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PH protests China ‘risky’ air acts in Scarborough
DFA hits ‘escalatory’ move; Beijing slams PH ‘intrusion’
By Rachelle Tonelada, Rex Espiritu, Maricel Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta
THE Philippines will file a diplomatic protest against China's “escalatory” actions involving “risky maneuvers” against Philippine aircraft in Bajo De Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
“Definitely we will protest,” DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo said. “The President has come out very strongly on this and we will maintain that position.”
“We are committed to try and settle disputes or whatever through diplomatic and peaceful means. I don't know why they did it,” he said.
By Alena Mae S. Flores
By Maricel V. Cruz
By Maricel V. Cruz and Joel Zurbano
THE Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that the homecoming parade in honor of Carlos Yulo, Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas, and other Filipino Olympians has been rescheduled for
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP)
chief General Rommel Marbil has ordered a stop to police officers carrying umbrellas for VIPs.
Marbil said that such an act is not part of a police officer’s job and considers it is degrading for persons in uniform.
“I want to bring back the dignity of our uniform,” Marbil said in his speech after the regular Monday flag ceremony in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
"I am now prohibiting that. Every time we have an anniversary, we see police in uniform, especially those with
the rank of corporal or those in lower ranks, carrying umbrellas," he added. "That’s not right. That’s not the job of the police. Let’s respect our uniform. Let’s show that we are a people with dignity, and not a mere person. We are police, not a
Wednesday, and advised motorists take note of the motorcade’s route to avoid being inconvenienced. It was originally set for Tuesday, the same day the Filipino Olympic delegation’s flight will touch down at the Villamor Airbase, but time constraints compelled organizers to put the event off for the following day.
Impeach raps vs. VP mere rumors
By Maricel V. Cruz
CONGRESS leaders on Monday dismissed rumors of an impending impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, saying they are focused on constructive leadership instead of speculation.
The rumors, which stemmed from a social media post by former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, suggested that an impeachment move against the country’s second highest official could be in the works.
However, Assistant Majority Leader and La Union 1st District Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega V was quick to shut down Roque’s claim.
"I have two crystal balls, but I don't seem to see anything like that," Ortega responded when asked on the matter during a press conference.
“I looked to the left, I looked to the right, but nothing. We're sticking to the facts, of course, we're sticking to the issues in the House of Representatives, and nothing like that is being discussed," he added in jest.
Assistant Majority Leader and Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Jil Bongalon echoed Ortega’s sentiments, confirming that there has been no talk of impeachment within the 300-plus-member leg-
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Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. added: “We cannot let this slide...If we do so, we will be acquiescing.”
President Marcos earlier strongly condemned the hostile maneuvers executed by Chinese fighter planes against a light transport aircraft over Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea, describing the action as “reckless and illegal.”
The President expressed his full backing for the Philippine Air Force which was conducting a routine maritime security operation when the aerial harassment occurred.
“The actions of the People’s Liberation Army - Air Force (PLAAF) aircraft were unjustified, illegal, and reckless, especially as the PAF aircraft was undertaking a routine maritime security operation in Philippine sovereign airspace...We have hardly started to calm the waters, and it is already worrying that there could be instability in our airspace,” the President said.
China's People Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command, for its part, accused the Philippines of “illegally intruding” Bajo De Masinloc, adding that it would “resolutely” defend its claims in the South China Sea.
“The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army organized naval and air forces to conduct identification and verification, tracking and surveillance, warning and expulsion in accordance with the law. We urge the Philippines to immediately stop its infringement, provocation, distortion and hype,” it said.
Manalo, however, said China's actions are not aligned with its commitment to de-escalate tensions in the region.
“China has always said it wanted to
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Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur.
“She is the second highest public official of the land, next to the President, and her position on these is very important. Whether her silence will be treated as apathy, that would definitely spell out and define the kind of leader that she is,” Adiong added.
Assistant Majority Leader Jil Bongalon of Ako-Bicol party-list said: “There should be a survey on public officials. We should be asked whether we are pro-Philippines or pro-China. And our answers to the survey must be made public. Through this we will find out their stand.”
“If we are talking about the sovereignty of our country, we should expect politicians to at least issue a statement. But for the longest time that she has been Vice President—July 1, 2022 until now – have you heard anything she said against China? The answer is nothing,” he added.
Bongalon said regardless of political differences, the government must present a united front when it comes to territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
islative chamber.
Bongalon, nevertheless, acknowledged that it wouldn’t be entirely surprising if someone did try to file an impeachment case against the Vice President, given the current political climate.
"It's not surprising, and we won't be surprised if there are other groups or other individuals who would file one," he said.
He pointed out that while she has been vocal in criticizing the government, especially given her former role as Secretary of Education, there has been little in terms of constructive solutions.
“Have we heard of a solution that she made regarding the low ranking of our students based on the latest PISA ranking?” Bongalon asked, referring to the country’s low ranking in Programme for International Student Assessment during Duterte’s time at the DepEd.
Assistant Majority Leader and La-
de-escalate, but every time something like this happens, certainly, it tends to raise tensions,” Manalo said.
The Philippines will convene its National Maritime Council following China's air maneuvers.
“The National Maritime Council will consider these things. There is a continuous struggle for presence and for assertion of sovereign rights in the area so you will have to expect these things to happen,” Teodoro said.
“The monitoring of our country's airspace will be intensified. Our strong, prepared and highly-motivated Armed Forces will continue to perform its mandate to protect our people and to secure the nation on land, air, sea, and cyberspace, proving time and again that it is a force for regional peace and stability,” the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea said.
Speaker Martin Romualdez hit Beijing for the latest air harassment.
“This latest aggressive action of China does not promote peace and stability in the West Philippine Sea and in the region. It does not speak well of a country trying to be a world power and leader,” Romualdez said.
“They should not insist on this baseless claim. It is against the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to which both the Philippines and China are signatories. Bajo de Masinloc is 120 nautical miles from Luzon and is clearly within our EEZ, while it is 594 nautical miles from China’s Hainan Island,” he added.
Senator Risa Hontiveros said it was time for China to be held accountable for its belligerence.
“It's too much,” Hontiveros said.
"We should not wait for China to escalate her provocations further before we raise these grave concerns to an international body. Not only is China keeping our waters hostage, she has also started to encroach on our skies," she added.
