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MARCOS, KISHIDA TO HOLD BILATERAL TALKS ON FRIDAY

LPG PRICE UP

BY P5.50 PER 11-KILO TANK

NEWS / A3

NEWS / A2 VOL. XXXVII • NO. 259 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

3-week transition for poll winners DILG takes over process as proclamation done in 92% of brgys

By Charles Dantes and Vito Barcelo

GHOULISH CREATURES.

Employees of a mall in Quezon City don scary costumes as part of trick or treat activities ahead of today’s observance of Undas. Manny Marcelo

W

HILE winners have been proclaimed in 92 percent of all barangays, the newly elected village officials may take up to three weeks before taking over to ensure a smooth transition, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Tuesday.

President Marcos, meanwhile, told the newly elected barangay and youth council officials to serve the people wholeheartedly and to be honest at all times.

“This is another opportunity to serve the Filipinos and our country with all your heart and beyond your abilities,” the President said, speaking in Filipino in a short congratulatory video message. “Be faithful at all times. Always put the welfare of the people first because they are the reason why we want to serve the nation.”

In a memo issued Tuesday, the DILG said a maximum three-week period for newly elected barangay leaders would “ensure the smooth transition of governance and accountabilities.”

“You still have to reorganize your barangay, you have to appoint a treasurer, you have to appoint a secretary, you have to hold a meeting, and you have to have a resolution, and then you have to post a bond. That takes time,” said DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Next page

27k cops deployed to cemeteries as millions of Filipinos mark Undas

By Joel E. Zurbano

officers nationwide to secure cemeteries PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said columbaria and other areas where millions and other places of convergence for this some of these officers would man 4,866 of Filipinos are expected to go to remember THE Philippine National Police (PNP) year’s observance of All Saints’ and All police assistance desks in areas leading to their departed loved ones. and from the cemeteries, memorial parks, has deployed more than 27,000 police Souls Days or Undas.

Next page

Coast Guard warns vs. ‘pro-China’ misinformation spread by Filipinos

By Vince Lopez and Rey E. Requejo cial media platform, Tarriela cited PHILIPPINE Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Commodore Jay Tarriela, on Monday warned against “proChina narratives” being spread by some groups to divert attention from Beijing’s aggression.

In a statement posted on the X so-

WHO’S AFRAID OF THE DARK? President Marcos, in a pre-Halloween vlog posted on his Facebook account on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, shows the part of the Malacanang Palace grand staircase where he said he felt a presence following him around. Unsigned portraits of Spanish conquistadores and a harvest scene by Fernando Amorsolo hang at the balcony of the stairs. The original Palace structure was built in 1750 by Don Luis José Rocha Camiña as his family’s summer house.

Haunted Palace? President shares ghost stories

By Charles Dantes

ace a day before the country’s observance of “Undas” or All Saints’ Day. In a vlog posted on his Facebook PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos on Tuesday shared some of his supernatu- account, Mr. Marcos and presidenral encounters inside Malacañang Pal- tial son and Ilocos Norte Rep. San-

Undas: A melting pot of Catholic beliefs, indigenous practices

By Joyce Babe Pañares IN THIS predominantly Catholic country, Undas is a melting pot of western and eastern cultures, of religious, pagan, indigenous and even pre-colonial beliefs and traditions.

“It is a celebration for both Catholics and non-Catholics, even for IPs who believe that the dead are still alive, that we can still communicate with them and we pray for them. People gather together to celebrate the dead as much as it is a get-together for the living,” said Kapampangan cultural historian Robby Tantingco, the director of the Center for

Kapampangan Studies of the Holy Angels University in Pampanga.

“The dividing lines as to what is Catholic, what is Chinese, what is pagan – all these are blurred when it comes to Undas. You would have, for example, Catholics who offer food for the dearly departed, something that the Chinese and other Asian cultures observe, and that is seen as well in our own pre-colonial and indigenous traditions,” he added.

The Tagalog concept of “alay” – offering food to the dead – has its own equivalent among the Ilocanos (“atang”) and Next page

dro Marcos took their viewers on a quick tour inside the country’s seat of power and discussed its rich, if not spooky, history.

Next page

three “claims, arguments and accusations” being used by individuals who claim to be pro-Filipino “while promoting Chinese narratives and even contradicting factual reports from Philippine authorities.”

He said the first claim is that speaking up against China’s aggression in Next page

Israel presses Gaza incursion, vows no ceasefire with Hamas ISRAELI troops pushed deeper into Gaza Tuesday, driving tanks and armored bulldozers through the rubble of shattered buildings and hunting for Hamas militants who carried out the worst attack in Israel’s history.

Army footage showed soldiers, who were also seeking to free at least 240

hostages, advancing through a devastated landscape, with buildings reduced to a mangled mess of stone and twisted metal by weeks of relentless Israeli bombing.

Israel said it had struck 300 targets in the fourth night of land operations Next page

FILIPINO TRICK OR TREAT.

In this file photo, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan is reviving the dying folk tradition of ‘pangangaluluwa’ where a group of carolers visits households to sing songs related to saints and the dearly departed. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts has cited ‘pangangaluluwa’ as proof of Filipino belief in the afterlife as well as the existence of relations between the living and the souls of the dead. Las Casas Facebook

A2 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

NEWS

Comelec wants mall voting sites T

HE Commission on Elections is pushing for more mall precincts for the next polls and suggested conducting a “special general registration” to cleanse the voters list for the 2028 national elections.

Laudiangco expressed hope that the entire voting and counting process could be done at malls in 2025.

He said the poll body will likewise urge Congress to pass an early voting law to allow vulnerable sectors to register and vote earlier.

In a separate interview, poll chairman George Garcia said he wants to conduct a national special registration to cleanse the voters list for the 2028 elections.

“For the 2028 elections, what if we annul the list of voters? Let’s conduct a special general registration for a month, we can do that in 2026 as preparatory

for 2028,” Garcia said.

“It’s always like that — names are always missing, even during the 2022 elections… That’s why we should think of a solution before the 2028 elections.

Why not annul the list of voters, let’s have a special registration for one month?” he added.

The proposed one-month special registration period can be held in 2026 in preparation for the 2028 national elections, the official said.

However, Garcia said the conduct of special general registration would need an additional budget for the Comelec.

Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the poll body is considering the broader implementation of mall voting in the 2025 midterm elections.

“All of this is at no cost to the Comelec and the government. All expenses will be shouldered by partner malls,” he said.

The Comelec tested mall voting last Oct. 30 for barangay and Sangguniang

Kabataan officials in the first village elections since 2018.

The Comelec is optimistic that developers will make adjustments to accommodate more precincts in their malls.

Limited implementation for the pilot test meant that ballot boxes had to be transported to schools for the counting and canvassing of votes.

27k cops...

From A1

LPG price to go up by P5.50 per 11-kilo tank

More than half of those deployed police —or 14,033—were in Metro Manila.

On Tuesday, the chief of the National Capital Region Police Office, Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. and other police officials visited five major cemeteries in Metro Manila, including La Loma Cemetery in Caloocan, Manila North Cemetery in Santa Cruz, San Juan Cemetery in Greenhills, Loyola Memorial Park in Parañaque City, and Bagbag Public Cemetery in Novaliches, Quezon City.

“To maintain peace and order and ensure no one disregards established rules before, during, and after Undas, the deployed personnel will keep the sites under guard until Nov. 3,” said Nartatez.

The NCRPO chief also urged the public not to bring prohibited items such as alcohol, sharp objects, firecrackers, gambling paraphernalia, and other contraband inside the cemetery.

At the Manila North Cemetery, visitors began arriving as early as 5 a.m. and reached 31,000 as of noon, police said.

Around 300 police officers were deployed to secure one of the oldest and largest cemeteries in the capital region.

Visitors will only be allowed to enter the cemetery until 5 p.m. Those already inside the cemetery before 5 p.m. can extend their stay until 7 p.m.

The Manila Police District said it deployed some 300 policemen to secure visitors at the Manila South Cemetery.

MPD Director Col. Arnold Thomas Ibay said officers would screen visitors and enforce the liquor ban inside the cemetery.

He said they expected 300,000 to 500,000 people to troop to the cemetery, lower than recent years, after throngs headed to provinces for the long weekend.

About 200,000 visitors are expected at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City, three times as many as last year.

The memorial park will operate for 24 hours starting Oct. 31.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said it has recorded over 620,000 domestic and international passengers at the country’s main gateway ahead of the Undas break. With Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Alena Mae S. Flores

Haunted...

From A1 Mr. Marcos revealed how he and certain Palace personnel experienced a feeling of being followed while walking along its expansive hallways and the grand staircase.

He said an American man named “Father Brown,” a former employee of the Palace during the American occupation, was believed to be the one haunting the place.

“When we first arrived at the Palace, our security personnel used to sleep and lay down their beds there at night. It was rumored that sometimes at night, they were awakened by someone they called Father Brown,” he said.

“I asked, ‘Why? Who is Father Brown?’ When we looked into the history of this Palace, there was indeed an American named Father Brown who used to work here during the American period,” Mr. Marcos said.

Also called Mr. Brown, the supernatural being is the Palace’s resident “kapre” a mythological giant that sits on big trees -- this one at the balete tree in front of Malacañang -- and smokes a cigar.

Mr. Marcos also told stories of ghost sighting and ghost hunting with his friends while in Malacañang, which was originally constructed as a summer residence for Don Luis Rocha Camina in the 1750s.

OIL companies will increase the price of cooking gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by P0.45 to P0.50 per kilo per kilo effective today, Nov. 1.

This translate to a P4.95 to P5.50 price hike for an 11-kilo tank used by households.

LPG Marketers Association president

3-week...

From A1 Jr. “And then you have to apply with a bank... We came up with that period…

This is the maximum. You can go earlier. If you do it in one week, that’s okay.”

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said they expected a voter turnout of 70 percent to 75 percent for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), slightly higher than the 70 to 71 percent in 2018.

The Comelec said that 38,000 candidates or about 92.7 percent of the winners have been proclaimed as of Tuesday afternoon.

Garcia said most barangays nationwide have already completed the canvassing of votes and proclamation of winning candidates.

“Election ballots in 41,249 precincts nationwide have already been canvassed, representing 98.21 percent of the total 42,001 precincts,” he said.

Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao have all finished canvassing BSKE votes.

Garcia said certain precincts have yet to proclaim winners because candidates were tied in the vote count. In these cases, regional directors have been told to decide the winners by drawing lots or tossing a coin.

“We should proclaim the winning candidates at all costs today. It cannot be prolonged or postponed any further,”

Undas:...

From A1 the Cebuanos (“halad”), among others, and is usually composed of rice cakes or kakanin such as biko or suman, fruits, pansit, and the favorite dishes of the departed loved ones.

Anthropologist Nestor Castro described these traditions as “syncretic” or being characterized by a combination of different forms of belief or practice.

Undas, which comes from the Spanish word “honras” (you honor), is the shortened term for the Spanish holiday Dia Delos Todos Santos or All Saint’s Day on Nov. 1.

The celebratory nature of Undas, however, is more similar to Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos or All Soul’s Day,

Israel...

From A1 in Gaza, coming under Hamas antitank and machine-gun fire, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed growing international calls for a ceasefire.

AFPTV footage over Gaza showed a huge plume of smoke billowing up from another Israeli strike. The bombing campaign has killed 8,306 people, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, many of them children.

Images taken by AFP reporters in Gaza showed Palestinians combing the rubble in a desperate search for survi-

PH among top 10 remote work hubs

By Othel V. Campos THE Philippines is among the top 10 fastest-growing hubs for remote work, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), citing recent analytics generated by global remote work platform Nomad List.

In a statement, the PCO said Manila is considered a top global destination for remote work along with other ideal destinations in Asia, South America, and Europe.

In the Nomad List, the Philippines ranked 7th fastest remote work destination.

Tokyo, Japan was listed as the top destination; followed by Da Nang, Vietnam; Seoul, South Korea; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Penang, Malaysia; and Montevideo, Uruguay, in 6th place.

Rounding up the top 10 fast-growing hubs are Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh cities in Vietnam; and Ljubljana, Slovenia.

The Nomad List ranks destinations by growth rates of check-ins made by tens of thousands of Nomad List members.

The company said it uses live data in analyzing 299,531 check-ins registered from January to October 2023.

The latest data give travelers and workers an idea of the most popular remote work hubs based on current rankings on Nomad List.

As a platform, Nomad List said it finds the best places in the world to live, work, and travel as a remote worker, collecting millions of data points every second on thousands of cities around the world, from costs of living, temperature, to safety.

The Marcos government has been enticing businesses to come to the Philippines, considering the country’s young, highly skilled, and Englishspeaking workforce.

The government said the Philippines is also ideal for business due to its sustained economic growth rate, current bureaucratic reforms, and the administration’s ongoing thrust for infrastructure development.

Arnel Ty said the contract price of LPG went up by about $7 per metric ton to $616 per MT for November.

“That’s P0.50 per kg. up,” Ty said.

LPG prices ranged from P882 to P1,059 per 11-kilo tank in the National Capital Region prior to the increase.

This developed after oil firms cut the price of diesel by P1.25 per liter liter but raised the price of gasoline and kero-

sene by P0.45 per liter and P1.20 per liter, respectively, on Tuesday.

Petron captured the biggest market share for LPG as of the first half, according to the Department of Energy.

Petron had a market share of 23.66 percent followed by Liquigaz at 19.14 percent, South Pacific at 15.97 percent, Pryce Gases at 15.57 percent and Isla Gas at 12.91 percent.

the poll chief said.

The Comelec has filed 27 cases related to vote-buying. Forty-six more are still for filing, and 154 are for validation and most likely will result in the filing of cases.

At the same time, the Comelec said it is contemplating filing criminal and administrative charges against teachers and police officers who backed out of poll duty at the last minute.

“If we study the Omnibus Election Code, it is a criminal offense and an administrative offense at the same time.

We cannot just let it go because it will happen over and over again,” he said.

“More than 2,500 teachers backed out of serving as poll watchers in the BSKE, the majority [of them] in the Bangsamoro region,” he said.

“It would be fine if you withdraw before Election Day because election service is not mandatory. But if you already trained, and we already spent for training, then on Election Day, you will withdraw from poll service... And worse, even the replacements also withdrew, Garcia said.

