Manila Standard - 2024 May 27 - Monday

‘Aghon’ storms through Bicol

By Rio Nolasco

PAGASA has confirmed that ‘Aghon’ intensified into a severe tropical storm and is forecast to reach typhoon category by tomorrow afternoon and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday.

‘Aghon’ keeps moving northeastward slowly with a maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center and gustiness of 130 km/h. and was tracked as of 5 p.m. yesterday over the coastal waters of Mauban, Quezon.

PAGASA said the storm “will continue to move towards Polillo Islands. The possibility of intensifying into a typhoon while over the sea east of Quezon is not ruled out.”

Vince

continues to bring rains across parts of Luzon and Visayas, including Metro Manila.

Int’l body sustains 2016 arbitral ruling vs. China

THE Department of Foreign Affairs lauded the advisory opinion issued by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), which declared key parts of the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling as “authoritative.”

According to the DFA, the advisory opinion was in response to the request

submitted by the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law in December 2022.

As a state party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Philippines participated in the proceedings in September 2023 to support the call of small island states

for protection against the impact of climate change.

“This bolsters and reinforces the legitimacy of the final and binding 2016 Arbitration Award and its unassailable status as part of the corpus of international law,” the DFA said in a statement.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved a law that will provide the government an accounting of the country’s natural resources. Mr. Marcos signed on May 22 this year, the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS) law which aims to recognize, protect and promote the ecological balance and resilience of the country. Also known as Republic Act No. 11995, the law institutionalizes environmental and economic accounting frameworks that are accepted internationally . Included under the law’s accounting framework is the list of officially designated statistics on the depletion, degradation, and restoration of natural capital; environmental protection expenditures; Marcos cautions public amid ‘Aghon’ onslaught

Senate shakeup may lead to Cha-cha

By

By Vince Lopez

By Vince Lopez

flood waters reached rooftops in barangay Lual in Mauban, Quezon. Pagasa forecasts Aghon to move out of the country on Wednesday. Mae Alsado

By

Lopez PRESIDENT Marcos told Filipinos to keep safe and exercise vigilance as tropical storm ‘Aghon’

BDO disowns letter vs. Meralco

BANCO de Oro (BDO) has denied authorizing a law firm to send a copy of its letter complaint against the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) to a House committee reviewing the franchise extension of the power company.

Committee chairman and Parañaque City 2nd district Rep. Gus Tambunting said on Sunday that BDO Chief Legal Counsel Alvin C. Go stated in a letter that “the bank has not authorized” the Manjares & Manjares law firm to send a copy of its communications with Mer-

alco to the committee.

The committee has been deliberating on proposals calling for a 25-year extension of the power distribution giant’s legislative franchise which will expire in 2028. Some members of the committee

have said that the supposed complaint of BDO against Meralco---if left unresolved--will have a negative effect on the franchise application.

the unauthorized documents pertaining to the complaint.

“As Tropical Storm #AghonPH continues to move across our country, I urge everyone in the affected areas to stay vigilant and prioritize your safety,” Mr. Marcos posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday afternoon.

a lawyer representing a religious organization. They belonged to Cresente Chavez Canada, one of the co-accused in the child abuse case of KOJC leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

Police recovered a diverse range of weaponry such as pistols, rifles, shotguns, and a revolver, among others.

Fourteen pieces of 9mm live ammunition and two CZ pistol magazines were also surrendered. All items are now under the custody of CIDG Davao for proper documentation and disposition.

Francisco expressed his gratitude to KOJC for their cooperation and highlighted the importance of community involvement in the fight against illegal firearms. The recent operation was part of the wider “Oplan Paglalansag Omega” program of PNP-CIDG.

Earlier this May, the camp of the fugitive preacher surrendered five firearms after their licenses were revoked.

Quiboloy has a standing warrant of arrest from law enforcement authorities in both the Philippines and the United States for crimes related to human trafficking and labor violations.

opment unfold in the Senate because the House has already approved the Cha-cha resolution,” he said.

He was referring to Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 7, the House version of the proposed economic constitutional amendments.

The Senate version, RBH No. 6, authored by former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senators Loren Legarda and Juan Edgardo Angara, is still pending in the Senate.

Zubiri stepped down as Senate president and was replaced by Senator Francis Escudero.

Angara resigned as chairman of the special subcommittee hearing RBH No. 6.

On the issue of joint or separate voting on proposed Charter change, Lagman said, “That issue is not resolved in the Constitution. The Constitution is ambiguous. It is possible that issue of joint or separate voting will go to the Supreme Court for a final decision.”

He said the House of Representatives and the Senate have different tasks under the Constitution as a legislature and as a constituent assembly with the power to propose any constit utional amendment.

“The work of Congress is different. Because in Congress, we legislate the law. It is also a different job of the constituent assembly to propose amendments to the Constitution. That’s where we can see the difference. Whether it is joint or separate, I think the debate among us will never end. Our senators and congressmen may reach the Supreme Court,” he said.

But in a forum held in San Juan City last March, Lagman expressed the view that the two chambers of Congress have to meet jointly and vote jointly or as one body on Cha-cha. “They are not making laws, they are exercising constituent powers, the amendment of the Constitution. Today, meeting jointly. Voting jointly or separately? That is a big question that needs to be resolved by the Supreme Court," he said.

In the May 20 letter sent by the Manjares law firm, it reportedly asked Tambunting to “consider the complaint of BDO Unibank… against Meralco in deciding the legislative franchise of Meralco”.

The letter was brought up during the committee hearing last May 21 and was reported in the media.

In response, the bank, through Go, said in a letter dated May 23, 2024 that it is “still investigating” the release of

As such, it said, “BDO finds the urgent need to inform the Honorable Committee that it has no participation whatsoever regarding the preparation or sending of the said letter” of Manjares.

“For the information of the Honorable Committee, the Bank and Meralco are presently engaged in discussions to resolve the issues” and that “these discussions are, in fact, progressing well”.

BDO added that it “prefers to amicably resolve its issues with Meralco through a healthy dialogue”.

Batangas, Marinduque, extreme northern portion of Romblon, the rest of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

“From tomorrow through the remainder of the forecast period, ‘Aghon’ will gradually accelerate northeastward while intensifying,” the state weather bureau noted.

Based on PAGASA’s latest monitoring, the storm is moving towards Baler and Casiguran, Aurora; Tuguegarao City, Cagayan and Basco, Batanes until it reaches east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon.

Tropical Cyclone Wind (TCWS) Signal No. 3 has been hoisted for the eastern section of Quezon (Infanta, Real, Mauban) including Polillo Islands (Panukulan, Burdeos, Patnanungan, and Polillo).

The province of Aurora, parts of Quezon, Laguna, Batangas, eastern and central portions of Rizal, and the northern portion of Camarines Norte are placed under TCWS No. 2. Areas under TCWS No. 1, meanwhile, include parts of Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, the rest of Quezon, rest of Rizal, rest of

“Aghon” made eight landfalls while moving northwestward — May 24 in Homonhon Island, Guiuan, Eastern Samar at 11:20 p.m.; May 25 in Giporlos, Eastern Samar at 12:40 a.m., Basiao Island, Catbalogan City, Samar at 4 a.m., Cagduyong Island, Catbalogan City, Samar at 5 a.m., Batuan, Masbate at 10:20 a.m., Masbate City, Masbate at 10:40 a.m., and Torrijos, Marinduque at 10 p.m., and on May 26 in Lucena City, Quezon at 4:30 a.m.

Heavy rains pounded the Visayas and Southern Luzon, causing flooding in some parts of Samar Island and other areas.

Meanwhile, restoration efforts have kicked off through the instigation of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) along several areas affected by tropical storm Aghon.

The NGCP crew are on top of monitoring activities as well as evaluating its facilities and operations along the storm’s path.

The NGCP said in an advisory that its line crews are in the middle of inspecting its facilities as the 69-kilovolt Pit-

toration of the country’s ecosystems.

pollution and quality of land, air and water; and environmental damages.

The law is expected to support the government’s economic, environmental and health policy development and decision-making. It will also help provide tools and measures that contribute to the protection, conservation and res-

To ensure effective implementation of the law, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Board has been tasked to oversee its implementation.

The PSA Board will direct a relevant interagency committee to assist the body in addressing agency and sectoral concerns that may arise in the development of natural capital accounts.

Under the law, the PSA is ordered to constitute an interagency working

“The Philippines recognizes that advisory opinions are significant contributions to the clarification and development of international law,” the DFA said.

“The Philippines therefore takes this opportunity to reiterate its continuing call for full compliance with the Award,” it added. In 2016, the United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration has rendered an Arbitral Ruling upholding the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea, part of which is continuously being claimed by China through its nine-dash line in the South China Sea. However, Beijing has never recognized the decision.

The DFA said that the Philippines is “diligently studying” the advisory opinion and its implications for the state parties to UNCLOS, “particularly on the duty to protect and preserve the marine environment in the context of greenhouse gas emissions, climate change impacts, and ocean acidification.”

“The Philippines reiterates that the rule of law ensures equity in the global commons and a fair, just, and peaceful multilateral world order,” the DFA statement added. It also invited other countries to join in a constructive dialogue and thorough study of the ITLOS advisory opinion.

Meanwhile, the Philippines on Sunday reiterated its calls for China to “desist from any action that would undermine peace and security in the IndoPacific region.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippine government is seriously concerned over the new China Coast Guard regulations, saying it is a “direct violation of international law” as it cannot be enforced in the high seas.

The department was referring to the

The President said he has directed all relevant government agencies to “work tirelessly in monitoring the situation and providing necessary assistance.”

He noted that food and non-food items, health services and evacuation centers are all being mobilized to support all affected communities.

“Let us all look out for one another, especially the most vulnerable members of our communities. Together, we will get through this storm. Stay safe, and may God bless us all,” President Marcos stated.

GUTTERDEEP.

Vehicles navigate gutter-deep flood waters along Buendia Avenue in Pasay City. PAGASA forecasts more rains today as Aghon intensifies into a typhoon. Danny Pata

In a separate statement, the Philippine Army through its 31st Infantry Battalion and 9th Infantry Division said it is prepared to conduct humanitarian and disaster response missions amid the onslaught of storm ‘Aghon.’

The quick response teams will be under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Joy Villanueva. They have already conducted inspections of rescue equipment, which are ready to be mobilized anytime soon.

The army continues to monitor weather conditions and has been coordinating with local government authorities in evaluating its impact to determine the most effective courses of actions moving forward.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recently responded to a distress call at sea when a motorized banca capsized in the vicinity waters off Penafrañcia, Claveria in Masbate last Friday.

ogo-Mulanay transmission line timed out at 3:15 a.m. This seriously affected the Quezon Electric Cooperative.

The said transmission line, however, soon timed in at 7:22 a.m. the same day.

“Please note that this update pertains only to the status of the transmission network. Localized disturbances may be better addressed by your distribution utility. This also does not include lines exclusively serving directly connected industrial customers,” the NGCP said.

The NGCP also said that specific cities and municipalities affected by the interruption of the transmission facility are best regulated by concerned distribution utilities, “unless the outage affects the entire franchise area.”

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) said it is better able to respond to electricity service interruptions because it’s a round-the-clock service company.

“As a 24-hour service company, we are ready to respond to these types of emergencies. Our crews are on standby to any trouble that may affect our facilities in areas that may be hit by the storm,” said vice president and head of corporate communications Joe Zaldarriaga in a statement.

group to issue the rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of PENCAS within one year from its implementation. The law will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette, or in a newspaper of general circulation

The vessel identified as MBCA Oceanus Uno sailed amid adverse weather conditions and was hit by strong waves.

PCG and members of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) in Aroroy town immediately boarded two rescue boats to provide assistance.

The search and rescue teams were able to save 48 individuals, including all passengers and vessel crew. PCG said they were all in good condition and have been turned over to the Rural Health Unit of Aroroy, Masbate for medical attention.

PAGASA has advised mariners of motor bancas and similarly-sized vessels to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels.

‘Aghon’ is forecast to gradually accelerate northeastward while intensifying. It is projected to reach typhoon category by Tuesday afternoon or evening and may exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Wednesday, according to the state weather bureau.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will assist the PSA in the generation and provision of the National Capital Accounting (NCA) information related to agricultural areas, and fisheries aquatic resources.

“Regulations on Administrative Law Enforcement Procedures for Coast Guard Agencies” that was approved and announced on May 15, and is supposed to take effect on June 15.

Under the new Chinese regulation, the China Coast Guard is authorized to detain those who will illegally enter the waters under its jurisdiction for up to 60 days without trial.

“Every sovereign state has the right to formulate and enact laws, including the enforcement of domestic legislation within its jurisdiction. However, a state’s domestic laws may not be applied and enforced in the territory, maritime zones or jurisdiction of other states, nor violate other sovereign states’ rights and entitlements under international law,” the DFA said in a statement.

“These same domestic laws cannot be applied nor enforced in the high seas under international law,” it added.

According to the DFA, the regulations are issued on the basis of the 2021

The DA will also closely coordinate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) with regards to associated ecosystems. Also playing important roles in the implementation of PENCAS are the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Education (DepEd), the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Department of Finance.

Coast Guard law, which also illegally expanded the maritime law enforcement powers of China’s Coast Guard.

“China would be in direct violation of international law should it enforce these new regulations in the waters and maritime features within the illegal, null and void, and expansive 10-dash line, which would effectively cover areas of the West Philippine Sea, where the Philippines has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, or in the high seas,” the DFA emphasized.

The department also said China “must ensure that its relevant legislation clearly reflect and abide by its commitments and obligations under international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the binding 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea, as well as the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).” Earlier, President Marcos called the policy “unacceptable.”

Angara says old procurement law badly needs major overhaul

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Juan Edgardo Angara has emphasized the need to replace the 21-year-old Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA), which was once lauded as “world-class legislation” by the World Bank.

Angara highlighted the law’s “exploitation by scheming minds” as a reason for the overhaul.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to review and sign Senate Bill No. 2593, known as the “New Government Procurement Act” (NGPA), into law soon. This bill aims to replace the GPRA, originally sponsored by Angara’s father, the late former Senate President Edgardo Angara.

The GPRA has long served as the comprehensive guide for all public fund transactions across the government. However, Angara pointed out the urgency to curb illegal practices and eliminate opportunities for corruption in government transactions. He said the updated law will enhance efficiency, prevent wastage, and boost investor confidence. It will also promote greater competitiveness, efficiency, professionalism, accountability, and sustainability in the government procurement process.

The NGPA introduces new procurement modes to offer greater flexibility for procuring entities. These include competitive dialogue, unsolicited offers with bid matching, direct acquisition, direct sales (pasabuy), and direct procurement for science, technology, and innovation.

DA takes steps to prep against ‘Aghon’ impact

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is taking proactive measures to assist farmers and fishers in preparation for the impact of Tropical Storm Aghon.

The DA has also started gathering information on agricultural areas at risk through situation reports from DA regional field offices (RFOs).

