. This enabled us to provide better quick response services, sustain our e orts, and save more lives,” said Jihada Karon-Maisalat, Acting Chief of the Admin and Training Division of Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi).

Through PDRF’s Hazard and Disaster Analysis for Business Resilience or HANDA (ArcGIS Online Platform), a dashboard has been created to enable PLDT and Smart to maintain partnerships established and current networks with partner LGUs.

While the country remains susceptible to natural disasters and other emergencies, PLDT and Smart remain fully committed to building safe, smart, and more resilient Filipino communities through the Ligtas Kit and Project Ligtas.

In the meantime, the emergency communications training also aligns with the UNSDG #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Municipal Administrator Tito Catipon said Mayor AJ Concepcion and the Sangguniang Bayan, headed by Vice Mayor Lito Rubia, fully backed the development of cooperatives in Mariveles.

Local o cials lauded the cooperatives for contributing to the municipality’s economic growth.

other aligned services.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) also took part in the legal aid clinic.

The City Civil Registry O ce, O ce of the City Assessor, City Electrical and Architectural Services

O ce, and City Social Welfare and Development

O ce also provided services during the event.

Furthermore, on November 17, 2023, another legal aid clinic will be held at the Barangay Hall of

BATAAN EXPANDS TIES WITH LA UNION FOR PAWIKAN PRESERVATION

ANOTHER successful venture to preserve the majestic sea turtle species in Bataan concluded on August 25, 2023, as the Provincial Government of Bataan partnered with the Provincial Government of La Union through the sponsorship of GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. (GNPD) to capture La Union PGENRO’s best practices in preserving their pawikans, including their ordinances and notable statistics about the species.

The group, consisting of representatives from Bataan’s Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources O ce (PGENRO), Provincial Tourism O ce, Provincial Veterinary O ce, Bataan Peninsula State University, Sitio Fuerte Sagip Pawikan Association, and GNPD’s Community Relations Department, were welcomed by La Union Gov. Rafy Ortega-David.

Gov. Ortega shared how the province is keen on putting the environment before tourism. “Naniniwala kami na walang

tourism kung hindi maayos ang ating environment dito sa La Union.”

Arcel Madrid, GNPD AVP for Community Relations, said, “We value our commitment to our environment and allotted 60 percent of the department’s budget to environment-related projects to foster our corporate social responsibility.”

To further introduce the Bataenos to their pawikan conservation e orts, the team proceeded to meet and discuss with Carlos Tamayo, President of Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions (CURMA) for methods in rehabilitating injured pawikans and inspiring volunteerism in the province. CURMA, one of La Union’s agship associations in preserving marine life, is currently restoring a malnourished sea turtle in its facility. La Union is passionate about saving pawikans and aims to enrich all kinds of life, as introduced by Toby Tamayo of Beekeeper’s La Union Farm. Amidst the tall bamboo trees and vivid

forests of the farm were innovative practices on how bamboo species that may not survive in Philippine weather can thrive in the right hands.

After a very productive visit at CURMA, the team was awed by the sprawling corals of Immuki Island and the mangroves of Bauang Bakawan Eco-tourism Park, which furthers the province’s environmental ties with GNPD. The group had a chance to witness the corals and mangroves in the area, which are also part of GNPD’s prospects back home in Bataan.

The benchmarking program concluded with the message of Bauang Mayor Eulogio Clarence Martin P. de Guzman III, who shared his enthusiasm for the partnership between the LGUs.

NO child left behind. Since Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas took o ce, this has been her goal for the children, and until now, the City Government of Santa Rosa is still ful lling it.

The City Government, through the City Social Welfare and Development O ce (CSWDO), conducted a threeday Capacity Building Workshop for members of the Barangay Children’s Association (BCA) at Whitewoods Convention & Leisure Hotel from August 9 to 11.

The BCA serves as the leader and voice of children in di erent barangays in the city. They were formed and sworn into o ce in 2022.

The workshop aims to strengthen and expand each BCA member’s knowledge, skills, and talents. Its other goal is to help children understand their rights, speci cally in Child Participation.

According to Judith Hasil, City Social Welfare and Development Ofcer, the workshop is just one of the city’s e orts to inform children that their representation is relevant, especially in the management and development of programs.

