Manila Standard - 2024 May 21 - Tuesday

Senate shakeup: Chiz in, Migz out

15 senators vote to oust Zubiri; 5 of 7 allies resign from their posts

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel Cruz

SEVERAL months of brewing talks of a coup attempt in the Upper House ended with Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri relinquishing his post to Senator Francis Escudero.

There was no objection on the Senate floor when Senator Alan Peter Cayetano nominated Escudero. Escudero, accompanied by his wife

CHANGING OF THE GUARD. Senate President Miguel Zubiri, left photo,

Heart Evangelista, immediately took his oath that was administered by Senator Mark Villar.

Seven senators sided with Zubiri -- five of whom also resigned from their posts: Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Senator Nancy Binay as chairperson of the

TEHRAN, Iran—Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was declared dead on Monday after rescue teams found his crashed helicopter in a fog-shrouded western mountain region, sparking mourning in the Islamic republic.

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has ultimate authority in Iran, declared five days of mourning and assigned vice president Mohammad Mokhber, 68, to assume interim duties ahead of elections within 50 days.

Earlier Monday, state TV announced that “the servant of the Iranian nation, Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi, has achieved the highest level of martyrdom” and broadcast

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended his deepest condolences to Iranians and the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran after the untimely deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi and several officials.

PBBM, VP Sara’s ratings slide down—OCTA

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte’s trust rating among Filipinos dropped slightly, according to the recent OCTA Research “Tugon ng Masa” (TNM) survey.

Conducted from March 24 to 27,

2024, the survey revealed that 69 percent of Filipinos trust President Marcos, down six points compared to his 76 percent trust rating in December 2023. His approval rating also fell to 65 percent from 71 percent—also a sixpoint drop.

President Marcos’ trust ratings var-

ied significantly across regions, with Balance Luzon showing the highest trust at 79 percent and Mindanao the lowest at 48 percent.

Vice President Duterte’s ratings also saw a decline, with 68 percent of respondents expressing trust in her, down

PH mulls new environmental suit vs. China Marcos extends condolences

THE Philippines is collecting evidence for the possible filing of a new case against China, this time for environmental damage in the West Philippine Sea, the National Security Council said on Monday.

NSC assistant director general Jonathan Malaya said the evidence, which includes images of how Chinese activities destroyed the already fragile marine environment in Scarborough Shoal, also known as Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc.

He said these will be submitted to the Department of Justice and Office of the Solicitor General for the country’s next case against China.

“We’re currently collecting all the necessary evidence and information because the filing of another case, in particular an environmental case, of course, will require evidence and necessary data and information,” Malaya said.

“It (timeline) will depend on the gravity of the evidence because we will not go to court if we will not win,” he added.

By Maricel Cruz

BAMBAN Mayor Alice Guo of Tarlac on Monday maintained she is a Filipino citizen. “I am a Filipino. My mother, my

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

FORMER Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa on Monday refuted the claim of dismissed Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent Jonathan Morales that he stopped the March 2012 anti-drug operation. The operation, which targeted

high-profile personalities, included a politician and an actress and other personalities found in a condo unit in Rockwell, Makati.

Testifying before the fourth hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs, Ochoa said he completely refutes the charge that he

This frame grab from video released by the Iranian Red Crescent on May 20, 2024 shows a screen display showing a video showing the crash site of the missing helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi in East Azerbaijan province. AFP

Pope names Tagle special envoy

By Vito Barcelo

POPE Francis has appointed Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, as his special envoy to the National Eucharistic Congress in the United States.

This will be celebrated in Indianapolis from July 17 to 21, according to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). Tagle will celebrate the closing Mass of the 10th National Eucharistic Congress. Calling the appointment “a gift

to the Eucharistic Congress,” Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), said Tagle’s “deep passion for apostolic mission rooted in the Eucharist is sure to have an inspirational impact for everyone attending

took his oath as the new Senate Majority Leader, replacing Villanueva.

committee on tourism, Senator JV Ejercito as chairman of the committees on Local Government and Urban Plannng, Housing and Resettlement, and Senator Sonny Angara as chairman of the finance committee.

Senators Ronald Dela Rosa and Sherwin Gatchalian also did not vote to have Zubiri replaced.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada replaced Legarda as Senate President Pro Tempore while Senator Francis Tolentino also

“I failed to follow instructions from the powers that be. As simple as that,” Zubiri said in describing his political “demise.”

He said issues on the Charter change as well as the hearing on the so-called PDEA leaks were among the triggering factors which cost him the Senate presidency.

“Of course, I’m heartbroken. I am not an opponent of the powers that lead,” he said.

In an exclusive interview with ABSCBN Monday evening, Zubiri lamented

the Congress.”

Broglio also said that Tagle knows the U.S. well as he earned a doctorate in theology at the Catholic University of America in 1991.

This will be the first National Eucharistic Congress in over half a century and a pivotal event in the three-year National Eucharistic Revival, leading into the final year of the revival — the Year of Missionary Sending.

“The congress will give public witness to the Church’s core identity rooted in the Eucharist, and we pray that it will inspire a renewed sense

of mission as we live out the gifts of unity and charity,” Broglio said in a USCCB statement.

“May it be the catalyst for a continued deepening of our faith in the Real Presence,” he added.

This month marks the beginning of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimages, consisting of four different routes beginning on opposite sides of the country and meeting in Indianapolis for the Congress in July.

Collectively, the four pilgrimage routes will traverse 6,500 miles, 27 states, and 65 dioceses while carrying Christ in the Eucharist.

SC clears exAgriculture Secretary Yap

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Supreme Court (SC) has exonerated former Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap of graft and malversation charges in connection with his alleged involvement in the P8-million alleged ghost livelihood projects funded by the pork barrel of former Misamis Occidental Rep. Marina Clarete. In a 29-page decision promulgated on April 15 but only made public on May 16, the SC’s Third Division through Associate Justice Japar Dimaampao granted the petition filed by Yap, reversing and setting aside the resolutions issued by the Sandiganbayan that denied his motion for partial reconsideration with motion to quash information and another motion for reconsideration.

Malaya disclosed that between 2017 and 2019, the Philippine Coast Guard already compiled images of the destruction in Scarborough Shoal.

The photos were submitted to the office of then President Rodrigo Duterte, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS).

Asked what happened after the photos were transmitted, PCG spokesman for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said: “I don’t know.”

Some of the photos showed alleged Chinese fishermen illegally harvesting giant clams, sting rays, and sea turtles.

“On top of China’s consistent harvesting activities, underwater footages as early as 2017 confirm that their presence and ecological footprint has led to the degradation of the marine environment in Bajo de Masinloc,” Tarriela said.

Malaya said since the pieces of evidence were gathered after the 2016 arbitral ruling in favor of the Philippines’ claims in areas of the South China Sea that are part of its Exclusive Economic Zone, “perhaps it is now time to file a new case.”

“In order for the world to find out if China indeed has fulfilled its obligations under international law, let us open Bajo de Masinloc to international scrutiny,” Malaya said.

“We can ask third party environmental groups or even the United Nations to do a fact-finding mission to determine the environmental situation in Bajo de Masinloc,” he added.

gave those instructions as alleged.

“As earlier mentioned, I don’t even know him,” said Ochoa who was referring to the late PDEA Asst. Sec. Carlos Gadapan.

In his earlier testimony, Morales told the committee chaired by Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa that Ochoa called Gadapan and ordered him to stop the said drug operation. This order was relayed to him by Gadapan so they did not proceed with the drug raid.

Ochoa also testified that “he can’t recall any occasion that he ever met or even talked to Gadapan.”

At the start of the Senate hearing, Dela Rosa quizzed Ochoa if he personally knows Gadapan. Ochoa answered in the negative.

He also denied that during his stint as Executive Secretary of the late President Noynoy Aquino, his Office got information on the supposed involvement

how people who he thought were his friends deserted and betrayed him.

“I really feel awful that people I considered friends, whom I did favors for, deserted me in this situation,” he said.

“But of course, we are not a cry baby. We are seasoned politician and we will move forward,” Zubiri said.

Zubiri said he allowed the investigation of the alleged leaked documents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to continue even if there were pressures to stop the investigation.

“We adhere to rules and traditions of

in illegal drugs of PDEA’s targets.

Also, he had not seen the alleged preops authority document signed by Morales, which was one of the topics for discussion of the Senate inquiry. Morales alleged it was disapproved by Ochoa.

When asked if Ochoa was aware that sometime in 2013, the Law Enforcement Integrated Office (LESIO) of Malacanang invited Morales, the former Cabinet official said he cannot recall exactly if that indeed took place.

“I only learned now when this hearing was conducted,” Ochoa said.

“And and I, somehow, very very vaguely, if there was an incident that happened, but I’m not so sure if ... because it was never...I was never informed of such meeting and even after that meeting, there was no report submitted to me with regard to what transpired in that meeting,” related Ochoa.

Ochoa said he also has no idea why Morales linked him to the PDEA leaks.

Ochoa confirmed that First Lady Liza Araneta was a former partner in the MOST Law Firm which was estab -

the Senate. We do not have the power to dictate on our colleagues. In fact, I was caught in the middle,” Zubiri said.

“I stand proud that I defended this institution... under all the attacks,” he added. Escudero, for his part, assured that under his watch, the Senate will remain an independent institution.

“My hats off to you Senate President Zubiri. I salute you, and I hope I will make you proud. You especially among our other colleagues and hopefully you will not leave my side whenever I ask you for guidance, whenever I ask for help, and whenever I ask for your wisdom,” Escudero said.

lished in 2006.

However, he left the law firm after being appointed Executive Secretary.

He rejected insinuations that he ordered a stop in the drug operation after being influenced by a partner on the law firm.

Meanwhile, Morales and Eric Santiago were jailed at the Senate detention facility after they were cited in contempt for repeatedly lying.

Senators accused Morales whom they described a “polluted source,” of making up stories and telling lies.

He allegedly lied even in his Personal Data, particularly in his record service.

He also concealed that he was dismissed from the Philippine National Police and PDEA due to several charges.

Santiago, a former National Police Commission (Napolcom) employee, was among those seen on the video submitted by Morales to the Committee. A recording of the video indicated there was a plot to kill him.

Santiago said he fabricated all he said in the video because he wanted to be invited to the hearing.

“It is crystal clear that the court a quo acted with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction in successively denying Yap’s bids for the quashal of the Informations filed against him and the reconsideration of the Sandiganbayan Resolution. With these considerations in mind, it strains credulity how the anti-graft court arrived at its conclusions, running roughshod over the basic tenets of due process, to the damage and prejudice of Yap,” the decision stated.

Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Henri Jean Paul Inting, Samuel Gaerlan, and Maria Filomena Singh concurred with the ruling. It can be recalled that Yap was charged before the anti-graft court with two counts of graft, one count of malversation of public funds, and another count of malversation through falsification for signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR) on the implementation of projects funded by Clarete’s pork barrel. In his appeal to the SC, Yap argued that the anti-graft court abused its discretion when it ruled that the information against him was sufficient to cause his indictment.

Yap said that the only overt act attributed to him is his having represented the Department of Agriculture (DA) in the execution of the DANABCOR MOA.

However, he added that the prosecution failed to present evidence that he acted with manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence, or evidence that he caused undue injury or gave unwarranted benefit to any private party in executing the DA-NABCOR agreement.

much,” Guo said.

“We offer our deepest condolences to the people and the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially to the families and loved ones of the late President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and their companions in this tragic incident,” Mr. Marcos said.

The tragic incident occurred when the helicopter carrying President Raisi, Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian, and several other officials crashed amid adverse weather conditions on Monday.

Raisi’s passing has prompted an outpouring of condolences and tributes from world leaders and the international community.

“The Filipino people mourn with you and will keep you in our prayers during this difficult time,” Marcos said.

nine points from December 2023. Her approval rating decreased to 64 percent, an 11-point drop. Her highest trust was in Mindanao (95 percent), and the lowest in Balance Luzon (57 percent).

Meanwhile, Duterte’s trust and approval ratings in December were 77 percent and 75 percent, respectively.

On the other hand, Senate President

Juan Miguel Zubiri and Speaker Martin Romualdez received slight declines in their ratings, according to the same survey.

Their trust and performance ratings decreased by 3 percent in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the last quarter of 2023, remaining statistically unchanged within the margin of error, OCTA reported. Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo’s trust rating fell to 15 percent, down from 23 percent in December 2023. Only 9 percent of Filipinos distrust him, while 76 percent are undecided.

West, and seven others, including the pilot, bodyguards and political and religious officials.

pictures from Raisi’s life as a voice recited the Koran.

The ultraconservative Raisi, 63, had been in office since 2021, during a time that has seen Iran rocked by mass protests, economic crisis deepened by US sanctions, and armed exchanges with arch enemy Israel.

Condolences came in from Palestinian militant group Hamas, Lebanon’s Hezbollah and from Syria, all members of the so-called Axis of Resistance against Israel and its allies, at a time of high Middle East tensions over the Gaza war.

Khamenei had urged Iranians Sunday, as the search was still ongoing, to “not worry” about the leadership of the Islamic republic, saying “there will be no disruption in the country’s work.”

Killed alongside Raisi were Foreign Minster Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, known for his fierce anti-Israel sentiment and scepticism of the

Fog and rain

Iranian authorities first raised the alarm on Sunday afternoon when they lost contact with Raisi’s helicopter as it flew through a fog-shrouded mountain area of the Jolfa region of East Azerbaijan province.

Raisi had earlier met Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev on their common border to inaugurate a dam project.

On the return trip, only two of the three helicopters in his convoy landed in the city of Tabriz, setting off a massive search and rescue effort, with multiple foreign governments soon offering help.

Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi at first spoke of a “hard landing” and urged citizens to ignore hostile foreign media channels and get their information “only from state television.”

Army personnel, Revolutionary Guard and police officers joined the search as Red Crescent teams

“I only have one passport, I’m Filipino. I am a Philippine passport holder, and I am Filipino,” Guo said. The mayor added that she finds it hard to answer questions from senators during the Senate hearing about her past as she has a “painful childhood,” apologizing for her hesitation.

“I apologize for not being able to answer properly, because it hurts me too

walked up a hill in the fog and rain as rows of emergency services vehicles waited nearby.

Muslim faithful across the majority Shiite nation started to pray for those missing, including in mosques in Raisi’s hometown, the Shiite shrine city of Mashhad.

As the sun rose on Monday, rescue crews said they had located the destroyed aircraft with nine people on board.

State television channel IRIB reported online that the helicopter had “hit a mountain and disintegrated” on impact.

Iran’s Red Crescent chief Pirhossein Koolivand confirmed that its staff were “transferring the bodies of the martyrs to Tabriz” and that “the search operations have come to an end.”

‘Tireless spirit’

The cabinet vowed that the government’s work will go on “without the slightest disruption” and said that “we assure the loyal nation that the path of service will continue with the tireless spirit of Ayatollah Raisi,” using his

“I grew up in a farm, I didn’t go to formal school. I worked while a tutor came to the farm every day,” she added.

Guo also expressed fear of getting deported despite being a Filipino.

“I have heard a lot that I will be deported. My own mother left me. Now my own country I will turn my back on. I will be deported, where will I be deported? Malaysia, China, Singapore? I only have one passport, I am a Filipino,” she concluded.

clerical title.

Foreign countries had been closely following the search at a time of high regional tensions over the Gaza war raging between Israel and Hamas since October 7.

Expressions of concern and offers of help had quickly come from countries including China, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Turkey, which later offered the condolences.

US President Joe Biden was briefed about the search, an American official said, and the European Union activated its rapid response mapping service to aid in the search effort.

Raisi had in 2021 succeeded the moderate Hassan Rouhani, at a time the economy was battered by US sanctions over Iran’s contested nuclear program.

Iran saw a wave of protests in 2022 triggered by the death in custody of Iranian-Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini after her arrest for allegedly flouting strict dress rules for women.

In March 2023, regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia signed a surprise deal that restored diplomatic relations.

IN BRIEF

Marcos sees impending end to Samar insurgency

PRESIDENT Marcos on Monday expressed optimism in ending insurgency in Northern Samar, citing government’s effort to end local armed conflict in the region.