The DA will also maintain close coordination with DOST-PAGASA to monitor the storm’s path and intensity, and collaborate with national and regional disaster risk reduction management (DRRM) offices, along with local government units, to prepare for the storm’s impact

The DA is urging farmers and fishers to take precautionary measures.

TRIPS. Passengers  check their travel schedules at monitor at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on Sunday. The PITX cancelled several trips due to Tropical Storm Aghon. Danny Pata

Farmers were advised to harvest mature crops as soon as possible, utilize available post-harvest facilities for storage to minimize crop loss, and secure seeds, planting materials, other farm inputs, animal feed, and water for livestock to ensure farming activities can resume quickly after the storm. Moreover, the DA urged farmers to move animals, farm machinery, and equipment to higher ground to avoid floodwaters and minimize damage.

Relocated animals have sufficient food and water to prevent additional stress during the storm, the DA added.

The Department, likewise, engaged agriculture stakeholders to clear drainage canals and rice paddies of any obstructions to prevent flooding and protect crops from waterlogging.

On the other hand, fishers were advised to conduct early harvest of fish to minimize post-storm losses and mobilize post-harvest equipment and facilities for processing and storage.

The DA reminded fishermen to secure fishing vessels in safe harbors or higher ground to protect them from strong winds and rough seas, and refrain from venturing out to the seas due to potentially rough sea conditions that could endanger lives and damage boats.

DILG, Ombudsman stand by suspension order against Gov. Umali

THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Office of the Ombudsman said they stand by the six-month preventive suspension against Nueva Ecija Governor Aurelio Umali despite a restraining order. The restraining order was filed on May 22 by the Court of Appeals thru its 11th Division Justices Mary Charlene Hernandez-Azura and Florencio M. Mamauag, Jr. Umali, his wife and ex-Nueva Ecija Governor Czarina Umali and Pro-

vincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Wilfredo Pangilinan were suspended over the alleged issuance of 205 permits for sand and gravel extraction in the province without the requisite Environmental Compliance Certificate or ECC.

Earlier, the House of Representatives, thru House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, also conducted hearings on the illegal quarrying operations in Nueva Ecija allegedly sanctioned by its pro-

vincial government.

Based on the compliance report by DILG Assistant Regional Director Jay E. Timbreza, the Order for Preventive Suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman was received by the DILGCentral Office on May 14.

The first attempt to serve the suspension by the DILG occurred in the afternoon of May 21. It was then twice served in the morning of May 22 in the Office of the Provincial Governor in Cabanatuan as well as in the New Pro-

vincial Capitol in Palayan City. As the governor was supposedly on leave, the Order for Preventive Suspension was served to the capitol’s officials-in-charge who refused the same.

In the resolution issued by the Court of Appeals, Justice Mary Charlene Hernandez-Azura and Justice Florencio Mamauag Jr. granted Umali’s application for TRO partly on the basis of the indispensability of Umali’s office in connection with the delivery of services to his constituents.

Philippine pawnshop pioneer wins Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards

PHILIPPINE pawnshop pioneer

VILLARICA was recognized at the 2024 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, where its “Sure” campaign scored 10 wins, the most for a single campaign from the region’s 29 markets.

Watsons International and Shell Philippines were the most honored organizations, regionally and locally, for their achievements with multiple campaigns at the ceremony held last Friday at Shangri-La The Fort by the world’s premier business award-giving body.

“These awards – and our continued growth after 70 years – prove that providing the best value to our customers is always a winning strategy,” Hailey Villarica-

IN BRIEF

Filipino students can now apply to UWCs

FILIPINO high school students can now apply for senior high school scholarships abroad in one of the United World Colleges (UWCs) in countries like Canada, Japan, Costa Rica, Singapore, India, Germany, and the United States.

The international institution announced that it is looking for the brightest and most talented Filipino students with a minimum age of 16 and a maximum age of 18 years by August 2025. UWC is a global movement that makes education a force to unite people, nations, and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. UWC has a network of 18 international boarding schools called “colleges” on four continents, with volunteer-run national committees in more than 150 countries.

Students are selected based on their potential and motivation to make a difference in today’s world, independent of their socioeconomic means. Over 80% of students selected received partial or full financial support, including all-inclusive coverage of tuition fees, flight costs, room and board, books, exam registration fees, and curricular field trips, among other expenses depending on the student’s financial needs. Samar eyes more tourists in 2nd Ibabao Festival

CATARMAN--The Northern Samar provincial government is upbeat about drawing more visitors to the province through the month-long celebration of the 2nd Ibabao Festival, showcasing its culture, rich history, local products and tourism destination.

Citing their experiences last year, Vice Governor Clarence Datu said the festival was proven effective in inviting tourists to the province as observed by the lone airline operating the Manila-Catarman flights.

“The flights to Catarman have been overbooked. Philippine Airlines (PAL) is planning to add two more flights weekly starting June or July,” Datu told reporters in a press briefing at the provincial capitol here late Sunday. Currently, PAL flies to Catarman from Manila four times weekly using an 86-seater turboprop aircraft every Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Northern Samar provincial tourism officer Josette Doctor said the 1st Ibabao Festival attracted local tourists but this year, there were already foreign travelers taking photos during the float parade on Sunday.

“This is what we want to achieve - to invite not just local tourists, but foreign visitors as well. We hope that more of them will come next year,” Doctor added.

PAF concludes Health and Wellness Fair

THE Philippine Air Force (PAF) two-day Health and Wellness Fair concluded on May 24 at the Villamor Air Base Golf Club with PAF chief Lieutenant General Stephen Parreño, as the guest of honor.

More than a hundred patients, including military personnel, civilian human resources, dependents, and community members, benefited from the free medical and dental consultations, as well as diagnostic and screening services offered at the fair.

The event also featured a symposium on physical and behavioral sciences and occupational health, led by medical experts, doctors, and health practitioners.

Ong, VILLARICA vice president, said.

VILLARICA received three Gold awards (Innovative Achievement in Financial Industries, in Brand Development, and in Organization Recovery), three Silver awards (Innovative Achievement in Customer Satisfaction, in Consumer Product and Service Industries, and for Brand Renovation or Rebranding), and three Bronze awards (Innovative Achievement in Growth, in Sale or Revenue Generation, and in Consumer Products and Services).

After a worldwide public vote, it also earned the People’s Choice Stevie Award for Favorite Company in the Financial Industries.

In closing, the Air Force chief underscored the critical role of health in the daily performance of duties and responsibilities.

He stressed that true excellence is attainable only with a sound mind and a healthy body.

LTGen Parreño extended his gratitude to the organizers, lecturers, healthcare professionals, partner stakeholders, and all participants who contributed to the success of the event. He praised their collective effort in fostering a culture of well-being among PAF personnel and the community they serve.

Vince Lopez

CAR-FREE SUNDAY. Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna and Vice Mayor Yul Servo lead the grand launch of car-free Sundays along Roxas Boulevard on May 26. Both sides of Roxas Boulevard, from Padre Burgos Avenue, near Rizal Park, to Quirino Avenue, will be exclusive for walking, jogging, running, and cycling from 5 am to 9am every Sunday. Norman Cruz

CRISPY OPIA. A pastry maker shows crispy opia, a delicacy from San Juan, Ilocos Sur. Revoli Cortez

MONDAY, MAY 27, 2024

Partnership forged for hemodialysis services

An

IN BRIEF

Brawner leads rites for UP-ROTC cadets

ARMED Forces of the Philippines chief

Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr, on Saturday (May 25) presided at the awarding ceremony for the outgoing cadet officers of University of the Philippines Reserve Officers Training Corps (UP-ROTC).

The event, done in conjunction with the 102nd homecoming of the UP Vanguard, “recognized the dedication, leadership, and exemplary service” of the cadet officers, who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the values and responsibilities of the ROTC.

Brawner, in his keynote address, lauded the cadets for their achievements and underscored the critical role they play in national defense and community service.

“This pivotal moment in your journey became your opportunity to prove your mettle, embracing the core values of honor, duty, and country that have defined the UP Vanguard. As you step forward to receive your commissions, remember that you are part of a legacy. Let these principles be your guiding light,” Brawner said. Vince Lopez

Power firm to recoup lost Orani mangroves

A POWER utility in Mariveles, Bataan has shifted to high gear its five-year mangrove protection and preservation drive with a multi-sector forum held in Orani town.

The event was spearheaded by the GNPower Mariveles Energy Center (GMEC) which is undertaking the P6.8-million mangrove adoption and protection project covering five hectares area in Orani, Bataan for a five-year period.

The affair, dubbed Environmental Forum on Understanding Climate Change and Mangroves was recently conducted by the company in Sitio Pulo, Barangay Kabalutan, Orani as an activity of the project.

Gathered together more than 150 participants, inclung GMEC personnel, representatives of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, school officials, teachers, and students.

The event featured presentations on climate change, mangrove ecology and conservation, threats to mangrove survival, and the benefits people derive the ecosystem. Butch Gunio

PCG rescues 48 in sea mishap off Masbate

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has rescued 48 passengers and crew whose boat capsized amid strong waves while enroute to the island province of Masbate in Bicol region. Report stated that the motorized banca Oceanus Uno keeled over off Brgy. Penafrancia in Claveria town after the sea turned hostile due to inclement weather. PCG elements based in Aroroy, joined by a team from the municipal disaster risk reduction and management office, responded to the accident aboard two water craft.

All the rescued 48 passengers and crew were turned over to the rural health unit in Aroroy for medical assistance.

of

Imee eyes probe on hacking of PNP-FEO website

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Imee Marcos seeks a leg-

islative inquiry on the reported data breach involving the information systems of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO).

Marcos expressed serious concerns over the data breach’s implications on national security, cybersecurity, and the potential misuse of over 1.5 terabytes of compromised personal data.

The senator underscored the alarming nature of the breach, noting that even a police department has become a victim of website hacking.

Marcos said it was unforgivable for the government to repeatedly fail in protecting the public’s personal data.

“The security of every Filipino does not only concern physical threat, but also all aspects of his life,” she said.

The breach reportedly exposed detailed personal information of countless individuals, including names, addresses, birth details, occupations, educational backgrounds, medical records, religious affiliations, and family information. Financial data such as transaction records, payslips, firearm registration statuses, and emails were also leaked. The database reportedly contained 1,562,463 transaction entries, affecting approximately 589,615 individuals.

On May 13, 2024, the PNP said it was looking into a possible breach in its logistics, data, information, and management system. News reports later stated that the PNP-FEO was the latest victim of a major data breach following the incident on their Logistics Data System.

The alleged hacker, known as “ph1ns,” exploited vulnerabilities in the PNP FEO’s online systems, utiliz-

ing inadequate input sanitization and debug mode information to access various servers and retrieve environment variables and database information.

“The recent breach follows a series of cyberattacks on various Philippine government websites, highlighting the urgent need for improved cybersecurity infrastructure and immediate intervention by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT),” Marcos stressed.

The incident was part of a broader trend of cyberattacks on Philippine government websites, including those of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the House of Representatives.

SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATION. Members of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Bontoc Emergency Response Team, joined by volunteers, have launched an intensified search and rescue operation for Veneizah Atiwag, 13, a student from Sitio Karunga, Tocucan, Bontoc in Mountain Province.

Bill will create agri-smuggling task force, special court—Villar

SENATOR Cynthia Villar says a bill passed recently by the Senate will strengthen government measures to curb agricultural smuggling.

Villar said the measure will create an Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Task Force directly under the control and supervision of the Office of the President to give more teeth to the law against smuggling of rice and other agricultural products.

The bill, called Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, will also establish an Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Court under the jurisdiction of the Court of Tax Appeals, and a special team of prosecutors from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to expedite the disposition of agri-economic sabotage cases.

“The measure intends to repeal Republic Act No. 10845, or the ‘Anti-Agricultural

Smuggling Act’ and introduce several nefarious acts other than smuggling, such as, hoarding, profiteering, cartel of agricultural and fisheries products,” said Villar, principal author and sponsor of the bill.

Despite the existing law being in place for seven years, Villar pointed out that no one has been jailed for smuggling rice and other agricultural goods. She expressed optimism that the new legislation will address the suffering of Filipino farmers and consumers caused by corruption.

The Senate passed Senate Bill No. 2432, also known as the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, last December. President Marcos has certified the bill as urgent, underscoring its importance. On March 20, 2024, both Houses of Congress held a bicameral conference to finalize the bill. Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Rio N. Araja

THE governmentrun East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) and the privately owned Passion Healthcare Philippines Inc. (PHPI) have forged a partnership for the seamless delivery of hemodialysis services to treat underprivileged patients afflicted with chronic kidney disease.

The collaboration was made possible through the initiative of Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo.

“We want to assure disadvantaged patients convenient access to adequate and continuous hemodialysis treatment services during high demand,” Rillo said.

“We do not want patients in wheelchairs lining up for hours waiting for hemodialysis appointment slots to open up,” he emphasized.

Under the accord, individuals referred by the EAMC to the PHPI for hemodialysis treatment would receive financial support from the government’s Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program.

Filipinos living with chronic kidney disease usually require hemodialysis treatment two to three times every week with each session lasting for four hours.

Rillo raised alarm that chronic kidney disease is among the leading cause of sickness and death in the Philippines.

AGRI party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee is batting for the passage of his bill to institutionalize no-balancing billing in hospitals for “quality, affordable and compassionate health-care services.”

LEE stressed that illness should not cost the livelihood of a patient.

“No one should lose their livelihood or be further buried in poverty because of illness,” he said.

No-balance billing is a government policy implemented through the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. that guarantees that no fees or expenses shall be charged or paid by the qualified members seeking urgent medical care in accredited hospitals.

Under Lee’s House Bill No. 10245 or the No-Balance Billing Act, Filipinos are empowered to seek hospital care without any financial worries, improving health outcomes, and promoting equity in access to healthcare services.

The measure aims to ensure protection of financially unstable and disadvantaged patients from excessive medical expenses and promote expansion of the law to accommodate more people and health-care services. HB 10245 provides that no balance billing policy should also cover all other membership types of the program who will avail of the maternity care and new-born care packages.

Despite the enactment of Republic Act 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act, coverage gaps and high out-of-pocket expenses continue to make Filipinos afraid of getting sick as they fear sinking further into poverty due to their inability to afford medical treatment or hospital expenses, Lee noted. Rio N. Araja

TIME-HONORED HANDICRAFT. Buri weavers of San Juan, Ilocos Sur show their craft of adorable bags and hats, a traditional source of livelihood unchanged by modern technology. Revoli Cortez

PYROTECHNICS.

explosion

fireworks lit the night sky over the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City during the 11th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition, with the world’s most skilled pyrotechnicians from the Netherlands, Portugal, China, South Korea, Australia, Belgium, Germany, and Great Britain trying to outdo one another. Danny Pata

OPINION

Always expect the unexpected

IN THE unique politics of the benighted land, where political systems are easily manipulated and institutions are dysfunctional, always expect the unexpected.

Bubulaga ang mga pangyayari, unless of course you are part of the unexpected. (My apologies to friend Joey de Leon for using his trademark “bulaga”).