The Comelec chief said he was not satisfied with the explanations given for the last-minute pullouts.

“The same thing is happening in the same areas again and again. The script never changes,” he said.

In the Bicol region, 10 electoral board members were also reported to have backed out of their duties.

Garcia reported that 29 volunteers in Abra, which he had deemed a critical area, had also withdrawn from rendering election service.

A common reason for withdrawing was fear of election violence.

The Comelec on Tuesday said 19 people were killed and 19 others were injured during the BSKE this year.

Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco said the deaths and injuries stemmed from 29 validated electionrelated incidents recorded from Aug. 28 to Oct. 30, while ii is still investigating 113 cases of violence to determine if these are connected to the elections.

“Most of these fatalities occurred in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which he said has the “most tension and most red areas of concern,” Laudiangco said in an interview with CNN. On the whole, however, the Comelec described the long-delayed Barangay and SK polls as “generally peaceful.”

Police earlier said two people were killed and five others were wounded outside a polling station in Maguindanao del Norte province.

The shootout happened during a confrontation between supporters of rival candidates for village captain, said Datu Odin Sinsuat municipality police chief Lt. Col. Esmail Madin.

In another incident in Mindanao, a woman was killed when a gunfight broke out after a van carrying a village captain and her supporters was stopped on a road by people backing her rival in Lanao del Norte province, the army said.

The husband of a village captain in Lanao del Sur province died after he was shot in the chest during a confrontation with his wife’s rival, police said.

also known as Day of the Dead, which is marked every Nov. 2 and combines both Aztec and Catholic rituals.

“Even before the Spaniards came, we already had traditions and beliefs to commemorate the dead, just not with Catholic symbols such as crosses and not necessarily on Nov. 1,” Castro said.

“We have family shrines. The belief that our ancestors are watching over us and that they are to be revered, that is very, very Pinoy. The Ilocanos, for example, reserve a plate of food for their ancestors from time to time, not just on Nov. 1. Isabelo de los Reyes even coined a term for this ancient religious belief – anitismo” he added.

The Kankanaey group of people in Sagada, Castro said, had been offering food for their departed “ninuno” or ancestors even before the concept of Un-

das every Nov. 1 was observed in the country.

In Visayan mythology, there is also Magwayen, the goddess of the sea who is best known as the one who ferried the souls of the dead aboard her “balangay,” a pre-colonial plank boat, toward the underworld.

The Philippines also has a local equivalent of what is known now as the Halloween practice of trick or treat, Philippine studies professor Shedar Jocson said.

In Southern Tagalog, the practice is called “pangangaluluwa” where people dressed in white shirts sing songs and carols while asking for coins. The coins collected will then be used to buy candles for common gravestones in cemeteries which serve as markers for unknown, unclaimed or no longer visited graves.

the West Philippine Sea will lead us into a war.

“FACT: Exposing China’s aggression is not inciting war. By keeping our political leaders and countrymen aware of China’s violations of international law, we are safeguarding our country from political manipulation and disinformation,” Tarriela said.

“Also, by calling out China’s bad behavior at sea, we highlight which party is really responsible for raising tensions and increasing the likelihood of a kinetic conflict,” the PCG official added.

Tarriela said that the second argument used by “pro-China” persons is that the Philippines’ transparency about Chinese aggression in the West Philippine is “solely influenced by the United States.”

The PCG-WPS spokesman said the government’s transparency efforts “are driven by our own national interest--the protection of the Philippines’ maritime rights.”

“The Philippine Coast Guard and other government agencies are utilizing their own resources to document and monitor Beijing’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea. For instance, the PCG has chosen to embed Filipino news journalists to ensure accurate and unbiased reporting of the events they witness,” he said.

“The PCG does not have editorial control over what these journalists report. Our dedication to transparency is independent of any external influence, and we prioritize the dissemination of factual information to the public.”

Finally, he said pro-China individuals are accusing those who are critical of China of being “anti-Filipino and pro-US.”

vors, and praying over the bodies over those killed, wrapped in white shrouds.

Netanyahu said pausing operations now would be a “surrender” to the Palestinian militant group responsible for brutal raids on Israeli homes, farms and villages that killed an estimated 1,400 people and saw at least 240 hostages taken according to the latest count given by Israeli officials.

But the humanitarian toll has sparked a global backlash, with aid groups and the United Nations saying time is running out for many of the territory’s 2.4 million people denied access to food, water, fuel and medicine.

Surgeons are conducting amputations and other operations on hospital floors

without anaesthetic, and children are forced to drink salty water, said JeanFrancois Corty, vice-president of Medecins Sans Frontieres, which has 20 staff on the ground.

Rizk Abu Rok, a 24-year-old paramedic with the Palestinian Red Crescent, told AFP he arrived at the scene of a strike at a cafe only to find his father and several other relatives dead.

“I rushed to the emergency room and found my father there. He had a head wound. I knew immediately that he was dead,” he said.

“I collapsed and lost my nerve.

The nurses brought me outside to calm me down.”

Israel has accused Hamas of using

hospitals as military headquarters and civilians as “human shields,” charges the militants dismiss as “baseless” propaganda.

The incursion scored an early victory Monday: the rescue of Private Ori Megidish, an Israeli soldier in Hamas who was reunited with her family and provided “intelligence that we’ll be able to use for future operations,” said army spokesman Jonathan Conricus.

But there was heartbreak for the family of another missing woman, 23-yearold German-Israeli Shani Louk, who had been abducted from a music festival then “tortured and paraded around Gaza,” according to Israel’s foreign ministry. AFP

Coast Guard...

From A1

NEWS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023

Filipino family chooses to go back to war-torn Gaza Strip, says DFA

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said six Filipinos belonging to one family decided to go back to Gaza City while awaiting a chance to cross the Rafah border to Egypt.

“They returned to Gaza City from southern Gaza where they were having space limitations in a flat,” DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega said.

The DFA official made the statement even as the Philippine Embassy in Jordan said that 49 Filipinos remained unreachable in the Gaza Strip.

Ambassador Wilfredo Santos on Tuesday said that they were able to contact 87 Filipinos in the war-torn strip.

This came even after Israeli telecommunication lines were cut off there and Paltel Group, which provides communications services in Gaza gradually restored landline, mobile, and internet services.

The embassy in Amman, Jordan, has jurisdiction over Filipinos and Philippine concerns in the Gaza Strip. Santos they were able to get in touch with the Filipinos starting at 4 a.m. today.

“We were able to contact 87 Filipinos, including 57 in Rafah. 49 Filipinos remain unreachable for now but we continue to get in touch with them,” he said in an interview.

The Department of Social Welfare and Department (DSWD) meanwhile said it has provided financial aid as a form of augmentation to support the fourth batch of Filipino repatriates who arrived from Israel on Monday.

The DSWD said the fourth batch of 64 overseas Filipino repatriates, including two babies, were welcomed by DSWD Program Management Bureau (PMB) Director Miramel Garcia-Laxa, together with other government officials, upon their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). With Maricel V. Cruz

A3

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF

SC planning summit to tackle jail congestion in the country THE Supreme Court (SC) said it is planning to hold a national summit and discuss ways to decongest jails in the country.

The SC in a statement said the National Jail Decongestion Summit will be held in coordination with the Justice Sector Coordinating Council, which is composed of the SC, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“Here, the SC, the DOJ, and the DILG shall collaborate to identify the root causes of prolonged detention in jails, which contribute to prison overcrowding,” Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said.

“We aim to establish new policies and initiatives that shall expedite the processing of criminal cases and alleviate jail congestion,” he added.

The Justice chief visited PDLs at the Pasay City Jail on Sunday in observance of the 28th National Correctional Consciousness Week.

He was accompanied by Associate Justice Midas Marquez, Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez, and Pasay City Vice Mayor Waldetrudes Del Rosario, among others.

According to Gesmundo, the Supreme Court is spearheading initiatives that will benefit PDLs such as lower bail amounts for indigents.

Duterte: Collaborations to boost semicon industry EARLY VISIT. Two kids run on top of tombs at the Old Capilpil Cemetery in Brgy Sta. Ana, in San Mateo, Rizal on Tuesday.

A day before All Saints’ Day, people started visiting their departed loved ones at cemeteries. The Department of Health earlier urged the public to refrain from bringing small children to cemeteries to prevent injuries and diseases that may be caused by overcrowding. Manny Palmero

Marcos, Kishida to hold bilateral talks Friday—Palace

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will hold a bilateral meeting at Malacañan Palace this Friday.

Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil, citing the Department of Foreign Affairs, announced that Kishida would embark on an official visit to the Philippines from Nov. 3 to 4.

In a statement, Garafil said Mr. Marcos would lead the welcome rites for Kishida at Malacañan and discuss with the Japanese leader the areas of mutual concern such as political, security, economic, and development cooperation, as well as people-to-people ties.

“The Japanese leader and the President are also expected to exchange views on

regional and international issues, and reaffirm the excellent relations between the Philippines and Japan, which was elevated into a Strategic Partnership in 2011,” Garafil said.

Mr. Marcos and Kishida also met in February this year in Tokyo, Japan where the Terms of Reference on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) activities of the Japan Self-Defense Forces in the Philippines were signed.

During his official visit to Tokyo in February, the President also had an audience with Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, and meetings with various business leaders and investors.

Mr. Marcos’ Japan trip led to the signing of around $13 billion worth of investment pledges expected to generate about 24,000 jobs for Filipinos.

Kishida also pledged in February to provide 600 billion yen ($4.6 billion) in official development assistance (ODA) and private-sector investment to support the Philippines’ economic development plan to become an upper middle-income country by 2025.

During the 49th Philippine Business Conference and Expo in Manila on Oct. 26, Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to continue investing in the Philippines’ big-ticket projects.

A big chunk of Japanese investments in the country goes into infrastructure projects, among which are the North-South Commuter Railway, Metro Manila Subway Project, LRT-1 Cavite Extension, LRT-2 East Extension and MRT-3 rehabilitation.

VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte said that the growth of the country’s semiconductor industry could be enhanced via collaboration between industry stakeholders and educational institutions.

In a social media post on Tuesday, Duterte suggested that educational institutions could enhance their curriculum by collaborating with industry experts and stakeholders to ensure that they are always a step ahead of the evolving needs of the industry.

“By incorporating emerging technologies, industry-specific skills, and practical training opportunities, education can equip students with the relevant knowledge and skills needed to excel in the field by the time they graduate,” she said.

She emphasized that the collaboration between the industry and the academia is essential, and could lead to resource sharing, joint research projects, internships, and industryled workshops.

“These collaborations bridge the gap between academia and industry, ensuring that education remains industry-relevant and students gain practical exposure and experience,” Duterte said.

With the help of education, she said, entrepreneurship in the industry could also be promoted by offering courses and programs that nurture business skills and encourage innovation.

“Providing mentorship, access to incubators, and networking opportunities can empower aspiring entrepreneurs to establish their own ventures, contributing to the industry’s growth,” Duterte said while also emphasizing the importance of research and development.

A4

OPINION

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023

Honor Blanco Cabie, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PEN Philippines holds successful 66th Congress TWO discussion panels at the recent PEN Philippines National Congress tackled the disruptive phenomenon of artificial intelligence (AI) in creative writing and the opportunities for Filipino writers in global publishing, issues and concerns discussed for the first time in such a setting.

The gathering of PEN members, scholars, and students was held last October 25 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Black Box Theater.

Also in the audience were some members of PEN International, who flew over for a three-day workshop that followed the Congress.

With the theme “Ang Manunulat sa Mundo (The Writer in the World),” the Congress’s two discussion panels aimed to shed light on topics that are relevant and timely for Filipino writers.

Also held were the prestigious Rizal Lecture, delivered by former PEN Philippines Board member Karina Bolasco, who recently retired from publishing after 40 successful years in the industry.

The Congress ended with ‘Free the Word!’ – a series of readings and performances by Filipino and international poets and performers The guests for the first panel, which I moderated, were AI and technology expert Dr Dominic “Doc” Ligot, freelance writer and organizer Aimee Morales, and two literature and creative writing teachers – novelist Clarissa Militante of De La Salle University and poet, essayist, and fictionist Joselito D. De Los Reyes of the University of Santo Tomas.

Titled “The Filipino Writer and AI,” our panel explored the the use of AI in creative and commercial writing and education and implications for the present and future.

Doc Ligot began with a short talk explaining the basics of AI in writing, and a discussion ensued among the panel members about how AI might mimic the work of human authors and the consequences of this.

Some of the questions asked were: With the use of AI, can anything then still be said to be original?

Shall we have to put literary works through AI detectors, as some of us educators do with our students’ works?

What does this spell about the future of literary and book awards as well as publishing, with the possibility that some works may have been written with the use of AI and thus not entirely a human author’s work?

Should the AI then be credited as a coauthor?

What about the fact that some commercial writers (copywriters and such) are now being replaced by AI? In a post-event Facebook post, Doc Ligot summed up that panel quite well when he wrote that the “prevailing mood among writers at the PEN Congress was one of awe mixed with trepidation.

S “AI has made significant strides in generating content that rivals human creativity, leaving writers both amazed by its capabilities and apprehensive about its implications for their livelihoods.”

Multi-awarded writer and University of the Philippines professor emeritus Jose Y. Dalisay, Jr., who taught literature and creative writing for decades, wrote in a Qwertyman blog post that the panel discussion “expressed many of the anxieties brought on by the entry of AI into the classroom, the workplace, and everyday life: plagiarism and the loss of originality, the loss of jobs, indeterminate authorship, and the lack of liability for AIproduced work.

“With Filipinos being the world’s top users of social media, AI’s centrality in our digital future can only be assured, like it or not, and for better or for worse.”

Because the phenomenon is so new but so disruptive, no one had any clear answers yet.

It’s a matter of wait-and-see, and of experimenting with AI to take advantage of its benefits, particularly for practical purposes, while making sure that literary works retain their originality as humancreated.

The panel on Filipinos and global publishing, hosted by musician and graphic novel writer Jay Ignacio with guests writer Joel Donato Ching Jacob, Almira Manduriao of Penguin South East Asia, and Honey de Peralta of Penguin International, discussed what Filipino writers need to do to have their voices heard by the world.

(De Peralta: For the U.S. and similar markets, getting an agent is the absolute mandatory first step. Manduriao: Just send in your manuscript even without an agent, as the process in Penguin SEA is different.)

