Manila Standard - 2024 February 8 - Thursday

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

instagram.com/ manilastandard

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation

manilastandard.net Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net

For advertisement: email: advertise@manilastandard.net • 85646229

UNEMPLOYMENT: LOW 3.1% IN DEC.

HOUSE OKAYS CANNABIS BILL

NEWS / A2

NEWS / A2

SENATE: NO RUSH ON CHA-CHA VOTE

DICT WARNS VS. POLL DEEPFAKES

NEWS / A2

VOL. XXXVII • NO. 358 • 4 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

NEWS / A4

Davao Oro landslide kills 7 31 hurt, 20 trapped under mud among 48 missing at mining town

By Charles Dantes

A

T LEAST seven people were killed and 31 injured when a raininduced landslide hit a goldmining village in Davao de Oro, officials said Wednesday.

A total of 48 people were reported missing, provincial disaster official Edward Macapili said.

The landslide Tuesday night struck Masara town, destroying houses and engulfing three buses and a jeepney waiting for mine workers.

Rescuers were digging through mud to reach at least 20 people trapped inside the vehicles, Macapili said.

At least 28 people were on board three 60-seater buses and a 36-person-capacity jeepney when the landslide hit, but eight managed to escape unhurt through the windows before the mud engulfed them, he said.

A fourth bus had left before the mud swamped the area, the firm said, adding that 62 employees were safe while 45 were missing.

President Marcos, who conducted an aerial inspection of the flood and landslidestricken area on Wednesday, ordered the release of P265 million for the victims, including the 21 fatalities due to floods and Next page

DAVAO DISASTER. This screengrab from Agence France Presse TV aerial video footage taken on Wednesday shows the landslide in Davao de Oro province that killed at least six people and injured 31. President Marcos also conducted an aerial survey of the region already battered by heavy rains and flooding. Meanwhile, rescuers airlifted some of the injured to nearby hospitals, some still caked with mud from escaping two buses buried in the landslide (inset photos). AFP, PCO, Eastern Command photos

Water scarcity a perpetual threat with climate change—President PRESIDENT Marcos ordered the public and private sectors to hasten the completion of all water projects nationwide amid the impact of the El Niño phenomenon, saying water scarcity has

now become a “perpetual threat that comes with climate change.”

“It is for this reason that I continually stress the urgency of improving water security, and directed agencies con-

cerned to expedite the completion of all The state weather bureau on Tuesday water projects across the country,” the reported that water levels in all nine President said during the inauguration dams in Luzon have dropped to below of the Davao City Bulk Water Supply normal starting Jan. 27 amid the El Project on Wednesday.

Next page

DA won’t rein in rice prices; PBBM wants more land titles for farmers

THE Commission on Elections said it cannot hold a plebiscite next year to amend the 1987 Constitution given that there are already two scheduled

polls in 2025. ““You cannot squeeze in a plebiscite in the middle of an election. Even prior to 2025, you cannot do that... And we cannot divert any of the funds in the possession of Comelec. That is con-

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday expressed sincere gratitude to the Filipino people for the high trust and performance ratings he received in a re-

SWS: 44% of Filipinos see better life this year

By Vito Barcelo

5 DENR STAFF ON NASA FLIGHT

Comelec: No plebiscite ‘til 2026 with 2 polls coming

By Vito Barcelo

By Maricel V. Cruz

Next page

By Othel Campos, Charles Dantes, Niño phenomenon and rice inflation soaring to a 14-year record high of 22.6 and Maricel Cruz

percent last month.

“The DA is not considering any price THE Department of Agriculture said control on rice,” Agriculture spokesWednesday it will not impose price controls on rice and other agricultural person Arnel de Mesa said. products despite the impact of the El Next page

Speaker, House thank Pinoys for OCTA rating

tained in the General Appropriation Act,” Comelec chairman George Garcia said.

The poll body, he said, is preparing for the May 2025 midterm elections Next page

NEWS / A4

AT LEAST 44 percent of Filipinos expect the quality of their lives to improve in the next 12 months, while the same number of Filipinos say it will stay the same, according to the latest Next page

No need for Marcos memo on ICC arrest warrant vs. Rody—SolGen THERE is no need for President Marcos Rodrigo Duterte that may be issued by the to issue a memorandum enjoining all gov- International Criminal Court, Solicitor Genernment agencies from implementing any eral Menardo Guevarra said Wednesday.

Next page arrest warrant against former President

NEWS

A2

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Unemployment at low 3.1% last Dec.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

T

HE number of jobless Filipinos dropped by more than 600,000 to 1.6 million as of December last year, the lowest mark recorded in nearly two decades.

economy’s sustained momentum and resiliency of our labor market,” Arsenio Balisacan, secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), said.

Baliscan said the administration is steadfast in its commitment to prioritize creating high-paying jobs to address the longstanding vulnerabilities in the country’s employment and lower the underemployment rate, an indicator of job quality.

“We will continue ramping up social and physical infrastructure investments and dramatically improve human capital to strengthen our people’s employment prospects,” he added.

Michael Ricarfort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

said the continued improvement in the local employment data may be largely attributed to the seasonal increase for many businesses/industries in the fourth quarter, especially during the Christmas holiday spending season.

“For the coming months, employment/jobs data could still improve amid prospects of better economic growth and recovery that would be supported by easing inflation back to the central bank targets that would eventually justify local policy rate cuts that could match any future Fed rate cuts in the latter part of 2024, provided that geopolitical risks and El Nino drought risk remain manageable,” he added.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Philippines recorded a 3.1 percent unemployment rate in December 2023, significantly lower than the 4.3% recorded in December 2022.

This represents a year-on-year decrease of 617,000 unemployed individuals, the agency said.

The PSA said the 1.6 million estimated unemployed individuals last December was lower than the report-

ed 2.2 million unemployed persons in December 2022 and the 1.83 million in November 2023.

Similarly, the underemployment rate dropped to 11.9% in December 2023 from the 12.6% in December 2022. This decline corresponds to 186,000 fewer underemployed or employed persons who desire additional jobs and work hours.

“We welcome the news of a recordlow unemployment rate, signifying the

DA...

From A1

House panel OKs measure legalizing medical cannabis

He said amid global market volatility and unpredictable weather events like El Niño, the department’s priority is ensuring a steady supply of essentials over manipulating prices.

President Marcos, for his part, lamented that farmers remain among the poorest despite being the primary food providers for the nation.

“It is hard for me to see – it breaks my heart to see that up to now, the hardest hit in our country are the farmers. You are the ones who feed us, but you can’t even feed your own families. You are the ones who feed, who sustain the entire Philippines and all Filipinos,” Mr. Marcos said during a distribution of land titles in Davao City.

“Assistance from the government is insufficient. This will change. We will not allow farming to remain the most challenging livelihood,” he said.

The President added he would like to see the Department of Agrarian Reform to double its distribution of land titles in 2024 from 90,000 titles last year.

International prices of rice have been fluctuating as countries try to increase their rice reserves through importation on the back of a potential drop in harvest due to an expected strong El Niño episode.

The Department said it will rather allow “market forces to dictate the prices” as it also rejected earlier suggestions of imposing suggested retail prices (SRPs) on agricultural goods.

The DA said farmers often bear the brunt of price controls as traders simply adjust their purchase prices to maintain profit margins, thus impacting consumers.

As this developed, Mr. Marcos attributed the drop in commodity prices to the government’s proactive measures, including the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan and the reactivation of Task Force El Niño.

Headline inflation further eased to 2.78 percent in last month, the lowest since the 2.3 percent recorded in October 2020.

“We remain committed to easing the burden on our citizens,” Mr. Marcos said.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the latest inflation rate indicates that the government’s economic policies are effective, despite global headwinds and climate change.

By Maricel V. Cruz

No need...

From A1

gal drugs.

Mr. Marcos has repeatedly said that the ICC has lost jurisdiction over the Philippines after Duterte decided to withdraw its membership in 2019.

“Let me say this for the 100th time. I do not recognize the jurisdiction of ICC in the Philippines. I do not, I consider it as a threat to our sovereignty. The Philippine government will not lift a finger to help any investigation that the ICC conducts,” the President said then.

Meanwhile, the PNP on Wednesday said it would not enforce any arrest warrant that would be issued by the ICC against Duterte.

“The President and the Department of Justice have already spoken and we support that stand. For all intents and purposes, the ICC has no jurisdiction over us, they could issue a WOA (warrant of arrest) to anyone but its enforcement is another thing,” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing at Camp Crame. Rey Requejo and Vince Lopez

In a text message, Guevarra stressed that Mr. Marcos’ public statements can already be considered as a directive to all government agencies.

“The President’s repeated public statements are as good and effective as any written memorandum circular,” Guevarra explained.

The Solicitor General was responding to the appeal of Duterte’s spokesman, lawyer Harry Roque, for Mr. Marcos to issue an order prohibiting all agencies including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) from cooperating with the ICC. Roque had earlier disclosed during his Facebook live podcast that the former president had information he may be arrested at any time to face charges related to the extrajudicial killings that took place during his war against ille-

A JOINT committee in the House of Representatives on Wednesday approved the bill legalizing the use of cannabis or marijuana for medical use.

The joint committees on dangerous drugs, and health chaired by Rep. Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte

Davao...

From A1 earlier landslides in Davao region.

“I released P265 million to make sure that the pace of the response is immediate and felt by people. They have to receive help right away and have resources for their daily needs,” Mr. Marcos said during a situation briefing in Davao City.

“I think that we are doing all right in the food— the provision of food packs, among others. But it gets to the point that food is not the only thing people need. They need to buy other things for their household. That’s why the ECTs (emergency cash transfer) have become very important,” the President said.

Mr. Marcos also directed government agencies to ensure that all infrastructure projects are climate-resilient. ‘’There is another instruction to all agencies that I need to have fully complied with, of which the recent flooding in Mindanao has emphatically shown.

The infrastructure we are building must not only wipe out arrears of the past, but must respond to the needs

Water...

From A1 Niño phenomenon.

PAGASA said the water level at Angat Dam, which supplies water to over 98 percent of Metro Manila, dropped further to 210.08 meters from the regular 212-meter level.

Emphasizing the critical role of water security, President Marcos warned of the adverse impacts of water supply disruptions.

“Any disruption to the water supply, such as the one posed by the El Niño phenomenon, which we are feeling the effects of now, degrades our quality of life,

Senate to reveal Cha-cha votes after RBH 6 talk

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATORS yesterday said they will disclose their vote on proposed amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution at the appropriate time.

This came in the wake of the challenge of House Majority Leader Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Mannix Dalipe to all 24 senators to “open their cards” and show the Filipino public exactly where they stand on the issue of constitutional revision.

Senate finance committee chairperson Sonny Angara said the votes will be divulged at proper time.

Angara was designated as the chairperson of the subcommittee of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, which is hearing the Resolution of Both Houses No. 6, which seeks to amend three specific provisions of the Constitution.

At present, Angara said senators still cannot lay down their position on Charter change as the hearings on RBH 6 just started last Monday.

Legal luminaries and constitutional experts and the country’s top economists tackled the legalities of “Chacha.” A second date for the hearing has yet to be set.

“I can see that the senators won’t make a decision in haste. They will think long and hard and listen. I hope it is the same practice in the House,” Angara said.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III stressed senators should be allowed to keep an open mind “at this stage.”

and Ciriaco Gato Jr. of Batanes, respectively, passed the unnumbered substitute bill that proposes the creation of a Medical Cannabis Office (MCO) under the Department of Health.

The office would grant accreditation to doctors and other licenses for the medical use of cannabis.

Barbers, the House dangerous

drugs committee chairperson, was quick to say that “this [proposed] law only grants an exception to the enumeration of prohibited drugs under RA [Republic Act] 9165 by limiting it for medical use.”

Barbers added: “Cannabis in pharmaceutical form is allowed, provided that you have a prescription.”

of the present, and anticipate circumstances in the future,’’ he said.

“We must build while bearing in mind the worst the future will bring, of the earth getting hotter, getting wetter, and not on outdated assumptions that no longer apply.’’

Landslides are frequent hazards across much of the archipelago nation owing to the mountainous terrain, heavy rainfall and widespread deforestation from mining, slash-and-burn farming and illegal logging.

Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum said a number of huge earthquakes had destabilized the region in recent months.

“Every time there’s a major earthquake we have to worry about multiple landslides every time the rains come,” Solidum told the disaster briefing attended by President Marcos.

Davao de Oro Gov. Dorothy Montejo Gonzaga presented a preliminary report during the briefing, indicating an initial total of over P3.6 billion in damages to local and national roads, bridges, and flood control infrastructure in the province.

Gonzaga outlined the budgetary re-

quirements for the repair and rehabilitation of these infrastructures, amounting to P8.2 billion -- P2.181 billion for roads, P2.138 billion for bridges, and P3.889 billion for revetments.

Out of the 237 barangays in the province, 138 were impacted by the shear line, while 151 were affected by the low-pressure area, the governor added.

The province endured substantial damage from the rains associated with the shear line weather pattern, affecting approximately 37,692 families and causing damage worth P122.50 million to the agriculture sector, impacting 6,285 farmers, she said.

An aerial video showed a deep, brown gouge down the side of a forested mountain in Davao de Oro that reached the village below where a number of houses had been destroyed.

Rescue teams from across the region have been deployed to help search the large area under mud, Macapili said.

The buses that had been outside a gold mine operated by the Philippine company Apex Mining in Masara village where workers are dropped off and picked up. With AFP

it dampens economic activities, and can fuel disorder,” the President said.

President Marcos earlier instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways, in collaboration with various government agencies, to prioritize and expedite water supply projects in areas vulnerable to the El Niño phenomenon.

He also tasked the DPWH and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to explore public-private partnerships for rehabilitating and enhancing the country’s water supply systems, along with constructing largescale water impounding projects to expand coverage areas.

During yesterday’s inauguration, Mr.

Marcos commended the efforts of Apo Agua of Aboitiz InfraCapital, DCWD, and the local government of Davao in bringing the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project to fruition.

The Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project is one of the largest private bulk water supply facilities in the country, drawing from the Tamugan River to diminish Davao City’s reliance on groundwater.

“Thank you for showing us the deep well of potential that public-private partnerships hold, not just in securing water supply, but also in paving the way for enhanced economic growth, jobs creation, and an improved standards of living for all Filipinos,” the President said. Charles Dantes

and the December 2025 barangay elections.

Efforts to amend the Charter through a People’s Initiative, constitutional convention, or a constituent assembly would culminate in a plebiscite.

Garcia, however, cited a Supreme Court ruling, which states that the Comelec “cannot include a plebiscite for the amendment of the constitution on a regular election.”

“If in case the constituent assembly would be able to pass this year or before the end of this year an amendment to a provision to the Constitution, unfortunately we [still] cannot hold such plebiscite in 2025. The most that we can hold that [vote] is in 2026,” Garcia said.

He said Filipinos should have “a clear mind” when voting, thus the plebiscite cannot be mixed with a regular election during the same year.

“If it’s an amendment, focus on the amendment. If it’s elections, focus on the elections. You’re not just amending a simple law – you’re amending the constitution, the very heart of our democratic processes,” he said.