Last week’s beheading in the Senate is another instance of this history of surprises.

In the run-up to the mid-terms of 2025, expect more surprises in the next few months.

Even with just the shake-up in the Senate leadership, the personalities leading to 2028 have changed as well.

Where before it was Sara of the solid South as indisputable first claimant to the presidency she bequeathed to Marcos of the solid North, a neophyte senator who replays his broadcast popularity in the halls of the chamber has been stealing the singular thunder over the reigning presidential heiress.

Where this time two years back the populace hailed the “Uniteam” as sign of happy days being here again, now that marriage of convenience is broke. Perhaps this was not entirely unexpected, except that it is happening too soon.

Underneath all this history of the unexpected is the promotion of personal ambition and economic interests, the first having many conspirators, the second having permanent interests.

Political and economic interests, but for very rare moments in our history, always end up feeding upon each other.

They say that the speakership of the HoR is a waiting casket for the presidency. Mitra, de Venecia, Villar -- all of them faltered. But in pre-war years, this was not the case.

Osmena was speaker before he became Quezon’s vice-president, and when the latter died, he became president. Roxas was Speaker of the House too, yet after the war, he was elected president of the Third Republic.

Only after the martial law episode did HoR speakers seek the presidency, and failed. Will the current speaker, first cousin to the president, buck the pre-martial law “regla” and revive the pre-war trend?

Will this be another “unexpected”?

Media personalities began to hug the political limelight with the late Eddie Ilarde in the 70s, followed by Orly Mercado in the 80s, then Loren Legarda in the 90s and Noli de Castro by the turn of the century. Only VP Noli went higher than senator. Tinsel town’s entry into national politics began with Rogelio de la Rosa, followed by Joseph Estrada, who became president until removed by a coup following a botched impeachment trial.

FPJ almost made it, but for Hello Garci

of GMA. Tito Sotto rose to become Senate President but failed to win as vice-president in 2022.

Until Chiz Escudero’s feat of legerdemain occurred last week, never had a son or daughter of Bicolandia reached the third perch in the political hierarchy, although one zoomed to the vice-presidency yet lost in her bid for the presidency.

No Senate President had achieved Numero Uno since Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Those who tried, faltered. But can Escudero buck the “regla”?

One who runs for president and loses gets no second chance, or so the “regla” goes.

Remember Roco, Miriam and Lacson. But are losers for vice-president exempt from this rule? Let us see if Heart’s Chiz has what it takes.

No Senate President had achieved Numero Uno since Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Those who tried, faltered. But can Escudero buck the ‘regla’?

Mar Roxas lost the vice-presidency by a whisker to Jojo Binay in 2010, and six years later, both of them lost to the first mayor, from Davao at that, in the presidential race. Still, the original Manuel A. Roxas was removed from the speakership by his political patron, the legendary MLQ. But in his own words, he “landed in the arms of the people.”

Can Juan Miguel Zubiri, the son of an Ilonggo transported to Bukidnon, follow the Ilonggo Pres. Roxas and land in the esteem of the people come 2028?

“Are there any more?” Then congressman Edmundito Reyes of Marinduque, my “kinakapatid,” asked when scrounging for votes to impeach GMA. Will any winners in 2025 capture the imagination of the public as to be considered for the top two posts come 2028, other than Inday Sara, Raffy Tulfo, Imee Marcos, Martin Romualdez, Migs Zubiri and Chiz Escudero?

As always, we should be in constant watch for the unexpected, just as in January of 2015, someone from left field, a foul-mouthed mayor from the deep South, began his “impossible” quest through a “listening tour” in my family’s events place in Butuan City and from there proceeded to become president of the land.

The imperative

of Nutrition in Patient Recovery

GOOD nutrition is a fundamental pillar of health and wellbeing.

It plays a crucial role in patient recovery, contributing significantly to the healing process. The Department of Health Administrative Order 2019-0033 outlines the Nutrition Care Process, a systematic approach to providing high-quality nutrition care, which is essential in disease prevention, treatment, and management.

Nutrition is integral to patient recovery for several reasons.

First, it aids in healing. Proper nutrition provides the body with the necessary vitamins and minerals that are essential for the repair and regeneration of tissues. Second, it helps reduce the risk of infections. A well-nourished body has a stronger immune system, enabling it to fight off infections more effectively.

Last, good nutrition helps maintain weight and strength, which are vital for recovery and overall health.

However, despite its importance, patient nutrition is often neglected in clinical settings.

Many patients face a decline in nutritional status during their hospital stay, including those who were adequately nourished upon admission.

This underscores the need for a systematic approach to nutrition care, such as the Nutrition Care Process.

In a recent roundtable discussion titled “Strengthening Nutrition Integration in the Health System: Evaluating the Nutrition Care Process in the Philippines,” co-organized by the Stratbase Institute and Universal Health Care Watch, health experts unanimously agreed on the importance of

House passes divorce bill

AFTER weeks of plenary debates, the bill allowing absolute divorce in the Philippines has been approved by the House of Representatives.

This is a welcome development, but will the Senate pass it as well?

House Bill 9349, or the Absolute Divorce Act, sponsored by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, calls for a fourth mode of terminating what he described as “irreparably broken or dysfunctional” marriages in the country.

The three other modes allowed under the Family Code are canonical dissolution, annulment and legal separation.

If enacted into law, the bill would actually reinstate divorce in the country, since it was legal during the American colonial era and then abolished during the Japanese occupation.

According to Lagman, absolute divorce would allow estranged couples a second chance at marital bliss.

He argued while the Family Code states that a marriage is supposed to be a permanent union, “permanence here is

not doctrinal. It is a standard or a norm because that permanence accepts exceptions even under the Family Code.”

HB 9349 would prohibit “no-fault divorces,” or cases where couples would collude to avail themselves of the remedy.

It is also designed not to be exploited for “Las Vegas (style), notarial, email and drive-through” divorces which are allowed in other countries, particularly in the United States.

If enacted into law, the bill would actually reinstate divorce in the country, since it was legal during the American colonial era and then abolished during the Japanese occupation

The draft measure would offer divorce as an alternative mode for the “dissolution of an irreparably broken or dysfunctional marriage under limited grounds

IN AN era where global uncertainties persist and the pressures on domestic policies intensify, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez stands as a beacon of decisive leadership and visionary governance.

The recent accomplishments of the House of Representatives under his stewardship reflect not just a commitment to immediate national needs, but a robust strategy for long-term peace and economic resilience.

Romualdez’s announcement marking the end of the second regular session of Congress was a momentous one, laden with significant legislative triumphs.

At the heart of his mission was a dual focus: fortifying national security and catalyzing economic transformation. These are not just political soundbites but are concrete initiatives with far-reaching impacts.

Guardians pf sovereignty, security

The House’s approach to national security has been comprehensive, recognizing the inseparable link between sovereignty and independence.

With House Bill 9713, or the “Philippine Self-Reliant Defense Posture Program Act,” Romualdez has pushed for a self-reliant defense infrastructure.

This legislation is a masterstroke, ensuring the Philippines can independently secure its territorial integrity against external threats.

Romualdez’s emphasis on enhancing military capabilities and diplomatic strategies underscores a nuanced understanding of geopolitical dynamics.

In a region fraught with tensions, these measures are not only timely but essential.

providing adequate nutrition to hospitalized patients to expedite their recovery, thereby reducing the duration of hospital stays and overall healthcare costs.

The forum brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including officials from the Department of Health, the Board of Nutrition and Dietetics of the Professional Regulation Commission, healthcare professionals, academics, civil society organizations, and patient advocates.

A law enforcing the Nutrition Care Process would ensure all patients...will receive adequate nutrition care as a standard protocol towards improving patient outcomes, reduced hospital stays, and lower healthcare costs

Mr. Rupert Paul Manhit. Chief Operating Officer of the Stratbase Group, in his opening remarks cited a June 2023 Pulse Asia survey that revealed health and avoiding illness is the most urgent personal concern of 67 percent of Filipinos. “Nutritional status is critical in attaining

The protection of sovereignty through strengthened defense mechanisms reflects a foresighted leadership that prioritizes national security above all. Economic Renaissance

Equally commendable are the strides made in economic reforms.

The passage of the Ease of Paying Taxes Act, now Republic Act 11976, is a testament to the House’s commitment to fiscal modernization.

By digitizing processes and expanding the tax base, the Philippines has seen a remarkable 17-percent rise in revenue collections—a clear indicator of effective

economic security. At the basic level, poverty is one of the most significant causes of under-nutrition, exacerbated by the upward trend of food inflation in 2024.” Manhit said.

Dr. Emmie Liza Perez-Chiong, DOH Undersecretary for Health Regulation and Facility Development, emphasized the mandate of the Nutrition and Dietetics Law, which requires the provision of medical nutrition therapy to patients through the Nutrition Care Process.

According to the protocols stipulated in DOH Administrative Order 2019-0033, patients should undergo nutrition screening by registered nurses upon admission and those requiring nutrition therapy are then referred for assessment by a registered nutritionist-dietitian.

Virgith Buena, Chairperson of the PRC’s Board of Nutrition and Dietetics, underscored the pivotal role of RNDs in assessing patients’ nutritional needs.

“RNDs have a broader concept of wellness, plus the prevention and treatment of

and well-defined judicial procedures.”

It also aims to “save the children from the pain, stress and agony consequent to their parents’ marital clashes or irreconcilable differences and grant the divorced spouses the right to marry again for another chance to achieve marital bliss.”

The House bill points out that “the option of absolute divorce is a pro-woman legislation because in most cases, it is the wife who is entitled to a divorce as a liberation from an abusive relationship and to help her regain dignity and selfesteem.”

The bill also provides for a “60-day cooling-off period” after the filing of a divorce petition to leave the door open for “a final attempt at reconciliation” between the spouses.

The grounds for absolute divorce adopt those applied to legal separation and annulment, and also include other forms of domestic abuse. The bill also sets a prescription period of 10 years from the discovery of the ground for divorce.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate committee on women, has expressed hope her colleagues would support this measure: “It’s time to give a second chance at love and life to Filipino women, men, children and families who need it.”

We agree completely.

Romualdez’s legislative triumphs

governance. Moreover, the Maharlika Investment Fund Act of 2023 (RA 11954) is poised to attract high-impact investments, driving economic growth and creating jobs.

This initiative is crucial for fostering a stable and prosperous economic environment, making the Philippines an attractive destination for global investors.

Infrastructure backbone of progress

The Build Better More Program exemplifies Romualdez’s dedication to infrastructure development, a critical pillar for sustained economic growth.

By removing financial barriers and addressing learning gaps, Romualdez is paving the way for an educated and empowered populace

Securing funding and legislative support for projects like the unified national grid enhances connectivity and competitiveness across the archipelago.

This integrated approach not only boosts economic activities but also ensures that the benefits of development reach even the remotest areas.

Housng. Health care et al.

Romualdez’s commitment to social welfare is evident in the legislative actions aimed at providing decent housing, better education, and quality jobs.

The overwhelming passage of the National Housing Authority Act (HB 10172) and the Rental Housing Subsidy Program Act (HB 9506) addresses the urgent need for affordable housing.

These measures are lifelines for the underprivileged, offering them stability and a chance for a better life.

In healthcare, the approval of the Regional Specialty Centers Act (RA 11959) and the Caregivers’ Welfare Act (RA

conditions by using food as medicine,” Buena explained.

However, implementation challenges were raised such as insufficient management support, inadequate training, resource and staffing constraints, communication gaps, and redundancy with other healthcare professionals.

Dr. Jose Rodolfo Dimaano Jr. of the Abbott Center for Malnutrition Solutions emphasized the need for collaboration among different healthcare professionals and how the private sector could assist in generating data to support decision-makers.

“We believe that nutrition is, of course, a human right. So, it is the right of every patient in the hospital to be given or administered a nutritional intervention,” Dr. Dimaano said.

Dr. Aguedo “Troy” Gepte IV, author of a policy paper commissioned by the Stratbase Institute evaluating the integration of NCP within the Philippine healthcare framework, raised the need for a law to ensure

11965) highlights a strategic focus on accessible and specialized medical care. These laws ensure that healthcare services are not just concentrated in urban centers but are available to regions across the country.

Education reforms, including the No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act (RA 11984) and the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program Act (HB 8210), demonstrate a forwardthinking approach to nurturing the nation’s human capital. By removing financial barriers and addressing learning gaps, Romualdez is paving the way for an educated and empowered populace.

Environmental stewardship In an era of escalating climate crises, Romualdez’s legislative measures on renewable energy and environmental protection are both timely and visionary. The Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Industry Development Act (HB 8456) and the National Water Resources Act (HB 9663) reflect a commitment to sustainable development and disaster preparedness. These laws are crucial for building a resilient and environmentally conscious nation.

Comprehensive governance Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez’s leadership embodies a holistic approach to governance. His legislative accomplishments are not merely words on paper but are transformative measures aimed at improving the lives of every Filipino.

From national security and economic reforms to social welfare and environmental sustainability, Romualdez’s vision is clear and compelling: a secure, prosperous, and just society for all.

As we reflect on these achievements, it is evident Romualdez has set a high bar for what effective and compassionate leadership looks like. His efforts resonate with Franklin D. Roosevelt’s words, “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.”

With Romualdez at the helm, the future of the Philippines appears not just promising, but profoundly inspiring.

implementation and institutionalize a more comprehensive strategy for educational programs and interdisciplinary cooperation.

Dr. Gabrielle Ann Dela Paz https://www. facebook.com/groups/119352242018806/Tolang, Chief of the Policy, Planning, and Program Development Division at the DOH Health Facility Development Bureau, explained that the NCP should be considered an investment rather than an added expense. It has the potential to decrease patients’ admission time and hospitalization costs, thereby alleviating congestion in hospitals. The concept of “food as medicine” underscores the importance of integrating nutrition in healthcare as essential for wellbeing and can serve as a therapeutic tool in maintaining health and treating diseases.

A law enforcing the Nutrition Care Process would ensure all patients, regardless of their financial status, will receive adequate nutrition care as a standard protocol towards improving patient outcomes, reduced hospital stays, and lower healthcare costs.

Israel warplanes pound Rafah

RAFAH, Palestinian Territories – Israeli warplanes and artillery pounded Rafah, after the government dismissed an order by the top UN court to halt its military offensive in the southern Gaza city.

At the same time, questions remained over the resumption of truce talks despite renewed international efforts aimed at securing a prisoner-hostage exchange and ceasefire in the war sparked by Palestinian militant group Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel.

An Israeli official said Saturday the gov-

ernment had an “intention” to restart stalled negotiations over the coming days.

But a senior member of Hamas later told Al Jazeera he had not been “informed of anything by the mediators in this context”.

In a case brought by South Africa alleging the Israeli military operation amounts to “genocide”, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to halt its Rafah offensive, and demanded the release of hostages and the “unhindered provision” of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

The Hague-based ICJ, whose orders are legally binding but lack direct enforcement mechanisms, also instructed Israel to keep open the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza, after Israel’s seizure of the Palestinian side earlier this month effectively shut it.