“Yes, I am, very (optimistic) because I have seen the progress report. It’s getti ng better and better,” the President Marcos told reporters.

“Not as much now, not as chaotic as before, and there are still encounters but not as much—large numbers and their organization is already falling apart,” h added.

The Chief Executive pointed out that the progress to ensure Northern Samar is insurgency-free was sufficient as he cited that the goals set by his administration will be achieved within the set schedule.

“So, I think the progress is sufficient. And, I think we will be able to do it in the schedule that we have given ourselves,” he added.

President Marcos said earlier said Northern Samar may be insurgencyfree by the end of last year, citing the reports of local authorities and the military on the dwindling numbers of insurgents in the region.

PN welcomes visiting Indian Navy delegation

THE Philippine Navy (PN) has accorded a warm welcome to its Indian counterpart whose three ships—Delhi (D61), Shakti (A57), and Kiltan (P30)—are currently moored at the Manila South Harbor.

Representing the Flag Officer In Command, Sealift Amphibious Force commander, Cmdr. Socrates Daza welcomed the Indian Navy delegates who are on a goodwill visit to Manila until Wednesday, May 22.

“The two nations share common interests particularly in maintaining peace and order in the Indo-Pacific Region. The Indian Navy and Philippine Navy share strong bonds of friendship and both have endeavored to participate in Maritime Partnership Exercises at every available opportunity,” said Rear Admiral Rajesh Dhankhar, the Flag Officer commanding Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy.

This goodwill visit is a regular engagement with the goal to strengthen relations between the navies of the Philippines and India. Vince Lopez Caloocan forges pact on transport service

THE Caloocan City government under Mayor Dale Gonzalo Malapitan has forged an agreement with the Land Transport Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and local transport cooperatives for the implementation of a Service Contracting Program (SCP).

Under the SCP, members of transport cooperatives will receive P20 for every kilometer traveled, in exchange for strictly following their registered routes.

Malapitan encouraged all the drivers and operators to adhere to the terms and conditions of the accord in order to fully utilize the benefits provided. He also cited and the effects of the SCP on the issues of cutting trips and colorum jeepneys.

“According to the cooperatives we have talked to, a jeepney covers 100120 kilometers a day, That means the driver could earn P2,000 to P2,400 extra income per day. That would be a big help for them so I hope that the conditions we have agreed upon are followed,” he said. Jun David

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is extending the information campaign on the prohibition of electric vehicles (e-bikes, e-trikes), and other similar light vehicles on national roads.

This comes after the grace period granted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expired on May 18. MMDA acting chairman Romando Artes said traffic enforcers will continue to remind drivers of e-vehicles, such as e-bikes, e-trikes, tricycles, pedicabs, pushcarts, and kuligligs not to

Casino not for QC gov’t execs, workers

By Rio N. Araja

“We will not embarrass anyone here,” she added.

QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday banned the 19,000 city hall officials and employees from entering the soon-to-open Solaire Resort North to gamble.

During the 1st International Conference on Responsible Gambling and Gaming Addiction at the Novotel Araneta in Cubao, Quezon City, Belmonte disclosed that the city government has coordinated with the casinoresort operator to create a databank of the photographs of all city government personnel for detection once they try to enter the facility.

An electronic device posted at the entrance could easily tell if the entrant is a city hall official or employee, and a casino staff would immediately step in to remind him or her about the prohibition.

“Even if one wears a wig, a mask or a hat, one’s face can still be detected using a very sophisticated system,” Belmonte said.

The mayor clarified however a city government official or employee may be allowed to enter and eat in any of the resort’s food establishments and check in at the hotel facility.

She said minors will have a separate entrance to ensure that they could not see the casino area.

According to Belmonte, the city council had passed when she was still a vice mayor a stringent ordinance to regulate responsible gaming and gambling activities of the 3.2 million QCitizens.

“One can ban oneself from entering the casino resort, or even his family can do that, too,” she pointed out.

MMDA gives e-vehicles 1 week grace period to comply with ban

traverse national, circumferential, and radial roads in Metro Manila.

However, the agency will not issue citation tickets for another week as part of the MMDA’s initiative to support the President’s call. Artes emphasized that e-bikes, e-trikes, and other similar light vehicles are still prohibited on major roads, but violation tickets will not be issued for this week.

This extension aims to allow owners and drivers of e-vehicles to comply with registration or obtain a driver’s license. Failure to do so will result in

vehicle confiscation for impounding once the regulation is implemented again next week.

Meanwhile, the MMDA is also preparing for the upcoming rainy season due to La Niña through regular maintenance activities, flood control projects, and installation of trash traps.

The agency has identified 80 floodprone areas across Metro Manila and has been undertaking regular maintenance activities to prevent flooding.

Artes also highlighted the need for responsible waste disposal to prevent

clogging of drainage systems, which can lead to flooding and traffic issues.

“We continue to appeal to the public to dispose garbage responsibly. If these trash will clog up drainage systems which are already outmoded, it will still result in flooding and traffic,” he said.

The agency is working with other organizations to address localized flooding, mitigation measures, and disaster preparedness and response to ensure readiness for the rainy season. Joel E. Zurbano

Taguig City backs Kadiwa ng Pangulo

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Taguig City government has manifested its support to the Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) program which is part of the President’s Eight-Point Socio-economic Agenda aimed at ensuring food security, promoting agricultural productivity, and accelerating poverty reduction by boosting farm production. Mayor Laarni Cayetano attended a two-day KNP event held recently at the Technical University of the Philippines – Taguig. She said the activity “marked yet another significant step in supporting local farmers and providing affordable, nutritious options for Taguigeños.” Taguig’s Agriculture Office set up 14 booths showcasing a variety of fresh farm

produce and food items during the event.

Cayetano said the initiative was made possible in collaboration with key partners, including the Office of the President, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Labor and Employment, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The KNP, an initiative of the Marcos’ administration, serves as a direct marketing platform for farmers and small business owners. It aims to make agri-products and other basic commodities accessible and affordable for the poor. It also seeks to create a new market for farmers and fishermen to sell their products directly to the consumers, increasing their income in the process.

The resort is scheduled to formally open on May 25. Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Alejandro Tengco lauded Belmonte for the passage of guideline to address the problem of gambling among her constituents. Belmonte believed that gambling and gaming cannot only be found in casino resorts but also in other places. She said she has discussed with the other host-mayors of casino facilities if they could ask for a share from Pagcor’s revenues since “we are the hosts who have to bear the brunt of the social costs of gambling and gaming.” Tengco was amenable to the proposition.

Oil firms to hike prices of diesel, kerosene today

By Alena Mae S. Flores

OIL firms will increase the prices of diesel and kerosene by P0.25 and P0.30 per liter, respectively, effective 6 a.m. today (Tuesday) to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market.

They, however, cut the price of gasoline by P0.10 per per liter.

Seaoil Philippines, Jetti Petroleum, PTT Philippines, Cleanfuel and PetroGazz issued separate announcements on the latest oil price movement. Department of Energy director for the oil industry management bureau Rodela Romero said the price movement was influenced by reports that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries remains optimistic on oil demand growth despite economic and geopolitical uncertainties.

“This is further complemented by the China’s clarification on its stimulus program to bolster growth in its struggling economy and US inventory draw,” the DOE official said.

On May 14, the oil companies implemented a per liter decrease in gasoline by P2, diesel by P0.50 and kerosene by P0.85.

Year-to-date adjustment of gasoline and diesel stood at a per liter net increase of P7.25 and P4.20, respectively. Kerosene, on the other hand, has a net decrease of P1.65 per liter. Meanwhile, the DOE has published the Department Circular 2024-05-0014 prescribing the guidelines on he biofuel blend implementation.

BUSINESS. A Kadiwa entrepreneur in Taguig City is all smiles as her little business is making waves among budget-conscious households, with their political leader, Mayor Laarni Cayetano rallying behind President Marcos’ Kadiwa ng Pangulo program. Joel E. Zurbano

TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2024

PCG to intensify law enforcement efforts

THE Philippine Coast Guard is eyeing to intensify its law enforcement operations through the deployment of PCG maritime security groups in six critical regions across the country.

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan gave the order

during a send-off ceremony at the National Headquarters, Port Area, Manila.

PCG Deputy Commandant for Operations, CG Vice Admiral Rolando Lizor Punzalan Jr, announced the deployment of 110 PCG personnel to compose the Maritime Security Law Enforcement Groups (MARSLEGs) in Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Southwestern Mindanao.

“We reaffirm our commitment to

working together to uphold the highest standards of maritime security and ensure the territorial integrity of our country,” Punzalan said.

For his part, Maritime Security Law Enforcement Command (MARSLEC) Commander, CG Vice Admiral Robert Patrimonio, shared the MARSLEGs are tasked to strengthen maritime security drive and ensure the smooth flow of maritime economics within the Philippine domestic waters.

“The MARSLEGs will augment

and intensify our fight against human trafficking, illegal fishing activities, drugs and arms smuggling, and other maritime infringements within the municipal waters,” Patrimonio said.

“We have initially identified these six critical regions due to high maritime traffic and high reports of maritime security incidents,” he added.

Specifically, the MARSLEGs will supervise and implement laws, policies, guidelines, rules, and regulations pertaining to the security

Lawmaker says

Imee initiated 4Ps budget cut

By Maricel V. Cruz

OVER 600,000 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) have not received their educational grants for 2023 due to significant budget cuts initiated by Senator Imee Marcos.

4PS Partylist Rep. Jonathan Clement Abalos further said: “We have already confirmed that last budget season, the sponsor [of the budget in the Senate] was cut P8 billion by the DSWD of Sen. [Imee] Marcos. And it wasn’t fair because the utilization rate at that time, allegedly was at 45 percent but we only considered half of the payment cycle.”

The Senate’s realignment of funds under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) budget has led to this shortfall, the lawmaker said. This was disclosed during the hearing of the House Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano where DSWD representatives disclosed the need for P3.9 billion to cover the 2023 educational grants for 667,608 4Ps beneficiaries.

DSWD officials explained that the earlier projected deficit of P9.5 billion for the 2023 4Ps program—comprising P6.5 billion for educational grants and P3 billion for rice subsidies—was based on initial estimates, which have now been corrected with validated beneficiary data.

Tulfo cites loopholes in law on Chocolate Hills

By Maricel V. Cruz

HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader Erwin

Tulfo said he found numerous loopholes or deficiencies in the law that allowed the government to be circumvented, resulting in the construction of a resort in the famous and “protected” area of Chocolate Hills in Sagbayan, Bohol.

At the hearing of the House Committee on Natural Resources chaired by Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Marañon, Tulfo pointed to the “negligence” of the Department of Environ-

ment and Natural Resources (DENR) for allowing the resort to be built.

The committee conducted the hearing in response to House Resolution 1652 filed by Tulfo and several legislators where they the Proclamation 1037 of July 1997, declaring “the Chocolate Hills as a natural monument and restrained inappropriate exploitation there at, regardless of private rights therein, in order to maintain its natural beauty.”

The resolution also cited the protection of Chocolate Hills provided by the National Integrated Protected Areas

System (Republic Act 7586), which prohibited “mutilating, defacing, or destroying objects of natural beauty, or objects of interest to cultural communities” as well as “constructing of maintaining any kind of structure, fence or enclosures, conducting any business enterprise without a permit.”

“The problem seen by this committee, headed by Chairman Marañon, was that there were loopholes, there were gray areas. The chair is right in saying that this should be DENR’s job,” Tulfo, during the hearing, said.

Senators urged to approve House bill on rice stock

By Maricel V. Cruz

WITH only three session days remaining before adjournment, House leaders on Monday urged senators to consider a bill aimed at improving the country’s rice buffer stock and reducing the price of the staple food.

House Bill (HB) 10381, which seeks to amend Republic Act (RA) 8178, also known as the Agricultural Tariffication Act, as previously amended by the Rice Tariffication Law, was slated for approval on the third and final reading by the House of Representatives on Tuesday. In a press conference, Deputy Speaker David Suarez expressed hope sena-

tors can still allocate time and effort to pass the measure, which has the potential to significantly lower the price of rice by P15, thereby alleviating the financial strain on consumers.

Some senators opposed the bill due to concerns about the National Food Authority (NFA) regaining its power in rice sales and imports, citing past corruption issues. Suarez, representative of Quezon’s second district, argued that the proposed amendments, particularly regarding the NFA, are not about corruption but rather about ensuring food security and reducing rice prices. “Kung maipasa po natin ito at mai-

sabatas at ma-implement sa mabilis na panahon, mapapababa kaagad natin ang presyo ng bigas by almost P15,” Suarez pointed out.

(If we can pass this and enact it and implement it quickly, we can immediately reduce the price of rice by almost P15)

He added, “I think that in itself is an objective we should all be united for. So I hope the Senate can act on that.”

As the second regular session of the 19th Congress nears its end, House Assistant Majority Leader and Taguig 2nd District Rep. Amparo Maria Zamora urged senators to consider adopting the House version to

dite its passage.

law enforcement on sea transport and maritime infrastructures in the country.

Each MARSLEG is composed of highly trained PCG personnel from the Coast Guard K9 Force; Coast Guard Security and Border Protection Force; Coast Guard Investigation and Detection Force; Coast Guard Surface Patrol Force, and Coast Guard Sea Marshall Force. The MARSLEC commander said they will expand deployment to cover other regions within the year.

IN BRIEF

Army honors fallen soldier in encounter

THE Philippine Army (PA) honored Corporal Isagani Balmes of the 19th

Battalion (19IB) who sacrificed his life

ing an armed encounter with a communist terrorist group in Barangay Lourdes, Las Navas, Northern Samar on May 16. Balmes, a resident of Taft, Eastern Samar, sustained fatal injuries to his lower chest and right forearm after a 15-minute firefight with the group.

His sacrifice will be remembered and honored by his comrades and the nation,” Ligayo said. Vince Lopez

Lawmaker welcomes anti-ASF vax rollout

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte welcomed the expected rollout of the vaccine against African Swine Fever (ASF) in a month or two.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier announced that the vaccination program against ASF will soon be launched to eradicate the disease that has decimated the hog population and caused a spike in the price of pork.

Villafuerte also renewed his appeal to the Department of Agriculture to consider giving free shots to the livestock of backyard growers.

Villafuerte at the same enjoined the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to speed up its registration process for the chosen imported vaccine to make sure that the Technical Working Group (TWG) against the ASF is ready and able to carry out an inoculation drive nationwide in June or July, as had been announced by the President. Maricel V. Cruz

arrest Aussie on drug charges

IMMIGRATION operatives arrested an Australian national believed to be a member of the notorious Mexican Sinaloa drug cartel in Bogo City, Cebu province. Gregor Johann Haas, a wanted fugitive from Australia and Indonesia has a standing red notice by the Interpol which stemmed from a criminal case that was filed against him in Indonesia. An arrest warrant against Haas was issued last Jan. 29 by the national narcotics board of Indonesia which filed a case for drug smuggling against

expe-

INTENSIFIED EFFORTS. A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) official and a member of the PCG Maritime Security Law Enforcement Group do a fist bump during a send-off ceremony. The PCG said it is eyeing to intensify its law enforcement operations in six critical regions across the country. CGPAS

DRUG SUSPECT. Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. and Philippine National Police

Chief PGEN Rommel Marbil presented Canadian national Thomas Gordan, also known as ‘James Martin,’ who is a suspect in the seizure of 1.4 tons of shabu in Alitagtag, Batangas. Manny Palmero

BATTALION MARKER. Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco unveils the marker of the 1304th Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion at Cuartel De Santa Lucia in Intramuros Manila on Monday. Frasco is a reservist of the Philippine Army with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Danny Pata

OPINION

China winning in its claim in South China Sea

IT WOULD be interesting to know what is all behind China’s attempt to dominate the disputed waters in the West Philippine Sea.

That, and the incursions of China’s President Xi Jinping’s armada of coast guard vessels to the point of even trying to stop Philippine Coast Guard and private vessels from resupplying provisions at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal to the rusty World War II BRP Sierra Madre vessel manned by a platoon of Philippine navy personnel.