Resource speakers included Roldan Perez, advocate and former Project Coordinator of Yakap in Child Education, Inc., and Bernadette Trillana, Secretariat of the Provincial Council for the Protection of Children.

They discussed the responsibilities of BCAs and their adult support in developing their respective barangays.

SAN FERNANDO, LA UNION LGU OFFERS FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO RESIDENTS

Batanes Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management O ce receiving the Ligtas Kit

The Ligtas Kit aims to provide quick, emergency communications support to communities during disasters and emergencies

Bacsil, City of San Fernando, La Union. It will serve residents of Barangay Bacsil and its neighboring barangays.

Residents from San Fernando, La Union, receiving free legal services

SANTA ROSA CONTINUES TO ADVANCE CHILDREN’S RIGHTS

The partnership between Bataan and La Union LGUs emphasizes the relevance of enriching all kinds of lifeform.

LIFE Young

YOUNG DESIGNER TRANSFORMS THRIFTED BEDSHEETS INTO

THE recently concluded Revive and Renew Upcycling Fashion Competition hailed young artist Juson as the Top Designer for his project which trans formed discarded queen-sized bed linens from ukays into capsule wardrobes.

A project of JCI Manila, a premiere leadership development organization dedicated to creating positive change, the event encouraged the next generation of eco-conscious designers to showcase their ingenuity and passion through modish ensembles from discarded materials.

Juson, a homegrown talent from the Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), took inspiration from the Lady of the Lake, a mythological character from the legend of Knights of the Round Table. He reimagined her into a modern muse of second chances.

“She was awakened by the urgency to warn the world of climate emergence,” he shared. “She had the ability to grant anyone’s mission creating an impact on the environment.”

Motivated by the message of duality and redemption of the enchantress, Juson converted queen-sized cotton bedsheets into a two-piece set, complete with a draped multi-strap bodice and a free-sized and modular detachable train.

“It is a capsule wardrobe with functionality and versatility in mind,” he explained. “The top skirt can be worn separately, either elevated for a formal look or dressed down for a casual feel,” he added. “It can be integrated for an errand look, resort wear, or even bridalwear.”

Juson likewise highlighted the importance of diverse styling options to prolong the life of the garment with the end-user. “I approach sustainability like a circular framework by reintegrating post-consumer waste in the cycle,” he stated.

The finished output likewise bagged the Bingo Plus Foundation Special Award.

THE vivo V27, known as the Aura Portrait Master, is a stylish midrange smartphone that excels in portrait photography with vivo’s Aura Portrait Algorithm. Its design aligns with vivo’s fashion-forward V series philosophy, featuring a unique glass back cover with a photochromic coat that subtly shifts colors based on lighting, giving it an elegant touch.

Measuring just 7.36mm thin, the V27 5G is one of vivo’s slimmest phones, featuring a 2.3mm one-piece narrow chrome frame and a 3D curved AMOLED screen for a sleek and luxurious feel.

, Department of Interior and

The jury was composed of esteemed industry professionals and advocates. These include stylist, menswear, and streetwear designer Bang Pineda Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary and Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP) President Atty. Marge Gutierrez, fashion designer author, journalist, entrepreneur, and public servant Llamanzares, Ph.D.

Juson is no stranger to sustainable fashion. The staunch advocate, together with fellow Benilde FDM alum and business partner Gutierrez, is set to relaunch their social enterprise REPAMANA. Grounded on the principles of circular economy, the brand treats waste – from rejected fabrics to floral scraps – as the primary source of materials.

“REPAMANA breathes new life and higher value to the end product and gives them modern translation with endless styling possibilities,” Juson expounded.

With an equal focus on creativity and community, it likewise aims to employ female persons deprived of liberty as seamstresses to give them a renewed sense of purpose and dignity in their work.

“Through these intentional choices, every stitch, every fabric selection, and every hand involved in REPAMANA supports the story of second chances towards a more meaningful connection with our garments,” Juson concluded.

CELEBRATE THE TIMELESS SPIRIT OF NEW YORK

‘DKNY

NEW York serves as the eternal muse for DKNY, inspiring its Fall 2023 DKNY For You campaign. This dynamic city, with its iconic streets, everflowing culture, and vibrant individuality, forms the backdrop for an exploration of unique perspectives.  The campaign, featuring Amelia Gray Hamlin, Christian Combs, and a diverse cast connected to the city, captures the essence of New York’s attitude.