IN BRIEF

13.

and no action was taken by the defendant bank, assuming for the sake of argument that the loan remained unpaid after the lapse of the term or period to pay.

14. Plaintiffs are constrained to file this complaint for the removal of the annotation or encumbrance pursuant to existing laws and jurisprudence. The Supreme Court in the “In Re Petition for Cancellation of Encumbrances on TCT Nos. 22120 and 22121, Registry of Deeds of Nueva Ecija. Nicanor T. Santos, petitioner-appellant”1.said that: “That ruling implies that the issue of whether the foreclosure of the mortgage has already prescribed should first be determined in a separate action before the annotation of the mortgage encumbrance can be cancelled by the Court of First Instance under section 112 of Act No. 496 (See Abustan vs. Ferrer and Golez, 120 Phil. 1281).”

15. Hence, the filing of this case by the plaintiffs is necessary and condition precedent before the annotation of the mortgage encumbrance can be cancelled. PRAYER WHEREFORE, in view of the foregoing, it is most respectfully prayed unto this Honorable Court that judgment be rendered in favor of the Plaintiffs Spouses Jose Antonio F. Kierulf and Cristina R. Kierulf, after due notice, publication (if needed) and hearing, by ordering the Register of Deeds for the City of Quezon to cancel the annotation or encumbrance with “Entry No. 5844/T ---- MORTGAGE In Favor of BATAAN FINANCING CORP. To guarantee a principal obligation in the sum of P175,000.00 xxx” on the ground of payment and prescription. All other reliefs just and equitable under the foregoing are likewise prayed for by the plaintiffs. Quezon City, May 30, 2023 SAMARITA MANALOTO & SANTIAGO LAW OFFICES Counsel for Plaintiffs Spouses Jose Antonio F. Kierulf and Cristina R. Kierulf Unit 5215 Spazio Bernardo Condominium Champaca St., Sauyo, Quezon City 1116, Metro Manila Telefax No. (632) 8921-4635 Mobile Phone No. 0922-3218869 Email address: samaritalawoffice@gmail.com By: (Sgd.) ROBERT H. SAMARITA PTR No. 4007249/01-05-23/Q.C. IBP No. 270049/01-05-23/RSM Roll No. 50388, Page 78, Book XXI MCLE Compliance No. VII-0014959/04-06-22 VERIFICATION & CERTIFICATION WE, SPOUSES JOSE ANTONIO and CRISTINA KIERULF, after having been duly sworn to in accordance with law, hereby depose and state that:

1. We are the petitioners in the instant case;

2. We have caused the preparation of the foregoing Petition for cancellation of mortgage;

3. We have read the allegations in the abovementioned petition and the contents thereof are true according to our personal knowledge and authentic records in our possession. The filing of this Petition is not intended to harass, cause unnecessary delay, or needlessly increase the cost of litigation;

4. We have not heretofore commenced any action or filed any claim involving the same issues in any court, tribunal or quasi-judicial agency and, to the best of our knowledge, no such other action or claim is pending therein;

5. If we should hereafter learn that the same is or similar action has been filed or is pending, we shall report that fact to this Court within five (5) days therefrom.

6. We have executed this verification and certification to attest to the truth of the foregoing and in compliance with the requirements

CALL FOR RELEASE.

ROTC Games Visayan leg begins; swimming, raiders’ tilt make debut

BACOLOD—The 2nd Philippine Reserve Officers Training Corps Games’ opening and Visayan qualifying leg get into full swing on Monday in separate venues, with swimming and raiders competition events making their debut in the meet for sports-inclined school cadets.

A must skill for every able-bodied soldier, swimming will have final events in the men’s and women’s division at the Victorias City Aquatic Center in the neighboring Victorias City, a 30-minute drive north of the Negros Occidental capital. Events on tap are 200-meter individual medley, 100-meter freestyle, 50-meter butterfly, 50-meter backstroke and 200-meter breaststroke in the competition backed by the Department of National Defense, Commissioner on Higher Education, and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Making its maiden appearance at the Carlos Hilado Memorial State University campus grounds is the raiders competition, an obstacle course-like race, which is familiar to those who undergo boot camp training by Army, Air Force and Navy recruits and enlisted personnel.

Aside from the two debuting disciplines, also scheduled are taekwondo, boxing and sepak takraw, table tennis

Metro Manila, provincial stops for BEST Center

THE pioneering BEST Center (Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training Center) enters a busy mid-year with 11 provincial stops on top of two basketball and volleyball clinics in Metro Manila. The Ateneo College covered courts in Quezon City will host its Saturdaysonly basketball clinic starting June 1. Levels 1,2,3, and Preparatory (5-8 years old) will have classes from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon; Levels 1 (11-years old and above), 2, and 4 will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Classes at the Malate Catholic School Gym in Manila will be held on June 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26 (Monday-Wednesday-Friday).

Basketball for Levels 1 and 2 (9-11 years old ) and Preparatory Class (5-8 years old) will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, while volleyball classes are offered from 8:30 to 12 noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Clinics in the provinces are set from (Basketball) June 3-8 in Pagadian, June 10-15 in Iloilo, June 17-22 in Bacolod, June 17-22 in Lucena City; June 24-29 in Davao City, July 1-6 in Cagayan de Oro, July 1-6 in Roxas City, July 8-13 in San Fernando City, July 15-20 in Urdaneta City, July 15-20 in Zamboanga City, and July 22-27 in Baguio City.

Volleyball clinics are set June 3-8 in Iloilo, and June 17-22 in Lucena City. The BEST Center, sponsored by MILO, Chris Sports, and SKLZ, is a recipient of the Olympism Award from the Philippine Olympic Committee

and is a Philippine Sportswriters

and taekwondo in the meet also supported by the Negros Occidental provincial government led by Gov. Eugenio Lacson and the Bacolod City government of Mayor Albee Benitez.

During the colorful opening ceremony held Sunday at the Panaad Sports Complex and Park, CHED Executive Director Atty. Cinderella Filipina Benitez-Jaro noted the growing support for the Philippine ROTC Games that drew nearly 2,000 athletes from the three major military services.

“From seven sports we now have 14 disciplines and while from 700 athletes in the Visayan leg last year, we have close to 2,000 athletes, a sign of the growing popularity and interest in the Philippine ROTC Games,” Jaro pointed out.

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that TRICONTI SOUTHWIND CORPORATION is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOl) as Renewable Energy Developer of Wind Energy Resources (600.000 MW Guimaras Strait Wind Power Project) in Offshore of Negros Occidental to avail of the incentives under R.A. No. 9513, otherwise known as the Renewable Energy Act of 2008.

Any person with valid objection/s on the above-mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) RAQUEL B. ECHAGUE Director Resource-Based Industries Service

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Branch 223, Quezon City

JULIETA P. PAGARIGAN Plaintiff, - versus - CIVIL CASE NO. R-QZN-14-03900-CV

EVELYN C. URBINA, Defendant. x-------------------------------------------------x NOTICE OF SALE ON EXECUTION OF REAL PROPERTY WHEREAS, by virtue of the Writ of Execution dated 22 October 2018, issued by the Hon. CARIDAD M. WALSELUTERO, Presiding Judge of this Court, through Atty. Beryl R. Vergara, Branch Clerk of Court, in the above-entitled case wherein JULIETA P. PAGARIGAN is the plaintiff and EVELYN C. URBINA is the defendant in the suit for recovery of sum of money with prayer for attachment which was adjudged to be in the sum of SEVEN HUNDRED ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT and 50/100 (PhP701,588.50), Philippine Currency, levy was made by Sheriff Eduardo P. Pelaez on December 1, 2014, thru the Register of Deeds of Calamba City, on the rights, interests, and participation of Defendant Evelyn C. Urbina in the real property more particularly described as follows: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-712942

“A parcel of land (Lot 5, Blk. 3 of the subd. plan, Psd-043404076473, being a portion of Lot 11-C (LRC) Psd-36, LRC Rec. No.), situated in the Brgy. of Pulo, Mun. of Cabuyao, Prov. of Laguna. Bounded on the SW., along line 1-2 by Lot 6; on the NW., along line 2-3 by Lot 3, both of Blk 3; on the NE., along lines 3-4-5 by Road Lot 2; and on the SE., along line 5-1 by Lot 7, Blk. 3, all of the subd. plan. Beginning at a point marked “1” on plan, being S. 10 deg. 45’E, 4147.16m. from BLLM. No. 1, Mun. of Cabuyao, Laguna. Thence-N.18 deg. 43’W., 12.00m. to point 2; N. 71 deg. 08’E., 19.68m. to point 3; S. 18 deg. 01’E., 12.00m. to point 4; S. 71 deg. 08’W., 19.53m. to point of beginning, containing an area of TWO HUNDRED THIRTY FIVE (235) SQUARE METERS xxx” WHEREAS, the above-described property was sold to a third party, particularly JRL Endaya, Inc., after the Notice of Levy of Attachment was inscribed on Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-712942, and that such inscription was carried over to the new title issued in favor of JRL Endaya, Inc., Transfer Certificate of Title No. 060-2015001722, particularly described as follows: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 060-2015001722

“A PARCEL OF LAND (LOT 5, BLK. 3 OF THE SUBD. PLAN,

PSD-043404-076473, BEING A PORTION OF LOT 11-C (LRC)

PSD-36, LRC REC. NO.), SITUATED IN THE BRGY. OF PULO, MUN. OF CABUYAO, PROV. OF LAGUNA. BOUNDED ON THE SW., ALONG LINE 1-2 BY LOT 6; ON THE NW., ALONG LINE 2-3 BY LOT 3, BOTH OF BLK 3; ON THE NE., ALONG LINES 3-4-5 BY ROAD LOT 2; AND ON THE SE., ALONG LINE 5-1 BY LOT 7, BLK. 3, ALL OF THE SUBD. PLAN. BEGINNING AT A POINT MARKED “1” ON PLAN, BEING S. 10 DEG. 45’E., 4147.16 M. FROM BLLM. NO. 1, MUN. OF CABUYAO, LAGUNA. THENCE N.18 DEG. 43’W., 12.00M. TO POINT 2; N. 71 DEG. 08’E., 19.68 M. TO POINT 3; S. 18 DEG. 01’E., 12.00 M. TO POINT 4; S. 71 DEG. 08’W., 19.53 M. TO POINT OF BEGINNING, CONTAINING AN AREA OF TWO HUNDRED THIRTY FIVE (235) SQUARE METERS xxx” WHEREAS, in the Order dated February 9, 2023, and upon motion of the plaintiff, the Honorable Court directed the implementation of the Writ of Execution dated October 22, 2018 over TCT No. 060-2015001722; WHEREAS, in the Order dated May 5, 2023,

(POC)

Association (PSA) Hall-of-Fame awardee.

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, the ‘father’ of Philippine ROTC Games, (fifth from left) is shown after formally declaring the Visayan qualifying leg open at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. Joining Tolentino are (second from left): Maj. Gen. Joel Alejandro Nacnac, CHMSU, Dr. Norberto Mangulabnan; PSC Commissioner Bong Coo, Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, Sen. Tolentino, Defense Undersecretary Pablo Lorenzo, CHED executive director Atty. Cinderella Filipina Benitez-Jaro and Defense Assistant Secretary Henry Robinson Jr.

MONDAY, MAY 27, 2024

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Fil-Am Bossong makes semis of NCAA 1 800-m

By Peter Atencio

FIL-AMERICAN Victoria Bossong

ran a faster time of two minutes and 2.05 seconds on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) to reach the semifinals of the US NCAA Division 1 Track and Field Championships.

The 21-year-old Bossong, a Philippine national team aspirant studying at Harvard University, shaved almost two seconds off her preliminaryround clocking in the quarterfinals, to place fourth in the first heat.

This put Bossong behind heat 2 top qualifier, Hayley Kitching of Penn State University, along with second and third qualifiers, Aniya Mosley of Ohio State, and Duke University’s Lauren Tolbert. Kitching, Mosley and Tolbert were the first three qualifiers in their heat, with clockings of 2:01.43, 2:01.52 and 2:01.98, respectively.

“With tactical races, positioning myself and making smart moves are the keys,” said Bossong on her experience in joining the Kentucky meet.

Overall, Bossong was ninth from among a total of 12 qualifiers, Among the top qualifiers is Paris Olympics-bound Micaela Rose of Louisiana State University, who led in 1:59.05.

Behind Rose were Clemson’s Gladys Chepngetch (1:59.81) and Harvard teammate Sophia Gorrarian (2:00.65).

Perpetual completes 4-peat, bags 14th overall volley title

By Dennis Abrina

THE Perpetual Help Altas Spikers formally sealed their fourth straight title after winning Game 2 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99 men’s volleyball championship on Sunday, defeating the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals in three sets, 25-14, 25-22, 29-27 at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City.

Multi-titled coach Sinfronio ‘Sammy’ Acaylar and his Altas tossers did not give the Generals a chance to extend the series to a Game 3 with the solid three-set triumph. It was the 14th NCAA volleyball title of the Altas under the mentorship of Acaylar in the men’s division since he

held the coaching post in 1985. Acaylar has also recorded the most titles in the men’s division since the NCAA was established in 1925. The win reaffirmed the status of Perpetual Help as a dominant volleyball force with a good sports program, with its numerous titles in the men’s,

women’s, junior boys and girls divisions as proof. The Perpetual Junior Altas Girls also won the Volleyball Fiesta as they beat the Arellano University Lady Braves in a best-of-three finals to claim the season 99 crown. Louie Ramirez was hailed as the league’s 2nd Best Outside Spiker and back-to-back season Most Valuable Player, while Jeff Marapoc was named Finals MVP.

The Rookie of the Year and 1st Outside Hitter awards went to Axel Van Book of San Beda University, while Freshman of the Year was Jun Edang of Lyceum of the Philippines University. Adjudged as 1st Middle Blocker was Vince Himzon of Letran, 2nd Middle Blocker was KC Andrade, while Best Opposite Spiker was Ruther Abor of

Vietnam sweeps Pool B, Kazakhstan gets last semis spot

PETR Lukosz seeks to turn back the hands of time as he aims for a second full IRONMAN Philippines victory in three years, leading a diverse mix of international contenders in the Century Tuna IM Philippines set to fire off on June 9 at Subic Bay Boardwalk. Lukosz defied overwhelming odds, including a stellar field and the intense heat, to win the grueling 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42.2km marathon in 2022. He became the first triathlete to cross an IRONMAN finish line in Asia post-pandemic, breaching the 10-hour barrier with a remarkable 09:52:34 clocking.

