Manila Standard - 2023 September 27 - Wednesday

China warns PH: Behave

Tells Manila ‘not to stir up trouble’ in Scarborough Shoal

By Vince Lopez, Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

BEIJING warned Manila on Tuesday not to “stir up trouble” after the Philippine Coast Guard said it removed a floating barrier deployed by China to block Filipinos from their traditional fishing ground in Bajo de Masinloc.

“China firmly upholds the sovereignty and maritime rights and interests of the Huangyan island,” said foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin, referring to Bajo

by its Chinese name.

“We advise the Philippines not to provoke or stir up trouble.”

President: All hands on deck vs. agri smugglers

By Charles Dantes and Maricel V. Cruz

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday ordered a whole-of-govern-

ment campaign to stamp out the “weevils” in the country’s agricultural sector, directing all agencies and officials to strictly implement policies and laws to stop the smuggling and hoarding of

rice. President Marcos, who is also the concurrent Agriculture secretary, made his remarks during the rice dis-

Marcos thumbs down proposal to reduce imported rice tariff

By Charles Dantes and Macon Ramos-Araneta

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday rejected the proposed tariff reduction on imported rice being pushed by his economic managers.

“We decided with the agriculture

PhilHealth won’t pay P17 million ransom demand from hackers

By Darwin G. Amojelar, Julito G. Rada and Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE government on Tuesday said it will not pay $300,000 or P17 million ransom demand from hackers for the stolen database of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

“According to our initial investigation, there were around 72 workstations that were affected and the systems affected are, of course, our website, our e-claims system, our member portal, and our collection system,” PhilHealth Senior Vice President Israel Francis Pargas said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing.

On Friday, the PhilHealth system was attacked by Medusa ransomware with hackers demanding $300,000 for the stolen data from the agency’s database. Pargas said there was no leak of personal or medical information of the PhilHealth members.

“Following the government policy, we will not pay at any time if there is a ransom demand,” he said.

Eala, Paalam score wins in Asiad

By Riera U. Mallari

HANGZHOU—Following a spate of losses in many fronts on Monday, the Philippines recovered some lost ground on Tuesday with victories by Gilas Pilipinas, tennis phenom Alex Eala and Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam in the 19th Asian Games here.

With Justine Brownlee, CJ Perez and Ange Kouame leading the charge, Gilas used a balanced attack to thrash Bahrain, 89-61, at the start of the basketball competitions at the Zijingang University Gym.

Coach Tim Cone quickly put the emphatic 28-point victory behind, though, saying they need to prepare for Thailand and Tyler Lamb, who will be

Gilas’ next opponent on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Eala survived a marathon first set to beat veteran Rutuja Bhosale of India, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the women’s singles event at Olympic Sports Stadium. Eala, 18,

a tiebreaker to

her 27-year-old rival in a

and economic managers that it was not the right time to lower the tariff rates because the projection of world rice prices is that it will go down. So, this is not the right time to lower tariffs. Tariffs are generally lowered when the price is going up,” he said.

House defends hybrid session for urgent bills

THE House of Representatives on Tuesday defended the legality of a hybrid session it conducted Monday night, which saw the approval of several key bills, among them the reform of the pension system for military and uniformed personnel and the fiscal regime for the mining industry.

“It’s not a hybrid midnight session. lowed under the rules) which started at

an authorized hybrid session (al9 in the morning Monday and ended after midnight.” Secretary General Reginald Velasco said in a statement. According to Velasco, Speaker Martake up urgent priority measures.” Velasco’s comments came after Ka-

tin Romualdez authorized the hybrid sessions for September 25 and 26 “to bataan Rep. Raoul Manuel assailed the conduct of the session, which

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de Masinloc or Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal

ASIAD WIN. JuneMar Fajardo of Gilas Pilipinas maneuvers his way around the defense of Bahrain’s Ali Hasan Shukralla Hasan in the 19th Asian Games Basketball at the Zijingang University Gym. The Filipinos won, 89-61.

Risa: Coast Guard spent only P117m intel funds in 17 years

SENATOR Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday questioned how the Office of the Vice President spent P125 million in confidential funds in 11 days in 2022 as she compared it to the Philippine Coast Guard’s P117 million confidential budget spread over 17 years.

“Our Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea monitors China’s tantrums every day. It made do with P117 million in confidential funds for 17 years. For the OVP, it didn’t even last two weeks,” the senator said.

The OVP earlier said it would answer the issue when its proposed P2.3-billion budget for 2024, which includes an allocation of P500 million in confidential funds, is discussed in the House plenary.

On Tuesday, however, the plenary debate on the OVP budget at the House of Representatives on Tuesday (Sept. 26) was rescheduled after Vice President Sara Duterte failed to show up.

Citing a “conflict in schedule,” Duterte did not make it at the House to defend the proposed budgets for the OVP as well as for the Department of Education which she also heads.

House Deputy Majority Leader and

CA defers Herbosa’s confirmation

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA) on Tuesday deferred the deliberations on Dr. Teodoro Herbosa’s designation as Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH).

Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin said the OVP budget debate would instead be held today (Wednesday), which is the target date for the passage on third and final reading of the P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024.

Duterte’ absence prompted House Deputy Minority Leader ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro to inquire whether or not lawmakers would still get to discuss the budgets of the two offices.

Earlier, Marikina City Rep. Stella Quimbo, senior vice chair of the House committee on appropriations, said the Commission on Audit has assured Congress that a full report will be submitted on Nov. 15, 2023 as its audit is still ongoing. With Maricel Cruz

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, the CA majority leader for the House contingent, moved to suspend the confirmation of Herbosa’s appointment due to “lack of material time.”

Senator Christopher Go, Senate committee on health chairperson, approved Villafuerte’s motion.

Go said Herbosa needs to be re-appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. since Congress’ current regular session officially ends on September 30. It will resume its session on Nov. 5.

The Constitution empowers the 25-member CA to scrutinize the competence, suitability, and integrity of key presidential appointees, including Cabinet members, and to approve or disap -

prove them.

Under existing CA rules, an ad interim appointment ceases to be valid upon disapproval by the commission or, if not confirmed, until the next adjournment of Congress.

President Marcos appointed Herbosa as Health Secretary on June 6. Herbosa, 64, was DOH undersecretary from 2010 to 2015. He graduated from University of the Philippines College of Medicine and took his postgraduate studies at Tel Aviv University’s Sackler Faculty of Medicine.

Herbosa is the only Cabinet member still awaiting the CA’s consent. Go noted that only three committee members were able to ask several questions that dragged the confirmation hearings for almost three hours prior to its suspension. According to the senator, the various questions for the secretary delved only on policies. No questions were raised on the alleged controversies and anomalies in which Herbosa was implicated.

DOJ:

Foreigners can sit in public utilities’ boards

By Rey E. Requejo

FOREIGNERS may secure seats in the board of directors of Philippine corporations with foreign equity and engaged in public utilities and in partially-nationalized activity based only on their “actual” and “allowable” shares, the Department of Justice said in a legal opinion addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said that for public utilities and corporations engaged in the advertising industry, “foreign investors in the board of directors is limited to their actual participation or share in the capital of such entities.”

“For all other corporations with foreign equity engaged in a partiallynationalized activity, and subject to existing capitalization requirements and ownership of stocks, or those corporations engaged in regular activity, the participation of foreigners is limited by their allowable participation or share in the capital of such entities, as provided for in Section 2-A of the Anti-Dummy Law,” Remulla said.

Under Republic Act No. 11659, public utility has been defined as “a public service that operates, manages, or controls for public use any of the following: (1) Distribution of Electricity; (2) Transmission of Electricity; (3) Petroleum and Petroleum Products Pipeline Transmission Systems; (4) Water Pipeline Distribution Systems and Wastewater Pipeline Systems, including sewerage pipeline systems; (5) Seaports; and (6) Public Utility Vehicles.”

House...

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saw many members of the House physically absent from the session hall.

According to Manuel, a hybrid session is only allowed when there are “riots or civil disturbances that would warrant us to have hybrid sessions.”

Meanwhile, four of the five proposed bills listed among the priority measures of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. were approved by the Senate.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said these pieces of legislation “were carefully studied and deliberated on by senators to help improve the lives of every Filipino.”

Among these was Senate Bill No. 1846 or the proposed Internet Transactions Act, which the Senate leader himself authored.

Senator Mark Villar, who chairs the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies, sponsored the measure, which was intended to promote digital transactions in the country.

Zubiri was also among the co-authors of Senate Bill No. 2224, or the Ease of Paying Taxes Act, which Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who heads the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, defended on the Senate floor.

The Senate leader also authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 2233, to be known as the Public Private Partnership Act, which Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito sponsored. Macon Ramos-Araneta

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China has refused to recognize a landmark 2016 ruling by the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration that its expansive claims to almost the entire South China Sea have no basis in law and that the shoal in question was part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

The 300-meter floating barrier was found across the entrance of the shoal last week during a routine government resupply mission to Filipino fishermen plying the waters near the Chinese-controlled reef.

It was not clear from the Philippine statement if the entire barrier had been removed.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) released a video showing a man wearing snorkeling gear using a knife to sever a rope attached to white buoys, while another showed an anchor being hauled from the water into a wooden outrigger boat.

The coast guard announced it had “suc-

President:...

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tribution in San Andres, Manila, where he called rice smugglers and hoarders “weevils” that destroy the balance in the rice supply.

“The weevil that completely destroys the balance of supply and price of rice in the market is hoarding, smuggling, and price manipulation done by exploitative traders,” he said in Filipino.

“This is no longer acceptable. That’s why I’m instructing all officials, authorities, and agencies to enforce policies and laws regarding rice issues strictly,” he added.

Marcos acknowledged that stopping rice smugglers and hoarders would not be easy, since they have been operating in the country for so long.

However, he assured the public the country has an adequate supply of rice.

“As I mentioned when we distributed rice in Camarines Sur the other day. The rice supply here in the Philippines is sufficient. What is needed is proper management of its production and sale,” he said.

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energized crowd. But it was a breeze in the second set as Eala earned a quarterfinal meeting with Japanese Kyoka Okamura, a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 winner over Savanna Ly-Nguyen.

Later in the day, Eala teamed up with Francis Casey Alcantara in the

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His made the announcement shortly after a sectoral meeting in Malacañang on Tuesday where the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) presented updates on the proposed tariff reduction.

Earlier in the day, Senator Imee Marcos joined rallyists opposing the proposed zero tariff on imported rice as she expressed confidence that her brother would not allow the importation of the

cessfully” removed the barrier “in compliance with presidential instruction.”

China, which seized the disputed reef from the Philippines in 2012, deploys coast guard and other vessels to patrol the fishing ground.

The floating barrier prevented fishing boats from entering the shoal’s shallow waters where fish are more abundant.

Philippine officials previously accused the Chinese coast guard of installing the barrier before a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship arrived at the shoal on Wednesday.

The reef sits 240 kilometers west of the Philippines’ main island of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometers from the nearest major Chinese land mass of Hainan.

Under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which China helped negotiate, countries have jurisdiction over the natural resources within about 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) of their shore.

Beijing has ignored the 2016 international court ruling that its claims have no legal basis.

The Philippine foreign ministry said

President Marcos led the distribution of rice to 1,000 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), with each beneficiary receiving 25 kilograms of rice.

The 1,000 sacks of rice distributed were part of the 42,180 sacks seized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in an operation in Zamboanga City, which was eventually donated to the DSWD after the importers failed to prove the legality of their importation.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives approved on second reading a measure that imposes a life sentence as the maximum penalty for hoarders and price manipulators

The measure will put more teeth into existing laws against agricultural smuggling, Speaker Martin Romualdez said.

“We want to send a chilling effect on these cartels that have been operating for decades now. We really mean business this time. And our primary task here is to protect the welfare of the masses – provide them with the most affordable goods in the market,” he said.

mixed doubles to blank the Nepalese duo of Sunira Thapa and Pranav Khanal, 6-0, 6-0.

On the other hand, Paalam lived up to his Tokyo Olympics pedigree as he mauled Jordan’s Mohammad Jajeh Abu in their opening bout.

Evading the longer reach of a muchtaller foe, Paalam got the nod of the judges after three rounds in a unanimous 5-0 victory in the men’s 57kg round of 32 at the Hangzhou Gymnasium.

staple amid the start of the harvest season this week.