Photographed by Dan Martensen and styled by Alastair McKimm, the campaign showcases a collection that epitomizes urban dressing. Renewed classics, streamlined silhouettes, and a focused tonal palette define the core of the collection.  Key looks include elevated faux leather

dresses with edgy metal accents, textural outerwear, polished varsity jackets, and sharp satin suits. Each piece is a statement of style, meant to accompany various New York experiences, from Harlem’s Apollo Theater to a chess game in the square or a quiet moment on a park bench.

DKNY For You invites people to embrace the influence of the streets, offering the chance to showcase different DKNY looks from day to night. The campaign will be widely promoted through digital, premium outdoor, and

The rear camera module houses the Aura Light and three AI cameras. Powered by the 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7200 processor, the phone offers excellent power management and multi-core processing capabilities. With 12GB of RAM (8GB extended) and 256GB of storage, it ensures smooth app performance, including gaming.

The 6.78” 3D Curved AMOLED QHD display supports up to 120Hz refresh rate, with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for durability. It can display up to 1 billion colors, enhancing the user experience.

featuring and mod Pow man process stor age, it ensures smooth app perfor en su

The highlight of the V27 5G is its camera system, featuring a 50MP Sony IMX 766V main shooter, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP super macro lens. It excels in various lighting conditions, thanks to the

This phone offers both a sleek design and robust performance, making it a great choice for users seeking studio-quality photography. Moreover, it provides excellent value, especially when paired with Smart Signature Plans.

photogra excel

social/

vivo V27 sports Aura Light that excels in various lighting conditions

Sustainable fashion advocate, fashion designer, and Benilde Fashion Design and Merchandising alum Darius Jireh Dars Juson

Darius’ winning entry features a multi-strap bodice and detachable train

For You’ aims to urge people to rock their different DKNY looks from day to night in the streets of New York City

Darius Jirehukay-

King Arthur and His

Kristine Ordinario, and Brian Poe Allesandra

Aura Light.

Darius Jireh Dars Juson (right) poses with the model and his winning entry

RISING HEARTTHROB SIGNS WITH AWARD-WINNING FILM PRODUCER

CEDRIC ESCOBAR

MAKING HIS MARK IN THE MUSIC SCENE

By Nickie Wang

POLYEAST Records’ pop R&B artist Cedric Escobar is currently back in his homeland after having a productive tour for the OPM Summer Fest 2023.

Prior to his return, this talented 23-year-old singer had been making waves as an opening act for prominent OPM (Original Pilipino Music) artists such as Rivermaya, Gloc-9, Ito Rapadas of Neocolours, and Introvoys who performed in major cities in the United States and Canada.

This experience proved to be the catalyst for his own career,

motivating him to explore his roots in his home country while simultaneously forging a name for himself in the music industry.

In an interview with Manila Standard Entertainment, Cedric reflected on his journey as a young artist, “Along the way, I learned to build my confidence and become a better performer.”

Initially overwhelmed by the

prospect of performing alongside renowned artists, he quickly adapted and grasped the nuances of what it takes to captivate an audience. This transformation marked a significant turning point in his career.

“As a musician, I have an immense passion for performing and thrive when I’m on stage, entertaining people,” Cedric affirmed.

His aspiration is to be recognized as a complete performer, much like the legendary Gary Valenciano.

Cedric strives to embody the essence of an artist who consistently delivers outstanding shows for his audience, leaving a lasting impact with his musical prowess and stage presence. This dedication to his craft drives him to continually hone

wherein he just sang covers of songs by other artists, Cedric was able to finally sing his own songs on the OPM Summer Fest Tour. “I got to sing “‘di na ba” and by doing so, I’m remembered as my own musician.”

Already out with two singles “‘di na ba” and “Gasera,” we can expect more music to come from him. On September 29, he will be releasing his own rendition of Sugarfree’s “Wag Ka Nang Umiyak.”

Cedric’s latest EP, Mellow is now available on YouTube and major music platforms. It features his live renditions of OPM classics with collaborators Jem Florendo and Kiko Llorin, mixed and mastered by James Narvaez. Cedric is also part of The LiVeRARY, a PolyEast

Records concept project highlighting emerging talents through live performances.