Despite falling short in his age-group category in the recent IRONMAN 70.3 in Cebu, the Czech corporate executive remains the triathlete to watch in the upcoming full-distance edition of the premier endurance race organized by The IRONMAN Group. The IRONMAN Philippines has attracted 369 bidders from 44 countries, promising another thrilling and exciting competition that has characterized the first three editions of the event that requires not just power, speed and stamina but also mental toughness. The host country is fielding in 147 entries, led by athletes such as Jemuel Clemente, who finished 13th overall in last year’s edition won by Dutch Erik

VIETNAM completed a four-game sweep to top Pool B while Kazakhstan grabbed the last spot of semifinal in the last day of the preliminary round of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup for Women on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The defending champion Vietnamese outplayed Indonesia, 25-17, 25-15, 25-27, 25-13, behind outside hitter Vi Thi Nhu Quynh’s 23 attacks, two service points and a block and Tran Tu Linh’s 10 points to lead a remarkable 4-0 win-loss record.

“The coaching staff used a different rotation today. It is to ensure everyone is involved and ensure everyone is ready to go when the time comes,” Quynh, the Vietnamese team captain, said.

“Before every match, the coaching staff looks at the opposition and has different tactics for each opposition. I’m sure that the coaching staff will do the same thing in scouting the opposition

and make sure that we have the best possible formation.”

Indonesia finished with a 1-3 slate.

Kazakhstan blasted Hong Kong, 25-17, 25-18, 25-4, to improve to 3-1 slate in Pool B that bagged the last final four spot of the event backed by Meralco, PLDT, Smart, Akari, AyalaLand, Nuvali, Foton, POC, PSC, Mikasa, Senoh, Asics, Maynilad, Makati Shangri-La, Rebisco, Cignal, OneSports, OneSports+ and PilipinasLive.

Sana Anarkulova fired 19 kills, got two blocks and a service ace while Zhanna Syroyeshkina had 16 points, 10 on attacks, five on service points and a block in the weeklong competition hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) headed by President Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

“This is [a] very serious game. It’s the last chance [for us] to go to [the] semifinal. We understood this, and we need to win. Just win,” Anarkulova said.

fielding 10 athletes.

Meanwhile, August Benedicto headlines the field in the 11th IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay, looking to build on his inspiring victory in the 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run event in Cebu in 2022.

However, the veteran campaigner faces a more challenging competition this year, with strong contenders from 37 other countries aiming to spoil the locals’ bid in the event held to promote a culture of health and fitness, engaging people of all ages and backgrounds. Registration is ongoing. For details, visit www. ironman.com/im-philippines-register.

Subic Bay, known for its scenic backdrop, wellmaintained and wide highways, and incredible spectator energy, has become a sporting haven for athletes around the globe. The venue has been kept in championship condition year-round, guaranteeing another challenging competition in both the full IRONMAN and IM 70.3 races.

Vietnam is fielding in 24 entries in IM 70.3, while Great Britain and Japan each have 13 participants, and Thailand has nine.

Aside from the individual and age-group competitions, the IM 70.3 race also features a relay event, with 41 teams already registered.

Emilio Aguinaldo College.

Bim Diones also of EAC was selected as Best Libero, while the Best Setter award went to Adrian Villados of Arellano University.

“Finally, we finished the series in Game 2. It was a team effort para makuha namin ito and so I thank all my teammates for this,” Ramirez said. Marapoc topscored in Game 2 with 18 points (15 in attacks and 3 service aces), while Ramirez contributed 14 points and Kobe Tabuga had 13 points. Jan Ruther Abor of the EAC Generals tallied a team-high 22 points.

“Ito po ang best gift ko sa alma mater ko, sa Perpetual Community -give them a championship before we leave and graduate kasama si Michael Medalla, JC Enarciso, Philip Pepito and Paul Teodoro,” Ramirez added.

ALL but one of the six players are set to defend their titles in their respective age-group categories as the ICTSI JPGT Luzon Series 2 resumes tomorrow (Tuesday) at the posh Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club in Lubao, Pampanga. Adding to the excitement in the premier 15-18 division, a pair of seasoned international competitors will join the title chase, promising an engaging and competitive tournament.

Meanwhile, the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. is closely monitoring the weather conditions due to Typhoon Aghon, saying the decision regarding whether to proceed with or postpone the JPGT Pradera Verde tournament will be made by 11 a.m. today (Monday, May 27) based on the morning weather report from PAGASA.

Maurysse Abalos and Ryuji Suzuki, who secured victories in contrasting styles in the 8-10 class during the circuit’s kickoff leg at Splendido Taal two weeks ago, are back in pursuit of consecutive championships. Abalos will face new challengers Georgina Handog, Mavis Espedido and Amiya Tablac, while Lily Agamata aims to improve on her fourth-place finish from the first leg.

The Perpetual Help Altas Spikers nailed a historic 4th consecutive title and 14th overall crown after defeating the EAC Generals in Game 2 of their NCAA Season 99 Men’s Volleyball Championship showdown. Dennis Abrina van der Linden. Other notable

Victoria Bossong

Maurysse Abalos

Petr Lukosz

Vi Thi Nhu Quynh of Vietnam delivers a kill.

SteelAsia plans to sell up to 40% stake to fund P65-b investments

By Othel V. Campos

STEEL Asia

Manufacturing Corp.

is looking to bring in investors as it gears up for a massive P65-billion expansion program, executive vice president Rafael Hidalgo said over the weekend.

Hidalgo said to fund the expansion plan for new product lines, the company is willing to sell a minority stake, potentially reaching up to 40

P65 billion

billion

By Jenni er B. Austria

HONG KONG-BASED First Pacific Co.

Ltd., which is in talks with businessman Leandro Leviste for possible sale of its controlling stake in Roxas Holdings Inc. (RHI), will likely remain a shareholder in the sugar and ethanol firm. First Pacific managing director Manuel Pangilinan told reporters in a recent interview the conglomerate would only get diluted in RHI, with Leviste’s group eventually taking control of the company.

“We will likely get diluted,” Pangilinan said when asked whether First Pacific would sell its entire stake in RHI to Leviste.

RHI’s major shareholders First Pacific Natural Resources Holdings BV (FPNR BV) and First Agri Holdings Corp. (FAHC) signed non-binding term sheet agreement with Levisteled Countryside Investments Holdings Corp. (CIHC) last week.

FPNR (BV) and FAHC, whollyowned subsidiaries of First Pacific, collectively own 62.89 percent of outstanding capital of Roxas Holdings.

The term sheet sets out, among others, indicative key terms and conditions for the proposed subscription by CIHC to RHI primary shares in tranches.

The investment agreed is expected to be completed by May 31, 2024.

To avoid market speculation, Roxas Holdings sought a nine-day trading suspension of its shares, which started on May 20.

percent of total ownership.

“We are open to new investors coming in. Majority ownership should remain with SteeAsia. A [local] steel company should always be Filipinoowned,” he said.

Hidalgo, however, remained tightlipped about potential investors, revealing that discussions were ongoing with several interested parties, including a Filipino consortium.

The expansion will be funded through a combination of investor equity and loans, he said.

Half of the targeted investments will go to Candelaria Works in Quezon province where a facility to manufacture heavy sections is

expected to rise, requiring P30 billion in capital outlay.

The P65-billion investment package also includes the construction of a dedicated pipeline for medium section which will be housed at the 500,000-metric-ton (MT) Lemery Works in Batangas; a rebar plant in Concepcion, Tarlac with a 1.2 billion MT rolling capacity; a wire rod facility with a capacity of 500,000 MT; and the Davao Meltshop which can produce 500,000 MT of billets.

Hidalgo said the Lemery plant secured financing through a mix of equity and loans secured from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and

the Philippine Business Bank.

The expansion will double the company’s production capacity to 6 million MT annually from 3 million MT and increase the availability of locally-manufactured steel to 70 percent.

The company is aiming to finalize the investment deal within the next 12 months.

NatSteel Holdings Pte Ltd of Singapore had a 40-percent stake in SteelAsia in 1996, but the shares were sold to the Tata Group of India.

SteelAsia reacquired full control of the company after the Indian Tata Group divested its shares in Southeast Asia in 2010.

PHILIPPINE Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) chairman and CEO

Alejandro Tengco lauded Bloomberry Resorts Corp. for its latest luxury development, the Solaire Resort North, calling it an instant landmark destination.

Tengco said at the formal opening of the second Solaire-branded leisure and entertainment property in Metro Manila that it “marks a new era not only for the Philippine gaming industry but also for the tourism industry.”

“This will definitely become a leisure and entertainment destination in this part of Metro Manila,” he added.

Situated on a 1.5-hectare site, Solaire

Resort North is the first and only five-star integrated resort and casino serving northern Metro Manila and adjacent provinces.

Tengco acknowledged the significant efforts made by Bloomberry to bring the project to life.

“This jewel wasn’t created overnight. It took years of meticulous planning, hundreds if not thousands of workers, and immense resources to bring us this development that’s in a class of its own,” he said.

Tengco said Solaire Resort North has instantly set a high bar, becoming the benchmark for future integrated resorts.

“For this, we owe our gratitude to

the vision and unwavering determination of Mr. Ricky Razon and his entire team,” he said.

“PAGCOR, like Bloomberry Resorts Corp., is continually inspired by the hard work and commitment of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to pursue projects like Solaire Resort North so we can provide more jobs and better opportunities for Filipinos, especially those in tourism and leisure,” he said.

President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos led the Solaire Resort North inauguration. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte also attended the event.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) said it paused the evaluation process for the Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) project after San Miguel Corp. decided to drop the project over environmental concerns.

“We wrote the SMC Infrastructure on the reported withdrawal or abandonment of the project. Up to this time, we have not received an official communication from SMC Infra,” TRB executive director Alvin Carullo said.

“It [PAREX] is already in the final engineering design stage. Because of the recent developments, the board deferred the deadline of submission of

GARECO opens P600-m palm oil refinery in Mindanao

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) underscored the potential for regional growth and massive employment opportunities for locals with the inauguration of Mindanao’s P600-million palm oil refinery.

“The establishment of the first palm oil refinery in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region underscores the immense potential for growth and development within the palm oil sector. This embodies the aspiration of the industry stakeholders to become a dynamic, innovative, and self-sufficient industry that provides benefits and stable supply of vegetable oils for the country,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. SOCCSKSARGEN refers to a region in Mindanao that groups South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City.

Owned and managed by the Garcia Refinery Corp. (GARECO), the refinery project teamed up with 63 farmers to manage 3,065 hectares of farm land planted to oil palm trees.

Adding to the current 14,000 hectares of oil palm plantation in Sultan Kudarat, the entry of GARECO into palm refining increases the potential supply of palm oil nuts.

Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) administrator Dexter Buted said the refinery could spur further development of the palm oil industry in the Philippines.

The project, with funding from the LandBank of the Philippines, is expected to produce high-quality palm oil derivatives such as palm olein, palm stearin, margarine and other products for local and international markets.

The refinery, registered as a new project, is expected to get six years of tax breaks from the Board of Investments (BOI). Othel V. Campos

FED for six months,” he said.

Carullo said San Miguel has six months from March to send official communications to the TRB.

“If the TRB will receive the official communications, then we will give the proper report to the board,” he said.

“If they [San Miguel] will be the one to unilaterally withdraw, there are no financial obligations of the government. But if the government itself will be the one to terminate, there will be legal consequences, and it includes monetary consequence,” he said.

“Technically,

BUKIDNON TOURISM. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco tries the razorback at the Dahilayan Adventure Park in Bukidnon province as part of the Philippine Experience Program (PEP) Northern Mindanao leg.

SOLAIRE NORTH OPENING. PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco lauds Bloomberry Resorts Corporation for the second Solaire-branded leisure and entertainment property in Metro Manila. With them are (from left) Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairman and chief executive Alejandro Tengco, Bloomberry Resorts Corp. chairman and chief executive Enrique Razon Jr., Lizzy Razon and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte.

LABOR TALKS. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma (right) meets with the o cials and members of Nexperia Philippines Workers’ Union at the DOLE headquarters on May 20, 2024. The members, led by union president Mary Ann Castillo, sought the department’s help to resolve the ongoing temporary mass layo in their workplace.

PH stocks seen trading sideways this week

PHILIPPINE stocks are expected to trade sideways with a downward bias this week following the hawkish stance by the US Federal Reserve and as the peso stays above the 58 against the US dollar level.

Online brokerage firm 2TradeAsia. com said lingering concerns on the macroeconomic environment due to inflation risks and further delay in interest rate cuts are big factors causing market volatility.

“The PSEi [Philippine Stock Exchange index] remains range-bound around the 6,400 to 6,800 band, with macro downside risks preventing any propulsion towards the medium-term resistance of 6,800,” 2TradeAsia.com said.

“Bountiful speculation should provide opportunities to range trade, albeit recent headlines have tilted to the downside That being said, the best entry point is the point of maximum pessimism,” it said.

It said mid-year expectations were shifting because of changes in macro-environment brought about by weakening of the peso against the dollar, sticky inflation and likelihood of La Nina.

The bellwether PSEi traded nearly flat last week, rising only by 0.02 percent to close at 6,619.89, while the broader all-shares index moved 0.02 percent to 3,523.49.

Average daily turnover declined to P6.35 billion from the previous week’s level of P9.58 billion.

Foreign investors were net sellers last week by P511 million, after the previous week’s net buying of P2.8 billion. Jenniffer B. Austria

Aboitiz pushes excellence

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ABOITIZ Power Corp. is pushing for a “center of excellence” to hone the workforce skills needed to support the growth of the energy sector, an executive said.

AboitizPower president and chief executive Emmanuel Rubio said people—competent analysts, project managers, business developers, modelers—are the most valuable resource in organization.

Rubio said the energy workforce is a very limited resource amid a competitive global and local market for talent.

Rubio, speaking in a breakout panel during the recent 2024 IndoPacific Business Forum, said each country should tap into their competitive advantage, then have the region work together to further maximize the benefits for all members.

The panel recognized that developing and retaining a skilled workforce for the clean energy transition is a universal challenge that require collaborative efforts.

“If we really would like to move forward, one of the things that we can consider is developing centers of excellence in different countries,” he said.

“Maybe Thailand can specialize in one area [and so can] the Philippines, Indonesia, [and so on and so forth]. Maybe that’s something we can actually consider in terms of regional cooperation. Talent is critical,” Rubio said.

Megaworld to build Batangas golf estate

By Jenniffer B. Austria

MEGAWORLD

Corp. said over the weekend its integrated tourism and township subsidiary is spending P5 billion over the next 10 years to develop a beach and golf estate in Lian, Batangas.

Megaworld said in a statement Global-Estate Resorts Inc. (GERI) is developing the 150-hectare beachside property called Lialto Beach and Golf Estates.

Lialto Beach and Golf Estates is envisioned as a sprawling integrated lifestyle community sitting on a highland and featuring sweeping views of the sea

and nearby islands.

The beach and golf estate will consist of a residential village, a world-class 18hole golf course, a beach clubhouse featuring an iconic 20-meter-tall lighthouse, landscaped gardens and a nearly one-kilometer coastline that includes a beach area

The residential village will offer prime lots with sizes ranging from 300 square meters up to 1,200 square meters.

A major highlight of the development will be the exclusive beach clubhouse by the shore. It will also have a modern, resort-inspired amenities including swimming pools with cabanas and lounge areas, changing rooms, children’s playground, a multi-purpose covered court, outdoor tennis court, yoga area, pocket parks and open spaces and a viewing deck overlooking the horizon.