Garcia earlier announced that Comelec has suspended all People’s Initiative (PI) proceedings to make way for reviewing and amending its implementing rules and regulations.

Speaker...

From A1

government officials included in the survey.

The Speaker’s performance ratings, meanwhile, also increased by four percent to 65% in the OCTA Q4 tally.

“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the Filipino people for the high trust and performance ratings we obtained in the latest OCTA Research survey conducted in December last year,” Romualdez said.

“Your trust and confidence in our work at the House of Representatives are truly humbling and inspiring,” the leader of the 310-member House of Representatives added.

While surveys serve as a gauge of public sentiment, he said they should “never be viewed as a reward for our hard work.”

“Instead, they serve as a reminder of the responsibility we bear as public servants to ensure that every action we take is in the best interest of the Filipino people,” he added.

Romualdez, president of the Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats (LakasCMD), obtained the highest increase in trust ratings in the National Capital Region, from 48% in the last survey to a whopping 63%.

spondents nationwide.

This resulted in a net personal optimism score of +39, which the polling firm classifies as “very high”, which was slightly down from the “excellent” +42 recorded in September.

The SWS attributed the three-point decline in the national net personal optimism to “a decrease in Balance Luzon, a slight decline in the Visayas, combined

with a steady score in Mindanao and a marked increase in Metro Manila.”

Meanwhile, the score was steady in Mindanao, and Filipinos living in Metro Manila were more optimistic.

While Balance Luzon maintained its “excellent” net personal optimism, it still dropped by 10 points, from +50 to +40, although Metro Manila residents gained 17 points, from +30 to +47.

cent survey, saying it will serve only as further motivation for the House of Representatives to work harder to raise the standards of living in the country through legislation.

Romualdez’s trust rating in the recent OCTA Research 2023 fourth quarter survey conducted last Dec. 10 to 14 rose to 64 percent from its 60% mark in the October poll.

This was the highest increase among

SWS:...

From A1 Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

Only 5% said it will worsen during the same period and the remaining 7% did not give an answer, the SWS said Wednesday.

The survey was conducted from Dec. 8-11, 2023. It polled 1,200 re-

Comelec...

From A1

NEWS

A3 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

CA set to scrutinize credentials DND chief eyes increased AFP of new ISAFP, PSG commanders presence in Batanes Island T

By Maricel V. Cruz

HE bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA) will check the credentials of the newly appointed chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) and the commander of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

This was disclosed by CA assistant minority leader Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel who said the vetting, to be done by the CA committee on national defense chaired by Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo amid calls for the secession of Mindanao, “The CA has already received the appointment papers of Army Maj. Gen.

Edmundo Peralta, the new ISAFP chief, and Air Force Maj. Gen. Jesus Nelson Morales, the new PSG commander,” Pimentel said in a statement.

Pimentel’s announcement came shortly after National Security Adviser Eduardo Año denounced calls for Mindanao to break away from the rest of the Philippines.

Ano warned that any attempt at segregating Mindanao would be met with “resolute force.”

Besides Peralta and Morales, three newly promoted Army major generals are also facing confirmation hearings before the CA, according to Pimentel.

The lawmaker named them as Major Generals Leodevic Guinid, Army vice commander; Allan Hambala, commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division; and Ramon Zagala II, chief of the military’s Civilian Relations Service.

Pimentel said 22 brigadier generals from the Army, Air Force, and the Marines, five commodores, 174 colonels, and 11 naval captains (equivalent to colonel) were also awaiting CA confirmation.

“All told, we now have a total of 217 senior military officers lined up for their CA confirmation hearings,” Pimentel said.

“We would encourage the public to send to the CA Secretariat any information, written report, complaints or oppositions to the appointees,” Pimentel said.

The Constitution empowers the 25-member CA to examine the competence, fitness, and integrity of key presidential appointees, including senior military officers from the rank of colonel and above, and to approve or reject the nomination.

The commission is composed of 12 members each from the House of Representatives and the Senate, with the Senate President as ex officio chairman.

Groups ask DOJ to drop charges vs. three activists

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has been asked to dismiss the charges against a journalist and two human rights activists accused of violating Republic Act (RA) No. 11479, or the AntiTerrorism Act (ATA) of 2020.

In a letter addressed to DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, the free press advocacy groups Altermidya Network, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), and the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) sought the dismissal of the case filed by the military against journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and human rights advocates Mariel Domequil and Alexander Philip Abinguna.

The groups requested Remulla to conduct “an immediate review and dismissal of the charges against them, should evidence be lacking.”

They also reminded the DOJ chief that as secretary of justice, he issued a directive to prosecutors to “only file cases with a reasonable certainty of conviction.”

“We thus implore your office to undertake a comprehensive review of their cases, aiming for their prompt dismissal,” the petitioners said.

Citing the 2023 Global Prison Census of the Committee to Protect Journalists, the organizations said Cumpio is “the only journalist remaining in prison in the Philippines, a fact that severely tarnishes the country’s commitment to press freedom.”

The three were arrested on Feb. 7, 2020 at the Eastern Vista staff house in Tacloban City, Leyte during a series of raids conducted by the military while implementing search warrants against alleged safe houses of the communist terrorist group.

DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has batted for increased military presence in Batanes, the country’s northernmost province.

Teodoro quoted the Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL) as saying a higher “operational tempo for the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines)” would be implemented starting this year.

Teodoro visited on Tuesday the military’s naval detachment in Mavulis Island and inspected the on-going construction of the Naval Forward Operating Base Mahatao in Batan Island.

He was joined by AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and other ranking military officials.

The visit underscored the significance of strengthening the country’s territorial defense capabilities necessary to protect the country, the NFNL said.

“He (Teodoro) also called for the development of more structures, noting that Batanes is the ‘spearhead’ of the Philippines as far as the northern baseline is concerned,” the statement added.

The NFNL said the defense chief likewise sought to bolster interagency cooperation between the AFP and other agencies, especially the local government units, to protect stakeholders such as fishermen and other maritime-related agencies. Vince Lopez

Revilla confident his bill will boost PNP performance STREET ENTERTAINMENT. A Chinatown fire breather entertains locals along Ongpin Street in in Binondo, Manila three days ahead of the celebration of the Chinese New Year. Inset shows a resident buying a pineapple deemed to be a prosperity fruit during the year of the Wood Dragon. Norman Cruz

DICT warns of spike in AI-related fake audios, videos THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has warned of a possible increase in socalled “deepfakes” and other artificial intelligence-generated bogus videos.

Testifying at a joint hearing by the House Committee on Information and Communications and the Committee on Public Information, DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian Dy said “cognitive warfare is now more advanced because they can mimic actual personalities.

“This is the use of fake news or disinformation in order to shape people’s

opinion,” Dy stressed.

“There are news reporters who endorse a certain product using his video.

They even dub audio recording in the video to make it look like that they are endorsing a particular product when in fact they do not,” Dy explained.

“We believe that especially with the upcoming elections, this particular threat might increase, and we might be unable to cope with the volume of the expected influx of requests to take down AI-generated false statements and false news,” he added.

“Na-obserbahan ko, wala pa tayong

batas sa deep fakes, malapit na pong mag-eleksyon, dapat gumawa tayo ng batas tungkol dito para mapagbawalan o ma-regulate ang paggamit ng AI (I have observed that we do not have a law on deep fakes. With the elections coming up, we need to craft a law regulation the use of AI),” cybersecurity analyst Art Samaniego Jr. said.

The DICT said victims of deepfakes can reach out to the agency and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Council so they can take down the illicit online material.

SENATOR Ramon Revilla Jr. on Tuesday expressed confidence that Senate Bill (SB) 2449 or the Philippine National Police (PNP) Organizational Reforms Act would bring about better performance by the country’s police force.

Revilla, principal authored of the measure, made the observation on the heels of the plenary’s unanimous approval of his proposed law on Monday.

“Is important for us to be able to streamline the PNP operations to make our police force more efficient and effective in the discharge of their duties,” Revilla said in Filipino.

“It is about time that these longawaited changes must be implemented. This will be beneficial for the institution and for the people they serve and protect,” he added.

SB 2449 seeks to create new offices under the PNP, such as area police commands in clustered regional offices for inter-regional operations and city police offices in highly urbanized and independent component cities.

The bill also eyes institutionalize special police offices to continue supporting the PNP.

ASEAN, EU alarmed over Asian realities FOREIGN ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) have expressed concern about prevailing developments in Asia and nearby regions.

The ministers aired their sentiment during a meeting in Belgium for talks on current relations between the two regional blocs.

They tackled among others developments and the situation in the highlycontested South China Sea, which is being claimed in parts by five ASEAN members; the political situation in junta-ruled Myanmar; North Korea’s ballistic missile launches; the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan; and the wars between Israel and Hamas, and Ukraine and Russia.

In a nine-page joint statement, the 37

foreign ministers from the ASEAN and EU also called for respect of inte national law; condemned the acts of violence related to such developments; urged North Korea to stop its missile launches; and asked for unhindered access to the delivery of basic needs and humanitarian assistance to all regions and all people affected by wars.

The ministers welcomed the progress of talks for the crafting of a Code of Conduct on the South China Sea; reaffirmed their position that the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus is the main reference to address the political crisis in Myanmar; and renewed their commitment to implement UN Security Council’s resolutions to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner. Rey E. Requejo

LINKING ARMS FOR SECURITY. Quezon City government and police officials linked arms during a press briefing on the security of the upcoming Chinese New Year, notably at the Chinatown in the Banawe area. Manny Palmero

CAAP, DOTr inspect Bicol Airport amid Mayon activity

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE FISHERFOLK ARE RESTLESS. Fishermen from various parts of the country converge at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources compound in Quezon City to ask the agency to stop reclamation activities at the Manila Bay, claiming their livelihood is in jeopardy over the projects, including seabed quarrying.

Manny Palmero

AVIATION authorities and transportation officials have inspected the Bicol International Airport (BIA) to ensure the safety of the runway amid the recent activity of the Mayon Volcano.

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) director general Capt.

Manuel Antonio Tamayo and Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation Robert Lim inspected the airport to oversee continuous inspections to prevent ashfall and contami-

nants that could affect aircraft operations.

CAAP Area 5 manager Cynthia Tumanut confirmed that there were no flight cancellations due to Mayon related activities, adding that regular inspections were going on.

After the inspection, the three officials discussed the preparation for the turnover of BIA facilities to CAAP. The CAAP has not indicated final acceptance of the airport because the Department of Transportation initiated a contract bid for the construction of a passenger terminal, runway extension, and

other facilities at BIA. The acceptance process will be expedited, enabling the CAAP to carry out repairs and other maintenance work at BIA. Meanwhile, the CAAP plans to establish CAAP Flight Standards Inspectorate Centers in Visayas and Mindanao.

These facilities will handle the certification of air operators, approved training organizations, approved maintenance organizations, and licenses of airmen, eliminating the need for stakeholders to transact in the central office.

NEWS

A4

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Palawan fire victims to get gov’t funding

By Maricel V. Cruz

SALUTE. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez gives a salute during the arrival honors accorded to him by Philippine Army troops Wednesday morning at the headquarters of the 4th Infantry Diamond Division, Camp Evangelista, Brgy. Patag, Cagayan De Oro City. Ver Noveno

Transpo chief, others face graft charge

By Rio N. Araja DEPARTMENT of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista is facing a graft complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman for a planned franchise revocation of public utility vehicles that would fail to consolidate beyond the April 31 deadline.

The transport group Manibela also included Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chief Teofilo Guadiz III; LTFRB board members Liza Marie Paches, Mercy Jane Paras Leynes and Robert Peig; Office of Transport Cooperatives chairperson Ferdinand Ortega and Solicitor General Menardo Guevara in the complaint that it filed.

Mar Valbuena, Manibela president, accused the involved public officials of violation of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. “Neither did the DOTr and LTFRB conduct any consultation among the affected sectors, especially the PUV drivers and operators like the members of complainant Manibela and the undersigned complainant,” he said.

He urged the Ombudsman to place the transport officials under preventive suspension.

He said the Solicitor General was implicated for defending the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program and the three other officials in an injunction petition filed by the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide with the Supreme Court.

Manibela members held a protest outside the Ombudsman’s office during the filing of the complaint.

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday said he is supporting and endorsing the mobilization of government resources to assist the victims of the recent fire in Puerto Princesa.

Romualdez is acting as the caretaker of the congressional district of Palawan following the passing of Rep. Edward Hagedorn.

Early morning Wednesday, Feb. 7, a fire broke in Barangay Pagkakaisa and Barangay Bagong Silang, affecting over 450 households and 920 families, equivalent to approximately individuals.

The City Social Welfare Development (CSWD) is currently in the process of finalizing the tally of those impacted.

Understanding the urgency of the situation, Speaker Romualdez has endorsed the allocation of funds under the 2024 General Appropriations Act. This includes the provision of “ayuda” or assistance, amounting to P10,000 per family affected, through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Galvez denies ‘corruption’ in MILF decommissioning DENR, NASA P

By Vince Lopez

RESIDENTIAL Adviser on Peace Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. vehemently denied that there is corruption involved in the decommissioning process of Moro Islamic Liberation (MILF) combatants.

Galvez was reporting on the status of the implementation of the MILF decommissioning process during a hearing by the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace Unification and Reconciliation.

Members of the Senate committee, which included Senators Raffy Tulfo, Imee Marcos, and Jinggoy Estrada, asked Galvez to clarify why there is a “discrepancy” in the cash assistance

given to the decommissioned combatants.

Tulfo reportedly said that: “There’s corruption here, whether you like it or not.”

“Don’t tell us we’re corrupt,” the peace adviser told Tulfo during the hearing, which aimed to shed light on why there has been a delay in the implementation of the decommissioning process.

“We take serious offense in what Senator Tulfo said because there is absolutely no truth to that malicious, baseless allegation. To accuse us of such is an affront not only against our agency but also to the decommissioned combatants as well,” Galvez said.

To date, a total of 26,132 MILF combatants as well as 4,625 of their weapons, have undergone the process of decommissioning, which is being handled by the foreign-led International Decommissioning Body (IDB).

“Our senators must know that this cash assistance amounting to P100,000 for each combatant is part of the socioeconomic package under the Normalization Program of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB),” Galvez explained.

‘NO’ TO JEEPNEY PHASEOUT.

Members of the transport group Manibela staged protest actions at the Office of the Ombudsman. The group also filed a criminal case against (DOTr) Secretary Jaime J. Bautista; Office of Transport Cooperative (OTC) Andy Ortega; and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Teofilo Guadiz Jr. related to the government’s jeepney phaseout program.

Manny Palmero

team up on air quality research

SPECI A LISTS from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) will join National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scientists to study Metro Manila’s air quality.

The DENR said it is sending engineers and air specialists on research flights with NASA scientists to conduct the study from Feb. 11 to Feb. 15.

The DENR said leading the team is ambient air quality monitoring specialist Chadbert Nikko Aquino, and joining him are fellow engineers and air specialists Paul Vallar, Brix Faustino, Billy William Franco, and Zeus Aragones.

DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Loyzaga said this assignment aims to build technical capacity and expertise for the agency.

