Manila Standard - 2023 October 2 - Monday

Speaker says House, DSWD set to give out cash aid to 3m poor

By Rio N. Araja

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin Ro-

mualdez on Sunday said the House of Representatives and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will provide cash assistance

in the coming days to promptly address the issue of poverty across the nation due to the high prices of rice and other commodities.

The Malaya Rice Project is set to begin in Metro Manila next week to

Rice price cap seen lifted soon

Diokno: Data on harvest, supply to guide PBBM decision in meet

By Julito G. Rada

ASUFFICIENT supply of rice and a good harvest may lead the President to lift the price ceiling on regular and well-milled rice soon, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said over the weekend.

“We will meet next week to assess when to lift the price cap,” said Diokno, who earlier admitted he was “shocked” when the price ceilings were announced Aug. 31 without consultations with the economic team.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan earlier said the price ceiling helped lower the prices of rice, but added that it would not be

good to keep them for a long time.

Diokno said the lifting of the cap would be triggered by data that shows a good rice harvest and the coming of rice imports.

The Finance secretary emphasized that the President is the decision maker and the role of Cabinet secretaries is to give the best advice based on the most recent information.

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Importation hurting local poultry industry, says DA

By Othel V. Campos

IMPORTATION in recent years has led to huge opportunity losses for the local poultry industry, as the Department of Agriculture (DA) aims to reverse these losses and give the country better food security, an official said over the weekend.

At the recent Poultry Forum 2023, Agriculture Undersecretary Deogracias

Victor B. Savellano echoed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call to raise local livestock and poultry production by five times within the next five years.

He noted that chicken meat importation has been rising consistently over the

Over 1k nabbed for election gun ban; Cops monitor 38 private armed groups

By Vince Lopez

OVER a thousand people have been arrested for violating the gun ban imposed for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on October 30, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Sunday.

PNP spokesperson Police Colonel

Protect us from Chinese ships, fishers ask Navy, PCG

FISHERMEN appealed to the government on Sunday to increase coast guard and naval patrols to protect them from the Chinese Coast Guard, which has stepped up their efforts in recent months to keep them from entering the Scarborough

(Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag) Shoal lagoon, where fishes are abundant.

In an interview on radio dzBB, the spokesman of the Bigkis ng Mangingisda Federation in Masinloc, Zambales said Chinese vessels and rubber boats con-

tinue to block Filipino fishermen from entering the lagoon. “Chinese fishing vessels are also outside, but they can fish more freely in our reef. When Filipino fishermen insist

Jean Fajardo said 1,063 gun ban violators

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and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Jenny was last located 760 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan. The storm was packing maximum sus-

was

SHINING BRIGHT AT 65. SM Supermalls launches its 65th Anniversary by lighting up its iconic landmarks in blue, including SM Megamall (pictured), MOA Globe, Mega Tower, Seaside Cube, Skyranch Tagaytay, Baguio Eye, and Pampanga Eye. The mesmerizing lights are also present at SM Mall of Asia, SM City North EDSA, SM Aura, SM Makati, and SM Lanang in Davao.

PALAY. Farmers take advantage of a break in recent rains to spread unhusked rice or palay on an unused portion of a road in Arayat town in Pampanga on Sunday. Robert Gines

‘Be hard to reach to avoid scams’

THE public should ignore calls requesting personal information or PIN (personal identification number) codes, and being more difficult to reach can help them avoid mobile phone scams, an official said Sunday.

Undersecretary Alexander Ramos of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) said banks or telecommunication companies do not ask for personal information through calls.

Rice...

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“Once a decision is made, our next job is to implement and not to question the [President’s] decision,” he said.

Prices of rice are falling in markets across Metro Manila, but the price cap imposed by the government may remain until end-October, a Department of Agriculture official said previously.

The falling prices are not enough to remove the P41 to P45 price cap on regular and well-milled rice, DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban said in a TV Patrol interview.

“Prices have fallen by about P5 per kilo, but that’s not enough," Panganiban said. But according to Balisacan, the price ceiling may be lifted soon.

“I think even the President is aware of the dangers of a long and unnecessary price cap. It is expected to be short-term and temporary,” Balisacan told ANC.

Earlier, the President rejected a proposal of the Department of Finance to temporarily reduce the tariff on imported rice from 35 percent to as low as zero, a proposal that farmers denounced.

Rice, which accounts for around 9 percent of the consumer basket, was one of the triggers of the two-month high

Protect...

From A1 on entering, they are being blocked and chased by Chinese Coast Guard rubber boats,” said Henrelito Empoc, the group’s spokesperson, speaking in Filipino.

Empoc appealed to the government to increase the presence of the Philippines’ security forces in the Scarborough Shoal to guard them against Chinese vessels while they are fishing.

The fishermen would be glad if they knew there were personnel from the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to back them up in case anything happens.

“The only request of our fishermen is that there is someone watching over them from the Philippine authorities, and not from the China Coast Guard, which only continues to harass them,” he said.

The PCG earlier urged Filipino fishermen to keep operating at Scarborough Shoal and other sites in the South China Sea, pledging to step up patrols there despite the huge Chinese presence.

Empoc also said Filipino fishers earn a lot less compared to before.

Arnel Satam, the Subic-based fisherman who tried to enter Scarborough Shoal to fish but was chased and had its path cut by the CCG boats, said he only earned P3,000 from that work trip.

His team was only able to haul one ton of fish, and these were sold in Cavite because fish prices in Subic were low.

“The income was low. It's not enough for the needs of the family... We just buy food we could afford. It is not enough for electricity and water bills,” the father of seven school-age children said.

He also said it was difficult to fish in some areas of the West Philippine Sea, particularly where damage has been done to the marine environment and the seabed’s coral reefs.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command (AFP-WesCom) earlier reported cases of massive coral harvesting along Rozul (Iroquois) Reef, which is within the Philippine’s exclusive economic zone. Chinese military and militia vessels were seen swarming in the area before.

Meanwhile, an analyst said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to dismantle the floating barrier China installed at the entrance of Scarborough Shoal has sent a strong message that Manila is ready to make a stand to protect its rights over the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“Our President is showing that the policy of course is not peace at all cost. We would like to have a peaceful, cooperative relationship with China but at the same time we will have to defend what we believe is ours,” De La Salle University Professor Renato Cruz de Castro said in a forum.

De Castro praised Mr. Marcos’ “decisiveness” in issuing the order to cut the barrier despite the risk of an “adverse reaction” from the Chinese side.

Their advice, he said, is to go to physical branches and talk to a bank or telco officer personally to update personal information.

It is also not advisable to respond to calls and texts from unknown sources,

5.3-percent inflation in August 2023 the Philippine Statistics Authority said.

Meanwhile, a Customs official said the bureau has filed four cases of agricultural smuggling against rice importers who were allegedly connected with the warehouse in Bulacan that was previously raided.

“I cannot name the accused. Three of them were charged with economic sabotage,” said lawyer William Balayo, acting director of the BOC’s Legal Service.

Asked why it takes time for the BOC to file the cases against suspected rice smugglers, officials said the government always gives the other party time to prove the legality of their imports and to give them due process.

The Customs Modernization and Tariff Act gives importers 15 days to present proof of payment of duties and taxes through hearings before imported goods are seized for violations.

The BOC said they were still building a case against the people behind the 42,000 sacks of smuggled rice confiscated in Zamboanga City.

The smuggled rice was eventually donated to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The BOC said on Sunday it confiscated 236,571 sacks of smuggled rice discovered in four warehouses in Bulacan province.

The 2016 arbitral award on the South China Sea recognized that the Scarborough Shoal, well within the country’s 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone, is a traditional fishing ground used by Filipinos for many generations.

De Castro said China putting a barrier at the entrance served as a “symbolism” that their action is “not simply directed against the government, it’s directed against ordinary Filipinos— the fishermen in Zambales”.

“In less than 24 hours of course the President made a decisive decision. It’s a very decisive decision because we also have to take into account how China would react, but he made a decision,” he said.

“The buck stops with him and of course, he took the challenge, (President Marcos) ordered to cut the buoy,” he added.

De Castro pointed out that Mr. Marcos’ decision also reflected his pursuit of an independent foreign policy adding it was made without consulting other partners like Japan, Australia, or the United States.

He believes the President’s move also caught Beijing by surprise because “they never expect us to push back.”

On Friday, the Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Vancouver arrived in the Philippines to participate in the military drills between the Philippines and the United States this week.

Commander Meghan Coates, commanding officer of the HMCS Vancouver, said this is the first time for Canada to join the Exercise Samasama.

Starting Oct. 1, the Canadian Embassy said Canada would also post a permanent defense attaché in the Philippines.

“Vancouver's participation in ‘Samasama’ is to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance maritime interoperability,” Coates said at a press conference aboard the warship on Saturday.

“We are honored by the opportunity to participate in this complex exercise, highlighting the collaboration between like-minded partners, training, and realworld environments.”

Coates said this participation reflects Canada’s commitment to increasing its engagement with regional partners and keeping the Indo-Pacific stable.

The HMCS Vancouver is the third Royal Canadian Navy ship to visit the Philippines this year after the HMCS Ottawa and Naval Replenishment Unit MV Asterix.

This is also Vancouver's second deployment to the Philippines after a port visit in 2022.

“Samasama,” scheduled from Oct. 2 to 13, is a bilateral exercise between the United States Navy and the Philippine Navy to boost the latter’s warfare capabilities for maritime security operations.

Apart from Canada, the drills also involve Japan, Australia, France, and the United Kingdom through subject-matter expert exchanges and humanitarian assistance and disaster response tabletop events.

Indonesia and New Zealand will send observers.

Ramos said in a Teleradyo interview, because those could be from cybercriminals who use a system called "click trap."

He said scammers can generate a list of numbers of potential victims through AI (artificial intelligence) and call or send text messages to see if the numbers are active.

Once a user responds, he said, scammers could unleash "all forms" of attacks. "If you answer, you're caught. It means they know that there is someone behind that number," Ramos said, noting that

cybercriminals have shifted their targets from institutions to individuals. He advised phone users to prevent phone apps from tracking their location by turning mobile data off when they don't need to be online.

"This is among the data collected by scammers and cybercriminals to know the behavior of a user. Remember that personal information, PIN codes, and photos are now becoming the new commodity online. These are sold at a high price," he said.

Socorro ‘victims’ to remain under gov’t custody

CHILDREN who are allegedly victims of Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) will remain in government custody, Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa said Sunday. Children that SBSI said should be allowed to appear before senators to debunk allegations against the group have yet to be cleared to testify, he added.

The organization based in Surigao del Norte is under investigation for reports of forced marriage involving minors and other alleged abuses.

In an interview on TeleRadyo Serbisyo, Dela Rosa said the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking will have custody of children who supposedly escaped from SBSI for now.

"I was informed by the (committee) Secretariat that Secretary Boying Remulla has signed off actions made by IACAT for the custody of the children," he said, referring to the Department of Justice-led body. At a Senate hearing this week, for-

Importation...

From A1 last 15 years, from 45.772 million kilos in 2008, 67.264 million in 2009, 101.957 million in 2010, 127.227 million in 2011, to 411.069 million last year.

United Broilers and Raisers Association (UBRA) chairman Gregorio San Diego also said during the same forum that importation has displaced local production worth an estimated P58.28 billion or about 299.36 million broiler chickens.

Importation, San Diego said, also affected 315.12 million day-old broilers with an estimated value of P9.138 billion, and 2.52 million broiler breeders worth P756.29 million. Lost sales from chicken byproducts -- head, feet, intestines, and blood -- totaled P5.98 billion, he added.

Both officials noted that importation also leads to lost employment opportunities in feed milling, trucking, and dressing plants, as well as foregone feed sales of about P4.87 billion.

Foregone sales from biologics such as animal vaccines, vitamins, antibiotics, and disinfectants were estimated at P3.63 billion.

Savellano also emphasized the significance of a sound indemnification program to encourage farmers to report cases of Asian swine fever and avian in-

Speaker...

From A1 benefit over 3 million people nationwide, including those in the low-income sector, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, single parents, and indigenous people.

"This is an initiative of the House and the DSWD to immediately help our fellow countrymen who are struggling while the government works on longterm solutions to hunger and expensive goods,” Romualdez said.

“The government understands the hardships of our fellow countrymen, so we are taking immediate steps to alleviate their suffering," he added.

‘Jenny’...

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According to PAGASA, Jenny is expected to turn west northwest by Tuesday afternoon towards the Luzon Strait and generally westward on Thursday.

A landfall or close approach scenario over the extreme northern Luzon was also not ruled out.

It is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday afternoon or evening. PAGASA hoisted Signal No. 1 over Batanes, where winds of 39 to 61 kph were expected in at least 36 hours. Intermittent rains may also be expected within the same time frame.

Jenny is expected to bring rainfall of up to 25 millimeters in mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Quezon including Polillo Islands, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar and Eastern Sama from Sunday afternoon to Monday afternoon.

mer Socorro mayor Mamerto Galanida appealed to senators dela Rosa and Risa Hontiveros to allow two child witnesses in the group's defense.

The move was aimed at countering the allegations hurled against SBSI by at least three minors, who said they had been forced to marry at age 12, trained as a child soldier, and made to perform hard labor.

The children Galanida asked the Senate to let testify are still in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development for evaluation, dela Rosa said.