At the Senate, Majority Leader Francis Tolentino resigned from the Duterte-led PDP-Laban, citing "significant differences" on foreign policy positions on the West Philippine Sea.
In his letter to PDP President and Senator Robin Padilla, Tolentino said: "This decision comes after a careful consideration and is due to significant differences in our foreign policy directions, particularly regarding the West Philippine Sea.”
"Given this fundamental divergence. I feel it necessary for both myself and the Party to take this step. This will allow a more cohesive and unified approach within the Party on this critical issue...I trust that this decision will support the Party in developing a more focused and effective strategy," he added.
Tolentino underscored the importance of upholding the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated Beijing's massive claim over the South China Sea, which he said was “crucial to our territorial integrity."
"The party's inclination on bilateral dialogue concerning these matters, while having merit, may not fully align with the principles established by the arbitral ruling and might weaken our position in the international arena," Tolentino said.
nao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong also weighed in, saying that criticism should come with actionable solutions.
"It's better if your criticism is constructive. All of us, we are working in the same government, working for the same constituency—Filipinos. So ultimately, whatever we propose, whatever we think is good for the country, the benefits and advantages will definitely be felt by the people,” Adiong said.
He noted that all public officials, including the Vice President, have a duty to propose alternatives if they criticize current policies.
“We hope she can provide us ng alternative solutions if she has one,” he added. Meanwhile, solons cited the need for former President Rodrigo Duterte and former Philippine National Police chief and Senator Ronald dela Rosa to testify before the House probe on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO)related crimes and drug war deaths.
This developed as the the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, Committee on Human Rights, Committee on Public Order and Safety, and Committee on Public Accounts conducted its first meeting to set the ground rules for the conduct of the hearings.
At a news conference, Ako Bicol Rep. Jill Bongalon said the hearings to be conducted by the quad committee "is
very significant."
"We can finally discuss these serious concerns which are very grave in nature. The House has to act on it, and the invitation to attend the probe extended to the former President Duterte and Senator and former PNP Chief dela Rosa is very material. We really need to invite the competent witness or the witnesses, they are accused of being masterminds behind these crimes," Bongalon added.
“This is an opportunity for them to address this issue by observing the fair play and them explaining their stand,” he said.
House Assistant Majority Leaders and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Adiong echoed Bongalon's views, stressing that the hearings are not directed against anyone and beyond personalities but merely in aid of legislation.
“We hope that all of our invited guests will step up to the challenge. This is an opportunity for them to really ventilate their concerns and perhaps to explain to the House and ultimately, the public, who have so many questions regarding illegal drugs and other crimes,” Adiong said.
Bongalon said the absence of Duterte and dela Rosa are expected but this would not prevent the House probe from coming up with comprehensive and fair findings.
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He noted that the main driver of the power rate hike is the P0.1086 per kWh increase in the transmission charge for residential customers, which, in turn, was triggered by higher charges of the grid operator for ancillary service, which covers reserves necessary to maintain grid reliability.
He said ancillary service charges went up by more than 50 percent as charges for contingency and dispatchable reserves doubled.
The transmission charge increase more than offset the P0.0503 per kWh reduction in the generation charges, Zaldariaga explained.
These include charges from Meralco’s independent power producers (IPPs) which were lower by P0.2974 per kWh due to higher IPP dispatch and the Peso’s appreciation, affecting around 97 percent of IPP costs that were dollar denominated.
Other factors, such as the 70 percent cost recovery from ancillary charges at the reserve market as directed by the Energy Regulatory Commission, will have an impact on future electricity prices, the power firm executive said.
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The parade is set to commence at around 3 p.m. at the Aliw Theatre in Pasay City, from where it will head to Vicente Sotto Street, make a left turn towards Roxas Boulevard, and then, make a right turn towards P. Burgos going to Finance Road. From there, it will make a right turn to Taft Avenue going to President Quirino Avenue, a left turn to Adriatico Street, and a right turn to Men-
PH to make arms, other weapons in proposed law
By Macon Ramos-Araneta
THE envisioned establishment of an indigenous defense industry capable of producing advanced weapons is now within grasp after lawmakers on Monday reconciled disagreeing provisions of House Bill 9713 and Senate Bill 2455, otherwise known as the proposed Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization (SRDP) Act.
Labeled as a priority bill by the Legislative-Executive Development Council (LEDAC), the measure aims to reduce the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) dependence on imported weapons amid China’s growing aggression.
On Monday, Senator President Juan Miguel Zubiri said he is hopeful that ratification of the SRDP will be a key step toward a fully credible national defense posture and a more independent foreign policy.
"We want to give our own defense industry a fighting chance at growing into a robust industry," said Zubiri on the ratification of the SRDP Act.
"We want to help local producers accelerate their growth and their ability to produce competitively priced, high quality military vessels, equipment, and ammunition—all tailored to our own defense requirements," also said Zubiri, principal author of the measure in the Senate.
He reiterated that country cannot rely entirely on foreign partners for its defense needs, particularly given the volatile global political situation.
"We have to be able to defend ourselves at all times," he said.
For his part, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, chairperson of the Senate Committee on National Defense, said the SRDP Act envisions domestic manufacturing and local sourcing of weapons, ammunition, equipment and related defense materiel.
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registered under the Public Vehicle Modernization Program are considered revoked.
The Transport chief issued the warning after the militant driver's group Manibela launched a surprise strike in some parts of Metro Manila to protest the government program.
Meanwhile, local oil companies implemented a “big time” oil price rollback, slashing pump prices of gasoline by some P2.45 per liter, kerosene by P2.40 per liter, and diesel by P1.90 per liter effective early Tuesday morning.
This is the fourth consecutive week of decline in diesel and kerosene, and the third in gasoline, reflecting the continuing volatility in world oil prices amid United States recession worries and geopolitical tensions.
“The sharp declines underscored the market’s continued struggle between the recession concerns and the geopolitical tensions. Other bearish factors such as the growing concerns about lackluster consumption, especially in China, a worsening outlook for the global economy, and a stronger peso outweigh bullish factors that push the oil prices up. The oil market remains volatile for the coming weeks,” Department of Energy director for the oil industry management bureau Rodela Romero said.