In the many attempts of the Philippine Coast Guard and private vessels to resupply provisions to the rusty ship, China’s coast guard vessels have used high-pressure water cannons on crews of Philippine vessels to the point of hurting them.

I can not count all the diplomatic protests the Department of Foreign Affairs has filed.

Last week, an “ATIN ITO’’ flotilla of civilian vessels reached Panatag (Scarborough Shoal), or the Bajo de Masinloc off Zambales, to emphasize that it is Philippine territory, and even placed buoys along the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone.

But, as we all know , China put up a blockade to prevent Philippine fishing boats from entering.

What’s really behind all these actions of China within Philippione waters?

Yes, China insists Ayungin Shoal and Scarborough Shoal are within its “Nine-dash line” based on a questionable map of 1947.

But, we all know that the “Ninedashline” of China had been outlawed by an Arbitral Court based at The Hague.

Now China is claiming all of the South China Sea as its own, to the point of warning foreigners that they will be detained for intrusion in China’s territorial waters.

With all of what China is doing mainly in the West Philippine Sea, the place has become a flash-point, placing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in a quandary.

And no matter how one looks at what’s happening in the WPS, China is winning in its claims.

But as I asked, what’s really behind all this?

A recent article from Bloomberg appears to explain what’s behind it all.

That’s why it might be good for Vietnam to partner with the Philippines since it’s all about the largest discovery of natural gas and oil between Vietnam and the Philippines.

Here’s the explanation of analysts:

“An estimated 150 billion cubic meters of natural gas, enough to power a city the size of Hanoi for decades, was discovered 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Vietnam’s central coast in 2011. If all had gone to plan, the “Blue Whale” project led by Exxon Mobil Corp, would have gone online late last year.

Other claimant countries in the wide SCS have come up with such arrangements without losing face, meanwhile profiting their economies

On the other side of the South China Sea, the Philippines has long eyed the energy riches off its western coast as a way to reduce its growing reliance on imported gas and oil, with successive governments drafting projects to tap into those resources and bolster the nation’s energy security.

None of it has happened -- and an armada of Chinese fishing boats, coast guard cutters and a giant vessel dubbed the “Monster” are making sure it won’t happen anytime soon.

Beijing’s vast claims across the South China Sea -- based on a vague 1947 map showing what’s become known as a “nine-dash line” which recently has been upgraded by Beijing to ten-dash line through the waterway -- were rejected by a United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016.

But President Xi Jinping dismissed the ruling, and ever-growing tensions in the disputed waters all point to an uncomfortable truth for Southeast Asian nations, as well as the US.

In this standoff, China is winning.”

Climate crisis endangering symbols of US national parks

Philosophical shift

CALIFORNIA – Glacier National Park’s ice fortress in Montana is crumbling.

The giant trees of Sequoia National Park in California’s Southern Sierra Nevada mountains are ablaze.

Even the tenacious cacti of Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona are struggling to endure a decades-long drought.

Since their creation, national parks have embodied the pioneering spirit of America in their vast expanses and breathtaking landscapes.

But today, the climate crisis imperils the very symbols of many parks, leaving them facing a future where their names could be cruel ironies.

Deep within Montana’s Glacier National Park, the once majestic Grinnell Glacier is now greatly diminished.

After a grueling trek, visitors are met with a stunning sight: a serene lake of pale blue water, nestled among towering peaks. But as beautiful as it is, the very presence of this lake is testament to the ravages of a fast-warming planet.

Just a few decades ago, this landscape was entirely frozen.

Now the glacier itself is relegated to a small hollow, sheltered from the Sun, at the edge of the lake created through its own melting.

As he straps on his crampons, student Ryan Bergman marvels at what still remains of the ice body.

“I want to know this stuff is here for years to come,” says the 22-year-old, who has embarked on a two-month journey to explore a dozen parks.

He dreams of one day returning with his own children to see the same sights.

But time is running out.

The park has already lost 60 percent of its namesake glaciers since the 1850s, and scientists predict their complete disappearance by century’s end.

Families from all over America and abroad flock to these natural wonders to create memories that will last.

Conserving the nation’s 63 national parks is a rare point of political convergence in a sharply divided country. With tens of millions of visitors to these sites every year, it’s also an economic imperative.

President Joe Biden’s government recently announced nearly $200 million to help them adapt -- funding made available through his signature climate law.

—“—

Conserving the nation’s 63 national parks is a rare point of political convergence in a sharply divided country

Yet despite these efforts, the reality is that not everything can be saved.

This sobering truth has sparked an identity crisis for the federal agency charged with their protection, the National Park Service.

It was brought into existence by a 1916 law that called to preserve these treasured sites “unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”

But it’s now “pretty clear that it’s not achievable in many places,” admits John Gross, an ecologist with the NPS climate change response program.

“It’s certainly possible that the parks could lose the iconic feature for which

Complex challenges faced by students

AS THE country prepares for the commencement exercises of academic year 2023-2024 and readies itself for the next one, we continue to see the challenges facing the education sector.

In essence the challenges are complex and multifaceted, ranging from poverty to armed conflict, lack of resources and infrastructure, and the digital divide.

Education experts say addressing these challenges will require a comprehensive and multi-dimensional approach, including strategies to create more job opportunities, improve social services, and support education and skills development, as well as providing alternative learning opportunities in conflict-affected areas and investing in education infrastructure.

We see issues in basic education like gaps in quality and access to education, inadequate readiness for internationalization, challenges in implementing Education for Sustainable Development, and a lack of alignment between the written and implemented curriculum.

Another issue facing the education system is the lack of resources and infrastructure in many schools, espe-

cially in rural areas.

The challenges faced by students during online learning include difficulty clarifying topics with teachers, lack of study or working area, and lack of a good internet connection.

Lack of textbooks and teaching materials hinders the learning process, as students may not have access to the necessary information to understand the concepts taught in class

The challenges include vague module content, poor internet connectivity, lack of teacher’s guidance and motivation, financial problems, stress/psychological pressure, insufficient learning materials, overloaded academic activities, conflict with household chores, personal factors, and poor and inadequate learning environment.

According to a report by the Department of Education, around 5,000 schools in the Philippines have no access to electricity, while 10,000 have no

AS THE first light of dawn breaks over the archipelago, it illuminates not just the vibrant hues of the Philippine landscape but also the stark realities plaguing its educational system.

In the shadow of the rising sun, the once-proud pillars of Philippine academia stand in disarray, their foundations weakened by neglect, bureaucracy, and a pervasive lack of vision.

In a recent exposé of our nation’s academic standing, the Times Higher Education ranking revealed a grim truth: Philippine universities languish in the shadows of their Asian counterparts, failing to secure even a foothold in the top 100 institutions.

The descent of esteemed institutions like the Ateneo de Manila University into the abyss of mediocrity underscores the urgent need for action.

Yet, as the winds of change stir, it is not a gust of progress that sweeps through the hallowed halls of learning, but rather the stench of complacency and ineptitude.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s proclamation during the National Higher Education Day Summit rings hollow in the ears of those who witness the erosion of our educational edifice.

While he espouses lofty rhetoric about the paramount importance of education, his administration’s actions speak volumes to the contrary.

The promises of reform echo through the chambers of power, yet the corridors of academia remain ensnared in a web of stagnation.

The President’s call for a partnership between government and the private sector to revitalize higher education is akin to rearranging deck chairs on a sinking ship.

While collaboration may hold the promise of progress, it cannot mask the systemic failures that have brought our educational institutions to the brink of irrelevance.

they’ve been named.”

The climate crisis has thus brought about a profound shift in the organization’s philosophy: It’s no longer taboo to modify a park’s natural state to stem further degradation. Chopper rides for bull trout

Where battles have already been lost, strategic interventions are now underway to try to win the war. On the shores of Glacier’s Lake McDonald, Chris Downs, the park’s head of aquatic resources, shares the story of the massive effort it took to rescue the beleaguered bull trout.

access to potable water.

This lack of basic amenities puts students and teachers at a significant disadvantage, affecting the quality of education they receive. In addition, many schools lack adequate classrooms, textbooks, and teaching materials, making it challenging for students to learn effectively. This challenge is not only limited to rural areas but is also present in urban areas.

The lack of resources and infrastructure in schools affects the quality of education that students receive. Without proper facilities, students may not be able to attend classes regularly, or they may be distracted by external factors, making it difficult for them to concentrate on their studies.

The lack of textbooks and teaching materials also hinders the learning process, as students may not have access to the necessary information to understand the concepts taught in class, experts have observed.

We give it to the government which has invested in infrastructure projects to improve schools’ facilities.

Instance, the government has constructed classrooms, provided electricity, and installed water systems in schools that lacked these amenities.

One indicator of the country’s state of basic education is the performance in the Program for International Student Assessment or PISA which showed dismal bottom ranking of the Philippines –78/78 in 2018 and 77/81 in 2022.

Falling behind: The distress call to salvage PH

The proliferation of private universities, while commendable in principle, has done little to stem the tide of academic decline.

It is not merely a question of quantity but of quality – a truth that seems lost on those who seek refuge in the comfort of half-measures and empty rhetoric.

The specter of free tuition, heralded as a panacea for the ills of accessibility, looms large over the landscape of higher education.

Let us reclaim our rightful place among nations through the hard work of rebuilding what has been broken and reimagining what is possible

Yet, behind the veil of populist policy lies a harsh reality: a system teetering on the brink of collapse.

The strain on government coffers, exacerbated by the burden of sustaining an unsustainable model, threatens to unravel the very fabric of our educational infrastructure. As economist Edita Tan warned in her prescient analysis, the free tuition law serves as a Trojan horse, concealing the seeds of its own destruction within the hollow confines of short-sighted populism. As we confront the harsh truth of our educational malaise, we must cast our gaze beyond the confines of our borders to those nations who have charted a course

The fish is a native species threatened by warming waters, which are driven in part by reduced ice melt in later summer. It is also facing competition from nonnative lake trout, which were introduced for fishing and are better suited to the changing conditions.

Fifty years ago, bull trout outnumbered their invasive counterparts by a five-toone margin. Today, the situation is reversed. In 2014, a decision was made to relocate the native species to cooler, upstream waters where they had never previously been found.

higher education

to prosperity through the beacon of education.

Countries like Finland, Singapore, and South Korea stand as testament to the transformative power of visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Their success is not measured in the grandeur of their buildings or the size of their endowments, but in the intellectual capital they cultivate and the opportunities they afford their citizens.

The path to redemption lies not in incremental reform but in radical reimagination.

It requires a wholesale reevaluation of our priorities, a dismantling of the entrenched interests that seek to preserve the status quo, and a recommitment to the ideals of academic excellence and social mobility.

It demands a new generation of leaders who are not content to pay lip service to the importance of education but are willing to roll up their sleeves and confront the hard truths that have long been swept under the rug.

As the sun sets on another day in the Philippines, the shadows lengthen over our beleaguered educational system.

But amidst the darkness, there flickers a glimmer of hope – a hope born not of blind optimism but of a steadfast belief in the resilience of the Filipino spirit.

It is a hope that dares to imagine a future where every child has access to a world-class education, where the pursuit of knowledge knows no bounds, and where the promise of tomorrow burns brighter than the failures of today.

The time for action is now.

Let us seize this moment to reclaim our rightful place among nations, not through empty platitudes or hollow gestures, but through the hard work of rebuilding what has been broken and reimagining what is possible.

The future of our nation depends on it.

Downs recalls workers transporting dozens of fish in backpacks filled with ice packs, with thousands more from fish farms slated to be whisked away to their new habitats via helicopter.

“They’re growing really well” in their new home, says the biologist. Critics call it a manipulation of nature.

Downs calls it a “necessity.”

Also as a result of climate change, the park ia conducting DNA testing of threatened whitebark pines, identifying those most resilient to drought for planting at targeted locations as part of a restoration plan. AFP

Lai vows to defend Taiwan’s democracy

TAIPEI– New Taiwan

President Lai Ching-

te vowed Monday

to defend the island’s democracy, as he called on China to end its military intimidation of the self-ruled island.

Beijing, which has in the past branded Lai as a “dangerous separatist,” responded hours later saying that “Taiwan independence is a dead end.”

In his inauguration speech, the 64-year-old Lai directly addressed the threat of war following years of growing pres-

sure from China to bring democratic Taiwan under mainland rule.

Lai said a “glorious era of Taiwan’s democracy has arrived” and thanked citizens for “refusing to be swayed by external forces, for resolutely defending democracy.”

“In face of the many threats and attempts of infiltration from China, we must demonstrate our resolution to defend our nation sand we must also raise our defence awareness and strengthen our legal framework for national security,” said Lai.

Having previously described himself as a “pragmatic worker for Taiwan

independence”, Lai has moderated his rhetoric on the issue in recent years.

On Monday, he said his government would “neither yield nor provoke, and maintain the status quo” -- a balance that preserves Taiwan’s sovereignty while not declaring formal independence.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has branded Lai a “dangerous separatist” who will bring “war and decline” to the island.

Lai succeeds President Tsai Ing-wen, whose eight years in power saw a sharp deterioration in relations with Beijing over her rejection of China’s claim.

South Korea, Britain host major AI summit

SEOUL – South Korea and Britain kick off a major international summit on artificial intelligence in Seoul this week, where governments plan to press tech firms on AI safety.

The meeting is a follow-up to the inaugural global AI safety summit at Bletchley Park in Britain last year, where dozens of countries voiced their fears to leading AI firms about the risks posed by their tech.

Safety is again on the agenda at the AI Seoul Summit starting Tuesday and representatives are expected from leading AI firms, including

ChatGPT maker OpenAI, Google DeepMind, French AI firm Mistral, Microsoft and Anthropic.

“As with any new technology, AI brings new risks, including deliberate misuse from those who mean to do us harm,” South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Monday in a joint article.

“However, with new models being released almost every week, we are still learning where these risks may emerge,” they said in the piece, published by the South Korean daily

Deadly strikes hit Gaza as US envoy visits Israel for talks

RAFAH, Palestinian Territories –

An Israeli strike killed 31 people in central Gaza Sunday, the Palestinian territory’s civil defense agency said, as US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan visited for talks on the conflict.

Israeli troops have moved in on the Gaza Strip’s far-southern city of Rafah, which the army describes as the last Hamas stronghold and where the United States says 800,000 civilians have been newly displaced by the fighting.

Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, said it was targeting Israeli forces stationed at Rafah crossing -- a vital conduit for humanitarian aid that is now closed -- with mortar fire. Israel has also fought and

bombed resurgent Hamas forces in northern and central areas of the coastal territory previously considered to be under army control, sparking US warnings that it could become mired in a lengthy counterinsurgency campaign.

In the latest aerial bombardment overnight, Gaza’s civil defence agency said an Israeli strike had killed 31 people and wounded 20 in a home in the central Nuseirat refugee camp.

Israel’s military, which on Sunday reported its aircraft had “struck dozens of terror targets” over the past 24 hours, said it was checking the reports.

Witness Yasser Abu Oula told AFP an entire residential complex “was destroyed” and “there are still bodies under the rubble.” AFP

Like Tsai, Lai is a staunch defender of the island’s democracy and in the past has described himself as a “pragmatic worker for Taiwan independence.” Lai has toned down his rhetoric and has repeatedly vowed to maintain the “status quo” on the Taiwan Strait, which means preserving Taiwan’s sovereignty while not declaring formal independence.

The inauguration ceremony was held at the Japanese colonial-era Presidential Office Building in Taipei, where Lai and his vice president-elect Hsiao Bi-khim were sworn into office shortly after. AFP

IN BRIEF

Exiled group: Raisi death ‘monumental blow’ to Iran

PARIS – The death of Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash is a major blow to the Islamic republic’s clerical leadership, an exiled opposition group said Monday, predicting a succession of crises.

The People’s Mujahedin of Iran and its political wing the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) have long detested Raisi, accusing him of involvement in the 1988 mass executions of thousands of their members and other dissidents when he was a young prosecutor.

Raisi’s death “represents a monumental and irreparable strategic blow to the mullahs’ supreme leader Ali Khamenei and the entire regime, notorious for its executions and massacres,” NCRI leader Maryam Rajavi said in a statement.