In the same interview, Dela Rosa said Jey Rence Quilario, known to his followers as Señor Aguila, may just be a "dummy" for people acting as his advisers.

Dela Rosa, chair of the Senate Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Committee, said he arrived at that conclusion because of testimonies of the alleged child victims and other former members of the SBSI.

fluenza or bird flu to be able to contain these diseases and prevent an outbreak.

‘Right now, nobody is reporting. We really need to fund this program,” he said.

Savellano said the government will pursue all means to raise livestock and poultry production to achieve food security to go along with raising farmers’ profit and lowering farm product prices while ensuring the availability of sources of protein for consumers.

“Recommendations from various sectors are currently being heard and studied to learn how, when, and where government actions are to be applied to boost our poultry sector,” he said.

“We have started to meet with stakeholders to strategize a common direction and priorities in order to significantly increase our local food production, making it efficient, robust, and profitable for farmers,” the DA official added.

Savellano said that as food security is national security, raising local agricultural production will be prioritized and will be realized through a consultative approach to governance.

“We will find ways to produce more to lessen importations. By consulting with livestock associations on how much each sector can produce, we will know the actual demand. It will be the consideration in determining the minimal quantity of imports,” he said.

Under the program, each beneficiary would receive P1,500 in cash assistance, of which P570 is intended for the purchase of 15 kilos of rice at only P38 per kilo.

The affordable rice would be sold outside the payout centers on that day.

The remaining P930 can be used for their other needs and expenses.

Beneficiaries would come from various congressional districts based on a list submitted by lawmakers.

“The government will not cease to assist the poor during these times because they need our help more than ever," Romualdez said.

"We will always be here, ready to respond to their needs,” he added.

It is also expected to continue enhancing the southwest monsoon or “habagat” and bring occasional to monsoon rains over the western portions of central and southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in the next three days.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said the trough of Jenny will bring rains over northern Luzon and the Bicol region, while the habagat will bring rains over Palawan, Mindoro, western Visayas and the western parts of Calabarzon and central Luzon from Monday to Tuesday.

By Wednesday to Friday, Palawan, Mindoro, western parts of Calabarzon, central Luzon, Ilocos and Cordillera may experience scattered to monsoon rains.

Metro Manila will be mostly sunny with afternoon thunderstorm on Monday, and mostly cloudy with scattered rains for the remainder of the week.

PAGASA likewise said two or three more tropical cyclones may form inside or enter PAR this month. Rio N. Araja

Owner, driver of SUV in viral fight summoned

By Rio N. Araja

THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) has served show-cause orders (SCOs) against the driver and the owner of a sports utility vehicle that was involved in a recent viral road rage incident with a bicycle rider in Marikina City.

In the video, the SUV hit the rider of the bicycle. The driver then alighted from the SUV at the pedestrian lane and engaged the bike rider in a fistfight, which obstructed traffic in the area.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said the bicycle rider was also invited to the LTO-National Capital Region office and was requested to submit a notarized written complaint and other supporting documents as part of the agency’s investigation.

LTO-NCR director Roque Verzosa III issued the separate SCOs to the registered owner and the driver of the white Nissan Patrol (plate number NFY-4437). He directed them to submit notarized affidavits stating why they should not be held liable for violations of Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

Both the registered owner and the driver of the SUV are facing cases of reckless driving, obstruction of traffic, and improper person to operate a motor vehicle under RA 4136, and disregarding traffic signs under Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01.

The order was served to the registered owner of the SUV in Novaliches, Quezon City, while the SCO for the driver was served at his house in Antipolo City.

Mendoza said the registration of the vehicle would be preventively suspended for 90 days unless the case is resolved earlier.

Over...

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The PNP also said Sunday it was monitoring 38 potential private armed groups (PAG) and one active PAG.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Fajardo said the number of potential armed groups being monitored by security forces as of September 29 had decreased from over 40 to 38.

“Based on the assessment of our security forces, some have become dormant. Some are no longer monitored being on the move as their leaders and members have been caught,” the spokesperson said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also said communist rebels absorbed “crushing defeats” at the hands of government troops with sustained focused military operations of the Visayas Command (VISCOM) as the village elections nears.

For the month of September alone, 12 government-initiated armed encounters transpired in the entire region against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA).

These led to the neutralization of 54 NPA terrorists, 19 of whom died during encounters, as 32 returned to the fold of the law while three were apprehended, the AFP said in a statement.

Government troops also seized 38 assorted firearms and nine anti-personnel mines during the period.

Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, VISCOM Commander, emphasized that the troops’ “collective efforts with the local government units in clearing the barangays from NPA infestation have gained ground.”

The PNP earlier announced it was considering including 246 barangays as election areas of concern under the red category, which will be placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Most of these barangays are in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, and Bicol Region.

Fajardo said violators of the firearms ban were not the only ones caught at Comelec checkpoints. Also caught were suspects who were the subjects of police operations.

The election period and the prohibition on the bearing, carrying, or transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons and the employment or engagement of the services of security personnel or bodyguards was set from August 28 to November 29.

Fajardo said the PNP had also initially monitored three active PAGs in Central Luzon, but two groups had surrendered to authorities.

A total of 1,248 barangays are in the orange category, while 1,100 are in the yellow category

IN BRIEF

‘Lawyering a service for justice, truth’

SUPREME Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo has reminded aspiring lawyers that lawyering is a service to those in need of justice and truth and “should always prioritize public service and the administration of justice over personal gain.”

Speaking during the graduation ceremony of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila last Sept. 28, Gesmundo underscored the ongoing reforms in the country’s justice system as he emphasized “the core value of service that remains unchanged.”

Gesmundo challenged the new law graduates to be “agents of transformation themselves, to open pathways to opportunities, not just for ourselves and those we care about, but for our fellow human beings, especially those in the margins.”

However, the top magistrate cautioned the graduates, not only of PLM’s College of Law, that the work of transformation will not be easy.

Rey E. Requejo

Assessors shortage challenge for TESDA

SENATOR Win Gatchalian said on Sunday the shortage of qualified assessors remains a challenge for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

This was despite the government’s funding of assessment and certification for senior high school learners pursuing the technical-vocationallivelihood (TVL) track.

During a briefing of TESDA’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2024, Gatchalian pointed out that the Senate is moving to allocate around P1.5 billion for the assessment and certification of more than 470,000 senior high school learners taking the TVL track.

For School Year 2020-2021, there were 473,911 senior high school graduates who took the TVL track, 32,965 of which took the national certification. Macon Ramos-Araneta

‘Ensure benefits for uniformed men’

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed concerned government agencies to ensure the effective implementation of the Comprehensive Social Benefits Program (CSBP) for the police and the military.

Mr. Marcos gave the order during the “PBBM: Pagpupugay Para sa Mga Bayani ng Bansang Makabayan” thanksgiving event with CSBP beneficiaries at the Dusit Thani Residence in Davao City. The President and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio led the awarding

of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s six CSBP recipients. Some of the beneficiaries received houses and lots worth P400,000 per unit, plus employment, scholarships, and financial assistance.

Mr. Marcos acknowledged the con-

tributions of government troops who died or were wounded while performing their duties.

“The medical, financial, educational, employment, housing, and other social welfare assistances included in the CSBP are meant for you and the families bereaved by our brave soldiers in the line of duty,” the President said.

“That is why I am directing the concerned agencies to ensure the proper implementation of this program. Make sure the benefits reach our citizens immediately. As the New Philippines advances, all Filipinos will prosper and be partners

in this transformation.”

Mr. Marcos assured that his administration would continue to provide support to military and police personnel who are fulfilling their mandates to serve and protect the country.

The country, he said, could never repay the service they provide to keep it “peaceful, safe, and orderly.”

“Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. It is part of our collective consciousness. At this point, we also want to celebrate the success of the Comprehensive Social Benefits Program or CSBP. I’m sure all of you here now have received assistance from this,” he said.

VACC honors partners on 25th anniversary

By Rio N. Araja

AS PART of its recent 25th founding anniversary, the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) recently gave out awards to its loyal members, law enforcers, judiciary members, and media personalities who have made significant contributions to its fight against criminality and to the promotion of good governance.

VACC president Arsenio Evangelista and Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos led the awarding ceremonies at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City last Sept. 30.

Among the media awardees were Rio N. Araja of the Manila Standard; Marlon Purificacion of People’s Tonight and People’s Journal; Arlie Calalo of the Manila Times and Remate; Rod Vega, Glen Juego, Henry Atuelan, and Rene Sta. Cruz of dzBB; Mar Gabriel of Net 25; Zyann Ambrosio, Sherrie Ann Torres, and Henry Omaga Diaz of ABS-CBN; and Bayani Bacuño Jr., Jun Veneracion, and Emil Sumangil of GMA Integrated News. Public Attorney’s Office chief Dr. Persida Acosta was the recipient of the Hall of Fame award in recognition of her professional excellence, leadership, and dedicated public service.

The families of the late DILG undersecretary Martin Diño, exVACC chairman; Department of Migrant Workers secretary Maria Susan “Toots” Ople; Dr. James Dy, Chinese General Hospital president; and Rosita Roque, ex-VACC chief coordinator, received posthumous awards, along with a special citation for broadcast journalist Mike Enriquez, who passed away recently.

ANTI-RABIES SHOT. In an advance celebration of World Animal Day and the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4, fur parents and their pets flock to the St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Malate, Manila on Sunday for the annual free anti-rabies vaccines and spaying program of the church and the local government of Manila. Norman Cruz

CA junks suspect’s plea in hazing

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Court of Appeals (CA) has junked the plea of one of the accused in the fatal hazing of University of Sto.

Tomas freshman law student Horacio “Atio” Castillo III.

The plea, filed by Ralph Trangia, sought to compel a Manila City regional trial court judge to inhibit from hearing and deciding the violation of the AntiHazing Law case filed against Trangia and several others.

In a decision promulgated on September 22, 2023 and penned by Associate

Bill giving cash to elderly passes on final reading

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

A SENATE bill filed by Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. will mandate the government to give cash gifts to citizens reaching 80 and 90 years old.

Previously, only elderly citizens reaching 100 years old were eligible for the government cash gifts.

Revilla is the principal author of Senate Bill No. 2028 which substituted Senate Bill No. 21, the first measure he filed during the 19th Congress.

The senator said the bill is now nearing enactment after it successfully hurdled the third and final reading in the Senate last Sept. 25, which incidentally was his 57th birthday.

Under the “Revilla Bill,” all Filipinos reaching 80 and 90 years old shall receive cash gifts amounting to P10,000 and P20,000 respectively. Those reaching the age of 100 shall continue to receive P100,000 and a letter of felicitation from the President of the Philippines.

Currently, only those who reach the age of 100 are entitled to cash benefits, but Revilla said that only a few Filipino senior citizens live up to the centenarian age, hence the need to amend it.

He noted that this is proof of giving importance, love, and care to our grandparents and elders.

Revilla said this is his top most priority bill which expanded the coverage of “Centenarians Act of 2016” to benefit octogenarians and nonagenarians.

The Revilla Bill received 20 affirmative votes with no negative votes and zero abstentions.

According to Revilla, he was elated and thankful for his priority measure.

IN BRIEF

Teachers to receive P1k incentive today

Justice Rafael Antonio Santos, the CA’s First Division resolved to deny the petition of Trangia, one of the accused in the death of Castillo, seeking to compel Acting Presiding judge Shirley MagsipocPagalilauan of Manila City Regional Trial Court, Branch 20, to inhibit from hearing his case on ground that the judge did not

commit grave abuse of discretion in refusing to grant the motion for inhibition filed by the petitioner.

The appellate court did not give weight to Trangia’s claim the alleged failure of the judge to address the issues he raised in his demurrer to evidence shows that she would not be able to decide with utmost partiality.

“After a careful review of the record of this case, as well as the applicable laws and jurisprudence, the Court finds that petitioner failed to prove his allegation that a court a quo committed grave abuse of discretion

when it denied his motion for inhibition,” the CA decision said.

Trangia has sought the inhibition of Pagalilauan on grounds of alleged partiality in denying his motion for demurrer evidence last February 24, 2022, which seeks the immediate dismissal of the case on the ground of insufficiency of evidence.

On March 10, 2022, the respondent judge issued an order denying Trangia’s motion, prompting the latter to move for the reconsideration of the said order, but the same was denied on March 28, 2022.

Speaker condoles with Digong on sister’s passing

By Rio N. Araja

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Sunday expressed his deepest sympathies to former President Rodrigo Duterte and his family following the passing of his younger sister, Jocelyn Duterte-Villarica, on Sept. 29.

“We deeply share their grief over

their loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time,” he said.

“Our Lord has a way of healing one’s pain. May He comfort them and their loved ones,” he added.

Jocelyn Duterte-Villarica passed away last Friday, according to the Facebook page of Senator Christopher

“Bong” Go. According to Go’s Facebook post, he and former president Duterte personally to Duterte-Villarica’s home in in Cavite.

“Ma’am Jocelyn was with her son Bambino, Vince, nurses, and other staff in her final moments,” Go’s social media post also said.

‘ZUMBA’ PROTESTS. Teachers staged protest actions through a “Zumba” session in front of the Department of Education (DepEd) office in Manila on Sunday to call for salary increases, more classrooms, and a bigger budget for education.