Cedric reveals that has learned to build his confidence and become a better performer

MISTER Model Worldwide 2022 titleholder Derick

Lauchengco, a showbiz newbie and promising actor, is off to an auspicious “restart” after signing a management contract with awardwinning film producer, director, and public relations entrepreneur Chris Cahilig Lauchengco had previously worked with Cahilig as a cast member of the wildly popular TikTok series 52 Weeks, where he first drew the attention of TikTok followers.

The show wasn’t Lauchengco’s first venture into the public domain. The young man had stood out in the modeling circuit for a few years, even snagging the title Second Prince in the prestigious pageant, Misters of Filipinas. Then in 2021, Lauchengco was named Mister Model Worldwide 2022, a coveted title that led to appearances in numerous film and television projects as well as commercials.

Currently a marketing management student at University of Perpetual Help System-Dalta Las Piñas, and a member of the school’s varsity basketball team, Lauchengco is a figure to watch in the gallery of fresh new showbiz personalities.

Lauchengco tested showbiz waters between 2021 and 2023 when he played supporting roles in the anthology drama series Regal Studios Presents. He also appeared in Mana Po Legacy: The Family Fortune and Kurdapya.

When asked about his dream projects, Lauchengco claims he envisions himself in the kind of roles he admired growing up.

“Gusto ko talaga maging action star, parang ang idol kong si Kuya Coco Martin.”

Cahilig is confident in Derick’s bright future, praising his work ethic and potential, and eagerly anticipates helping him achieve his dreams.

“It’s just a matter of time,” the producer said.

SECRET SLAVES: A JESSICA SOHO SPECIAL REPORT ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING

GMA Public Affairs presents a timely documentary on one of the most rampant crimes in the world via Secret Slaves: A Jessica Soho Special Report on Human Trafficking

Hosted by Jessica Soho, Secret Slaves follows the stories of both the survivors and trafficked individuals who have experienced and endured living in the long shadows of human trafficking. Joining Soho are senior news correspondents Emil Sumangil and John Consulta

The veteran broadcast journalist probes this new and emerging human trafficking scheme which has turned Filipinos into cyber scammers as she hears the harrowing stories of some victims who were enslaved by syndicates.

Sumangil, on the other hand, visits a scam hub where foreign nationals are forced to perform fraudulent acts while Consulta travels all the way to Thailand and Myanmar to uncover this illegal trade victimizing hundreds of Filipinos.

For several months, the team of Secret Slaves worked together with the National Bureau of Investigation Anti-Human Trafficking Division, Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, and Destiny Rescue International, a non-government organization against human trafficking, to conduct entrapment and rescue operations involving a cybersex case in Metro Manila. In Angeles City, Pampanga,

extreme poverty pushes young girls and women into the sex trade via online luring, leading to abuse. Simultaneously, an underground kidney trade exploits vulnerable victims, despite government efforts to curb it, with some facing death threats to sell their organs.

Secret Slaves aims to raise awareness about human trafficking and these stories will serve as cautionary tales that would help the public avoid getting preyed on by unscrupulous individuals.

Secret Slaves: A Jessica Soho Special Report on Human Trafficking tonight at 8:15 on GMA and simulcast on GTV and Pinoy Hits. Global Pinoys can watch it via GMA international channel GMA Pinoy TV.

Cedric shares that he has an immense passion for performing in front of an audience Singer Cedric Escobar serves as

Mister Model Worldwide 2022 Derick Lauchengco

Slaves:

By Joyce Babe Pañares

CHEF and social media personality Ninong Ry’s love affair with Knorr Chicken Powder began 14 years ago when he first encountered

the seasoning while working in a restaurant.

Ninong Ry, Knorr Professional's first-ever endorser, during a cooking demo where he prepared fried chicken and bacon sisig

CRA INGS

VINGS

KNORR PROFESSIONAL TAPS NINONG RY AS 1ST-EVER ENDORSER

“That was my first exposure to chicken powder in 2009. And there was no looking back since then,” Ninong Ry, Ryan Morales Reyes in real life, told Manila Standard Cravings.