“It will trigger a series of repercussions and crises within theocratic tyranny, which will spur rebellious youths into action,” she said.

The MEK accuses Raisi, as Tehran deputy prosecutor in the late 1980s, of playing a key part in the executions of thousands of political prisoners, mostly suspected members of the opposition group. AFP

JoongAng Ilbo and Britain’s i newspaper. The stratospheric success of ChatGPT soon after its 2022 release sparked a gold rush in generative AI, with tech firms around the world pouring billions of dollars into developing their own models.

Generative AI models can generate text, photos, audio and even video from simple prompts, and its proponents have heralded them as a breakthrough that will improve lives and businesses around the world.

AFP

Blue Origin flies voyagers, oldest astro, 90, to space

WASHINGTON, DC – After a nearly two-year hiatus, Blue Origin flew adventurers to space on Sunday, including a former Air Force pilot who was denied the chance to be the United States’ first Black astronaut decades ago. It was the first crewed launch for the enterprise owned and founded by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos since a rocket mishap in 2022 left rival Virgin Galactic as the sole operator in the fledgling suborbital tourism market.

Six people including the sculptor Ed Dwight, on track to become NASA’s first astronaut of color in the 1960s before being controversially spurned, launched around 09:36 am local time from the Launch Site One base in west Texas, a live feed showed. Dwight -- at 90 years, 8 months and 10 days -- became the oldest person to ever go to space.

“This is a life-changing experience, everybody needs to do this,” he exclaimed after the flight.

“I thought I didn’t really need this in my life,” he added, reflecting on his omission from the astronaut corps, which was his first experience with failure as a young man.

“But I lied,” he added, with a hearty laugh.

“You take everything you imagined, you multiply it roughly by 100 and you are still quite far from reality,” crewmate and French entrepreneur Sylvain Chiron told AFP.

“I’m not quite back down to Earth yet.”

Mission NS-25 is the seventh human flight for Blue Origin, which sees short jaunts on the New Shepard suborbital vehicle as a stepping stone to greater ambitions, including the development of a full-fledged heavy rocket and lunar lander. AFP

Vietnam votes in new National Assembly head

HANOI – Vietnam’s rubber stamp National Assembly voted in its new chairman on Monday, after the previous head stepped down after getting swept up in a corruption crackdown.

Tran Thanh Man, 61, is now one of the Southeast Asian country’s four most powerful leaders after a unanimous vote.

“It is a huge honor... I will devote myself to serving the people,” he told the assembly after the vote.

Thousands of people -- including top officials and senior business leaders -have been caught up in Vietnam’s “blazing furnace” anti-graft campaign, led by Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Man, previously the assembly’s deputy chairman, succeeds Vuong Dinh Hue, who stepped down last month because of “violations and shortcomings,” according to the party.

He has not yet served a full term in the politburo, after joining in 2021, which is unusual for a top leader in Vietnam.

According to Nguyen Khac Giang, visiting fellow at ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, that will mean he has “less authority to really assert his influence over the National Assembly.” By comparison, his predecessor “was a very strong chairman... He confronted the government, he initiated many ideas and he forced the government to be accountable in some cases,” Giang told AFP. AFP

Biden faces silent Gaza protest at King’s college

ATLANTA – US President Joe Biden said Sunday (Monday in Manila) he heard the voice of Gaza war protesters as some students turned their backs on his graduation ceremony speech at the former university of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. A small number of graduates carried out the silent protest, with some holding Palestinian flags and one holding up a fist as Biden spoke at Morehouse College, a historically Black university in Atlanta, Georgia. Others wore keffiyeh scarves over their gowns in a sign of solidarity with the protests that have roiled campuses across the United States over Israel’s offensive on the Gaza

MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

France leads last 6 teams to qualify for Paris games

DEBRECEN (Hungary)—The last six teams, led by France, for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games have been confirmed after the 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Debrecen, Hungary, on May 16-19, 2024.

The qualified teams for the Paris 2024 Olympics are:

MEN: Serbia (ranking), USA (ranking), China (Ranking), Latvia (UOQT 1), Netherlands (UOQT 2), France (OQT), Lithuania (OQT), Poland (OQT)

WOMEN: China (ranking), USA (ranking), France (Ranking), Azerbaijan (UOQT 1), Australia (UOQT 2), Germany (OQT), Spain (OQT), Canada (OQT)

In the men’s category, France made it to their home Olympic Games after defeating Mongolia on a Maurice Lacroix Buzzer Beater (21-20) courtesy of Thimoté Vergiat, who would be named MVP of the competition after leading the field in Player Value. Lithuania earned the second ticket of the night with an impressive win over Poland (21-15)

It would be Poland who would get the last spot available to the Paris Olympic Games on a Maurice Lacroix Buzzer Beater from Przemyslaw Zamojski to end the game against Mongolia 22-20.

In the women’s side, the first two ticket games ended on a Maurice Lacroix Buzzer Beater. In the first one, Svenja Brunckhorst silenced the home crowd at the buzzer to end the game 19-17, while Spain defeated Canada as well in the last second to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic games with another buzzer beater from Gracia Alonso. Canada would clinch the last ticket available after defeating hosts Hungary 21-10 and Katherine Plouffe, the #1 player in the World, would be named MVP of the competition.

The 3x3 competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics will take place at Place de La Concorde on July 30August 5.

Girl power session at PSA Forum

IT’S going to be a girl power session of the Philippine Sporswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday (May 21) at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Olympic-bound fencer Sam Catantan joins Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Erika Dy, Gilas Pilipinas women’s team head coach Pat Aquino, and Gilas Pilipinas women’s U-18 mentor Julie Amos in an interesting two-part session of the weekly public sports program. The Forum starts at 10:30 a.m. Catantan, who arrived in the country from the U.S. on Monday, will detail her plans and programs as she competes in the Paris Olympics as the first Filipino fencer to qualify in 32 years.

D y, Aquino, and the rest of the women’s team meanwhile, are going to discuss their coming campaign in the SEABA U-18 Women’s Championship in Thailand from May 2426. Winner of the meet will repr esent the SEABA in the FIBA Asia U-18 Championship for Women nex t year.

Accompanying them are SBP’s Anton Gonzales and Hazel Yambot.

The women’s team is composed of Naomi Panganiban, Gabby Ramos, Alyssa Rodriguez, Jolzyne Impresso, Margaret Villanueva, Ava Fajardo, Aubrey Lapasaran, Sophia Canindo, Ashley Abong, Tiffany Reyes, Venice Quinte, and Margarette Duenas.

The session is presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/ PLDT, and ArenaPlus, the leading sports entertainment gateway in the Philippines.

The program is livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page fb.com/ PhilippineS portswritersAssociation and aired on a delayed basis over Radyo Pilipinas 2, which also shares on its official Facebook page Radyo Pilipinas 2 sports.

Schau ele birdies final hole, rules PGA for 1st major win

LOUISVILLE—Xander Schauffele outdueled Bryson DeChambeau down the back nine on Sunday to win the PGA Championship, capturing his fi rst major triumph with the lowest score in major history.

Third-ranked Schauffele sank a tension-packed six-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th hole at Valhalla for a one-stroke victory over DeChambeau to snap a two-year victory drought.

“I was actually kind of emotional after the putt lipped in,” said Schauffele.

“It has been a while since I’ve won.

“I kept saying it all week. I just need to stay in my lane. And man, was it hard to stay in my lane today. But I tried all day to just keep focus on what I’m trying to do.” Schauffele, who had 12 prior top-10

major finishes without a victory, had not won an event since the 2022 Scottish Open, having had 19 top-10 PGA Tour finishes during his drought.

But he matched the lowest round in major history with a nine-under 62 on Thursday and was equal to the challenge on Sunday.

The reigning Olympic champion fired a six-under par 65 and finished 72 holes on 21-under 263 to edge fellow American DeChambeau, the 2020 US Open champion.

Schauffele broke the old 72-hole record low under-par winning score

of 20-under, done four times, most recently by Australian Cameron Smith at the 2022 British Open. Victory was worth $3.33 million to Schauffele from an $18.5 million purse while DeChambeau took home $1.998 million.

“Proud of Xander for finally getting the job done,” DeChambeau said. He’s an amazing golfer and well deserved major champion now.

“On my side of the coin, disappointing. I played well. Shot 20-under par in a major championship. Proud of myself for the way I handled adversity. Definitely disappointing, but one that gives me a lot of momentum for the rest of the majors.”

DeChambeau closed with a 64 while

Norway’s Victor Hovland, last year’s PGA runner-up, was third on 266 after shooting a 66.

Belgium’s Thomas Detry fired a

66 to share fourth on 269 with Collin Morikawa, the 54-hole co-leader who made 16 pars in shooting 71. England’s Justin Rose and Ireland’s Shane Lowry shared sixth on 270. DeChambeau rolled in a birdie putt from just beyond 10 feet at the par5 18th hole, the ball barely dropping in, to match Schauffele for the lead at 20-under.

Seconds later, Hovland missed his 10-foot birdie putt to doom his chances and ended up making a bogey.

Schauffele’s tee shot at 18 was in the left rough on the edge of a fairway bunker. He calmly blasted his second shot 36 yards from the hole in the fairway short of the green and dropped his approach six feet from the hole. The ball made a slight roll on the edge as it fell in to give him a wire-to-wire triumph, counting shared leads. AFP

Evangelista, Melencio, Santor take MOA titles in COPA meet

AISHEL Evangelista, Patrica Mae Santor and Ricielle Maleeka Melencio completed their dominance and claimed the Most O utstanding Swimmer (MOA) awards in their respective classes on Sunday at the close of the Congress of Philippine Aquatics (COPA) ‘One For AllAll For One’ National Capital Region Swimming Championship at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Center inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila. Battling sadness after losing his father-coach Elcid to heat stroke just a couple of weeks ago, the 14-year-old Evangelista splashed his way to the coveted title with a sweep of his last three events, hiking his gold medal haul to eight and one silver in the three-day tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) and supported by Speedo and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Before a packed crowd which included members of his family and COPA co-founder Batangas 1st District Rep. Eric Buhain, the Grade 8 student from the University of Santo Tomas topped the boys’ 200m butterfly (2:20.16), 100m backstroke (1:07.94) and 50m freestyle (26.83).

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Diyos ay binigyan ako ng kalakasan ng katawan para matupad ko ‘yung misyon ko na mabigyan ng regalo ang aking namayapang ama (Elcid). Para po sa kanya ito, alam ko masaya siya sa tagumpay ko,” said Evangelista. He felt honored since the tournament doubled as a tribute for his father – a COPA-coach member – as part of the tournament’s proceeds will go to his family.

The Betta Caloocan swim Team pride had his other gold medals in the 100m freestyle (57.56), 400m IM (4:53.63), 200m freestyle (2:03.58), 100m

butterfly (1:03.22), and 200m backstroke (2:27.58). He finished second to Kean Paragatos (31.34) in the 50m backstroke with a time of 31.39.

“We’re proud of him. Talagang naka-focus sa laban kahit may pinagdadaanan. Ganyang mindset ang kailangan natin sa Philippine Team,” said Buhain, also the PAI secretary general. On the other hand, Melencio proved to be a force to reckon with in the girls’ 18-over class, stamping her class in the 100m backstroke with a time of 1:11.21, beating rivals raven Alcoseba (1:11.96) and Dianna Cruz (1:17.31) and in the 50m free, clocking 28.97 against Milcah Mina (29.17) and Shairinne Floriano (29.51). A freshman student at Ateneo University, Melencio also bested the field in the 400m IM (5:30.21), 200m freestyle (2:17.63), and 100m free (1:02.76) during the first two days of the meet.

Maroons give back to indigenous communities in Butuan

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines

president Atty. Angelo “Jijil” Jimenez on May 14 unveiled the new motto of UP, adding “Service” to the current values each Iskolar ng Bayan is expected to live up to - Honor and Excellence.

“Honor and Excellence has long been the motto of our beloved University. But let us not forget the root of our very existence - that is, to serve. That is why we should always remember to live by our new motto ‘Honor and Excellence in the Service of the Nation’. It’s our reason for being,” said Jimenez, born with roots from the Manobo Tribe in Butuan City. And that is what the UP Men’s Basketball Team did during their weekend trip to Butuan City on May 18 and 19. Through the initiative of UP President Jimenez and the Office of the University President, the UP Fighting Maroons, in partnership with the UP Alumni Association, One Meralco

Foundation, More Power, and Chooks to Go,

school supplies, and machineries that

at Mahayahay Elementary School and nearby community.

“Siyempre nakakataba ng puso and natutuwa kami na nakatulong kami sa kanila, kahit sa maliit na paraan lang ba. Nagpapasalamat kami kay President Jijil na in-involve niya ang team dito. Sana hindi ito ang last time na makasama kami sa ganitong projects niya,” said Butuan City native JD Cagulangan.

The Fighting Maroons then took part in a tree planting activity in the said community.

The Diliman-based squad flew to Butuan City to play against Cebu’s University of San Carlos Warriors in an invitational game that celebrated Butuan City’s Balangay Festival 2024 at the Fr. Saturnino Urios University Gym.

The Fighting Maroons bested the CESAFI 2023 bronze medalists, 9049, in Cagulangan’s homecoming game.

Xander Schau ele of the United States celebrates after winning on the 18th green during the nal round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. AFP

PAI secretary general Rep. Eric Buhain with Ricielle Maleeka Melencio

turned over television sets,

will benefit the students and teachers

UP Fighting Maroons distribute school supplies to Mahayahay Elementary School students.

TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2024

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Kingad welcomes McLaren rematch

DANNY “The King” Kingad has no problem running it back with Reece “Lightning” McLaren if the powers that be will allow it.

The Lions Nation MMA bet made it clear that he won’t have second thoughts engaging in a rematch against the FilAussie grappler especially after McLaren revisited the idea after his last match.

“Matagal na niyang sinasabi sa akin na gusto niyang mag-rematch at wala namang problema sa akin. Ready ako anytime,” said Kingad.

McLaren once again name-checked Kingad after the former’s split decision victory over “Wolf Warrior” Hu Yong at ONE Fight Night 22: Sundell vs. Diachkova. It’s a loss that still stings for McLaren five years removed from their first encounter at ONE: Dawn of Heroes, one where the Igorot warrior pulled off the split decision win.

Kingad agrees that a lot has changed, but if ever that match gets booked, he has no doubt that the result will be the same.

“Malayo na ang pinagkaiba dati sa ngayon. Pero sa tingin ko kung mangyari man ‘yun, hindi na mapupunta sa decision ‘yung laban. Sure ako na kung hindi knockout, submission ‘yung magiging panalo ko,” he said. This could also be a proving ground for both as they remain in the thick of the ONE Athlete Rankings.

Kingad, after all, is hungry to get back to his winning ways after falling via unanimous decision to Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu at ONE 165: Rodtang vs. Takeru.

That’s why for Kingad, the victor of this matchup should be a step closer in challenging the ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson.

Paris-bound fencer Catantan to train in Manila, Italy, France

By Peter Atencio

ASERIES of training camps in Manila, Italy and France is being readied for Samantha Catantan to prepare her well for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The rigorous camps are what await the 27-year-old Catantan following her arrival on Monday to a heroes welcome at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s Terminal 1 and later at the University of the East Recto campus and at the Philsports fencing hall in Pasig.

Family, fans, well-wishers and supporters surprised Catantan with their presence when she stepped into the airport’s arrival

area, following a flight from New York with her boyfriend, also a fencer, Aidan Johnson.

“I’m gonna have a chance to see my friends and family and train with the national team again, I missed them because of my commitments with Penn State University,” said Catantan, three weeks after she earned qualification to the Paris Olympics.

Her mom Aileen, her sisters

Alas Pilipinas ready to step up in Asian tourney

MEMBERS of the Alas Pilipinas national women’s volleyball team have been through a short period of preparation.

But the Filipinas are ready to step up to a test of will and determination when the 2024 Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup gets going on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Team skipper Jia Morado de Guzman said this as the national squad, which has gone deep into preparation together for only a week, prepares for the Asian tourney.