Norman Cruz

QUEZON City Rep. Marvin Rillo on Sunday said 900,000 public school teachers from the Department of Education will receive a P1,000 cash on October 5 under the “World Teachers’ Day Incentive Benefit (WTDIB).”

“In the 2023 General Appropriations Law, Congress earmarked the amount of P900 million to pay for the WTDIB in the amount of P1,000 per teacher on Oct. 5,” he said.

“We, in Congress, are totally committed to provide the annual appropriations required to pay for the WTDIB of our teachers,” he added.

Public school teachers first enjoyed the WTDIB four years ago when Congress inserted the incentive benefit as an item in the General Appropriations Law of 2019 with an initial funding of P800 million.

“In fact, in the 2024 national budget that the House approved last week, we’ve set aside another P912 million to pay for the WTDIB of our teachers next year,” Rillo said. Rio N. Araja

Go urges more health services for the poor

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, urged the Department of Health to step up plans to provide better health services to poor patients.

Among those mentioned by Go is the continuing operations of Malasakit Centers, the establishment of more Super Health Centers in strategic locations nationwide, and the proper implementation of the recently enacted Regional Specialty Centers Act.

The senator also appealed to the DOH to ensure that indigent patients are given the utmost attention in public hospitals.

He cited a recent department memorandum signed by (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa instructing medical center chiefs to ensure that all patients must be accorded the available services in Malasakit Centers.

The Malasakit Centers consist of various agencies offering medical assistance programs including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). Macon Ramos-Araneta

Solon hopes DBM hikes

Marawi fund to P5b

DEPUTY Minority Leader and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman said Sunday he is hoping that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will increase the Marawi Compensation Fund (MCF) from P1 billion to P5 billion as proposed in the 2024 national budget.

He said if the DBM fulfills its commitment, it will be a great achievement in favor of the Marawi siege victims who have been waiting for more than six years to have their houses reconstructed.

Hataman said he also got a commitment from the DBM that the PHP1 billion allocation for 2023 will be released next week.

He said, however, it is not enough compared to the number of families affected by the siege. Rio N. Araja

Daza, Tulfo support measure to punish ‘deadbeat’ parents

By Rio N. Araja

NORTHERN Samar Rep. Paul Daza

and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo are pushing for a bill for the protection of solo parents and to hold “deadbeat” parents accountable for refusing

to support their children.

Daza said he and Tulfo want to combine their efforts to push for the passage of House Bill No. 44 or the Child Support Bill and HB No. 8987 or An Act Punishing the Willful Failure to Pay Paternal Child Support through the Anti-Balasu-

PHA supports info campaign on heart disease

THE Philippine Heart Association (PHA) is supporting an information campaign to combat insufficient heart health knowledge in the country.

The PHA said this year’s World Heart Day theme “Use Heart to Know Heart” focuses on a global campaign to ease the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Bad genes, unhealthy lifestyle, and deliberate disrespect for your heart are culprits in the surging number of CVDs.

As the lead agency of the WHD celebration in the country, the PHA went a step further with “Use Heart to Know Heart” during the September 28 Usapang Puso sa Puso online forum.

The PHA emphasized the maximum benefits and importance of walking, thus the PHA WHD 2023 is sub- themed “Walk for a Healthy Heart.”

Dr. Walid Amil, PHA secretary and WHD 2023 chair/UPP moderator underscored that “walking is the best, most sustainable form of exercise as it is accessible to typically anyone, and it costs nothing to do yet reaps bountiful rewards for health.

“One of the best simple exercises to live healthier ang walking. Madali lang gawin araw-araw at wala namang kailangan na equipment or facilities” he said.

Around 620 million people are living with heart and circulatory diseases or CVDs, across the world, accounting for 20.5 million deaths in 2021, according to the World Heart Federation (WHF).

World Health Organization statistics revealed that more than four out of five CVD deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes, while one-third of these deaths happen prematurely to people under 70 years old.

bas Bill to obligate both fathers and mothers to provide adequate support for their abandoned children whether they are legitimate or illegitimate.

The duo took part in a policy forum recently held by the Department of Social Welfare and Development attended by 100

individuals from the family courts, social welfare and development agencies, local governments’ social welfare and development office, Kalipi Organization, Council for the Welfare of Children, DSWD-CO, and DSWD-National Capital Region as well as a group of single parents.

FRESH CATCH. A man offers his fresh catch of crabs to passing motorists along the main road in Labrador, Pangasinan. Robert Gines

Deafening silence

A FORMER consultancy principal during his term as senator, Orly Mercado, a certified mass communications expert, used to tell us that often, when political ‘turbulence’ happens, the best way to respond is to simply ‘fasten your seat belts’ and wait for it to abate.

Indeed, using the analogy of a plane ride, air turbulence usually has a short if disturbing shelf life. “Lilipas din ‘yan,” he would say, just as when people greeted him on his birthday, he would quip that “isang araw lang ‘yan, lilipas din.” Rarely did the former senator give a party to celebrate his natal day.

The ‘deafening silence’ response, or better yet, non-response, may have been applicable in the last decades of the 20th century where tri-media was the only channel of mass communication, but in these days of the prevalence of social media, fastening seat belts and waiting for the turbulence to pass away is no longer applicable.

Print, television and radio normally cannot sustain hot news beyond its usual shelf life of a week, except when it has several twists and turns that keep reviving the news from becoming stale.

Just look at the saga of her senator chums, whether clowns or politically resurrected recipients of much worse accusations in their colorful past

An example is the Napoles ghost projectsfrom pork barrel-scandal, where new revelations kept cropping up, such that it never died until Madam Janet was in prison, and likewise her “suki” among well-known political personalities.

The scandal resurrects every now and then, but then again, Filipinos have short memories, which explains why Madam Janet’s favorite suki are back in power while she continues to languish in prison.

But that’s another story. So let us shift to yet another issue concerning the abuse or mis-use of public funds.

Vice-President Inday Sara Duterte has been quite nonchalant, dismissive even, about the confidential and intelligence funds scandal, even the contingency funds from where it would seem the DBM justified the fund transfers from the Office of the President.

And in the singular opportunity where she responded, she launched ad hominems against her ‘accusers.’ mainly the lady senator and lady congresswoman for whom she has “no respect” and who she classifies as part of the ‘left.’ her perennial bete noire.

That instant retort was certainly ill-advised, assuming she has advisers who know better, or to whom she listens.

Such labelling invites fierce reactions, as had happened, even if her camp suspects some ‘evil plotters’ leaked the information to the ‘leftists’ as part of a demolition job against the vice-president who is considered by many as a shoo-in for the 2028 presidential derby.

And fierce tempest indeed accompanied the opening of the can of worms, after layer upon layer of revelations regarding the provenance of her confidential bounty were peeled in time for the plenary budget circus in the House of Representatives.

Silence is not golden when demolition crews attack.

And the attacks have intensified in social media, where naughty memes have proliferated, spiced with the usual sardonic humor that is the ‘talent’ of Filipinos.

If she listens to advice, and assuming she has qualified advisers, and further assuming these advisers have sifted through the minutiae of the provenance, back-tracking through their files, which included a letter to the Office of the President, doing what the late PFVR kept insisting on --- ‘CSW’ or complete staff work, a

No more ‘secret’ funds?

better response to the instant accusations could have been formulated. She had that moment when she faced the Senate finance committee that was going through the budget submissions of the National Expenditure Program, the “President’s budget”

it is often called.

Listening to her in the Youtube replay of that committee hearing, she calmly told her inquisitors that it really is up to the legislature whether to grant the 2024 CIF to her offices, both in the OVP and DepEd where she presides.

But she stopped at that declaration, which was thus taken as haughty challenge.

It was a lost moment.

A ‘killer’ statement from her could have quelled the howling storm before it reached calamity proportions.

Imagine if Inday Sara used that moment to say that she was foregoing those entitlements proposed in the President’s budget, with emphasis on “the President’s budget,” and instead asked the legislators to add the same as additional “ayuda” to palay farmers, or subsidies to hinterland schools serving the children of indigenous tribes where the NPA-NDF operate.

Sure she would lose those funds, a measly amount when measured against 2028 political prospects, but she would have won the day, captured the moment, and quelled the noise.

Then her ‘defenders’ would not have had to go through ill-thought contortions, such as Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo’s definition of “zero” as an appropriation, something that made lesser mortals from the UP School of Economics (where she graduated summa cum laude) shrink in embarrassment.

Nor how she spent the fund transfer from the OP in 2022 come up in further deliberations.

Now a committee of four, composed of a mega-contractor turned appropriations chairman, her initial ‘defender’ Quimbo, a Samareno who fiddles with the classic guitar, and the Zamboangueno majority floor leader, will “decide” the fate of her entitlements, all of them beholden to the man she earlier chided with a Bisaya descriptive.

If she had not ‘lost’ that Senate moment by haughty nonchalance, she would have achieved both an accepted ‘mea culpa’ and ‘case closed’ in one graceful blow.

And I do not write this as 20/20 hindsight, because right after her Senate moment, in our Wednesday group as well as the younger group that I periodically meet (last Thursday’s column entitled “Bliss or bore”), some of whose members are respected journalists and public relations experts, I discussed that “What If She Said…?” idea, and got positive reactions.

Now the proverbial shit has hit the fan, and what could have been cut short by an act of ‘noblesse oblige’ has become fodder for political demolition and character assassination in social media.

Then again, she could take comfort in the fact that 2028 is a distant future in the world of Philippine politics.

And contrary to how the President fends off the description of our people as having a “damaged culture” (from American James Fallow’s description of us, explaining that ours is a “nation without nationalism but also without much national pride”), the Vice-President and her staff can perhaps harken to the thought that Filipinos easily forget, and they forgive all too easily.

Just look at the saga of her senator chums, whether clowns or politically resurrected recipients of much worse accusations in their colorful past. They have managed to bounce back from what seemed to be quicksand.

Lessons learned from this saga, which obviously would eat into her immense political capital, can yet be building blocks towards recovery. Continued silence would be disastrous.

And if I sound like a cynic, well, we live in a cynical society, whether it is called Bagong Lipunan or “Bagong Pilipinas.”

THE power of the purse is vested in Congress.

All appropriation, revenue or tariff bills, and bills authorizing increase of the public debt, shall originate exclusively in the House of Representatives, but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments.

This is what the 1987 Constitution states in very clear terms.

Recently, not a few government agencies, but particularly the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd), taking the cue apparently from the longstanding practice of allowing the President as Chief Executive and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to enjoy the power and privilege of getting access to confidential and intelligence funds, invoked the same power and privilege.

Confidential funds, by their very nature, are those associated with surveillance aimed at supporting an agency’s operations. Confidential funds do not require disclosure of where the money goes, unlike other regular spending. Intelligence funds, on the other hand, are usually spent by the military, police, and other uniformed personnel, as well as intelligence agencies, for infor-

mation-gathering activities that have a direct impact on national security and public safety.

But questions have been raised as to why the OVP and DepEd should be getting confidential and intelligence funds when their mandates do not include surveillance operations or information-gathering on so-called enemies of the State, such as rebels bent on seizing political power through the barrel of the gun.

This is the mandate of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police as well as paramilitary forces created for the specific purpose of

helping the military protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity and the police to maintain peace and order.

The House of Representatives, heeding public uproar that hundreds of millions of precious taxpayers’ money should not be spent for other projects or activities other than honest-to-goodness intelligence and confidential operations, is on the right track in deciding that henceforth such funds ought to go to agencies engaged in serious surveillance or intelligencegathering activities related to securing the West Philippine Sea.

Hence, lawmakers have reached a consensus to reallocate the secret funds to the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, National Security Council, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and Philippine Coast Guard.

It is true that confidential funds are prone to abuse precisely because they run counter to transparency and accountability that are hallmarks of good governance.

We understand that a House committee will soon delete the confidential and intelligence funds of no less than 10 agencies without any mandate to conduct surveillance and intelligence gathering.

This is the correct thing to do, since these agencies could secretly funnel such funds perhaps for partisan political activities, or make these simply disappear into private pockets when nobody’s looking.

Junction to progress, or to failure

SUBIC Bay is a premiere Philippine free port that offers huge business and investment opportunities.

It has a strategic location and accessibility, a world-class port, an international airport, and offers incentives for investors.

Endorsed officially by the governments of the Philippines and Japan in April 2022, the Subic Bay Regional Development Master Plan is a strategic initiative designed to fully harness the potential of Subic Bay and its neighboring regions.

This plan signifies a significant step towards an investment led growth that our country needs to step up from a service oriented and consumption economy by developing a thriving manufacturing sector.

The master plan covers development projects in the fields of logistics, industry, living functions, public utilities, road network, and coastal disaster management. It also seeks to enhance the port capacity and the connectivity of Subic Bay, as well as to help decongest Metro Manila.

However, what should now be an exciting atmosphere buzzing with excitement with potential investors scrambling to seize opportunities in Subic has been upset by the decision of the Supreme Court Third Division compelling the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority to uphold a February 2010 joint venture agreement with a company that has seemingly bypassed fundamental transparency and good governance guidelines in government contracting.

This development has undoubtedly stirred the waters, causing a nervous ripple effect in the investment landscape.