Bolasco’s Rizal lecture emphasized Rizal’s contribution to Philippine letters and shaping the world of the Filipino writer, even as new, global opportunities allow Filipinos to become citizens of the world through telling their own, uniquely Filipino stories.

The Congress ended with “Free the Word!” – a series of readings and performances by Filipino and international poets and performers, among them Bibeth Orteza, Chai Fonacier, Banaue Miclat, and John Iremil Teodoro.

PEN Philippines president Sarge Lacuesta said that the revitalized organization under a new Board will resume its periodic book launches starting this month and will stage more forums in line with new collaborations and partnerships.

The 66th PEN Philippines National Congress was co-sponsored by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, in particular the Intertextual Division that provided the expertise and hands-on work to stage and conduct the event. * * * FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO / Email: writerjennyo@gmail.com

Taiwan transforms Matsu wartime strongholds into ‘island museum’ MATSU, Taiwan – A former military power plant on Taiwan’s tiny Matsu archipelago is bathed in an ominous crimson light — an art installation reminding visitors of the ever-present threat of a Chinese invasion.

The exhibit entitled “Your Country Needs You: Glory of ‘Jun Hun’” — which means “military spirit” — is part of the Matsu Biennial which runs until midNovember.

Some of the works displayed across Matsu — a chain of rocky islands 20 minutes by boat from China’s eastern coast — focus on its natural beauty.

But there were also artists, like light designer Liu Ping-yi and his partner Annie Chu, who chose to capitalize on the outlying islands’ wartime history.

“We wanted to use light to let the visitors return to a period in the past and understand how the soldiers and civilians lived on the island then,” said Liu, who collaborated with a sound artist on the power plant installation.

“I hope they can imagine what Matsu was like during wartime.”

The Matsu islands were key military strongholds for the nationalist forces after they fled China in 1949 following defeat in

the Chinese civil war.

Sporadically shelled by China, the nationalists ramped up Matsu’s fortifications, constructing underground tunnels and air raid shelters while coastal outposts had narrow openings so that soldiers could fire in the direction of the mainland.

Today, many of these military structures are abandoned, though some of the tunnels have been restored and are open to the public.

For the biennial, an air raid shelter now carries soundtracks of the past, while a former military performance hall showcases cut-out Chinese characters strung together — taken from letters sent to servicemen and residents on the islands.

A whale-shaped wire structure is erected on a beach, fashioned out of old Matsu ships with navy vessel accents.

Now, “Matsu is a tourism-oriented county”, said magistrate Wang Chungming, who takes issue with his home being labelled as a “frontline island”.

“Matsu needs to move towards the concept of an island museum,” he said.

‘Don’t attack Matsu’ The outlying islands are just northwest of the Taiwan Strait, a 180-kilometer wide

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Dissonant notes

ENATORS have our hand for supporting Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla’s plan to file “environmental” charges against China, based on international laws like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas or UNCLOS.

We are sure authorities are carefully studying the matter after China was reported to have destroyed corals in the West Philippine Sea which China continues to claim, arrogantly in the eyes of analysts, as part of its recently updated but mythical TenDash Line to make territorial claims in the South China Sea. Never mind that the Philippines was pulling out its request for official development assistance from China worth P83 billion for a railway project in Mindanao, which definitely must not derail the implementation of the government’s infrastructure program.

We are aware Chinese banks have kept Manila “in suspended animation” with delays in the country’s loan applications which put in limbo several government projects.

We are also mindful a party-list lawmaker has called for the swift approval of a measure seeking to establish archipelagic sea lanes to bar the unauthorized passage

China’s syllables make disquieting dissonant notes of foreign vessels within the Philippines’ territorial waters and airspace.

“While China continues to disregard our freedom of navigation within our own exclusive economic zone, we should act quickly to ensure that such actions do not embolden them to encroach on our territorial waters and conduct any kind of activity without the permission of our government,” Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan said.

Which brings us to the meeting between President Marcos and China’s leader Xi Jinping, where the latter assured his guest he would look into Manila’s proposal for a hotline to check any

miscommunication or an unfriendly face-off in the disputed sealane.

But as quickly as the sun set in that meeting, the China Coast Guard directed a military-grade laser toward BRP Malapascua, temporarily blinding Philippine Coast Guard personnel.

We salute Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. for standing up to the Chinese and described Xi’s efforts to reach out to President Marcos as “false pretenses” since China’s harassment and intimidation of the Philippine Coast Guard and fishermen in the West Philippine Sea belie China’s assurances of bilateral close ties and deep friendship.

While the Philippines is a defense ally of the United States, under then president Rodrigo Duterte it set aside a territorial spat over the South China Sea in exchange for Chinese investment.

Beijing claims much of the South China Sea, where about $3 trillion in ship-borne trade passes annually, with the area becoming a flashpoint for Chinese and US tensions around naval operations.

In a previous address, Mr. Marcos vowed he would not lose an inch of Philippine territory to any foreign power, drawing cheers from advocates of a 2016 arbitral ruling invalidating China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea. China’s syllables make disquieting dissonant notes.

Beijing’s discordant tune DEFENSE Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, we know by now, is not afraid to say what’s on his mind and to call a spade a spade.

Recently, he described Chinese President Xi Jinping’s efforts to reach out to President Marcos Jr. and then-President Rodrigo Duterte as “false pretenses” since China’s harassment and intimidation of our Coast Guard and fishermen in the West Philippine Sea belie its assurances of our close ties and deep friendship.

“China talks to us…just for show, to show the world that they talk to us, but beneath all that, what their actions say is different,” Teodoro said.

Exactly. There is a wide gap between what China’s leaders say and what they do, and we commend our Defense Secretary for pointing this out.

We recall that President Marcos’ visit to China earlier this year was capped by a meeting with Xi. The Chinese president gave assurances he would look into the Philippine proposal to establish a hotline to prevent any miscommunication or an unfriendly encounter in the disputed sealane.

Not long after, Teodoro lamented, the China Coast Guard pointed a militarygrade laser toward BRP Malapascua, temporarily blinding Philippine Coast Guard personnel.

Teodoro’s remarks came after the latest incident, when the Chinese Coast Guard blocked in an aggressive and dangerous manner a Philippine resupply enroute to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal and caused a collision.

If China seeks continuous talks with the Philippine government regarding disputes over the West Philippine Sea, it should henceforth be open to the public and not anymore with the cloak of secrecy, Teodoro said.

“Another problem with engaging with China (officials) is that they’re not transparent. We don’t know how they work, we don’t know who we’re talking to,” he said.

The defense chief stressed if future talks are on the table, China needs to show it respects the Philippines as a people and

A whale-shaped wire structure is erected on a beach, fashioned out of old Matsu ships with navy vessel accents waterway and key shipping route that separates China from Taiwan’s main island.

Beijing — which claims Taiwan as its territory, to be taken by force one day -has held massive military exercises around

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

a country.

Does Beijing treat us with respect?

We don’t think so.

Recent experience tells us talks with China for the peaceful resolution of territorial and maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea have been going nowhere.

The two sides agreed to put up the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) in 2016 as a platform for dialogue and as a confidence-building process for both sides to manage and address differences, to promote practical maritime cooperation and environmental protection, as well as enhance mutual trust and confidence.

But it appears while China says it wants to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea, it is doing the exact opposite The BCM was first held in 2017 and was supposed to be held every year thereafter until the COVID-19 pandemic started in early 2020.

The 6th meeting was held in May 2021.

The communiqué issued after this meeting was, as expected, diplomatic: “The two sides had friendly and candid exchanges on the general situation and specific issues of concern in the SCS/ WPS. “There was mutual recognition of the importance of dialogue in easing tensions and understanding each country’s position and intentions in the area...Both sides acknowledged the importance of addressing differences in an atmosphere of openness and cordiality to pave the way for practical cooperation and initiatives.”

The 7th BCM, held in March 2023, was the first face-to-face meeting between the two countries since the onset of COVID.

it in the past year, including one in April that saw warplanes and naval vessels simulate encirclement of the island.

For the residents of Matsu, which was the closest Taiwanese territory to April’s drills, life often goes on without skipping a beat in the face of such war games.

Artist Chao Kai-chih, who helped curate the biennial’s installations, said local residents are “not scared of verbal threats

by China”.

“Come if you have the guts,” he joked — before quickly switching course and quipping that if China were to invade, “you can attack a bit further — attack Taiwan, don’t attack Matsu”.

Growing up in Matsu under the military

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

This was convened in an effort to implement the important consensus on maritime issues reached by the presidents of the two countries, particularly on setting up a hotline to prevent any escalation of tensions at sea.

While the two sides spoke positively of the development of China-Philippines relations, and emphasized the important consensus on maritime issues between the two presidents should be implemented expeditiously, the prior agreement to set up a hotline between foreign ministries in Beijing and Manila did not lead to a lessening of tensions.

Here’s what the communiqué said: “The two sides agreed to exercise restraint, make good use of the hotline between the two foreign ministries, improve maritime communication and dialogue mechanisms, and enhance talks and exchanges between different departments and on multiple levels… The two sides agreed to manage and control differences and properly handle emergencies at sea through friendly consultations.”

It is understandable that communiqués issued after the meetings of the total of seven BCMs since 2017 have been couched in general terms, mainly on agreements reached, rather than on controversial issues requiring urgent action.

But it appears while China says it wants to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea, it is doing the exact opposite.

With that, can we can expect only more bullying and harassment tactics against our Coast Guard and fishermen, and not restraint and friendly consultations with them?

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

administration had many restrictions, said Chao, 66, describing a 9:00 pm curfew and not being allowed on the island’s beaches.

“We want peace, we don’t want war and what we can do is to turn Matsu into an art island,” Chao said.

The magistrate’s hope is that the biennial will bring the islands some muchneeded tourism dollars, as the three-year border restrictions due to the pandemic have meant a loss in visitors and income.

“Now we have to slowly restart the negotiation process from the perspective of tourism and cargo goods,” Wang said.

“Politically, we must follow Taiwan, but economically Matsu must integrate with the mainland.” AFP

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Over 1m Pinays abroad victims of exploitation, prostitution–UN

LAST MINUTE CHECK.

National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) director Brig.

Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. and Manila Police District chief Col. Arnold Thomas Ibay make a final round of the Manila North Cemetery on the eve of All Saints’ Day to ensure the orderly and safe observance of Undas at the cemeteries in Metro Manila.

Norman Cruz

By Gabriellea Pariño SOME 1.13 million Filipino women abroad are victims of exploitation and prostitution, according to a report by the United Nations.

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) asserted that such circumstances affecting Filipino women abroad often lead to human trafficking.

“They are primarily engaged in unskilled and low-paid jobs and are separated from their families and children for long periods of time,” the report published by CEDAW stated.

The CEDAW also called for a strengthening of the legal protection of Filipino women working overseas and to prosecute those who would abuse or exploit them.

The committee asked the Philippines to ensure that women human rights defenders and journalists are enjoined to participate in the campaign.

The committee also plans to raise further awareness of women overseas workers about their rights.

The UN took note of the “red-tagging” of Nobel Prize laureate Maria Ressa, which resulted in intimidation, hate speech, threats, physical assault, harassment, arrest, and detention.

“The Committee asked the Philippines to ensure that women human rights defenders and journalists, including Maria Ressa, and those advocating for land rights, environmental protection, indigenous women’s rights, and rural women’s rights, can exercise their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association without harassment, surveillance, or undue restriction,” the CEDAW said.

Transport groups cite DOTr chief’s drive vs. colorums MAJOR transport groups have expressed gratitude to Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Vigor Mendoza II for their “aggressive action” to finally end the illegal operation of colorum public utility vehicles (PUVs).

The group, in a statement, said the current anti-colorum drive is an answered prayer for the long years of their complaints and battle to address the problem that has been affecting the daily income of legitimate drivers and operators across the country.

This developed as Mendoza ordered the deployment of more mystery colorum drivers to ensure the integrity of the implementation of the aggressive operations against the operation of colorum public utility vehicles (PUVs).

Mendoza also expressed gratitude to the transport groups for its commitment to provide mystery colorum drivers whose task is to give the LTO leadership all the necessary information on what is happening on the ground following the order of Transportation chief Bautista to further intensify the operations against the illegal operations that are affecting the daily income of legitimate PUV drivers and operators.

“Our aggressive drive against colorum PUVs will come with the effort on the part of the LTO to ensure the integrity of this campaign. Hindi dapat maging oportunidad ito para sa mga tiwaling tao para sa anumang extortion activities (It should not be an opportunity for the corrupt to engage in any form of corruption),” said Mendoza.

On Sunday, Mendoza ordered the relief of six LTO traffic enforcers and the filing of criminal and administrative charges against them that may lead to their dismissal from the agency.

BLAST OF CHRISTMAS.

An explosion of neon lights in the shape of a huge star illuminates the Abacan bridge in Angeles City, Pampanga with one and a half months away from Christmas Day. Andrew Rabulan

A5

ASEAN maintains UNCLOS should apply on SCS disputes

T

HE Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) reasserted its conviction that the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS) should be respected and obeyed insofar as the South China Sea territorial disputes are concerned.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, the current chairman of the ASEAN issued this observation at the 7th ASEAN Media Forum when asked about the worsening tension at the West Philippine Sea (WPS) between the Philippines and China, the GMA News reported.

“We closely monitor the situation right now in the South China Sea and I think the position of ASEAN is very clear, crystal clear: That UNCLOS 1982 should be prioritized when it comes about South

China Sea,” Marsudi told the reporters.

“And the position of Indonesia is crystal clear, that everyone, every country should adopt and implement UNCLOS 1982,” the minister added.

Marsudi also disclosed that the ASEAN was still negotiating with China to finalize the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. “On the situation of the South China Sea, of course, South China Sea is in our region, we are now negotiating the Code of Conduct. Hopefully we will be able to

finalize it soon but not only a fast, quick negotiation but also a substantial negotiation,” she said.

“So we do hope when we finalize the negotiation, the situation on the South China Sea will be more conducive,” she stressed.

Early this month, a China Coast Guard vessel collided with Philippine boat on a mission to deliver fresh supplies to troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre warship which was grounded at the Ayungin Shoal in the disputed West Philippine Sea. The Philippines maintains a small navy personnel on BRP Sierra Madre to guard the shoal, located 105.77 nautical miles from the nearest Philippine province of Palawan and constitutes part of the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf as provided under a United Nations convention.