“All my peers are here. Our farmerfriends, fisherfolks – all those who came from Northern Luzon up to Central Luzon and Southern Luzon are here. I am just supporting them,” the senator said.

The group of rallyists, led by the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), also called for the resignation of Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno and NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan for proposing the temporary reduction of rice import tariffs to help reduce prices. “I’m sure President Marcos will not

on Monday it would “take all appropriate measures to protect our country’s sovereignty and the livelihood of our fisherfolk,” without elaborating.

China on Monday justified the installation of floating barriers in the West Philippine Sea, which blocked Filipino fishermen from their fishing grounds, saying it did so because a Philippine government vessel entered into its territorial waters without its permission.

Wang Wenbin said Beijing took the action after a vessel of the BFAR “intruded into the adjacent waters” of Scarborough Shoal and “attempted to enter its lagoon” without permission from China.

China continues to claim a portion of the West Philippine Sea, including Panatag Shoal, which falls within the jurisdiction of the Philippines, based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitral ruling.

“Huangyan Dao has always been China’s territory. China has indisputable sovereignty over the island and its adjacent waters and sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters,” Wang said on Monday.

The new bill classifies smuggling of rice and other agricultural products as “economic sabotage.”

The House committee on agriculture and food headed by Quezon Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga, endorsed for plenary approval the proposed agricultural economic sabotage law on Sept. 20.

Last week, Romualdez said that the measure, part of the 20 bills listed by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council for passage this December, will be approved on third and final reading before Congress goes on recess on Sept. 30.

Romualdez said once the measure becomes a law, it would protect farmers and fishermen from smugglers, especially in times when prices are manipulated and agricultural products are hoarded.

Also on Tuesday, President Marcos told the National Food Authority (NFA) to follow his lead as he vowed to give priority to agricultural modernization to ensure enough rice supply for the country.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) urged the public to report rice retailers who marked up their prices after inspectors leave their area.

Earlier, Kayla Sanchez broke the national record and emerged fastest in her heat to earn a spot in the evening medal race of the women’s 100-meter freestyle and a chance to end a 25-year Philippine medal drought in swimming.

Sanchez touched the wall first in 54.70 seconds at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Aquatic Arena, easily beating Japan’s Nagisa Ikemoto (55.02) and South Korea’s Soeun Jeong (56.33) in the second of four qualifying heats.

allow it. What’s scary is we know that Congress will adjourn tomorrow. If the Congress and the Senate adjourn, what’s scary is if someone will allow the reduction or zero tariff importation amid the harvest season,” Marcos said.

“That’s too much already. Everyone is harvesting. Farms are about to start and its peak is at the end of this month, this week, until October,” she added. Previously, Balisacan said reducing the tariff on imported rice was an option to bring down prices and ensure stable supply. During yesterday’s meeting, how-

The Chinese official said their coast guard “did what was necessary to block and drive away the Philippine vessel,” adding that the steps taken “were professional and restrained.”

Meanwhile, Japan said it is closely monitoring “with concern” China’s activities in the South China Sea. Tokyo strongly opposes actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea as issues surrounding the waters are connected to regional peace and stability, the Japanese Embassy in Manila quoted Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno as saying. Japan said the issues “are a legitimate concern of the international community, including Tokyo.”

Despite the Chinese warning “not to stir up trouble,” the Philippine government is considering entering the waters inside the Bajo de Masinloc lagoon after it removed the floating barrier installed by China.

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the PCG will work with the BFAR and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for this. With AFP

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Pargas said the agency is coordinating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the National Privacy Commission, Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation.

DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said the agency is investigating the alleged hacking.

“We never pay any ransom at all. The policy of the government is we never give in to blackmail or ransom techniques,” he said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

The DICT also issued an advisory to all government agencies and the public on measures to prevent the Medusa ransomware.

The DICT advised government agencies and the public to regularly monitor their organization’s “attack surface”; back up files, systems, processes and other digital assets; implement a security information and event management system, and install anti-malware in all government offices.

DICT also urged government agencies to prohibit the use of pirated software and unlicensed programs in all government offices, especially those downloaded from the internet.

Pargas said the operations of PhilHealth are expected to return to normal by Wednesday.

“We are reconfiguring our system to ensure that it will not happen again. We will also review the access of our employees to our system,” he added.

ever, Balisacan and Agriculture Undersecretaries Leocadio Sebastian and Mercedita Sombilla agreed it was not the right time to lower tariff rates because of the downtrend of rice prices in the world market.

On September 5, Executive Order No. 39 was implemented, setting the mandated price ceiling on regular rice and well-milled rice at P41 per kilo and P45 per kilo, respectively.

Asked if the government will lift the price cap, the President said it will remain in effect as they have to study the matter carefully.

OTS chief goes on leave, insists he’s not resigning

By Joel E. Zurbano

OFFICE for Transportation Security

(OTS) administrator Ma.O Aplasca has filed a leave of absence a day after Speaker Martin Romualdez called for him to step down over the numerous recent “nefarious activities” by security officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

But in a statement read by OTS

Deputy Administrator Jose Briones at a Senate hearing on the agency’s 2024

Economic managers mum on Maharlika candidate officials

By Julito Rada

ECONOMIC managers on Tuesday remained silent on the shortlist of candidates who will oversee the Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) to be submitted to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sept. 29.

MIC will serve as the body responsible for the overall governance and management of the Maharlika Investment Fund, which is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2024.

In a briefing last Friday, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said a number of individuals have applied for the positions in the MIC.

The deadline for applications is today, Sept. 27.

Manila Standard tried to get the names from Diokno, but he said in a Viber message that he is not a member of the advisory body that will recommend the appointees to the President.

“The body consists of the National Treasurer, and DBM [Department of Budget and Management] and NEDA [National Economic and Development Authority] secretaries,” Diokno said.

The Standard tried to get the names of the candidates from Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman through a Viber message to no avail.

Likewise, NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan did not respond when sought for comment through text messages.

A president and CEO, two regular directors, and three independent directors will be included in the MIC board.

budget, Aplasca said he will not resign, adding he had done nothing “but cleanse my office of corrupt personnel.”

The former police general—and House of Representatives sergeant-atarms—said he was surprised by the Speaker’s comment against him following the series of thefts involving OTS security screening officers at the country’s main airport.

The most recent incident had a female OTS personnel caught on video swallowing three 100 US dollar bills

stolen from a Chinese traveler departing Manila. “Why am I now being attacked? For going after corrupt officials? I think it should be the other way around. The corrupt officials should instead be asked to resign. The case involving stealing the 300 US dollar bills is still being resolved, and yet mauna pa mawala yung mga nag-imbistiga (those investigating would be dismissed first)? There must be something wrong somewhere.” said Aplasca.

Schools, pupils, teachers responded positively to K-10 pilot run – DepEd

By Gabriellea Parino

LEARNERS, teachers, and schools gave the revised MATATAG K-10 curriculum program a positive response, the Department of Education said after its pilot implementation started Monday.

Education Undersecretary Michael Poa, in a statement Tuesday, said teachers who participated in the pilot run were adequately prepared after they completed their training under the new curriculum for kindergarten to grade 10 learners.

The participating regions reported that teachers were ready “due to capacity building activities and orientation sessions on the new curriculum conducted prior to the first day of implementation,” he said.

Five Metro Manila schools joined the pilot run for the revised K-10 curriculum along with 35 other public elementary and high schools around the country.

Poa also said adjustments would be made to fit the time allotments of certain learning areas.

“This period of adjustment is expected – as the very purpose of the pilot implementation is to monitor and determine areas that may need to be improved or enhancements that may be

put in place in preparation for the nationwide phased-implementation of the MATATAG Curriculum come SY 20242025,” Poa added. Officially launched last month, the MATATAG Curriculum is expected to decongest the present K to 12 curriculum by reducing the number of competencies and focusing more on the development of foundational skills, such as literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills of kindergarten to Grade 3 learners.

The new basic education curriculum was initially implemented in 35 schools in seven regions – Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Visayas, Soccsksargen, Cordillera Administrative Region, Caraga, and the National Capital Region.

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio said on Monday that the pilot implementation of the MATATAG K to 10 Curriculum is also in preparation for its phased rollout next year.

LTO orders owner of Honda car in viral video to produce road-raging driver

By Rio N. Araja

THE Land Transportation Office has issued a show-cause order (SCO) against the registered owner of a vehicle whose driver figured in another viral road rage video at a subdivision in Imus, Cavite.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II directed Region 4A director Cupido Gerry Asuncion to immediately investigate the misbehavior of the male driver before and

during the confrontation.

Asuncion issued the SCO against the female registered owner of a white Honda CRV (plate number REN-123), asking her to explain in a notarized affidavit why she should not be penalized for the incident.

The vehicle owner, whom the LTO did not name, was directed to submit her response “under oath within five days from the receipt hereof,” the order read.

The LTO said the violation was reck-

less driving under Section 48, Article V of the Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

The incident went viral on social media, with the video-taker saying the driver appeared to be drunk.

In the video, the Honda CRV was seen swerving on a public road, apparently to block the vehicle from behind it from passing.

The driver of the CRV stopped the

vehicle and confronted the driver of the vehicle behind him.

He was heard cursing at the occupants of the other vehicle.

The LTO said the driver of the Honda CRV was not the owner since the vehicle is registered under a woman’s name from Rizal.

“We want to know if the van was bought or borrowed, and (for the owner) to identify the driver,” Mendoza said.

21-ft Tall Straw Hat Luffy sets sail to SM North EDSA for Animezing North 2023

CATCH the Giant Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hat crew here at The Block Atrium, SM North EDSA from September 20 to October 8.

From record-breaking chapters, and awe-inspiring anime episodes up to the trending live-action series, 2023 is surely the year for One Piece fans! The well-loved anime franchise illustrated by Japanese creator Eichiro Oda has been stirring the world for decades because of its meticulously crafted geopolitical plotline, influential characters, and intricately designed world-building. With this massive influence, SM North EDSA, in collaboration with Toei Animation Enterprises and Funko, launches the third run of Animezing North featuring One Piece.

Here are the things fans can expect in this year’s Animezing North!

Giant Luffy

A 21-foot-tall Giant Straw Hat Luffy from Toei Animation Enterprises will be the centerpiece of the setup. This inflatable has been on tour in countries such as Japan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia; now Filipino One Piece fans will surely be amazed as it comes here in the Philippines for the first time.

Photo walls

The setup area will be filled with five exciting photo walls from iconic scenes and characters for fans to enjoy. Fans can take their photos inside the Thousand Sunny, Pirates’ Wanted Posters, Pirate Flag, the deck of the ship, and even the other members of the Straw Hat crew.

Exclusive One Piece Merchandise

Licensed brands like Funtastik, Bilmola, Toy Kingdom, Havaianas, Geek PH, Filbar’s, and Coolectzone will sell exclusive One Piece merchandise ranging from toys, to helmets, flip flops, and many more for fans to enjoy.

The Animezing North: One Piece will last for 19 days starting from September 20. So, gather up your crew and let the great pirate era begin here at SM North EDSA! For more updates, check the official social media pages of SM City North EDSA and share your stories using the hashtag #OnePieceAtSMNorth.

ANTI-INTEL FUNDS PROTEST. A row of policewomen guard the entrance of the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Tuesday as militant groups protest and demand the abolition of the confidential intelligence funds for the Offices of the President and the Vice President as well as other government agencies. Manny Palmero

Train extensions –when will they be operational?

METRO Manila is known for its exciting cultural attractions, vibrant businesses — and notorious traffic jams and poor public transportation.

What’s also bad is that transportation costs have more than doubled since the start of Putin’s war on Ukraine.

What’s worse is that salaries have been left behind, unable to compensate for inflation and rise in prices.

In this hellish urban landscape, the MRT (Metro Rail Transit) and LRT (Light Rail Transit) systems serve as lifelines for commuters navigating the city. However, their current reach is limited, leaving many areas underserved.

So what’s a Filipino commuter to do? One solution that we wish had been better managed is the train system.

MRT and LRT systems primarily cover central areas, creating a gap in accessibility for commuters residing in the city’s outskirts.

These are the bedroom communities that are feeder areas for the urban centers – ‘feeder’ meaning they feed economic growth elsewhere.

The MRT-3, which spans from North Avenue to Taft Avenue, serves a critical north-south corridor, while LRT-1 and LRT-2 connect east and west routes respectively.

operations to start in late 2024 or early 2025.