“The team is very eager. Every member of the team has tried to step up for flag and country, from start to finish,” said Morado de Guzman during a presentation on Monday at the Shangrila Hotel in Makati.

The Philippines has been drawn in Pool A, along with Australia, India, Iran, and Chinese Taipei.

The winner of the weeklong meet will get a berth in the FIVB Challenge Cup, with the champion then

bagging a ticket to next year’s Volleyball Nations League.

“This is the first time after so many years that we have a mix of young players from the UAAP and PVL players. This will be a very good lineup,” said Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara during the gathering, which was graced by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino.

National coach Jorge Souza de Brito is bringing together a group of players from the Premier Volleyball League, headed by Morado dr Guzman and the highflying Sisi Rondina.

Collegiate stars such as Bella Belen and Angel Canino have reinforced the team.

The world no. 63 world-ranked Filipinas will first clash with no. 59 Australia on Thursday at 7 p.m.

After that, the Filipinas will meet India on Friday at 7 p.m. and Iran on Saturday. Peter Atencio

ANGELO Que aims to capitalize on recent strong performances on the Asian Development Tour, going all-out to break a winless streak on the PhilTour while adding significant a formidable field in the ICTSI Philippine Masters. The P2 million championship tees off tomorrow (Wednesday, May 22) at the Villamor Golf Club with Que in high spirits after posting a solo 12th place finish in the All Thailand Partnership Trophy and a tied for ninth effort in the Phuket Open over the past three weeks. He is primed to challenge for this week’s championship against the country’s top players and a crop of emerging stars.

The three-time Asian Tour winner narrowly missed victory by three strokes to Clyde Mondilla in the recent PGT leg at Caliraya Springs. However, his runner-up finish, coupled with impressive results in Thailand, underscores Que’s potential to contend for the crown in the 72-hole championship sponsored by ICTSI.

“Momentum-wise, I’ve been playing solid since the start of the season. I’ve been making

Sophie and Janna were around, along with Quezon City councilor Joseph Juico. Juico, one of the sons of former athletics chief Philip Ella Juico, put up a successful sports program that included fencing in the San Francisco del Monte area many years ago and this was where Catantan and her sisters, Ysa, Sophie and Shy, were developed by her present coach Rolando “Amat” Canlas Jr. School officials, student-athletes and members of the alumni at the UE-Recto campus also had a surprise for Catantan, when teammates brought her to school for a fitting tribute ceremony. An afternoon visit at the Philippine Sports Commission offices in Vito Cruz also saw Catantan pay-

cuts but haven’t been finishing that strong yet on the weekends,” said Que during yesterday’s proam tournament. “However, the momentum is there, and as long as I keep it up, maybe, finally, I can do something great.”

However, Que, who last won in the 2019 PGT Asia event at Manila Southwoods, will face a tough lineup, including defending champion Jhonnel Ababa, who won the season opener in Davao, and Lloyd Go, who has honed his skills in Japan following a breakthrough win at Palos Verdes. Other top contenders are Mondilla, Guido van der Valk, Tony Lascuña, Rupert Zaragosa, Reymon Jaraula, Michael Bibat, Zanieboy Gialon, former Masters tilist Jerson Balasabas, Jay Bayron, Marvin Dumandan, Keanu Jahns and Jobim Carlos.

A wave of young talents is also eager to upstage their seasoned rivals in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Rising stars such as Aidric Chan, Kristoffer Arevalo, Sean Ramos, Elee Bisera, and Hyun Ho Rho are expected to bring four days of intense competition marked by exceptional shotmaking, putting and strategic decision-making.

ing chairman Richard Bachmann and commissioner Walter Torres a courtesy call. Catantan earned a seat for the Philippines during the Asia-Oceania Zonal Olympic Qualifier on in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates last April 28.

Taking a three-week break in the US after the qualifier allowed Catantan a chance to recover from a muscle strain she sustained during the finals match and take care of her final exams at Penn State University. Catantan competed in the Olympic qualifiers, while wearing brace on her left knee, which underwent surgery 10 months ago, following an injury she sustained during the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in the women’s foil semifinals.

JANN Ian Ituriaga achieved a remarkable double victory while Sandra Bautista secured a win and a runner-up finish as they took top honors in the PPS-PEPP Tamagos Cup National Tennis Championships at the Kalibo 1 courts in Aklan over the weekend. The top-seeded Ituriaga from Iloilo City showcased his stellar skills by dominating the boys’ division. He defeated No. 4 Rizzjun Labindao, 6-1, 6-2, in the 16-and-under finals, and then overcame Andrew dela Cruz, 7-6(4), 6-2, to clinch the 18-and-U championship. Although Bautista couldn’t match Ituriaga’s double triumph, the rising star from Bacoor, Cavite still earned MVP honors. She won the girls’ 16-and-U crown with a 6-0, 7-6(2) victory over doubles partner Andrea Malbas. However, she bid for a second title was thwarted by Czarina Miraflor, who won a hard-fought 7-5, 3-6, 10-8 decision in the 18-and-U finals. Other winners in the Group 2 event, presented by Dunlop and held as part of the PPS-PEPP circuit, organized by Palawan Pawnshop under the leadership of president/CEO Bobby Castro, included John Rafael Santiago and Tiffany Jannah (14-and-U), Ciaran Alipo-on and Theriz Zapatos (12-and-U) and Mikaela Chavez (10-and-under unisex).

Santiago survived a semis scare against Labindao, hacking out a 6-7(4), 6-2, 10-8 victory, before dispatching Francisco De Juan III, 6-2, 6-0, in the finals. Jannah trampled Besper Zapatos, 6-2, 6-0, while Alipo-on upset top seed De Juan, 5-7, 6-2, 10-8, and Theriz Zapatos stamped her class over Michaela

6-2, 6-1.

the other

1 Abby Joy Castigador, 4-2, 4-0, in the youngest category of the tournament sanctioned by Philta and Universal Tennis Ranking.

Suarez,

Chavez, on

hand, stunned No.

Family, fans, well-wishers and supporters surprised Paris Olympics-bound fencer Samantha Catantan with their presence at the airport.

Danny Kingad

Jia Morado de Guzman

Angelo Que

Samantha Catantan with mother Aileen

WHAT’S INSIDE?

MPTC fine with pension funds buying SCTEx stake

By Darwin G. Amojelar

METRO Pacific

Tollways Corp.

PAG-IBIG Fund members collectively saved a record P28.75 billion in the first quarter of 2024, setting the highest amount ever saved in the agency’s history, top officials said Monday.

This represented a 36-percent increase, or P7.66 billion more than the P21.09 billion they saved in the same period in 2023.

Part of the total savings collections is the agency’s Pag-IBIG Regular Savings, which saw a 25-percent increase from P10.58 billion in the first quarter of 2023 to P13.19 billion this year.

“Our strong savings collections reflect the trust and confidence our members place in us, along with our ability to prudently manage their savings. Pag-IBIG Fund’s strong financial position enables it to offer low interest rates and support the financing side of the Pambansang Pabahay

said it sees no issue with the state pension funds acquiring the government’s share in Subic Clark-Tarlac Expressway.

“It’s up to them. We made an offer so if they see that it’s better for the government to hold the shares, that’s fine, I can’t change that mindset,” MPTC president and chief executive Rogelio Singson told reporters. Singson’s statement came after Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said he was considering selling the

government’s share in SCTEX to the Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

“We’re looking at selling those shares. Maybe the SSS and GSIS can buy them, so that the pension funds will earn,” Recto said earlier.

“I think it’s better off that we sell those shares to raise revenue and better if the pension funds buy from us. So that SSS and GSIS will benefit,” he said.

The government has a 3.46-percent stake in NLEX Corp., the operator of two SCTEx and NLEx in Central Luzon. NLEX is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp.

MPTC has the right of first refusal on the government’s stake in the toll road operator.

State-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA)

Para sa Pilipino [4PH] program, a flagship program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” said Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, who heads the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund board of trustees.

Pag-IBIG Fund implemented the new mandatory monthly savings rates of P200 for both the employees and the employers’ share in February. The increase was the first increase that Pag-IBIG Fund implemented since it was established in 1986.

Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive Marilene Acosta said the agency’s popular MP2 Savings continues to drive the growth of its members’ savings. The voluntary savings program maintained its growth, with members saving a record-high P15.56 billion, which accounted for 54 percent of the total savings collected in the quarter.

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Agriculture (DA)

on Monday announced plans to extend the ban on onion importation given the bumper harvest by local producers. The import ban, initially implemented in January 2024, aimed to prevent a surplus that could depress prices. The decision followed a 40-percent increase in onion planting area by farmers, anticipating high yield.

“Cold storages in onion-producing areas are full, and prices are stable. So, there is no reason to import,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel. He said prices had significantly dropped since November 2023, with red onions at P70

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT.

Department of Budget and Management (DBM)

Secretary Amenah Pangandaman underscores the crucial role of local public financial management (PFM) practitioners in delivering quality services to the people during the PFM Competency Program for local government units in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan from May 13 to May 15, 2024.

per kilogram and white onions at P60.

“When I joined the DA in November, the price was P110 up to P120 a kilo,” he said. Tiu Laurel said he is also overseeing the price movement of rice, corn and other agricultural products as the country transitions from El Niño to La Niña. The monitoring effort aims to ensure food security per President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive, he said. The hot and dry weather condition amid the El Niño in the past several months had affected the agricultural sector. The arrival of La Niña is expected to bring heavy rainfall which could cause flooding, impacting agricultural lands.

TREASURES.

earlier said MPTC offered to buy its shares in SCTEX for about P20 billion.

Singson said, however, the operations should be handled by the private sector.

BCDA revenue share from SCTEX amounted to P573 million in the first quarter of 2024, representing 50 percent of toll revenues in SCTEX.

Data showed that as of the first quarter of 2024, BCDA revenue share increased 17 percent from the same period in 2023, driven by higher toll revenues at SCTEX.

The SCTEX, funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency, is a 91-kilometer or 362 lane-km. expressway, stretching from SubicTipo to La Paz, Tarlac, connecting the special economic zones in Olongapo City, Subic and Clark to Tarlac City.

P20 billion

MPTC’s offer to buy gov’t stake in SCTEx

3.46% P573 million

Gov’t stake in NLEX Corp.

BCDA’s revenue from SCTEx in Q1

SURIGAO

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)

Governor Eli Remolona Jr. (right) attends the joint exhibition of Philippine pre-colonial gold treasures from the collections of the BSP and the Ayala Museum. The exhibition ‘Reuniting the Surigao Treasure’’ opened on May 16, 2024 at the Ayala Museum and will run until 2027.

NexGen Energy eyes P580-m IPO at P1.68 per share

By Jenniffer B. Austria

NEXGEN Energy Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tiu family’s Pure Energy Holdings Corp. (PEHC), plans to raise up to P580 million from an initial public offering (PO) in July 2024.

Based on its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, NexGen will sell 300 million primary common shares and up to 45 million secondary shares at an offer price of up to P1.68 apiece.

The renewable energy company tapped China Bank Capital and Investment Capital Corp. of the Philippines as joint lead underwriters for the offering.

If its plan pushes through, NexGen will be the third company to conduct an IPO this year.

Mining firm OceanaGold Philippines Inc. was listed in the main board of the PSE on May 13, while Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. is scheduled to list on June 7.

The Philippine Stock Exchange said NexGen plans to list its shares on July 8. NexGen earlier said it was preparing for an IPO to raise funds for its renewable energy projects in the pipeline.

The company is developing solar and wind projects with a capacity of over 2,350 megawatts over the next 10 years.

NexGen was established on June 7, 2017, to be the wind, solar and agriculture technology development arm of PEHC.

The company has three main subsidiaries, including SPARC-Solar Powered Agri-rural Communities Corp., which operates three solar farms in Zambales, Bataan and Bulacan; 5Hour Peak Energy Corp., which has a pipeline of over 1,000 MWp of solar projects; and Airstream Renewables Corp., which has a pipeline of up to 1,330 MW of onshore and offshore wind projects.

NexGen also has eight wind energy service contracts (WESC) under Airstream, with four more WESCs in the process of being consolidated into Airstream.

NexGen’s parent company, PEHC, is a holding company established to be in the business of investing in and providing essential resources for the developmental growth of the country, driven by the vision to make available renewable energy and clean water to every Filipino.

ENHANCED LEARNING. PLDT Enterprise teams up with the Philippine Science High School-Central Mindanao Campus (PSHS-CMC) to equip the school with digital solutions, including iGate, Enterprise Broadband and Smart Messaging Suite. PLDT Enterprise CRB Northmin head Roberto Suzon (third from left) and PSHS-CMC director Franklin Salisid (fourth from left) lead the collaboration aimed at transforming the school into a leading digital campus.

ROXAS Holdings Inc. (RHI), which is subject to possible takeover by businessman Leandro Leviste, on Monday sought a nine-day trading suspension of its shares to prevent market speculation.

Leviste, through Countryside Investments Holdings Corp. (CHCI), signed a non-binding agreement to acquire a controlling stake in RHI.

The company would like to apply for a voluntary suspension of the trading of its securities to avoid speculative trading, starting May 20 until May 31, 2024, when the investment agreement and other definitive agreements are indicated to be executed and completed as per the term sheet,” RHI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

“Rest assured that the company will apprise the PSE of further developments on this matter as they arise,” RHI said.

CEBU-BASED retailer Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. (MRSGI) said Monday it registered P50.3-million net income in the first quarter of 2024, down 16 percent from P60 million a year ago on lower margins.

First-quarter net sales, however, rose 4.8 percent to P8.7 billion from P8.3 billion. This was the highest recorded first-quarter sales since the company became public in 2015. The company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange same-store-sales also improved by 2.8 percent yearon-year.

The group’s food retail increased 7.9 percent on strong sales of basic groceries. General merchandise de-

MICC MEETIING. Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) Secretary Frederick Go and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga lead the Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC)’s 45th meeting on May 15, 2024 at the Office of the Department of Finance to discuss critical policy measures aimed at bolstering the mining sector. MICC is an interagency body mandated to assess and review mining operations in the country, including miningrelated laws, rules and regulations and provide recommendations to improve their effectiveness and relevance.

stocks climb on optimism over lower interest rates

LOCAL shares rose Monday, tracking Asian markets’ movement, following the strong performance of US equities on Friday. The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index jumped 64.09 points, or 0.97 percent, to close at 6,682.78, while the broader all-shares index added 24.55 points, or 0.70 percent, to settle at 3,548.70.

All sectoral indices ended the in green led by mining and oil which went up 4.95 percent, financials by 1.68 percent and services by 1.48 percent.

Philstocks Financial Inc. research analyst Claire Alviar said the renewed optimism the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas would lower interest rates by the second half of the year boosted investor sentiment.

“Investors were also digesting the first quarter earnings results,” Alviar said.

Net market value turnover reached P5.05 billion. Foreign investors were net sellers by P248.1 million.

Equities rose Monday, extending a rally in New York that saw the Dow close at a record high, with sentiment

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE net income of San Miguel Corp.’s tollway unit surged 21 percent in the first quarter of 2024, fueled by a rise in vehicle traffic.

SMC SLEX Inc. earned P1.16 billion from January to March, up from P964 million in the same period last year.

Revenue from toll operations reached P1.94 billion, higher by 15 percent than P1.68 billion last year. Average transaction mode for the period was 94 percent for RFID and 6 percent for cash.

South Luzon Expressway recorded an average daily traffic (ADT) of 357,774 as of end-March, a 2-percent increase from 352,185 last year.

RHI confirmed reports that a nonbinding agreement was signed between CHCI and First Pacific Natural Resources Holdings, BV First Agri Holdings Corp. which are whollyowned subsidiaries of Hong Kong’s First Pacific Co. Ltd.

First Pacific through its subsidiaries owns a 62.89-percent stake in RHI.

CHCI’s investment in RHI, which is expected to reach P5 billion, is seen to help RHI service debt to avoid bankruptcy, increase tax revenues of the municipality of Nasugbu and create more and better jobs for the benefit of local farmers and former sugar industry workers.

RHI is chaired by Pedro Roxas, once the largest integrated sugar company in the Philippines.