The controversial SC decision grants Harbour Center the authority to manage, develop, and operate the piers and wharves within the former US facility. Moreover, as per the JVA, Harbor Center is designated as the sole cargo handler for all goods within the Subic Freeport Zone, in other words, a monopoly.

To put some historical context to this decade old case, in 2011, the National Economic Development Administration, in fact invalidated the JVA because basic transparency in government contracts were not applied. The

unsolicited proposal to exclusively run the whole Subic free port was approved within just three months and happened during the period approaching the 2010 National Elections wherein engagement in new government contracts is banned.

Current locators in the freeport zone have voiced their apprehensions regarding the implications of enforcing the JVA and have urged the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority to clarify its stance on this matter, particularly considering its potential impact on local livelihoods, business viability, and the revenue share of the local government.

nectivity with its hinterlands, with a view to helping continued efforts to decongest Metro Manila.”

Japan, through JICA, has contributed technical support to maximize Subic’s economic development potentials. The plan covers potential development projects in various fields, including road networks, logistics terminals, and public utilities.

Some of the important projects in the plan are the road network for Olongapo’s Central Business District and Subic Bay West Coast, logistics terminals such as Alava Wharf, and public utilities such as the Philippine Coast Guard’s new support facilities, among others.

ILOKANDIA’s National Living Treasure, 99-year-old master weaver Magdalena Gamayo from Pinili, Ilocos Norte will hold this week a three-day exhibit sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts at its gallery in old Intramuros district in Manila.

The NCCA commissioned Bernard Guerrero, a cultural worker based in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, to be the curator of the national exhibition. He is a cultural heritage consultant to various local government units as well as to the Department of Tourism Region I.

The exhibit, starting Wednesday, will feature the life and works of Gamayo, who started weaving in her hometown when she was nine years old and now, after turning 99 last August 13, supervises weavers in her barangay in the outskirts of the garlic-producing town 10 kms away due east.

The exhibit will run from 8am to 6pm from Wednesday and Thursday and from 9am to 3pm on Friday. But she will only be at the NCCA Gallery on Thursday, according to officials from Pinili.

Mrs Gamayo’s works (including her old blankets woven as from the 1960s to the 1980s) will be brought to Manila, in the exhibit titled “Inubon a Dayaw (A String of Honor)” which will showcase her life’s efforts at weaving which made her in 2012 a National Living Treasure, the only one thus far from the Ilocos Region.

The 135-centimeter widow will be accompanied by officials from Pinili, headed by the town’s municipal accountant and Tourism Officer-designate Mavi Cercado, members of the Sangguniang Bayan and 10 weavers

The looming question now is, what becomes of the Subic master plan that received support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and was endorsed by Department of Finance only last year?

Is there a risk that this could turn into a master plan for failure, jeopardizing the sustainable development and economic stability of businesses and residents in the Subic area and its neighboring regions?

The regional master plan for Subic, a product of discussions between the Philippines and Japan in 2019, was met with great anticipation and optimism.

This plan, endorsed by both governments, was designed to unlock the full potential of Subic Bay as a new major economic driver of the Philippines.

According to a statement by the DoF, “The Master Plan envisages Subic Bay region’s economic future and concrete development proposals in both public and private sectors, with which the Philippine Government unlocks the full potentials of Subic Bay, including the port capacity and the con-

However, the SC order to resurrect the questionable Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with Harbor Center has cast a shadow over these promising developments. The silence of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on this matter is concerning.

The JVA, which contains an exclusivity provision, creates a monopoly that could potentially harm businesses and the livelihood of their employees. If the JVA with Harbor Center eclipses the JICA-aided Master Plan, it could jeopardize the income prospects of the free zone and the region.

The SBMA would then have to rely solely on Harbour Center’s development plan, despite doubts about the company’s financial or technical capability to undertake a project of this magnitude.

The question remains: What benefits would this bring to the people and industries of Subic?

What assurances do we have that there would not be economic harm or damage done? If there are no clear answers to these questions, then the path forward is evident. The SBMA must remember its primary duty to serve the people of Subic.

Ilokandia’s National Living Treasure to hold 3-day exhibit at NCCA Gallery Oct 4-6

from her museum in her rustic barangay. They are expected to arrive in the capital on Wednesday on a flight from the Laoag International Airport, some 40 kms from her town, and will go to the nearby National Museum the morning after to turn over her woven gifts. Gamayo will be at the NCCA Gallery on Thursday at 4 pm, then fly back to Ilocos Norte on Friday.

Part of the exhibit will be those woven by her understudies at the GAMABA Museum or the Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan in her agricultural barangay, nestled among verdant trees in the town where warriors walked during the Philippine American Revolution and World War II. Her woven fabrics will not be sold, but those woven by her companions at the Museum will be for sale.

The traditonal folk artist looks after the younger trainees – relatives and barangay neigbors – who get her scrupulous mentorship and counsel.

To date, Mrs. Gamayo is one of 16 individuals given the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or National Living Treasures Award, the highest state honor given to a Filipino in recognition of their outstanding work as a traditional folk artist.

A recipient of the award is “a Filipino citizen or group of Filipino citizens engaged in any traditional art uniquely Filipino, whose distinctive skills have reached such a high level of technical and artistic excellence and have been passed on to and widely practiced by the present generations in their community with the same degree of technical and artistic competence. In an earlier interview last summer, we were able to

To date, Mrs. Gamayo is one of 16 individuals given the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan

get a better glimpse of the woman who started weaving at age nine after finishing grade 3 in nearby barangay Sacritan, in efforts to help her siblings – four girls and five boys – and her parents. Which suggests she has been on the loom pedal for nearly 90 years.

Born in Pinili two years after the erstwhile barangays of Paoay, Badoc and Batac became Ilocos Norte’s 17th town, the self-possessed Magdalena watched her paternal aunts, whose roots are from Paoay, the town heretofore known across the region for its distinct woven fabric. There is a word called “abel” which is the Ilokano word for weave, and “inabel” can be interpreted to mean any kind of woven fabric.

In the world of weaving, inabel is particularly used to refer to textile distinctly Ilokano in origin.

With her at the center are 12 women and a male weaver – relatives and neighbors -- who are perpetuating and institutionalizing her winning design “Inubon a Sabong” which, loosely translated, means “A String of Flowers” – a quick reminder of the 1941 song “A String of Pearls” composed by violinist Jerry Grya with lyrics by Eddie DeLange and set into music by trombonist Glenn Miller and His Orchestra which became #1 hit, a big band and jazz standard.

Mrs. Gamayo’s understudies are also weaving other designs called in Ilokano bola bola, tawwa-tawwa, pinilian,, binakol, kusikos and sinan paid.

And she is ultracareful in her coaching to ensure comparative durability, which has become known in the region.

Buyers travel to Lumbaan-Bicbica through the cemented road from the town proper, only four kilometers from the MacArthur national highway that cuts through the Ilocos region from the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway.

Her backup members don’t get any wage, but she told us in the interview each gets two-thirds of their sale from their respective woven fabrics – bought in Vigan, Ilocos Sur or in Metro Manila – one third of which would be given to the center for its maintenance.

None to the government.

One fill-in can weave more or less 60 yards in a month, depending on the design of the fabric. From a small place of loom weavers prior to receiving her GAMABA, Mrs Gamayo now has, thanks to

the government, 18 looms and a wider space used for the GAMABA Cultural Center, funded by the provincial government.

There are other extra looms because of the rising number of trainees in the center, with one loom occupying 2 x 1 ½ square meter area.

There are times the weavers attend trade fairs sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, especially those in the capital – like the exhibit this week.

***

We take this space to invite awareness of Ilokanos to three recently published books by prize-winning writers from northern Philippines, all members of the national association of Ilocano writers who are marking their 55th year this month as a cohesive literary organization.

The books are titled “Manen, Adda Umuna (Again, There’s a First),” a compilation of award-winning poetry by Ariel Sotel Tabag, the incumbent president of GUMIL Filipinas from Villa, Santa Teresita, Cagayan; “Opas” and other short stories, a compilation of prize winning stories by Daniel Nesperos from San Lorenzo, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte.

The third is “Dagiti Bin-i Ti Kimat (Seeds of Lighting),” a Cultural Center of the Philippines grantee for novel in 1991 by Cles B. Rambaud, a Pedro Bucaneg Awardee from Puritac, Pinili, Ilocos Norte and the incumbent editor of the Manila-based Iloko publication Bannawag.

The books were published this year by Saniata Publications of Quezon City. Orders may be placed with online Lazada.

It is true that confidential funds are prone to abuse precisely because they run counter to transparency and accountability that are hallmarks of good governance

or National Living Treasures Award

The SBMA must remember its primary duty to serve the people of Subic

‘PH to stay fastest growing economy in Asia this year’

By Julito G. Rada

FINANCE Secretary Benjamin Diokno said over the weekend the Philippines will remain one of the most resilient economies in the region despite the global outlook downgrades expected by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

“I think the general sentiment, based on our conversation with the World Bank, is there will be downgrades globally. But the good news is that the Philippines will remain to be the fastest growing in this part of the world,” Diokno said

“We can beat China.. We can beat Vietnam…. While there are downgrades, we can still grow faster than our neighbors,” he said.

Diokno said the slowdown in China could affect many countries, especially if they depended more on the world’s second-largest economy. He said that in comparison, the Philippines’ growth was mostly domestic demand driven in the past several years.

Diokno said the interagency Development Budget Coordinating Committee would meet later this month to review the first-half performance of the economy, with the gross domestic product expanding 5.3 percent, below the target range of 6 percent to 7 percent for the whole year.

“We will see if there is a need to change the assumptions… and there are some changes from ADB and World Bank. There is also a team from the IMF [International Monetary Fund] coming,” said Diokno.

Economists from First Metro Investment Corp. and University of Asia and the Pacific said in a joint report the Philippine economy might miss the growth tar-

get this year amid global headwinds.

They said the GDP in the third quarter might grow by 5 percent to 5.2 percent. While it would be faster than 4.3 percent in the second quarter, the third-quarter figure would not be enough to attain the lower end of the full-year target range.

Economists said the elevated national government spending in the third quarter should provide stimulus, and employment and consumer spending were expected to pick up starting September.

They said the industry sector expansion would be broad-based, with manufacturing taking the lead.

They said the services sector should see domestic and foreign tourism drive trade, transportation and storage, accommodations and food services in September.

The second-quarter GDP growth slowed to 4.3 percent from 7.5 percent in the same period last year, weighed down by global slowdown because of elevated inflation and higher interest rates. This brought the first-half average to 5.3 percent, lower than the target range.

Oxford Economics said earlier the economy felt the impact of monetary tightening done by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to rein in inflation.

The economy grew by a 46-year high of 7.6 percent in 2022 with the reopening of the economy to greater normalcy.

CREATIVITY CONVENTION. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual underscores the department’s rm commitment to enriching the Filipino creative community, highlighted by recently-launched programs such as FiestaKuchas, Lunsod Lunsad, Young Creatives Challenge and the Malikhaing Pinoy Program. The DTI hosted the Philippine Creativity and Innovation Convention (PCIC) on Sept. 29, 2023 to provide a platform for networking and dialog among international and local industry pioneers, policymakers and creative professionals at the Philippine International Convention Center.

PH1 World eyes P20-b sales from housing projects

By Jenni er B. Austria

MEGAWIDE Construction Corp. is bullish about its newly-formed property business, as it expects to generate at least P20 billion in revenues from six upcoming projects.

Megawide chairman Edgar Saavedra said in an interview at the sidelines of the launch of PH1 World Developers Inc.’s new projects the residential business has the potential to become the biggest contributor to the company’s bottomline.

“By 2025 to 2026, PH1 World will be bigger than Megawide Construction in terms of bottomline,” Saavedra said.

PH1 World has three new projects, with three others in the pipeline which would generate more than P20 billion in sales.

Saavedra said PH1 World would spend roughly P20 billion in capital expenditures in the first three projects, including two newly-launched project—Norths-

capes San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan and Modan Lofts Ortigas Hills in Taytay City.

Northscapes is a 337 house-and-lot development with an estimated sales value of P1.9 billion. All two-story units will have three bedrooms each and are priced from P3 million to P8 million.

“Landscapes SJDM is our foray into horizontal development. We want to show that a sustainable, green lifestyle is accessible to every Filipino at any market segment. Not only that, through Megawide’s engineering technologies such as precast, we can ensure higher quality, consistency and durability in terms of construction,”

PH1WD Landscapes general manager Eric Gregor Tan said.

Northscapes will be an energy-efficient community with PH1’s exclusive green home technologies. All units in Northscapes will be equipped with 2.25-kW solar panels.

PH1 World is also looking to develop

horizontal projects in Trece Martires, Cavite and Cebu. It launched vertical projects in Taytay, Rizal.

Modan Lofts Ortigas Hills will offer 986 residential units in a lot area of around 16,500 sq. m. Unit sizes range from studio to one and two bedrooms, with prices at P5 million to P10 million.

The project offers residents additional space through Megawide’s AddLoft Technology.

“AddLoft increases the total volume of livable space by up to 38 percent through a specific loft structure that maximizes the high ceilings of each unit,” said PH1 World assistant vice president for project development Spike Ching.

“It offers residents the freedom to customize their living spaces and maximize functionality in each unit based on their needs and lifestyle,” Ching said.

PH1 World’s next vertical development will be in Pasig City.