There was a proposal to extend the LRT 1 from Bacoor to Dasmariñas (the so-called LRT Line 6), but nothing has been heard of this yet.

This and the other Line 6 proposals should be decided on as soon as possible to give transportation relief to commuters farther down south.

Inhinyero.org, a science and engineering page on Facebook, has shared a map that shows the ongoing construction of the LRT 1 Cavite extension (discussed in the previous paragraph), MRT Line 7 (North Avenue, Quezon City to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan), Metro Manila Subway (East Valenzuela to NAIA Terminal 3), and the North-South Commuter Railway (NCSR) or the Clark-Calamba Railway.

When the latter is completed, it will replace the existing Philippine National Railways Metro Commuter line.

What are the benefits of expanding train lines?

First, improved commute times that would result in increased productivity and less stress for daily travelers.

There would be reduced road congestion as more commuters ditch their cars and opt for the efficient and reliable train system.

Extended train lines would also provide accessibility to those in less urban areas to employment centers in the central business districts.

Environmental benefits are another plus, as mass transit systems produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions per passenger-kilometer traveled compared to private vehicles.

China’s floating barriers

INCREDIBLE accomplishment.

That one, after the Philippine Coast Guard removed a “floating barrier” installed by China southeast of Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal, which lies within Manila’s 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone.

Philippine authorities, complying with the instructions of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., carried out “a special operation” to get rid of the estimated 300-meter long buoys or floating barriers.

We see the move as a momentous action in upholding international law. The floating barriers unnecessarily posed a hazard to navigation and obviously hindered fishing and livelihood activities of Filipino fishermen in the area which is an integral part of Philippine territory.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela posted a video and still image which showed a diver carrying a knife and cutting the cable linking the

The former goes to Baclaran in the south and the latter to Antipolo in the east.

Despite their importance, these lines are limited in their coverage, leaving numerous communities with inadequate transportation options.

Some of the train lines are being extended – we commuters see the construction work going on – but what’s the reach and when will we be able to use them?

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) has an update on their website that’s as of August 31, 2023.

The 17-page report lists rehabilitation projects on LRT Lines 1 and 2, related to the repair of “deteriorating rolling stocks, tracks, and facilities.”

Good news for seniors, PWDs, and the out-of-shape: 45 new escalators will be or have been installed, and 32 elevators and 58 more escalators repaired.

Meanwhile, roofing systems have been replaced in some areas along LRT 2, as well as the improvement of stations and facilities, and many other activities.

What interested me most, though, was getting updates on the line extensions.

The Marikina and Antipolo stations on LRT are 99.91 percent done. Beyond Recto station, three more stations are being built – Tutuban, Divisoria, and Pier 4. This project is only 1.3 percent completed, despite having a project timeline ending 4Q-2023.

Meanwhile, LRT 1’s eightstation Cavite extension, with provision for two more stations, is “physically 86.61 percent completed (grantor’s component) and 92.60 percent completed (private sector/ concessionaire’s component).”

From Baclaran, the line will go to Bacoor, Cavite (Niog station). The official timeline for this is 4Q-2023, but other sources mention partial

By Lidy Nacpil

LAST Sunday, we took part in the historic climate march in New York and added our voices to the urgent call to end fossil fuels.

The march capped hundreds of similar actions in Asia last September 15, with thousands of people joining mobilizations in multiple locations in 12 Asian countries, followed by actions in the Pacific, Europe, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and North America. We call for the release of young climate activists arrested in Uganda in the peaceful protests. We are here to reiterate our call for all governments to take decisive bold actions for a rapid, equitable transition out of fossil fuels directly to renewable energy systems -- with no loopholes, no exceptions, no false unreliable solutions that merely extend the life of fossil fuels and serve as an excuse to continue emitting greenhouse gases.

Improved connectivity would also spur economic growth in underserved areas, attracting investments and fostering the development of local businesses and industries. An expanded train network also provides social inclusion, giving marginalized communities access to affordable and efficient transportation that will help them get better jobs in urban areas, and reducing disparities in urban development.

A reliable and extensive train system can also potentially reduce road accidents and casualties, contributing to overall safety in the city.

In this age of climate change, promoting sustainable transportation options is crucial, aligning with multiple sustainable development goals, including SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) and SDG 13 (climate action).

Metro Manila faces its share of environmental challenges, including air pollution and increased vulnerability to natural disasters.

Expanding the MRT and LRT lines not only decreases the number of private vehicles on the road but also encourages the use of cleaner energy sources for train operations.

A well-connected train system can also reduce traffic-related air pollution, improving air quality and public health, which aligns with SDG 3 (good health and well-being).

It’s time for priority to be given to commuters — the workers who are the lifeblood of industry, the students who are the future of our nation, and the citizens whose daily grind contributes to economic activity.

All the projects mentioned above that are under construction – when will they actually be operational?

Filipinos are waiting. And waiting.

* * * FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO / Email: writerjennyo@gmail.com

The current commitments are nowhere near enough — we need new commitments and agreements including an international treaty for the non proliferation of fossil fuels and a global phase out plan with clear timelines and fair sharing of actions to reach real zero by 2050.

As we all know the climate crisis has claimed millions of lives, wreaked devastating impacts on our health, livelihoods, food and water systems, caused trillions of dollars in damages to crops, homes and infrastructure, and triggered horrifying disasters such as super typhoons, unprecedented droughts and raging wildfires.

How much more pain, loss, suffering will it take for governments and corporations to do the necessary?

We urge governments to fulfill their duties and obligations to their people, to all of humanity. We especially call on the governments of

buoys.

Another photo showed personnel removing an anchor of the “floating barrier.”

On Monday, the President’s national security adviser, Eduardo Ano, suggested Manila would take “all appropriate actions to cause the removal” of the buoys.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin previously defended the installation of the “floating barrier,” saying its Coast Guard took necessary measures in accordance with the law – which he did not specify – to drive away a Philippine vessel.

China claims, with its mythical ten-dash line, a very recent upgrade from its nine-dash line – 90 percent of the South China Sea, an area that overlaps with the exclusive economic zones

of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Here, we join Philippine security authorities in chastising the Chinese Coast Guard for installing what Beijing called a “floating barrier” in the southeast portion of Bajo de Masinloc or the Scarborough Shoal, The Shoal, a prime fishing spot about 200 km off the Philippines’ shoreline and within its exclusive economic zone, is the site of decades of on-off disputes over sovereignty.

This is the latest flare-up in longsimmering territorial disputes in the busy and resource-rich waterway, regarded as a potential Asian flashpoint and a delicate fault line in the US-China rivalry in the region.

While Washington lays no claim to the major global trade route, US Navy ships and fighter jets have carried out patrols for decades to challenge China’s expansive claims and promote freedom of navigation and overflight.

China has told the US to stop meddling in what it says is a purely Asian dispute.

Deeper into the muck

AKO Bicol Partylist Rep. Elizalde Co has done the right thing in calling for the unmasking of those behind the controversial fund transfer of P3 billion from the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Students from poor and underprivileged sectors whose families want them to acquire quality education amid inadequate internet connectivity in the country deserve clear answers on who bungled the management of the budget for a government program touted to provide ‘Wifi for All.”

What happened was that Congress allotted P13 billion for the DICT to boost connectivity in the entire archipelago. But lo and behold, P3 billion of the amount was found to have been ‘suspiciously’ wired to MMDA.

In a recent congressional hearing, Co, chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, sought the intervention of the Commission on Audit (COA) to get to the bottom of the multi-billion anomaly.

The lawmaker said the COA should find out who were the individuals and parties involved in the fund transfer scam.

“Once identified, the perpetrators should be punished so others would not follow their misdeeds,” he said.

Rep. Co urged the COA to probe an MMDA executive who was believed to have been transferred to DICT to personally facilitate the ‘irregular’ fund transfer.

Despite being designated as an officerin-charge who, by law, does not possess the authority to sign, the said official affixed his signature to the irregular transaction.

After “fulfilling” his mission, he was reverted to MMDA.

“I have information that this guy was intentionally moved from MMDA to DICT to see to it that the anomalous transaction is consummated,” the lawmaker added.

The transfer of the P3 billion from DICT to MMDA may have been successful.

But it’s now the subject of a heated congressional hearing.

During the hearing, DICT executives admitted MMDA has already returned the fund to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

More than a sign of guilt, the move to surrender the fund, experts say, puts the MMDA into even deeper trouble.

Commission (PAOCC) has raised the alarm over the big increase in cybercrime cases, particularly online scams.

In fact, it says, online scams have gotten worse recently and even exceeded the country’s problem with illegal drugs.

the wealthiest countries, who bear the biggest responsibilities for the climate crisis, whose commitments are the farthest away from their fair share of climate actions, and yet are fond of presenting themselves as climate champions. The fair shares of these wealthiest countries include meeting their full obligations to deliver Climate Finance.

Climate Finance is so absolutely vital not only for adaptation, building resilience, and covering loss and damage.

Rep. Co’s fellow legislator Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza also asked the COA to shed light on why a lone bidder bagged the contract with the MMDA for the NCR Fiber Optic Backbone Development Project despite reports it failed to possess qualifying requirements.

Meanwhile, the solar street lights for Metro Manila, another billion-peso project of MMDA, was also won by a sole bidder, a company which is said not to have the capability to implement the project.

The company has a Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) license but of low category, thus it was not qualified to be awarded the more than P1 billion solar street lights project.

How many more of such deals can we expect to be unravelled in the days and months ahead? One too many, we think, with taxpayers ultimately ending up the loser.

Proliferation of online scams

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime

It is fundamental for equity and fair sharing of efforts in the energy transition without which this transition will not succeed.

We, the people of the Global South, are not asking for aid or assistance.

Climate Finance is an obligation and part of Reparations for historical and continuing harms and injustices. We have a right not just to survive but to build a better home and future for our children.

(Editor’s Note: Climate Finance refers to local, national or transnational financing –drawn from public, private and alternative sources of financing – that seeks to support mitigation and adaptation actions that will address climate change. The Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement call for financial assistance from Parties with more financial resources to those that are less endowed and more vulnerable. The Global South broadly comprises Africa, Latin America

Data from the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group show from January to August this year alone, it had investigated 16,297 cases of cybercrime cases, which led to the arrest of 397 individuals and the rescue of 4,092 human trafficking victims. Of these cybercrime cases, 57 percent, or 9,266 were online scams, or cases punishable under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code for swindling or estafa.

Among the most reported online crimes were online selling scams, call scams, investment scams, package scams, ATM fraud, employment scams and loan scams. Online scammers earn more than those who sell illegal drugs, the PAOCC said. And the risk of these criminals getting arrested is lower than those who are into drug trafficking because online scammers hide behind a fake identity and only need to operate online, which makes it difficult to go after them. It seems that scammers have been able to easily register SIM cards using fake identification cards.

The SIM registration law was supposed to deter criminal activities using electronic communication, such as mobile phishing, text spam, online scams, bank fraud, and identity theft.

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com )

and the Caribbean, Asia without Israel, Japan, and South Korea, and Oceania without Australia and New Zealand, also according to the UNCTAD. The Philippines, considered part of the Global South because it shares many of these characteristics, is a developing country with high poverty rates and a significant informal sector, and it is heavily dependent on remittances from overseas workers and exports of raw materials.)

(Speech delivered at the UN Climate Ambition Summit on September 20 convened by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in New York by the author, the only Filipino and civil society leader to speak there. A Filipino human rights, environmental, gender and social justice activist, she is the coordinator of the Asian Peoples Movement on Debt and Development, a regional alliance of peoples’ movements, community organizations, coalitions, NGOs and networks).

‘Climate Finance vital to energy transition’

It’s time for priority to be given to commuters — the workers who are the lifeblood of industry, the students who are the future of our nation, and the citizens whose daily grind contributes to economic activity

Lawmakers approve consolidated measure on military pension plan Project delays in Manila Bay ‘not

good’ for PH investors

DELAYING a decision on reclamation projects in Manila Bay “will not do the country good,” Palawan Representative Jose Alvarez said. According to Alvarez, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will soon decide on these reclamation projects.

Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the suspension of the reclamation projects due to environmental concerns.

Alvarez, the sponsor of the DENR’s proposed P23-billion budget for 2024, said it will not benefit the country—in terms of investments--if the DENR holds out on its decision on the matter.