Loyzaga earlier stated that the collaboration with NASA is a first for the Philippines and “will help improve air quality models, provide accurate forecasts, and develop effective policies to ensure better air quality in the future.”

House panel says Quiboloy must PBBM: Find funds for Mindanao railway project attend hearings or face arrest

By Charles Dantes

THE House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Franchises on Wednesday adopted a motion to subpoena Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in connection with the panel’s inquiry into alleged violations of the congressional franchise granted to Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, the panel’s vice chairman, moved that the panel summon Quiboloy, who is SMNI’s honorary chairman.

“We have to issue a subpoena to compel him to attend our next hearing,” Pimentel said.

Pimentel said if Quiboloy does not at-

tend the committee’s next hearing, the panel would be forced to cite him in contempt and to order his arrest.

Pimentel said the pastor’s name has been mentioned in numerous instances in the course of the inquiry into SMNI’s alleged franchise violations and it was time that he explained his side.

“We have invited him not once and several times, but unfortunately, he has not attended our hearings,” he added.

Rep. Arlene Brosas of party-list group Gabriela seconded Pimentel’s motion, which Tambunting pronounced as approved after none of the committee’s members objected. Maricel V. Cruz

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Department of Finance (DOF) to seek funds to sustain the construction of the Tagum-Davao-Digos railway.

The President, in a speech, said he asked the heads of the two departments “to work in tandem to explore financing sources” for the 103-kilometer railway project.

Mr. Marcos said: “This ambitious project has been stalled by lack of funding, so let us go and hunt for the right funding engine that will pull this project to the finish line.”

“I have been briefed that financing

railway models can be creatively packaged in a hybrid way with each component of the project undertaken, underwritten by different stakeholders,’’ he added.

According to the DOTr, the Mindanao railway project is expected to reduce travel time from Tagum City, Davao del Norte to Digos City, Davao del Sur from 3.5 hours to 1.3 hours.

The President delivered a keynote address during the 125th founding anniversary of the DOTr and the ceremonial signing of the civil works for the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project (DPTMP) in Davao City.

The DPTMP entails a 672-kilometer bus route network, encompassing 29 inter-

connected routes equipped with 400 articulated battery electric buses and over 500 diesel buses. Its objective is to establish a high-quality bus-based public transportation system, ensuring mobility and accessibility for Davao City’s burgeoning population and economy.

Upon completion, the project is anticipated to cater to 800,000 passengers daily and generate a proximately 3,000 employment opportunities.

President Marcos said asserted that the DPTMP will facilitate swifter and more comfortable commutes while alleviating street congestion caused by private vehicles, thereby enhancing road traffic flow and reducing pollution.

Print organization announces new officials

By Edgar Valmorida THE Print Media Dealers Organization (PMDO) inducted its new set of officers in an event held in Quezon City recently.

The PMDO, an organization of newspaper dealers in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, conducted the event dubbed “PMDO: Balik Sigla 2024.”

As part of the event, the PMDO also gave posthumous plaques of recognition upon luminaries, honoring their enduring legacy and indelible imprint on PMDO’s history.

Among those awarded were: Danilo Jose, Delfin Santos, Jocelyn Tutanes, Mario Angeles, Juanito Turingan, Juancho Magbuhos, and Jose De Luna.

The PMDO said the event also served as a poignant reminder of the profound impact of the pandemic on the print media landscape.

Like many other industries, the PMDO faced unprecedented challenges and setbacks, leading to a period of uncertainty and adversity.

The losses suffered were deeply disheartening, prompting a hiatus in the business of selling newspapers, according to their new chairman Herminda “Mimi” Valeriano.

However, amid the gloom and uncertainty, the resilience and determination of the print media community shone through, Valeriano said. “PMDO: Balik Sigla 2024” was more than just an induction ceremony; it was a symbolic gesture of renewal and resurgence.”

NEW PMDO OFFICERS. Miguel Belmonte, president of Philippine Star led the induction and oath-taking of the new officers of the Print Media Dealers Organization (PMDO). From left to right (lower row) Corazon Villaseñor, Araceli Santos, Herminda Valeriano (newly-elected chairwoman), Noel Cabaero, Wilson Pascual, Danilo Mesina, Owen Fuertes; and from left to right (upper row) Frank Dagdagan, Choy Nebres, Jocelyn Cortez, Ma. Chrisitina Peralta, Jorge Diomampo, and Abner Trinidad.

B1

OPINION

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

mst.daydesk@gmail.com HONOR BLANCO CABIE, Editor

So I See

EDITORIAL

Lito Banayo

Gov’t should act vs. drought

Divided we fall THOUGH I am not even half as ‘religious’ as Senators Alan Cayetano and Joel Villanueva, I will quote from Matthew 12:25 -- “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.”

Several politicians have through several centuries echoed the same, as in the US of A when the founding fathers solemnly said, “United we stand, divided we fall.”

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Z. Duterte said as much, by making “unity” the single anchor of their 2022 campaign, hardly ever making a stand on important issues.

Going by the number of voters who listened to nothing else but “unity,” it seemed like the benighted land was indeed off to a fresh beginning, and even those who supported other presidential tandems in 2022 could not but be inspired that perhaps we will see transformational changes in our decrepit politics and our boom and bust economy.

—“—

The whole world is laughing at us, not knowing where this country is going

But now that unity is sundered, like Humpty Dumpty, broken into fragments that cannot be put together again, even with the efforts of “all the king’s horses and all the king’s men.”

Several quarters have called upon the president to mediate, perhaps in the hope he and he alone can end the squabble between the houses of Congress, and among his minions vis-à-vis the outspoken former president who needs no minions to prattle for himself.

The “imperial” Senate which will soon move to a new P12-billion self-proclaimed “iconic” building in the southwestern fringes of Fort Bonifacio where Taguig and Makati part ways, some 30 kilometers distant from where Imelda Marcos once built a grandiose, no less “iconic” in-her-time building to house the Batasang Pambansa, has been berating their “lower house” counterparts for being the puppeteers of a stealthily- planned and stupidly implemented PI, with the sinister intent of abolishing the “august” to kingdom come.

Never mind the fact the members of both houses share the same addicting proclivity towards pork barrel, (save only for retired

Ping Lacson and the deceased Joker Arroyo), likely their only commonality now that they hold fort in different buildings, unlike the past when the “upper” and “lower” house gentlemen debated with much more elan in what is now the National Museum.

For the Senate, the Cha-cha issue is existential; for the House it is about “economic provisions” which their nationally-elected counterparts do not believe.

Where in this discombobulating scenario stands the author of “Uniteam,” El Presidente, mismo?

Meanwhile, using the discredited PI as cassus belli, the former president from the deep South fulminates and accuses his immediate successor from the far North, mismo, as sanctioning this whole rigmarole, a claim not hard to believe because as it was in his time and before, and as it should be till now, in the land so benighted, the presidency is everything.

To compound the division, the former president joins a former speaker of the HoR in threatening the secession of his fortress Mindanao from the rest of the country.

Those who know him well enough know that he is not too serious about secession, that in the end, he will quip “istorya ra kana” then by his sarcastic follow through -- “Ni-tuo diay kamo?” (That’s just a tale and you believed it?)

It sounds better in Tagalog, “kuwentong kutsero lang, kumagat naman kayo?”

But others pretend to take it seriously, including the National Security Adviser, erstwhile DILG secretary of Duterte, mismo, the retired general from the hills of San Mateo, Eduardo Ano, who threatens that secession will be met “by force.”

The whole world is laughing at us, not knowing where this country is going.

The business community is worried that political noise will as always, trump economic concerns, be moving their attention away from the much-awaited bidding for the “renovation” of the single-runway NAIA, that gateway to the country where “spoilers” and “unqualified” are in the merry mix of bidders, looking at this as barometer of whether indeed, our government is serious about transparency and level playing fields.

And the poor, ever hopeful, ever-trusting, if we are to believe OCTA’s research findings done during the Christmas season, wonder if all these disruptive quarrels will bring about “20-peso rice (per kilo),” as they buy double-priced instant noodles and emaciated tins of sardines for their “ulam,” never mind the latest PSA metric on inflation going down.

Uniteam is hopelessly broken, just as Constitutional change is no longer possible, while the president who could have averted all these is looking forward to his forthcoming foreign trips to wherever, seemingly unmindful that “divided we fall.”

—“—

We fully support stepped-up government intervention measures to boost rice and overall agricultural productivity

El Niño, characterized by long periods of drought due to reduced rainfall, could adversely affect production of rice and other agricultural products.

According to an earlier advisory by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), a strong El Niño will prevail over the country until February.

But weather trackers later reported that majority of global climate models suggest that El Niño will likely persist until the March-April-May 2024 season with a transition to Enso (El Niño Southern Oscillation)-neutral in the April-May-June 2024 season.

Enso-neutral pertains to weather conditions that are neither labeled as El Niño nor La Niña, according to the state weather agency.

The expected drought from the weather phenomenon would certainly offset the gains made in the

This brought the overall value of agriculture to P493.73 billion in 2023, up from P490.06 billion in 2022.

The agricultural sector is already experiencing the impact of El Nino.

According to the Department of Agriculture, farmers in Western Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula have already lost P109.44 million due to El Niño.

The DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center

Duty Calls

Florencio Fianza

said the prolonged dry spell affected 2,602 farmers, tilling 2,177 hectares of land in the two regions.

The DA estimated the volume of production loss to be at 4,738 metric tons, mostly in the rice subsector.

Meanwhile, rice farmers in two towns and a city in Negros Occidental have lost at least P7 million as the dry spell hit farms in the province. 117.22 hectares of rice farms had started to dry up, affecting at least 143 farmers in 11 barangays.

The government is moving in the right direction by taking steps to curb the phenomenon’s effects on agriculture and assist farmers in coping with the dry spell.

Thus far, the Department of Agriculture has been regularly monitoring weather conditions and actual ground situation in the various regions. It is also disseminating advisories and agro-meteorological information to farmers via Facebook Messenger and informing farmers about proper crop management during El Niño.

Moreover, the DA also validates areas vulnerable to dry spells, assesses areas before cloud seeding operations, and adopts drought-resistant crop varieties.

We fully support stepped-up government intervention measures to boost rice and overall agricultural productivity amid expected below-normal rainfall in the months ahead.

Alliance is hanging by a thread

ative to amend some provisions of the 1987 Constitution which he apparently opposes?

But why so violent a response?

Maybe it is due to the suspension of his TV program.

Worst, he warned PBBM about the danger of suffering the same fate that befell the father and even reportedly threatened that Mindanao will secede from the Republic.

—“—

These two warnings immediately triggered talk of possible destabilization moves and loyalty checks by the military and police diverting attention away from more pressing problems.

Unless one has an inside information, it is difficult to know what is going in the mind of FPRRD but it is probably safe to say that as far as he is concerned, the UniTeam is all but dead.

The question is whether the daughter, Vice President Sarah Duterte, will agree considering she is known to have a mind

of her own and might not necessarily agree with the father.

Both she and the President are at least outwardly trying to portray that all is well in the UniTeam.

But this is probably only be delaying the inevitable considering that FPRRD holds a considerable sway among those in the UniTeam.

Many in the current administration, for instance, are leftovers from the Duterte administration.

If he takes these people away from the team, who will be left behind?

Furthermore, we Filipinos generally subscribe to the saying that blood is thicker than water.

So, what must be going on right now between both sides is pakiramdaman or simply watching each other’s move to see who will blink first.

What is important for the administration is to find out who are pushing for the breakup and what sort of breakup will it be.

As some observers have pointed out, if the tension in the UniTeam is left to the President and the Vice President to resolve, chances are that a solution could be found.

But if there are strong outside forces influencing what should happen like FPRRD, then any resolution becomes harder and a breakup will happen which some people from both groups are maybe wishing anyway.

It is unfortunate, of course, but such is the nature of our politics.

With all the problems the country is facing like the West Philippine Sea, climate change and El Niño, the focus seems to be on more mundane issues.

The WPS issue for instance, is so critical but is not getting the kind of priority it deserves.

(Editor’s Note: Prof. Abraham Van Helsing is a fictional character from the novel Dracula. He was an aged Dutch polymath physician, lawyer, preacher and hunter who has much knowledge of vampires and many other creatures.)

(Van Helsing is most famously known for having taken down the Romanian vampire Count Dracula along with many other dangerous creatures of the night and monsters.)

Her efforts to pull back the veil shrouding Quiboloy’s darkness deserve praise, reminiscent of a horror protagonist facing an unspeakable evil.

The cease-and-desist order against Quiboloy’s media network becomes a symbolic exorcism, attempting to silence the cacophony of deceit.

The women who step into the spotlight against Quiboloy emerge as protagonists in their own right. Their tales, whispered like chilling ghost stories, must be heard.

Their courage becomes a torch in the dark, revealing the ghastly secrets of religious manipulation.

As their voices echo through the halls of

justice, the Filipino people are summoned to stand beside them, an army against the supernatural horrors of abuse.

In this horror story, the Filipino people cannot afford to be passive spectators.

The ghastly revelations demand collective action against Quiboloy, a call to arms against the darkness he personifies.

The accusations, like haunting spirits, beckon the nation to confront the malevolence within its midst. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s condemnation, branding Quiboloy as one of the most wanted for a labor trafficking scheme, adds a global dimension to this ghastly narrative.

Preventing the recurrence of such nightmarish tales necessitates a cultural exorcism.

Stricter oversight of religious organizations, akin to wardens guarding against supernatural entities, becomes imperative.

Education and awareness campaigns, as talismans of knowledge, must empower individuals to recognize the subtle signs of manipulation.

Legal measures, the silver bullets of justice, should be sharpened to pierce through the dark hearts of those who perpetrate such horrors.

As the saga of Quiboloy’s alleged atrocities continues to unravel, the Filipino people must unite against the malevolence lurking within the shadows.

Support for ongoing investigations is not just a civic duty but a collective defense against the horrors of abuse.

In the ghostly echoes of the testimonies and accusations, there lies a rallying cry for justice, a plea for the Filipino people to stand united against the horrors that threaten to consume them.

Louis ‘Barok’ Biraogo

Exorcism of preacher Quiboloy The darkness within KOJC stretches beyond religious fervor to a sinister manipulation of trust.

The accusations of sexual abuse, coercion, and exploitation paint a mural of darkness within Quiboloy’s religious fiefdom.

Hontiveros, a modern-day female Van Helsing, pursues justice with a relentless spirit.

The cease-anddesist order against Quiboloy’s media network becomes a symbolic exorcism, attempting to silence the cacophony of deceit

ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City.

Telephone numbers 8-5646225 and 8-5646229 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www.manilastandard.net

agricultural sector last year, when the Philippine Statistics Authority reported the agriculture sector improved by 0.7 percent in the last quarter of 2023, driven mainly by higher crop, poultry and livestock production.

THE political discourse of late has gotten so toxic there is no longer any civility.

What could have caused FPRRD to violently attack PBBM, accusing him of being drug addict and on the PNP and PDEA drug watch list at a time when PBBM was on his way to Vietnam for a state visit? Traditionally, when a President goes on a state visit, the whole officialdom of the country regardless of party affiliation go to the airport to wish the President a successful trip.