BATMAN RIDES AGAIN.

The superhero Batman is back on the street in his batmobile not to fight another crime in progress but merely to entertain boys and girls having a pre-Halloween party at a private school on J.P. Laurel St., in San Miguel, Manila just a stone throw away from Malacanang Palace.

Joan Bondoc

Taguig bags exemplary local governance award

By Joel E. Zurbano TAGUIG City was recognized in the 2023 Urban Governance Exemplary Awards by the Department of Interior and Local Government - National Capital Region.

The local government received an 87.50 percent Highly Functional score for the 2023 Anti-Drug Abuse Council Perfor-

mance Audit, 83 percent Ideal Functional score for the 2023 Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking - Violence Against Women and their Children Functionality Audit, and Exemplary Performance for the 2021 Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit.

Mayor Laarni Cayetano led the city government in implementing programs like Legal Advocacy for Women and

Children’s Protection, which aims to protect women and their children from abusive households and relationships.

To further safeguard the welfare of the youth, Taguig established a hotline for Child and Youth Welfare Protection.

This initiative addresses various concerns, including cyber threats, sexual exploitation, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, and human trafficking.

LANDBANK waives fee for P1k fund transfer CUSTOMERS of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) can now enjoy free online fund transfers to other banks via InstaPay and PESONet for transactions worth P1,000 and below effective 01 November 2023.

For interbank fund transfers amounting to more than P1,000, customers can continue to enjoy a lowered fixed transaction fee of P15 from the previous rate of P25.

LANDBANK’s waiving of transfer fees helps clients send money to loved ones in a safe, secure, and convenient manner, towards advancing greater financial inclusion and participation in the digital economy.

“We are thrilled to announce that LANDBANK is waiving transaction

fees for small-value online fund transfers to other banks. This is our holiday gift to our valued customers, as we continue to promote safe and convenient digital transactions,” said LANDBANK president and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz.

LANDBANK clients can enjoy waived transfer fee for their first three online fund transfers/transactions in a day via the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App (MBA), and the Bank’s online retail banking channel, the iAccess.

Fund transfers from and to LANDBANK and Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank) accounts, regardless of the amount, remain free of charge.

PH has over 12k centenarians, honored by DSWD

By Maricel V. Cruz MORE than 12,000 centenarians nationwide have been recognized and provided with incentives by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez made the announcement Tuesday, saying from 2017 up to September this year, the DSWD honored 12,186 Filipinos, who reached 100 years of age and above, through its implementation of the Centenarian Program, as mandated by Republic Act 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016.

“This achievement serves as a testament to the nation’s unwavering commitment to honoring its elderly citizens,” said Lopez, who is also the DSWD spokesm an.

Under the program, centenarians whether residing in the country or abroad are provided with P100,000 cash incentives and a letter of felicitation signed by the President of the Philippines congratulating them for their longevity.

Aside from the cash gift, the DSWD provides a posthumous plaque of recognition for deceased centenarians, which may be received by their nearest surviving relatives.

“The Centenarian Program represents our respect for our elderly an acknowledges the invaluable contributions they have made to society over the decades,” Lopez added.

Lopez reiterated that to avail of the benefits under the law, relatives of the centenarians must submit primary documents such as the birth certificate and Philippine passport to the City or Municipal Social Welfare Office and/or to the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) in their localities.

Solon confident PNR Bicol line to push through A PARTY-LIST lawmaker remains upbeat over the revival and modernization of the Philippine National Railways’ (PNR) Bicol Express rail line under the Marcos administration.

This Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan of Bicol Saro party-list group, said even after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) abandoned China as a funding source for the project.

Yamsuan cited one key indicator showing that President Marcos is keen on pursuing the rebirth of the Bicol Express is the recent ground-breaking of resettlement sites for residents of Laguna and Quezon who will be affected by the construction of the rail project, Yamsuan said.

“President Marcos is not only bent on reviving and modernizing the Bicol Express as he had promised Bicolanos.

He is also making sure that affected residents would not be neglected by ensuring that they get to resettle in livable communities. This is the strongest indicator that the project will push through,” Yamsuan said.

Dropping the loan application with China for the project could prove to be even more beneficial for the government, as it could tap other funding sources offering more cost-effective financing packages, Yamsuan pointed out. Maricel Cruz

A6 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

WORLD

10,000 Afghans flee Pakistan as deadline to leave looms PESHAWAR, Pakistan—More than 10,000 Afghans living in Pakistan rushed to the borders on Tuesday, just hours before a deadline for 1.7 million people to leave Pakistan voluntarily or face arrest and deportation.

The Pakistan government has said it would begin arresting undocumented Afghans and taking them to new holding centers from Wednesday, from where they will be processed and forcibly returned to Afghanistan.

In Afghanistan, the Taliban government has imposed a harsh interpretation of Islamic law since seizing power in August 2021, banning girls from secondary and university education and forcing women to stay out of work.

While hundreds of thousands of Afghans are estimated to have fled to Pakistan since the Taliban’s return to power, millions more had already settled there over decades of conflict, making Pakistan the host of one of the world’s largest refugee populations.

Despite a gruelling economic crisis in Afghanistan, coupled with the Taliban government’s edicts on women and girls’ rights, Afghans in Pakistan are being

forced to return to their home country.

“Thousands of Afghan refugees are waiting for their turn in vehicles, lorries, and trucks, and the number continues to grow,” Irshad Mohmand, a senior government official at the Torkham border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province told AFP. “More than 10,000 refugees have gathered since morning.”

In Afghanistan, the Taliban government has qualified Pakistan’s policy as “harassment.”

Thousands more Afghans are waiting at the southern Chaman crossing in Balochistan province, officials said -with numbers at both borders expected to double on Wednesday.

Despite huge pressure at the border, a government official based in Peshawar near the border said the holding centres would still open as planned from November 1.

“This procedure does not require much time as they don’t possess passports and visas and don’t need to pass through immigration. In simple words, they are passing through a procedure of deportation,” he told AFP on condition of anonymity. AFP

PROTESTING LOW WAGE. Bangladeshi policemen stand next to a cargo truck, after clashing with thousands of garment workers, after it was torched by garments workers in Shafipur on Tuesday, during a protest to demand fair wages for the clothing they make for major Western brands. AFP

Fresh clashes as garment workers protest low wage

A

SHULIA, Bangladesh—Bangladeshi police clashed on Tuesday with thousands of garment workers demanding fair wages for the clothing they make for major Western brands, a day after similar protests left at least two people dead.

Police said tens of thousands of workers at dozens of factories had launched strikes in Ashulia and Gazipur, the country’s largest industrial city, with authorities firing tear gas and rubber bullets as crowds smashed up factories and blocked roads.

Gazipur alone is home to more than a thousand plants that make clothing for brands such as H&M and Gap.

“Workers hit the streets as their salaries can no longer cover rising food expenses,” said Al Kamran, a senior garment union leader in Ashulia.

Bangladesh is one of the world’s largest garment exporters, with the industry accounting for 85 percent of the South Asian country’s $55 billion in annual exports.

But conditions are dire for many of

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES National Capital Judicial Region Regional Trial Court Quezon City - Branch 217 rtc1qzn217@judiciary.gov.ph 0927-8600957/85290868 RE: IN THE MATTER OF JUDICIAL RECOGNITION OF THE FOREIGN JUDGMENT DISSOLVING THROUGH DIVORCE THE MARRIAGE AND DECLARATION OF CAPACITY TO REMARRY UNDER ARTICLE 26 OF THE FAMILY CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES. MARICRIS E. DE LOS REYES OOTSUKA, represented by her Attorney-In-Fact MARILYN DE LA CRUZ ESGUERRA Petitioner, -versus-

SP. Proc. No. R-QZN-23-07555-SP

HISAO OOTSUKA, THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR OF QUEZON CITY and CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL / ADMINISTRATOR of the PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY, Respondents. x-----------------------------------------------x

ORDER This is verified Petition for Judicial Recognition of the Foreign Judgment Dissolving through Divorce the Marriage and Declaration of Capacity to Remarry under Article 26 of the Family Code of the Philippines, filed by Maricris E. Delos Reyes – Ootsuka, through counsel on August 18, 2023.

The Petitioner Maricris E. Dolos Reyes represented in this case by her Attorney-in-Fact Marilyn De La Cruz Esguerra, alleges the following: that she was married to Mr. Hisao Ootsuka, a Japanese national on July 4, 2018 in Nagahama City, Shiga City, Japan, a copy of their Report of Marriage was issued by the Philippine Statistics Office; that Petitioner and Mr. Ootsuka came to know each other in the early part of 2018 through her sister in Japan, Mr. Ootsuka courted the Petitioner and proposed to marry her in Japan; that after their marriage, Petitioner and Mr. Ootsuka then lived together as husband and wife in Japan. However, just after two years of their connubial relationship, Mr. Ootsuka changed his attitude and treatment towards the Petitioner. He would often quarrel the Petitioner over petty matters at home; that Mr. Ootsuka became unfaithful to the Petitioner by dating another woman whom he met at the club. Mr. Ootsuka also got addicted with gambling and other vices and because of his irresponsibility and philandering activities they decided to seek divorce for there was no more hope of reconciliation with each other; that on August 1, 2020, at the insistence of Mr. Ootsuka, the latter asked the Petitioner and they both signed a notification of Divorce where they submitted to the Office of the Mayor of Nagahama City, Shiga, Prefecture, Japan, the said Mayor who had authority to accept the notification, issued a Certificate of Acceptance of Divorce which is equivalent to a divorce decree in Japan thus confirming the dissolution of their marriage by divorce through mutual consent in accordance with Japanese Divorce Law; that the said accepted notification of divorce and the issuance of Divorce Acceptance were later entered, reported and recorded at the Family Registry or Certificate of all Items (Kosekitohon) of Mr. Ootsuka, to show the fact of their Divorce in accordance with the Family Registration Law in Japan, where marriage and divorce of Japanese citizens are recorded; that the certified and apostilled copies of the said foreign public documents issued by the custodian of the said Family Registry (Kosekitohan) and the Certificate of Acceptance (Juri Shomeisho) of Mr. Ootsuka and the Petitioner in Japanese text with English translations by competent translator Mika Yamauchi in Osaka, Japan are attached to the instant Petition; that the divorce by mutual agreement is recognized in Japan as another form of absolute divorce; that under the Japan’s Divorce Law, a husband and wife may divorce by agreement; that the said divorce by agreement effected by the husband and wife shall have the same effect as though it has been judicially effected and the said divorce law allows the Japanese husband to remarry; that on the basis of the Civil Code of Japan, the divorce decree obtained by mutual agreement is valid and in conformity with Japanese law on divorce and of full legal force and effect in Japan which allow Mr. Ootsuka capacity to remarry; thus, the Petitioner filed the instant case for the recognition of the Divorce obtained by her former husband Mr. Hisao Ootsuka for the recognition of the divorce decree and for her to be capacitated to remarry under the Article 26 of the Family Code of the Philippines.

WHEREFORE, finding the Petition to be sufficient in form and in substance, let this Petition be set for hearing before this Court located at Room 604, Sixth Floor, Hall of Justice – Annex, Diliman, Quezon City on December 6, 2023 at 10:00 in the morning at which place and on which time, all interested person must appear and file their opposition/s to the Petition.

Let copies of this Order be published at the expense of the Petitioner, pursuant to Section 4 of Rule 108 of the Rules of Court, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation throughout the Philippines, and to be posted on the main entrance of Quezon City Hall and Bulletin Board of the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Quezon City.

Further, let copies of this Order, together with the Petition and its annexes be sent by registered mail to the Office of the Solicitor General, Office of the Clerk of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City, Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon city and Philippine Statistics Authority, Quezon City.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Philippines, August 22, 2023.

Copy Furnished: Atty. Florante A. Zagada Counsel for the Petitioner Lot 19, Block 30, St. Thomas Ave., St., Charbel South, Sampaloc IV, Dasmariñas City, Cavite 4114 olanzagada@yahoo.com Maricris E. Delos Reyes-Ootsuka Petitioner Shiga Ken, Nagahama Shi, Shinjotera Cho 463 Pearl Town, NK 206 Japan Marilyn De La Cruz Esguerra Attorney-in-Fact of Petitioner Sitio Bacungan, Castnas, Sariaya Quezon Province

(Sgd.) CARLO D. VILLARAMA Presiding Judge OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL 134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City OFFICE OF THE CITY PROSECUTOR DOJ Building, QC-Hall Compound, Quezon City PHILIPPINE STATISTIC AUTHORITY Quezon City OFFICE OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR Quezon City Hisao Ootsuka Private Respondent 189 Hoda Cho Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture , Japan (MStandard - Oct. 25, Nov. 1 & 8, 2023)

its four million apparel workers.

“Some 15,000 of the workers joined protests for a wage hike at separate places in Ashulia,” Mahmud Naser, deputy police chief of the Ashulia industrial area, told AFP. Union leader Kamran disputed those figures, reporting some 50,000 workers had downed tools in Ashulia alone, with soaring prices a key driver.

The cost of some basic foodstuffs, like potatoes and onions, had more than doubled since last year, Kamran said.

“House rents have also spiked. The only thing that has not increased is salaries.”

Taslima Akter, the head of the Garment Sramik Samhati union, has said the compensation manufacturers are of-

fering is “less than what a worker got in 2017” once inflation and currency depreciation were taken into account.

Police said protesters had set fire to tyres, broken windows at factories and blocked a key highway connecting the industrial area with the capital Dhaka.

Officers responded by firing “rubber bullets and tear gas”, said Naser, the deputy chief in Ashulia, adding there were no reports of injuries.

The protests erupted early last week, but violence escalated on Monday when tens of thousands left their shifts and staged protests in Gazipur, where a sixstory factory was torched by workers, leading to the death of one laborer.

Another worker was killed during

clashes between police and protesters.

Bangladesh is home to around 3,500 garment factories making clothing for some of the world’s largest retailers and brands, but the basic monthly wage for workers is just 8,300 taka ($75).

Unions said the workers vented their anger on the streets after the powerful manufacturers’ association offered a 25 percent raise, ignoring demands for a new monthly minimum basic wage of 23,000 taka -- nearly a threefold increase.