PLDT unit investing $600m to build 12th data center

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE information and communications technology subsidiary of PLDT Inc. plans to invest at least $600 million to build its 12th and largest data center in the Philippines.

THE Philippine government expects to raise more than $1 billion in its second offering of retail onshore dollar bonds (RDBs) on higher demand from investors, National Treasurer officer-in-charge Sharon Almanza said over the weekend.

“We are seeing demand close to $1 billion… We are confident that we can raise more than $1 billion,” Almanza said.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the demand was already close to a billion dollars as of Sept. 29, but the amount could still increase considering the two-week offering. The issue date was scheduled on Oct. 11, 2023, subject to the discretion of the Bureau of the Treasury.

“There is a high demand, so we will give chances to those who want to invest,” Diokno said.

The second RDB offering has a tenor of 5.5 years and a gross interest rate of 5.750 percent per annum payable every quarter until its maturity in 2029. A total of $611.2 million was raised during the auction on Wednesday, which was three times oversubscribed from the initial target of $200 million.

The first retail dollar bond auction was held in 2021 during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte that raised $1.593 billion.

Diokno encouraged Filipinos around the world to invest in the second RDBs to bolster financial inclusion.

“I highly encourage all of you to invest in RDB 2. This investment product is a big leap towards achieving financial inclusion for our citizens, especially our foreign exchange-earning Overseas Filipino Workers,” he said.

The RDBs’ features include the lowered minimum investment amount from $300 to just $200, and in multiples of $100 thereafter.

The national government issues RDBs, which are fixed-income instruments, to provide Filipinos with lowrisk, affordable and convenient investments to diversify their portfolios.

The government has been conducting financial literacy sessions since January to ensure the success of the RDB offerings. Diokno said they hosted these sessions with over 700 overseas Filipinos across Europe, Japan, America, Canada and the Middle East. Julito G. Rada

DMCI’S AWARDS. Conglomerate DMCI Holdings and integrated energy subsidiary Semirara Mining and Power Corp. are recognized the top-performing Philippine listed companies by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD). DMCI Holdings and SMPC received the prestigious 3 Golden Arrow award, a testament to their sustained commitment to top-tier corporate governance standards. Accepting the awards are (from left) DMCI Holdings executive director and CFO Herbert Consunji, chairman and president Isidro Consunji, Valerie Anne Consunji, independent director Dr. Bernardo Villegas, lead independent director Atty. Cynthia Del Castillo and director Luz Consuelo Consunji.

Energy experts push nuclear power as game-changing solution in PH

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ENERGY experts gathered on Saturday to offer nuclear power as a “game-changing solution” to help satisfy the Philippines growing power needs.

“Nuclear power offers a game-changing solution to our energy needs. It is a clean, dependable and economically feasible energy source that can power our nation sustainably,” Pangasinan 2nd District Rep. Mark Cojuangco said.

Cojuangco is a staunch advocate for nuclear energy and recipient of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) Distinguished Public Service Award.

He chairs the House special committee on nuclear energy and sponsors House Bill No. 8218 which seeks to establish the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM) and provide for a comprehensive legal framework for radiation protection, nuclear security, safety and safeguards in the utilization of nuclear energy.

“We hope to make nuclear a part of the country’s energy mix so Filipinos can enjoy cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable electricity,” Cojuangco said during the event.

Stand Up for Nuclear, the world’s first global initiative advocating for the protection and expansion of nuclear energy, convened on Saturday to discuss the Philippines’ readiness to embrace nuclear power at the SMX Aura in Taguig City.

Organizing this year’s event and the leading voice in the call to Stand Up for Nuclear was ALPAS Pinas, a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting nuclear energy as a clean and sustainable source of power.

The event aimed to illuminate nuclear power’s potential in the Philippines and underscore its advantages during critical times.

“As advocates for nuclear energy, our mission is to effectively communicate its benefits and work toward a sustainable energy future for the Philippines. Amid the looming energy crisis, it is high time for us to realize the advantages of nuclear energy,” said ALPAS Pinas lead convenor Gayle Certeza.

The event, with the theme “Nuclear Now: Malinis, Maasahan, at Murang Kuryente para sa PINAS”, featured other eminent personalities in the field of nuclear energy including Cojuangco.

CITYLAND AT XAVIERVILLE. Cityland Development Corp. announces the turn-over of its latest condominium project—101 Xavierville along Xavierville Ave. in Loyola Heights, Quezon City. The 40-story commercial and residential condominium consists of well-designed studio, 1-bedroom and commercial units. Amenities such as gym, swimming pool, study area with free Wi-Fi, multi-purpose function hall, open lounge area and 24 hour association security are provided to ensure an exciting lifestyle, t for students, young professionals and couples starting a family. It is a transit oriented development that provides accessibility to public transportation-buses and LRT (Katipunan station) within the metropolis.

Victor Genuino, president and chief executive of ePLDT told reporters the global average investment to build a data center is between $6 million and $9 million per megawatt. “So that’s kind of a range that we are looking at for a 100-megawatt [facility],” he said.

The move is part of ePLDT’s goal to boost the country’s regional competitiveness and bring much-needed investments.

“What’s gonna happen next year is we are going to launch the first phase of our data center in the first half of 2024, for the 11th.

Then, we expect the full data center fit up of 50 MW total load to be finished by the first quarter of 2025,” Genuino said at the sidelines of the media launch of the PH Digicon 2023.

“Then after that, we hope to see, depending on the take-up of the space, whether we need to start building already. I think what is important for us is we already secure the property, and we already start preparing for the designs of the data center because the technology is changing so fast,” he said.

Genuino said that by 2025, ePLDT would decide whether the company would build a normal data center, a hyperscaler data center or a generative AI (artificial intelligence) data center.

The company’s 11th and biggest data center, VITRO Sta. Rosa, received several colocation requests from a diverse range of industry leaders including hyperscalers, content delivery networks, banks, BPOs, carriers and government agencies.

Once completed by early 2024, VITRO Sta. Rosa will be the country’s largest and most advanced data center with a total power capacity of 50 MW. Designed to be Rated-3 Certified and Rated-4 Ready, it is fit to host the most critical and powerintensive IT infrastructure of hyperscalers and enterprises.

Gov’t expects to raise over $1b from 2nd retail dollar bond sale

measures are being undertaken in India due to rising sea levels. https://news.un.org

& SUSTAINABILITY

South Korea hosting World Environment Day next year

SOUTH Korea will host World Environment Day 2025 with a focus on ending plastic pollution globally, the UN Environment Program (UNEP) and the nation announced.

World Environment Day, marked annually on June 5, was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972. Over the past five decades, the day has grown to be one of the largest global platforms for environmental outreach. Tens of millions of people participate online and through in-person activities, events and actions around the world.

Rising sea levels imperil small islands, ‘world’s breadbaskets’

THE adverse impact of rising seal levels extend beyond the world’s small island states and coastal communities―they can sink fertile river deltas like the Mississippi, Mekong and Nile, the world’s breadbaskets

Although small island states are the most vulnerable to rising sea levels, the scope of those impacted is much wider, the president of the UN General Assembly warned.

Addressing a special recent summit meeting, Dennis Francis, a veteran diplomat from Trinidad and Tobago, said he was determined to make sure the issue gets the attention it deserves during his presidency.

With the climate crisis unfolding rapidly, the need for more inclusive and innova-

tive approaches to slowing climate change, including rising seas, has been resonating throughout high level week, in particular, at the Climate Ambition Summit.

For many countries, especially the Small Island Developing States, the matter at hand represents an existential threat.

“This is not a speculation or overexaggeration. It is real,” said Francis, backing up his words with data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The UN body assessing the science related to climate change estimates that under current conditions the globalmean sea level is likely to rise between eight and 29 centimeters by 2030, with equatorial regions suffering the most.

The rise is mainly driven by thermal expansion, aggravated by the melting of mountain glaciers and the ice cap, with a further rise anticipated of up to 70 cm by 2070.

Extreme sea level events which used to occur once every century could become an annual phenomenon by the close of this century.

A staggering 900 million people living in low-lying coastal zones are at risk of losing their homes due to rising sea levels and other climate effects, Francis warned, adding that the issue extends far beyond coastal communities.

No one is immune to a potential ca-

tastrophe, he said, “fertile river deltas like the Mississippi, Mekong, and Nile-the world’s breadbaskets―are sinking.”

Beyond the crushing impacts on livelihoods and communities, sea-level rise carries further implications, spanning environmental, legal, political, technical, economic, cultural and human rights dimensions.

“Not only do we risk losing land, but also the rich cultural and historical heritage of these islands and regions that have helped to shape people’s identities,” Francis warned the dignitaries, who gathered at the early morning event.

Francis called on leaders to raise their ‘collective ambition’ and take much-needed action, and move it up the agenda at the forthcoming COP28 convening on November 30 and the SIDS (Small Island Developing States) Conference planned for 2024. UN News

FAO calls for sustainable, inclusive mechanization

ROME―Mechanization can be a powerful force for change, but only if it is environmentally sustainable and leaves no one behind, especially women and smallholder farmers, the director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Qu Dongyu, said last week.

With global hunger and food insecurity unacceptably high, and more than 3 billion people still unable to afford a healthy diet, transforming agrifood systems to improve their efficiency, inclusiveness, resilience, and sustainability is more urgent than ever Qu said as he opened FAO’s first-ever Global Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization.

“Business as usual just simply won’t work. We need to innovate, and to be well equipped,” Qu said in his opening speech to the three-day conference, which was preceded by the FAO conference on sustainable livestock transformation.

Cutting-edge technologies such as satellite systems and GPS, robotics, artificial intelligence and automated equipment are already shaping the future of farming. For instance, autonomous drones are monitoring crop health, robots are identifying and removing weeds and even carrying out delicate tasks such as pruning and picking fruit.

Automated equipment is planting, applying fertilizers and harvesting with remarkable precision, while sensors and

satellites have revolutionized agriculture by providing data-driven insights that improve farmers’ decision-making.

Other examples of sustainable agricultural mechanization include direct planters that can place seeds through stubble and cause less soil disturbance by reducing the need for tillage, and tractors powered with methane produced from organic matter, such as plants or manure.

Sustainability and inclusivity should be the guiding principles of all advanced and emerging technologies―meaning they should benefit everyone, most importantly the farmer. This requires ensuring that these technologies and equipment are adaptable to local contexts, as well as accessible and affordable. Above all, they cannot contribute to widening the digital divide by neglecting women and youth, Qu said.

The September 27 to 29 conference, held in hybrid form at FAO’s headquarters in Rome, along with the first-ever conference on sustainable livestock transformation, is “of critical importance as we bring the Four Betters to the centre of our discussions,” Qu said.

With more than 8,000 registrants from around the world, the conference is designed to provide a neutral forum for FAO Members, farmers, universities, agricultural scientists, mechanization service providers, development agencies, policymakers, extension specialists, civil society, opinion leaders and the private sector to conduct focused dialogue on the topic of sustainable agricultural mechanization.

It also aims to increase awareness of the contribution of sustainable agricultural mechanization to implementing FAO’s own strategic framework and attain the Sustainable Development Goals; share information and knowledge on the strategic direction and technical developments in mechanization around the world; and demonstrate FAO’s technical leadership and convening power to support its members in leveraging sustainable agricultural mechanization. Discussions are spread over a series of thematic sessions, on topics such as Mechanization for Crop Production and Automation and Artificial Intelligence.FAO News

The world pro duces more than 430 million tons of plastic annually, two-thirds of which are shortlived products that soon become waste, filling the ocean and, often, working their way into the human food chain.

In 2024, Korea will host the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. The negotiations aim to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, as mandated by United Nations Environment Assembly resolution 5/14 .

“World Environment Day in 2025 will be a watershed moment for the conservation of the global environment as we expect to have concluded the global plastic agreement. As the host country of the 2025 World Environment Day, the Republic of Korea will lead international efforts to prevent plastic pollution,” said Korea Environment Minister Han Wha-jin.

Ridding the planet of plastic pollution is an important contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including those on climate action, sustainable production and consumption, protection of seas and oceans and repairing ecosystems and retaining biodiversity.

“Strong partners and strong partnerships are the backbone of environmental multilateralism, and UNEP is grateful to the Republic of Korea for taking up the mantle of hosting World Environment Day 2025 in the pursuit of an end to plastic pollution,” said Inger Andersen, executive director of UNEP.

World Environment Day is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Held annually since 1973, the day has also become a vital platform for promoting progress on the environmental dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals.

With the UNEP at the helm, over 150 countries participate each year. Major corporations, non-governmental organizations, communities, governments and celebrities from across the world adopt the World Environment Day brand to champion environmental causes.

World Environment Day was hosted by Côte d’Ivoire―with the support of the Netherlands―in 2023, while the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia host the day in 2024. UNEP News

Bolstering Nigeria’s booming catfish sector to help feed Africa’s most populous country

“FISH farming is my mother’s business,” says Nurudeen Quadri, a 38-year-old fish farmer from Ijebu-Ode in southwest Nigeria as he enters Eriwe farm village. “I have been coming here since I was very small. When I graduated from university, I started my own farm.”

Located at two hours’ drive east of Lagos, Nigeria’s sprawling business capital, Eriwe farm village is the site of one of the countries’ biggest catfish clusters. Along the banks of a little river lie the ponds of nearly 600 fish farmers, organized in cooperatives as part of the Eriwe fishers’ union. These farmers produced some 2 000 tons of catfish in 2022.