Year-to-date total adjustment of gasoline and diesel stands at a net increase of P9.50 per liter and P6.65 per liter, respectively. On the other hand, kerosene has a total net decrease of P0.75 per liter.
diola Street toward the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex – the motorcade’s final destination. It was disclosed that a stop-and-go scheme will be implemented at the intersections where the parade will pass. However, the MMDA advised motorists to take alternative routes, if possible, to avoid the expected heavy traffic.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Martin Romualdez congratulated Filipino athletes who participated in the 2024 Paris
Manibela president Mar Valbuena said “this event of ours today, these are protest centers where the drivers and operators are together — those who have a closed route.”
He clarified their activity was not yet the scheduled nationwide strike set for Aug. 14 until Aug. 16.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had earlier reaffirmed his stance to push through with the modernization program despite a Senate appeal to suspend its implementation.
"I hope the President will listen. He is not one-sided. We are a poor minority, he will ignore us. I hope our President will read the Senate resolution. He should not be based on the 80 percent that has been consolidated," Valbuena said.
The President's rejection prompted Manibela to organize the three-day transport strike.
At a forum in Quezon City, Mody Floranda, Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) national president, said they would support Manibela and join the three-day transport strike.
“Piston will continuously fight against the alleged fake jeep modernization program and the protests will continue in different parts of the country,” he said.
He said jeepney operators could not afford to acquire brand-new modernized units. Rio N. Araja
countrymen.
"This historic finish is a testament to the progress and potential of Philippine sports. It highlights the importance of continued support for our athletes, who have brought honor to our country. Let this be the beginning of even greater successes in the future,” the Speaker said in a statement. Romualdez noted that “finishing 37th in the world, with two Gold medals and two Bronze medals, is a remarkable feat that reflects the indomitable spirit and unwavering dedication of our athletes.”
Summer Olympics ahead of the grand welcome they will receive from their
HOLA! Philippine Ambassador to Spain Philippe Jones Lhuillier paid a courtesy call yesterday on Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez at the Office of the Speaker in the House of Representatives.
How Rep. Stella A. Quimbo builds a brighter future through policy
By Patricia Taculao-Deligero
INFLUENTIAL leaders often result from a lively education and a genuine desire to serve. A well-rounded education equips them with critical thinking skills, the ability to analyze complex information, and a broad understanding of the world.
When coupled with a specific knowledge of economics, a leader gains the ability to understand the intricate forces that drive communities and nations. Finally, a passion for public service can push a leader to translate their expertise into action, to use their understanding of the world and economics and create positive change for the greater good. This combination is a recipe for a leader who can not only navigate the complexities of governance but also steer their community toward a brighter future.
Fortunately, the Second Congressional District of Marikina City can find all these qualities in Rep. Stella A. Quimbo, their district representative in the House of Representatives for the 19th Congress.
Rep. Quimbo’s vibrant educational background, marked by her academic excellence, underscores her innate appreciation of knowledge and its power to shape the future. She graduated as Summa Cum Laude or University Valedictorian in the University of the Philippines School of Economics in 1991. Her pursuit of knowledge continued at UP, where she earned her MA and PhD in Economics in 1993 and 2000, respectively. Her academic journey culminated in 2019 with an MA in Economics for Competition Law from the Dickson Pool School of Law in King’s College London, where she also received the distinction of Best Dissertation.
Over the years, Rep. Quimbo contributed numerous studies on health economics, education, and poverty, among other research topics. She also held illustrious positions in various sectors, like Commissioner for the Philippine Competition Commission from 2016 to 2018 and Department Chair of UP’s School of Economics from 2012 to 2015. Yet her most challenging yet equally rewarding role to date was championing the voices of Marikina’s Second District in the House of Representatives.
By Peter Paul Duran
SITUATED amidst the bustling urban landscape of Metro Manila, Marikina’s 2nd Congressional District offers a refreshing contrast with its blend of natural beauty and urban amenities. Known for its cleanliness and disciplined lifestyle, Marikina stands apart from its neighboring cities, providing a sanctuary within the metropolis. Its residents, resilient and natureloving, have cultivated a lifestyle that harmonizes modern living with environmental stewardship.
Under the leadership of Rep. Stella Quimbo, the district continues to be a hub of activity and innovation, balancing urban development with the preservation of its rich heritage. Lilac Food Crawl One of the district’s culinary highlights is the Lilac Food Crawl, a gastronomic journey through Marikina’s most popular food street. Here, food enthusiasts can indulge in a variety of local and international cuisines, from Filipino comfort food to exotic Asian flavors. This lively food scene reflects the district’s diverse community and its love for good food and company. Liwasang Kalayaan Liwasang Kalayaan is a popular public park in Marikina Heights, serving as a recreational space for families and individuals alike. The park’s open spaces and serene environment make it an ideal spot for picnics, leisurely strolls, and community events. It’s a testament to
Parang, Nangka, and Tumana.
Consultation with a doctor, and free medicines or vitamins.
As for education, students receive a Graduation Assistance Program as a reward for graduating from different public schools in Marikina City. Each graduate receives a P2,000 cash gift to help them in preparing for their continued learning. Students who graduate with honors receive an additional P2,000.
She first joined other district representatives as public leaders in the 17th Congress, where she was Deputy Minority Leader, Editor-in-Chief of the Minority Report, and Co-chair of the Economic Stimulus Subcommittee.
In the 18th Congress, she became a member of the Majority and Senior Vice Chair of the Committee on Appropriations, which leads the national budget process in the House of Representatives and offered critical insights as the House’s pre-eminent economist.
As for the 19th Congress, Rep. Quimbo is the Vice Chairperson of the Committees on Appropriations and Nuclear Energy while being a majority member for many others.
During her tenure, Rep. Quimbo has been a prolific author of legislation, with 301 bills to her name and 21 others co-authored. Notable among these is House Bill 491, designed to fortify Marikina’s economy by enhancing its footwear, leather goods, and tannery industries. Another significant policy is House Bill 497, which seeks to establish a health economics unit under the Department of Health.
Despite her active participation in the House of Representatives, Rep. Quimbo remains steadfast in her commitment to improve the lives of her constituents in Marikina. Through her various projects and programs, she demonstrates her unwavering dedication to prioritize her community’s health, education, and overall welfare.