That has always been the practice and FPRRD should have known that being a former President.

But knowing FPRRD, it was probably too much to expect him to remain silent until the return of PBBM. As we all know, he was never governed by conventions when he was President and, as they say, one can no longer teach old dogs new tricks.

Two years after his presidency, he is still so fixated on drugs.

He cannot seem to get over it.

And he has now focused his attention on his successor by accusing him as a drug addict or bagang in the dialect which is his preferred term.

In his book, PBBM must have committed an unforgivable and grievous political sin.

What these are, we can only hazard an educated guess.

It must be something that affected him personally or his family.

Perhaps, it was triggered by the reported presence of ICC investigators related to his drug war which must have unnerved him as it did Senator Bato de la Rosa.

Could it be because of father’s instinct related to the elimination of the intelligence budget for the Vice President and Secretary of Education?

Is it because of the aborted people’s initi-

Citizen Barok

IN THE shadowy realms of depravity, a macabre tale unfurls as Senator Risa Hontiveros battles against the enigmatic Apollo Quiboloy, the ominous doomsday preacher from the depths of Davao.

A looming horror story, where the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) is not a sanctuary but a stage for unspeakable acts.

The Senate panel, led by the indomitable Hontiveros, delves into the abyss, seeking to expose Quiboloy’s malevolent deeds, only to be met with the haunting echoes of his refusal and arrogance.

Quiboloy’s defiance echoes through the twisted corridors of his religious empire, where accountability crumbles beneath the weight of delusion.

Hontiveros, a lone protagonist in this nightmarish saga, confronts the preacher with chilling words, “Hindi po kayo anak ng Diyos na exempt sa otoridad ng estado” (You are not a son of God who is exempt from the authority of the state).

A subpoena, a pact with the devil of legality, emerges as the last desperate attempt to summon this dark force to the Senate’s grim stage.

The revelations presented during the Senate panel’s investigation are not for the faint of heart.

Two Ukrainian women, former KOJC members, spill tales of horror, exposing Quiboloy as a malevolent puppeteer exploiting the faithful.

A Filipino woman, “Amanda,” adds another layer to the horror, recounting a narrative of rape during her formative years.

W

ITH the prolonged dry spell caused by the El Niño climate pattern likely to pull down agriculture production this year, the government should act decisively to assist our farmers.

ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

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

—“—

With all the problems the country is facing like the West Philippine Sea, climate change and El Niño, the focus seems to be on more mundane issues

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

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Chin Wong Joyce Pangco Pañares Jimbo Owen Gulle

Associate Editor Managing Editor News Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Opinion Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

B2

WORLD

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Saudi says no Israel ties without independent Palestinian state RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia has told Washington it will not establish ties with Israel until an independent Palestinian state “is recognized,” the Gulf kingdom’s foreign ministry said in a statement Wednesday.

“The Kingdom has communicated its firm position to the US administration that there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is recognized on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital,” read the statement published by the official Saudi Press Agency.

Israeli “aggression” in Gaza must also stop and all Israeli forces must withdraw from the besieged territory, the statement said.

Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s holiest sites, has never recognized Israel and did not join the 2020 US-

brokered Abraham Accords that saw its Gulf neighbors Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Morocco, establish formal ties with Israel.

Wednesday’s statement came in response to comments by White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, who told reporters on Tuesday that talks on Saudi-Israeli normalisation were “ongoing” and that Washington had “received positive feedback from both sides that they’re willing to continue to have those discussions.”

On a crisis tour of the region, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Saudi Arabia this week before stops in Egypt, Qatar and then Israel, where he is pressing for a truce deal in the IsraelHamas war. AFP

MEMORIAL AND MISSILES. Members of the military and security forces loyal to Yemen’s Huthi movement attend a ceremony commemorating Hussein Badreddin al-Huthi, the group’s slain leader killed in 2004, in a mosque in the Huthi-held capital Sanaa on Tuesday. The Huthis said Wednesday they struck US and British ships in two Red Sea attacks -- the latest among dozens of incidents that have disrupted global shipping. AFP

Huthi rebels in fresh Red Sea ship attacks

D

UBAI, United Arab Emirates – Yemen’s Huthi rebels launched six missiles toward two merchant ships on Tuesday, reportedly causing light damage to one of the vessels, the US military said.

The launches came three days after US and UK forces launched a wave of air raids against the Iran-backed Huthis -- their third round of joint military action in response to the rebels’ persistent attacks on shipping.

“Iranian-backed Huthi militants

fired six anti-ship ballistic missiles from Huthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden”, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.

Three of the missiles were aimed at the MV Star Nasia, a Marshall Is-

lands-flagged bulk carrier that is Greek owned and operated, the military command said.

“MV Star Nasia reported an explosion near the ship causing minor damage but no injuries”, while a second missile later landed nearby and a third was shot down by a US destroyer, CENTCOM said.

The other three missiles were apparently aimed at the MV Morning Tide, a Barbados-flagged, UK-owned cargo ship, but they exploded in the Red Sea

without causing damage.

The Huthis had earlier said they struck US and British ships in two Red Sea attacks -- the latest among dozens of incidents that have disrupted global shipping.

The Iran-backed rebels, who control much of the war-torn country, have been harassing shipping in a campaign they say is in solidarity with Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war.

Huthi spokesman Yahya Saree said the first attack on Tuesday “targeted

the American ship Star Nasia, while the other targeted the British ship Morning Tide.”

The Huthis “will carry out more military operations against all hostile American-British targets” in self-defense, Saree warned on X, formerly Twitter.

The Greek merchant marine ministry said the Star Nasia sustained material damage but the hull did not appear to have been breached and no injuries were reported among the Filipino crew. AFP

US Supreme Court to hear high-stakes Trump ballot case: Will he be barred from running?

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT & EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF MANDALUYONG CITY Email: rtc1mdlocc@judiciary.gov.ph Hotline: 639952598147/82876702 BDO UNIBANK, INC., Mortgagee, -versus-

FRE-MC24-1749 EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE UNDER ACT 3135 AS AMENDED BY ACT 4118

SPOUSES KAYE ANN ROCES CASILANG and ARVIN GAASIS CASILANG and SPOUSES ELIZABETH DELA CRUZ ROCES and AVELINO LUSTADO ROCES, Debtors/Mortgagors. x-------------------------------------------------------x

NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE Upon Extra-Judicial petition for sale under Act 3135 as amended by Act 4118 filed by BDO UNIBANK, INC., Mortgagee, against SPOUSES KAYE ANN ROCES CASILANG and ARVIN GAASIS CASILANG and SPOUSES ELIZABETH DELA CRUZ ROCES and AVELINO LUSTADO ROCES, with postal address/ es at: (1) Unit 2903, Tower 2, Light Residences, EDSA corner Madison St., Barangay Barangka Ilaya, Mandaluyong City and (2) 339 A and V Subdivision, Barangay Panginay, Balagtas Bulacan 3016, to secure the payment and all other obligation which as of December 27, 2023, amounts to SEVEN MILLION TWO HUNDRED NINETEEN THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY SIX PESOS & 98/100 (Php 7,219,786.98) ONLY, Philippine Currency, including interest, penalties and expenses incidental thereto (Subject Obligation), the Ex-Officio Sheriff of Mandaluyong City or his duly authorized deputy will sell at PUBIC AUCTION to the HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH OR MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency on the 1st day of March 2024 at 9:00 o’clock in the morning or soon thereafter but not later than 12:00 o’clock in the afternoon at the main entrance of Mandaluyong City Hall, Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City, the Condominium unit together with all the improvements existing thereon to wit:

WASHINGTON, DC – Should Donald Trump be barred from running again for president because he engaged in an insurrection -- the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the US Capitol by his supporters?

That is the question before the Supreme Court this week as it hears Trump’s appeal of a ruling by Colorado’s top court that would keep him off the presidential primary ballot in the state.

It is the most significant election law case to reach the nation’s highest court since it halted a vote recount in Florida in 2000 with Republican George W. Bush holding a razor-thin edge over Democrat Al Gore.

The conservative-majority Supreme Court, which includes three justices appointed by Trump, has set aside 80 minutes for oral arguments on Thursday beginning at 10:00 am but they are expected to go longer.

The Colorado Supreme Court barred Trump in December from appearing on the Republican primary ballot in the state because of his role in the January 6 attack on Congress.

Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, appealed to the Supreme Court urging it to throw out the Colorado ruling and bids in other states to keep the former president off the ballot. AFP

CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. -008-2019007854Registry of Deeds – City of Mandaluyong IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that the unit identified and described as: TOWER UNIT UNIT TYPE TOTAL AREA

: : : :

TOWER 2 2903 1-BEDROOM UNIT W/BALCONY 27.74

OF THE “LIGHT RESIDENCES” CONDOMINIUM PROJECT In the diagrammatic floor plan appended to the enabling or master deed of the condominium project annotated on TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE 2014 000439; 24843 which embraces and describes the land located at MANDALUYONG CITY with an area of NINETEEN THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED TWENTY TWO SQUARE METERS AND FIFTY SQUARE DECIMETERS (19,422.50) Square Meter more or less xxxxx “ All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated time and date.”

“In the event the public auction should not take place on the said dater, it shall be held on March 8, 2024 at the same time and place without further notice.”

Prospective bidders or buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the said real property and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Mandaluyong City, Philippines, January 27, 2024.

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF By: (Sgd.) LUCY LILIBETH A. ALCABA Sheriff IV Copy furnished: BDO UNIBANK, INC. RISK MANAGEMENT GROUP-REMEDIAL MANAGEMENT UNIT 11th Floor, BDO Towers Valero (formerly Citibank Tower), 8741 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City SPS. KAYE ANN R. CASILANG and ARVIN G. CASILANG, SPS. ELIZABETH D. ROCES and AVELINO L. ROCES Unit 2903 Tower 2, Light Residences, EDSA cor. Madison St., Brgy. Barangka Ilaya, Mandaluyong City / #339 A & V Subdivision, Barangay Panginay, Balagtas, Bulacan 3016 WARNING: It is absolutely prohibited to remove, deface or destroy this Notice of Sheriff’s Sale on or before the date of Auction Sale under Penalty of the law.

(MStandard - Feb. 1, 8 & 15, 2024)

MEANINGLESS PRIMARY. A pair of ballot drop boxes for voted mail ballots are displayed as a voter returns a voting card in a Clark County vote center on Election Day during the Nevada 2024 presidential primary election in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Wednesday. No one won the Republican Party primary in Nevada when Nikki Haley was defeated by ‘None of these candidates,’ an embarrassment in a vote in which she was all but unopposed. AFP

Opposing Ukraine aid bill playing into Putin’s own bidding – Biden WASHINGTON, DC – President Joe Biden said Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) that Congress will be doing the Kremlin’s bidding if it fails to renew funding for Ukraine’s fight against Russian invasion -- and blamed Donald Trump for playing politics with US national security.

The “clock is ticking” for Ukraine, Biden warned.

The US president called out Trump -- his expected November election rival -- for pressuring Republican lawmakers not to pass a $118 billion bill that would fund Ukraine’s military in return for strict US immigration curbs, a Republican

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

demand.

“We can’t walk away now.

That’s what Putin’s betting on,” Biden said. “Supporting this bill is standing up to Putin.

Opposing this bill is playing into his hands.”

The immigration portion of the legislation, he said, included the “toughest set of reforms to secure the border ever.”

Despite themselves insisting on the immigration crackdown as a condition for renewing US aid to pro-Western Ukraine, Republicans have now responded to Trump’s pressure by making clear they will not help Democrats pass the huge bill. AFP

B3

BUSINESS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Globe Telecom’s net income slipped 29% to P24.6b in 2023 GLOBE Telecom Inc. on Wednesday reported a 29-percent drop in net income last year to P24.6 billion from P34.60 billion in 2022.

The telecom unit of the Ayala Group blamed the lower profit to the higher depreciation expenses and the absence of one-time net gain on the partial sale of Globe’s data center business that was booked in the first quarter of 2022.

It said excluding the impact of the one-time gains, normalized net income would have been P19.1 billion, down by 4 percent from 2022.

Globe said core net income, which excludes the impact of non-recurring charges, one-time gain, foreign exchange gains and mark-to-market charges, reached P18.9 billion, down by 1 percent year-on-year.

“Globe reached new heights in

BIGGEST WATER SUPPLY. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (third from left) leads the inauguration of the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP), the largest of its kind in the country boasting a production capacity of 300 million liters per day. The transformative infrastructure project, the result of a long-standing partnership between the Davao City Water District (DCWD) and Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. (Apo Agua), ensures the enhanced supply of safe, reliable, and sustainable water to over one million Davaoeños. With the President are (from left) Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo Jr., Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Aboitiz Group president and CEO Sabin Aboitiz and Davao City Water District (DCWD) chairman Eduardo Bangayan.

2023 despite the lingering macroeconomic challenges and competition we faced … Our non-telco businesses contributed more this year whether on the revenue line or in the equity earnings line, fueling our momentum going into the new year,” Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu said.

“As we move forward to 2024, we are very optimistic that we will achieve continued growth by executing our customer-focused strategy and enhancing innovations using digital solutions backed by our firm commitment to network excellence. We will push the boundaries of what’s possible in the telecom industry to create greater value for our customer, stakeholder and the broader digital systems,” Cu said. Darwin G. Amojelar

ADB supports DOF’s proposed tax reforms Yokohama investing T another P3.5b

By Darwin G. Amojelar

in Clark plant

By Othel V. Campos YOKOHAMA Rubber Co. Ltd. (YRC) of Japan is investing another P3.5 billion to expand the capacity of its Clark Freeport-based tire plant.

The expansion, announced during the meeting between Clark Development Corp. (CDC) and Yokohama executives on Jan. 25, will boost daily tire output of Yokohama Tire Philippines Inc. (YTPl) by 1,800 tires to bring the total to 32,500.

CDC president and chief executive Agnes VST Devanadera underscored Clark’s reputation as a preferred investment destination.

“CDC remains steadfast in its commitment to ease of doing business conducive to growth and innovation. Our collective efforts have solidified Clark’s standing as a premier investment destination. Moreover, we welcome YTPI’s decision to expand within our vibrant Freeport,” she said.

YRC said in a statement the expansion plan would create a production line specifically for manufacturing 21and 22-inch tires.

Construction is scheduled to kick off in the second quarter of 2024, with full operational capacity anticipated by the second quarter of 2026, marking YTPI’s 30th anniversary.

YTPI is CDC’s second-largest exporter, boasting an impressive $387.43 million in exports as of Dec. 31, 2023. It also ranks among the top six employers in Clark, providing jobs for over 3,900 individuals.

HE Department of Finance (DOF) said Wednesday the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is supporting its latest set of tax reforms aimed at increasing public revenues.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, following a meeting with ADB officials, emphasized the department’s push for these reforms to increase government funding.

These reforms include the imposition of excise tax on single-use plastics (SUPs), the rationalization of the mining fiscal regime, the imposition of value-added tax on digital service providers (DSPs), the proposed Passive Income and Financial Intermediary

CONGLOMERATE Filinvest Development Corp. (FDC) of the Gotianun Group said Wednesday it raised P10 billion from the issuance of fixed-rate bonds.