It owns Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc., a former sugar refinery and sugar mill, and 236 hectares in Nasugbu, Batangas. Jenniffer B. Austria

clined 2.9 percent amid the spending constraint on discretionary items due to persistent high inflation.

Rental income also climbed 17 percent to P93.8 million with the reopening of the economy and as nonessential tenants became operational.

MRSGI’s blended gross margin slightly declined to 20.8 percent in the first quarter of 2024 from 21.9 percent in the same period last year with the reduced share to business of general merchandise.

Cost of sales reached P6.91 billion in the three-month period ending March 2024, up 6.5 percent from P6.48 billion a year earlier on higher sales.

Cost of service posted an increase of P30.1 million on higher operations and maintenance fee, higher Philippine National Construction Corp.’s (PNCC) share due to increase in top revenue, higher amortization of service concession rights, higher provision for resurfacing and maintenance oblivion and higher concession insurance premiums.

Operating expenses, however, dropped 22 percent to P67.3 million from P86.4 million due to lower depreciation and amortization, lower advertising cost by P8.1 million and lower repair and maintenance for vehicle and equipment.

SMC SLEX earlier allotted P8.06 billion for 2024 capital expenditures (capex) to partially finance the TR4 project and the widening of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).

Upon completion in 2026, the P50-billion project 66.74-kilometer toll road will connect Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Lucena City, Quezon that would significantly reduce travel time between these two points, from 3 hours to 45 minutes.

Operating expense to sales ratio improved to 20.4 percent from 21 percent on back of its cost-saving and optimization initiatives.

MRSGI opened its Metro Value Mart in Barangay Gun-ob, LapuLapu City in January. The company also broke ground on five supermarkets in strategic areas in Cebu and Leyte to expand its presence in the Visayas.

It recently inaugurated its 10-hectare distribution center in Sta. Rosa, Laguna that aims to strengthen its logistics system and lays the foundation for the expansion pipeline throughout Luzon in the next few years.

Jenniffer B. Austria

boosted by China’s plan to support its struggling property sector and hopes for a US interest rate cut.

The announcement out of Beijing on Friday provided a much-needed boost to the country’s ailing developers, many of whom are drowning in a sea of debt. The multibillion-dollar plan, as well as an easing of deposit requirements for buyers, fueled optimism for the outlook on the world’s numbertwo economy, which has been hobbled by the property crisis.

Jenniffer B. Austria with AFP

GREEN LIGHT

Dr. Junius W. Yu and Benjamin Phillips III

and doctoral studies

BENJAMIN Phillips III is one of the rare basketball players from the UAAP who finished his MBA and then continued to become a doctoral student, taking up his Doctor of Business Administration (DBA). He took up the course because he wants to pair basketball and academics on and off the court as a leader who aspires to strive further in life. He wants to gain knowledge at a higher academic level and be equipped with business acumen and leadership. He desired to become a thought leader who could analyze big data and understand complex situations to make better decisions, both in business and in life. In reality, he understood the importance of education, which was not just an academic ladder but a journey of lifelong learning that would always be part of his identity.

Benjamin’s journey in Manila was rooted in his family’s deep connection with sports and academia. He and his brother Michael were invited to join the Green Archers, a testament to their athletic prowess. Benjamin, the eldest of the three Phillips Brothers, shared this journey with his middle brother, Isaiah, and the youngest, Michael. Their father, Rev. Benjamin Phillips Jr., was a former professional basketball player in Europe, having had a stellar career at Eastern Kentucky University. Their mother, Dr. Sharon Phillips, was also an athlete in high school, excelling as a cheerleader and a volleyball player, before focusing on her Doctorate in Psychology. This rich athletic background, coupled with their shared values of faith, service, and communion, formed the foundation of their resilience and unity.

The De La Salle Green Archers did not formally recruit Benjamin and, at first, was mistaken as Michael’s father during the initial recruiting trips. Yet, with unwavering determination and resilience honed on the court and in the classroom, Benjamin defied all personal odds to walk on the team as a nonrecruit.

Having played in high school in the United States, Benjamin chose to focus on academics and business with his undergraduate career at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he was recently named as a

2024 finalist for the prestigious 18 of the Last 9 Award (a program designed to honor alumni who are living out the values inherent in a Miami education). However, the call of basketball beckoned, leaving him yearning to make an impact on a larger stage, a future platform in front of an entire country to lead a team back into the championship pedigree that they belonged to.

Benjamin and his two younger brothers were instilled with the teachings of their faith from a young age.

Benjamin, the eldest of the Phillips siblings, shares a deep-rooted connection with his family and De La Salle University, united by their faith, service, and communion. Raised in a religious household, with his father, Benjamin Phillips Jr., serving as a preacher, Benjamin and his two younger brothers were instilled with the teachings of their faith from a young age. These lessons became the bedrock of their resilience, guiding them through the challenges of academics, business, athletics, and life while strengthening their bond as brothers. To be continued.

Dr. Junius Yu is a full-time faculty member of the Decision Sciences and Innovation Department of the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, De La Salle University. He can be reached at junius.yu@dlsu.edu.ph.

Benjamin Phillips III is a DBA student of the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, De La Salle University. He can be reached at benjamin_phillips_a@ dlsu.edu.ph.

The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

Farmers laud EO bringing PCIC back under Agriculture

By Othel V. Campos

THE Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) lauded the issuance of Executive Order 60 by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., bringing the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) back under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

“Crop insurance is an important component of the DA’s support program for farmers, and it is only logical that the PCIC be part of the DA family,” said FFF chairman Leonardo Montemayor.

The corporation provides financial compensation to insured farmers ex-

periencing crop damage caused by calamities, pests and diseases. PCIC operations are funded from various sources—farmers’ premiums, lending institutions and the government.

Executive Order 148, issued by then-President Rodrigo Duterte,

moved the PCIC from the DA to the Department of Finance (DOF) due to concerns raised by economic managers regarding the agency’s high subsidies and operating costs.

EO 148 placed the DOF at the helm of the PCIC board and reduced small farmer representation from three to one member.

“Government support for the PCIC shouldn’t be solely viewed as a farmer subsidy. More importantly, it’s a critical investment in ensuring the country’s food security,” Montemayor said, emphasizing the broader benefit to society.

The FFF previously voiced anxieties about delayed claim payments and

reduced benefits for farmers while under DOF management.

The group claimed the issues were linked to the DOF’s focus on costcutting measures aimed at improving the agency’s financial health.

The FFF expressed its gratitude to the President and DA Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. for listening to farmers’ pleas and returning the PCIC to the DA.

It urged the government to maintain its strong support for crop insurance programs, especially considering the ongoing El Niño/La Niña phenomenon and the possibility of more severe weather disturbances in the coming years.

OVERDOUGHS + ELAIT, under Caravan Food Group Inc., held a two-day grand opening to celebrate the launch of their second cafe in Metro Manila, located at the Ground Level of Circuit Lane at Ayala Malls Circuit in Makati City.

The cafe has a chic and modern design, making it comfortable space to spend time in with good food.

The café, with its aesthetic looks and cozy feeling, will surely make people relaxed and enjoy its product offerings.

The celebration on the first day, May 3, began with a lunch gathering hosted by the Overdoughs Cafe for guests with food items from the cafe’s menu.

This included a variety of pizza, rice meals, pasta, pastries, and desserts. The new items of the cafe were introduced namely, OD Chicken Rice Meals, OD Pizza in square cuts, OD Pasta and their varieties. A special table was also set up to showcase all food and drinks items the cafe has to offer.

Content creators and instructors specializing in deaf education attending the grand opening.

With their advocacy of bridging gaps, and breaking barriers with the deaf, a private session was hosted by the brand through their long-time running seminar, #TheGoODSign, with instructors from their partner school, the De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf and Applied Studies.

Attendees were composed of content creators like Jazper Tiongson, @SaanTayoPunta team, Mom Elvie Pascual, company employees and much more.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian expressed optimism the country’s power situation will improve with the onset of the rainy season and cooler temperature.

“I am optimistic in terms of... the electricity margins. Optimistic that it will improve because it will be cooler. Not because there are power plants coming but because temperatures are cooler,” Gatchalian, vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, said as the sidelines of the Solar & Storage Live Philippines forum. Gatchalian said with the rainy season, the hydro plants can also resume operations. Most of the hydro plants were operating at below or zero capacity during the dry months.

He made the comment as the Luzon and Visayas grid continued to be on yellow alert for several hours Monday on thin reserves. A yellow alert is issued when the operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement.

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines placed the Luzon grid on yellow alert from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. as about 2,040.8 megawatts remained unavailable to the grid.

NGCP said three plants were on forced outage since 2023, three between January and March 2024 and 13 power plants between April and May 2024. Four were running on derated capacities. NGCP expects peak demand to reach 13,125MW on Monday compared to available capacity of 13,867 MW.

Overdoughs + Elait, under Caravan Food Group Inc., holds a two-day grand opening to celebrate the launch of their deaf-friendly second cafe in Metro Manila at the ground level of Circuit Lane, Ayala

Attending the ribbon

are

chief operating officer, Fred Reyes, chairman, Francis Reyes, chief executive and Dr. Kaye Reyes.

AGRICULTURE Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. underscored the importance of sustainable agriculture and its role in ensuring a sufficient supply of affordable food for future generations.

Tiu-Laurel noted the critical role agriculture plays in creating jobs in the Philippines as he addressed the opening of Farmers and Fisherfolk Month.

He said agriculture significantly impacts food prices, a key factor in inflation and influences the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ interest rate decisions.

“We need to ensure that future generations can rely on this sector by making agriculture sustainable through the promotion of environmental stewardship, enhancement of biodiversity, and mitigation of climate change impacts,” he said.

Tiu-Laurel said these goals could be reached by adopting modern and sustainable farming practices, improving farm competitiveness and profitability and utilizing mechanization to increase yields and lower production costs.

He cited the importance of supporting and empowering those in the agricultural sector and called for modernizing and mechanizing the sector to benefit food producers, processors and agri-fishery stakeholders.

Agriculture Undersecretary for operations Roger Navarro, in a separate speech, cited the month-long celebration as a recognition of the farmers and fisherfolk’s contributions to the national economy.

“The work that Filipino farmers and fisherfolk accomplish day in and day out, from sunrise to sunset, puts food on our tables, drives the national economy, and preserves our way of life. We are determined to foster an environment where all farm and fishery enterprises can grow and thrive,” he said. Othel V. Campos

NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS June 11, 2024

NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS June 11, 2024

The 2024 Regular Meeting of the Stockholders of Asia Pacific Medical CenterIloilo, Inc.  (formerly known as Allied Care Experts (ACE) Medical Center –  Iloilo, Inc.) will be held on 11 June 2024 at 9:00 am.

The 2024 Regular Meeting of the Stockholders of Asia Pacific Medical CenterIloilo, Inc.  (formerly known as Allied Care Experts (ACE) Medical Center –  Iloilo, Inc.) will be held on 11 June 2024 at 9:00 am.

The meeting will be conducted via remote communication  thru a Zoom Conference.

The meeting will be conducted via remote communication  thru a Zoom Conference.

Though no physical venue, the Chairman will preside over the meeting at the  principal place of business , Asia Pacific Medical Center Hospital Building, Brgy.  Ungka, Jaro, Iloilo City.

Though no physical venue, the Chairman will preside over the meeting at the  principle office, Asia Pacific Medical Center Hospital Building, Brgy. Ungka,  Jaro, Iloilo City.

Agenda of the Meeting is as follows:

Agenda of the Meeting is as follows:

1. Call to Order

2. Certification of Notice and Quorum 3. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Stockholders’ Meeting held on 30 June 2023

4.       Chairman’s Message

5. Presentation of the Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements for  the year ended 31 December 2023 and action thereon 6 Open Forum

1. Call to Order 2. Certification of Notice and Quorum 3. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Stockholders’ Meeting held on 30 June 2023 4.       Chairman’s Message  5. Presentation of the Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements for  the year ended 31 December 2023 and action thereon 6 Open Forum

7. Ratification and Approval of the previous acts and resolutions of the  Board of Directors and Corporate Officers

7. Ratification and Approval of the previous acts and resolutions of the  Board of Directors and Corporate Officers

8.  Amendment of the By-laws: Regular Meeting of the Stockholders from  3rd Sunday of April of each year to 4th Thursday of July of each year 9. Appointment of External Auditor for the current year 10. Election of 2024 Board of Directors 11.  Other Matters  12. Adjourment

8.  Amendment of the By-laws: Regular Meeting of the Stockholders from  3rd Sunday of April of each year to 4th Thursday of July of each year 9. Appointment of External Auditor for the current year 10. Election of 2024 Board of Directors 11.  Other Matters  12. Adjourment

Only stockholders of record as  of 22 May 2024 are entitled to notice and to vote at this meeting.

Only stockholders of record as  of 22 May 2024 are entitled to notice and to vote at this meeting.

For the health and safety of the stockholders and all persons in light  of the risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company will not hold  a physical meeting and will instead conduct the meeting via Zoom webinar.  Stockholders can therefore only attend and participate in the meeting by  remote communication. Stockholders also have the option to vote in absentia  or appoint the Chairman as proxy.

For the health and safety of the stockholders and all persons in light of the  risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company will not hold  a physical meeting and will instead conduct the meeting via Zoom webinar.  Stockholders can therefore only attend and participate in the meeting by  remote communication. Stockholders also have the option to vote in absentia  or appoint the Chairman as proxy.

Stockholders who intend to attend by remote communication shall inform the  Company by email to  corpsec@apmciloilo.com on or before 4 June 2024  subject to the procedure set in the Information Statement which will be posted  in the Company’s website  www.apmc-iloilo.com.  In the same website,  stockholders may access the following: (a) Minutes of the Meeting on 30   June 2023 and (b) Proxy Form for Attendance at Meeting and other meeting  documents required under Section 49 of the Revised Corporation Code. The  link for the Zoom webinar will be sent to the email address of the stockholders  who registered to attend via remote communication.

Stockholders who intend to attend by remote communication shall inform the  Company by email to  corpsec@apmciloilo.com on or before 4 June 2024  subject to the procedure set in the Information Statement which will be posted  in the Company’s website  www.apmc-iloilo.com.  In the same website,  stockholders may access the following: (a) Minutes of the Meeting on 30 June 2023 and (b) Proxy Form for Attendance at Meeting and other meeting  documents required under Section 49 of the Revised Corporation Code. The  link for the Zoom webinar will be sent to the email address of the stockholders  who registered to attend via remote communication. To those who would opt to participate by voting through the Chairman as proxy,  the deadline for submission of proxies will be at 5:00 pm of 4 June 2024 . Those  who are unable to join the meeting via remote communication but wish to vote  on items in the agenda may appoint the Chairman as proxy with specific voting  instructions which will be duly counted. Proxies can be submitted to the Office  of the Corporate Secretary or via email to the aforementioned address. For  individual stockholders, the submission must be accompanied by a copy of a  government issued ID as proof of identification. For corporations, the submission  must be accompanied by a certification from its Corporate Secretary stating the  corporate officer ’s authority to represent and sign on behalf of the corporation.  Kindly submit to the Office of the Corporate Secretary the original signed and  notarized documents within a reasonable time after the resumption of regular  business operations.

During the meeting, the Company shall entertain questions and comments after  the presentation of the Annual Report. Questions which were not answered  during the meeting shall be forwarded to the Office of the Corporate Secretary  for the appropriate response via email.

To those who would opt to participate by voting through the Chairman as proxy,  the deadline for submission of proxies will be at 5:00 pm of 4 June 2024 . Those  who are unable to join the meeting via remote communication but wish to vote  on items in the agenda may appoint the Chairman as proxy with specific voting  instructions which will be duly counted. Proxies can be submitted to the Office  of the Corporate Secretary or via email to the aforementioned address. For  individual stockholders, the submission must be accompanied by a copy of a  government issued ID as proof of identification. For corporations, the submission  must be accompanied by a certification from its Corporate Secretary stating the  corporate officer’s authority to represent and sign on behalf of the corporation.  Kindly submit to the Office of the Corporate Secretary the original signed and  notarized documents within a reasonable time after the resumption of regular  business operations. During the meeting, the Company shall entertain questions and comments after  the presentation of the Annual Report. Questions which were not answered  during the meeting shall be forwarded to the Office of the Corporate Secretary  for the appropriate response via email.