For instance, her KliniQ on Wheels provides free executive check-ups for the everyday Marikenyo. It is a roving clinic that goes from barangay to barangay, giving access to the many Marikenyos who do not have access to quality healthcare. During a check-up in KliniQ on Wheels, patients will receive a comprehensive medical checkup, complete with ECG, Ultrasound, X-ray, CBC, urinalysis, Cholesterol, Ureacid, FBS/RBS, Medical
the district’s commitment to provide quality public spaces for its residents. Daang Bakal
For those interested in Marikina’s history, Daang Bakal offers a unique glimpse into the city’s past. This former railway line has been transformed into a pedestrian path that showcases the city’s heritage, with markers and exhibits detailing Marikina’s evolution from a sleepy town to a bustling urban center. Pan de Amerikana with Chess Museum
One of the newest tourist landmarks listed by the NCR tourism department of the Philippines situated at Marikina Metro Manila. A bakeshop, garden restaurant and a chessplaza, Pan de Amerikana is the only place where you can have a taste of the historical 1950’s Filipino bread called the Pan Amerikano. Giant-sized chess pieces compliment the Chessplaza situated at its colonnade patterned like the ruins of Italy.
There’s also the Marikina Young Leaders Award (MYLA), which started in 2023 and became a special recognition from the Office of Rep. Stella Quimbo for students who exhibited outstanding performance in leadership. This program measures academic ability, leadership ability, and socio-civic-orientedness. Close coordination with school faculty and administrators allows the selection of one student per school from the different public schools in Marikina City. Aside from receiving a cash gift of P10,000, each awardee is also entitled to be part of the Marikina Young Leaders network. In the meantime, Rep. Quimbo expressed her concern and care for pregnant mothers in her community through the Momshiw Q Alaga Q (Momshie Ko, Alaga Ko) Program. It is an initiative to provide free maternity services within the Q Health Delivery Network, encompassing various health clinics in Marikina. This program offers comprehensive support to soon-to-be mothers, including free childbirth services, birthing classes, and a “buntis kit” (pregnancy kit) with essential items for expectant mothers. The initiative ensures pregnant women receive the necessary care and education, promoting safe and healthy pregnancies. By easing the financial burden and providing critical resources, Momshie Q Alaga Q supports the well-being of mothers and their newborns, fostering a healthier community.
Rep. Quimbo continues to be an inspiration who proves combining knowledge and passion can lead to excellent results. She uses her intellect to address issues within her community and the Philippines. The Marikina Second District representative also keeps an open mind and heart to listen to her constituents’ voices and guide them toward a brighter future through appropriate projects, programs, and policies.
The Book Museum The Book Museum cum Ethnology Center was founded in 2013 and features the vast personal collection of the President of Rex Group of Companies—Atty. Dominador Buhain. As a traveler, Atty. Buhain has collected items from over 200 countries and islands he has visited. The logo of the museum reflects the lifestyle of Atty. Buhain as a wanderer who chooses to share his journey through his priceless collection. This place offers two major settings – The Book Museum and Ethnology Centers. The Book Museum showcases different kinds of books and other printed materials from all over the world. The Ethnology Centers highlight well-preserved and priceless artifacts from Northern and Southern part of the Philippines. Other sights to see are the hand painted mural which shows the history of printing in the Philippines and in the world. There are also two
fiesta-colored Totem Poles depicting some Philippine myths and legends, and the James Dean Diner, a 50s theme-inspired café diner. Immaculate Conception Church
The Immaculate Conception Church is a beacon of faith and history in Marikina’s 2nd district. This historic church, with its stunning architecture and rich heritage, serves as a spiritual home for many residents. Its presence in the district underscores the community’s deep-rooted religious traditions and its commitment to preserve historical landmarks.
In Marikina’s 2nd congressional district, a unique blend of culture, food, and history awaits exploration. From its bustling food scene and serene parks to its rich historical landmarks, the district offers a diverse range of experiences that reflect the dynamic spirit of Marikina. Under Rep. Stella Quimbo’s leadership, this district continues to thrive, embodying a harmonious balance of progress and tradition.
Gov’t pay hike likely this month
By Darwin G. Amojelar
THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
on Monday said government workers will receive a salary increase as early as this month as it issued the implementation guidelines for the Salary Standardization Law VI (SSL VI).
ances for government employees on the same day that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 64 on August 2, 2024.
She clarified that existing Personnel Services (PS) funds will be utilized to carry out the required salary changes, with any shortfalls to be covered by the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF).
Program, we have allocated some P70 billion pesos, also under the MPBF, for the second tranche and adjustments of the first tranche," she added.
Año welcomes CA decision on NTF ELCAC
THE National Security Council (NSC) said it welcomes the Court of Appeals decision dismissing the petition for Writ of Amparo and Writ of Habeas Data filed by Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano against the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC), Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, and its officials including Asst. Director General Jonathan Malaya of the NSC.
“This decision is an unequivocal vindication for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) and its officials and clearly exposes this case as a mere harassment and baseless case against the task force,” said National Security Adviser Eduardo M. Año.
In a press conference on Monday, Malaya expressed his gratitude for the Court’s ruling and reaffirmed the NTF ELCAC’s unwavering commitment to its mission. He asserted that the ruling is a decisive affirmation of both the NTF ELCAC as an organization and himself personally.
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said she already signed the National and Local Budget Circulars earlier this morning. The circulars have been issued and will likely be published by tomorrow. This means the directives are now set for dissemination, allowing government agencies to begin implementing the necessary salary adjustments for state employees under SSL VI, according to the DBM chief.
IN BRIEF
Pangandaman earlier instructed concerned DBM officials to hasten the completion of the guidelines and inform the public of the implications of the new salary adjustments and allow-
Philippine Army mounts PMA exhibit on war capabilities
THE Philippine Army mounted an exhibit that showcased its assets and various warfighting capabilities for the Branch of Service (BOS) Orientation of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Classes 2026 and 2027 at Lopez Hall, Fort Gregorio del Pilar, Baguio City on August 11, 2024.
The PMA is facilitating a comprehensive service orientation and a series of lectures for 2nd CIass (2CL) and 3rd Class (3CL) cadets prior to their selection of Branch of Service (BOS) that they will join before the start of Academic Year 2024’s 2nd Term.