“We designed this development for people who want to be surrounded by the beautiful vistas of the beach and the sea, while also enjoying an unparal-

leled golf lifestyle. Whether you dream of raising your family in a healthy and sustainable environment, retiring and enjoying an active and engaging community, or simply investing in a place where you can grow and enjoy your future, this development promises to be a very special place for years to come,” said Megaworld Global-Estate Inc. vice president of sales and marketing Javier Romeo Abustan.

Lialto Beach and Golf Estates will be lined up with solar-powered streetlights and adopt a mangrove area along the beach to become the community’s protected marine sanctuary.

The property is about 2.5 hours away from Metro Manila and 45 minutes from Tagaytay City. From the central business districts of Makati or Taguig, it can be accessed via the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) and the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) leading to the Calatagan-Lian Highway.

WASHINGTON, United States—Billionaire tech

mogul Elon Musk has told investors he plans to build a supercomputer dubbed “gigafactory of compute” to support the development of his artificial intelligence startup xAI, an industry news outlet reported Saturday.

Musk wants the supercomputer—which will string together 100,000 Nvidia chips—operational by fall 2025, and “will hold himself personally responsible for delivering it on time,” The Information said.

The planned supercomputer would be “at least four times the size of the biggest GPU clusters that

exist today,” such as those used by Meta to train its AI models, Musk was quoted as saying during a presentation to investors this month.

Since OpenAi’s generative AI tool ChatGPT exploded on the scene in 2022, the technology has been an area of fierce competition between tech giants Microsoft and Google, as well as Meta and start-ups like Anthropic and Stability AI.

Musk is one of the world’s few investors with deep enough pockets to compete with OpenAI, Google or Meta on AI.

xAI is developing a chatbot named Grok, which can access social media platform X, the

HEALTHWAY Cancer Care Hospital (HCCH), the country’s first dedicated cancer care facility and the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO) joined forces to advance initiatives aimed at promoting universal access to healthcare and allied services.

Their collaborative efforts will prioritize and elevate patient care and health outcomes, specifically focusing on those with cancer.

HCCH, established by Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc. (AC Health) and the Healthway Medical Network, aims to provide accessible and quality cancer services to more Filipinos.

PAPO, a coalition of patient organizations, advocates for meaningful reform in three fundamental areas to improve the quality of healthcare in the

HARD Rock Café Manila and Hard Rock Café Makati teamed up with Island Rescue Organization (IRO), a Cebu-based non-profit, non-government organization dedicated to helping the plight of abandoned and rescued animals.

Hard Rock Café donated over P40,000 from its recent Hearts and Tails Campaign to the IRO facility to help pursue the organization’s three pillars—rescue, education and advocacy.

Hard Rock Cafe Philippines joined the worldwide initiative where participating branches were asked to develop an activation plan for animal rescue and welfare. It chose IRO to be its beneficiary and recipient of the cash prize.

“There are so many animals around the world suffering from neglect. Every animal deserves a home where they will be provided with food, water, medical care and where they will be nurtured by loving human presence,” Hard Rock Café Philippines director for operations Brian Peck said.

“We, at Hard Rock Café in the Philippines, have various advocacies including animal welfare. We do our best to make a difference in the world whenever and however we can,” he said. IRO, founded in 2010, is committed to re-homing animals into loving families and to finding innovative ways to promote long-term solutions to lessen the population of stray dogs and cats.

“Witnessing the heartwarming collaboration between Hard Rock Cafe team in the Philippines and Island Rescue Organization in Cebu is truly a testament to the power of kindness and compassion,” said IRO president and founder Annalyn Aizpuru,.

“Their generous donation not only demonstrates their commitment to helping those in need, but also serves as a beacon of hope for a brighter future where all creatures can thrive. Stray animals live the worst kind of lives on the planet. Every minute, these creatures struggle for their lives. If we can adopt, we will be able to provide a loving home for these animals,” Aizpuru said.

former Twitter which is also owned by Musk, in real time.

Musk cofounded OpenAI in 2015 but left in 2018, later saying he was uncomfortable with the profit-driven direction the company was taking under the stewardship of CEO Sam Altman.

He filed a lawsuit against the company in March, accusing it of breaking its original non-profit mission to make AI research available to all.

OpenAI argues that Musk’s lawsuit, as well as his embrace of open source development, is little more than a case of sour grapes after leaving the company. AFPP

country—respect for patient’s rights, universal healthcare, and participation in health policymaking, which includes cancer control policies.

“PAPO is pleased to partner with Healthway Cancer Care Hospital, the first of its kind in the Philippines and which aims to elevate cancer care for Filipino patients. Our partnership is more than just about treatment but includes the entire continuum of care— from prevention through disease awareness and health literacy, to diagnostics and screening, to treatment, recovery and quality of life care,” said PAPO president Karen Alparce-Villanueva. She said PAPO supports HCCH’s desire to offer the most affordable rates in order to ease the out-of-pocket expenses of patients.

“Through this partnership, we aim to elevate patient-centered care and support for cancer patients and their families; forge a stronger alliance between patient organizations and healthcare providers to tackle cancer challenges; empower the public with increased awareness and knowledge about cancer prevention, treatment, and support, and advocate for a more supportive policy landscape that prioritizes cancer care and patient rights in the Philippines,” said HCCH medical director. Dr. Manuel Francisco Roxas. The HCCH and PAPO partnership will focus on four key areas: comprehensive cancer care services, hospice and palliative care, patient advocacy groups and health literacy and patient safety.

Jamille Ferrer (left), Hard Rock Café PH marketing manager (The Bistro Group) and Annalyn Aizpuru, Island Rescue Organization (IRO) founder, visit the IRO Cebu facility. Hard Rock Café Manila

from Healthway Cancer Care Hospital (HCCH), the country’s first dedicated cancer care facility, and the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO), sign a memorandum of agreement in Taguig City.

BUSINESS

Meralco upgrades electric service in Marikina City

MANILA Electric Co. (Meralco) said over the weekend it ramped up its preventive maintenance and upgrading activities in Marikina City to further improve the quality and delivery of electricity service in the area.

Part of the series of proactive maintenance activities of the power distributor in the city involves the upgrading of two pole-mounted transformers from 10 kilovolt-amperes (kVA) to 50 kVA along Tangerine Street in SSS Village, Concepcion II. The project is intended to improve the efficiency, reliability, and safety of the power system.

“Meralco has been proactively conducting various maintenance activities across our franchise area to continuously improve the quality and reliability of our electricity service,” Meralco first vice president and head of networks Froilan Savet said.

Meralco said it continuously invests in the improvement of its distribution system to ensure the delivery of safe, stable, and reliable electricity service to its customers.

Meralco is the largest electric power distribution company and the largest private sector utility in the Philippines.

It provides electric service within its franchise coverage through a consolidated certificate of public convenience and necessity, Its subsidiaries are engaged in engineering and consulting, construction, bills payments and other electricity- related services. A subsidiary is in the process of developing the company’s power generation portfolio.

MAINTENANCE.

of two

(kVA) to

Cebu proposes creative district, seeks to attract P10-b investments

By Othel V. Campos

Cebu City is eyeing a P10-billion investment for its creative district.

The Cebu City Creative District project, led by the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), aims to attract significant investments and generate substantial revenues for the city.

“The Cebu City Creative District has the potential to be a game-chang-

er for Cebu’s economy. We are confident that with the right partnerships and investments, this project will solidify Ce bu City’s position as a premier creative destination in Southeast Asia,” said CPDO assistant department head Anne Marie Cuizon.

The global creative industry is a massive market, generating $90 billion annually. With the Cebu City Creative District, the CPDO aims to generate P30 billion revenues annually by 2030.

The district, envisioned as a mixeduse development spanning 40 to 60 hectares, will be built through pub-

lic-private partnerships (PPP). The CPDO is actively seeking investors to participate in the project.

The project will not only attract investment but also foster a collaborative environment for creative businesses, the CPDO said.

Companies focused on filmmaking, entertainment, cultural arts, design, and architecture are prime targets.

“Cebu already has a strong fashion sector, but currently lacks a central hub for these industries to work together and flourish. The district aims to bridge this gap by creating a space where creative minds can connect and

Napocor bidding out 4 clusters of power hybridization program

By Alena Mae S. Flores

STATE-RUN National Power Corp.

(Napocor) is looking at bidding out four clusters under the Accelerated Hybridization Program (AHP), an initiative to fast-track the establishment of renewable energy (RE) sources in off-grid areas by May to June, 2024.

“We made an innovative structure, so they are doing the line-by-line review of the bidding documents and the terms of reference. Hopefully it becomes approved soon, and we are able to bid it out by end of May or June,” Napocor president and chief executive Fernando Martin Roxas said.

AHP, a first of its kind for missionary areas, will allow the entry of the private sector to put up RE generation plants or facilities to supplement, aug-

ment or replace the existing capacities in the operations of Napocor’s Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) diesel power plants.

Roxas said the test case bidding structure involves four clusters—Tawi Tawi, Batanes, Bicol and El Nido in Palawan.

“So, that’s about four out of the 23 clusters ng SPUG power plants. So, if this is successful, we will think about applying it to the rest of other power plants,” Roxas said.

He said the mode of hybridization in the area, whether a combination of solar, wind or other technologies and diesel, depends on the interested bidders.

“We will pay them by energy generated. It’s a 20-year contract. NPC is the off-taker and we will pay for the energy delivered to our switchyard,” Roxas said.

Ancillary services crucial to grid stability, frequency regulation, says NGCP

drive innovation,” said Cuizon.

The creative district also plans to offer enhanced services and amenities to attract visitors, presenting additional investment opportunities in tourism-related businesses.

The CPDO will register the project with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) for potential tax incentives.

The CPDO started engaging potential investors and held presentations to international organizations with connections to investors in the creative sector. It also submitted proposals to various stakeholders.

Google, DTI 4A team up to offer digital training

THE Department of Trade and Industry Region 4-A (DTI Region 4-A) teamed up with Google Philippines to launch the simultaneous hybrid set-up DTI x Google Career Certificate Program (GCCP) to provide digital training and reskilling initiatives to Filipinos.

The DTI and Google Philippines seek to develop a digitally skilled workforce. The program attracted 97,500 applications with 833 endorsements from the region. Through the GCCP, 5,778 learners were equipped with enhanced digital skills, resulting in 22,084 enrollments.

AS are necessary to support the transmission of capacity and energy from resources to loads while maintaining reliable grid operation.

NGCP, as the power system operator, is responsible for determining, acquiring, and dispatching the needed AS levels.

POWER grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said it recognizes the need for ancillary services for frequency regulation and maintaining balance in the grid amid the ongoing red and yellow alerts. Reserves, commonly referred to as AS, are services needed to maintain balance in the power system to ensure normal frequency and voltage levels in response to demand changes, variability of renewable energy, and possible loss of a large generating unit.

Mali, Russia start work on 200-MW solar power plant in West Africa

DAKAR, Senegal—Mali and Russia on Friday launched the construction of the largest solar power plant in West Africa, Malian Energy Minister Bintou Camara said on national television.

It comes as the country continues to be plagued by electricity supply problems with only half of the population having access to electricity.

The power station, “the first (in terms of size) in the country and even in the sub-region... will greatly reduce the electricity shortage currently affecting our country,” Camara told Malian TV station ORTM.

Grigory Nazarov, director of Novawind, the Russian company in charge of the construction -- said it is expected to increase the Mali’s elec-

“We need ancillary services...The fluctuation in the use of electricity, NGCP has to address that so we won’t feel the up and down. That’s the first level of ancillary services, the frequency regulation. It’s more driven by load fluctuations throughout the day,” NGCP spokesperson Cynthia Perez-Alabanza said.

tricity production by 10 percent.

Novawind is a subsidiary of Russia’s nuclear agency Rosatom.

The 200-megawatt solar station will cover 314 hectares in Sanankoroba, south-western Mali, close to the capital Bamako.

The work, which is costing over 200 million euros ($217 million), will take a year to complete, Nazarov said.

The solar power plant is designed for “stable operation for 20 years” and will come “under full control of the Malian Ministry of Energy” after 10 years, he added.

Malian electricity production is 70 percent thermal which is extremely costly, finance minister Alousseni Sanou said in March when the deal with Novawind was signed. AFP

She said that when coming from a low load, office buildings and malls simultaneously open airconditioners and other equipment at 8am.

She said another peak occurs during the evening which the company looks out for.

“That’s the first level of ancillary service, the frequency regulation. It’s more driven by load fluctuations throughout the day,” the official said. Alena Mae S. Flores

Alabanza said 2 p.m. is another peak due to high temperatures, thus when there is a spike in demand there is also power fluctuation.

“This year, Google Philippines has provided us with 25,000 Coursera licenses to be distributed to 16 regions in the country starting this May until December. Around 1,356 Negosyo Centers have been tapped as learning centers to organize 50 virtual campuses,” DTI-Regional Operations Group (ROG) assistant secretary Grace Baluyan said. The event was attended by 300 virtual and 500 in-person participants. The main program was followed by the signing of certificate of commitment for the scholars in attendance. Scholars will have the opportunity to earn certifications in six key digital domains such as data analytics, user experience design, project management, IT support/IT automation, digital marketing and e-commerce and cybersecurity—all at no cost.

The program can be completed in three to six months of about 10 hours study per week. Upon successful completion, scholars also have a chance to gain employment through the DTI E-Commerce Office Partners.

“This will serve as an opportunity for our micro, small, and medium enterprises and their employees to advance their career by obtaining a competitive Google credential and to modernize their business practices,” said DTI Region 4-A assistant regional director Revelyn Cortez. She said individuals including women, out-of-school youth, persons with disabilities, senior citizens and those who are unemployed or underemployed can join the program.

Billionaire Manny Villar Jr. had his share of poverty

By Jimmy Montejo

THIS classic rags-toriches narrative is one for the books, and could also classify as a stranger-than-fiction success story.

This is about former Senate President and real estate mogul Manuel “Manny” Bamba Villar Jr. who was born on Dec. 13, 1949 to an impoverished family living in a seedy neighborhood in Moriones, Tondo, Manila.

Villar was a market vendor at a very young age of six. By dint of hard work, he incredibly rose from the slums of Tondo to become one of the world’s wealthiest as listed In Forbes’ Magazine’s exclusive roster of multi-billionaires, with a net worth of $11.4 billion. He topped the Philippine list in 2024. The second of nine children, Manny knew what dire poverty and squalor were all about. He helped mom Curita sell fish and shrimps at the Divisoria public market, while dad Manuel Sr. worked as an inspector at the Bureau of Fisheries.

Young Manny initially studied at the Isabelo delos Reyes Elementary School, but had to drop out while still in Grade I to continue helping their mother eke out a living. Eventually, he enrolled at the Tondo Parochial School (later renamed Holy Child Catholic School) run by priests, where he completed his elementary education.