It is seven o’clock in the morning, when Nurudeen’s two workers switch on the water pumps and fresh water starts pouring into the fish ponds. “It gives the fish oxygen to open their appetite before they are fed in the afternoon,” Nurudeen says.

With the workers, he does maintenance and repairs in and around the ten ponds of his farm, two of which are used for rearing fingerlings. During harvest time, they sell the fish.

Nurudeen produces nearly 50 tons of catfish per year. Despite the rising cost of feed and limited access to finance, this work allows him to sustain himself and his family.“I can make a good living out of it,” he says.

Fish processing

Mary Stephens and her husband also have a few ponds in Eriwe farm village. But their main business is fish processing. The racks that line the yard of their facility are filled with slices of catfish, sizzling as they are slowly smoked by the charcoal that can be seen glowing underneath.

“There are about 150 basins of catfish on the fire now,” Mary says, or some 3 750 kilograms. She adds that most of them come from Eriwe farm. The smoked catfish will be sold at the market in Onitsha, some 300 kilometers to the east. “People, even from abroad, come there and buy our goods.”

Capital is the major challenge, says Mary, who has been in this business for 25 years. She hopes to get a machine to replace some of their manual work. She smiles: “Equipment and capital. If all those things are ready, the business will go.”

FISH4ACP, a global fish value chain development programme in partnership between FAO, the EU, BMZ and the OACPS, is helping Nigeria to make its catfish sector stronger. Together with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, it carried out an analysis of Nigeria’s catfish sector.

The analysis showed the sectors’ importance for people’s livelihoods. Nigeria counts an estimated

285,000 catfish producers, 60 percent of which are small-scale farmers. These businesses employ an estimated one million people.

“Catfish is a good business,” says Abubakar Usman, an FAO expert in Nigeria’s catfish sector and lead for the FISH4ACP program in the country. Demand for fish is huge. With over 223 million people, Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation, and fish makes up over 40 percent of people’s animal protein intake, of which at least one-quarter is catfish.

According to preliminary findings of FISH4ACP’s analysis, annual catfish production could be as high as one million tons in 2021, worth around US$ 2.6 billion, says Usman. Rising costs

Catfish started booming in the 1990s, says Usman, when the government established hatcheries for catfish fingerlings and seed became available. Years of annual growth at over 20 percent followed between 2005 and 2015 before catfish production started declining in 2016, mainly due to rising feed prices. At the top of FISH4ACP’s priorities to strengthen Nigeria’s catfish sector is to bring costs down. At the same time, the initiative is working on a feed credit scheme to help farmers finance their operations before the money comes in at harvest time. FAO News

Coastal protection

The conference is accompanied by a unique exhibition showcasing examples of the latest technical developments in agricultural machinery across the food value chain. FAO News

A top priority for the FISH4ACP programme is to bring costs down in Nigeria’s catfish sector. The initiative is additionally working on credit schemes to help farmers finance their operations. FAO News

Executive director of UNEP Inger Andersen

Filipinas’ coach Torcaso: We got to know each other well

By Peter Atencio

THE Philippine Women’s National Football Team may have ended their historic run in the 19th Asian Games on Saturday with a 1-8 loss to Japan.

But for new coach Mark Torcaso, it became an opportunity for him and the girls to get to know one another and how they will interact in future tournaments, and in the coming Olympic qualification games.

“This was a good opportunity to work with them in a good competition. The tournament has served its purpose for us,” said Torcaso in a Zoom huddle with Filipino scribes, a day after their quarterfinals’ match in Wenzhou, China.

The Filipinas finished with their highest placing in Asian Games football since the Azkals reached the same stage back in 1958.

Sarina Bolden gave the Filipinas their lone score in the 67th minute, her fourth goal in as many matches in the tournament. And it was Bolden’s 26th strike for the Philippines in 43 international appearances.

“We wanted to get as much time as we can with the players, both experienced players and the strong ones who are available,” said Torcaso a day before he returns to Australia.

With Japan’s win, they earned a clash against China in the semifinals of the competition this Tuesday.

On the other hand, the Filipinas are now getting ready for the second round of qualifiers for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, which will be held in Perth, Australia later this month.

Marcos lauds EJ, PH athletes for performance in Asian Games

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday congratulated Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena for bagging a gold medal for the country in the 19th Asian Games.

“Congratulations, EJ, on clinching our first gold in men’s pole vault at the 19th Asian Games!” Mr. Marcos said in his post on TwitterX.

The Olympian reigned supreme in the pole vault finals as he alone cleared the 5.75 meter mark for a new record after two attempts during the competition held in Hangzhou, China.

He then cleared 5.90 meters in one attempt to erase his minutesold record, further cementing his gold medal win.

Obiena tried to clear 6.02 meters but failed to do so.

Prior to his gold-clinching jump, pole vault world no. 2 Obiena cleared 5.55 meters once.

Obiena’s jump broke the Asian Games record which was previously held by Seito Yamamoto of Japan at 5.70 meters.

The Filipino pole vaulter currently holds the Asian record at 6.0 meters.

President Marcos also conveyed his well wishes to the other athletes competing at the Asian Games.

“Kudos as well to Patrick King Perez, Jones Inso, Gideon Padua, Clemente Tabugara Jr., Alex Eala, and Francis Casey Alcantara for their outstanding performances in Taekwondo, Wushu, and Tennis! Best of luck to all our athletes competing ahead!” he said.

Gilas 5 in do-or-die game vs. Qatar for quarterfinals

pine team now, and the deck it has to play with.

Based on Qatar’s preliminary round game against Indonesia, Gilas will need to look out for at least three licensed Qatari shooters—Abdullah

pts, 9 rebs), a Fadi Ibrahim (17 pts, 3 of 7 threes) or a Sami Bzai (12 pts, 3 of 6 3s), all of whom delivered firepower for Jordan.

At stake is a spot in the quarterfinals of the men’s basketball competition where powerhouse Iran awaits. A victory in the round of 8 would then give Gilas a shot at a podium finish against host China.

Revenge will be in the air, if the Philippines and China do meet in the semifinals, with the hometown crowd expected to turn up in huge numbers to demand payback for Gilas’ 96-75 rout of the Chinese team—behind Jordan Clarkson’s 34-point blast—in the FIBA Basketball World Cup classification at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on September 4.

at 4. p.m. at the Zhegiang University Zijingang Gymnasium, where the Philippines turned back Thailand and Tyler Lamb, 8772, last Thursday, September 28.

Qatar knocked out Indonesia from quarterfinal contention in the Group Phase, 74-67, on Saturday, September 30, hours before Gilas absorbed an 87-62 setback to Jordan and NBA journeyman Rondae Hollis-Jefferson at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center.

The Nationals had the Jordanians in the ropes for a brief moment late in the third quarter, 52-all, but let them slip away with a 13-0 run going to the fourth, letting loose as well an outright quarterfinal berth where Gilas would have sidestepped Iran.

But these are the cards dealt the Philip-

Mousa, Babakar Dieng and Khaled Abdelbaset—who launched 19 of their team’s 25 three-point attempts.

The squad from the Gulf Region also has ferocious rebounders in Nedim Muslic, El Hadji Ndoye and Faris Advic, with Qatar’s combined 54 rebounds crushing Indonesia’s 32 total under the boards.

With their height and built, the Qataris appear to be more comfortable working inside the perimeter, taking 43 of their 68 field goal tries from within the arc.

Indonesia, in contrast, took 30 of its 57 shots from beyond the 3-point line, hitting 12. Qatar was 6 of 25 from afar.

Defensively, the Nationals may not have to worry as much in the containment of a Hollis-Jefferson (25

Mondilla ties

But they have to coax out of self-imposed cells Calvin Oftana, who was 0 of 7 from the field and scoreless in 28:48 minutes, CJ Perez (2 of 9 in 19:57), Japeth Aguilar (4 of 10 in 28:03) and Ange Kouame (2 of 6 in 10:27).

Even Justin Brownlee, who played without relief save for less than two minutes, was anything but a hot hand, scoring 24 points on 8 of 22 shooting, including 2 of 10 from long distance.

He and Scottie Thompson were the only Gilas players in double figures as the Nationals shot just 24 of 72 (33 percent), clanging all but 4 of 24 3-point attempts.

Quarterfinalist Jordan, meanwhile, will be gunning for a semifinal berth on Tuesday, October 3, against the winner of Monday’s qualification game between Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong.

for 10th in men’s play; Malixi 11th in women’s event

HANGZHOU—The Philippines holed out without a medal in the Asian Games golf competitions after a three-medal haul the last time out, including two women’s golds, as Clyde Mondilla finished tied for 10th in men’s individual and Rianne Malixi wound up joint 11th in the women’s side at the West Lake International Golf Course in Xihu District here yesterday.

Mondilla closed out with a second 70 in four days for a 15-under 273 total and a share of 10th place with Thai Atiruj Winaicharoenchai, who skied to a 76, 12 shots behind the 261 total posted by Hong Kong’s young star Taichi Kho, who fired a 69 to edge world No. 27 and PGA Tour campaigner Sungjae Im of Korea, who fell short of his rally with a 65 for a 262.

Chinese-Taipei’s Chien-Yao Hung shot a 69 to secure the bronze with a 264.

Meanwhile, Carl Corpus wound up 33rd with a 287 after a 76 while Ira Alido tied for 37th at 289 after a 75.

The Philippines also ended up ninth in men’s team competition with a 20-under 844 after a 218.

Korea clinched the gold with a mind-boggling -76 under 788 in the four-to-play, three-to-count tournament after a 198, beating Thailand by 25 strokes.

The Thais assembled an 813 after a 209 while Hong Kong captured the bronze with a 210, also after a 209.

Earlier, Malixi birdied two of the last four holes in a frontside finish and rescued a 71 but missed posting a Top 10 finish in the distaff side ruled by Thai Arpichaya Yubol in stirring fashion.

Yubol battled back from seven shots down to snatch the individual gold with a closing 68 as erstwhile leader Aditi Ashok crumbled under extreme pressure and faded with a 77 after storming ahead with a flawless eagle-aided 61 Saturday. But except for one birdie on No. 9, the Indian shotmaker was all flawed when it mattered most, making four bogeys and blowing it all with a double-bogey on the par-3 16th.

Newly minted Asian Games’ champion Obiena plans to rest

HANGZHOU—After a whirlwind 2023 that catapulted Ernest John Obiena to world no. 2, a silver in the World Athletics Championships, a seat in the Paris Olympics and a record-smashing Asian Games’ gold, the Filipino superstar pole vaulter has finally earned the right to rest.

“Oh I’m resting,” said Obiena after his record-smashing, history-making performance at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, where he delivered the Philippines’ first and so far only gold in the 19th Asian Games on Saturday night.

When asked if he’s preparing for the Paris Olympics after the games, Obiena aired his determination to rest. “I’m not thinking about it (Olympics) now.”

The 27-year-old Obiena captured the pole vault gold with his record leap of 5.75 meters, which he further smashed at

5.9. He tried to break his own 6.0 meters by setting the bar to 6.02 as a gift to his coach Vitaly Petrov, but couldn’t pull it off in three tries.

Nevertheless, Obiena has accomplished his goal of winning an Asian Games’ gold, the Philippines’ first in athletics in 37 years since Lydia de Vega’s 100-meter conquest in the Seoul Asiad, and the first athletics’ medal of any color in 29 years since Elma Muros’ bronze feat in the long jump competitions of the 1994 Hiroshima games.

“I’m very happy that he pulled through. I can imagine the pressure on EJ because of all the expectations, but he pulled through. It seemed like a routine for him and it’s a good routine.

Parang nagiging mindset na niya to win every tournament he joins,” said athletics’ president Terry Capistrano.

HANGZHOU—A gauntlet has been laid down for Gilas Pilipinas to run through, with its fate in the 19th Asian Games hinged on one crucial qualification game—against Qatar on Monday, October 2.

Justin Brownlee and the rest of Tim Cone’s Gilas Pilipinas wards will need to be at their best against the Qataris at 4. p.m. on Tuesday at the Zhegiang University Zijingang Gymnasium.

Clyde Mondilla

Stamp wins

ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA world title

SINGAPORE—ONE Championship returned to the Singapore Indoor Stadium with a historic card. ONE Fight Night 14: Stamp vs. Ham featured three exciting World Title bouts, including a showdown for the ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title, the ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Title, and the inaugural ONE Women’s Atomweight Submission Grappling World Title. ONE Championship, in partnership with leading premium lifestyle and luxury performance brand TUMI, presented the prestigious ONE World Title belt to the World Champions.

In the main event, Stamp Fairtex captured the vacant ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title after delivering a stunning TKO finish of Ham Seo Hee in the third round. The division’s longtime queen, Angela Lee, vacated the belt just before the two athletes walked out to the Circle.

Following a tactical opening frame where both women carefully sized each other up, Stamp stepped up her offense in the second round, landing an array of significant strikes. Ham courageously opted to trade with the Thai superstar, eventually flooring her with a straight left hand. Despite the knockdown, Stamp flipped the script and came close to finishing her South Korean rival with a deep armbar before the bell sounded.