The Filipino chef turned online content creator, whose video on kare-kare with funny commentary on the side has amassed over 550 million views on Facebook alone, was such a fan of the product, which he described as the “best kept secret” of restaurants and hotels across the country.

He would feature Knorr Chicken Powder in several of his videos, prompting one of his fans, who have adopted the moniker “Mga Inaanak Ni Ninong Ry,” to put his photo across three cans of the seasoning in February 2021.

Ninong Ry gamely reposted the fan-edited photo on his Facebook page, with the caption: “KNORR, BUKAS ANG AKING PM, DM, EMAIL. HAHHAHAHAH #BakaNaman !! Knorr Philippines”

Two years later, Ninong Ry found himself doing a cooking demo as Knorr Professional’s first-ever endorser in its “Sarap That’s Truly Yours” campaign.

“Ever since Ninong Ry started vlogging, we’ve seen how he taught many cooks the right techniques and recipes that elevate ordinary dishes. We’ve seen him – unprompted, unseeded – really use Knorr in his cooking, even teaching his followers this best-kept secret in restaurants. And of course, we’ve seen how he not so subtly said “Knorr, baka naman…” whenever he used said Nicki Gutierrez, Unilever Food Solutions Category Marketing Head.

“Of course, we at Knorr got excited, and we thought, here’s somebody who really embodies foodservice operators and chefs, is a loyal user of Knorr, and is not afraid to share his secret,” she added.

During the cooking demo, Ninong Ry served fried chicken marinated in brine prepared with

Knorr Chicken Powder and sisig made with bacon cured in Knorr Liquid Seasoning,

“It feels amazing to represent a brand I’ve always believed in,” he said.

“All you have to do is watch my videos from the past to know that Knorr has always been part of my craft as a chef. I’m hoping food operators like me see just how big of a difference Knorr makes in ensuring the dining satisfaction of our customers.”

“Consistency is the greatest challenge for food service. Consistency is now within reach with Knorr. It is also easy and convenient to use,” Ninong Ry added.

Gutierrez noted Knorr’s “conscious and purposeful shift to cater to the specific and special needs that food businesses have.”

“We consider the scale, the diverse palates of diners and customers- both old and new - and most importantly, how to keep the industry afloat despite challenges. Restaurateurs are at risk of falling short of giving diners a satisfying experience without ingredients that bring out the authentic delicious taste of dishes,” she said.

“That is why for the rest of the year and the years to come, Knorr Professional will position itself as an essential and revolutionary culinary partner that will transform the way food businesses prepare and serve dishes – making customers feel like the dining experience was made just for them, and in turn, future-proofing the industry,” Gutierrez added.

(Knorr Professional is one of the most recognized brands of food seasonings in the world, and is part of the collection of star brands of Unilever Food Solutions, the global giant Unilever’s foodservice arm.)

STARBUCKS RESERVE HIRAYA OFFERS ELEVATED COFFEE EXPERIENCE

STARBUCKS Philippines marked its 25th anniversary this month with the opening of its one-of-a-kind store, Starbucks Reserve Hiraya. Located in Tagaytay City, the Starbucks Reserve Hiraya store takes customers on a stunning journey with its intricate

design offering breathtaking views of Taal Lake and its expanded menu inviting customers to indulge in an elevated coffee experience.

"The name 'Hiraya' is a variant of the Old Tagalog term ‘haráya’ which translates to imagination, creativity, or the power of the mind. By coming together with our customers and partners (employees), this store is a testament to what we can achieve with boundless imagination," said Menchu Lopez, Store Development head of Starbucks Philippines.

"We are dedicated to deepening our connection with those who resonate

with the Starbucks Experience, and the opening of Starbucks Reserve Hiraya allows us to deliver this through an innovative concept that fills us with pride,” she added.

Bringing Hiraya to life

As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines, Tagaytay is renowned for its spectacular view of the Taal Volcano Island and the surrounding lake. Starbucks Reserve Hiraya sits on the ridge that overlooks some of the most picturesque and attractive scenic areas in the region.

The architecture complements the distinctive landscape by creating a thoughtful transitional space between indoors and outdoors, with flat roofli-

nes, oversized windows, and overhanging eaves. Inspired by terraces of a coffee estate, the nearly 500-square meter store features a terraced seating and a delicate shadow play of a coffee botanical pattern cast by the canopy’s wood-carved screens.