The large family cramped in a small rented apartment in a slum area, but they did alright. Things changed when Manny’s father and namesake earned a year-long scholarship for higher education in the United States. Coming home, the patriarch was promoted to director at the Department of Agriculture and National Resources.

With better income, the elder Manuel got a P16,000-loan from the Government Service Insurance System to build a home in a subdivision in Navotas.

Cutting to the chase, Villar graduated

InLife’s revenues climbed 12% to P24.8b in 2023

INSULAR Life Assurance Company

Ltd. said its revenues grew 12 percent to P24.82 billion in 2023 from P22.03 billion in 2022.

The company said its net income rose 1.2 percent to P2.64 billion from P2.61 billion in 2022, while assets went up by 4.3 percent to P153.54 billion from P147.17 billion.

It reported a slight dip in members’ equity by 4.8 percent to P47.83 billion from P50.23 billion following the decline in the excess of market value of fair value through other comprehensive oncome (FVOCI) stocks.

InLife president Raul Antonio Littaua emphasized InLife’s commitment to its policyholders and their beneficiaries as he reported a 14.5-percent increase in the claims and benefits.

“Beyond these numbers, the more meaningful metric for us is the total amount of benefits we have paid to our members and their beneficiaries. In 2023, InLife paid P10.7 billion in total claims and benefits, up by more than 14 percent from P9.4 billion in 2022,” said Littaua. The company said because of the change in the accounting treatment of UnionBank from equity method to FVOCI, there was a decrease in InLife’s 2023 consolidated revenues by 2 percent to P25.37 billion from P25.9 billion in 2022.

Consolidated net income also went down to P2.1 billion from P5.2 billion.

“Despite the insurance industry being dominated by multinational companies, InLife ranked number three in net worth, number four in assets, and number six in net income according to the Insurance Commission’s life insurance statistics based on unaudited financial reports,” Littaua said.

InLife reported P3.72 billion new business annual premium equivalent (NBAPE) last year. This allowed the company to move up to sixth place from its 9th place in 2022 and 12th place in 2021.

in 1974. His first job after college was at the Sycip, Gorres & Velayo, a prominent accounting firm in the country. But Villar’s mindset and foresight were on the horizon yonder. He eventually resigned to be his own man. He started business delivering seafood in Makati. But the venture wasn’t meant to be so he ended up job hunting once again, and he landed a job as a financial analyst at the Private Development Corporation of the Philippines.

Once again, he started his own business. With a capital of only P10,000, Villar bought two used trucks to deliver sand and gravel for construction companies in Las Piñas. In time, he was building houses bankrolled by a lowinterest loan from a rural bank.

Having mustered the intricacies of numbers, Villar knew the advantages of economies of scale. So he went into mass housing to be able to sell homes at reasonable rates. That venture has so far generated over 400,000 homes across the country.

Villar also put up Prime Water to operate and maintain water distribution systems in several parts of the country.

The firm managed by son Paolo holds at least 30 water projects nationwide, including a 25-year partnership with the municipality of Daraga to deliver potable water to consumers, a 25-year joint venture agreement with Lingayen Water District in Pangasinan and a 25year joint agreement with the Leyte Metropolitan Water District.

In 1984, he established Golden Haven Memorial Park which owns and operates a chain of high-end cemeteries in the country.

In July 1995, his flagship company C&P Homes, was listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) and grew by more than 30 percent in one day.

Vista Land and Landscapes Inc., a family-owned business, was likewise listed in the PSE. Consequently, Villar’s assets grew by leaps and bounds.

After losing his presidential bid in 2010, Villar withdrew from politics, but his wife Cynthia, son Mark and daughter Camille continue to carry the political torch. His wife and Mark are both members of the Senate, while Camille sits at the House of Representatives for the lone district of Las Piñas.

His absence from the social scenes triggered rumors about his alleged ignominious passing, although the family remained mum on the issue.

Presently, the man is busy realizing his vision of Villar City, apparently designed to be the crown jewel of his legacy. “It will be a city within cities,” he said.

Bill

on

“The

Gov’t gross borrowings dropped nearly 60% to P50.1b in April—Treasury

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE government’s gross borrowings fell 59.9 percent in April 2024 due to lower external financing, according to the Bureau of the Treasury.

Data from the Treasury showed that gross borrowings reached P50.10 billion in April, down from P125.23 bil-

lion in the same period last year.

Month on month, gross borrowings also declined by 75 percent from P200.47 billion in March.

Gross borrowings in the first four months of 2024 amounted to P786.68 billion, down 23.3 percent from P1.02 billion a year ago.

It said that in April, domestic bor-

Queen Máxima visits Talim Island, emphasizes need for access to finance

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) team joined Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA), in a series of field visits in Rizal province on May 21, 2024.

“The BSP is honored to have been a part of this initiative that highlights the importance of financial inclusion and financial health in promoting economic growth and improving the lives of individuals in underserved communities,” BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

Queen Máxima engaged with members of a local fishing community in Talim Island to witness firsthand the positive impact of digital financial services provided by a microfinance-

oriented rural bank on their income and financial well-being.

The rural bank collaborates closely with an insurance company to offer customer-centric products and services to underserved communities.

Queen Máxima underscored the significance of access to credit and a broad range of insurances in sustaining the economic stability and advancement of the residents.

Leonel Alviso, a local fisherman, shared his experience with the digital financial services offered by the rural bank, highlighting that access to credit has enabled him to grow, invest, and enhance his income. He also mentioned the availability of five types of insurance that they can now access, including hospitalization insurance.

rowings went down by 13.8 percent while external borrowings dropped 79.74 percent.

The Department of Budget and Management set a borrowing program of P2.46 trillion in 2024, higher than the P2.207 trillion last year.

This year’s borrowing program adopts a 75:25 borrowing mix in fa-

vor of domestic sources. The national government’s outstanding debt amounted to P14.93 trillion as of end-March, or 1.67 percent lower than the previous month’s level. Data showed that of the total debt stock, 31.14 percent was external debt and 68.86 percent represented domestic borrowings.

Angkas seeks legal recognition of jobs of 50,000 motorcycle taxi drivers

ANGKAS, the homegrown leading motorcycle taxi firm, said legitimizing the job of motorcycle rider, particularly from the informal sector of habal-habal (two-wheeled colorum service), is crucial in lifting them out of poverty..

Angkas chief executive George Royeca said all 50,000 Angkas drivers, many transitioning from the informal “habal-habal” sector, were lifted out of poverty.

The success story underscored the strength of partnerships in creating for-

mal livelihood opportunities that manage to augment transportation in Metro Manila, he said.

Reyes said despite this achievement, the staggering number of informal workers were still awaiting formal recognition. He said these individuals from different industries have long been contributing to the country’s economy, but do not have the same access to benefits that members of the formal sector do.

“The informal workers, such as

boatmen, masseuses and habal-habal drivers are already working, but without the help of the government and fi nancial services, and proper access to a lot of these different benefi ts. What’s missing are policies in our economy that recognize them,” Royeca said.

“Through recognizing the informal sector, we could reinforce their work, significantly boost the economy, and uplift millions of Filipinos almost overnight,” he said. Darwin G. Amojelar

REAL ESTATE

NEXTASIA unveils P8-b innovative residential projects in South Luzon

By Jenniffer B. Austria

ANEW real estate developer from Southern Luzon is rapidly transforming the highly competitive residential industry with the launch of three housing projects that will redefine sustainable urban living and set a new standard for modernity in residential spaces.

NEXTASIA Land announced plans to launch three groundbreaking residential communities in southern Luzon with a combined estimated revenue of P8 billion and capital investment of P6 billion.

The three projects spanning 35 hectares are Estonia Calamba (5 hectares), Florence Lipa (10 hectares) and Cyprus Calauan (20 hectares). Estonia Calamba offers a modern living experience, while Florence Lipa features innovative lifestyle amenities and Cyprus Calauan sets a new benchmark for integrated community development.

With a total of 3,500 units, each project blends modern amenities with serene surroundings, ensuring residents enjoy an unparalleled quality of life. Sustainable living

NEXTASIA Land president and chief executive Cris Carreon said each project boasts of green, modern and innovative amenities designed to

AYALALAND Estates has signed an agreement with Motor Ace Philippines to develop a new motor hub in Vermosa in Imus, Cavite. This expansion comes at a most opportune time as Motor Ace will help provide for the growing needs of the communities within these progressive locales, Ayala Land Inc. said in a statement. This motor hub will be home to a twostorey, one-stop shop for motorcycle enthusiasts where multi-brand motorcycles and related merchandise will be offered for sale. This will also have a

enhance residents’ quality of life.

Carreon said that from high-speed broadband internet access to solarpowered street lights and provision for electronic vehicle charging stations, these developments prioritize sustainability and technological advancement.

“At NEXTASIA Land, we go beyond mere development. We craft harmonious living spaces that enrich the lives of our residents,” said Carreon.

“Through these projects, we are not only addressing the housing needs of the region but also contributing to the overall progress of the nation,” said Carreon. Strong demand

Despite the current high interest rate environment, Carreon said demand for innovative housing solutions continues to rise as the country’s housing backlog still remains at 6.5 million units.

plans NEXTASIA also disclosed plans to conduct an initial public offering in less than three years as it seeks to continuously expand its presence in southern Luzon and other major cities in the Philippines.

“It is in pipeline [the IPO]. We wanted to help the capital markets. This is part of nation building,” Carreon said. He said while most of their projects are in southern Luzon, the group is now looking at properties in Central Luzon for future expansion.

Carreon said these newly-launched projects would also support the government’s efforts in meeting the critical need for affordable housing projects as the units are competitively priced between P1.6 million and P2.5 million starting at 60 square meters.

Carreon also expects interest rates to eventually go down, which will further boost the housing market.

“Interest rates will go down. We are just waiting for the US Fed to cut rates. But as it is, we are already doing well. What more when the interest rate finally goes down,” Carreon said.

Given his bullish outlook, Carreon said the group is set to launch more projects in the second half of the year.

Vermosa adds Motor Ace Philippines to its dynamic development

CDO, and Johndorf Ventures establish ‘Pambansang Pabahay’ partnership

Laxa highlighted the development potentials awaiting CDO and emphasized the need for this partnership to “build homes and build lives.”

He thanked the city government and Johndorf Ventures for joining SHFC in this initiative.

Laxa also acknowledged the support and proactive campaign of the national government and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development under Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar for the 4PH Program.

“4PH must have a presence in one of the most promising and fast-growing cities in Northern Mindanao,” he said.

“Cagayan de Oro has become a highly urbanized area and as a consequence of a growing economy, addressing the

Having started the company by buying and selling old houses over a decade ago before migrating to developing 20-, 40-,60-unit townhouses and now to a developer of housing communities, he said the company now wants to grow by “leaps and bounds”. For the next two years, Carreon expects the company’s net income and revenues to grow by 100 percent as it strives to provide future-proof, digitally-enabled, value-oriented and sustainable living spaces.

Other regional real estate players that have successfully listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange are Cebu Landmasters Inc., 8990 Holdings Inc. and Haus Talk Inc.

DIGIPLUS Interactive Corp, one of the country’s fastest growing digital entertainment companies, recently unveiled its new look and overall branding to align with its pivot to digital transformation. With its vision to be the number one diversified entertainment and leisure hub in the Philippines, DigiPlus tapped globally renowned brand specialist Landor for its brand transformation journey. Landor brings in its rich experience in brand architecture and visual design to fully unlock the full potential of the DigiPlus brand.

DigiPlus’ new look is rooted on its new brand purpose: to reimagine the wonderful new possibilities when we bring things together. The new DigiPlus logo features interlocking shapes brought together by an intersection - two simple pieces that create something new to showcase the essence of DigiPlus. The refreshed logo also comes with the new tagline - Multiply the fun. DigiPlus’ new tagline translates to multiple ways that the brand impacts its stakeholders.

The company multiplies the fun by creating digital entertainment platforms where people

NEXTASIA Land president and chief executive Cris Carreon

Next Asia COO Dustin Carreon

the ceremonial signing, of Motor Ace as Vermosa’s newest locator (from left): Maxcy Borromeo, chief financial officer of Motor Ace Philippines;

executive officer and president of

Ace Philippines; Mayi Platero Rodriguez,

Estates Inc. senior project development head, and Moses John Aragones, Vermosa project development manager.

MONDAY, MAY 27, 2024

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer

SHOWBIZ

Gabrielle Lantzer reflects on Miss Manila reign, future pageant plans

Very Wang

the prestigious title. She won against 19 other contestants last year and now feels a mix of emotions about leaving.

In an exclusive interview with the Manila Standard Entertainment, the 19-year-old college freshman at La Salle said she’ll miss the good times she had with the city government of Manila and the pageant team.

“It’s kind of bittersweet because I’m giving up my crown this year. There’s no specific event that serves as the highlight of my reign, but we’ve formed a sisterhood that I really love,” Lantzer said. Looking to the future, Lantzer disclosed her aspirations for national and international pageants, considering potential participation in Miss World Philippines and setting her sights on Miss Universe Philippines in the coming years.

“I might join Miss World Philippines this year. But I still have a couple of years until I get ready for Miss Universe Philippines,” she said.

Reflecting on her transformative journey as Miss Manila, Lantzer underscored the significance of connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and drawing inspiration from their stories. Her parting advice to this year’s candidates emphasized camaraderie over competition, encouraging them to savor the experience and embrace the sisterhood fostered by the Miss Manila platform.

“I learned to appreciate those around me as Miss Manila. Holding the title closer to my heart, I got to meet people and get inspired by their stories, and that’s what makes me feel more empowered winning this title last year,” Lantzer emphasized.

“This is a competition, but I want them to enjoy the entire process together and not constantly compete

Jessica Soho honored with excellence award in Dubai

ACCLAIMED broadcast journalist Jessica Soho adds another accolade to her name by receiving the Icon of Media Excellence Award at the Global Filipino Icon Awards held on May 17 in Dubai, United Arab Emerates. Now in its fourth year, the Global Filipino Icon Awards recognizes individuals and organizations that have excelled in their respective fields, raising the Philippine flag on the global stage. The event is organized by “The Global Filipino Magazine,” a prominent publication based in Dubai and is known as the

with each other. They should enjoy the process of Miss Manila, but I personally believe that they should not adopt a very competitive mindset but just enjoy the experience and the sisterhood,” she added.

Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna together with the city’s

Tourism chief Charlie Duñgo spearheaded the launch and sashing ceremony of Miss Manila 2024 on Friday at the Bulwagang Villegas at the Manila City Hall.