FDC said in a stock exchange filing the bonds, which were listed on the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp., have a tenor of 2.5 years and carry an interest rate of 6.3206 percent per annum.

The P10-billion bonds were issued as first tranche from the company’s P32-billion bond shelf registration

Manila

THE government plans to retire or repurpose the 210-megawatt Mindanao coal-fired power plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, the only remaining government-owned coal plant, by 2026 at a cost of $476 million.

Documents from the Department of Energy (DOE) showed that one option is to include it in the Asian Development Bank energy transition mechanism (ETM).

The other option is “potential bundling with assets needed for the replacement of power with clean energy for promoting energy transition.”

The DOE said detailed discussions with the Power Sector Assets and Li-

045346 (Bank Code)

TODAY IDC Centre Zapote Street cor Kalayaan Avenue, Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Makati City BALANCE SHEET As of DECEMBER 31, 2023 ASSETS

FULL COMPLIANCE. The Department of Energy recognizes Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and its local retail electricity supplier MPower for their full compliance with the government’s reportorial requirements and continued fulfillment of their mandate as power sector players. Attending the awarding ceremony are (from left) DOE Electric Power Industry Management Bureau (EPIMB) division chief of power market and development Antonio Barcelona, DOE EPIMB director Irma Exconde, DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara, Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer Ronnie Aperocho, SVP and chief revenue officer Ferdinand Geluz, SVP and head of regulatory management Jose Ronald Valles, first vice president and head of networks Froilan Savet and FVP and head of information, communications, technology and transformation Rocky Bacani.

program approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2023.

FDC said it would use the proceeds from the fund-raising activity to finance capital expenditures and repay existing debts.

The bond received the highest PRS Aaa rating from the Philippine Rating Services Corp. (PhilRatings).

FDC tapped BDO Capital & Investment Corp., BPI Capital Corp., China Bank Capital Corp., East West Bank, First Metro Investments Corp., Land Bank of the Philippines, RCBC Capital Corp. and SB Capital Investment

Corp. as joint lead underwriters and bookrunners for the transaction.

FDC fully repaid in January the P8.8 billion bonds it issued 10 years ago.

The conglomerate has interests in real estate, financial services, power generation, sugar milling and infrastructure.

It has recently ventured into renewable energy, water projects, hospitality and digitalization projects and is looking at opportunities in project expansions, adjacent businesses or new ventures including urban solution and renewables.

Gov’t plans to retire 210-MW Mindanao coal power plant

By Alena Mae S. Flores

partnerships (PPPs).

The ADB said it would continue to work on supporting the government in delivering more effective and innovative infrastructure projects through the Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility (IPIF).

IPIF is a technical assistance loan provided by the ADB to support initiatives of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in preparing, implementing, and managing public infrastructure investments.

The ADB is the Philippines’ secondlargest official development assistance (ODA) partner with a total commitment of $9.67 billion, accounting for 28 percent of the total ODA, as of Sept. 30, 2023.

The multilateral lender has made available to the Philippines an average of $1.64 billion in loan financing annually from 2010 to 2023.

StandardONE COOPERATIVE BANK (One CB)

Filinvest Development raises P10b from bond issuance

By Jenniffer B. Austria

bursements and collections.

The ADB also supports the Philippines’ continued efforts in creating a fair and efficient tax system that fosters inclusive and resilient economic growth through the $400-million domestic resource mobilization policy-based loan.

The loan focuses on enhancing domestic resource mobilization policies and legal frameworks; modernizing tax administration through digital transformation; and strengthening international tax cooperation and exchange of information. A second subprogram is pipelined for 2025.

The ADB is also supporting the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in its digitalization efforts through technical assistance that prepares an inve stment project in 2025.

It also affirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with the government on infrastructure modernization, particularly on public-private

Taxation Act (PIFITA) and the Motor Vehicle Road User’s Tax (MVRUT).

The ADB expressed its willingness to extend support for the reform proposals, noting that it has previously extended technical assistance to the department on developing sound tax and fiscal policies, according to the DOF. Recto said the DOF is pushing for the amendments of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act to tailor-fit the interests of investors in strategic investments.

The ABD will also provide support for Recto’s core enhanced tax collection strategy of using digital technologies for a more efficient and aggressive tax administration.

The move is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive under Executive Order (EO) No. 170 mandating government agencies to adopt digital payment systems for government dis-

abilities Management Corp. (PSALM) management on the asset are ongoing.

PSALM manages the assets and liabilities previously owned by National Power Corp.

“These discussions involve analyzing different repurposing solutions and considering bundling options with assets related to the replacement of power,” thje DOE said.

The agency said the ADB, together with the Climate Investment Funds - Accelerating Coal Transition (CIF – ACT) investment program, will provide concessional and commercial funds as “stapled” financing to potential bidders to maximize the impact to costs.

Indicative financing will come from ADB at $95 million, CIF debt at $95

million, commercial financing at $285 million and CIF grant at $1 million.

“CIF-ACT cofinancing can help lower the weighted average cost of capital for the transaction, which can generate a net present value gain to offset the economic cost of early retirement of the Mindanao CFPP,” the DOE said.

The Mindanao coal plant was contracted under a build-operate-transfer concession until 2031, after which the asset will transfer to PSALM. The asset still has a remaining operational life of 15 to 20 years.

The DOE said PSALM, the offtaker of CFPP’s power supply, has the option to pre-terminate the BOT as early as 2026, for an agreed termination pay-outs.

Cash and Cash Items Due from Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas Due from Other Central Banks and Banks-Net Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit of Loss (FVPL) 1/ Financial Assets at Fair Value Through Other Comprehensive Income (FVOCI)-Net Debt Securities at Amortized Cost - Net Loans to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Interbank Loans Receivable Loans and Receivables- Others Loans and Receivables Arising from RA/CA/PR/SLB Total Loan Portfolio (TLP)-Gross Allowance for Credit Losses 2/ Total Loan Portfolio-Net Equity Investment in Subsidiaries,Associates and Joint Ventures-Net Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment-Net Real and Other Properties Acquired-Net Sales Contract Receivable - Net Non-Current Assets Held for Sale Other Assets-Net Net Due from Head Office/Branches/Agencies, if any (Philippine branch of a foreign bank)

CURRENT QUARTER 53,617,984.80 113,314,276.11 984,075,571.98 0.00 911,228.02 10,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 4,227,639,156.01 4,227,639,156.01 707,800,643.14 3,519,838,512.87 0.00 71,842,484.74 140,502,461.25 105,138,732.88 239,557,374.05 102,454,403.69

AMOUNT PREVIOUS QUARTER 86,821,571.52 127,634,869.73 1,018,277,956.08 0.00 3,129,228.02 10,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 4,213,225,568.69 4,213,225,568.69 734,095,914.42 3,479,129,654.27 0.00 73,473,966.99 133,847,683.10 108,107,582.07 239,557,374.05 100,447,578.03

BOARD OF DIRECTORS FR. ANTONIO CECILIO T. PASCUAL Chairman ISAGANI B. DABA Vice-Chairman ELMO C. BAUTISTA SALVADOR S. COLLANTES, JR. GARIBALDI O. LEONARDO ROMEO A. DE JESUS SEGUNDO R. LANUZA, JR. ATTY. MICKEL M. BORIGAS BENIGNO P. ANDRES ABITO E. SALCEDO III ATTY. ANNABELLE I. OPAMIN

0.00

0.00

5,341,253,030.39

5,380,427,463.86

BOARD SECRETARY ATTY. SIMEON T. ASIA, JR.

Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Deposit Liabilities Due to Other Banks Bills Payable BSP (Rediscounting and Other Advances) Interbank Loans Payable Others Borrowings, including Deposit Substitutes Bonds Payable-Net Unsecured Soubordinated Debt-Net Redeemable Preferred Shares Other Liabilities Net Due to Head Office/Branches/Agencies/(Philippine branch of a foreign bank)

0.00 3,922,416,548.14 0.00 340,439,185.36 0.00 340,439,185.36 0.00 0.00 0.00 3,992,000.00 91,621,079.90

0.00 3,994,925,183.12 0.00 480,247,334.30 0.00 480,247,334.30 0.00 0.00 0.00 3,992,000.00 95,768,888.41

EXECUTIVE OFFICER JORGE G. LUMASAG, JR. President & CEO

0.00

0.00

TOTAL LIABILITIES

4,358,468,813.40

4,574,933,405.83

1,095,837,601.56 1,665,636.41 (115,537,884.81) 818,863.83 0.00

981,228,741.47 24,300.00 (20,377,082.29) (156,730,182.33) 1,348,281.18 0.00

TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Capital Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Undivided Profits Retained Earnings Other Capital Accounts Assigned Capital TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

982,784,216.99

805,494,058.03

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

5,341,253,030.39

5,380,427,463.86

Guarantees Issued Financial Standby Letters of Credit Performance Standby Letters of Credit Commercial Letters of Credit Trade Related Guarantees Commitments Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts Securiites Held Under Custodianship by Bank Proper Trust Department Accounts Derivatives Others

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3,500.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3,455.00

TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

3,500.00

3,455.00

21.01 5.52 79.70 277.78 5.80 -

20.87 4.68 83.48 315.01 4.73 -

26.00

25.81

4.22 0.72 0.86

(2.58) (0.45) (0.55)

14.56 15.71 16.65 -

11.35 12.50 13.44 -

CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

FINANCIAL INDICATORS (in %) ASSET QUALITY Gross Non-Performing Loans (NPL) Ratio Net NPL Ratio Gross NPL Coverage Ratio Net NPL Coverage Ratio RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Ratio of Loans to Related Parties to gross TLP Ratio of Non-Performing Loans to Related Parties to Total Loans to Related Parties Ratio of DOSRl Loans to gross TLP Ratio of Non-Performing DOSRI Loans to Total Loans to DOSRI LIQUIDITY Liquidity Coverage Ratio 4/ Net Stable Funding Ratio 4/ Minimum Liquidity Ratio 5/ PROFITABILITY Return on Equity (ROE) Return on Assets Net Interest Margin CAPITAL ADEQUACY Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio Tier 1 Capital Ratio CAR LEVERAGE Basel III Leverage Ratio 4/ Deferred Charges not yet Written Down Republic of the Philippines ) Makati City ) s.s.

We, EMMANUEL MARIA E. JOSE and JORGE G. LUMASAG, JR of the above-mentioned bank do solemnly swear that all matters set forth in the above balance sheet are true and correct to the best of my/our knowledge and belief.

EMMANUEL MARIA E. JOSE COO & TREASURY HEAD

JORGE G. LUMASAG, JR. President & CEO

B4

SPORTS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

Taylor Swift: Top Chiefs’ fan takes spotlight NEW YORK—The Super Bowl, already a spectacle of American football, music and advertising, kicks off Sunday with yet one more attentiongrabbing lure: megastar Taylor Swift cheering from the VIP suites.

The 34-year-old pop culture icon has been very publicly dating tight end Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, who will face off against the San Francisco 49ers in a bid to take the Lombardi Trophy back home.

It’s all but assured that legions of fans who don’t care a lick about the outcome will be tuning into the game on the basis of Swift’s mere presence.

There’s also speculation over the ability of Swift -- who just made Grammys history by scooping her fourth Album of the Year prize -- to make it to Las Vegas for Sunday’s game after she plays a string of dates in Tokyo on her blockbuster Eras Tour.

Normally anticipation builds for the artists booked to play the field at halftime; recent performers include Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira.

Last year, Rihanna’s set dominated the conversation after she revealed a second child was on the way.

This year, Usher is slated to take one of the most watched stages in music, but the pop and R&B singer behind chart toppers including “U Got It Bad” and “Yeah!” has been somewhat sidelined, with Swift’s name on everyone’s lips.

“If I were performing in that halftime show, I would be thinking, ‘Why did they have to book me during the Taylor Swift Super Bowl?’ said pop culture and media professor Robert Thompson of Syracuse University.

Kansas City Chiefs games—where Swift has been a regular in a private box—have smashed a series of ratings records this past season.

Most recently, the Chiefs playoff game against the Buffalo Bills last month was the most-watched Divisional Round game in NFL history, and the first to surpass more than 50 million viewers.

The Chiefs game against the Baltimore Ravens similarly was the most watched AFC conference championship ever.

The Super Bowl is already television’s crown jewel: last year, the event drew 113 million US viewers—or roughly a third of the country. AFP

5150 Triathlon CamSur a test of endurance THE 5150 Triathlon CamSur is set to kick off Sunday (Feb. 11) in Camarines Sur, featuring a race course in championship condition that promises to challenge the hundreds of participants gearing up for the event.

It’s been 15 years since the first IRONMAN race took place in the sports and adventure capital of the Philippines and the landscape has evolved to accommodate the changing times.

The Olympic distance race, consisting of a 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run, will witness a fierce competition among a new generation of athletes eager to test their endurance and mental fortitude.

Jonathan Pagaura and Emil Lorbes lead the cast in the men’s division while Bea Quiambao and Erika Burgos are poised for a spirited clash in the women’s side of the event organized in an Olympic-style setup against the scenic backdrop of Mt. Isarog.

Registration is still open at ironman. com/5150-camsur-register.

However, the field will face not only the challenging race course but also the hot weather conditions at this time of the year, adding an extra layer of toughness to the competition.

Race director Julian Valencia expressed excitement about bringing back triathlon to CamSur, acknowledging the support of the provincial and local government of CamSur and various agencies in ensuring a memorable and safe race.

Hosted by the Province of Camarines Sur and supported by Go for Gold, 2Go, Rudy Project, Sante Barley, Ilaw Atbp., Manila Bulletin, Tempo and Sportograf, the 5150 CamSur includes relay events for all-male, all-female and mixed teams.

The Go for Gold Sunrise Sprint, featuring Kim Remolino and Raven Faith Alcoseba, will also be part of the event.

Travis Kelce of Kansas City (left) celebrates with Taylor Swift after the Chiefs defeated the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. AFP

Yulo’s Japanese coach Sano injured, search for new one on

By Peter Atencio

J

APANESE coach Tomoharu Sano was supposed to be the new coach of Paris Olympics-bound gymnast Carlos Yulo.

But a recent accident has kept the 68-year-old Sano from leaving Tokyo.

“Sano, he got injured. He cannot coach Caloy. He fell and broke his leg,” said Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia CarrionNorton, who is currently in Japan.

Instead, Yulo could end up having Yordan Yovchev, the president of the Bulgarian Gymnastics Federation, as his new mentor.

The 50-year-old Yovchev, who took part in six consecutive Olympic Games, has expressed his interest in handling the 23-year-old Yulo.

Carlos Yulo

For now, a monthlong training camp in South Korea, will keep Yulo in shape for his stint in 2024 Paris Olympics.

Yulo has been in Seoul for the last two weeks with coach Aldrin Castaneda and his physical therapist Hazel Calawod to be with members of the

Korean national team.

Training camps in Spain, the United Kingdom and Australia have also been mapped out for Yulo before he goes to Paris.