Elevated offerings for food, beverage, and merchandise

Taking center stage is a signature Reserve Bar, brewing rare small-lot coffees on the Starbucks proprietary OVISO espresso machine, the very first one in the Philippines and one of the few currently featured at Starbucks Reserve stores globally.

The Starbucks proprietary OVISO espresso machine includes patented bottom-fill espresso shot and milk

steaming technologies displayed on the counter, with an under-the-counter espresso machine. This unique design unlocks a new visual experience in a more open environment where customers and baristas can connect over the brewing process of the espresso shots.

Customers can also experience exclusive freshly baked pastries available only at Starbucks Reserve Hiraya, from flaky croissants to delicious milk and cheese rolls, and one of the store’s highlights – the meticulously crafted Hiraya Latte.

Additionally, Starbucks Reserve Hiraya offers an exclusive premium line of merchandise.

Ninong Ry enjoys a bite of his signature fried chicken dish

Ninong Ry first cured the bacon in Knorr Liquid Seasoning for his sisig with a twist

PETS

CRAZY HELPING STRAY CATS

YES, SOME DOGS EAT CAT POOP

Last of two parts.

By Mariana Burgos

Finally, some dogs will start eating poop when they are stressed. Dogs, like people, will revert to the activities they loved as pups to ease stress, just as people do. For certain dogs, this may entail coprophagy.

Medical Reasons

Burke said that the most likely medical-related cause is a dietary deficit or malnutrition in situations when dogs are provided a diet that does not satisfy all of their nutritional needs. Other possible reasons include intestinal parasites, poor intestinal absorption, and hormonal or endocrine abnormalities. Senior canines who adopt the behavior unexpectedly may be suffering from cognitive impairment.

The good news is that if your veterinarian discovers a medical explanation for your dog's coprophagy, you may treat the underlying disease to avoid more serious issues. The therapy may also assist to remove the craving to consume feces.

Can dogs become ill after eating cat poop? If the other animal has intestinal parasites or dangerous bacteria, such as E. coli or Salmonella, your dog might develop these infections.

One rarely discussed aspect is that if the cat is taking medicine, the drug residues may still be in the cat's feces when the dog takes it, potentially affecting the dog.

By Julian Santos, The Crazy Cat Dude

RESCUING is no walk in the park, given the myriad of perilous and unforgiving situations strays have to face on a day-to-day basis. This advocacy is sadly too closely intertwined with unyielding expenses as well as moments of frustration and even grief.

However, interspersed among these testing moments are success stories that make all of the blood, sweat, and tears worthwhile. There are few things in life right now that grant me as much fulfillment as seeing the rescues I take care of thrive and overcome the conditions that beset them. The first two kittens I rescued are turning three next February and spend their days mostly in my room, lazing around and getting fat alongside a nearly two-year-old rescued black cat whose first

year of life was marred by stubborn, life-threatening infections and constant confinements, while many of the Metrowalk cats who were skin and bones at the start of the year are now putting on weight, showcasing their colorful personalities more and more as they worry less about finding daily sustenance.

These are just a fraction of the joy-filled wins that continuously drive me to uphold this advocacy with the hopes that I get to cultivate a community that promotes kindness towards animals.

It is only through the support of a community that rescuers like me gain the ability to mount wider-reaching initiatives that can help larger numbers of stray animals, animals in hard-to-reach places, and animals that are in dire condition.

Just last month, with the help of the local pottery community who donated proceeds from their workshops, I was able to organize a CNVR (Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Release) drive that saw 26 cats getting spayed/neutered and vaccinated against rabies.

In addition to the donations received from local potters, I am also hosting a one-man show

from September 16 to October 15 at Street Kohi Maginhawa, a local cafe whose owner helped me immensely to ensure that all proceeds from the exhibit will go towards my rescue efforts – these are just two of many initiatives that I am working on to ensure that these cats have a better life ahead of them.

Over the course of the last two and a half years I've spent rescuing cats, strangers as well as people close to me have come up to me asking why I go to such lengths to care for what some would say are just animals – if one allows themselves an opportunity to really spend time with these animals, I don't think it will take long to see that these animals, who are capable of giving love more unconditionally than we do and whose personalities and quirks are just as varied as ours, deserve every single chance they can get for a better tomorrow.