In the third round, Stamp sealed the victory by delivering a solid punch to Ham’s midsection, forcing the South Korean to her knees. She then swarmed “Hamzzang” with follow-up punches to complete the stoppage, cementing her place in history as the first three-sport ONE World Champion.

In the co-main event, 18-year-old Smilla Sundell overcame her toughest challenge to date, as she defeated atomweight Muay Thai queen Allycia Hellen Rodrigues to retain her ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Title. It was no easy feat, as Sundell endured punishing blows from Rodrigues in the opening moments of the first round. However, just before the bell sounded, “The Hurricane” delivered a powerful left hook that shook Rodrigues. From that point onward, Sundell maintained relentless pressure, unleashing a barrage of heavy strikes upon the Brazilian striker. The Swedish teenage sensation amplified her offense in the third frame, as she overwhelmed Rodrigues with punches, elbows, and knees to secure a TKO.

Benilde clobbers Perpetual, catches last SSL playo bus

TWO-TIME reigning NCAA champion College of St. Benilde exacted sweet vengeance on the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta to catch the last playoff bus in Pool C with a 24-26, 25-21, 21-25, 25-23, 15-11 win in the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-Season Championship Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.

Jade Gentapa dropped 17 points on 15 hits, an ace and a block as the Lady Blazers battled back from a set down to eliminate the Lady Altas in the knockout tiff for the No. 2 seed and the final ticket from Pool C with a 2-1 card. UST topped the group with a 3-0 slate.

The Lady Blazers bowed to the Lady Altas, 16-25, 25-20, 26-28, 25-16, 12-15 win in the SSL National Invitationals quarterfinals last month.

Gentapa, the former NCAA Finals MVP, drew ample support from Zamantha Nolasco with 12 points while Corrine Apostol and Michelle Gamit added 11 points apiece. Jessa

Dorog chipped in 10. “Syempre po, masaya kasi na-overcome na namin ‘yung Lady Altas. Ginawa lang po namin ‘yung trabaho namin as a team at kung ano ‘yung role namin sa court,” said Gentapa.

Reigning NCAA MVP Mary Rhose Dapol had 24 points for Perpetual (1-

2) in an early exit in the SSL Season

2 backed by Mikasa, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Summit Bottle Water, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, R and B Milk Tea, Potato Corner, Rebel Sports, Converge ICT Solutions, Genius Sports and United Auctioneers, Inc.

Earlier, playoff-bound Far Eastern U denied Ateneo a quick passage by pull-

EAC Generals hand Knights 3rd straight NCAA defeat

By Peter Atencio

THE Emilio Aguinaldo College

Generals drew big games from King Gurtiza and JP Maguiliano to hand the defending champion Letran Knights their third straight upset loss, 75-65, on Sunday in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil-EcoOil Arena in San Juan.

Gurtiza unloaded a career-high 23 points for the Generals, who posted their second straight triumph.

Maguliano put in a double-double effort of 18 points and 11 boards for the Generals, who will have a chance to stretch their winning run to three in their showdown with the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers on Wednesday.

The win also allowed the Generals to share the lead with the Lyceum Pirates, who seek to stay unblemished against the San Sebastian Stags on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Heavy Bombers quickly got out of a slow start and prevailed over the Mapua University Cardinals, 70-61.

Games on Sunday (Rizal Memorial Coliseum)

11 a.m. - NU vs JRU

2 p.m. - AdU vs SBU

5 p.m. - EAC vs ADMU

ing off a reverse sweep, 22-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-22, 15-10, for a perfect 3-0 record in Pool D.

Faida Bakanke put up 21 points with Gerzel Petallo and Manila Alberto pumping in 13 points for the Lady Tamaraws. Mitzi Panangin produced 11 more for the wards of coach Manolo Refugia.

“It’s all about my teammates helping me. I have confidence in myself,” said Bak anke in FEU’s epic comeback from two sets down in two hours and 17 minutes.

Lyann De Guzman scored 16 points in the tough loss for Ateneo, which tripped to 1-1 and now has to win against Emilio Aguinaldo College (02) to advance and dodge complications for a possible three-way tie with the lurking Mapua (1-2).

JRU got 18 points from Patrick Ramos as they removed the Cardinals from the lead with their second win in three matches.

The Cardinals, with Clint Escamis making a team-high 19 points, slid to a share of second position with JRU.

Maguliano put together a double-double effort of 18 markers and 11 boards alongside five dimes and one block.

Ateneo and EAC duke it out on Sunday while NU and Adamson go for sweeps against Jose Rizal U and Adamson for the final elimination round games of SSL in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education and the Philippine Sports Commission. All games will be accessible across all platforms live and on-demand through the social media pages of Plus Network and SSL with Solar Sports, Blast TV and Aliw Channel 23 as TV partners.

Top bets all praise to Junior PGT staging

FOR Mona Sarines and Javi Bautista, being able to play in the ICTSI Junior PGT Series is a fresh impetus to their growth as players dreaming of becoming big someday.

“I enjoyed the JPGT Series because the tournaments are like the ones in Thailand.

It is so organized that it makes me want to play in more (JPGT) tournaments in the future,” said Sarines, one of two siblings, the other being Lisa, who made it to the national finals of the girls’ 11-12 division of the inaugural series which features the drive, chip and putt (DCP) challenge and 18-hole tournaments. She racked up two victories in stroke play formats and nailed one in DCP to lead the finals cast with 30 points culled from her three best points total in five rounds.

Precious Zaragosa came in second with 29 points on two victories and a couple of runner-up finishes while Lisa Sarines pooled 25 points for third followed by Tiffany Bernardino and Althea Bañez, who scored 20 and 19, respectively.

“My overall experience was really fulfilling,” said Mona. “I wasn’t expecting to be the overall champion (in the elims) but I was hoping to win. I was rehappy with my performance and it really made want to win so I did my best and I won,” said Mona. Bautista also used that mindset to top the boys’ 11-12 play on a victory each in DCP and 18-hole tournament and a runner-up effort in the other stroke play worth 29 points.

He towed Aenzo Sulaik, who scored 25 points, and Jacobo Gomez, Iñigo Gallardo and Lujo Gomez, who matched 23-point outputs to the finals that will also feature the top finishers in the other age-group divisions, including boys’ and girls’ 9-10, 13-14 and 15-18. Spicing up the finals cast are 19 qualifiers from the JPGT VisMin Series.

Like Mona, Bautista relishes the chance to play in the pioneering circuit designed to provide the youngsters a venue to sharpen their skills in all as-

Mona Sarines

pects of the game and develop their mental toughness at the early stages of their respective careers.

“I just started competing last year actually,” said Bautista. “So with the local organizing golf tournaments I have joined,

I can say that this ICTSI JPGT Series, so far, is the most organized. From registration to awarding to weather and evacuation plan on stormy dates and to ease in inquiries. It’s the best local experience ever, even my parents are amazed.”

Globe fetes Alex Eala for historic double bronze win in Asian Games

GLOBE congratulates its ambassador, tennis sensation Alex Eala, for making history for the flag anew after winning two bronze medals in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, the country’s first podium finish in tennis in the regional tilt in 16 years.

Eala scored a double bronze win in her Asiad debut ending the country’s nearly two-decade tennis medal drought in women’s singles. She then clinched another bronze with Francis Casey Alcantara in the mixed doubles event. Eala’s wins mark the first time the

Philippines won two medals in tennis in the Asian Games since 2006, when Filipino American Cecil Mamiit won two medals in the men’s singles and doubles.

“We are overwhelmed with pride over another historic feat that our ambassador, Alex Eala, has accomplished for the flag. She is the epitome of what hard work, grace and determination can achieve. At such a young age, she has rewritten the country’s sports history as she continues to achieve personal milestones,” said Ernest Cu, Globe Group President and CEO.

A Globe ambassador since age 8, Eala has landed historic wins for the Philippines. She clinched the 2022 grand slam singles championship at the US Open Juniors, and has so far won four pro titles in the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the 2021 French Open Girls’ Doubles tournament, and the Australian Open Girls’ Doubles in 2020.

Apart from these, Eala won three bronze medals in the singles, women’s team play and doubles events in her Southeast Asian Games debut last year.

Perpetual’s Shaila Omipon is rejected by St. Benilde’s Zamantha Nolasco and Clydel Catalig. Roman Prospero

Stamp Fairtex

Short video content creation made easy

SHORT-FORM video content, including

TikTok videos, Stories, Shorts, and Reels, has gained immense popularity for its ease of creation and consumption while delivering more than photos.

Samsung recognized this trend and tailored its Galaxy Z Flip5 smartphone to excel in short-form content creation.

Here’s how:

Flex window for quick videos

The Galaxy Z Flip5 features a Flex Window, a secondary display that simplifies short video creation when the phone is folded. Positioned beside the primary camera, it ensures top-notch video quality.

The main camera comprises a 12-megapixel primary and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera. To begin shooting via the Flex Window, open the camera app from the shortcuts or double-tap the power button. Adjust video settings like aspect ratio, resolution, and framerate conveniently from the Flex Window.

Dual Preview for Collaborative

Shooting

When shooting with a partner holding the camera, the Galaxy Z Flip5 offers Dual Preview. It displays the camera preview simultaneously on the main screen and Flex Window, eliminating the need for inquiries about framing and appearance.

Hands-free shooting with flex mode

The device’s Flex Mode enables hands-free video recording without tripods or holders. Its flexible hinge allows for precise angle adjustments. Simply set the hinge angle, launch the camera app, and place the device down to effortlessly capture short-form videos anytime, anywhere.

Auto framing keeps you centered

Maintaining the central position while shooting dynamic short-form videos, such as dance videos, can be challenging.

Samsung’s Auto Framing feature tracks your movements, ensuring you stay in the frame. Activate it by tapping the Auto Framing icon in the camera app.

Enhanced low-light performance with ‘nightography’

Samsung’s Nightography technology empowers you to capture up to 4K resolution videos even in low-light conditions. It combines the Galaxy Z Flip5’s robust cameras, software, and AI for clearer, more stable videos with reduced noise. Activate Nightography by selecting Night mode in the camera app.

The Galaxy Z Flip5 boasts cuttingedge hardware and features, making shortform video content creation accessible and enjoyable. Its powerful camera, coupled with Nightography mode, guarantees exceptional video quality. Features like Flex Window, Dual Preview, and Flex Mode streamline the creative process.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 is available through Smart Signature Plans+ and Smart Signature Plan with Device starting at Plan 999. You can choose one-time cash out as low as P36,100 or opt for a monthly installment plan beginning at P1,000/month with a P13,200 downpayment to own the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 today.

Dingdong Dantes f inds his groove hosting ‘Family Feud’

DINGDONG Dantes has recently opened up about his unique experience as the host of the hit game show, Family Feud. Despite generally being reserved in his personal life, Dantes has found a surprising sense of therapeutic fulfillment in his role as the show’s main man.

In an interview with Manila Standard Entertainment, Dantes shared how hosting the game show transformed him in front of the cameras and how it made him step out of his comfort zone.

“I’m generally a quiet person, but when I’m on the Family Feud stage, I can be loud and lively. And I think it’s therapeutic for me. Hosting a show like this is also a performance. I get a different kind of energy from the contestants. Every day, I get to meet different kinds of people, and I really have to talk to them and entertain them,” he said.

For the actor-turned-host, the entire experience parallels his acting career. He drew a striking comparison, stating, “The whole experience is something I can liken to acting. Whenever I get my scenes right, you can feel it. It’s the same sense of fulfillment in hosting. I really

enjoy it, especially now that I’m familiar and comfortable with the format. I’ve embraced the program, and I look forward to doing the show.”

The top-rating game show is returning tonight on primetime with more exciting surprises and new fun elements.

“When it comes to the new element, one major change would be that our contestants are now open to hardworking Filipinos like nurses, delivery riders, waiters, and even groups of workers, even if they are not together as a family,” he revealed.

Dingdong returns to primetime via the game show that airs weeknights

the groups

Apart from his dynamic interaction with the players and the audience, Dantes highlighted his favorite aspect of the show, saying, “What makes it special is that we really place value on the charity component. If we calculate the P20,000 donated by the winning groups to foundations each day, it’s truly an important aspect of the entire program. That’s why every episode is unforgettable for me.”

Another exciting element is that children can now join. There’s a segment where kids can participate.

“We will now feature special episodes with kids as contestants – a first in the history of the world’s favorite family competition,” Dantes relayed.

7

Celebrity kids aged 7 to 12 years old will have fun guessing the top answers to various survey questions answered by 100 children of the same age.

“Even the studio audience will have a chance to answer survey questions for fun in their interaction with me,” he said.

Family Feud airs Monday to Friday at 5:40 p.m. on GMA Network.

How funds raised in annual ball helped ABS-CBN Foundation continue its mission

THE ABS-CBN Ball, renowned for its star-studded allure, goes beyond glitz and glamour by playing a significant role in aiding ABS-CBN Foundation’s continuous service to the Filipino community. A portion of the annual ball’s proceeds contributes to the foundation’s advocacies.

“The donation from the stars and attendees is substantial. We save that money to be used for a good purpose,” shared ABS-CBN Foundation managing director Roberta LopezFeliciano in an interview with ABSCBN News.