The said exhibit provided the 2CL and 3CL cadets with valuable insights on the diverse aspects of the AFP’s Major Services from leadership and tactical duties to include unique service opportunities, fields of specialization, and career paths upon graduation from the country’s premier military academy.
Committee declares two more Taguig villages drug-free
THE Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing has declared two more villages in Taguig City as drug-cleared communities.
Barangays Napindan and North Daang Hari were added to the city’s list of drug-cleared villages, bringing the total number to 19.
The committee made the declaration last week following its second deliberation held at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig Auditorium, attended by officials from the Taguig City Police Station and the Taguig Anti-Drug Abuse Office (TADAO), led by its chief Hilario Cruz.
The oversight committee comprises the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the National Police, and the Department of Health. The drug-cleared status is given to those barangays previously considered drug-affected due to the presence of drug pushers and dependents, and drug dens. Joel E. Zurbano
“They can use their existing PS (funds) that they have right now, and whatever deficits they have, we will cover it through the MPBF,” Pangandaman said.
“We have earmarked P36 billion under the MPBF for the implementation of the first tranche of SSL VI this year. Meanwhile, in the 2025 National Expenditure
Pangandaman also emphasized how the adjustments, retroactive to January 2024 and inclusive of midyear benefits, must be processed promptly. She urged the respective Human Resources departments within each agency to act swiftly to ensure the timely disbursement of the increases.
The SSL VI is designed to make public personnel's salaries more competitive with those in the private sector, which would potentially boost productivity, enhance service delivery, and improve overall government effectiveness.
“Using this case, the militant left and all their allied organizations have attempted to demonize the NTF ELCAC and use it as another excuse to call for its abolition both in the court of law and in the court of public opinion. They attempted to use our laws to intimidate, scare, and silence us by filing cases in the courts,” Malaya said.
“But all of these backfired on them.
After a long and extensive hearing where witnesses were heard and evidence presented from both sides, the
Transport groups launch surprise strike in Metro Manila
By Rio N. Araja
DAYS before its planned three-day strike, transport group Manibela on Monday launched a surprise strike in some parts of Metro Manila to protest the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
Manibela president Mar Valbuena said, “This event of ours today, these are protest centers where the drivers and operators are together — those who have a close route.”
He clarified that their activity was not yet
the scheduled nationwide strike to begin on Aug. 14 until Aug. 16.
While President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his stance to push through with the modernization program, Valbuena maintained that the country was not yet ready for such.
“I hope the President will listen. He is not onesided. We are a poor minority, he will ignore us.
I hope our President will read the Senate resolution. He should not be based on the 80 percent that has been consolidated,” Valbuena said.
Manibela said the country is not yet ready for the PUV modernization program in Monumento and Camarin-Zapote, Caloocan City; Nagtahan and Punta Tulay, Manila; Pasig Palengke, Pasig City; Starmall, Alabang, Muntinlupa City; Gatchalian Puregold, Parañaque City; Marcos Highway, Marikina City; Muñoz Market and Baranga Gulod, Novaliches, Quezon City, and Pulang Lupa, Bernabe, Las Piñas City.
Mr. Marcos earlier rejected a resolution passed by 22 senators to halt the PUVMP implementation, prompting Manibela to organize a three-day transport strike.
By Pot Chavez
THE Department of Justice (DOJ)
has secured the conviction of a notorious Maute member for unlawful possession of an explosive/incendiary device. The Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed the decision of the Taguig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 266 finding accused-appellant Nasifa Pundug guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violation of PD 1866, as amended by RA 9516 or the Unlawful Manufacture, Sales, Acquisition, Disposition, Importation
or Possession of an Explosive Device or Incendiary Device.
“This court ruling is another testament of the State’s zealousness in administering the law, proving yet again that evil shall never triumph over justice,” said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
OPINION
Will ICC use Interpol?
FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and others should rely on the fact the International Criminal Court has no jurisdiction in the Philippines after the county withdrew membership in 2017 from the Rome Statute which created the ICC.
The ICC found them guilty of crimes against humanity during Duterte’s six year war against illegal drugs that resulted in thousands dead, many of them having been the result of extra-judicial killings. Crimes against humanity included the infamous “Davao Death Squad” when Duetrte was Davao City mayor.
The ICC can always rely on the International Police (Interpol) of which the Philippines is a member to pursue ICC’s cases against them.
Santa Banana, the Interpol can always come to the country and interview “persons of interest” and others on the “EJK killings!”
And if the ICC decides to issue warrants of arrest against those involved, my gulay, nothing can be done about it.
The ICC has been known to have used the Interpol before to pursue cases they had filed.
Santa Banana, if the ICC decides to pursue the cases against Duterte, Bato, et al, the Philippines cannot do anything but cooperate.
Supporters of Duterte argue the ICC has no jurisdiction to enter the country and interview witnesses against past and present public officials involved in the brutal and bloody war against illegal drugs during the incumbency of the former President since the Philippines had withdrawn membership from the Rome Statute.
his is why President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has been silent on this case.
But, as I said, if the ICC gets the support of Interpol to pursue its cases against Duterte et al. for crimes against humanity, there’s nothing the Marcos administration can do but cooperate, since the country is also a member of Interpol. Like what they say in the vernacular, “ABANGAN!”.
PH losing its export market
For years, the Philippines was the leader in exports of copra and coconut oil. Unfortunately, the Philippines was displaced by Indonesia in the export of copra and coconut oil.
After Indonesia came another debacle when the Philippines was displaced by Vietnam as the main exporter of bananas to China.
In the first four months of 2024, Vietnam exported a staggering 355,000 tons of bananas to China, becoming China’s lead-
ing banana supplier.
This volume was 2.4 times greater than that of the second-largest exporter, the Philippines, and represented 48.6 percent of China’s banana imports.
This marks the first time Vietnam has surpassed the Philippines, also the world’s second-largest banana exporter.
Despite this surge, the value of Vietnam’s banana exports to China only rose by 3 percent year-on-year to US$145 million, as the average price fell by 16 percent to US$407.7 per ton. According to an executive from a banana export company in Dong Nai province, the price drop resulted from increased competition, with China diversifying its sources and importing significant volumes from other countries..