“The result of the impact assessment is forthcoming because the investors are also waiting for it,” Alvarez, adding that “There are 18 companies with approved environmental compliance certificates (ECCs), and two of them started the project until they were temporarily suspended.”

“It is not healthy for our investment environment that a project that has been approved has been temporarily halted with no definite date of resumption. We believe the DENR will be coming up with a decision shortly, without sacrificing the stakeholders in Manila Bay,” Alvarez, quoted by reports, further said.

Alvarez said the planned reclamation projects only cover 3% of the entire Manila Bay, but the DENR is committed to ensuring that such projects would not be detrimental to the public.

“The DENR, being part of the Executive, will do what is mandated of them: conduct a cumulative impact assessment of Manila Bay reclamation projects. They have gathered experts and scientists to help them assess the reclamation project, whether it will cause floods, any irreversible environmental impact, how the garbage will be handled,” he said.

Standard standard standard standard IN BRIEF

DOLE urges rms to act on rising TB cases

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has urged the private sector to implement policies and programs to prevent and control tuberculosis in the workplace following reports of rising cases of tuberculosis.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma issued Labor Advisory No. 21, or the Supplemental Guidelines on the implementation of safety and health measures for the Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in the Workplace, and an integral part of the company’s occupational safety and health (OSH) policies and programs.

The policy underscored that employers and their employees shall have a shared responsibility to ensure the effective implementation of policies to control the spread of TB.

The DOLE chief reiterated that health services in both private and public facilities are available nationwide.

Vito Barcelo

Survey says pilots get highest salary

AIRCRAFT pilots and their associates are earning an average monthly wage of P135,363, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) 2022 Occupational Wages Survey (OWS).

This average monthly wage is twice as much as the highest-paying jobs in 2020, which were held by mathematicians, actuaries, and statisticians. Software developers working in Information Service Activities followed the pilots in the ranking with an average wage rate of P70,595 per month.

Four out of the 10 highest-paid occupations were engaged in Insurance, Reinsurance, and Pension Funding except Compulsory Social Security. These occupations were mathematicians and actuaries at P69,654, applications programmers at P58,643, statisticians at P51,607, and accountants (including auditors) at P48,982. Joel E. Zurbano

AirAsia unveils new flights in 130 destinations

AIRASIA Philippines has announced it is now operating commercial flights in Manila to and from 130 destinations in the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East with its latest product dubbed “Fly-Thru.”

Fly-Thru service allows travelers to transfer from one plane to another conveniently. Passengers do not have to go through the hassles of boarding formalities, twice. From the immigration process to boarding your baggage to the second flight, the airline will take care of all.

The service offers easy access to international destinations like the Maldives, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, India, Sri Lanka, and Jeddah from Ninoy Aquino International Airport - Terminal 3 via Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok hubs. Joel E. Zurbano

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a consolidated bill on the pension plans for military and other uniformed personnel (MUP).

House Bill (HB) 8969, of which Speak-

er Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez is the principal author, was passed by a 272- 41 vote early Tuesday morning.

Romualdez said the proposed law rationalizes the system of granting monthly pensions and other benefits to personnel of the uniformed services in a way that is fair to them and the national government. This landmark legislation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the men and women in uniform, who risk their lives daily to maintain peace and order. It provides a robust, sustainable, and fair pension system that recognizes their invaluable service to our nation,”

Romualdez said.

The bill also provides for a guaranteed three percent annual salary increase for MUP for the first 10 years from the time the proposed law takes effect.

“With this reform, we’re not only prioritizing the well-being of our MUP but also ensuring the country’s economic stability. It is a testament to our commitment to national security and fiscal responsibility. I congratulate the Ad Hoc Committee and my colleagues for their hard work and dedication towards this pressing issue,” the Speaker said.

HB 8969 is entitled, “An Act creating a sustainable framework for the pension

system of the military and uniformed personnel, providing mechanisms for the disposition of government assets for the purpose, and appropriating funds therefor.”

Its short title is, “Military and Uniformed Personnel Pension System Act.”

The proposed law covers “all employees of the government who wear uniforms, with ranks, may be armed or unarmed, primarily involved in national defense, enforcement of laws, and in the maintenance of peace, order, and security and who belong to any of the following services: Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Corrections, and commissioned officers of the hydrography branch of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority who were transferred from the Bureau of Coast and Geodetic Survey.”

The mandatory retirement age under the bill is 57 years, or upon accumulation of 30 years of active service, whichever comes later. MUP may voluntarily retire after 20 years of service.

For key officers, retirement is upon completion of a tour of duty or upon relief by the President.

MUP killed in action or wounded in action resulting in total disability as certified by their respective services shall be considered compulsorily retired for purposes of computing their benefits.

The proposed MUP pension law further provides that for those already in active service before the enactment of the measure, their monthly retirement pay shall be 50 percent of the base pay and longevity pay of the grade next higher to the salary grade they last held in case of 20 years of service, increasing by 2.5 percent for every year of service beyond 20 years to a maximum of 90 percent for 36 years of service and over.

Gov’t aims to build 5.5m houses by 2028 to address backlog

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said it is aiming to launch 5.5 million housing units across the country by the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term in 2028.

DHSUD Undersecretary Emmanuel

Pineda confirmed the target during a hearing on the DHSUD’s budget in Congress.

Pineda said he agrees with Senator Risa Hontiveros who said the DHSUD

had a “slow start in 2025” but “can catch up with its target.”

Hontiveros said the agency by 2028 would have launched 5.5 million housing units, but commented this will be short of the 6 million target.

Pineda assured lawmakers that they are taking steps to meet the target, with the aid of legislation including a pending bill to institutionalize the government’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) program, particularly on housing interest subsidies for the poor.

Pineda also appealed to legislators to institutionalize the program including the planned interest subsidies for the poorest of the poor Filipino families.

The 4PH, the administration’s flagship housing program, intends to establish one million housing units annually.

Pineda also disclosed the planned targets: 500,000 in 2023; 800,000 in 2024;

1,000,000 in 2025; 1,000,000 in 2026;

1,000,000 in 2027; and 1,200,000 in 2028.

The DHSUD meanwhile echoed the disappointment of Senator JV Ejercito for the agency’s “measly” P5.4-billion

budget for 2024.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said DHSUD is doing what it can to complement the budget being allocated from the government coffers, citing the innovative financial scheme that the 4PH program has adopted. Under the 4PH, DHSUD would not rely solely on government funding but would tap the private sector to actively participate in the program. Acuzar was referring to their partnership with the private sector as developers and contractors. With Rio N. Araja

PBBM set to visit Saudi Arabia for Gulf cooperation summit

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday announced that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will be traveling to Saudi Arabia next month for the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit.

“His Excellency, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will also be visiting the Kingdom next month. This visit will further strengthen the strong, friendly, and vibrant relations that happily exist between our two countries,” Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Antonio Morales said, during the celebration of the 93rd national day of Saudi.

Mr. Marcos will attend the ASEANGCC Summit, the first of its kind after an ASEAN-GCC ministerial meeting was convened in 2009 in Bahrain. Morales

did not disclose details of Mr. Marcos’ schedule in Saudi Arabia.

But if ever the President meets for a bilateral talk with King Salman or Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, his visit will be the second high-level visit taken by both sides since Mr. Marcos assumed office.

In September 2022, Saudi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud arrived in the Philippines to meet Mr. Marcos and DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo to boost bilateral ties between Manila and Riyadh.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Manalo said they discussed “the active engagement” between the Philippines as well as “opportunities to further economic cooperation in support of our development goals.”

Danny Pata

Majority of examinees complete 3-day Bar

A TOTAL of 10,387 or 96.26 percent of aspiring lawyers completed the threeday online Bar examinations held in the past weeks, according to the Supreme Court (SC).

“I am overwhelmed by the smooth, peaceful, and orderly turnout of the 2023 Bar Examinations. It was more than what I hoped and envisioned it would be,” Bar chairperson and Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando said, in a statement.

Hernando said a total of 10,387 out of 10,791 applicants completed the exams.

In a statement released by its Public Information Office, the SC said the 2023 Bar examinations were a testament to Hernando’s commitment to promoting accessibility and inclusivity as the Court allowed select examinees with special needs to take the examinations.

The high court said that one visu-

ally impaired examinee was allowed to take the test through a Digital Booklet Method, where a court-issued laptop with non-visual desktop access served as a booklet. The examinee completed all tests at the Ateneo de Davao University.

“While it was not the first time that an individual with visual impairment was allowed to take the Bar exams, it was the first time that the Court permitted the use of NVDA application,” Hernando said.

“There have been visually impaired Bar applicants admitted in the past years who took the tests with the assistance of a special encoder,” he added.

The SC also said the oldest examinee this year was an 86-year-old applicant while the youngest was 23 years old.

The Bar exams held in 14 local testing centers nationwide ended on Sunday, September 24. Rey E. Requejo

LIGHTNING PROTEST. New graduates of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines stage a lighting protest to call on pressing issues, including the cutting of funding for state universities and colleges (SUCs). The SUCs are now calling on Congress to restore the P6.15 billion that… was cut from their proposed 2024 budget.

WARM WELCOME. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez joins new o cials and employees of the House of Representatives for a commemorative photo on Tuesday. Romualdez cited the o cials’ immense contribution in the House of Representatives’ successful 19th Congress. Ver Noveno

GSIS gives better loan terms to teachers

STATE pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is taking new steps to help foster greater transparency in computing teachers’ loans as it launched a new lending program with lower interest rates and longer repayment terms.

“We assure the DepEd and all our teachers that the GSIS is continuously working to make our lending process and loan calculations clearer,” GSIS president and general manager Wick Veloso said.

In a letter to DepEd Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte, Veloso assured the DepEd that the GSIS is fully

Megaworld to build biggest single tower in Uptown Bonifacio

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PROPERTY developer Megaworld Corp. is set to build its biggest single-tower development in Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Tuesday the 54-story Uptown Modern would offer more than 1,000 units and would generate about P29 billion in sales.

“For Uptown Modern, our vision is to cater to the evolving needs of today’s condo dwellers by developing an all-in-one residential address that integrates luxury and sustainability,” said Megaworld executive vice president for sales and marketing Noli Hernandez.

Uptown Modern will offer varying unit sizes ranging from studio with and without balcony (up to 49 square meters ), one bedroom with balcony (up to 83 sq.m.), two bedroom with balcony or lanai (up to 100 sq.m.), two bedroom loft with or without lanai (up to 183 sq.m.), and three bedroom with balcony (up to 139 sq.m.).

All units will be equipped with wireless smart home systems that future residents can access remotely using a dedicated smartphone app.

At the same time, each unit will come with a digital lockset for the main door, inverter split-type air-conditioning units, induction cooktop with range hood, refrigerator, microwave oven, and washer-dryer. The bigger units will also come with built-in ovens.

aligned with the DepEd MATATAG agenda in assisting teachers to improve their financial capability.

Earlier this month, the GSIS has launched the GSIS Multi-Purpose Loan Flex program (MPL Flex) designed for teachers and other GSIS members.

The new loan program offers a reduced interest rate from seven percent

to six percent for members with a minimum of three years of premium contributions and an extended repayment period of up to 15 years.

MPL Flex further enables members with just one month of paid premium to apply for the loan and provides a lower service fee than the rate offered by private lenders.

Teachers and members may apply for the MPL Flex via the GSIS Touch mobile app ensuring a streamlined and paperless loan application process.

The pension fund introduced a detailed payment schedule for multi-purpose and emergency loans in June.

This initiative provides teachers with

a much clearer presentation on how their payments are allocated between principal and interest. By offering a comprehensive breakdown of the payment schedule, borrowers will have a clearer view of their loan obligations.

The pension fund also revised its penalty interest computation for defaulted loans to further improve the terms.

“If these outstanding amounts are offset against retirement or separation benefits, teachers could potentially receive diminished proceeds,” Veloso said, He reiterated the need for timely and accurate loan repayments as he stressed that unpaid loans accrue interest and penalties.

IN BRIEF

Shares climb on easing crude, stable rice prices

PHILIPPINE stocks sustained their upward momentum Tuesday on the back of easing crude oil costs and stabilizing rice prices.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index jumped 91.10 points, or 1.48 percent, to close at 6,263.94, while the broader all-shares index went up by 36.23 points, or 1.09 percent, to finish at 3.361.38.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the index gained for the fourth consecutive trading day on reports that rice prices started to stabilize amid early harvest and implementation of rice price ceiling.