After a four-year hiatus, the ABS-CBN Ball returns, with this

year’s beneficiaries focusing on five core advocacies: disaster risk reduction and response (Sagip Kapamilya), child welfare and protection (Bantay Bata 163), education (Programa Genio), environmental conservation (Bantay Kalikasan), and livelihood and social entrepreneurship (Integrated Area Development).

One of the beneficiaries of the Foundation is Meg Montecarlo, a typhoon Ondoy survivor and an ABS-CBN scholar under Bantay Bata’s program in 2011. Despite the devastation brought by the typhoon, Meg’s dreams were reignited when she became a scholar.

“Back then, my dream was just to survive our daily life. But I didn’t know that

the help from the ABS-CBN Foundation would be even greater, allowing me to fulfill my other dreams,” shared Meg, who has since graduated from college.

As in previous years, a portion of the ABS-CBN Ball’s profits will be donated to the foundation, along with pledges from celebrities and other attendees.

This year, the public can also contribute by voting for their favorite Kapamilya stars online for People’s Choice Stars of the Night, People’s Choice Power Couple of the Ball, and Star Magic Fan Favorite. Lopez-Feliciano emphasized that the ABS-CBN Ball serves as a reminder of the network’s commitment to helping the Filipino people, despite challenges, as public service is in their DNA.

The ABS-CBN Ball 2023: Forever Grateful expresses gratitude by giving back to the foundation and thanking stakeholders for their unwavering support.

The red carpet livestream was hosted by Bianca Gonzalez-Intal and Edward Barber, with Gretchen Fullido as a special correspondent, on September 30. For more details, visit the official microsite at theball.abs-cbn.com.

A charming star’s path beyond boy band

UPON meeting former HashTag member Paolo Angeles at the Fil-Global Immigration Services Corporation anniversary celebration, it’s clear he’s a charming and friendly personality. His natural friendliness and genuine smile make a lasting impression.

What’s remarkable is his ability to stay out of others’ conflicts, showing respect for his HashTag colleagues’ feelings. He understands that life lessons often come in unexpected ways.

I don’t discount the challenging experiences of my friends in HashTags,” says the amiable charmer.

“From my personal experience, I’ve had my share of discomfort, but once the feelings are no longer that intense, we eventually reconcile. So, that’s my perspective.”

Everything is going well for him and the rest of the HashTags as they continue to bond and chat via Zoom during the pandemic. Now that

restrictions are lifted, they can hang out, dine, and reminisce about the old times when they were all part of It’s Showtime What they share is not just friendship but brotherhood, as he admits, “Just like real siblings, we have our disagreements. But at the end of the day, we get by, and without even saying anything, we’re all okay. I guess all the petty and big disagreements are normal.”

Zeus Collins, according to Paolo, is like his older brother. Whenever he feels anxious or emotionally down, Collins has become his go-to person to pour his heart out and make him feel he’s never alone, especially during times of need and worry.

After HashTags stopped performing on the noontime variety show, some of its members ventured into online adult content. Initially, Angeles considered it, but his close relationship with his parents prevented him from taking that

path. He also adds that as he matures in life, he does not want to put his parents in a situation wherein they will be shocked and might be disappointed with what he does onscreen.

What people can expect from Paolo is a project with Piolo Pascual and finishing his Public Administration course at Trinity University of Asia. It will be his best gift December gift for his parents.

Despite taking this course, entering the political arena is the farthest career option for this Mister Charming. What he intends to do after graduation is to pack his bags and study abroad in Australia.

Paolo shares: “I know that being an artista, aside from talent, luck comes as a very important ingredient. No one can be sure if this and that formula for being a star still matters because so much has changed in the entertainment landscape.”

“I want to open a coffee shop,

that has been a dream which I hope to realize the soonest,” adds Angeles. “If my plans here fizzle, my plan is to go to Australia, and study again,” Paolo divulges.

And the course? The Mister Charming’s swift reply: “Culinary definitely. Doon ko itutuloy yung kurso ko sa pagluluto. Hindi ako magaling magluto pero tina-try kong magluto and when I cook, laging may kasamang pagmamahal kaya sure akong hindi lang siya tasty, delicious pa”.

Actor-host Dingdong Dantes

Dingdong shares that 'Family Feud' transforms him in front of the camera

Box-office queen Kathryn Bernardo

Kapamilya young actress Andrea Brillantes Seth Fedelin (left) and Francine Diaz

'Senior High' stars (from left) Elijah Canlas, Kyle Echarri, and JK Labajo

LIFE

A

The newly renovated lobby is refreshing and functionally designed

The guest rooms offer a breathtaking view of the harbor

The Continental Club on the 16th floor is elegant and is a cozy cocoon for harried travelers

MARRIOTT International has raised its profile in the Philippine tourism market anew with the opening of its first Four Points by Sheraton resort in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

The first of its kind in the Philippines, Four Points by Sheraton Palawan Puerto Princesa is located on the breathtaking Sabang Beach, the gateway to the worldfamous Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. It has 168 well-appointed rooms-- perfect for the “bleisure” crowd mixing business and pleasure on their trip.

“The team and I are excited to welcome guests to the first Marriott International brand in Puerto Princesa, and to this hidden side of Palawan. It’s a pristine paradise, a sprawling 5.3 hectares of beachfront property in Sabang Beach, merely 15 minutes by boat from the famous underground river,” says general manager Dietmar Platz.

“When you combine the scenery with Four Points by Sheraton’s service standards, you’re in for a unique, memorable guest experience,” Platz adds.

The ultramodern design of the bar at Savvy is a natural magnet for funloving guests

Hong Kong’s iconic hotel reopens

Prince Hotel, located on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui district, is integrated with Harbour City, the largest luxury dining and retail shopping complex in the city, and is within walking distance to the scenic harbor-front promenade, the Art, Palace, Science and Space Museums, as well as the Kowloon Park. With the Star Ferry, the Tsim Sha Tsui Underground, the Kowloon Canton Railway Station, and the high-speed rail link all within just a short walk away, hotel guests can easily have quick access to Hong Kong Island and beyond.

Greeting guests at the intimate ground-level lobby are floor-to-ceiling windows that reveal the close proximity of the hotel to neighboring luxury brands. The hotel’s gray marble floor is enlivened by vivid pops of blue and orange, while the design scheme banners color-changing light panels with abstract brush strokes and modern artwork.

for guests to enjoy their much-needed quiet moments by the window.

The Continental Club suites on the 16th and 17th floors have an open-plan layout and have neutral brown and beige colors. All have walk-in bathrooms with marble countertops, open closets, and separate showers. Guests on these floors have easy access to the Lounge with space to work or relax in or have their daily breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails.

Marco Polo Hotels is an international chain of de luxe hotels with properties in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and the Philippines. All its hotels reflect the philosophy of its namesake, discoverer Marco Polo, as they invite guests to explore and experience a destination.

To celebrate its reopening, Prince Hotel has a “We Are Open” Promo, available until October 31, which includes a free upgrade, welcome drinks at Savvy, in-room house red wine, and a chocolate gift box. Additional information may be obtained and reservations may be made through +852 2113 1888 or prince@marcopolohotels.com.

The spacious guest rooms and suites, with areas ranging from 29 to 56 square meters, all have breathtaking views of the harbor and the city and use only 3 distinct color schemes -- imperial red, sunrise yellow, and navy blue. The same colors are reflected in some interior artwork and select pieces of furniture. A very nice feature of each room is a Chaise Lounge

lobby are floor-to-ceiling windows that reveal of scheme panels Lounge

Fast becoming a popular venue inside the hotel is Savvy, on the 3rd floor, a dining outlet that occupies 8000 square feet which includes a bar, a lounge, and a stylish restaurant. Two private dining rooms are available in the same venue for business meetings, celebrations, and exclusive dining experiences. Together with his team, Chef de Cuisine Derek Ng, with his 30-plus years of culinary expertise, prepares daily a buffet of Asian and Western specialties, including sustainable seafood, hearty bowls of noodles, vegetarian and gluten-free options, and grilled meats.

Prince Hotel is a Marco Polo Hotel property, together with Gateway Hotel, Hong Kong Hotel, and Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel, all of which are connected to Harbour City, which has more than 50 shops and the world’s leading luxury brands.

Four Points by Sheraton Palawan Puerto Princesa is located on the breathtaking Sabang Beach

The resort offers multiple dining options, including the Evolution all-day dining restaurant and Il Fiore Italian specialty restaurant, both featuring al fresco seating with a sea view. A unique dining experience can be enjoyed at the pool club, located in the middle of the 1,480-sq m pool.

Situated on the beachfront, the resort provides direct access to the natural attractions along the 1.3-km Sabang Beach. It boasts exceptional amenities, including a showcase swimming pool, heated jacuzzi, and Kids Club indoor and outdoor playgrounds.

For fitness enthusiasts, there’s a 24-hour fitness center, while the spa offers a relaxing experience with sauna and steam bath facilities.

Park (3.41 km). Other nearby destinations include Ugong Rock Adventures, Honda Bay, Isla Felomina, and the Iwahig Firefly Watching Mangrove and Wildlife Park. Amie Villena, director of Sales and Marketing, describes Four Points Palawan as being in the heart of an incredible natural reserve, ideal for adventurous souls and families who enjoy exploring off the beaten path. As part of Marriott International, Inc., Four Points by Sheraton is affiliated with the Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program, enabling members to earn Bonvoy points for each stay and enjoy exclusive perks. Marriott International, Inc. encompasses brands like JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis Hotels and Resorts, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, Westin Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott, and Fairfield by Marriott, among others. For more information about Four Points By Sheraton Puerto Princesa Palawan, call +63 917-1047957.

HOSPITALITY ALLIANCE BACKS CENTRAL LUZON SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SUMMIT

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail. com

Dad loves to eat and does it with gusto, to the distress of my mother who worries about his weight. One evening Dad was devouring a snack of cheese spread and crackers. As he scraped the last bit of spread from its container, he asked Mom if she wanted to save the jar. “No, its OK,” Mom replied. “Go ahead and eat it!”

THE Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has unveiled “Made in Singapore,” its latest global campaign to inspire travelers to choose Singapore as their next travel destination.

The campaign puts a fresh spin on the Passion Made Possible destination brand. It will spotlight quintessentially Singapore experiences, from iconic attractions to hidden gems, and how ordinary moments are turned into extraordinary experiences in Singapore.

Kenneth Lim, Assistant Chief Executive (Marketing Group), STB, said: “The Made in Singapore campaign is anchored on our Passion Made Possible destination brand, which embodies the Singapore spirit of fulfilling individual passions and creating new possibilities.”

“Through this latest campaign, we would like to reinforce Singapore as a destination that turns imagination into reality. Our goal is to showcase how everyday ordinary moments are made extraordinary and unforgettable, experienced only in Singapore – to inspire travel here,” Lim added.

With strong fundamentals and a competitive landscape, Singapore’s tourism sector anticipates robust growth. A November 2021 study spanning ten overseas markets revealed that over 60 percent of respondents seek purposeful travel, with nearly 80 percent of them looking for inspiring destinations.

To maintain its appeal and cater to diverse travelers, the Made in Singapore campaign highlights the nation’s unique attributes: a City in Nature that blends cosmopolitan vibrancy with rich multicultural heritage.

The campaign takes a bold and playful approach, embodying the Made in Singapore spirit where innovation transforms the ordinary into a delightful vacation. Experiences range from forest bathing at Jewel Changi Airport’s Rain Vortex to indulging in culinary adventures at Lau Pa Sat hawker center and witnessing a colorful “air show” at the new Mandai Bird Paradise.

Made in Singapore will launch globally in key markets like China, India, Indonesia, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Beyond films and social media, the campaign includes inmarket activations, industry collaborations, partnerships with content creators, and immersive familiarization trips for media and influencers to experience Made in Singapore firsthand.

Made in Singapore replaces STB’s SingapoReimagine international recovery campaign launched in November 2020 to rekindle passion for travel in Singapore.

Iconic Merlion with the stunning Singapore skyline as its backdrop

FTER an extensive threeyear renovation to its lobby, 394 guest rooms and suites, Continental Club, and dining venues, Hong Kong’s popular Prince Hotel has opened its doors once again to the public. The refurbishment beautifully delivers bright and functional spaces, with colorful aesthetics that embody the vibrant energy of Hong Kong.Hong Kong’s iconic Prince Hotel is right in the heart of downtown Kowloon

The Hospitality Alliance of Freeport Zone shows support for the recently concluded and successful first Central Luzon Sustainable Tourism Summit held at the Subic Bay Exhibition Convention Center. The event was initiated by the Subic Bay Tourism Department in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region III and in collaboration with TPB Philippines.

Daenos  (Regional Director, DOT Region III),  Edward Fernandez  (SBFCC Director),  Jeffrey Ritumalta  (General Manager, The Reef Hotel and Residences), USec.  Verna Esmeralda Buensuceso  (DOT OIC-Undersecretary for Tourism),  Josephine Floresca  (Managing Director, Le Charmé Hotels),  Zedrick Avecilla  (Managing Director, Lighthouse Marina Resort),  Charmaine Jao  (Celebrity), and  Dana Cabildo  (Owner, Fusion

Corner).

A Palawan resort worth logging off for

Singapore puts fresh spin on tourism brand

Solar-powered 'supertrees' located at Singapore Garden by the Bay

The stunning Rain Vortex is the world’s tallest indoor waterfall