If the ICC gets the support of Interpol to pursue its cases against Duterte et al. for crimes against humanity, there’s nothing the Marcos administration can do but cooperate
Vietnam’s success can be attributed to the decline in the Philippines’ banana production and quality. Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, noted shipping costs from the Philippines to China have skyrocketed this year, making Filipino bananas 33 percent more expensive than those from Vietnam.
Other Southeast Asian suppliers, including Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, are also facing rising costs.
Even Ecuador, the world’s top banana exporter, is struggling with high transport expenses as it attempts to boost exports to China.
Since signing a protocol in 2022 to increase banana exports to China, Vietnam has ramped up its shipments significantly.
Additionally, Vietnamese bananas are finding new markets in Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and Qatar.
Overall, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports have soared, reaching nearly US$2.6 billion this year, a 28 percent increase from the previous year.
Bananas now rank as the third-largest export item, trailing only durian and dragon fruit.
The retired head teacher, now 85, still misses teaching
THE 85-year-old head teacher retired 22 years ago, but admits there are times she misses teaching although she gets over the feeling quickly as she occupies herself cleaning the house and gardening she professes to love.
That’s how the mother of three children and grandmother of one beats stress and handles her secret to aging gracefully: “I keep myself busy, I clean the house, make sure the house is spick-and-span, I do gardening and I wash our clothes manually to this day.”
Lily Bassig Villanueva, who sifted through her lesson plans for 35 years after earning her bachelor’s degree in education from the Philippine Normal College in Manila, acknowledges missing “the camaraderie with fellow teachers.”
For two years soon after receiving her college diploma, she taught in Abucay, the oldest town in Bataan, founded in 1585, before returning to her hometown of San Pablo in Isabela, founded in 1646, where she retired as head teacher of the Auitan Elementary School.
It was in San Pablo where Lily Bassig met Novelieto Fernandez Villanueva of San Manuel, Pangasinan, three months her senior, who was in the first batch of PACD (presidential assistants on community development) when the agency was created in 1956 by then President Ramon Magsaysay. Villanueva eventually became the DILG municipal development officer of
San Pablo, Cabagan, Santa Maria, Santo Tomas, and Tumauini, all in Isabela.
The two got married on May 17, 1970.
She was widowed in 2007 when she was 68 – but busied herself looking after her children who have all become professionals.
Her retirement years are spent in the fumes-filled metropolis.
Her retirement years are spent in the fumesfilled metropolis but goes home to her coastal hometown up north for periodic visits
But she goes home to her coastal hometown in Isabela for periodic visits, and still ensures she gets eight hours of full night rest every day, waking up with the sunrise at five every morning after the crowing of roosters in the province or when the avenues and boulevards of the city have knocked up.
Like other elderly, she has had health issues.
But she underlines she does not feel any physical pain which she says are only temporary, although she owns up to maintenance medicines for hypertension
Spotting the red flags
THIS week, we saw efforts in the Senate to boost the country’s digital competitiveness with the ‘‘Konektadong Pinoy Act’’ – aimed at closing the gap with neighboring Southeast Asian countries.
A 2024 World Bank report suggested the Philippines has the most expensive internet in Southeast Asia, but continues to lag behind in speed and reliability compared to countries like Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam.
Beyond doubt there are challenges the Philippines is facing in keeping pace with its neighbors particularly in the digital stage.
The chair of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Alan Peter Cayetano said this digital gap has hampered productivity across different sectors, affecting not only businesses but all Filipinos, especially students and teachers, who rely on the internet for education, work, and daily activities.
He believes the country’s push for e-governance, crucial for streamlining government services and reducing corruption, will not be effective if internet
connectivity remains poor and expensive.
Cayetano is convinced the bill aims to update outdated telecommunications rules that have made it difficult to improve internet connectivity in this archipelagic nation of 115 million and will focus on making the internet more affordable, faster, and easier to access.
The removal of the legislative franchise requirement and the reduction of the National Telecommunications Commission’s regulatory powers could allow unscrupulous players to gain access to our telecommunications networks
By removing the need for a legislative franchise, he said in his sponsorship speech, the bill simplifies the approval process for telecom companies, making it easier for new players to enter the mar-
SARA Duterte, once a formidable figure in Philippine politics, is experiencing a significant decline in popularity.
Recent surveys show her satisfaction ratings have plummeted from +63 in March 2024 to +44 in June, indicating growing disillusionment among Filipinos.
This decline is not a result of random fluctuations but a series of political missteps that have eroded public trust. From highs to lows
Following her father Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency, Sara was seen as his natural successor.
As Davao City mayor, she inherited much of his political capital, especially in Mindanao and the Visayas.
Her decision to run for Vice President in 2022 was perceived as a strategic move towards the presidency, and her early popularity seemed to confirm this path.
However, recent surveys show a sharp decline in her approval, even in her stronghold of Mindanao.
Several key issues have contributed to her declining ratings, raising serious concerns about her leadership:
“Designated Survivor” Comment: Duterte’s remark about being the “designated survivor” during President Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address was widely criticized as insensitive and demonstrated a lack of understanding of the Constitutional role. This gaffe raised doubts about her preparedness for higher office.
Ineffective Crisis Response: Sara’s perceived lack of action during critical events, like Chinese Coast Guard aggression and Typhoon Carina’s aftermath, led to accusations of prioritizing self-promotion over governance. Her absence during these crises has not gone unnoticed by the public.
Excessive Security Detail: Her insistence on a large security detail, even more extensive than the President’s, has been seen as a sign of inflated self-importance and disconnection from ordinary Filipinos’ struggles. This display of extravagance has fueled public discontent.
Confidential Funds Scandal: Allegations of misuse of confidential funds have raised serious questions about Sara’s transparency and accountability. Her defensive stance on this issue has
and high blood sugar. In an interview with Grinding Grains, she disclosed staying at home mostly “to be with my children and grandchild Chloe Jillian (now 22 years old), and I am active with the senior citizens group in the community.
“I sometimes go out with my old coteachers to watch movies. But that has stopped since the pandemic” which hit the country in mid March 2020.
The former teacher-now-grandmoth-
ket and drive competition.
This is where the red flags exhale bold messages which demand punctilious analysis.
Analysts are on track in saying removing the need for legislative franchise and diminishing the regulatory powers of the National Telecommunications Commission can lead to the unrestricted exploitation of the spectrum.
We agree with their observation the government must manage these resources in a manner that arranges public welfare over private agenda.