The South Asian country of nearly 170 million has overtaken its neighbour India in per capita income, with the garment industry at the center of its impressive growth over the past two decades. AFP

Suspected gunman takes hostages inside post office

AFTER FIVE MONTHS.

Space flight engineer Zhu Yangzhu waves as he leaves the capsule of the Shenzhou-16 spaceship after landing in China’s Inner Mongolia on Tuesday. Two other Chinese astronauts safely returned to Earth with him after five months in orbit at the country’s space station, state media reported.

AFP

3 Chinese astros safely return to Earth after ‘successful’ mission BEIJING—Three Chinese astronauts safely returned to Earth on Tuesday after five months in orbit at the country’s space station, state media reported.

Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao touched down at China’s Dongfeng landing site at 8:11 am (0011 GMT), according to state broadcaster CCTV. Footage showed their return capsule parachuting down into the barren Gobi Desert, kicking up a cloud of orange dust as it hit the ground.

“On-site medical supervision and insurance personnel confirmed that the astronauts... are in good health,” CCTV said.

“The Shenzhou-16 crewed flight mission was a complete success.”

Jing, Zhu and Gui travelled to China’s Tiangong space station in late May and were in orbit for 154 days.

They spent the time conducting scientific experiments

and carried out a nearly eight-hour spacewalk.

A fresh crew replaced them last week after the Shenzhou-17 mission blasted off from the Jiuquan launch site in the country’s northwest.

Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin will perform “space science and application payload tests”, according to the country’s Manned Space Agency.

They will also conduct maintenance work to fix minor damage to the station from space debris.

Beijing has accelerated plans to become a major space power since President Xi Jinping took the reins a decade ago.

The world’s second-largest economy has invested billions of dollars in its military-run space program to catch up with the United States and Russia.

China also aims to send a crewed mission to the Moon by 2030 and eventually build a base on the lunar surface. AFP

TOKYO, Japan—A suspected gunman has taken an unknown number of people hostage inside a post office in Japan, authorities said Tuesday, following a suspected shooting in a nearby hospital.

“At approximately 2:15 pm today, a person has taken hostages and holed up at a post office in Chuo 5-chome area of Warabi city... The perpetrator is possessing what appears to be a gun,” the city’s authorities said on their website.

“Citizens near the scene are urged to follow police instructions and evacuate in accordance with police instructions.”

The Yomiuri daily reported that around 10 post office staff members may be inside the building.

The Yomiuri also reported there is speculation the man may be carrying kerosene with him, without citing sources.

Police urged 300 residents in the nearby area to evacuate, broadcaster TBS said.

A number of police cars were surrounding the post office.

The incident came as police investigated a shooting incident in the nearby town of Toda, on the outskirts of Tokyo, earlier in the day. AFP

Court weighs if Trump can be kept off 2024 ballot for ‘insurrection’ WASHINGTON, DC—A Colorado court began hearing a lawsuit on Monday that seeks to bar Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential ballot on the grounds he violated his oath of office by engaging in an insurrection.

The case, one of several similar legal efforts to keep the former president out of the running, is likely to eventually end up before the US Supreme Court, where conservatives hold a 6-3 majority.

The lawsuit filed in Colorado by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics (CREW), a Washingtonbased watchdog group, claims Trump is ineligible to run for the White House again because of the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by his supporters.

The argument, which has legal scholars sharply divided, rests on an amendment to the Constitution ratified after the 1861-65 Civil War. Section 3 of the 14th Amendment bars anyone from holding public office if they engaged in “insurrection or rebellion” after once pledging to support and defend the Constitution.

The amendment, ratified in 1868, was aimed at preventing supporters of the slave-holding Confederacy from being elected to Congress or from holding federal positions.

Acting on behalf of six Colorado voters, CREW petitioned the Colorado secretary of state, the top election official in the western state, to keep Trump off the ballot in next year’s presidential election.

“Trump incited a violent mob to attack our Capitol to stop the peaceful transfer of power under our Constitution,” Eric Olson, an attorney for CREW, said in his opening argument at the livestreamed hearing being held in Denver before Judge Sarah Wallace.

“January 6 was an insurrection against the Constitution,” Olson said. “Trump engaged in that insurrection.

“We are here because Trump claims that after all that, he has the right to be president again,” he said.

“But our Constitution, our shared charter of our naTrump tion, says he cannot do so.” AFP

BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023

A7

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Semirara’s nine-month income dropped 37%

By Alena Mae S. Flores

S

EMIRARA Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) said Tuesday its nine-month net income fell 37 percent to P22.6 billion from P35.9 billion a year ago on lower coal shipments and selling prices.

SMPC also saw its third-quarter net income plunge 66 percent to P3.4 billion from P10.1 billion in the same period last year.

“The third quarter is always a slow period for us in terms of production and demand because of the rainy season.

Last year was an outlier because of high index prices,” said SMPC president and

chief operating officer Maria Cristina Gotianun.

“Our power business really stepped up this year. Their all-time high results offset the sharp earnings drop in our coal business,” Gotianun said.

The average selling price of Semirara coal declined 23 percent from January to September to P4,042 per metric ton

from P5,224 per MT on stabilizing index prices.

The average Newcastle price in the same period slumped by 48 percent from $357.4 to $186, while the average Indonesian coal index slipped by 23 percent from $84 to $65.

SMPC said nine-month coal production decreased by 14 percent from a record 13.7 million metric tons (MMT) last year to 11.8 MMT this year on higher stripping activities in Molave and Narra mines.

Coal shipments in the same period dropped 12 percent from 11.9 MMT to 10.5 MMT. Meanwhile, the power segment recorded its best overall plant perfor-

mance over the nine-month period as plant availability improved 31 percent from 62 percent to 81 percent.

Gross power generation accelerated by 28 percent from 2,881 gigawatt hours (GWh) to 3,695 GWh while sales volume rose 24 percent from 2,778 GWh to 3,437 GWh. The average electricity selling price posted a 2-percent uptick from P5.62 per kWh to P5.75 per kWh as higher contract prices offset the impact of receding spot market prices.

It said the average spot selling price fell by 14 percent from P7.33 per kWh to P6.33 per kWh largely due to the stabilization of fuel prices and entry of additional capacity into the main grid.

CHRISTMAS DISTRICT.

The Greenfield District transforms into a ‘Christmas Candy Land’ with the launch of Greenfield Development Corp.’s annual holiday festivities on Oct. 27, 2023.

The festive Christmas tree lighting event is an annual tradition at the Greenfield District in Mandaluyong City. The Christmas tree is decorated with candy canes, donuts, lollipops and other candythemed and dessert-themed ornaments.

AEV’s profit fell 16% despite power unit’s higher contribution in three quarters ABOITIZ Equity Ventures Inc. said Tuesday it recorded consolidated net income of P18 billion in the first nine months of 2023, down 16 percent from P21.4 billion in the same period in 2022.

AEV said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the company recognized nonrecurring gains of P738 million, lower than P5.3 billion a year ago.

The company said that without these one-off gains, core net income in the first nine months was at P17.3 billion, up 8 percent year-on-year.

Net income in the third quarter reg-

istered a 21-percent decline to P7.6 billion from P9.6 billion a year earlier.

Core net income in the third quarter was at P6.2 billion, down 12 percent year-on-year.

Power accounted for 70 percent of the total income contributions from AEV’s strategic business units (SBU) in the first nine months, while financial services represented 20 percent.

Income contributions from infrastructure, real estate and food SBUs were at four percent, four percent, and three percent, respectively.

Power subsidiary Aboitiz Power

Corp.’s net income in the first nine months amounted to P26.7 billion, or 37 percent higher than P19.5 billion in the same period in 2022.

This was driven by higher availability and fresh contributions from GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. (Philippines) (GNPD).

“The company had an impressive performance in the first nine months of the year compared to the same period in 2022, powered by our resilience, adaptability, and vision. Through our strategic partnerships, we are well-positioned to accomplish our RE growth ambitions,

opening up opportunities for innovation and expansion,” AboitizPower president and chief executive Emmanuel Rubio said.

“Looking ahead to 2024, we are optimistic about our prospects. Building upon the momentum of 2023, we look forward to diversifying our energy offerings further, focusing on sustainable practices and creating more technologydriven energy solutions,” Rubio said.

Capacity sold in the first nine months increased 19 percent to 4,705 megawatts (MW) from 3,940 MW in the same period in 2022. Alena Mae S. Flores

BOI recognized for ‘excellent’ financial rating

By Othel V. Campos THE Board of Investments (BOI) achieved outstanding performance in the financial management rating last year, based on the evaluation conducted by the Commission on Audit (COA) during the COA Entrance Conference on Oct. 18, 2023.

It was recognized for achieving an “excellent” rating among government agencies under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“The excellent rating from COA is a testament to our unwavering commitment to financial accountability and transparency. We take this achievement as both an honor and a challenge to continually improve and ensure the efficient use of public funds,” said Trade Undersecretary and BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo.

The BOI met 13 of 14 criteria set

by COA for financial management performance rating.

The audit process, meticulously conducted in strict adherence to the rigorous International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAI), facilitated a comprehensive evaluation of BOI’s financial management performance.

The examination identified areas for potential enhancement in the implementation of audit recommendations. The audit concluded with an unmodified opinion affirming the fairness of the agency’s financial statements.

This is the fourth consecutive year the BOI has received the highest opinion attainable from auditors, showcasing BOI’s firm dedication to financial integrity and accountability.

Its financial management performance earned a score of 94.34, officially classified as excellent, placing BOI among the top-performing government agencies and solidifying its position as a benchmark for financial management excellence within the government sector.

The BOI said it remained steadfast in its mission to promote economic growth and investments while maintaining its continuous pursuit of excellence in financial management.

DMCI nets P20b as coal, nickel prices normalize

By Darwin G. Amojelar DIVERSIFIED engineering conglomerate DMCI Holdings said Tuesday its consolidated net income fell 28 percent in the first nine months as coal and nickel prices began to normalize.

The company said net profit amounted to P20 billion from January to September, down from P27.63 billion in the same period last year.

DMCI Holdings recognized a consolidated net income of P4.1 billion in the third quarter, down 44 percent from P7.3 billion a year earlier on lower contributions from Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) and DMCI Mining.

“We saw double-digit contractions in coal and nickel index prices because of the China economic slowdown and global oversupply.

However, our power businesses acted as significant buffers,” DMCI Holdings chairman

and president Isidro Consunji said.

“Contributions from SEM-Calaca [Power Corporation], Southwest Luzon [Power Generation Corporation] and DMCI Power all grew double digits because of improved generation, sales volume and margins,” he said.

SMPC net income contribution receded 37 percent from P20.4 billion to P12.8 billion due to lower shipments and average selling prices, partly offset by higher power generation, sales and average selling price.

DMCI Homes contributed P3.8 billion, largely unchanged from last year as lower percentage of completion was cushioned by better selling prices and higher income from sales cancellations.

D.M. Consunji Inc. recognized a 32-percent profit contribution downswing from P676 million to P459 million in the absence of new projects and completion of most infrastructure projects.

MARKET RECOVERY.

People walk on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Oct. 30, 2023 in New York City.

The Dow rose over 500 points partly on expectations from an upcoming jobs report, Apple corporate earnings and a Federal Reserve meeting on interest rates. AFP

High operating expenses pull down UnionBank’s earnings

By Julito G. Rada

GOVERNANCE AWARD. Manulife Philippines and Manulife China Bank Life Assurance Corp. win the Golden Arrow Awards from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) for their exemplary performance in corporate governance.

Receiving the award are (from left) Manulife China Bank Life president Neil Bowyer and Manulife Philippines president and chief executive Rahul Hora.

UNION Bank of the Philippines said Tuesday its net profit in the first nine months of 2023 declined 19.8 percent to P8.1 billion from P10.1 billion a year ago on elevated operating costs.

UnionBank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange that its operating expenses rose 63 percent year-on-year to P33.5 billion on the full-year impact of the acquired Citi consumer business and UnionDigital.

These new businesses were only included as part of the banking group in the second half of 2022.

It said it spent P3.6 billion on one-time expenses mainly coming from the integration of the Citi consumer business.

UnionBank executive vice president and chief financial officer Manuel Lozano said Citi’s integration costs increased because the bank allocated more time and resources to ensure its smooth migration.

“We also spent on marketing and customer engage-

ment programs to capitalize on the growing consumer segment,” he said.

UnionBank president and chief executive Edwin Bautista said the diversified consumer business allowed to cover for the one-time costs of the bank.

“If we exclude the impact of these non-recurring costs, our ROE would be in double digits. Our topline revenues remain strong. We are confident that once we complete the integration, we can show above-industry profitability we have been known to deliver,” Bautista said.

Net revenues amounted to P52.8 billion, up by 48 percent versus the same period last year. Net interest income grew 34 percent to P37.3 billion, largely attributed to the 18-percent increase in loan portfolio.

Consumer loans grew faster at a pace of 22 percent year-on-year. The bank has one of the highest proportions of consumer to total loans in the industry at 56 percent, resulting in an above-industry net interest margin of 5.3 percent.

A8 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023 Roderick T. dela Cruz Cruz, Editor Alena Mae S. Flores, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

BUSINESS

PH told to plug gaps in dirty money control

By Julito G. Rada

T

he Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) asked the Philippine government to swiftly implement its action plan to address strategic deficiencies on anti-money laundering (AML) campaign and combatting the financing of terrorism (CFT).

FATF issued the statement after its latest plenary meeting in late October.

The statement was published in GGRAsia on Oct. 30.

The Philippines was added to the “grey list” in June 2021. Jurisdictions under this list are under increased monitoring by the watchdog.

FATF said that when a jurisdiction is under increased monitoring, it means the country “has committed to

resolve swiftly the identified strategic deficiencies” in its AML and CFT framework.

“The FATF urges the Philippines to swiftly implement its action plan to address the … strategic deficiencies as soon as possible as all deadlines expired in January 2023,” FATF said.

The international agency acknowledged in its latest report that since June

2021, the Philippines had taken steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime. The FATF, however, listed some areas where more should be done to address the country’s strategic deficiencies in those matters.

It recommended that the Philippines demonstrate that it was making use of AML and CFT controls “to mitigate risks associated with casino junkets”.