After the first camp, Yulo wil get ready to head to Baku, Azerbaijan,

to see action in one of the legs of the 2024 Apparatus World Cup Series from March 3 to March 10.

Yulo parted ways last year with his former mentor Munehiro Kugimiya before the start of the Asian Games.

With Kugimiya gone, Yulo has stuck it out with Aldrin Castaneda, who has been coaching him before he went to Japan many years ago.

On the other hand, Yovchev was a decorated Bulgarian gymnast before he retired, having won silver in the men’s rings at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens with a score of 9.850 as among his achievements, to go with a bronze medal in the men’s floor exercise with a score of 9.775.

In the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, Yovchev earned the bronze on both the floor exercise and still rings with 9.787 and 9.762, respectively.

Yovchev also distinguished himself when he won two World Championship Bronze medals in the all around in 1999 and 2001.

Mindanao youngsters start bids in Gov. Jubahib Cup PROMISING young talents from the southern regions take center stage in pursuit of titles and ranking points in the Gov. Edwin Jubahib Cup national tennis championships, which begins Thursday at the DavNor Tourism Sports Complex courts in Davao del Norte.

The five-day Group 2 tournament, featuring close to 250 players across nine age groups, marks the inaugural leg of a two-part series presented by Dunlop and initiated by Gov. Edwin Jubahib to elevate the sport and unearth future tennis stars.

The next tournament is set Feb. 15-19. For details, contact event organizer Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

Jason Battad, Randy Pausanos, Stephen Fuertes and Bench Neri lead the cast in the boys’ 18-and-under division with Chelsea Bernaldez, Ana Salahuddin, Aika

Salahuddin and Sanschena Francisco bannering the girls’ side of the premier category, which both drew 32-player rosters.

Battad and Fuertes also head the 16-and-U cast that includes Mohammad Mosaid and Error Giducos, while Aika Salahuddin also shoots for a double as she gains the top seeding in the girls’ 16-and-U play that also features Camille Clar, Jannah Otico and Faith Lazaro.

Fierce duels are also expected in the 14-and-U category with Yendor Carvajal, Matt Docena, Dexter Salcedo and Gian Luna leading the boys’ roster and Otico spearheading the girls’ side that includes Princess Placa, Jhuane Flores and Arriana Maglana.

Kresthan Belacas, Francis Florida, Jaycee Compa and Docena are tipped to dispute the boys’ 12-and-U title

with Justine Gumbao and Shan Tuyor bracing for duel in the girls’ division of the event serving as part of the country’s longest talent-search sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Daneea Sinsuat, Gabriel Francisco, Francis Dimzon and Christian Otig, on the other hand, set out for spirited duel in the 10-and-under unisex class of the tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association and the Universal Tennis Ranking.

Meanwhile, the Mayor Josef Fortich Cagas Cup will be held on Feb. 22-26, another juniors Group 2 tournament at the Digos City Tennis Club to be followed by the Gov. Yvonne Cagas Cup on Feb. 29-March 4 at the Bansalan Tennis Club.

Action shifts to Kidapawan City on March 7-11 for the Kidapawan City NTC in Cotabato.

Prado, Bonilla, Altamarino dominate ITT races JERMYN Prado, Kim Bonilla and Angelica Mae Altamarino were unbeatable in the women’s races and Nichol Pareja was dominating in the men’s competitions in Tuesday’s individual time trial (ITT) of the PhilCycling National Championships for Road 2024 in Tuy and Nasugbu in Batangas.

The trio—who train as a miniteam—won their second gold medals in the championships presented

by Standard Insurance and MVP Sports Foundation and organized by the PhilCycling and calendared by the International Cycling Union.

“We really trained and prepared Shown here are (from left) Jermyn Prado, Angelica Mae Altamarino and Kim Bonilla.

hard for these championships,” said Prado, whose proteges Bonilla and Altamarino are living up to the former Southeast Asian Games gold medalist’s standards.

Prado won in 43 minutes and 40.64 seconds in the process slashing the 19.91-km course’s Women Elite record by almost two minutes set in last December’s Philippine National Games.

Bonilla dominated the Women Junior competition over a 10.68-km course with a 26:43.60 clocking, while Altamarino also easily won the 14.34-km Women Under-23 race with a 37:15.89 clocking.

All three also won the criterium races of the championships also supported by Tagaytay City, ChooksTo-Go, Excellent Noodles, CCN and Fitbar and backed by the local gov-

ernment units in Batangas and Cavite and PNP commands in Batangas and Cavite and the Bureau of Fire.

Pareja’s time of 44:24.93 was four minutes faster than the gold medalwinning time in the PNG last December over the 25.78-km course to reign supreme in the Men Elite race.

Also winning their second gold medals were Yvaine Osias and Jhay Karl Nunez in Youth 2 (under 14)— Osias clocked 13:45.53 in the 5.38km race and Nunez ruled the same distance in 11:12.60.

Maria Louisse Alejado (women) clocked 23:12.60 and Jerick Cabael (men) was timed 18:49.30) to win the Youth 1 (under 14) race over a 5.38-km course, while Samstill Mamites (men) lorded over the Youth 2 (14-16) competition over a 10.68-km distance.

The auspicious Year of the Dragon A time for hope, opportunities and success FFCCCII thanks government for making Chinese New Year a special non-working holiday, views this as beneficial for Philippine economic development and progress

By Janet Cacho Yang

W

HILE in the Western Gregorian calendar this is now year 2024, starting February 10 is the eagerly anticipated “Year of the Dragon” or already the year 4722 in the ancient Chinese lunar calendar.

The vibrancy of the Chinese New Year, often also referred to as “Chun Jie” in Mandarin or the “Spring Festival”, it transcends the borders of China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, captivating hearts from Korea to Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia , Cambodia to Indonesia, Central Asia and beyond to different societies worldwide.

This colorful cultural spectacle has become a festive global phenomenon, celebrated by nations far and wide, including the Philippines.

This is the year of the “Loong” or “Long” or the Chinese dragon which symbolizes good luck, honor, power and strength, unlike Western dragons which are feared.

What other differences in the Chinese Loong and Western dragons? The Loong or Chinese dragon is a water animal which are believed to bring rains and prosperity, while Western dragons breathe fire and often cause destructions.

The Loong flies without wings, but Western dragons fly with wings. Western dragons are mostly portrayed as evil, but the Chinese Loong is neutral, usually portrayed

as kinder and more benevolent.

Therefore, this “Year of the Dragon” is generally expected to be a time for great hope and roaring success!

Under the leadership of President Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro, the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) warmly welcomed President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr.’s insightful decision to declare February 9, 2024—the eve of Chinese New Year—as a special non-working holiday.

This strategic move not only fosters economic prosperity and boosts tourism but also elevates the positive international image of the Philippines throughout Asia.

The FFCCCII acknowledges the government’s recognition of the Chinese New Year as a national holiday, expressing gratitude for its affirmation of the ethnic Chinese minority’s integral role in Philippine society.

This gesture resonates deeply, affirming the full acceptance of Chinese culture as an intrinsic facet of the diverse Filipino national identity.

Indeed, Chinese New Year and the yummy Tikoy have become popular Filipino traditions, in much the same way that Pancit, Siomai, Siopao, Hopia, Taho and Lumpia have for generations already become accepted as beloved Filipino foods.

The FFCCCII’s statement below heralds a spirit of unity, acknowledging the convergence of cultures and the rich customs that make the Philippines a harmonious mosaic of traditions.

As the Filipino nation joyously embraces the momentous “Year of the Dragon”, it does so with a profound sense of inclusivity and in the spirit of true democracy, honoring the interconnectedness of cultures that defines the beauty of our humanity and global community.

ECONOMIC & SOCIO-CIVIC ADVOCACIES OF FFCCCII IN PAST 70 YEARS Over seven decades, the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) has been at the forefront of diverse economic advocacies and socio-civic projects, showcasing their unwavering commitment to national development.

Key initiatives include: 1. Advocating progressive economic and social policies for sustainable and inclusive Philippine economic growth, global competitiveness, and development.

2. Fostering both domestic and foreign investments to fortify the Philippine economy.

3. Championing the growth and enhancement of Philippine tourism.

4. “Operation Barrio Schools,” a significant endeavor involving the construction and donation of thousands of public school buildings in rural barrios, countryside regions,

and remote islands nationwide every year.

5. “Libreng Gamutan” — extending free medical, dental, and optical missions to support urban poor and rural communities.

6. Engaging in fast relief operations during natural and man-made calamities, such as typhoons, earthquakes, and other crises.

7. Sponsoring Filipino Chinese volunteer fire brigades across the nation — a collective effort by idealistic entrepreneurs and professionals who volunteer as firemen during emergencies, helping victims regardless of ethnic or socio-economic backgrounds.

8. Spearheading the “Buy Pinoy” campaign, advocating for investments in Philippine manufacturing industries and encouraging the public to prioritize Filipino-made products. The aim is to stimulate job creation and foster a resilient, self-reliant Philippine economy.

Note: Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) is the biggest national umbrella organization of 170 Filipino Chinese chambers of commerce and other diverse business associations nationwide from Aparri to Tawi Tawi. It focuses mainly in championing progressive economic, socio-civic and cultural advocacies.

The FFCCCII is celebrating its auspicious 70th Anniversary in the second week of March this year 2024.

Statement of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII)

FFCCCII President Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro

THE Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) extends its profound gratitude to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. for the issuance of Proclamation No. 453, declaring January 9, 2024, Friday, as a special nonworking holiday, marking the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

This strategic move carries multifaceted benefits for the Philippines, encompassing economic, diplomatic, tourism, and cultural dimensions.

The FFCCCII recognizes the potential positive economic impact of this decision, as it opens avenues to attract Chinese and Asian tourists to the country, capitalizing on China and East Asia’s robust tourism markets. This aligns with the national interest of promoting the Philippines as a prime tourist destination.

Diplomatically, this gesture serves as a tangible expression of goodwill towards our traditional ally and largest trade partner, China.

It reaffirms the enduring friendship between the Philippines and the Chinese nation, rooted in a history spanning over a millennium.

The declaration also resonates positively with other Asian nations like Korea, Vietnam, Singapore and others which also celebrate this festival as their most important holiday, thus fostering regional harmony and cooperation.

Tourism, a crucial sector and with vast potrntials for economic growth, stands to gain significantly. By positioning the Philippines as a destination for celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year, the country can become a preferred choice for Chinese and Asian tourists, thereby contributing to increased tourist arrivals, job creation, investments promotions and economic prosperity.

Moreover, this recognition of the Chinese Lunar New Year as an official national holiday symbolizes the Philippines’ commitment to cultural diversity.

By celebrating and acknowledging the importance of this festival for the Filipino Chinese community, it signifies the acceptance of our cultural heritage, further enriching the Filipino nation’s multicultural fabric and democracy.

In conclusion, the FFCCCII commends President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. for his foresight in declaring this special non-working holiday.

This visionary move not only enhances economic prospects but also strengthens diplomatic ties, the country’s international reputation, promotes tourism, and fosters cultural inclusivity.

As we embark on this auspicious occasion and welcome the auspicious Year of the Dragon, the FFCCCII looks forward to a shared celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, fostering unity, friendship, and prosperity for all.

C2

SHOWBIZ

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

‘Firefly’ lead stars Euwenn Mikaell (left) and Alessandra De Rossi

FROM being the silent underdog to becoming the 2023 MMFF big winner, Firefly continued its victorious streak abroad as it won the most awards at the inaugural Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Hollywood, California – including the highly-coveted Best Picture honor.

The film produced by GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs also took home three more awards and three nominations during the MIFF Awards Night last Feb. 3: another Best Screenplay for GMA Public Affairs SAVP and Firefly creator Angeli Atienza; Best Director for Zig Dulay; and Best Supporting Actress for Alessandra de Rossi.

Present during the awarding ceremony were GMA Network’s

‘Firefly’ big winner at inaugural MIFF in Hollywood Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Group, and President of GMA Films Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes Gozon-Valdes, who accepted the Best Director award on behalf of Dulay, Atienza, and Firefly actress Ysabel Ortega, who accepted the Best Supporting Actress award on behalf of De Rossi. Joining them were Sparkle GMA Artist Center VP Joy Marcelo and Firefly actor Dingdong Dantes.

Dantes Aprt from winning four major awards, the film also garnered nominations for the Best Supporting Actor (Epy Quizon) and Actress (Cherry ( Pie Picache) categories, as well as for Best Cinematography (Neil ( Daza).

Following their Best Picture win, the Firefly team was awarded a $200,000 co-producing package by Birns and Sawyer for the production of a US-based feature film.

The 49th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Best Picture awardee, Firefly narrates a moving story about family, dreams, and bravery, as the young Tonton, portrayed by MMFF Best Child Performer Euwenn Mikael, embarks on a journey to find the mystical island of fireflies based on his mother’s bedtime stories.

The film also won Best Screenplay along with 15 nominations at the MMFF Gabi ng Parangal last December.

Early this year, Firefly was shown in the United Arab Emirates prior to its screening in Los Angeles, California, as part of the MIFF. The MIFF is an international film festival that aims to bridge Filipino films to global audiences and showcase Filipino culture and art.

From left: GMA Public Affairs Assistant Vice President Anj Atienza, Ysabel Ortega, GMA Senior Vice President Annette Gozon-Valdes, and Sparkle GMA Artist Center Vice President Joy Romina Marcelo

Gillian Vicencio

‘The Greatest Night in Pop’ features Hollywood’s best-selling artists who interpret the hit song ‘We Are The World’

thrives amidst fame’s trials

By Nickie Wang

D

Pop history’s Dream Team for the win Touchbass

Yugel Losorata

EVEN before the 1992 Dream Team that brought together Michael Jordan and other NBA stars of his era, American pop stars already did the trick in 1985 as they gathered in the same room, on the same floor, singing in unison, and practically capturing the world to sing along for African famine relief.

The documentary The Greatest Night in Pop looked back on that night of the living legends - Jan. 28, 1985 to be exact - with footage of the recording session for the charity single “We Are The World” and featuring interviews with and recollections from key figures involved, including some of the artists themselves like Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, Dionne Warwick, Huey Lewis, Kenny Loggins and Lionel Richie who cowrote the song with the late King of Pop Michael Jackson.

The dream pop ensemble saw some of the greatest musical artists who were already icons by the time of the gathering that happened at A&M Studio in Hollywood (Los Angeles, California) on the same night that year’s American Music Awards was held. Attendees of that awards night spent quite an after-party with producer Quincy Jones practically serving as host.

In an old clip inserted in the documentary, Harry Belafonte, the man who initiated the USA (United Support of Artists) For Africa, said.“It is the artist who reveals the society to itself.”

I have a feeling that a viral video clip from the recording session where the faces of pop royalty sang his classic “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” in an impromptu tribute led to the creation of this documentary that offers touching moments from that fateful night, including one where some of the singers were gathered around Stevie Wonder playing the tune on piano while they sang their designated parts for the first time.

At some point Bob Geldof, the brainchild of UK’s Band-Aid that produced “Do They Know It’s Christmas” two months before America’s crème de la crème followed suit, made a speech before a silenced crowd of hitmakers.