For ASM-related queries,email to corpsec@apmciloilo.com or contact the Office  of the Corporate Secretary at 3215748, 09292703169 and 09452331438. For  shareholding concerns, please contact Toni Dinah Cheer D. Fernandez of the  Investor Relations Office at 3215748, 09292703169 and 09452331438 or via  email directly to corpsec@apmciloilo.com

For ASM-related queries,email to corpsec@apmciloilo.com or contact the Office  of the Corporate Secretary at 3215748, 09292703169 and 09452331438. For  shareholding concerns, please contact Toni Dinah Cheer D. Fernandez of the  Investor Relations Office at 3215748, 09292703169 and 09452331438 or via  email directly to corpsec@apmciloilo.com

SGD.

SGD. ANALIE L. GENEROSO Corporate Secretary

(MS-MAY 20 & 21, 2024)

Malls Circuit.

cutting ceremony

(from left) Eustacia Saito, Joseph Reyes,

Recto pushes digitalization to boost revenues

By Darwin G. Amojelar

Recto said with the majority of consumers shifting to the e-commerce market, there is a need for enhanced digitalization efforts and aligning practices with countries with advanced tax collection systems such as South Korea, Singapore and Japan.

LAND Bank of the Philippines said it continues to strengthen its commitment to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) seeking to permanently return home and achieve financial security through its Overseas Filipino Workers Reintegration Program (OFW-RP).

The bank said that as of end-March 2024, it approved P2.68 billion in loans to 1,504 borrowers under the program which is jointly implemented with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

It aims to enable OFWs to pursue business opportunities in the Philippines as an alternative to overseas employment.

Globe, DSWD agree to enhance social services

GLOBE Group said Monday it teamed up with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to bridge the gap between telecommunications, mobile wallets and financial technology with various government social programs.

“Globe’s technology solutions will allow scale, transparency and convenience in providing social services to those who need them most,” said Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu.

“This partnership is crucial in ensuring that through technology advancements, government services can be delivered in a more efficient manner, fostering active citizenship to assist marginalized sectors supported by the DSWD,” he said.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the collaboration amplifies the agency’s capacity to better serve society.

“It stands as a testament to the transformative power of technology in driving social change. Such partnerships are pivotal in bolstering government efforts to provide enhanced social services in our increasingly digital world,” Gatchalian said. Globe, through the Hapag Movement, is joining “Walang Gutom 2027” to address involuntary hunger and improve national food provisions. Hapag Movement is also integrated into the DSWD’s sustainable livelihood program to uplift vulnerable communities through upskilling initiatives.

Other Globe initiatives include network enhancements in DSWD’s areas of influence, and leveraging Globe’s telehealth solution KonsultaMD to improve DSWD’s health services. Darwin G. Amojelar

BUSINESS groups mourned the passing of industrialist Meneleo Carlos Jr. on May 17, 2024 at the age of 95.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) described Carlos as among the country’s pioneer and foremost industrialists who was a champion of national competitiveness.

“He was actively involved in the PCCI’s transportation committee where he successfully led the adoption of the roll-on/roll-off transport system to strengthen connectivity, and with the energy committee where he strongly pushed for energy security and power rate competitiveness as input to economic and industrial competitiveness,” the PCCI said.

Carlos was also one of the earliest and strongest advocates for energy efficiency

“We recognize the significant contributions of our OFWs to the economy, and through this Program, we are providing them access to affordable financing and essential support services. We hope to turn their hardearned savings abroad into thriving businesses here in the Philippines for their families and beneficiaries,” said LandBank president and chief executive Lynette Ortiz.

Under the OFW-RP, eligible OFWs may avail of loans for working capital or acquisition of fixed assets at a minimum amount of P100,000 and up to P2 million for a single proprietor

borrower, and P5 million for a group of OFW borrowers, with a fixed interest rate of 7.5-percent per annum.

The short-term loans under the program are payable up to one year, while the tenor for term loans will be based on cash flow but not to exceed seven years, inclusive of a maximum of two-year grace period on the principal.

The OFW-RP offers funding for a wide range of viable business ventures, including franchises, agricultural and non-agricultural production and marketing endeavors, construction projects, rental services, trading businesses and transportation services, among others.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the digital economy grew 7.7 percent to P2.05 trillion in 2023 from P1.90 trillion in 2022.

This translated into an 8.4-percent contribution to the domestic economy last year.

Recto said to streamline taxpayer records and improve tax collection efficiency, he would meet with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Securities and Exchange Commission and the Bureau of Local Government to establish a comprehensive data-sharing agreement.

The BIR collected P912.9 billion in the first four months of 2024, a 16.3-percent increase from the same period last year.

skills training to the region’s workforce.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ACEN Corp. said Monday it acted as guarantor to the P1.4-billion loan of subsidiary San Carlos Solar Energy Inc. (SACASOL).

SACASOL is the owner and operator of the 45-megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant in San Carlos, Negros Occidental.

ACEN said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it executed a guarantee agreement in favor of lender BDO Unibank Inc. for SACASOL’s loan. Meanwhile, ACEN said it executed a short-term loan agreement with its wholly-owned subsidiary Giga Ace 3

and conservation to manage demand and recognized as one of the brains behind the “Buy Pinoy, Buy Local Movement” to stimulate manufacturing and create more jobs for the Filipino people.

The Management Association of the Philippines-AgriBusiness and Countryside Development (ABCD) Foundation remembers Carlos for his roles in various business organizations, including the Federation of Philippine Industries and PCCI. Carlos joined RI Chemicals in 1955 and became its president in 1980, succeeding his father, Meneleo Carlos Sr. He was also involved in government-led bodies like the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant negotiating panel and the Council of Advisers of Energy Affairs.

Inc. for P436.6 million.

ACEN said the advances to be made to the Giga Ace 3 is part of the group’s cash management optimization.

ACEN announced recently that it was looking at capital expenditures amounting to P72 billion this year to roll out its domestic and international renewable energy portfolio.

It allocated bulk of the capex amounting to P40 billion for its Philippine power businesses.

These local projects include the 283-MW San Marcelino solar project in Zambales, the 300-MW phase 2 of the Palauig solar also in Zambales

and the 335-MW wind power projects in the provinces of Laguna and Quezon.

The company is looking at overall spending of $15 billion to realize its 20-gigawatt (GW) target by 2030.

ACEN has over 3.3 GW of capacity in operations and under commissioning and about 1.5 GW of capacity under construction.

It also signed agreements or won competitive tenders worth over 1 GW of capacity, which effectively surpasses the company’s goal of reaching 5 GW of renewables by 2025, or almost two years ahead of schedule.

BACOOR’S AWARDS. Bacoor Mayor Strike Revilla shows the awards for the National Outstanding Mayor of the Year and National Outstanding Local Government Unit (LGU) for Bacoor City in terms of programs and projects during the Excellent Filipino Awards. The awards were presented at a grand ceremony at Manila Hotel on May 19, 2024 organized by the Saludo Excellence Award and Gawad Sining Film Festival, a renowned award-giving body known for industry leadership over the past six years. Joseph Muego

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto Customs collections grew 6.3 percent in the same period, reaching P295.2 billion.

The government set a revenue collection target of P4.3 trillion this year. The bulk of the tax revenues amounting to P3.05 trillion will be generated by the BIR, while the BOC is expected to contribute P1 trillion. The remainder will come from nontax revenues.

IN BRIEF

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

Converge fuels bid for sustainable development

CONNECTIVITY and information

have never been as strong and dynamic forces as they are today.

Through the power of digital technology, these forces have changed the global economy and individual societies, bringing both positive and negative ripple effects.

That’s why for ICT companies such as Converge, wielding these forces has been a delicate balancing act, ensuring that it adheres to globally recognized development goals, while minimizing the ill effects of rapid spread of technology.

“Today we celebrate World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, with the theme of Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development. This is a theme that

Coca Cola begins can and bottle recycling

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL—After a successful launch in Bacolod, Coca-Cola Philippines and partners celebrated Earth Day by collecting 444.85 kilograms of PET bottles and cans between April 16-21 through the Tindahan Extra Mile (TEM) program during the Panaad sa Negros Festival 2024.

The program empowers sari-sari store owners and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to transform their stores into collection hubs for empty plastic bottles, supporting efforts to curb plastic waste and combat pollution.

Micro-retailers earn points for collecting bottles, which can be redeemed for cashback and products for their businesses.

TEM is a collaboration between Coca-Cola Philippines, Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies, Inc. (BEST) and the Philippine Association of Stores and Carinderia Owners (PASCO). As of May, there are over 3,500 TEM members in the country.

This local effort aligns with The Coca-Cola Company’s global World Without Waste strategy. Globally, the company aims to collect and recycle the equivalent of each bottle and can it sells by 2030, make its primary consumer packaging recyclable by 2025, and use an average of 50% recycled material in its packaging by 2030.

TEM forms an integral part of Coca-Cola Philippines’ consumer engagement program, “May Ikabobote Pa,” designed to educate, inspire, and engage consumers to return their empty bottles and cans for recycling. Through the Coca-Cola Philippines Sustainability Hub, consumers can locate the nearest collection points and discover more about the company’s recycling initiatives.

Converge is more than familiar with, as it has taken strides, or even leaps, to meet its sustainability commitments,” said Benjamin Azada, chief sustainability officer of Converge.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 9, on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure has been at the crosshairs of Converge’s Sustainability Agenda, as the company expanded its pure fiber network across the country. As of March 2024, the Converge homes passed network has reached 16 million homes, and household coverage is at 60 percent.

In 2023, Converge took a leap to fulfill its mission to serve the

unserved and underserved in launching two new products catering to the Filipino masses: Surf2Sawa and BIDA Fiber. These ‘mass market’ products aim to lower a major barrier to entry to access fiber broadband, which is affordability. In so doing, Converge aligns with SDG No. 1, which targets reducing poverty in all its forms.

In a post-pandemic and digitized schooling environment, the fiber broadband connectivity of Converge aids in broadening access to quality education (SDG 4). On a general level, the company also contributes to promoting inclusive and sustainable growth and decent work by enabling access to job opportunities and entrepreneurial resources.

Efforts to stop environment crimes being hampered—UN

GLOBAL efforts to prevent crimes against nature and bring offenders to justice are being hampered by glaring differences in environmental protection laws among countries and regions, UN crime prevention experts said last week.

“Stronger legislation can help deter potential and repeat offenders and expand the range of investigative tools and resources for law enforcement to stop crimes that affect the environment,” said Angela Me, chief of research and analysis at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime

The mangrove area in Barangay Camachile serves as the primary source of livelihood for Samahan Ugnayan sa Pangisdaan ng Orion, Bataan, or Sugpo.

(UNODC), presenting the report. Launched in Vienna, ‘The Landscape of Criminalization’ is Part One of the first-ever Global Analysis of Crimes that Affect the Environment report. UNODC examines how all 193 UN member states define crimes against nature and the punishments

they set for violating environmental laws.

The study covering nine areas of nature-related offenses--deforestation and logging, noise pollution, fishing, waste management, wildlife protection, and pollution of air, soil and waste—established that no less than 85 percent of UN member states criminalize offenses against wildlife.

At least 45 percent of countries impose penalties of four or more years in prison for some environmental offenses, categorizing them as “serious” crimes under the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), a

universally recognized standard.

“Our review shows progress globally in advancing environmental protection laws,” said Angela Me. However, she noted that legislation and enforcement remain uneven, creating “opportunities for criminal groups to exploit gaps in responses.” Wildlife and waste are the areas where most countries (164 and 160, respectively) include at least one related criminal offense in their national legislation. In contrast, soil and noise pollution (99 and 97, respectively) are the areas where the fewest countries have criminal provisions.UN News

Digido volunteers take steps to promote coastal resilience

PROMOTING coastal resilience and biodiversity restoration, employees and management of Digido Finance Corp. (DFC), operator of multi-awarded fintech platforms Digido and UnaCash, planted 1,161 mangroves during its latest environmental, social and governance (ESG) activity in Bataan. Collaborating with Nature Awareness and Conservation Club Inc., over 30 volunteers from DFC took part during the activity in Barangay Camachile, Orion, planting seedlings and propagules from the bakauanlalaki (Rhizophora apiculata), bakauan-babae (Rhizophora mucronata), Bungalon (Avicennia marina) and Pagatpat (Sonneratia alba) species.

The mangrove area in Barangay Camachile serves as the primary source of livelihood for Samahan Ugnayan sa Pangisdaan ng Orion, Bataan (SUGPO), a municipal-wide association of

village-level fishers organizations. Dragonpay and Macrokiosk were among the company’s trusted partners that supported the event through several contributions. Prior to the event, DFC mobilized creative and in-house fundraising efforts to add more mangroves for planting.

Various environmental groups cite the importance of mangroves as they contribute to disaster risk reduction, such as the mitigation of flooding, lessening of storm surges and the protection of coastal communities. Multiple studies also cite mangrove forests’ capacity to store carbon, making them an effective solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change.

Commenting on the initiative, Digido Finance Corp. head of human resources and administration Diane Tinoko said:

More firms are embracing safeguards to protect the planet

FOR centuries, livestock farmers in Aso, Japan, have gathered each spring for one purpose: to set fire to the region’s famed grasslands.

The controlled blazes are designed to chew up dead grass and fertilize the soil, revitalizing a landscape home to several rare plants and animals. But in recent years, the fires have become less common, in part because of concerns they could spiral out of control and damage nearby property.

That is now changing thanks to Japanese insurer MS&AD. Last year, the company began offering liability insurance for Aso’s farmers, giving many the backing they need to resume the springtime burns. “Grasslands are diminishing all over

Every year, governments and private companies spend US$7 trillion on activities that harm nature, leading to problems like deforestation. AFP

Japan,” says MS&AD sustainability expert Hiroko Urashima. “This is a precious ecosystem. We need to take care of it.”

MS&AD is one of the early adopters of a new set of recommendations that help companies chart their environmental footprint and gauge how much their operations rely on the natural world.

The recommendations, developed by the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and supported by the United Nations, can, for example, show banks how much their lending contributes to deforestation or help chart the value of freshwater it siphons from a river. UNEP News

Soil doctors teach remedies to recharge lands, boost farm production

Converge president and co-founder Maria Grace Y. Uy (fifth from left), and chief sustainability officer Benjamin Azada (fourth from left) are behind company initiatives to reduce waste to landfill output, such as the Countdown to Zero waste program.

New P-pop group to debut at ‘Dragons Unleashed’ concert

By Nickie Wang

CELEBRITY makeup artist and talent manager Bambii Fuentes has introduced her latest protégés, a fresh-faced girl group collectively known as Irizz. The group consists of four members: Cary (group leader), Princess (main vocal), Ginger (main rapper), and Wynona (main dancer and vocal).

Their debut single, “Klaro,” is an empowering anthem about strong women achieving their dreams.

“The song is all about strength, equality, and

empowerment,” group leader Cary told Manila Standard Entertainment. “When women believe that they are empowered, they can achieve what they want. They’ll be unstoppable.”

Irizz recognizes the competitive nature of the P-pop scene but approaches it with a positive attitude.

“We understand that comparisons to other groups are inevitable,” Cary said. “But we see it as friendly competition. We don’t compete with them; they inspire us to do our best. We look up to groups like

emerging artists like us.”

“Our goal is to achieve similar success and represent the Philippines on the international stage,” Wynona added. “We also want to use our platform to address relevant issues through our music.”

Irizz will be performing “Klaro” for the first time at the Dragons Unleashed concert on May 22 at the Music Museum in Greenhills.

The concert promises a great lineup, featuring other artists like Shira Tweg, Khai Flores, Christa Jocson, Mira Aquino, Elle Fernandez, RJ Ariar, and Ariz Rodil

Live-action fantasy ‘If’ enchants box office

PARAMOUNT Pictures’ imaginary friend film If debuted atop the North American box office this weekend, taking in an estimated $35.0 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

The John Krasinski -directed family comedy stars Cailey Fleming as a young girl who – along with neighbor Ryan Reynolds – embarks on an adventure to reconnect forgotten made-up playmates with their children.