The Philippines missed the deadline to comply with the FATA requirements in January 2023. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said in June the country was given a one-year extension or until January 2024 to meet the financial standards needed to get off the risk list of the FATF. The Office of the President earlier issued a memorandum circular emphasizing the urgent implementation of the

country’s “National Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Terrorism Financing and Counter-Proliferation Financing Strategy 2023-2027″.

The document was developed to help the Philippines to exit the FATF’s grey list by January 2024.

The BSP said the country should address eight measures to comply with the FATA requirements and be taken off the watchdog’s “grey list”.

Remolona, who is just six weeks into his new job as BSP chief for the next six years, said there are two important proposed legislation that they are supporting to help convince the Parisbased FATF to remove the Philippines from the grey list, and these are the bills Amending the Bank Secrecy Law and the Anti Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA).

ENERGY SUPPLY. Aboitiz Power Corp., through subsidiary Adventenergy Inc, signs a long-term retail energy supply deal with WM Shopping Center Management Inc. (WMSCMI), the developer of the WalterMart community mall chain to power 26 of its facilities spread across Luzon. Signing the agreement are (from left) AboitizPower senior assistant vice president for retail sales Gina Camacho-David, AboitizPower first vice president for retail James Byron Yu, AboitizPower senior vice president for commercial business unit Sandro Aboitiz, WMSCMI chairman Abraham Uy, WMSCMI vice president and head of corporate engineering Ricardo Santos and WMSCMI vice president for operations engineering Walter Gabriel.

DOE lists winning bidders for geothermal, wind contracts in 4th selection round

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Department of Energy on Tuesday identified the winners for geothermal and wind pre-determined areas (PDAs) following the 4th Open and Competitive Selection Process (OCSP4).

PDAs refer to locations with potential RE resources, as supported by sufficient technical data, and are suitable for further developments.

The department declared Lopezled Energy Development Corp. as the winning bidder for the 100-megawatt (MW) Buguias-Tinoc geothermal project and 20-MW Mt. Sembrano geothermal project.

The DOE in an advisory also declared Freya Renewables Inc. the winning bidder for the Pantabangan wind project and the South Luzon Energy Solutions, Inc. for the Bagac wind power project.

It is the first OCSP round to offer PDAs for wind projects, resulting from the recently-completed resource assessment for wind energy in the Philippines.

The OCSP is being adopted as a mode for the selection and award of renewable energy (RE) contracts particularly for identified PDAs through a bidding process.

“All OCSP4 participants will receive the corresponding formal notice

on the results of their applications and next step on the process,” the agency said.

The DOE said several PDAs received no applications during the bid opening on Sept. 28, 2023. These PDAs, including six for hydropower and one for geothermal, received no offer.

These are the 4.2-MW Sibalom (Upper) hydro, 1-MW Davildavilan river hydro, 4-MW Ruparan hydro, 5.65MW Canayan hydro, 7-MW Three Rivers hydro, 1.71-MW Baua hydro and the 40-MW Mabini geothermal power plant.

It said some PDAs for hydropower received applications but were disquali-

fied due to incomplete submission and were denied of their motion for reconsideration.

These included the 0.5-MW Basak II hydro and the 16.3-MW Carac-an hydro.

Meanwhile, the DOE said several PDAs did not pass the evaluation.

These include six hydro projects such as the 5-MW Tinoc 4, 16.2-MW Alilem, 15-MW Main Aklan, 4.5-MW Sawaga, 3.3-MW Catuiran (Upper cascade) and 3.6-MW Langaran and one wind project which is the San Jose wind project.

The agency said the OSCP for the said PDAS “were declared a failure” and are now open for direct applications.

September gov’t debt decreased to P14.27t—BTr THE government’s outstanding debt declined to P14.27 trillion as of endSeptember from a record P14.35 trillion in August, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said Tuesday.

“The amount underscores a decline of P80.9 billion or 0.6 percent from the previous month’s level primarily due to net repayments of both domestic and external obligations for the month,” the BTr said in a statement.

Data showed that of the total debt stock, 31.8 percent was from external sources and 68.2 percent came from domestic borrowings.

It said that for domestic debt, the end-September 2023 level of P9.73 trillion was P56.8 billion or 0.6 percent lower than in the prior month due to the net redemption of government securities.

Domestic debt issuance in September totaled P121.1 billion, while redemption amounted to P177.9 billion, resulting in a net repayment of P56.8 billion.

“Local currency depreciation against the US dollar had minimal effect on debt stock valuation at only P0.01 billion. Year-to-date, domestic debt has increased by P526.0 billion or 5.7 percent,” the BTr said.

The government’s external debt of P4.53 trillion was also P24.1 billion or 0.5 percent lower than in the previous month due to favorable thirdcurrency fluctuations and net repayment of foreign loans.

“The outstanding external debt for September was reduced by P8.0 billion due to the net repayment of foreign loans and P16.9 billion from the depreciation of third currencies against the US dollar,” it said.

Meanwhile, the peso depreciation against the US dollar added P0.7 billion to the debt stock.

The government’s external debt increased by P323.8 billion or 7.7 percent from the end-December 2022 level. Julito G. Rada

US-based tech company invests $5m in Talino Ventures to build solutions

By Darwin G. Amojelar CHEMONICS International Inc., a USbased private international development firm, invested $5 million in Talino Ventures Studios to build groundbreaking, impact-driven, scalable technology solutions for individuals and communities in emerging markets.

“Our partnership with Chemonics signifies a pivotal moment in sustainable innovation. With a history of successful transformations and ventures and a commitment to people-first innovation, we’re devoted to closing the financial inclusion gap for the underserved individuals and communities in emerging nations worldwide,” Talino chief executive Winston Damarillo said.

“We’re on the verge of something extraordinary,” he said.

Talino, known for its extensive experience in venture building and deep expertise in inclusive fintech, consistently propelled industry transformation through dynamic collaborations with innovative fintech companies such as BayaniPay, Asenso, Earnie and Saphron.

Talino’s steadfast dedication to driving meaningful change has positioned these startups as leaders in the industry.

“Innovation happens with smart investments and smart partnerships, and our investment in Talino represents the coming together of two unique and complementary companies,” Chemonics president and chief executive Jamey Butcher said.

COMMERCE GATEWAY. Contecon Manzanillo S.A. (CMSA), International Container Terminal Services Inc.’s business unit operating the Specialized Container Terminal 2 at the Port of Manzanillo, is included in the rotation of Mediterranean Shipping Company’s (MSC) Santana service. The development reaffirms Manzanillo’s pivotal position as Mexico’s premier gateway for international commerce and underscores Contecon Manzanillo’s critical role in facilitating efficient trade flows.

DoubleDragon unit eyes P8.8b in sales of Madrid condotel

TREE PLANTING. Employees of Pueblo de Oro Development Corp. take part in a tree-planting program in Barangay San Gregorio, Malvar town, Batangas province.

The tree-planting event was organized by the ICCP Group’s Green Committee in cooperation with the ICCP Group Foundation Inc. (IGFI), Science Park of the Philippines Inc., Pueblo de Oro and the local government of San Gregorio.

HOTEL101 Global, a subsidiary of DoubleDragon Corp., said Tuesday it expects to generate P8.8 billion in sales from its condotel in Madrid, Spain.

The company said it received all pertinent documents and made the full payment for the purchase of 6,593 square meters of prime commercial land in Madrid.

“Following completion of the land purchase Hotel101 Global has taken full possession of the prime land located in Avenida Fuerzas Armadas, Valdebebas, Madrid which is surrounded by major landmark buildings and is about three-

minute walk to the Valdebebas Train Station, four minutes to IFEMA Convention Complex, five minutes to Real Madrid Sports Complex and around 7 minutes to the new Madrid Barajas International Airport,” DoubleDragon said.

Hotel101-Madrid Spain is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2025 with projected sales revenue of P8.8 billion.

The company said the Golden Visa processing and advisory fee amounting to 6,000 euros would be free of charge for those who would purchase three Hotel101 units in from the start

of the pre-selling until Dec. 31, 2023 or until the units are fully sold out, whichever comes first.

Hotel101-Madrid is set to become one of five largest hotels in Madrid and the very first homegrown Filipino hotel chain to enter Spain.

DoubleDragon aims to make Hotel101 world-class in all standards, create job opportunities to Filipinos who reside in the Philippines or abroad and bring a pinch of pride and honor to Filipinos from anywhere around the world where Hotel101 will eventually locate and operate.

Darwin G. Amojelar

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY,, NOVEMBER 1, 2023

B1

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

Triple Giga extend 3x3 dominance

TNT’s Ping Excimiano and Almond Vosotros battle a lone Cavitex Brave for the rebound in the finals of the PBA 3x3 Second Conference at the Ayala Malls Fairview Terraces.

PH Muay Thai athletes shine in ‘23 World Combat Games

By Randy Caluag

PH shooters Quiroz, Acuna meet minimum qualifying scores

T

HE Philippine Muay Thai team showed world-class performance in the recent 2023 World Combat Games after all its athletes brought home medals from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The pair of Rhichein Yosorez and Alyssa Kylie Mallari shone brightest as they topped the Mixed Mai Muay to win the gold medal in the female category, while their male counterparts, Phillip Delarmino and Ariel Lee Lampacan bagged the silver.

Bemedalled lady Wai Kru athlete Islay Erika Bomogao unraveled a presentation worthy of a silver medal, while combat athlete Rudzma Abubakar also clinched the silver in the women’s 48-kg category.

Abubakar fought twice in a day and

TNT extended its dominance of the PBA 3x3 Second Conference, claiming a third straight leg title on Tuesday with a 21-12 rout of Cavitex at the Ayala Malls Fairview Terraces.

Almond Vosotros was back in his explosive ways, topscoring for 12 points to lead the Triple Giga in becoming the first franchise to win three straight legs in a single conference.

Chester Saldua added four points, while Ping Exciminiano and Gryann Mendoza combined for five points in the win worth another P100,000 for TNT. The team of coach Mau Belen emerged undefeated in five games for Leg 3.

Vosotros hit a deuce with 6:20 to go in the finals, sparking a 6-0 run by TNT to break free from a tight game and take a 12-6 lead.

Fittingly, it was also Vosotros who ended the match by nailing the gamewinning two in the final 11 seconds.

Marion Magat finished with six points to lead Cavitex, which finished runner-up behind TNT for the second time in the last three legs.

The finish earned the Braves of coach Kyles Lao P50,000 in prize money.

TNT took care of Northport in the quarterfinals, 18-15, and eked out a 2118 win over Pioneer Elastoseal in the semifinals.

Cavitex on the other hand, turned back Purefoods, 20-14, to advance in the semis, where it beat out Meralco, 21-19, in a thrilling finish for a seat in the championship round opposite TNT. In the battle for third place, Meralco earned P30,000 following a 21-16 win over Pioneer Elastoseal.

By Peter Atencio

The Philippine muay athletes and coaches in World Combat Games. (MAP)

split her matches, bowing to a Thailand bet and winning over an opponent from Ukraine. She lost the gold to the same Thai rival in the final.

“Our athletes showcased their immense talent, dedication, and resilience, making our nation proud. Let’s celebrate their remarkable accomplishments and look forward to more vic-

tories in the future,” said the official Muay Thai Association of the Philippines on its official page.

The Muay athletes, collectively known as Bagsik, are preparing for the Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games slated in February next year in Thailand.

Muay Thai is one of the combat

sports to be contested in the quadrennial games, along with kickboxing, jiujitsu, and others.

MAP is headed by its president, former police officer Gen. Lucas Managuelod, who also has been teaching muay thai to enforcement officers in their battle against drugs, among his prime agenda.

Miado eyes contender status in rematch vs Adiwang SILENCING the doubters isn’t really on the mind of Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado, but if that’s the byproduct of a glorious return – then so be it.

To him, his upcoming rematch against Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang at ONE Fight Night 16: Haggerty vs. Andrade this Saturday morning is the perfect chance for him to scale the strawweight ladder and get himself back into contendership.

“I believe I’ve improved a lot since then,” he said.

Miado’s hands were raised the first time these two fighters crossed paths at ONE X card in March 2022. But that match ended inauspiciously, with Adiwang suffering a crushing ACL tear.

Jeremy Miado is declared the winner.

Jeremy Miado is declared the winner.

“There are a lot of people saying that I only won because Lito got injured, I really don’t have a problem with it, that’s their opinion,” he stated.

Despite the criticisms, the T-Rex MMA stud is determined to show that he really is the better man between the two Filipino strawweights. His confidence is rooted from the exposure he got with his elite training partners in Thailand when he was still with Marrok Force MMA. “When I was in Thailand, I was working on all my weaknesses, my wrestling both in offense and defense.

I also sharpened my striking and we all know that Thais are high level strikers, so that’s something that I’ve developed since that fight,” he said.

FRANCHETTE Quiroz and Amparo Acuna met expectations when they surpassed the minimum qualification scores in four of 12 shooting events that will be held in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

This allowed Quiroz and Acuna to pile up points needed to improve their Olympic Qualification Rankings during the 15th Asian Shooting Championship 2023, which ended Tuesday in Changwon Korea.

Quiroz, now the highest-ranking shooter from the Philippines after the Hangzhou Asian Games, compiled a score of 565 in the women’s 10-meter air pistol qualifications to finish at no. 41 overall.

With rounds of 95, 94, 92, 96, 94 and 94, Quiroz’s score went past the MQS of 550 The 27-year-old Quiroz later struck with a total of 574 points in the women’s 25-meter pistol event, which was past the MQS of 560.

On the final day, Acuna shot a total of 616.6 in the women’s 10-meter air rifle event to end up at no. 53, just 5.6 points shy of the Philippine national record.

Acuna still did not disappoint, as her score was way above the MQS of 590.

She had a 616.7 in the women’s 50-meter rifle prone competitions to come up with her best finish in the tournament at 16th place.

Crossovers foil resurgent Defenders, move to joint 3rd spot Games Thursday (Santa Rosa Sports Complex, Laguna) 2 p.m. – PLDT vs Nxled 4 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs Galeries 6 p.m. – F2 Logistics vs Petro Gazz WITH an overpowering display of power and skill, Chery Tiggo recovered from a tough four-set setback to Akari the last time out with a 25-8, 25-12, 25-20 victory over Gerflor as it moved to joint third with its tormentor in Week 3 of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference elims at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan

on Tuesday.