About The Author: Julian Santos is an independent cat rescuer. If you would like to help him help stray cats, please follow him on Instagram at @ thecrazycatdudePH and message him.

HOMEMADE DOG FOOD RECIPE

By Niko Gabriel Salgado

HOMEMADE food are growing in popularity because the ingredients can be controlled. Many individuals are adopting healthier eating habits and desire the same for their dogs. Homemade food are preferred by some because they incorporate whole food ingredients which are perceived as healthier compared to processed dog food. But there are still some factors to consider before you switch your dog to homemade food:

• Ensure the homemade recipe is both complete and well-balanced. One of the most significant errors you can commit is providing your dog with an inadequate or unbalanced diet.

• Preparing your dog's food involves measuring ingredients and takes a significant amount of time. Ensure a

daily schedule that allows you time to prepare your pet’s meal.

• For picky dogs, it might be necessary to find several recipes, allowing you to alter their diet to maintain their interest.

Proper Nutrition

Similar to humans, dogs have specific nutritional requirements that must be fulfilled for them to remain healthy. These nutritional needs in dogs differ from our own, so it is not advisable to simply share your (human) meals with them. Providing an unbalanced diet can result in dogs experiencing deficiencies in essential vitamins and nutrients.

Here is a sample recipe specially curated by animal welfare group Save Animals of Love and Light – Save ALL.

Save ALL's Summer's Cake:

No-bake meaty pumpkin cake for dogs

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Total time: 30 minutes

Servings: 12

Estimated cost per dog: P48- P61

Recipe Ingredients:

• 500g lean ground beef (P250-P300)

• one medium-sized pumpkin (P200P300)

• 8 to 10 pieces of small broccoli flowers (P100 per bundle if bought during summer))

• Rosemary dried leaves (optional)

• 1 cap of apple cider vinegar (optional)

• 500mL water

Instructions:

1. Fill a pot with water and place the ground beef.

2. Add a teaspoon of rosemary. Stir to mix.

3. Add a cap of vinegar and boil for 10 minutes or until cooked

4. When cooked, strain the beef and let cool.

5. For the pumpkin, remove the skin and cut into small pieces.

6. Using the same water, boil pumpkin until soft and then mash.

7. In a different pot, boil the broccoli florets/ flowers.

8. Mix the meat and pumpkin and form mixture into a cake.

9. Put broccoli florets on top.

10. Additionally you can add color by putting grated carrots on top.

Of course, everything your dog consumes may be passed on to your family via kisses and saliva. So, take these facts in consideration before you let your dog smooch you all over especially if he or she is a poop addict.

How can you help break this bad habit of your dog?

These are simple suggestions but will definitely cure your dogs of the disgusting habit of eating cat poop (or any other garbage for that matter).

1. Use positive training methods in correcting bad habits.

2. Clean the cat litter box often and place it where it will not be accessible to the dog.

3. Keep your dog active and engaged in regular exercises or activities that will keep him or her from getting bored.

4. Take note of your dog’s diet and slow down their eating.

5. Try medications, supplements, and natural food additives recommended by your vet.

With patience, most dogs can be stopped from regularly snacking on cat’s stool.

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.

Ground beef can be substituted with lean ground pork or ground chicken breast. Pumpkins are packed with vitamins and good for the eyes. Apple cider vinegar is essentially good for the heart and to repel ticks. The rosemary dried leaves are good for the skin and immune system.

A dog nibbling inside a litter box.

(Photo from Door Buddy’s article, Why Do Dogs Eat Cat Poop?)

Julian (in brown-orange shirt) and friends were able to catch 26 cats, including a vast majority of the regulars that he feeds at Metrowalk last month.The cats were spayed/neutered and vaccinated against rabies. (Photo by The Crazy Cat Dude)

Julian and a stray cat he helped.

(Photo by The Crazy Cat Dude)

Nacho, Louise and Shakti (left to right) enjoy a healthy, homemade birthday cake. They loved it! (Save ALL file photo) Summer's Cake was developed for Summer, a senior dog of the Salgado family, who loved to enjoy a cake on her birthday.

(Save ALL file photo)

The Metrowalk stray cats ((Photo by The Crazy Cat Dude)