Senate Bill 2699 now being discussed unhooks the requirements for spectrum allocation.
The bill’s sponsors argue that reducing regulatory barriers will foster competition and spur economic growth, but they have apparently forgotten the spectrum is a natural asset that requires inflexible management to stop degradation and ensure quality service for consumers.
Analysts have also noted the removal of the legislative franchise requirement and the reduction of the National Telecommunications Commission’s regulatory powers could allow unscrupulous players to gain access to our telecommunications networks.
They have the point when they say “Without rigorous vetting, the country risks opening its doors to entities that may not have the best interests of the nation at heart.”
Sara Duterte’s slide: Perils of political missteps
deepened public suspicions. Controversial Associations: Accusations of involvement in her father’s “OPlan Tokhang” extrajudicial killings and her ties with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, a controversial religious figure, have tainted her reputation. While she denies these accusations, the association with such controversial figures continues to cast a shadow over her career.
“Political Harassment” Claims: Sara’s allegations of “political harassment” in response to a reduction in her security detail have been met with skepticism. Critics argue this was a distraction from more pressing issues, further damaging her credibility.
The coming months will determine whether she can halt her declining support and reclaim her position as a viable presidential contender
Family Feud with the Marcoses: A growing rift between the Duterte and Marcos families, exacerbated by disagreements over the International Criminal Court and accusations of political harassment, has created a volatile political environment. This feud risks further destabilizing her political ambitions.
Silence on National Issues: Her failure to take a strong stance on China’s encroachment on Philippine territory in the South China Sea has drawn significant criticism. In a time of heightened concern over national sovereignty, her silence is seen as a failure of leadership.
Promotion of Political Dynasties: Her implicit endorsement of her father and two brothers’ senatorial bids reinforces the perception that Sara is more interested in perpetuating a political dynasty than in genuine governance. This move could prove to be a significant miscalculation in a country wary of entrenched political families.
A steep climb ahead Duterte faces an uphill battle if she
er, who speaks fluent Ybanag, Ilokano, Tagalog and English, still cooks when her children are not in the kitchen – all in the household can cook – and her diet, which includes vegetables, has not much changed except that now she just eats less.
She does not crave items from food chains in the burgeoning capital but takes a bite only when her children bring home some from the restaurants. Does she have any regrets she should have done when she was younger?
wishes to remain a leading contender for the 2028 presidential election. Her current +44 net satisfaction rating, while still “good,” could easily slip further into the “moderate” or “neutral” range if these issues are not addressed. Her political trajectory suggests she may struggle to maintain support, especially if new controversies arise.
Path to redemption
To reverse her declining fortunes, Duterte must take decisive steps: Embrace Transparency: Address the controversies surrounding her use of confidential funds by providing clear and transparent accounts. This would help neutralize criticism and set a new standard for accountability.
Clarify Her Position on Key Issues: Articulate a firm stance on national sovereignty, particularly regarding China’s actions in the South China Sea. Clear communication on critical issues would help restore confidence in her leadership.
Distance from Controversial Figures: Sara should consider distancing herself from controversial personalities like Quiboloy. This move could help repair her image and refocus public attention on her policy positions.
Focus on Governance: Prioritize tangible achievements in governance over symbolic gestures or political posturing. Demonstrating effective leadership, particularly during crises, is crucial to rebuilding her reputation.
Manage Family Feuds: Consider strategies for reconciliation or détente with the Marcoses. Reducing family conflicts would allow her to focus on broader governance issues and strengthen her political base.
Duterte is at a pivotal moment in her political career.
The coming months will determine whether she can halt her declining support and reclaim her position as a viable presidential contender. While the path to redemption is narrow, it is not yet closed.
If she can demonstrate a renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and effective governance, Duterte may still salvage her political career.
But with time running out and the Filipino people closely watching, the stakes have never been higher.
“Not much,” she says, but recognizes that being social is a mood booster, adding “I am active in the seniors citizen organization in our neighborhood” with cleaning the house and washing clothes as now part of her daily routine.
As an octogenarian, does she go for regular medical checks?
“No. When I don’t feel good, I consult with my nurse-daughter Julie” although she admits suffering a stroke in 2018 from which she has recovered fully.
Solon proposes law regulating AI
By Maricel V. Cruz
ASENIOR congressman from the Bicol Region on Monday called for the passage of a bill that regulates Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to address fears over potential threats to undermine political elections in the country through illicit digital platforms such as deepfakes or altered audio-video materials.
“The warning by [Information and Communications Technology] Secretary Ivan John [Uy] on the threats that deepfakes and generative AI tools pose to the electoral process
Gatchalian eyes stricter rules on use of SIM cards
By Macon Ramos-Araneta
SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian seeks amendments to the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Law, including limits to the number of SIM cards subscribers can use. Meanwhile, Senator Robinhood Padilla eyes the capital punishment of death for sexual assault.
Gatchalian also eyes regulations on Short Message Service (SMS) marketing, promotional, political, or fundraising sent through SIMs.
Gatchalian emphasized that Republic Act 11934 or the SIM Registration Act signed in October 2022, aims to deter the use of SIM-related technology for illegal or unlawful activities.
He pointed out however, that despite enactment of RA 11934, there had been discoveries of registered SIMs, cellphones, computers, and pocket Wi-Fi devices, especially in POGO operations being used in various forms of online swindling operations such as love scams and cryptocurrency rip-offs.
There have been massive financial losses for unsuspecting victims, Gatchalian noted.
should prompt us legislators in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to write new legislation regulating the use of AI technology in this third and last regular session of the
seeks congressional action on his House Bill 10567 that penalizes producers or distributors of “deepfake” audio, visual or audiovisual materials who fail to make public disclosures that these are deepfakes, or AI-altered visual and/or audio presentations.
HB 10567 proposes fines ranging from P2 million to P5 million for producers or distributors of deepfakes who do not make any disclosure in these materials that these were altered with the use of AI or any other similar technology, as well as on those who delete or tamper with such
disclosures in these AI-modified voices or images, said Villafuerte.
During the recent first broadcast of the “Malacañang Insider” program, Uy tackled the rise “scamdemic” using deepfake and generative AI tools which, he said, should be addressed as it is now causing huge losses in other countries.