The Crossovers’ dominant start and an equally imposing second-set romp anchored on control and precision showcased their resilience and determination to bounce back from their earlier setback in a match they were slightly tipped to hurdle, leaving the Defenders struggling to find an answer to their relentless play.

Gerflor did come up with a riposte in the third frame, even seizing control at 4-3 on a Grace Berte hit and forcing three deadlocks, the last at 14. Though the Crossovers took four of the next five points to sit on a three-point

cushion, the resurgent Defenders kept coming back, threatening at 20-22 on a Jeanette Villareal blast.

The newcomers had hoped to further pull within but lost a disputed Bien Juanillo block touch hit and Shaya Adorador came through with back-to-back kill blocks to wrap up the 71-minute match for the Crossovers, who came into the Halloween edition of the season-ending tournament organized by Sports Vision in Money Heist suits and spooked the Defenders with their coordination and teamwork.

But while Chery Tiggo coach Aaron

Velez praised his wards’ fine showing that hiked their slate to 3-1 (win-loss), he underscored the need for the Crossovers to stay focused all-game long in their succeeding games.

“I think (what happened in the third set) is what we need to point out – that we cannot be complacent,” said Velez.

“Despite na maganda un nagiging takbo namin, anything can actually change in a blink of an eye, yung momentum p’wede mag shift, so I think we have to be aware of that.”

Chery Tiggo next faces unbeaten Petro Gazz on Nov. 4 at the Philsports Arena.

Chery Tiggo’s Pauline Gaston celebrates a score.

SPORTS

B2 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023

TNT seeks 1st ever win in East Asia Super League TNT seeks payback and a first ever win in East Asia Super League (EASL) history as it meets anew undefeated Chiba Jets on All Saints Day at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.

The Tropang Giga will have added firepower going to the 7 p.m. match as Gilas Pilipinas stalwart Calvin Oftana and veteran big man Jewel Ponferada will finally suit up for the team.

Coach Jojo Lastimosa confirmed the activation of both Oftana and Ponferada, who were not around when the two teams clashed last Oct. 11 in Funabashi Arena in Japan, which the Jets won, 93-75.

TNT matched Chiba power for power during the first half, but lacking personnel – the team also played minus Mikey Williams, Roger Pogoy, Poy Erram, and Justin Chua – the Triple Giga lost steam when the Jets further stepped on the pedal gas in the third period on the way to the 18-point win.

“We played really well in the first half. We stayed with them, both offense and defense. But in the second half, we lost our stamina,” said Lastimosa of the game three weeks ago.

The Tropang Giga again will have the 1-2 combo of Quincy Miller and a well-rested Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who was coming off a stint with the Jordan national team in the FIBA World Cup and 19th Asian Games when he suited up straight for the team in the regional meet’s opening game for its Home And Away season.

Hollis-Jefferson, 28, who steered the franchise to the PBA Governors’ Cup championship early this year, finished with 15 points in the loss, but was held to just 22 percent shooting, including an 0-for-9 attempt from beyond the arc.

“I feel like with the two imports that we have, we have a better chance of competing here,” added Lastimosa, whose team hasn’t won in three EASL games so far stretching back to the Champions Week season last March.

The Jets arrived in Manila on Tuesday, brimming with confidence behind their 2-0 slate for the top spot in Group A.

Inter Miami CF’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi is shown on stage with his children as he receives his 8th Ballon d’Or award during the 2023 Ballon d’Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.

AFP

Messi not thinking about long-term future after claiming 8th Ballon d’Or

P

ARIS—Lionel Messi said Monday he was not thinking about his long-term future as he sought to enjoy winning the eighth Ballon d’Or of his storied career.

Messi, 36, succeeded Karim Benzema as winner of the prize, awarded on the back of his performances last season, when he inspired Argentina to glory at the World Cup in Qatar.

“The last one I won was also thanks to what we achieved with the Argentine national team in the Copa America (in 2021), but this one is much more special because it comes after we won the World Cup,” Messi told various media including AFP after collecting his

award at a ceremony in Paris.

“That is the trophy everyone wants to win the most, and it was a dream come true for me, my teammates and my country.”

He dragged Argentina to a victory in Qatar that crowned his remarkable career and allowed him to see off stiff competition for the Ballon d’Or from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in particular.

Haaland came second in the final voting, with Mbappe third and Kevin

De Bruyne in fourth place.

Former Barcelona superstar Messi scored seven times at the World Cup and was named the tournament’s best player after Argentina beat France on penalties in the final in Doha.

Yet Messi, who won his first Ballon d’Or in 2009, also had an underwhelming final season at Paris Saint-Germain, before leaving to play for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

He played down suggestions he could come back for another Ballon d’Or, possibly after the next World Cup in 2026, when he will be 39.

“I am not thinking about the longterm future. I am just enjoying the day to day at the moment,” he said.

“We have a Copa America coming up

Jokic’s 107th triple double keys Nuggets’ win LOS ANGELES—Nikola Jokic bagged the 107th triple double of his career as the Denver Nuggets extended their unbeaten start to the season with a 110-102 victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday.

Serbian star Jokic finished with 27 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in another dominant performance by the reigning NBA champions, who made it four wins out of four after leading virtually from start to finish.

Denver led by 10 points after the first quarter and were always in control thereafter, stretching their advantage to 17 points at one stage in the third quarter.

Jokic’s latest triple double leaves him tied with LeBron James and Jason Kidd for the fourth most triples in NBA history.

Jokic received scoring support from Aaron Gordon, who posted 21 points with seven rebounds while Jamal Murray added 18 points— including a trio of threepointers—in a comfortable win for Denver.

Lauri Markkanen led the Utah scoring with 27 points.

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against defender Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. AFP

In other games on Monday, Stephen cans 130-102 on the road.

Curry delivered his second 40-point Curry, who scored 41 points in Frigame of the season as the Golden State day’s victory over Sacramento, was Warriors routed the New Orleans Peli- once again back to his mesmeric best

with a 42-point haul that included seven three-pointers.

New Warriors recruit Chris Paul added 13 points off the bench while Moses Moody and Trayce Jackson-Davis also finished with 13 apiece.

‘White hot’ Curry Zion Williamson and C.J. McCollum led the New Orleans scorers with 19 points each.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr was left in awe of Curry’s latest masterpiece.

“He’s white hot,” Kerr said of Curry.

“It’s amazing watching him. He looks better than ever at 35. But he puts the work in every summer, keeps looking for ways to get better—he’s constantly searching for edges in his training ... just stunning to watch.”

Kerr was also encouraged by his team’s third straight away win following last week’s opening night defeat to Phoenix.

“After opening night I thought it’s going to take some time, we had to get the new guys accustomed to what we do,” Kerr said.

NBA debuts short film ‘The Heist’ for In-Season Tournament NEW YORK—The National Basketball Association on Tuesday announced the global premiere of “THE HEIST,” the league’s brand campaign celebrating the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, which tips off on Friday, Nov. 3.

“THE HEIST” cast includes seven NBA All-Stars – Anthony Davis, DeMar DeRozan, Darius Garland, Draymond Green, Kawhi Leonard, Julius Randle and Trae Young – alongside Emmy Award-winning actor Michael Imperioli, as they execute an elaborate scheme to steal the firstever NBA Cup. “THE HEIST” is streaming now across all @ NBA social platforms and on the NBA App. “THE HEIST showcases the NBA’s newest annual tradition to fans through a fun and familiar story arc,” said NBA Chief Marketing Officer Tammy Henault.

“The film introduces the tournament

f ramework through the lens of an elaborate heist, ultimately ushering in this new competition that will add yet another layer of energy and excitement to the NBA calendar.”

Set in a Las Vegas casino, the film begins with Michael Imperioli hatching a plan for “something that’s never been done before – 30 teams, one NBA Cup.” Such high stakes will require a team with a special set of skills and a calculated strategy.

As he unfurls the plan, he introduces the NBA stars, each with their own technique to grab the Cup for their squad.

As Anthony Davis sits at a blackjack

table, he flips a three-of-clubs card toward the In-Season Tou r nament bracket – a nod to the Lakers forward’s jersey number.

In the distance, DeMar DeRozan, dressed in a smooth black and white suit, traverses the casino floor inconspicuously light on his feet, similar to how he plays his game. As DeRozan enters an elevator, he runs into Trae Young, a “guy with ice water in his veins,” a reference to the sharpshooting guard’s ability to make shots in clutch moments.

Both DeRozan and Young realize they’re after the same thing and chaos ensues.

Imperioli’s narration continues as he introduces a pair of laser-focused lookouts in Darius Garland and Julius Randle, hiding in plain sight in a stylish ride out front.

Disguised as a casino security guard, Draymond Green pushes a cart with the elusive NBA Cup hidden inside.

As Green navigates through security, into the kitchen and out to the casino lobby, his movements are picked up by inside man Kawhi Leonard and the others looking to take the Cup. As the moment seems right to make “THE HEIST,” the NBA Cup is revealed next to Imperioli, stolen by the mastermind himself. He turns and says, “looks like you’ll have to play for it,” as the players take in their missed opportunity and realize the fierce competition that lies ahead in the new NBA In-Season Tournament.

in the United States, where I am now, in which we are the holders, so I am looking forward to coming into that in good shape and then just see how I am getting on from there.”

Messi admitted on his return to the French capital that his two-year stint at PSG had not turned out the way he imagined upon signing from Barcelona in 2021.

“Things didn’t turn out as I hoped but I enjoyed the city a lot, and my kids liked it a lot and found it hard to leave,” he said.

“It is a spectacular city and I was lucky to live here. Football-wise it did not go the way I hoped but I prefer to remember the many good things.” AFP

NU Bulldogs welcome long weekend to rest players

By Peter Atencio THE National University Bulldogs will have enough time to recover from injuries sustained by numerous players over the past two weeks in the 86th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.

The long weekend that featured the National Barangay Elections, All Saints’ Day and All Souls Day has given the Bulldogs a chance to get a good game plan when they meet the defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles at 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“We’ll see. Hindi rason ‘yung mga nawala sa team ko. Kaya ayokong mag-excuse tungkol dito,” said Bulldogs’ coach Jeff Napa after the Green Archers beat them, 88-78, last Saturday.

In all, five players were not well as Steve Nash Enriquez needed to undergo an operation for a dislocated jaw from NU’s victory over UE last Wednesday.

Enriquez was among three Bulldogs injured in that game, aside from Jolo Manansala (groin) and rookie Reinhard Jumamoy (undisclosed discomfort).

On the other hand, John Galinato is recovering from the flu and Kenshin Padrones is seeking to bounce back from a cheek fracture.

Against the Green Archers, Napa believes that some of the members did not step up in his players’ absences and this needs to be addressed.

“Yung effort, iyun ang questionable sa game namin ngayon.

Iyun ang ia-address namin ngayon, coming into Monday’s practice,” said Napa.

ENTERTAINMENT

B3

Nickie Wang, Editor Angelica Villanueva , Writer E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

Stars cast a bewitching spell at Sparkle’s Halloween spectacle

‘Abot Kamay Na Pangarap’ star Jillian Ward takes home the ‘I AMazing Looks of the Night’ award

Barbie Forteza channeling the ‘Game of Thrones' character, Daenerys Targaryen

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023

David Licauco looks dazzling in his Zoro ensemble

ON OCTOBER 22, Sparkle GMA Artist Center cast its most fabulous and frightening spell as it mounts the grandest and most-anticipated Halloween party of the year, The Sparkle Spell.

Sparkle’s roster of stars flaunted their most fabulously frightening looks and showcased a drop-dead gorgeous spectacle at XYLO at The Palace in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig.

The spooktacular black carpet event highlighted the artistry of these Sparkle artists who were also the creative brains behind their sensational and eerie costumes. From the concept to the execution, everything was flawless.

A livestream of the black carpet hosted

by Martin Javier, Shuvee Etrata, Migs Almendras, and Janeena Chan was also broadcast on Sparkle’s TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube pages. The Sparkle Spell 2023 immediately trended on various social media platforms and became the talk of the town.

Sparkle’s brightest stars Alden Richards, Barbie Forteza Forteza, David Licauco, Julie Anne San Jose Jose, Kyline Alcantara, Ysabel Ortega Ortega, Miguel Tanfelix, and Sanya Lopez were amongst the crowd favorites that graced the hauntingly chic black carpet.

Before the clock strikes 12, these stars were also awarded for their knack for vision and inventiveness.

Miguel Tanfelix who dressed up as Alice In Wonderland Wonderland’s Mad Hatter and Jillian Ward who dressed up as a dark angel bagged the I AMazing Looks of the Night awards from I AM Worldwide.

Sanya Lopez Lopez, on the other hand, bagged the Enchantingly Fresh Star of the Night award from Juju Glow having worn her sultry, seductive, and empowering snake costume.

Kyline Alcantara stole the spotlight having dressed up as the iconic Night King from the series Game of Thrones Thrones. As the dubbed Night Queen, she won the Most “O, Wow” Outfit from Oishi.

Jillian Ward bagged another award having won the Most Spooktacular Smile from Urban Smiles.

Sofia Pablo and Allen Ansay were also crowned as the TikTok Crowd Favorites having worn matching costumes as Barbie and Ken. They even walked the black carpet in a pink box.

Love team Miguel Tanfelix and Ysabel Ortega did not back down on the challenge and bagged the Fabulously Scary Costumes of the Night award having worn Mad Hatter and Alice, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Most Fabulous Couple of the Night award was given to Rayver Cruz and Julie Anne San Jose who wore matching costumes from Scooby Doo. Derrick Monastero who dressed up as Achilles won the Black Carpet Stunner award having gone

Derrick Monasterio is all in with his Achilles costume

above and beyond bringing a real horse on the black carpet.

And because everyone brought their A-game, multiple artists were crowned Stars of the Night. They are Barbie Forteza who dressed up as the mother of dragons, Daenerys Targaryen; Liezel Lopez who dressed up as Poison Ivy; Martin Del Rosario as Harry Potter, Joaquin Domagoso as the male version of Maleficent; and Sassa Gurl who dressed up as an iconic funeral floral arrangement.

The cast of Voltes V: Legacy including Miguel Tanfelix, Ysabel Ortega, Radson Flores, Matt Lozano, and Raphael Landicho dressed up in their best rendition of Alice In Wonderland. This landed them the Sparkle Stars of the Night award.