“The recent gains/healthy correction in the local stock market somewhat continued to defy the more hawkish signals from local monetary officials and also from some Fed officials amid the need to better manage/ control inflation and inflation expectations, towards the central bak inflation targets,” Ricafort said. Jenniffer B. Austria

INSTALLATION.

CAB retains October passenger fuel surcharge

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) retained the fuel surcharge for passenger and cargo at level 6 for the second straight month.

“In light of the perceived increase in average fares, vis-à-vis increase in operational costs, please be advised that the applicable fuel surcharge rate for October 1 to October 31, 2023 will remain level 6, until further notice,” CAB said in an advisory.

Under Level 6 of the passenger fuel surcharge matrix, airlines are allowed to collect a fuel surcharge of P185 to P665 for domestic flights and P610.37 to P4,538.40 for international flights.

The CAB said for the cargo fuel surcharge, airlines are allowed to charge P0.95 to P2.78 per kilogram

for domestic flights under Level 6 and P3.14 to P23.33 per kg. for international flights.

“Airlines wishing to impose or collect fuel surcharge must file its application with CAB on or before the effectivity period, with fuel surcharge rates not exceeding the above-stated level,” CAB said.

The CAB said airline fuel surcharge is an optional fee, imposed and collected by airlines to recover fuel costs and stem losses caused by upward spikes in fuel cost.

It said fuel surcharge is not a part of the basic airfare and may be reduced or removed depending on the price of jet fuel in the market.

The CAB suspended the imposition of fuel surcharge in all domestic and international flights in 2015 because of lower jet fuel prices.

Ford halts

work on $3.5-b battery plant in Michigan

NEW YORK, United States—Ford is halting work on a major battery plant in the northern US state of Michigan, the automaker said Monday, just seven months after launching the project with a Chinese partner.

The stoppage, which a Ford representative confirmed to AFP, comes as the company faces a major strike along with both of the other “Big Three” US automakers, Stellantis and General Motors.

The Ford spokesperson insisted the decision about the $3.5 billion battery plant had not been related to the ongoing strike,, but rather the site’s future economic viability.

“We’re pausing work and limiting spending on construction on the Marshall project until we’re confident about our ability to competitively operate the plant,” the spokesperson said.

“We haven’t made any final decision about the planned investment there,” he added.

In February, Ford announced the project in Marshall, Michigan as a way to diversify its battery profile away from its current exclusive use of nickel cobalt manganese (NCM), which are costly to produce because of raw material scarcity. AFP

China, rich nations told to expedite net zero race

PARIS, France—Rich and developing nations alike must sharply improve their net-zero targets, the International Energy Agency said Tuesday, warning that a clean energy surge was the main reason the world’s climate goals are still within reach.

Wealthy countries must now reach carbon neutrality in around 2045, five years early, and China should speed up by a decade to 2050 to keep to the Paris goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the IEA said.

“The world has already delayed too long to avoid hard choices,” the global energy watchdog said.

The report, which comes ahead of crunch UN climate talks, updates the IEA’s landmark 2021 “Net Zero Roadmap”, which said new fossil fuel development was incompatible with global decarbonization by mid-century and the 1.5C target. AFP

Digital PR Philippines: BrightPR.io — Steering the Winds of PR Change

IN OUR fast-paced digital epoch, where every ping signifies opportunity and standing out is paramount, traditional public relations (PR) finds itself at a crossroads. Amidst this landscape of shifting sands, BrightPR.io, a leading global media outreach and news article publishing platform, stands tall. Rooted in Singapore’s tech haven, and borne from Filipino entrepreneurial flair, this startup isn’t merely molding PR for the digital age—it’s recasting its very foundations.

Co-founder and CMO of the company, Jedemae Lazo, paints a vivid picture: “The digital era has flung open doors of immense potential for PR. We’re not merely walking through these doors; we’re inviting businesses from the Philippines— and beyond—to stride alongside us.”

Broadening PR’s Horizons

Gone are the days when expansive PR campaigns were the sole dominion of corporate giants. BrightPR.io is leveling this vast playing field. With strategic alliances spanning 1,600+ media outlets across 60 countries, it’s not just about global reach—it’s about universal accessibility. In an age where connectivity is everything, this democratization of access is monumental.

Diving deeper into the ethos, Lazo elaborates, “It’s about empowering voices. Every brand, big or small, has a tale, a journey, a narrative that’s uniquely its own. We’re here to amplify these stories, ensuring they resonate, engage, and inspire.”

This transformative vision isn’t confined to media reach. The startup’s innovative pay-asyou-go model speaks of adaptability, carving a path of genuine trust in a landscape often characterized by long-term binding contracts and opaque practices. This modern approach challenges age-old norms, ushering in a transparent and flexible era of digital PR in the Philippines and beyond.

Eyes on the Tech Horizon Embracing technology’s forward march, Lazo

Jedemae Lazo, co-founder and CMO, BrightPR.io  highlights the inevitable influence of AI, “The tide of AI is reshaping landscapes, presenting opportunities and challenges in equal measure. While we currently operate AI-neutral, our vision is clear: to be at the forefront, integrating and adapting, ensuring our strategies not only respond but lead.”

Changing PR’s Tapestry

With BrightPR.io in the narrative, PR’s tale is undergoing a vibrant rewrite. Seamlessly interweaving novel strategies with PR’s foundational ethos, the startup is setting the pace. Their vision extends beyond mere adaptation; it’s about pioneering change. This drive is not just about reshaping PR’s current landscape but also about carving out a bold and innovative future. Their endeavor signals a new era of engagement and inclusivity in digital PR’s chronicles—reverberating from the Philippines to the global arena.

GIRDER

Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. achieves another major milestone by completing the girder installation for the CAVITEX C5 Link R-1 Interchange near the CAVITEX Paranaque Toll Plaza ahead of schedule. The significant development will establish a direct link from CAVITEX R-1 (Coastal Road) to Sucat Road in Paranaque City, reducing travel time by 10 minutes. The project is targeted to open in first quarter of 2024.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said Tuesday it supports the proposed bill to reduce taxes on stock transactions to boost and improve the competitiveness of the Philippine capital market.

Albay 2nd District Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente Salceda on Aug. 23 filed House Bill No. 8958, or the proposed Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act, that

seeks to lower taxes on stock transactions to attract more investors into the market. Under the proposed bill, stock transaction tax (STT) will go down to 0.1

percent of the stock value from 0.6 percent. The tax on dividends of foreign non-residents will also be reduced to 10 percent from 25 percent.

“The SEC welcomes the efforts of our legislators to boost the capital market, as this recognizes the contribution and potential of the financial sector to help in the development of the Philippine economy, toward easing and improving the lives of all Filipinos,” SEC chairperson Emilio Aquino said in a statement.

“We will work closely with our law-

makers to ensure that new laws and policies will be reflective of the needs and demands of the market and investors, while still balancing the Commission’s role as regulator,” he said.

The bill has undergone deliberations at the committee level and was substituted by House Bill 9277.

Salceda, who heads the House ways and means committee, expressed hope that the lower taxes would bring the local capital market at par with regional counterparts, and encourage more local

By Othel V. Campos

CHINESE original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Shenzen Grandson Electronic Co. Ltd. is expanding its manufacturing operations in the Philippines by adding two facilities that will increase its total investments to P3 billion.

The Board of Investments (BOI) met with Shensen Grandsun chairman and founder Charles Wu at the sidelines of the China-ASEAN Exposition 2023 in Nanning, China to discuss company plans on stretching its capability to produce more audio products for the US and European markets.

“In the last five days alone, we have seen very tangible advancement in at least two investment leads generated during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s official visits,” said Trade Secretary and BOI chairman Alfredo Pascual.

He said the DTI and BOI ensure that the companies deliver on their investment commitments and go beyond their committed economic value-adding

By Alena Mae S. Flores

FIRST Gen Corp. of the Lopez Group expects its interim offshore terminal (IOT) project in Batangas to be fully operational by end of 2023, a top executive said Tuesday.

First Gen president and chief operating officer Francis Giles Puno said the floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) and the onshore LNG facilities were now in the commissioning stage.

The IOT project is expected to be connected and start delivering liquefied natural gas to First Gen’s power plants in Batangas, he said.

“We have the floating storage reclassification unit, then we have the onshore facilities. Both of them are going through commissioning, so it’s not yet

BLOCKCHAIN CHAMPION.

BayaniChain CEO Paul Soliman (right)

connected. So sometime by mid-October, hopefully, it will be connected,” Puno said.

“And then after that, after two or three weeks, or a month of running, the plants will be running,” he said.

The FSRU vessel BW Batangas arrived in June and chartered by First Gen’s whollyowned subsidiary FGEN LNG Corp. (FGEN LNG) as part of its IOT project. BW Batangas can store 162,524 cubic meters of LNG and regassify up to 500 million standard cubic feet of gas per day to enable LNG to be utilized.

Puno said First Gen already received the first LNG cargo. The company awarded the contract to Shell Eastern Trading (Pte.) Ltd. for the first LNG cargo based on an international tender.

is named Blockchain Champion at the Philippine Blockchain Week Block Awards 2023 for his major contributions in advocating the widespread adoption of blockchain technology. In the past few years, Soliman has been passionately and tenaciously promoting the use of digital assets, localized blockchain and other next-generation technologies to solve various real-life challenges and create a future where everyone benefits. The Philippine Blockchain Week Block Awards 2023 is an award-giving body that recognizes global thought leaders and pioneers in the blockchain industry.

activities.

Shenzhen Grandsun was one of the Chinese companies that attended the exclusive roundtable meeting on strategic projects with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his state visit to China in January 2023.

Wu said Grandsun Advanced Electronics (Philippines) Co. Inc. (GAEPCI), which began its audio devices production facility at the LIMA facility in Batangas province during the pandemic, would open two new facilities by 2025 to complement the existing manufacturing capacities at the four facilities. The audio product manufacturer expect local hires to reach 1,000 in 2023 and 8,000 by 2028.

Shenzen Grandsun is a Guangdongbased electronics company at the forefront of the global production of headphones. It plans to complement the production of headphones by producing

OEM speakers on the second phase of expansion.

BOI managing director Ceferino

Rodolfo said the complementarity of Shenzhen Grandsun in the Philippines is a good model for other possible Chinese locators in the Philippines.

He said the investment setting in the Philippines allows a top Chinese OEM and original brand manufacturer to work with Filipino talent as they address growing global requirements of their top customers especially from the EU and the US.

Shenzhen Grandsun ranked seventh globally on the Global Smart Headphone Invention Patent Ranking, just behind Apple which is at the 5th spot and Qualcomm at 6th, and ahead of LG at 8th and Huawei at 10th.

The company steadily built a global reputation for exceptional audio, technology and design, winning over 70 international awards since 2015.

and foreign investors to participate in Philippine trading.

The SEC said it was also crafting plans to introduce institutional changes to help develop and further deepen the Philippine capital market, It recently shortened the settlement cycle from three days to two days after the trade date by amending the 2015 implementing rules and regulations of RA 8799, or the Securities Regulation Code, through SEC Memorandum Circular No. 11, Series of 2023.

By Julito G. Rada

BANK of the Philippine Islands, the third-largest lender in terms of assets, said Tuesday it will offer pesodenominated fixed-rate bonds worth P5 billion due 2025.

BPI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the issuance is the second tranche of its P100-billion bond program approved by its board of directors on May 18, 2022.

“The net proceeds of the offer will be used for general corporate purposes, including funding source diversification,” BPI said.

The bonds will have a tenor of one and one-half years and will be offered at a minimum investment amount of P1,000,000 and in additional increments of P100,000. The offer period will commence on Oct. 17, 2023 and end Nov. 3, 2023.

The bonds are expected to be issued and listed with the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. on Nov. 10, 2023.

BPI Capital Corp. and ING Bank N.V., Manila Branch are the joint lead arrangers and selling agents of the issuance.

BPI posted a net income of P25.1 billion in the first half of 2023, up 23 percent year-on-year, driven by robust performance across business segments. This resulted in a return on equity of 15.5 percent.