Twenty-four worthy Manileñas were presented vying for the

Trina Martinez (Abad Santos), Victoria Isabella Bobier (Arlegui), Mikaela Rachell Orense (Arroceros), Lienel Navidad (Dagupan), Dindi Dianne Gibaga (Don Bosco), Jubilee Therese Acosta (Espana), Jeriza Uy (Gagalangin), Shefally Daime Valencia (Gastambide), Mary Angela Lim (Labores), Sandra Moustafa (Legarda), Sunshine Gabuat (Malate), Leean Jame Santos (Manuguit); Trisha Rosales (Morayta), Imee Soyangco (New Panaderos), Sofia Nina Cornejo (Otis), Charyzah Esparrago (Old Sta. Mesa), Jasmine Paguio (Paco), Estephanie Ladignon (Pandacan), Ednalyn Gunio (Quiapo), Christine Banzon (Sampaloc), Amanda-Kay Rhodes (San Andres), Xena Ramos (Sta. Ana), Aliya Rohilla (Sta. Cruz), and Daniella Mazen Moustafa (Tayuman).

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray will return as host for the coronation night happening on June 22 at the Manila Metropolitan Theater.

fastest growing Filipino magazine in the Middle East.

In her acceptance speech, the Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho host lauded all the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who have been sacrificing so much to provide for their families in the Philippines.

This award humbles me to my very core. To me, the true icons, heroes, excellent, and outstanding individuals are you—OFWs, Global Filipinos, Global Pinoys. Words fall short in describing your greatness, especially for all the sacrifices you make, especially parents far from their children. You truly represent the best of us—you are the epitome of being Filipino,” Soho said.

Soho expressed her eagerness to share the stories of OFWs with the world, emphasizing that there’s likely no corner of the world today without a Filipino. She thanked Global Pinoys for their assistance to fellow Filipinos, acknowledging their generosity and wishing for divine repayment of their kindness.

With a crowd of 250 attendees from the Filipino community across the UAE, the Global Filipino Icon Awards was also attended by Dubai-based fashion icon Michael Cinco who was given the Lifetime Achievement Award in Fashion Excellence. Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and Cory Quirino were also given the Icon of Elegance and Purpose Award and Excellence in Media and Pageantry, respectively.

Apart from receiving the award, Soho filmed a Dubai episode for KMJS airing in June.

The show, celebrating its 20th anniversary, continues to make a significant impact globally.

Recognized for its contributions, KMJS recently won awards like “Most Development-Oriented Public Service Program” at the 18th Gandingan Awards and “Most Popular TV Program for News and Public Affairs” at the Box

Awards.

This year’s search started to look for potential candidates in several Manila campuses from April and May with the help of Cream Silk Hair Care Institute and Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2002 Karen Agustin-Ostrea who gave a talk on personality development on each campus, was visited by the Miss Manila team. It also opened its online application from April 2 to May 3. From more than 100 qualified candidates, these ladies were given a chance to impress an esteemed panel of screeners: Michelle Arceo, 2nd runner-up, Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2023, Gerry Diaz of Aces and Queens, Rodgil Flores of Kagandahang Flores, Tita Lavinia of Titas of Pageantry, and Charlie Duñgo of the Department of Tourism, Culture, and Arts of Manila. Miss Manila is a project of the City of Manila, The Department of Tourism, Culture, and Arts of Manila, in cooperation with KreativDen Entertainment.

By Maria Frencie Carreon

TWO of the country’s premier bands, Rivermaya and MYMP , are sharing the stage at The Theatre at Solaire on July 11.

Announced by Jonathan Wee , CEO of Ticket1, the Philippines’ leading travel agency chain, the concert promises a journey through the best of Original Pilipino Music, featuring iconic tunes from the seasoned rock and acoustic groups.

Joining the concert is Neocolours , who recently had a sold-out concert at the Music Museum on April 13, with guests Gloc-9, Ice Seguerra, Noel Cabangon , and Jinky Vidal.

“Honestly, the gratitude I feel extends not only to the opportunity to perform but also to the support and encouragement of fellow artists, organizers, and audiences who appreciate the value and richness of OPM,” said Wee, who was recently

honored as the Seasoned Concert Producer of the Year.

“Apart from Rivermaya, NeoColours, and MYMP, the concert, titled All Hits Just the Way You Want It! , will have powerhouse performers Geneva Cruz, Lloyd Umali, Wency Cornejo , and veteran comedian-impersonator Jon Santos as special guests,” he said.

“Concert production has always been my passion, and after a two-decade hiatus, I am thrilled to return to my first love. In the early 2000s, I produced concerts at Onstage Greenbelt in Makati under my concert production company, Star Concerts. During that time, I produced shows for some of the country’s biggest concert artists. After a long hiatus, I am back in concert production, now under Ticket1 Concerts,” Wee shared.

All Hits: Just the way you want it happens on July 11 at 8:00 p.m.

Nickie Wang

The ‘All Hits: Just the way you want it’ concert features bands Rivermaya, MYMP, NeoColours, and other OPM artists

Miss Manila 2024 candidates with Mayor Honey Lacuna (6th from left)

ABRIELLE Lantzer , the reigning Miss Manila, is set to hand over her crown on June 22, marking precisely a year since she clinched

Lantzer (center) takes a selfie with the candidates for Miss Manila 2024

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

Elevating holiday experience for Filipino travelers

By Nickie Wang

SINGAPORE is setting sail for adventure with Ovation of the Seas.

From October 2025 to March 2026, the Quantum-class favorite will sail from the city-state to destinations such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and more.

With 3- and 4-night trips, travelers of all ages can enjoy the sights and sounds of Southeast Asia. You can savor famous street food in George Town, Penang, Malaysia, or relax on the sandy beaches of Phuket, Thailand.

For longer vacations, there are options like a 5-night cruise with a night in Phuket to explore the night markets or an 8-night trip to Bali. This trip includes visits to the waterfalls and temples of Celukan Bawang in Bali and Lombok, Indonesia, offering a mix of culture and adventure.

“Ovation is a ship packed full of adventure, and with the new season’s line-up of holidays, friends and families can choose to holiday their way between short getaways to Penang and Phuket and longer sailings to Indonesia or with nights out in Phuket,” said Angie Stephen, senior vice president, International, Royal

Cavite launches tourism passport to boost travel, rewards for visitors

METRO Pacific Tollways South (MPT South), in collaboration with Cavite Tourism and supported by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) CALABARZON has launched the Cavite Tourism Passport, which aims to encourage tourism within the province of Cavite. The launch was spearheaded by Rozelle Sangalang, Cavite Provincial Tourism Officer, and Ariel Iglesias, Regional Director of DILG R-4A. Together, they introduced the South Summer Tour 2024, an innovative program designed to showcase the vibrant tourist destinations across Cavite’s eight cities and 15 municipalities.

“The ‘Biyaheng South Tourism Passport’ revolutionizes local tourism, motivating travelers to explore Cavite’s landscapes and support local businesses. We remain dedicated to providing meaningful experiences, benefiting travelers, tourists, and local communities,” Iglesias said.

“The passport symbolizes our collective dedication to promoting Cavite

Caribbean International.

“Singapore is the gateway to explore many of Asia’s most loved destinations, and it’s the combination of all Southeast Asia has to offer and the variety of unparalleled Royal Caribbean experiences that have made this region a central part of tens of thousands of memorable holidays over the course of 15-plus years and that will only continue for years to come.”

For Filipino friends and families, they can enjoy their getaway on Ovation in many different ways, whether they want excitement, relaxation, family time, or some time alone.

For an adrenaline rush, there’s the North Star, a 360-degree glass capsule with views 300 feet above sea level, and the RipCord by iFly skydiving experience. You can also try the FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing wall, bumper cars, full-size sports court, roller-skating, and more at SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity complex at sea.

Guests can recharge with over 20 dining options, offering a variety of cuisines. Enjoy casual bites at SeaPlex Dog House and Sorrento’s Pizza, or try unique dishes at Wonderland, sushi and sashimi at Izumi, and seafood at Fish & Ships. After sunset, live entertainment heats up at venues like Two70, which features amazing shows with aerialists and robots, and many other performances.

For additional information or to book, vacationers can visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com

tourism. Through the Biyaheng South campaign, we showcase our toll roads and the region’s cultural and natural treasures, hoping to inspire more people to discover and cherish the beauty of Cavite.”

Municipality of Amadeo Mayor Redel Dionisio, MPT South Manager for CSM Integrated Communications Jona Miranda and tourism officers from each part of Cavite were also present. With the Cavite Tourism Passport, visitors can collect stamps from places like Cavitex and Calax Toll Plazas, the Provincial Tourism Office, and different restaurants, hotels, historical sites, and adventure spots. For every 10 stamps collected, visitors will receive a reward. The passports may be redeemed at partner establishments, tourism offices in Cavite, and the CALAX Customer Service Center. The program aims to boost tourism by highlighting various attractions such as the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Bacoor’s famous halo-halo, Cavite City’s Bibingkoy, Rosario’s Tinapang Salinas, and more. These include General Trias’ Carabao milk, Imus City’s Longganisa, Pico de Loro in Ternate, the Bonifacio Trial House in Maragondon, and Amadeo’s coffee, among others, along with leisure activities and food hubs in Tagaytay.

From left: MPT South

Korean actor Ahn Bo

Hyun smitten by Philippine charm

By Angelica Villanueva

K-DRAMA actor Ahn Bo Hyun revealed that he wanted to explore more of the destinations in the Philippines after hearing good things from his friends who had visited the country.

During a press conference, the See You in My 19th Life star expressed his desire to have a vacation in the country after doing his fan meeting here.

“I was really curious about [the] Philippines but you know, for now, I just have sight-seen the Philippines inside the car. But after the event, I’m actually kind to spend more time here in the Philippines,” said Bo Hyun.

The Korean star was in Manila for the first time to meet his Filipino fans more up close.

“This is my first time to come here for an official event. So, I’m very honored to be here,” he stated.

He also shared that he was supposed to visit the country before but missed the opportunity due to a conflict of schedule.

“Actually, I had the opportunity to visit the Philippines with my friends before but due to the schedule, I had to cancel my flight,” the Korean actor added.

Upon their return to Korea, his friends then could not stop talking about the beauty of Boracay, especially its waves.

“My friends were bragging to me how great Boracay was and how they enjoyed its big waves. And you know, after trying out the Philippine waves, they cannot do it again in Korea,” he continued.

With all the good things he heard about the Philippines, Bo Hyun became curious and wanted to experience the country himself.

“So, if ever I’m given the opportunity, anywhere like Palawan, Boracay, Cebu. Anywhere would be good for my family,” shared Bo Hyun.

“Among the many cities in the tours that I’ve been [to], this is the first city where I’m having a vacation as well. I’m very excited because many of my friends have visited here in the Philippines. They love this country so much,” he added.

In terms of food, Bo Hyun said that he had gotten to try some of the familiar Filipino cuisines he knew and found them delicious.

“I was able to figure out some similar foods here in the Philippines that are in Korea. Luckily, I was able to see some of them during my breakfast at the hotel, so I was able to try some. Not a lot, but they are very delicious,” said the Itaewon Class actor.

Presented by Wilbros Live, Ahn Bo Hyun held his Asia Tour Fan Meeting Manila on May 25 at the New Frontier Theater.

Actor Ahn Bo Hyun wants to explore the Philippines’ famous tourist spots and indulge in the local cuisines

The Cavite Tourism Passport will allow visitors to collect stamps and earn rewards

Manager Joan Miranda, Provincial Tourism Officer of Cavite Tourism Elinia Rozelle Sangalang, DILG

Amadeo, Cavite Mayor Redel John Dionisio

Ovation of the Seas will be exploring various iconic destinations in Southeast Asia

MONDAY, MAY 27, 2024

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

ABIGAIL ADRIATICO,

IWAS invited to attend the 2nd Philippines-India Joint Working Group Meeting on Tourism Cooperation last week. Despite my full work schedule, I decided to attend this meeting because I wanted to network with the visiting Indian Tourism officers and find out how we could further increase the number of retirees from India who have already settled here in our country.

The meeting was chaired by the Department of Tourism Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso, assisted by Director Warner Andrada Aside from the Philippine Retirement Authority, there were also representatives from other government agencies--Intramuros Administration, Civil Aeronautics Board and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Indian delegation was led by officers from India’s Ministry of Tourism led by Director General Anita Baghel, Assistant Director General Uttank Joshi, and Assistant Director Kumar Gaurav. They were joined by officers of the Indian Embassy here in the Philippines, Charge d’Affaires Dr. Sadre Alam, Attache’ Puran Prakash Singh, and Second Secretary Shiv Lai Meena

Discussions were mostly about joint activities and exchange of best practices between the tourism agencies of both countries as we, from the Philippines, showed what we do best in welcoming visitors to our country while our counterparts from India showed a series of ads highlighting what makes theirs, “Incredible India.” Then, Joshi of the Indian delegation declared something

Philippines, India strengthen tourism ties with focus on sustainability

PICTURE Korina Sanchez Gus Abelgas, and Pinky Webb, some of the country’s award-winning seasoned broadcast journalists in the Philippines, in one frame – if it’s in a new star-studded news program, you’ve got it wrong. Klook, the leading experiences and travel platform has just released this season’s most relatable ad by visually recreating exactly what a barkada group chat looks like when planning the next outing. Klook’s recently released ad compares itinerary-making with friends to a high-pressure thesis panel defense, perfectly capturing the struggles of building an itinerary wherein one person leads the planning and the others throw questions and clarifications. The ad begins with the planner introducing the basics of their trip where we see her friends turn into veteran journalists. Pinky Webb starts the questioning by clarifying where the trip will take place. Further into the presentation, the “thesis defense” starts to kick in as the presenter’s smile gradually fades into a quiver and the questions build up to an interrogation from Pinky Webb and Gus Abelgas. Korina on the other hand, initially supported all the plans but she eventually questioned the different specifics of the accommodation. As the panel continuously investigated every detail of the itinerary, the presenter’s confidence faltered, leaving her defense a frenzy of hard-hitting questions. Despite the stress-inducing discourse, Gus Abelgas said it best

in the tourism value chain.

To further highlight its importance, India’s Ministry of Tourism issues certificates for tourism businesses, attractions, destinations, and other stakeholders for them to measure the sustainable practices of these establishments. Through this campaign, tourists become aware of sustainable tourism, making them adopt practices that are kinder to nature and the environment.

With this program being implemented, India is now positioned as a preferred global destination for responsible and sustainable tourism.

Of course, this laudable

project has rung loud and clear in the four corners of the globe and has forged worldwide commitment, unity, and collaboration, echoing the collective aspirations of nations for a sustainable future. This campaign urges every citizen to travel responsibly, respect the environment, and understand and appreciate the diverse cultures that make our world so beautiful and most enjoyable.

I’m happy to note that, since many years ago, I have done something in line with this concept. I have always reminded my students that, every time they travel, they must remember this mantra, especially when they are outdoors communing with nature – “Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures, kill nothing but time.”

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

right from the start, “kung mahusay ang pagkalap at pagsisinop ng ebidensya, malulutas ang anumang lakad na sinisiyasat” (if the details are gathered and analyzed properly, any vacation under review can result in success). What makes this ad relatable is the

The exquisite marble structure Taj Mahal is found in Agra, Uttar Pradesh

The Akshardham Temple serves as a revered Hindu place of worship in New Delhi

Visitors can gaze in awe at the vibrant colors of the statue of Maitreya Buddha in Nubra Valley