The ‘Voltes V: Legacy’ team decides to pull off an Alice in Wonderland-themed outfit

Five horror scenes to scare you sleepless this Halloween HORROR movies have a profound impact on us, especially when we’re young. We may watch them for entertainment as adults, but those traumatizing scenes still linger.

Every horror film strives to create a memorable scene, like the shower murder in Psycho or Sadako crawling out of the TV in The Ring. These moments are what make horror movies so iconic.

This Halloween season, binge-watch your favorite horror movies and shows on PLDT Home. With HBO GO, Lionsgate Play, and Viu, there’s something for everyone.

Here are five horrific-turned-iconic moments to add to your Halloween 2023 watchlist: That moment when you can’t seem to escape a stare… (The Nun II) Set in 1956 France, The Nun 2 follows Sister Irene as she investigates a priest’s death and encounters the demon nun Valak.

Valak also terrorizes young students at a boarding school.

Like the first movie and other Conjuring films, Valak is a terrifying presence. One scene shows Sophie running through the school’s dark corridors, where Valak watches her from the end of each hallway. The scene creates a tense atmosphere as viewers feel like they’re running away with Sophie from Valak’s deathly gaze.

That moment when your home suddenly feels unsafe… (The Grudge) The Grudge follows an American nurse in Tokyo who is haunted by an angry spirit. The film is known for its spine-chilling ghosts, especially Kayako, who crab-walks down the stairs while making a terrifying death rattle noise. This scene is unexpected and shocking, even for horror fans.

That moment when gore becomes the name of the game…

(Saw) Saw is a must-watch for slasher film fans. The franchise follows Jigsaw, a mastermind who tests humanity’s resolve through deadly games. In the first Saw, victims are forced to hurt themselves to avoid getting killed.

Saw is not for the faint of heart, with many gruesome scenes.

The most iconic is the film’s finale, where Dr. Lawrence Gordon cuts off his own leg to escape his chains. Even with one’s eyes closed, Gordon’s screams are haunting.

That moment when you realize your misadventure is no fun at all… (The Cabin in the Woods) Horror fans love The Cabin in the Woods for its satirical take on the genre and its genuine scares.

The film follows a group of teenagers on a camping trip who face disturbing horrors inspired by iconic horror movies. One of the most haunting moments is when Dana and Marty discover a secret lab housing the horrors meant to torment and murder humans.

The creatures are released, attacking the defenseless scientists and workers in a bloody and brutal scene that has left a lasting impression on viewers.

That moment when aliens don’t seem as friendly as those seen in cartoons … (Duty After School) Duty After School is a sci-fi dystopia series about Seongjin High students recruited by the government to fight man-eating alien creatures. It’s perfect for fans of the genre, but be warned: there are some stressful scenes with students trying to defend themselves.

In one gruesome scene, a group of students runs away from an alien attack as the camera pans across a street filled with dismembered bodies. A female student who tries to shoot the alien is stabbed in front of her peers. It’s a haunting reminder of the worst of what humanity can experience during a deadly invasion.

While the show may be fictional, it’s worth pondering: what would we do if extraterrestrial guests ever came knocking?

Unlock unli-entertainment and more when you apply for Fiber Unli All Plan 1799 at 200 Mbps. Visit a PLDT Store near you or go to pldthome.com/fiber-unli-all to apply now.

‘The Grudge’ is known for its iconic character Kayako who crabwalks down the stairs while making a terrifying death rattle noise

Charlotte Hope (left) in a scene from ‘The Piper’

Charlotte Hope portrays the role of Mel, a young and aspiring musician, who aims to complete her late mentor's unfinished concerto

The ‘Pied Piper’

gets a horror twist in new film

E

By Nickie Wang

RLINGUR Thoroddsen’s The Piper weaves a haunting narrative that twists the beloved fable of the Pied Piper of Hamelin into a chilling horror story.

Set against the backdrop of a contemporary world, this film takes a classic tale and injects it with an eerie, modern ambiance that grips you from the opening scene.

At its core, The Piper focuses on Mel, portrayed by Charlotte Hope,, whose character, a young and aspiring musician, embarks on a journey to complete her late mentor’s unfinished concerto. What initially seems like an opportunity for musical success soon transforms into a nightmarish ordeal when the melody she creates unwittingly summons an ancient evil – the dreaded Pied Piper himself.

The narrative unveils the Pied Piper’s malevolence, depicting him not merely as a folklore figure but as a horrifying manifestation that emerges from the chords of Mel’s music. As Mel delves deeper into completing the composition, the haunting consequences escalate, leading to a series of terrifying events that grip both her and the audience.

The casting choices are on point, with Charlotte delivering a compelling performance as the tormented musician grappling with

the unintended consequences of her musical psychological thriller, capturing the essence pursuit. Joining her is the seasoned English of dread and suspense. The cinematography actor Julian Sands, who brings his own and sound design work in tandem, gravitas to the screen and adds depth to the creating an atmosphere that feels unfolding terror. both foreboding and immersive.

The film’s tension mounts as it Produced by Millennium raises thought-provoking questions.

Media Inc. and distributed If the Piper’s cursed melody can

by Viva International haunt and harm individuals, Pictures, The Piper what havoc will be unleashed promises a cinematic if Mel completes the experience that will composition? Will she find resonate with horror the strength to confront the enthusiasts and those infamous Piper and halt the drawn to reimagined horrifying assaults? These classics. questions linger in the The Piper viewer’s mind, adding unspools today layers of suspense and in cinemas anticipation. nationwide.

Thoroddsen’s direction crafts a blend of horror and

Directed by Erlingur Thoroddsen, ‘The Piper’ is a haunting narrative version of the fable ‘Pied Piper of Hamelin’

B4 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023 Nickie Wang, Editor Angelica Villanueva , Writer E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

Visual artist

LIFE

Kristine Lim Bridging horizons through art and culture

W

E EXPLORE the world of visual artist Kristine Lim, the creative genius responsible for the remarkable art exhibit known as Bridging Horizons.

This unique exhibition, which was recently unveiled at both Gallery Joaquin in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) and the historic Manila Metropolitan Theatre, transcends the boundaries of traditional artistic displays. It represents a profound cultural revelation, a diplomatic odyssey,

Visual artist Kristine Lim

and a resounding call for unity.

In an exclusive interview with Manila Standard Life, Lim shared her vision for Bridging Horizons: Naval Culture Thru Arts. This collaborative effort between the artist and the Philippine Navy goes beyond the confines of art and aims to transcend Kristine Lim’s ‘Amak Art’ at Galerie Joaquin

Kristine collaborates with the Philippine Navy to go beyond the confines of art and aims to transcend borders

Kristine Lim tries her hand at making 'amak' out of tree bark

borders, reinforcing national civil defense efforts and leaving an indelible mark on the global stage.

Director Ariel Atendido, Project Manager of Lim’s visionary undertaking, underscores the significance of this endeavor, emphasizing that it represents “mutual understanding, cultural ties, and civil operations.” This event goes beyond art; it reflects the formidable power of art to foster unity and bridge divisions.

Lim’s art transcends her various roles and experiences, inviting contemplation and reflection while connecting ancient traditions with modern interpretations.

Within the Bridging Horizons exhibition, Lim introduces two series that are deeply rooted in Philippine culture and history.

The first series, “Amak Art,” is a tribute to the indigenous wood material known as Amak from Mindor and Palawan. Historically used for clothing, Amak is derived from tree bark without causing any harm to the trees.

The indigenous communities engage in an intricate process that involves extracting, hammering, and washing the bark in the river, repeating the cycle until its texture resembles cloth. This series is more than just a display of artistic prowess; it is a profound cultural endeavor that showcases the artistry of indigenous communities while preserving an integral part of Philippine heritage.

The “Amak Art “ series highlights the resilience and creativity of the indigenous people who have mastered this art for generations. This collaboration not only breathes new life into this traditional craft but also empowers these communities with sustainable livelihood opportunities.

The second series, “Perla De Oriente,” showcases Lim’s signature style, incorporating national symbols such as the Anahaw, Sampaguita, Philippine Eagle, Bangus, and Philippine Mango Leaves. These patriotic and nationalistic motifs resonate with the essence of Filipino culture and identity.

Councilor Numero Uno Lim of Manila recognizes the power of arts and culture in bridging differences and fostering unity, underlining the importance of this collaboration in inspiring cities and regions to undertake similar projects. The goal is to strengthen international relations through artistic expression, demonstrating the Philippines’ rich heritage to the world.

Bridging Horizons is not just a stationary art exhibition. It is a dynamic project that involves calls to government institutions, agencies, naval bases, and historic sites in other countries, where they gift art pieces created by Lim to strengthen relationships.

This initiative promotes cultural exchanges and supports the navy’s civilmilitary operations efforts, as emphasized by VDAM Toribio Dulinayan Adaci Jr., Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy.

Lim’s passion for preserving culture and her dedication to helping indigenous

communities shine through in her words, “It’s my social responsibility to help preserve our culture and be intentional about what else I can do for the parts of our culture that are fading away,” Lim underscores her commitment to the cause, “It’s not just my artwork, but also my collaboration with IPs.” The introduction of “Amak” into her art is not just a creative decision; it’s a conscious effort to ensure that this integral part of Filipino heritage doesn’t fade into oblivion. Kristine Lim’s commitment to reviving the “Amak” industry is her own humble way of supporting the indigenous communities and preserving their unique skills and traditions.

Bridging Horizons is not a one-time event; it’s a five-year journey that will see Lim and the Philippine Navy visiting embassies, and making courtesy calls to ambassadors and dignitaries in various countries.

The project, in Lim’s own words, is a tool for peace and diplomacy. It’s a weapon for humanity, a means to bridge horizons, and a call to preserve the beautiful things that make us who we are.

Lim’s work is a testament to the power of art as a bridge between cultures and a force for change. It reminds us that our heritage is something to be celebrated, preserved, and shared with the world.

As Bridging Horizons continues to unfold, it serves as a beacon of unity, a symbol of cultural pride, and an inspiration for artists and advocates worldwide.

The “Amak Art” series is not just a display of artistry; it is a profound cultural endeavor that breathes new life into a traditional craft and empowers indigenous communities.

Have a beach break, clean the coasts Blackbough volunteers in coastal clean-up

can lead to calmness or excitement — things that we know improve our mood.

There are also studies explaining how ocean waves generate negative ions or charged air particles that have been linked to I’M A self-confessed Thalassophile, a and even heal what’s broken. We person who just adores the beach and have a blue mind, and it’s perfectly mental energy and emotional welltailored to make us happy in all sorts being. loves to be near the ocean.

“The ocean is where life on Earth Every break I get from work, of ways that go way beyond relaxing I would spend it on the beach – just in the surf, listening to the murmur of originated. Marine phytoplankton walking on the shore, lying on the sand a stream, or floating quietly in a pool,” provide half of all the oxygen we breathe. The earth is 71 percent ocean and toasting my being for that sun- shared Nichols.

In a research on the types of noise water, compared to 60-80 percent of kissed glow, playing with the waves, and just sitting and drinking beer while that humans find pleasant and relaxing, the human body—a similar density and what types are considered noxious that allows us (some of us, anyway) taking the scenery in.

Standing at the shore, with sand and stress-inducing, scientists found to float. The ocean contains sodium between my toes, I would always out that ocean sounds decrease stress chloride and other minerals necessary feel peace and happiness enveloping hormone cortisol levels, while traffic for survival. It makes sense that we me. With my hair dripping wet, my and airplane noise prompts the body to would feel at home in, on, and near the water,” said Catherine Schmitt, skin feeling warm from the sun, and release more stress hormones.

Jordan Grafman, Ph.D., director author of A Coastal Companion: A my body soaked in salt, I’m one with nature and at peace with myself, like of brain-injury research at the Year in the Gulf of Maine from Cape everything happening in my life would Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Cod to Canada.

If there’s something that disturbs resolve on its own and things would be notes contemplating the ocean’s infinitude helps people reflect and my serene time on the beach, it would okay. be seeing pieces of garbage I often hear people go on and floating on the water or lying on about why we love the beach, on the sand. Most of the time, and there’s a science behind this.

I would end up picking them In an interview, marine up and stuffing the garbage in biologist Wallace J. Nichols my bag. believes that human beings have I hope people will learn a “blue mind” which is a mildly how to properly throw their meditative state where we feel garbage and not be trash. I’m calm, at peace, and happy. This pretty sure we’ve all learned state is often triggered when we proper disposal of garbage are in or near water. during our kindergarten days.

“Our brains are hardwired to But I don’t know why we react positively to water. Being forget. Read full story on near it can calm and connect us, increase innovation and insight, Volunteers spend their time in coastal clean-up activity manilastandard.net

JIM Weaver's latest home collection features three designs namely Dagat, Gubat, and Laro, atbp.

A Filipino feast of art and whimsy JIM Weaver’s latest home collection is a celebration of Filipino flora, fauna, and fun. The collection features three designs: Dagat (sea), Gubat (forest), and Laro, atbp. (games).

Dagat features a vibrant underwater scene with a dashing dugong and a graceful leatherback turtle.

Gubay is a whimsical depiction of the Philippine forest with sturdy yucca trees, mighty kalachuchi trees, and playful tarsiers. Laro, atbp. is a modern take on the toile de jouy motif, featuring traditional Filipino games such as piko, patintero, jackstones, and tumbang preso.

The placemats and coasters in the collection are made with a four-layer structure, cork backing, and a lacquer finish. They are heat resistant for up to 100 degrees Celsius and stain and scuff-resistant.

The collection was inspired by the brand’s desire to make Filipino art accessible through world-class, proudly Pinoy products. The designs are intended to spark conversation and bring people together around the table.

Laro, atbp. is particularly special as it celebrates the joy of Filipino childhood games. The design is a reminder of

the simpler times and the importance of cherishing our traditions.

Gubat is a tribute to the Philippines’ rich biodiversity. The design is a reminder of the beauty and fragility of our natural environment and the need to protect it.

Dagat is a celebration of the Philippines’ marine life. The design is a reminder of the importance of keeping our seas healthy and their creatures thriving.

JIM Weaver’s 2023 Home Collection is a feast for the eyes and the soul. It is a collection that embodies the brand’s commitment to art, whimsy, and Filipino culture.