Total revenues rose 13.8 percent to P65.6 billion, on the back of the 27.4-percent increase in net interest income to P50.1 billion, as the average asset base expanded 9.2 percent and net interest margin widened 56 basis points to 4.03 percent.

BPI booked a net income of P13.0 billion in the second quarter, up 4.5 percent year-on-year. Total revenues reached P33.9 billion in the quarter, up 4.9 percent, as the decline in noninterest income offset the increase in net interest income.

PROPERTY developer Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) said Tuesday it signed an agreement with International Finance Corp. (IFC) that will enable it to achieve EDGE Zero Carbon certification across a portfolio of 1.5 million square (sq. m.) meters by 2025.

ALI said in a statement the ambitious undertaking aims to establish the Philippines’ largest EDGE Zero Carbon portfolio, comprising 900,000 sq. m. by 2024 and an additional 600,000 sq. m. by 2025.

“For Ayala Land and AREIT, this highest level of EDGE is what we

are aiming to secure in line with our goal to become the largest EDGE champion in the Philippines,”

AREIT president and chief executive officer and Ayala Land Offices head Carol Mills said. “We believe achieving zero carbon in our buildings will yield not only for ourselves but also for our valued office locators the most substantial, relevant and much needed contribution towards long-term sustainability and environmental responsibility,” Mills said. An innovation of IFC, EDGE is a

green building certification that has gained traction among property owners and developers aiming to reduce the operational costs and greenhouse gas emissions of their building portfolios without incurring significant additional costs.

A building should demonstrate a 40-percent improvement in energy efficiency compared to the base case and incorporate renewable energy sources, carbon offsets or a combination of both, for its total energy demand to reach EDGE Zero Carbon. Jenniffer B. Austria

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo (right) talks to Shenzhen Grandsun chairman and founder Charles Wu at the Zhaoqing facility of the Chinese consumer electronics company which produces headphones (wired and bluetooth), Bluetooth speakers, drivers and other related intelligent devices.

Pascual

Lions devour Chiefs, 86-61, to secure share of lead

By Peter Atencio

JACOB Cortez unloaded 16 points as the San Beda University Red Lions pummeled the Arellano University Chiefs, 85-61, Tuesday in their ing encounter in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan.

The Red Lions took control with their outside shots and command of the boards as they kept the Chiefs at bay in the first two quarters.

Back-to-back baskets from Cortez in the last 7:43 allowed the Red Lions to move away by 17 points at the end of a 10-0 run in the second quarter, 34-17.

James Payosing chipped in 17 points and eight rebounds for the Red Lions, with his layup in the last 3:55 of the third canto handing them a 33-point edge, 64-31.

Damie Cuntapay struck with 13 points and 10 rebounds, including one of two triples which San Beda scored in the last 4:56 of the first canto, helping the Red Lions move away by 12, 21-9, in the remaining 2:43.

The Red Lions now share the lead with the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers and the Lyceum Pirates.

The Mendiola dribblers will have a chance to extend their winnin g run to two when they play the Mapua Cardinals at 4 p.m. on Fr iday.

James Ongotan showed the way for the Chiefs with 16 points.

Gilas shows it means business, thrashes Bahrain by 28 points

By Riera U. Mallari

HANGZHOU—CJ Perez and Ange Kouame

justified their inclusion into the Gilas Pilipinas roster with their huge games as the Filipinos used a balanced attack to thrash Bahrain, 89-61, and drumbeat that they mean business at the start of the 19th Asian Games’ basketball competitions at the Zijingang University on Tuesday.

Coach Tim Cone didn’t have to give naturalized player Justin Brownlee major minutes as the rest of his crew, led by Kouame and Perez, proved enough to fend off the challenge of the Bahrainis, who were only into the

fight in the first quarter.

Cone quickly put behind the emphatic 28-point victory behind, though, saying the need to prepare for Thailand and Tyler Lamb, who will be Gilas’ next opponent on Thursday.

HANGZHOU, China—Fighting in a heavier weight class, Carlo Paalam still lived up to his Tokyo Olympics pedigree as he mauled Jordan’s Mohammad Jajeh Abu in their opening bout at the 19th Asian Games here on Tuesday.

Evading the longer reach of a much-taller foe, Paalam got the nod of the judges after three rounds in a unanimous 5-0 victory in the men’s 57kg round of 32 at the Hangzhou Gymnasium here.

``Sobrang tangkad nya sa akin, kaya nag-stick lang ako sa game

Eala outlasts Indian foe, marches to quarterfinals

HANGZHOU, China—Tennis Alex Eala survived a marathon first set to beat veteran Rutuja Bhosale of India, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, and advanced to the quarters of the women’s singles event in thew 19th Asian Games at Olympic Sports Stadium here.

Eala, 18, needed 72 minutes and a tiebreaker to outlast her 27-year-old rival in a tightly-contested first set that thrilled a small but highly-energized crowd.

But it was a breeze in the second set for Eala to earn quarterfinals meeting with Japanese Kyoka Okamura, a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 winner over Savanna Ly-Nguyen.

On paper, Eala holds a slight edge over her Japanese rival owing to her better ranking at

No. 192 while Okamura is ranked 223rd.

Apart from that, Eala also boasts of four ITF titles against only for Round-of-8 rival.

Eala struggled with her serves early, committing 5 doubles against only three aces.

“We didn’t play Thailand in the Southeast Asian Games. But we saw them in the SEA Games, but we’re not matched up against them. They were knocked out by Cambodia,” said Cone of the Thais.

After measuring their foes in the first and led by just four at 22-18, Gilas finally broke loose in the second, with Kouame and Perez leading the charge, with the help of Brownlee.

That was Gilas’ most productive quarter with 29 points, even as the Filipinos limited Bahrain to just 15 to finally break free at 51-33, heading into the second half.

The assault didn’t end from there.

With Marcio Lassiter and Calvin Of-

tana joining the scoring fray, the Filipinos kept the pressure in the third and kept the Bahrainis at bay, 69-41, on a trey from the latter. Gilas stretched that lead further to its biggest at 34 points, 87-53, on a three by Lassiter.

Not even former PBA import Dwayne Chism could stop Kouame as the naturalized Gilas big man frolicked inside with a 15 points and 7 rebounds, with Perez matching his teammate’s offensive output to go with 2 rebounds and 2 assists.

Brownlee had 20 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists in only 13 minutes, outplaying his Bahrain counterpart Chism, who only had 5 points, but with 13 boards.

plan namin ng mga coaches ko,’’ said Paalam, whose chief objective here is to clinch a spot in next year’s Paris Olympics. Opposite Abu, he was compelled to fight smarter in the ring and threw punches only when necessary. Paalam got a silver medal in the Tokyo Olympics in the men’s 51kg. But that weight class was removed from the Paris program next year. The boxing finalists at the ongoing Asian Games offers slots to the glitzy French capital. The national boxing team here is

supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

``Pagsikapan ko talaga ang makapunta sa Paris. Gawin ang best every laban. Baguhan ako sa timbang na ito, so mabigat at malakas ang galaw dito,’’ said Paalam, a flyweight bronze medalist during the 2018 Asiad in Indonesia. ``Adjust ako dito dahil mahahaba ang mga kalabaan at sobrang galing din. Matalino din sila maglaro,’’ added the 25-year-old pride of Talakag, Bukidnon.

HANGZHOU—Ross Villarin, also known as the NoobFromPh, sustained three straight setbacks in Street Fighter V competitions of the 19th Asian Games esports events at the Hangzhou Esports Center. NoobFromPh first absorbed a 0-2 beating at the hands of Thai bet Sitta Chantasriviroje in the Round of 32, before suffering a 1-2 loss to Maldivian campaigner Umair Nuzair.

After that, Chantasriviroje put Villarin out of contention, 2-1, with the Filipino gamer’s second loss in the loser’s bracket.

On Wednesday, the Philippine Sibol team of Robert de Guzman goes into action in the Dream Three Kingdoms 2 event.

De Guzman will be joined by Manjean Faldas, Mark Jison, Caisam Nopueto, Shinboo Ponferrada and John To in their clash with Uzbekistan.

The Uzbeks will be led by Sardov Azimov.

In the second set, she double-faulted only twice as she started to dominate the match, coming through whistling shots behind her double-fisted shots.

Eala advanced to the round-of-16 in style, blanking Sarah Ibrahim Khan of Pakistan, 6-0, 6-0. She is also scheduled to play in mixed doubles with Ruben Gonzales later in the day.

Filipino gamers here are supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

After debuting in the Asiad as a demo event in 2018 in Jakarta and Palembang in Indonesia, esports is coming in as a regular sport, expected to be the most watched in the games’ calendar. Peter Atencio

Justin Brownlee drives to the basket against a Bahraini defender.

Alex Eala prepares to whack the ball.

With an eye on Paris, Paalam mauls Jordanian

Carlo Paalam

Green Spikers, Tiger Spikers duel in Game 1

Games Wednesday 10 a.m. - Ateneo vs FEU (Battle for third-men’s)

12 noon - UE vs Perpetual (Battle for third-women’s)

2 p.m. - FEU vs Benilde (Game 1 Finalswomen’s)

4 p.m. - UST vs De La Salle (Game 1 Finals-men’s)

DE La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas seek to outhit and outsmart each other in chase of a big head-start in a short title series as Game One of the V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge Finals fires off Wednesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.

The Green Spikers toppled the Golden Spikers, 26-28, 25-18, 28-26, 25-21, in their elims face-off but the Finals is an entirely different phase where emphasis could vary in every stretch of play, requiring each team, particularly the opposing coaches, to come up with ploys that could startle the other’s play patterns.

“Eliminations are eliminations; Finals are different. May aangat, may bababa, it’s a matter of mental game na lang talaga, because physically we are both ready. Andon na ‘yung factor ‘kung sino ‘yung may mas gusto talaga,” said De La Salle top outside hitter JM Ronquillo.

The Green Spikers battled back from one game down in the semis to stun arch rivals Ateneo Blue Eagles while the Golden Spikers trounced the Far Eastern U Tams in their side of the semis playoff.

Sharing the spotlight are FEU and Saint Benilde which mount their own battle for the women’s tiara in the tournament organized by Sports Vision and sponsored by Bola.TV Beyond Active Wear, and Mikasa.

Gametime is at 2 p.m.

The Lady Tamaraws had to go through some anxious moments before repulsing the Perpetual Help Lady Altas in three games in the semis while the Lady Blazers swept the University of the East Lady Warriors. For setter Tin Ubaldo and the rest of the FEU squad, winning the VLeague title will be a huge achievement, saying, “Malaking boost siya kasi may times na medyo hesistant kami, hindi kami naniniwalang kaya namin. Pero ‘pag nakuha namin ‘tong title na ‘to, sasagi sa isip namin na kaya namin.”

Meanwhile, Ateneo and FEU clash for the bronze in the men’s division at 10 a.m., while University of the East and Perpetual Help dispute third place honors in women’s play at 12 noon.

Pareja falls short in bid for ‘Combative’ award

By Randy Caluag

IPOH, Malaysia—Nichol Pareja did everything in his power to leave a lasting mark on Stage 4 on Tuesday as team 7-Eleven-Cliqq-Air21-RoadbikePhilippines barely missed a podium finish yet again in the PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi here.

Acting on the instruction of team director Ric Rodriguez to be more aggressive in the next stages, Pareja initiated an early breakaway in this mostly flat 140.1-km stage that started at Bukit Mertajam in Penang and ended in Meru Raya, Ipoh.

But the well-paved, mostly straight route was taken with ease by the peloton and caught up with Pareja.

Many times, he attempted to split from the big group, but the leaders, who were always on the lookout for any attempt to split from the main group, would always bring the pack as one.

“Ilang beses ako nag-try, kasi sabi ni sir Ric, talagang pukpok na kami,” said Pareja, a native of Negros Occidental, who now lives in Quezon City, and whose

final attempt at gaining headway was only foiled in the final five kilometers. His efforts earned him a secondplace finish in the King of the Mountain honor and third place in the sprint. His hard work and aggressive stance could have earned him the “Most Combative Rider” award and the top prize money and podium trophy that goes with it. But the honor went to Giulio Mossotto of Coratec Selle Italia.

“I actually appealed to the (race) officials they award the Most Combative award because our rider has done it all in the race. I asked for clarification so that next time, we will do really more,” said Rodriguez.