He said, and you could see from his hand gestures that he was feeling nervous himself, “Maybe to put you in the mood

of the song you’re about to sing which hopefully will save millions of lives, I think it’s best to remember that the price for life this year is a piece of plastic seven inches wide with a hole in the middle. Maybe it’s the best way of making what you really feel why you’re really here tonight come out through this song.

Thanks a lot, everybody and let’s hope it works.”

Boy how it worked. “We Are The World” sold more than 20 million physical single copies. It raised $80 million which is equivalent to more than $200 million in today’s money.

Superstars asking for each other’s autographs was priceless while country singer Waylon Jennings walked out because he didn’t like Stevie’s idea of singing a line in Swahili appeared unnecessary. A key message had been written for the famous people entering that room: “Check your ego at the door.”

While the amount of superstardom tremendously helped push the project to historic heights, we have to give equal credit to the song itself. It was brilliantly written; the build-up in the verses was effective and the chorus pure gold.

Even the bridge section heightened the emotional weight of the track, with Cyndi doing a good job in emphatically bringing the whole thing to the final stretch of choruses.

“We Are The World” was singable, easy to comprehend, and just about what people starving needed to hear to keep their hope alive. MJ imprint was written all over. He also used the line “there are people dying” on his later single “Heal The World.” We are the world. Heal the world.

Fittingly, the documentary was dedicated to the memory of those who were there and are no longer with us, including the talent manager that gathered the acts Ken Kragen, and best-selling artists Kenny Rogers, Tina Turner, Al Jarreau, James Ingram, Ray Charles, Anita and June Pointer, as well as Harry and MJ. Other greats who had solo parts on “We Are The World” were Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Willie Nelson, Steve Perry, Daryl Hall, Kim Carnes, and Bob Dylan. Smokey Robinson, frontman of The Miracles, was relegated to the chorus of singers.

The Greatest Night In Pop premiered at Sundance Film Festival last Jan. 19.

Ten days later it was made available on Netflix.

ESPITE the inevitable intrigues and controversies that come with fame, Gillian Vicencio remains unfazed, understanding that all publicity, whether positive or negative, contributes to her journey in the limelight.

Gillian ended 2023 facing challenges head-on, finding solace in the support of her family and close friends, both in and out of showbiz.

This 2024, Gillian continues to shine. In just two months into the year, Gillian feels incredibly thankful and blessed for the projects she’s received. Notably, her successful performance in the theater play Kumprontasyon at Peta Theater, which ran from Jan. 18 to 21. It was directed by Melvin Lee.

She started her theater journey in 2023, and the positive reception from regular viewers and students led to more opportunities. She participated in the three-part play alongside theater actors, including Romnick Sarmenta, her co-star in 2good to Be True.

Another blessing came as she was welcomed as one of the Beautederm Babies by Rhea Anicoche Tan, the CEO and Founder of the renowned beauty brand. Gillian expresses her joy, saying, “It’s my first endorsement, and it’s gratifying that, even as a newcomer, Mommy Rhea trusted me. A-listers are part of Beautederm’s roster of influencers/artists/ ambassadors, and I’m happy to be included.”

Additionally, Gillian is part of the cast for the Filipino adaptation of What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, starring Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino, produced by Dreamscape and VIU. The series has generated excitement, especially among Korean drama enthusiasts.

She is also working on an upcoming movie, a slasher/massacre film called Talahib alongside Kristoff Garcia and Joem Bascon. The film is directed by Alvin Yapan under FEAST Foundation.

Gillian shares her excitement, especially since the director has a track record of being recognized in various award-giving bodies.

Gillian started her career in showbiz doing commercials, VTRs, and auditions. She realized her showbiz dream when she joined Eerie, a horror film starring Bea Alonzo and Charo Santos Concio. She portrayed Erika Sayco, the haunting schoolgirl central to the movie’s plot.

“During the making, I wasn’t included in promos, guestings, and other things to maintain the element of fear in the film.

They chose a newcomer for the role,” she said.

Soon after, another horror film followed Hellcome Home with Dennis Trillo, Alyssa Muhlach, Raymond Bagatsing, and Beauty Gonzalez.

Gillian was also launched alongside Belle Mariano, Anthony Jennings, Jeremiah Lisbo, JC Alcantara, and Kyle Echarri as a Starmagic artist in 2019. Later, she became one of the original talents under Rise Artists Studio managed by Mico del Rosario under Star Creatives.

In 2020, the winds of change swept through due to challenges faced by ABS-CBN, including the pandemic. Gillian recalls, “I was scared, considering we had just signed contracts. But management assured us they wouldn’t abandon us. We had digital shows daily, where we honed our hosting skills and introduced ourselves.

Her biggest break came with Four Sisters Before the Wedding where she starred alongside Alexa Ilacad, Charlie Dizon, and Belle Mariano. She played Alex, the younger version of Angel Locsin’s character.

“I’m just glad that with all the trials in my showbiz life, the management still trusts me and the fans still support me. And I think that’s all that matters,” said Gillian.

Gillian Vicencio finds solace in her family and friends amidst issues thrown her way

C3

LIFE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer Kristine Hermosa-Sotto is the celebrity ambassador for Skjn Collagen

Very Wang

Nickie Wang

W

ATSONS, the leading health, wellness, and beauty store, stood out with its first and biggest health and wellness expo in the country – the Watsons Health and Wellness Expo 2024, which took place at SM Megamall Megatrade Halls 1 to 3 from Feb. 1 to 4.

The expo showcased a wide range of health and beauty products available at Watsons in an engaging way. With more than 52 brand booths full of interactive activities, the expo allowed visitors to explore different products and learn from experts in the field.

In line with Watsons’ dedication to community wellbeing, the expo served as a starting point for people beginning their health journey.

Jared De Guzman, Watsons Philippines Customer Director, emphasized the brand’s commitment, stating, “Through the Health and Wellness Expo, Watsons is reiterating its commitment to uplifting the health and wellness of the community.”

“We are expecting at least 8,000 guests to visit the booths during the expo’s entire run. We are making all the brands participating accessible to a lot of people. And once we get that ‘magic 8k,’ I think that’s the sign that our patrons really this to happen again the succeeding years,” De Guzman added.

Jessy Mendiola-Manzano talks about her new endorsement for Beach Bunny From left: Ermelo E. Villaroman, Corp VP S & CD Unilab, Sonny Cuenco, Watsons PH Health Business Director, Mandaluyong Councilor Charisse Abalos, Ian Mathay, AVP for Premiere 2 Operations of SM Supermalls, Dan Neria, Group Marketing Manager, Premiere 2 SM Supermalls, Andrew Donn Manuel, AVP Sales Unilab, and Jared De Guzman, Customer Director Watsons Philippines

Interactive health, beauty, and wellness expo sets standard for community engagement

The ‘Watsons Health and Wellness Expo 2024’ showcases more than 52 health and beauty brands

Anne Curtis joins the event as Unilab’s brand ambassador

Based on the brand’s core values of “Look Good, Do Good, and Feel Great,” the event included free health consultations, informative talks,

raffle draws, wellness sessions, and pharmacy services under “Click & Collect Express.”

The expo attracted Watsons Club

Discover the art of Tai Chi SUNSHINE Place introduces its latest offering, the “Mindful Movement Class,” featuring seasoned instructor Irene Chia, where participants can delve into the enriching world of Tai Chi. T a i Chi, an ancient Chinese martial art renowned for selfdefense and health benefits, provides an ideal avenue for those seeking a gentle yet effective form of exercise.

This art form contributes to maintaining strength, flexibility, and balance while serving as a moving The ‘Mindful Movement Class’ aims to help participants learn more about the ancient Chinese martial art

meditation that enhances mental well-being.

Participants in the class will be guided through a structured routine involving slow movements and deep breathing techniques.

Tai Chi, as highlighted on https://www. healthline.com/, boasts numerous health benefits, including increased body awareness, improved cognition, reduced risk of falling, and relief from arthritis pain.

Classes are scheduled every Saturday, offering two convenient time slots: 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. and 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. The comprehensive eight-session program comes with two complimentary sessions for those enrolling in the full course.

For additional information or to secure your spot, contact (0917) 515-5656 or email hello@sunshineplaceph.com.

members and walk-in guests, offering a chance to win prizes worth up to Php 1 million, enjoy discounts of up to 70 percent on health and

wellness products, and free health consultations.

Celebrities such as Anne Curtis, Jessy Mendiola, Kristine Hermosa, Kim Atienza, Francine Diaz, Gabby Concepcion, and other brand ambassadors attended the event to share their health and wellness journeys.

Throughout the four-day event, health experts from top brands and medical associations discussed various health topics. Participants also enjoyed physical activities and brand talks featuring well-known names like Jo Villablanca, coaches Roco and Martin, Pinoy Fitness, Rope Flow PH, Wandergym, WeKenRun, PhilTRA, Spartan Ravens, and Jump Manila.

The event aimed to position Watsons as the go-to health destination, offering a comprehensive range of pharmacy products and services all under one roof.

Participating brands, including Watsons Generics, Watsons Brands, Unilab, Belo, Goli, P&G, Cetaphil, Sanofi, QuickFX, Mead Johnson, Salonpas, Difflam, Centrum Kids, Pharmaton, Lipton, Emco, Skinny Mamas, Sofy, and more, actively engaged with participants, contributing to the overall success of the event.

TO KICKSTART the year on a fresh and radiant note, Acnes and Mentholatum LipCare are hitting the road on a campus tour. The two brands join forces and tour universities and colleges a r o u n d powerful M e t r o ingredients Manila, like Cica bringing an extract, sulfur, interactive salicylic acid, experience licorice extract, for students and vitamin E with must-see to effectively booths and fun control oil, games. unclog pores, For its first The beauty brands and calm the leg, Acnes and bring interactive experience skin. The gel Mentholatum to Metro Manila campuses also works LipCare are perfectly dropping by with Acnes’ invisible Anti-Acne Polytechnic University of the Pimple Patch, which acts as a Philippines, University of the protective, sweat-proof shield East, Colegio de San Juan de against bacteria and dirt that’s thin Letran, Rizal Technological enough to wear under makeup.

University, and Arellano Students can also try its University with more schools Creamy Face Wash which uses lined up soon. a soap-free formula to soothe At each campus stop, students and keep your skin blemishhave the chance to sample can’tfree. Some schools also have miss Acnes products like its exclusive discounts of 50% off Anti-Acne Spot Gel. The gel on the Acnes Powder Lotion extinguishes pesky zits using

Beauty brands’ campus tour to boost confidence in students 150ml and Acnes Oil Control Moisturizer 45g.

For Mentholatum LipCare, check out its lip balm swap where students can exchange their existing or current lip balm, any brand whether old or new, for a chance to experience the moisturizing wonders of LipIce Fruity Strawberry enriched with vitamins A, C, and E and SPF15 to keep lips ultra soft and healthy even against dry weather and scorching sunlight.

Other choices in the lip balm swap include the unique flavor of LipIce Kids Strawberry and the fresh cooling menthol sensation of Mentholatum Therapy Lip Gel. For more information, and to join the conversation, follow @acnesph and @ mentholatumlipcareph on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates.

C4 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024 advertise@manilastandard.net

CHINESE NEW YEAR YEAR OF THE WOOD DRAGON Master Joseph Chau forecasts Year of the Wood Dragon: Insights and predictions

I

N the realm of Chinese geomancy, few names resonate as strongly as Master Joseph Chau, whose insights into Feng Shui have guided countless individuals and businesses towards prosperity. As we welcome the Year of the Wood Dragon, Master Chau shares his forecast, offering valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

According to Master Chau’s analysis, the financial landscape in the Year of the Wood Dragon may prove to be frustrating at times. Merchants are advised to adapt their traditional strategies, remaining flexible in the face of sudden changes and local conditions. Industries such as construction, real estate, information technology, and restaurants are poised for growth, while others, including banking, tourism, and trading, may face challenges.

Maintaining positive relationships between countries is emphasized to avoid unnecessary conflicts. On a personal level, individuals are urged to navigate interpersonal dynamics with humility and diplomacy, particularly to ward off jealousy and backstabbing.

Health-wise, attention is drawn to respiratory issues, digestive problems, and potential accidents involving cars and airplanes. Natural catastrophes such as typhoons, floods, fires, and earthquakes are also predicted in various parts of the world.

SNAKE: With improved luck, Snakes are encouraged to seize opportunities for career advancement and financial prosperity, while remaining cautious with their finances.

HORSE: Horses may face challenges in their work, requiring patience and a coolheaded approach to navigate obstacles and achieve success.

Zodiac Forecast: Insights for Each Sign Master Chau provides detailed forecasts for each Chinese zodiac sign, offering guidance on career, finance, love life, and health. Here’s a glimpse of what the Year of GOAT: While facing potential conflicts, the Wooden Dragon holds for each sign: Goats can leverage their positive energy to excel in their careers and financial endeavors, though they should avoid arrogance.

RAT: With a favorable alliance with the Dragon, Rats can expect smooth progress in their endeavors, though they are advised to MONKEY: With improved luck, maintain a low profile to avoid envy.

Monkeys are urged to seize opportunities for career advancement while staying cautious in financial matters.

OX: While facing a challenging relationship with the Dragon, Oxen are encouraged to remain flexible and open to ROOSTER: Roosters can expect a change, especially in financial matters. productive and prosperous year, with many opportunities for career advancement and financial success, though they should exercise caution in their actions.

TIGER: Tigers may experience a busy and changing year, with opportunities for growth but also the need to adapt to sudden DOG: Dogs may face ups and downs in changes in their work environment. their luck, requiring a conservative approach to their work and finances, while prioritizing health and safety.

RABBIT: Rabbits are advised to beware of backstabbers and legal issues, maintaining a humble and cautious approach to avoid PIG: Pigs are predicted to have an conflict. excellent year, with opportunities for career advancement and financial prosperity, though they should remain humble and cautious in their actions.

Master Joseph Chau’s insights into the Year of the Wood Dragon provide valuable guidance for navigating the year ahead.

By adapting to changing circumstances, DRAGON: Affected by unseen forces, maintaining positive relationships, and staying Dragons may experience career pressure, mindful of health and safety, individuals can but can turn their luck around with diligence harness the energy of the Dragon to achieve and maintaining good relationships. success and fulfilment in 2024.

D1

CHINESE NEW YEAR YEAR OF THE WOOD DRAGON

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

advertise@manilastandard.net

Unraveling history and traditions of Chinese New Year

By Patricia Taculao-Deligero

F

ILIPINO and Chinese peoples share a centuriesold bond, connected through years of migration, trade, and cultural exchange. This vibrant tapestry is especially evident during Chinese New Year, a festival that explodes with color, sound, and mouthwatering flavors in China and the Philippines.

Ancient Chinese Arrival in the Philippines. (http://history-of-the-philippines.blogspot.com/)

Chinese New Year, also known by many as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is China’s most relevant festival. The Chinese lunar calendar determines the date of the new year, which usually falls between January 21 and February 20.

The celebration’s history goes back to about 3,500 years ago. Its customs have undergone long developmental progress and are the festivities people embrace today.