“This is a good opening for a live-action/ animation hybrid, at above-average levels for the genre,” said analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research, adding the film should “translate in foreign markets and do well abroad.”

The film snatched the top spot from Twentieth Century’s action sci-fi Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes , which dropped to second place with $26.0 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period, still boasting an impressive $101.2 million made since its release earlier this month. In third was new horror film The Strangers: Chapter 1 , at $12.0 million, which follows a young couple terrorized by masked strangers at a remote cabin in an eerie small town.

Fourth place at $8.5 million went to Universal’s action-comedy The Fall Guy Ryan Gosling plays a stuntman working on a film directed by his ex-girlfriend Emily Blunt And in fifth at $2.9 million was tennisbased romance Challengers , starring actor/ singer Zendaya as an athlete-turned-coach, which kept its top-five box office status for a fourth consecutive week. AFP

Geisler Janna Trias will host the show, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Servants of Charity. The event is directed by Vivian Poblete Blancaflor In an interview, Bambii Fuentes expressed her confidence in her new talents and shared her wisdom on achieving longevity in showbiz.

“All of you have the talent and the looks,” she told her artists. “But remember, the most important thing is to have perseverance and patience. Pursue your dreams with unwavering determination.”

The star-studded event will showcase talents managed by Dragon Artists Management, including Jace Eusebio, Ash Carpio, Kisha Garcia, Keinrad Estallo, Ruby Garcia, Lindsay Magsaysay, Rjay Quenvido, Mark Cester, and Shoogar

Special guests for the evening include Ice Seguerra, Laarni Lozada, Lipstick Band, and Peggy

Fuentes emphasizes that talent alone is not enough.

“A good personality and attitude are crucial for lasting success,” she says. “Even with talent, if your attitude isn’t good, it won’t work. Mutual respect is essential for a successful artist-management relationship. That’s the key to a long and fruitful career.”

The Dragons Unleashed concert is more than just a launchpad for these young talents, according to Fuentes,

“It’s a grand showcase.”

How ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’ role landed on Anne

Curtis’ lap

By Angelica Villanueva

She even described her teleserye comeback as “definitely worth it”.

ACTRESS-HOST Anne Curtis has been officially announced as the lead star in the Filipino adaptation of the popular Korean series It’s Okay to Not Be Okay.

It’s Showtime host was thrilled to be back on the small screen as Emilia “Mia” Hernandez – the Filipino counterpart of Seo Yea-ji’s character Ko Moon-young – a decade after her last television project.

When tapped to become one of its cast members, Anne recalled that she had been eyeing the character since she watched the Korean series in 2021 and even called her manager to express her desire to portray Ko Moon-young.

“When they offered this to me, it was an instant yes because I love the original. I couldn’t let it pass. The moment I watched the series in 2021, I called my manager in Viva and asked her if I’ll do a series again, I think I would like to do It’s Okay to Not Be

“I wouldn’t accept a project if I didn’t feel it was worth leaving my family for a little bit to shoot,” she added.

Anne will be portraying the role of a children’s book author with an antisocial personality disorder. She will be joined by Joshua Garcia and Carlo Aquino who will play as siblings Patrick “Patpat” Gonzales and Matthew “Matmat” Gonzales, respectively, who were originally played by Kim Soo-hyun (Moon Gang-tae) and Oh Jung Se (Moon Sang-tae).

The series became a hit during the pandemic in 2021 after focusing on mental health issues. Anne then admitted that as she witnessed Moon-young’s character development, she could somehow see herself in her.

“I love her journey of growth. You see it from the beginning of the episode until the end. You see how she dresses, how she changes her hair, how she speaks and controls her emotions, and how she goes through the process, even her outbursts. I can see myself,” she said.

Given that mental health is the primary focus of the series, the cast is said to be undergoing immersion to fully understand how they can portray their roles.

Anne and Joshua, on the other hand, promised to give their best in giving justice to her role.

“You will see me portraying her [character] with utmost care. I hope this series will break the stigma and raise awareness,” said Anne.

“I think the importance of being emotionally prepared is more important because the story that we will tackle is quite sensitive,” added Joshua.

It’s Okay to Not Be Okay will be helmed by box-office director

Irizz is a girl group under Dragon Artists Management

From left: ‘It’s Okay Not To Be Okay’ cast Carlo Aquino, Anne Curtis, and Joshua Garcia with director Mae Cruz-Alviar

Irizz will be making their debut with their empowering single ‘Klaro’

Actor Ryan Reynolds stars alongside young actress Cailey Fleming in director John Krasinski’s ‘If’

Anne Curtis makes a teleserye comeback as Emilia ‘Mia’ Hernandez in ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

‘Haikyu’ mania sweeps SM Cinemas

ARE you rooting for Karasuno High or Nekoma High? Crows or Cats?

If those questions stump you, you’re obviously out of the loop regarding the current varsity volleyball craze gripping the country, or you’re not one of the countless anime or manga fans who religiously follow the Haikyu series.

Set in the Miyagi prefecture of Northeastern Japan, Haikyu: The Dumpster Battle is the current anime film the kids are all crazy about, turning each SM IMAX screening into a FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) cosplay party. And yes,

one can catch the film at the SM Cinema and Director’s Club, but the IMAX screenings are where it’s truly happening.

Haikyu: The Dumpster Battle follows the latest adventures of our main protagonist, Shoyo Hinata. Inspired to follow the footsteps of his varsity volleyball idol, the Little Giant, Shoyo discovers that joining the Karasuno High volleyball team means he has to bury the hatchet and team up with his middle school nemesis, Tobio Kageyama. With themes and lessons about teamwork, pride, forgiveness, and resolution, we join the journey of the Karasuno High volleyball team through

THE newest Chicha San Chen branch is now open on the ground floor of VMall, Greenhills. Chicha San Chen is a Taiwan-based bubble tea chain with a devoted fanbase because of its authentic tea flavors: The refreshing Green Tea; the robust Black Tea; the aromatic Dong Ding Oolong Tea; the floral Osmanthus Oolong Tea; the spicy-sweet Cassia Black Tea; and the delicately smooth High Mountain Pouchong Tea. The shop’s teas have been awarded what’s referred to by the International Taste Institute, designated as “a product that has gone through a sensory evaluation of each of the above five criteria by professional taste experts” and achieved an average score above 90 percent. The Bubble Milk Tea is a classic with Black Tea, Special Cream, and Bubble. If you want something slightly sweeter, go for the Milk with Brown Sugar Bubble. Oolong-based teas include the Dong Ding Oolong Tea Latte and Honey Osmanthus Oolong Tea. If you prefer Black Tea,based drinks, go for the Cassia Black Tea with Mousse. For fruity drinks, take your S N A P S H O T

It’s more than just a film screening. The exclusive run of this anime film at SM Cinemas has created a vibrant community of Gen Z and Gen Alpha moviegoers. They flock to their favorite SM Supermalls, decked out in full Haikyu gear, ready to transform the movie into an unforgettable party.

From merchandise to IG-ready standees and posters, Haikyu installations have become integral parts of the excitement that’s taken hold of these fans. The long lines for tickets have turned into joyful activities, filled with smiles

TURKS, the top pita wrap brand in the Philippines (now rebranded as T.Co internationally), continues to bring pride to Filipinos in Hong Kong by opening more branches.

Recently, T.Co launched its 4th branch in Mongkok, Hong Kong. During the grand opening, Filipinos who missed the delicious taste of this iconic Filipino snack eagerly lined up to savor once again the flavorful Turks pita wrap. Local Hong Kong residents were also thrilled to experience the renowned pita wrap brand that has been a favorite among Filipinos for nearly two decades. Notable influencers from Hong Kong and the Philippines also graced the occasion. The 5th branch is set to open next month in Causeway Bay, further spreading the joy of Turks’ flavors in Hong Kong.

NEWS is rife that

ABS-CBN is keen on doing a reboot of Dyesebel, and the management is considering Andrea Brillantes to play the title role.

Loyal fans show up to the film’s premiere wearing cosplays of characters from the Karasuno and Nekoma teams

and excited chatter, as fans eagerly await their turn.

The recent National University double championship sweep of the Men’s and Women’s UAAP volleyball tournament and how so much excitement was generated during the game has only added spice to this Haikyu film, and how new fans and followers have taken to the subject matter of this latest Haikyu film series installment.

Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle, a bona fide worldwide hit, is showing exclusively at SM Cinemas. This is your chance to be a part of the trending happy movie date of the season! Whether you’re watching with a loved one, your barkada, or the family, remember your Snack Time favorites. And, of course, your cosplay opportunity.

The best ways to get your tickets are via SM Cinema’s website at www.smcinema.com, downloading a mobile app from the App Store or Play Store, and going to your favorite SM Cinema branch.

In an interview, the 21-year-old actress expressed her excitement about the possibility of doing the project, saying “It would be a big honor!”

Andrea revealed that she even auditioned for the role when she was just four years old, during a previous incarnation of the show on another network.

“I’m a huge fan,” Andrea said.

“That’s why I always engage in free dives. So, if ever I’ll be given the chance, I will do my best.”

Rumors of Andrea landing the iconic role intensified after she revealed she’s learning to scuba dive, a skill essential for the part.

“Honestly, diving is just something I enjoy,” she explained.

“I went with my mom once and loved it ever since. I’m currently working on getting certified as a diver.”

* * * \Dingdong Dantes has renewed his contract with GMA-7, where he has been a prominent figure for nearly three decades. Despite the curiosity surrounding whether he has ever considered

chooses GMA is the fact that his wife Marian Rivera is also a contract artist of the leading network.

“That’s one of the binding reasons. Unlike before when I was younger and I was exploring alone, things changed when I got married. Now, in every decision that I make whether personal or professional, they are always included in the consideration,” he said.

“And I will always be grateful to GMA that I met my wife here. I’m not just here for myself. And GMA being our home network, it makes things more meaningful. I’m simply thankful to GMA for taking very good care of me all these times,” he went on.

Interestingly, in his new contract, will he have the chance to do a grand primetime project with Marian once again?

“Hopefully. We did Rewind and after that, I felt that I missed working with Yan again. Who knows, we’ll be offered a new soap? Let’s just wait and see. If ever, that would be exciting!” ended Dingdong.

Chicha San Chen offers

Fans eagerly

‘Haikyu!!

Dumpster

C4 LIFE

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer

MVery

Wang Nickie Wang

ETRO Manila’s Central Business Districts (CBD) are rapidly changing, with a surge in high-rise developments reflecting a growing trend towards urban convenience. More people are now seeking homes where everything they need – work, play, and daily essentials – is within walking distance.

As the city recovers from the pandemic, economic activity is picking up, and professionals are returning to dynamic lifestyles. Real estate analysts at Colliers note that this recovery is driving demand for high-rise living, which offers unmatched convenience and connectivity.

According to Lamudi, the leading real estate platform, the key draw of these developments is their location. Living in a CBD means being close to work, shops, public transport, and other essential services. This reduces commute times and makes daily life more manageable and enjoyable.

High-rise buildings provide more than just a place to live. Many come with amenities like gyms, pools, and coworking spaces, creating a community atmosphere where residents can connect and thrive.

These developments also promote sustainable living. By reducing the need for long commutes and incorporating green building practices, they help minimize environmental impact.

Young professionals are

on having homes that are

to

and has convenient

and

Living the walkable life High-rise boom meets modern lifestyle needs

Vista Land, the Philippines’ leading integrated property developer, is keenly aware of these shifting demands in housing options. The company constantly ensures its readiness to meet the demand as home buyers pursue a safe and secure home within central business districts. Among the areas that Vista Land has invested efforts in is Makati City.

Recognized as one of the nation’s financially secure urban centers, Makati features lively streets, upscale dining establishments, and a dynamic business landscape. Vista Land offers two exceptional living spaces within this area. One is Laureano di Trevi Towers on Chino Roces Avenue, a short walk from Ayala Avenue, while in the thriving business enclave of Salcedo

amid residential skyscrapers, Ortigas Center is home to vast commercial complexes and towering office buildings.

Two condominium developments in this area – The Currency and The Spectrum – are within walking distance from The Podium and EDSA Shangri-La Plaza. Rising right next to each other, these vertical developments cater to the evolving needs of the city dweller with top-of-the-line amenities that promote work-life balance. The Currency and The Spectrum characterize the best of Vista Land’s community-building concepts. Beyond creating a tranquil sanctuary to come home to at the end of the day, the company designed these with the specific aim of fostering lasting social ties among its residents. Shared spaces such as work and study rooms, gyms, and swimming pools inspire residents towards social interaction as they engage in productive and recreational activities.

Vista Land notes that the recent surge in demand for high-rise developments in CBDs confirms its alignment with the current market trends. The company furthers that as major Philippine companies resume their return-to-office policies, there is increased convenience for home buyers to transition into strategically positioned residences within bustling economic centers. With a portfolio of groundbreaking projects across the Philippines, Vista Land continues to redefine the standards of modern living and create communities that inspire and enrich the lives of its residents. For more information on Vista Residences, visit www. vistaresidences.com.ph follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, or get in touch at (0999) 886 4262 and (0917) 582 5167.

Uniqlo reopens doors in Mall of Asia

By Abigail Adriatico

FASHION brand Uniqlo has recently opened the doors of a new and improved version of its Mall of Asia store along with new collections and a new section featuring its very own in-store cafe last May 15.

Uniqlo SM Mall of Asia General Manager Jami Barra expounded on how the newly renovated store features a bigger space with a total of 3,000 square meters, which nearly doubles its previous size.

“This bigger space aims to showcase the complete lineup of our iconic lifewear pieces and collaborations with both local and global brands and designers. Through this new layout, we also want to make shopping more comfortable for everyone,” said Barra.

The enormous two-floor store’s grand reopening was kicked off by traditional Taiko Drummers providing a festive ambience with their taiko drums. Uniqlo brand ambassadors Sarah GeronimoGuidicelli, Matteo Guidicelli, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, and Kyle Echarri also graced the event while wearing their favorite pieces from the brand.

Alongside the reopening was the release of Uniqlo’s newest collections such as the Disney Mickey Go Philippines, which features the beloved character Mickey Mouse with several iconic symbols from Filipino culture as well as several phrases from the local street culture.

The new Harry Potter UT collection was also revealed along with the brand’s collaborations with local brands and artists such as Auro Chocolate, Manam, Studio Dialogo members Abi Goy, Fran Alvarez, and Liza Flores, and graphic designers Lloyd Zapanta and Aaron Amar

The Mall of Asia branch also unveiled the UTme! custom print service which allows customers to print their designs on Uniqlo t-shirts using their photos or artworks as well as the designs readily available from the brand’s collections.

Apart from the new collections and collaborations, Uniqlo Mall of Asia also opened its corner cafe Uniqlo Coffee. Serving as the second branch of the brand’s corner cafe, the Uniqlo Coffee in Mall of Asia offers a variety of coffee drinks, refreshments, snacks, and

Uniqlo Philippines Chief Operating Officer Geraldine Sia recounted the brand’s journey since it first came to the Philippine market in 2012 as it now has a total of 75 stores in the country.

“We would not have been here without the support of every Filipino who has come to love the brand… as a way of saying thank you to everyone, we will continue to do our best [and] we will continue to evolve with every change in [the] lifestyle of Filipinos…” said Sia. The Uniqlo Mall of Asia store is located on the second and third floor of the Main Mall.

The Currency’s lobby incorporates greenery in its contemporary design to give off a comfortable and cozy feeling

Salcedo Square provides city dwellers with a convenient access to establishments and attractions

Taiko drummers amazes the crowd with the powerful beats of their drums

Uniqlo executives with brand ambassadors during the Uniqlo Mall of Asia grand reopening

Village is Salcedo Square. Up north is Ortigas Center, close to major transport options like the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT). Nestled

The Uniqlo Coffee branch in Mall of Asia offers exclusive drinks like the Passion Fruit Tea and White Fruit Tea