Nevertheless, Pareja and teammates Ryan Tugawin, Ismael Gorospe, Jun-

Pacio faces Malachiev at Fight Night 15

FORMER two-time ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio knows that he’s not exactly getting a warm-up fight when he returns to ONE Championship for the first time since losing his belt.

Pacio will be tested when he takes on #5-ranked contender Mansur Malachiev at ONE Fight Night 15 on October 7 inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Malachiev made a name for himself when he ragdolled Jeremy Miado in his promotional debut, getting an impressive D’arce choke submission in just a single round.

The Lions Nation MMA ace certainly took notice of that fight, and he knows that he’s up for a tough scrap.

“I don’t look at any fight as an easy fight, and certainly not this one, not against Mansur Malachiev, an undefeated fighter who’s now in the top five,” he said.

“I always treat every fight as if this is the last fight of my career. I make sure that in every fight, I go out there 100 percent – physically, spiritually, and emotionally ready.

I hope the winner here gets a title shot next.”

reck Carcueva, Rench Michael Bondoc, and Joshua Pascual came to the finish with the big pack of riders, all with a similar clocking of 3 hours and 06.05 minutes.

The previous day, it was Carcueva, who almost went up the podium when he placed second in the Best Asian rider category during Stage 2.

Daniel Babor of Caja Rural-Seguros took stage honors, while second placer Goerge Jackson of Bolton Equities Black Spoke retained the overall leadership with an aggregate time of 16.01.04.

He will be the marked man as he wears the Petronas’ green jersey for the second straight day as the riders tackle the tough Stage 5 race from Slim River in Ipoh to Genting Highlands in Pahang.

It’s a short 126.4-kilometer race but half of it is a trek to the Genting Summit at 1,800-meters above sea level

“Basta ang goal lang naming lagi dito sa mga susunod na stages ay atake at aggressiveness to get points and incentives sa KOM, Sprint, best Asian awards or most combative and if possible, stage win,” added Rodriguez.

Fortuna blows past Uy with solid 7-under 65

CLARK Freeport Zone—Mikha Fortuna barely outdueled Daniella Uy in a frontside shootout but outgunned the two-leg champion in the last nine holes, posting a brilliant seven-under 65 for a four-stroke bulge at the start of the ICTSI Mimosa Plus Championship at Mimosa Plus’ Acacia Lakeview course here yesterday.

Fortuna sustained her four-birdie splurge in the first nine holes with three more feats at the back as she kept on producing superb approach shots that set up a number of birdie chances. She also pounced on Uy’s struggle while the latter tried to buck tough pin placements as she opened a commanding lead in the P1 million, 54-hole tournament put up by ICTSI.

“I feel like it’s going to be the approach shots and putting,” said Fortuna when asked of the key to taming the 5,796-yard course and fueling a title drive that got derailed the last time out at South Pacific Classic in Davao.

Fortuna battled Uy shot-for-shot and putt-forputt in the early going, hinting at a day-long shoot-

out between two of the fancied players in the fold. After the former birdied the opening hole, Uy matched her rival’s birdie runs on Nos. 2 5 and 9.

But as Fortuna kept firing away birdies on Nos. 11, 13 and 16, Uy failed to equalize, settling for a run of pars and a 69.

“Medyo nag-struggle at ‘di na maka-birdie, ‘di maidikit ang mga approach at ‘di din makaputt. Mahirap ang mga spots, mahirap bagsakan,” rued Uy, aiming to emerge as the only three-leg winner this year after scoring back-toback victories at Valley and Forest Hills.

The former Junior World champion also rallied to snare runner-up honors at South Pacific.

“The par-5s are reachable and the par-4s are short, so paramihan na lang ng birdies talaga,” said Uy.

Korean Seoyun Kim eagled the par-5 No. 5 and hit two birdies but miscues on Nos. 4 and 8 dropped her to third at 70 while Harmie Constantino, also a twoleg titlist in the season about to end, shot a 71 for joint fourth with Kristine Fleetwood and Koreans Min

Yeong Kim and amateur Jiwon Lee.

Velinda Castil, eager to prove her worth against Fortuna missing the cut in her first stint as a pro in Davao, lost her way in the face of her top starts. She birdied No. 3 but made four bogeys and a double bogey at the front.

The 15-year-old shotmaker from Bukidnon, whose strong joint runner-up finish at Del Monte prompted her to turn pro, found the going tougher in the last seven holes which she played in six-over, marred by another double bogey on No. 16. She wound up w ith an 83 and barely made the cut in the tournament backed by Kampfortis Golf, the official apparel of the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

But from the looks of things, it would take a lot of effort and hard work for Uy and the rest of the early contenders to cut short Fortuna’s stay at the helm.

That said, he’s confident that he’s faced stiffer competition.

Pacio gave Malachiev his props after showing great tenacity in pursuing a takedown against Miado, but he himself is coming off a war against a bonafide wrestling machine in Jarred Brooks.

While Pacio ultimately lost via decision and got taken down a couple of times, “The Passion” showed that he’s no pushover in the wrestling department.

With renewed confidence thanks to a new jiu-jitsu coach, plus a brief training stint in the U.S., Pacio is bound to show improvements.

“Mansur is certainly a different breed of wrestler and grappler compared to others in the division, but I believe I’ve already fought the best wrestler in my division, and that’s Jarred Brooks,” he said.

“I’m not taking Mansur lightly. He’s undefeated for a reason. But I’m working hard on my wrestling and grappling, and thank God that our BJJ coach in Gibran [Langbayan] is here to guide us further in the grappling department.”

Van der Valk sets course mark 66, leads by 1

CLARK Freeport Zone—Guido van der Valk put up a solid start but only pulled ahead on a stirring eagle-spiked windup as he led the assault on Mimosa Plus’ Acacia Lakeview course with a 66, one stroke ahead of four others after 18 holes of the ICTSI Mimosa Plus Championship here in Pampanga yesterday.

After birdying the first three odd-numbered holes, Van der Valk reeled back with a miscue on the par-3 No. 13 on what he described as a “sloppy” shot but closed out with a birdie-eagle-par-birdie feat to string a pair of 33s and surge past Nilo Salahog, Reymon Jaraula, Japanese Toru Nakajima and Taiwanese Ting Yu Chen.

The four matched 67s in vary-

ing fashions in sweltering conditions while Jhonnel Ababa, Dino Villanueva, Michael Bibat, Luis Bagtas and Korean Min Seong Kim posted identical 68s and a mix of seasoned campaigners and young guns turned in identical 69s in an expected day of low scoring at the relatively flat, short 6,508-yard layout.

But the par-72 course, one of the two championship layouts at sprawling Mimosa complex, the other being the Mountainview, still withstood the pros’ assault with its tough pin placements, foiling a number of birdie opportunities.

“Even though it’s short, you have to hit it on the right side (of

the holes) because there’s a lot of hazards out there that it’s easy to hit it in if you don’t quite catch the shots,” said van der Valk. “And the pins were not that easy. They try to keep the scoring as controlled as possible, I think.”

Still, the Dutchman’s blistering start fueled hopes of him closing out the Philippine Golf Tour season the way he had opened it. He retained The Country Club Invitational, the flagship tournament of each PGT calendar, last February, but failed to nail a regular Tour title, finishing tied for second in the Villamor Philippine Masters. He also had Top 7 finishes and missed the cut just once at Luisita.

Van der Valk’s 66 also became the course mark, the P2 million

championship being the first event Mimosa Plus is hosting since new owners Filinvest took over in 2016 and developed, renovated modernized the two courses with the help of Nelson & Haworth Architects.

To go it all the way, he underlined the need to stay focused and patient, saying: “In this hot weather, you have to make sure to concentrate on every shot because I was a little sloppy on one of them and I made a bogey (No. 13).”

“It’s a course where you create a lot of birdie chances so you sort on need to stay patßient because you cannot hole them all evenß… though you think you should. So that’s the key,” said van der Valk, who also credited his wife Lorabelle’s help on his bag.

Almost but not quite for Nichol Pareja. Randy Caluag

Mikha Fortuna sustained her four-birdie splurge in the rst nine holes with three more feats at the back. Manny Marcelo

Van der Valk’s blistering start fueled hopes of him closing out the Philippine Golf Tour season the way he had opened it. Manny Marcelo

Joaquin Balbuena’s Tambay brand marks 2nd year with grand concert

By Nickie Wang RAPPER Joaquin Balbuena

, known for his music, online series, and Tambay Caps venture, has a big announcement at the Tambay Festival on September 30 in Quezon City. During a recent media conference, he promised an exciting musical event celebrating his brand’s success and those who supported it.

“It’s going to be a grand musical extravaganza dedicated to the patrons of the brand and the people who helped him build it,” Balbuena told Manila Standard Entertainment.

In addition to his music pursuits, Balbuena has been deeply involved in the production Tambay series, which took its first steps on Facebook a mere three years ago. It all began

with a simple yet innovative idea: to create a situational comedy exclusively for Facebook, with the production team utilizing nothing more than their cell phones due to budget constraints. Remarkably, over the past three years, the Tambay series has garnered a staggering 2.8 billion views on Facebook, prompting Balbuena and his team to consider transforming it into a brand with a noble mission to support the homeless.

Building on the success of the online series, Balbuena ventured into the cap business during the pandemic, now serving as the CEO of Tambay Traders, Inc., a duly registered firm. Two years ago, he sold 1,000 caps at the price of P1,000.00 each, and these caps have now become highly

sought-after collectibles, with some versions fetching as much as P25,000. Balbuena’s signature on the caps significantly enhances their value and desirability.

Reflecting on his remarkable journey, Balbuena recalled a time three years ago when he had no gigs or movie projects, right around the time of his baby’s birth. He attributes his subsequent success to his wife, Aira, who unwaveringly believed in him and provided the necessary capital to pursue his dreams. Balbuena extended an open invitation to unemployed Filipinos and their supporters, encouraging them to participate in the sale of Tambay caps. The brand’s vision is to involve individuals and create income opportunities without any upfront

investment.

Balbuena emphasized the transformative impact of the Tambay caps business, providing a lucrative and positive alternative to engaging in negative activities. The profit margin is substantial, and an active Facebook group of 38,000 members is dedicated to selling Tambay caps around the clock.

As the Tambay caps brand celebrates its second anniversary on September 30, Balbuena has promised a grand celebration during the Tambay Festival at Quezon Memorial Circle. Attendees can expect thrilling announcements, live music performances, jamming sessions, and the participation of bands, artists, performers, and the vibrant Tambay community.

to headline ManiPopCon 2023 in Manila

By Angelica Villanueva

JAPANESE actor Mackenyu Arata of Netflix’s One Piece is heading to the Philippines to grace the upcoming Manila Pop Culture Convention (ManiPopCon) which will be held from November 17 to 19 at Ayala Manila Bay.

Chief Geek Officer Marco Aventajado shared the good news during the press conference of the highly-anticipated pop culture event.

Mackenyu gained popularity as he brought the character of Roronoa Zoro to life in Netflix’s live adaptation of the hit manga series, One Piece On the other hand, in a video posted by ManiPopCon, Mackenyu expressed his excitement to meet his Filipino fans.

“I’m happy to share that I’ll be appearing at ManiPopCon in Manila from November 17 to 19. See you guys there,” said Mackenyu.

With a portfolio that includes Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure and Tokyo Ghoul , the One Piece star is expected to take geeks on a thrilling journey through his experiences playing iconic characters. Aventajado also revealed that fans would be able to personally interact with Mackenyu while getting a photograph or an autograph at a designated location.

Alongside Mackenyu, other international guests such as Usagi Yojimbo creator Stan Sakai will also be attending the convention.

Stan is also going to talk about his plans for the upcoming 40th anniversary of Usagi Yojimbo

This year’s ManiPopCon also marks its comeback following its debut in 2019. As it finally returns, the event promises an electrifying lineup of events that will bring together multiple generations of Filipino geeks, all converging during this golden age of geeks.

“ManiPopCon is not just another convention; it’s the only one in the Philippines that brings together different geekdoms under one banner.

Whether you’re into movies, TV shows, cartoons, esports, or tabletop games, we’ve got it all covered. We’re here to make your geekiest dreams come true,” Aventajado said.

Five different areas will immerse attendees in the wonders of pop culture: ManiPopCon MainStage; Laro: The Philippine Games Convention; Concourse de Geek; Artist Alley; and Cinema Classics.