From myths to an annual tradition Despite the rich history of Chinese New Year, there’s no available record of the date people began celebrating it. Some believe it originated in the Shang Dynasty (1600 to 1046 B.C.), when people held sacrificial ceremonies for their gods and ancestors at the beginning and end of each year.

Many legends shroud the authentic origins of the celebration. One popular legend is that thousands of years ago, a monster named Nian, which translates to year, would attack villagers at the beginning of each new year.

Fortunately, Nian was afraid of loud noises, bright lights, and things with the color red. The villagers used these things to chase the monster away.

Thus, the New Year celebration and its practices were born.

The succeeding dynasties then had initiatives to improve the details surrounding the Chinese New Year. During the Han Dynasty (202 BC to 220 AD), the date of the festival fell on the first month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. Burning bamboo to make a loud crackling sound became a popular celebration activity to usher in the

Chinese culture is known to have a significant influence on Filipino cuisine.

Photo from Foodiesfeed by Jakub Kapusnak

new year.

People eventually began entertaining themselves during the new year, apart from worshiping gods and ancestors, in the Wei and Jin dynasties (220–420 AD). The family customs like gathering to clean house, having dinner, and staying up late on New Year’s Eve originated among every-

day people.

The prosperity of economies and cultures during the Tang, Song, and Qing dynasties accelerated the development of the Spring Festival.

The customs during the festival became similar to those of modern times. Some traditions are setting off

Turn to D4

D2

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024 advertise@manilastandard.net

CHINESE NEW YEAR YEAR OF THE WOOD DRAGON

Welcome prosperity by indulging in these culinary delights

By Peter Paul Duran

G Aquascape Lake Caliraya is a 3-hour drive from Metro Manila and is best known for its unique floating houses accommodation. Enjoy an afternoon of lake cruise, swimming and kayak activity with family and friends.

Pets are also welcome to stay in the property!

Cavinti, Laguna, Philippines

For bookings and inquiries, please contact: Aquascape Lake Caliraya @aquascapeph cottagesandmanymore@gmail.com

ET ready to embrace good fortune and delectable delights as we explore the top 8 dishes to enhance your Chinese New Year 2024 spread! From traditional classics to modern twists, this list has got your feast covered.

1. Tikoy Enter the Year of the Wood Dragon with Tikoy—not just a sweet glutinous rice cake, but the quintessential dish of Chinese New Year. Whether enjoyed in traditional slices, pan-fried for a crispy texture, or creatively incorporated into dishes like sticky rice rolls or spring rolls, Tikoy adds a symbolic sweetness to the celebration.

Whichever way it’s savored, Tikoy becomes a delectable centerpiece, blending tradition and innovation in the festive Lunar New Year spread.

2. Dumplings These doughy pockets of happiness are crafted with a process that involves rolling, pinching, and boiling, bringing families and friends together in a shared tradition of creating delicious morsels. As you savor each dumpling, you’re not just enjoying a delectable treat; you’re partaking in the spirit of togetherness that defines the Lunar New Year festivities.

3. Lechon Baboy While roasted pig holds special significance in various parts of the world, none can surpass the excellence of the Philippines’ Lechon. The crackling crispiness of the skin, coupled with the succulence of the meat, makes it a gastronomic treasure that transcends cultural boundaries, making it a perfect centerpiece not only for Chinese New Year but for any joyous occasion.

4. Fish Fish holds significant symbolism in Chinese culture, particularly during Chinese New Year. The pronunciation of “fish” in Mandarin, “yú,” sounds like the word for surplus, making it a symbol of abundance and prosperity.

Including fish in Chinese New Year dishes is believed to bring good fortune and a surplus of wealth in the coming year as a whole fish served with head and tail, symbolizes a good start and finish to the year.

5. Spring Rolls (Lumpiang Shanghai) Lumpiang Shanghai, a uniquely Filipino dish found in every handaan, is a delectable adaptation of the Chinese spring roll. While its name pays homage to Shanghai, a city in China, its culinary influence is distinctly Filipino. This dish features a savory filling encased in a thin pastry, deep-fried to golden perfection.

As a symbol of wealth and abundance, Lumpiang Shanghai is an ideal choice to amplify the flavors and prosperity of your Chinese New Year 2024 celebration.

6. Oranges and Tangerines Oranges and tangerines hold special significance during Chinese New Year as symbols of good luck and prosperity.

Their vibrant hues and juicy sweetness are believed to usher in positive energy and abundance for the coming year.

Placing these citrus delights on the table not only adds a burst of tangy charm to your celebration but also aligns with the tradition of inviting good fortune into your home.

7. Peking Duck Peking Duck, a dish synonymous with celebration and abundance. If you have the budget for both the Lechon and the Duck in this list, then who’s stopping you from splurging? Go all out with this gastronomic delight. Just remember, enjoy in moderation, and bring prosperity to both your feast and well-being!

8. Longevity Noodles (Misua): Slurp Your Way to a Long and Prosperous Life!

Longevity Noodles, also known as yi mein or e-fu noodles, hold a significant place on the banquet table during Chinese celebrations, symbolizing the wish for a long and prosperous life. For Filipinos looking to embrace this tradition, a local alternative like misua can beautifully capture the essence of the symbolic wish for longevity and prosperity.

Incorporate these dishes into your Chinese New Year celebration, savoring not just their delightful taste but also the cultural significance they bring to your festive table.

D3

CHINESE NEW YEAR YEAR OF THE WOOD DRAGON

By Patricia Taculao-Deligero

A

S VIBRANT red lanterns glow and various traditions take center stage this Chinese New Year, the annual celebration again gives an insight into the rich heritage behind the festive occasion woven with history, symbolism, and the promise of new beginnings.

Here are some interesting facts about Chinese New Year that make the event more fascinating: 1. It goes by other names While most of the world knows the annual celebration as Chinese New Year, the festivities also go by other names, specifically Lunar New Year or Spring Festival. China accepts the latter name for the event because it starts from the Beginning of Spring, which marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

In the meantime, the name Lunar New Year comes from its adherence to the Chinese Lunar Calendar rather than the Gregorian Calendar from the West.

2. Chinese New Year doesn’t have a fixed date Unlike most international holidays like Christmas, the Chinese New Year has no fixed date. It follows the lunisolar calendar, and calculations according to it determine the date for the celebration. It begins on the new moon date, which usually appears between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20. In 2024, it falls on Feb. 10 and will last for 15 to 16 days, culminating with the Lantern Festival.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

advertise@manilastandard.net

Exploring traditions: 10 facts about Chinese New Year

3. A quarter of the world’s population celebrates Chinese New Year As one of the most significant annual celebrations in China and other parts of Asia, around two billion people of the world’s population join the festivities during Chinese New Year in some way while honoring centuries-old traditions based on the event’s history and lore. Some Asian countries, like the Philippines, declare Chinese New Year a holiday to allow the public to participate in its revelry.

4. There’s an animal zodiac assigned to every Chinese New Year Chinese mythology says there are 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.

These are, in order, Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. The Chinese New Year also has an associated element according to the five ones in feng shui: wood, earth, water, fire, and metal. This year, it’s the year of the wood dragon.

A person’s birth year decides their

SM City Clark

zodiac animal, allowing them to predict what’s in store for the new year using feng shui.

5. Its origins reached 3,500 years ago According to Chinese legend, which dates back 3,500 years ago, a mythical beast called Nian would visit a village yearly to attack its people. Eventually, a wise elder discovered Nian feared loud noises and the color red. These practices eventually reached modern times as people decorated their houses in red, an auspicious color in China, and set off firecrackers.

6. One significant highlight is the family reunion dinner Besides the festivities on the streets, the family reunion dinner during Chinese New Year is the most vital part of the celebrations. As family members gather around the table, they share many dishes that people believe bring good luck. It includes fish, dumplings, spring rolls, noodles, and more. Even the ingredients must be at a certain number to invoke luck and prosperity.

SM North Edsa

7. Chinese New Year causes the world’s largest annual migration For the family reunion dinner, the need to return home during Chinese New Year causes what’s known as the chunyun, Spring Migration, or Spring Festival Travel Rush, as people travel from thousands of miles across the globe only to be with their loved ones.

Reports claim that about 200 million people from the Chinese mainland travel long distances for the holidays, with an estimated 3.5 billion traveling in China.

8. Gift-giving is also a thing but with rules Like most annual celebrations, gift-giving is also a tradition during Chinese New Year. However, only children and senior family members can receive these. The most common gift is a red envelope containing money. The amount can vary but should never include the number four as many believe it to be bad luck.

9. The Chinese New Year greeting is “xin nian kuai le” Although “xin nian kuai le” translates to “Happy New Year” in

Chinese, Cantonese-speaking regions like Hong Kong made “gong hei fat choy” mainstream and more common among countries that celebrate Chinese New Year. However, in Mandarin Chinese, the greeting is “gong xi fa cai,” which means congratulations on the future.

10. Honoring gods and ancestors Besides warding off evil spirits at the beginning of a new year, the celebration is also a time for families to pay respects to their ancestors by setting up an altar with offerings.

Others also light incense, place food, and burn paper items to honor their ancestors, allowing present generations to connect with their family’s heritage.

In the meantime, others also embrace the Spring Festival as it was originally meant: a ceremonial day to pray to the gods for a good planting and harvest season.

From mythical beasts to delicious dumplings, Chinese New Year offers a glimpse into a rich cultural tapestry.

It’s a reminder to cherish family and embrace new beginnings.

SM Lanang

SM Seaside City Cebu

It’s a Most Spectacular Year of the Dragon at SM Malls!

Enjoy Luck and Love Like Never Before!

LOVE is in the air, and SM Supermalls is turning February into a magical journey like no other! Experience the convergence of Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day at Luck in Love– a spectacular blend of traditions, festivities, and romantic moments that will sweep you off your feet with activities happening from February 1 to 29, 2024.

special food and dining deals because what better way to celebrate the Love Month and Chinese New Year than over a delicious meal?

Luck in Love Fair SM malls will be transformed into a sea of red and lucky charms, creating a unique atmosphere that you won’t want to miss. From traditional trinkets to modern interpretations, discover the perfect token for your special someone in these bazaars.

Spot Love at the Lucky Dragon Capture Instagrammable and TikTokworthy moments with SM’s enchanting dragon installations adorned with hearts.

It’s the perfect backdrop to share your love story with the world.

As February also marks the Chinese New Year, welcome prosperity and success at SM with these special activities: Lucky Forecast Explore the mysteries of the future with our “Lucky Forecast” showcasing Chinese zodiac predictions. Uncover what the stars have in store for your love life as you step into the year of the Dragon.

Lucky Dance Be mesmerized by the vibrant Lion and Luck in Love Feast Dragon Dancers parading through the mall, Indulge in the magic of togetherness bringing good luck and positive energy to as SM malls host the Luck in Love Feast. all. Join in the festivities and dance your This event will bring people together over way into a prosperous year ahead.

Fireworks Display Prepare to be dazzled by a fireworks display in select SM malls, lighting up the night sky and adding an extra touch of enchantment to your celebrations.

Free Feng Shui Consultation Curious about what the future holds?

Participate in a free Feng Shui consultation in select malls. Register via the SM Malls Online app to unlock insights into the energy flow of your space and make positive changes for the year ahead.

But of course, what’s February without some Valentine’s Day festivities? SM Supermalls will be sprinkling the love dust all over with these activities: Love Thrills Embark on a variety of bonding activities tailored for every couple. From movie dates and ice skating to Game Park and Sky Ranch adventures, find the perfect thrill to elevate your love story.

Love Playlist Let the mall resonate with the sweet melodies of love. Enjoy couple serenades and performances that will fill the air with romance, turning your shopping experience into a musical love affair.

Pets-in-Love Even our furry friends deserve a chance at love! Super Pets Club members can participate in a Twinning Costume Contest, pet blessings, and more. Share

the love with your pets and celebrate their unique charm.

February at SM Supermalls is not just a month but an experience, a journey through love, luck, and laughter. See what’s in store for you this month and unlock the fortune of love together and make this February one to remember. Gather your loved ones and don’t miss the “Luck in Love” festivities at your favorite SM mall!

Stay in the loop about all things SM. Visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @ SMSupermalls on social media.

D4 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024 advertise@manilastandard.net

Unraveling...

From D1

firecrackers, visiting relatives and friends, and eating dumplings became essential parts of the celebration.

As the years passed, the function of the Chinese New Year celebrations became more entertaining and social

CHINESE NEW YEAR YEAR OF THE WOOD DRAGON than religious, as it is today. Other activities like watching dragon and lion dances or enjoying lantern shows became more prevalent among the public.

In modern times, more festivities emerged, much to the public’s delight. Some examples include concerts, pageants, and more.

Some Chinese New Year Traditions

Like the New Year celebrations, according to the Gregorian calendar, the Lunar New Year also has several surprises and activities for the public.

A common practice among Filipinos who want to share in the festivities with their Chinese friends and family is visiting Binondo, or the famous Chinatown in Manila, to witness firsthand several traditional ways to wel-

come the new year and usher in luck.

The Lunar New Year, for many, is the ideal time to have a fresh start and define how the rest of the year will turn out. As such, many engage in feng shui to learn their fortune and embrace the best ways to welcome prosperity or even practice wellknown Chinese superstitions.

Chinese superstitions adapted in

the Philippines are known for bringing luck and warding off misfortune.

For instance, superstitions like paying off debts before the year’s end signify leaving bad financial habits in the past and facing the future free of monetary constraints.

Other examples are taking medicine, using sharp objects, and gifting clocks or scissors, which are bad omens. Meanwhile, wearing torn, damaged, black, or white will invite bad luck. Instead, one should opt for red or polka-dotted clothing to symbolize positive energy, luck, and wealth.

In households, those celebrating the Lunar New Year fill their rice and water containers to the brim, display coins throughout the house, and open all doors, windows, cabinets, and drawers to welcome luck into every possible space. Some even immerse in general cleaning of their space to symbolize a fresh start for another year.

Those who believe in the power of charms and a balance within their homes also visit feng shui experts to get their insights.

Besides embracing superstitious beliefs, the public celebrates Chinese New Year in various ways. One is sharing a reunion dinner on the Lunar New Year’s Eve. However, the dishes served should have at least eight ingredients because the number eight symbolizes prosperity. It’s also relevant to remember that having an abundance of food on the table is believed to signify abundance throughout the year.

While hosts can choose from various dishes, they should always have tikoy available. Tikoy, or nian gao, sometimes translated as New Year cake or Chinese New Year’s cake, is a food prepared from glutinous rice flour and consumed in Chinese cuisine.

Another thing that many people look out for during the Chinese New Year is ampaos or ang paos.

These are red envelopes that contain money. Traditionally, elders give these to children to wish for their safety and wellbeing throughout the year.

Businesses or commercial establishments also have their fair share of Chinese New Year traditions.

The most popular is the lion dance, accompanied by loud drum beats to symbolize the loud noises the beast from legend feared. Some believe it brings luck and prosperity to its witnesses.

While globalization continues to reshape our world, the Chinese New Year in the Philippines takes on new shades, adapting and merging with local traditions.

From Binondo’s bustling streets to homecooked tikoy shared with loved ones, the festival pulsates with a dynamic energy, ever-evolving while staying true to its core.