For more updates and to know how to get tickets to ManiPopCon 2023, geeks can go to their Facebook page.

‘One Piece’ star Mackenyu Arata April’s boy JC Regino makes own mark in

By Angelica Villanueva

JC Regino, the son of the late singer-songwriter April Boy Regino opened up about what he misses most about his father.

“I miss how he used to guide me in composing my songs. In the past, I would seek his advice when writing my original songs. But now, I feel like there’s something missing,” JC shared during a press conference for his sophomore single, “Tama Na Sa ‘Kin Ikaw,” released under GMA Music.

The 29-year-old singer also expressed that his father always had the privilege of being the first to listen to his new songs.

“And now, whenever I write a song, no one else gets to hear it except me. There’s no one to provide feedback on the lyrics or whether it’s a great song,” he added.

JC fondly reminisced, “I also miss the days when we used to go outside for karaoke sessions.”

The OPM icon passed away in November 2020 due to acute respiratory failure at the age of 59. During that period, JC seized the opportunity to begin working on his debut single, “Idolo,” as a heartfelt tribute to his dad and his enduring contributions to Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

Now that he has begun creating his own name in the music scene when asked if he felt any pressure, especially since April Boy is an icon, he admitted that there’s always pressure.

“Of course, there is, especially since he had a lot of achievements under his name. He’s one of the legends. He’s great at singing, he’s great at performing, and he’s great at writing songs. So, there will always be pressure,” explained JC.

“However, I look at it on a more positive side. Whenever people tell me how great my dad is, I always feel proud,” he reiterated.

When he started writing “Idolo,” he kept in touch with his uncles and former members of the April Boys, Vingo and Jimmy Regino, to ask for some advice. His second single, “Tama Na Sa ‘Kin Ikaw,” was written by his uncles, who also contributed as his backup vocals.

JC described his newest song as a track for those who are in love, pursuing love, and have already found their “the one.”

“The song means ‘you’re enough for me.’ It tells about the endless love of a person who will never hurt the one he or she loves,” explained JC.

“Tama Na Sa ‘Kin Ikaw” is now streaming on all digital music platforms.

PERFORMING to soldout shows, packed auditoriums, and the roar of highoctane applause

Music Museum at 8:30 p.m.

Hailed as one of the most iconic and respected performing artists and a brilliant stand-up comedian, Kumar has proven to be a multi-talented performer, entertaining millions as a comedian, TV host, actor, dancer, director, and author over the last three decades.

Widely known for poking fun at all things controversial, Kumar’s caustic remarks based on everyday observations, dayto-day life experiences, and idiosyncrasies are bound to have audiences bowling over with laughter.

Delicately woven together with the intention to amaze and tickle the funny bone transcending across age, gender, ethnicity, class, and

Kumar has been touring successfully the latest show Kumarsutra: Greatest Hits selling out shows in London, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Jakarta, Bali, Bangkok, and more.

Kumar has made Manila one of the stops for the tour and is eager to meet fans in the city.

Shares Kumar on the upcoming

the first time I’m performing in Manila and I can’t wait to bring my funniest bits. It’s going to be fun and exciting as I’ve always wanted to perform for my Pinoy fans. You’ve been really genuine and supportive on my social media and I look forward to meeting all of you in person.”

For tickets, visit https:// premier.ticketworld.com.

comedian, Kumar continues to travel the world on a multi-country, multicity tour.

Having just finished a massive run of shows titled Guilty , selling over 20,000 tickets at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, the comedy diva hits the shores of Manila on October 7 to perform at the

race, Kumarsutra: Greatest Hits will be the culmination of Kumar’s best material performed in shows through the decades, thus establishing this talent as one of South Asia’s most successful and famous comedians of this generation.

Businessman and rapper Joaquin Balbuena

LIFE

A cinematic journey through Korea’s excellence and culture

THIS year’s Korean Film Festival (KFF) took audiences on an extraordinary cinematic journey with Korea’s filmmaking excellence, rich and captivating narratives, and breathtaking locations and vistas.

Ka-ja! (Let’s go!) Korea through Films: Korean Film Festival 2023 invited moviegoers to experience the heart and soul of Korea through its carefully curated selection featuring seven award-winning films.

The festival ran from September 23 to 26 at five SM Cinema branches in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao: SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM Seaside Cebu and SM Lanang Premier. Admission was free and on a first-come, first-served basis. The Korean Film Festival 2023 was presented by the Embassy of the Republic

of Korea and the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC), in partnership with SM Cinema, the Korean Film Council, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), and the Korea Tourism Organization Manila Office. Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa led the opening ceremony recently at the SM Cinema Mall of Asia. He was joined by National Commission for Culture and the Arts Chairperson Victorino Manalo, SM Supermalls Senior Assistant Vice President Perkin So, and Film Development Council of the Philippines Daniel David Morales

Flying in from Korea to join the opening were renowned K-film producers, The Lamp CEO Park Eunkyung, and Film Production Director, Lee Yeonhwa – the creative geniuses behind the box-office

sensation, Life is Beautiful, which was the festival’s opening film. Both Park and Lee also topbilled the festival’s Meet the Mentor series held at the De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde. Audiences got a unique opportunity to enjoy an award-winning selection of films that have captured audiences worldwide. These included the joyful and uplifting musical Life is Beautiful; the stunning black and white drama, The Book of Fish; the compelling independent film Bori; and must-see films Director’s Intention; Everglow; Gyeongju; and Jukdo Surfing Diary. Audiences were in for a visual treat with scenic locations across Korea - Gangneung, Busan, Jeju, Gyeongju, Yangyang, Paju, and Sinan - providing the backdrop for each of the films.

‘Expanding Horizons’

exhibit organized by the Rotary Club of Manila, the Expanding Horizon Ozo spent weeks with the members of Angels of Rendu Art Club (ARAC), the young artists living at Hospicio de San Jose in Manila City.

The artist created two artworks for the exhibit, together with the children. He did the initial sketches, and let the young artists paint the rest.

IFIRST met artist Spencer Ozo during the opening of his solo exhibit, titled positive | negative, at Conrad Manila’s Gallery C.

I remember being touched by his story of how his artistic journey began, how he channeled his pain of losing loved ones into the canvases.

And when someone survives that unbearable pain, it becomes his emphatic tool to become an emotional support for others.

This is perhaps one of the many reasons the artist participated in the fundraising

“I had so much fun working with the children. I would go here on weekends to paint with them. They have the talents, you just need to guide them and refine their technique,” said Ozo.

What struck him during his visits was how much love and kindness these children have in their hearts even if they have nothing.

“There was one time when someone delivered food. They made sure that everyone had food. One of them was not in the room, but they saved food for him. It’s easy for some of us to forget to be kind, but these children, it seems innate to them,” shared Ozo.

Being generous even when you have nothing is simply love.

Generosity seems to be the theme of the exhibit. Other artists Solenn Heussaff, Melissa Yeung Yap, Kate Bautista, Jean Uy Yam, and Phillip Ong also shared their talents and materials with the kids.

RCM also tapped these

Watercolor competition marks 35th edition

KULAY Sa Tubig, the renowned watercolor competition in the Philippines, celebrated its 35th edition at SM Megamall’s Mega Fashion Hall. Showcasing elite aquarelle artists, this competition spotlights the complexity of watercolor art.

Initiated by Gallery Genesis founder Araceli Salas Kulay Sa Tubig provides an annual platform for local artists to shine. Watercolor’s growing prominence in the Philippine art scene is evident, captivating audiences with its photo-like precision. The top five artists, including Julian Eymard Paguiligan and Emmanuel Silva, impressed judges with their mastery of subject matter, technique, and

composition. The challenge of watercolor lies in its unforgiving nature, where a small mistake demands significant time and effort to rectify.

Newly inducted into the Hall of Fame, Julian Eymard Paguiligan expressed his gratitude, reflecting on the competition’s rigor and the prestige of his achievement.

Gallery Genesis President Patrice Salas extolled watercolor as an ideal starting point for collectors, citing its timeless value. She also praised the enduring partnership between SM Malls and Kulay Sa Tubig, underscoring SM Megamall’s pivotal role in supporting Philippine art.

artists to join the art exhibit for the benefit of Hospicio de San Jose Rendu Ward.

Aside from showcasing the artistic abilities and unique perspectives of the young artists, Expanding Horizon aims to raise funds for the completion of the Rendu ward, which will serve as the shelter of kids with special needs staying inside the welfare institution.

True to its mission of making a positive difference in the community and creating hope in the world, the Rotary Club of Manila (RCM) has been supporting the hospicio for years.

Built in 1810, Hospicio de San Jose has been taking care of vulnerable children, and elderly, and people with special needs.

Hospicio de San Jose has taken many of them under its protection, providing them with a nurturing and supportive environment where medical and rehabilitative care, spiritual enrichment, psycho-social support, and companionship are available to them.

“I was looking for an opportunity where my talent will be an instrument to help others, I am so glad that two of my collaborative artworks were sold and will benefit the kids of Hospicio. The exhibit is still open and all are encouraged to get a piece of artwork in order to help,” Ozo said.

Expanding Horizons Art Exhibit is on view until October 1, at LRI Design Plaza in Makati City.

With every painting, you get a feel of these children’s love and more.

Sinag 2023, mythical folk creatures illuminate CCP Complex

FILIPINO artist Abdulmari “Toym” De Leon-Imao, Jr. creates art installations at CCP Liwasang Kalikasan for mythical creatures like kapre aswang, and more. Launching with Sinag 2023 to celebrate CCP’s 54th anniversary. Slated on September 28, 7:00 p.m., at the Front Lawn, Sinag 2023 encapsulates CCP’s activities as an institution, extending its programs, projects, and productions to different venues, cities, and regions in the country in line with the ongoing rehabilitation of its Main Building. As the sun sets, the iconic façade serves as a canvas for visual illumination, conceptualized by CCP light designers Camille Balistoy, Danilo Villanueva, Louie Alcoran, and Shantie De Roca

The visual spectacle will be complemented by the playful and apocalyptic music by Soundridemusic and Makai-symphony spliced by Jerry Tria

A video mapping project caps the light and sound show. Reily Villaruz created the video mapping projection, highlighting the institution’s productions and performances beyond the Main Building in the past nine months. It will also give the audience a glimpse of productions and performances in the coming months and years ahead. The video mapping project is set to the music of Jed Balsamo’s Rurok

After the light and sound show at the Front Lawn, the audiences will be directed to Liwasang Kalikasan to witness the unveiling of the mythical creature art installations by Imao, dubbed Tanod Lupa

with sound design by TJ Ramos. There will also be performances from Monzter Jam Acoustic band.

Launched on April 20 during CCP’s Earth Day celebration, the Tanod-Lupa art installation by Abdulmari drew from pre-colonial patterns. For the September launch, Imao expanded the installation with three more mythological creatures, bringing them to life through materials like welded steel, ropes, and colorful LED lights.

The installation also incorporated a Sarimanok lantern, revitalized by Kapampangan craftsmen.

CCP aimed to celebrate Philippine folklore and mythological creatures. Rather than portraying them as scary, CCP sought to make them fun and educational, demystifying these creatures in the context of stories about climate change and cultural promotion.

Toym Imao, inspired by his multicultural heritage, inherited his fascination with mythology from his Kapampangan mother and Tausug father, both rich in mythological stories.

Among the creatures, tikbalang is his favorite, fascinated by its dual nature as both a friend and a heroic figure in some stories.

The Sinag light and sound show at CCP Front Lawn is scheduled for September 29 to October 1 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with 30-minute intervals. The Tanod

at Liwasang

from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Korean musical film ‘Life is Beautiful’ headlines the Korean Film Festival 2023

Spencer works with the members of the Angels of Rendu Art Club (ARAC) of Hospicio de San Jose

working with the art

Actress Solenn Heusaff (middle), together with Mike Albano (left) and Spencer Ozo (right), attends the launching of the ‘Expanding Horizon’ art exhibit

Spencer Ozo, other artists unite to spread hope and charity

Spencer Ozo participates in Rotary Club of Manila’s ‘Expanding Horizon’ exhibit

‘After the Rain in Blumentritt’ by Emmanuel Silva

Toym explains to the crowd the ‘Kapre’ art installation during the CCP Earth Day Celebration

(Photo by Orly Daquipil)

Lorenzo Ignacio’s ‘Cross Current’