As defined by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), “deepfake” is a technology tool used to “make something appear supposedly real. It is often used for voice and video images by replacing somebody else’s voice, video image, or photo over an existing image.
IN BRIEF
Ombudsman sacks 8 Antique SP members
ANTIQUE Gov. Rhodora Cadiao has given assurance that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) will have a complete membership by Monday, August 12, 2024, following the suspension of eight board members. The suspensions were ordered by the Office of the Ombudsman due to the panel’s alleged failure to approve a P1.075-billion supplemental budget. Governor Cadiao consulted with Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Western Visayas director Juan Jovian Ingeniero on how to fill the seats of the suspended members to meet a quorum.
The governor stated that the vice presidents of three ex-officio SP members could be appointed as regular SP members to restore the Provincial Board’s functionality and resume regular sessions. Suspended were SP members Victor Condez, Alfie Jay Niquia, Mayella Mae Plameras-Ladislao, Rony Molina, Egidio Elio, and ex-officio members Kenneth Dave Gasalao, Julius Cezar Tajanlangit, and Plaridel Sanchez IV. They were relieved for six months without pay while the anti-graft office investigates allegations of oppression, grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and gross neglect of duty. Caloy Lozada
DSWD conducts ayuda payout in Orani, Bataan
SOME 1,000 needy residents from Bataan’s first district have benefitted from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program through the initiative of board member Tony Roman.
Each recipient got P3,000 during the payout event held at the Orani Multi-Purpose Gym on Friday.
The beneficiaries included barangay health workers, nutrition scholars, and daycare workers.
Roman thanked Senators Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano for their support, enabling the DSWD program to be conducted in the district. Butch Gunio PAF to get two new Israel-made aircraft
THE Philippine Air Force (PAF) is scheduled to receive the first of two long-range patrol aircraft (LRPA) next year from Israel’s Elbit Systems Ltd., expanding the command’s capabilities to patrol the country’s territory.
Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss said initial delivery of the aircraft is expected by mid-2025, based on the timeline of the signed contract.
His statement confirmed Elbit Systems’ announcement in July 2023 that it won the $114-million contract to supply two units of LRPA “equipped with an advanced and comprehensive mission suite” to an Asia-Pacific country.
The two LRPAs will be based on the new ATR 72-600 and the suite includes a mission management system, electrooptics, radar, SIGINT (signals intelligence) and communication, among others, Elbit Systems said at the time. The contract will be carried out over a period of five years. Rex Espiritu
PCG sues Chinese-manned vessel grounded off Zambales town
By Vince Lopez
THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has taken another legal action for salvage operations to remove the stranded cargo vessel MT Hyperline 988 commanded by a Chinese crew in the waters off San Felipe, Zambales.
Face masks eyed as COVID
By Caloy Lozada
THE Iloilo City health office (CHO) has strongly recommended the mandatory use of face masks as COVID-19 cases showed significant increase during the past weeks.
The recommendation particularly targeted senior citizens, individuals with comorbidities, immunecompromised individuals, pregnant women, the unvaccinated, and those showing symptoms of the viral infection.
As of last August 6, there were 252 confirmed cases in Iloilo City, with 39 of them active, and 13 deaths.
“This rise in cases underscores the urgent need for our collective action to mitigate the spread of the virus and protect the health and well-being of our popula-
In a 3-page motion filed by the PCG substation-San Felipe in the local Municipal Trial Court (MTC), the agency said the damage from the ship was more noticeable as it aggravated the threat of environmental disaster and danger to life, property and safety of residents in the coastal communities.
The PCG previously filed a complaint with the MTC for serious disobedience to a person in authority against the representative of Hyperline, and prohibited the seven Chinese crewmen on board the ship from leaving the town while facing the separate case of violation of immigration laws due to their illegal entry and concealment of their
identity as foreigners, as well as the unlawful use of a Philippine flag by the Sierra Leone-registered vessel. Hyperline partially sank due to strong waves at the height of typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon. The hearing on the PCG complaints is set on August 16.
rises in Iloilo City
tion,” said city health chief Dr. Annabelle Tang.
The Health Office observed a significant twoweek growth rate of 500 percent compared to previous monitoring data, where the COVID-19 spread had been at -46.67 percent. This means that 48 new cases were recorded within two weeks, compared to only eight cases in the previous monitoring period.
The daily attack rate also saw an increase from 0.12 (July 10 to 23) to 0.74 (July 24 to August 6).
Based on these figures, Iloilo City has been classified as moderate risk, with a high two-week growth rate, but a low average daily attack rate. The health care utilization rate (HCUR) for COVID-19 in
19th Congress,” said Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte. Villafuerte
DLSU to face Ateneo in UAAP Valorant opener
THE rivalry between De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University will once again ignite as the two powerhouses open their UAAP Esports VALORANT tournament campaigns against each other today (Tuesday) at Hyundai Hall in Areté, Ateneo de Manila University.
Viridis Arcus Esports, led by coach Xavier Juan, enters the tournament as the inaugural top dogs, boasting five championships.
Juan, who has made waves in the professional scene with Oasis Gaming—recent champions of the Predator League Philippines—brings his expertise and winning mentality to DLSU. Juan, also the former team captain of Viridis Arcus Esports, is confident that his squad is the team to watch, given their history of success during his tenure as a player. However, he remains firm that the focus is on training, with the goal of adding another championship to their legacy.
“On average, we trained six hours a day. We have the best mechanics and raw talent among the other teams. Coming into the tournament, the real enemy would be ourselves,” said a resolute Juan.
In the UAAP VALORANT Tournament, the eight-team pool is divided into two groups of four. Each group will compete in a single-round robin best-of-two series, where a 2-0 win earns three points, a 1-1 series draw
earns one point, and a 0-2 loss earns no points. The top two teams from each group will advance to the crossover semifinals.
La Salle is in Group A along with Far Eastern University, Adamson University, and Ateneo de Manila University. Group B includes University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, National University, and University of the East.
The UAAP VALORANT Tournament kicks off with the FEU-Adamson matchup at 11:30 a.m., followed by the UP-NU and UE-UST matches. The highly anticipated DLSU-Ateneo showdown will close out the opening day.
The UAAP Esports NBA2K Tournament also begins today at 11:30 a.m. at Doreen Fernandez Black Box also at Arete, with a total of 28 matches scheduled for the day.
UP coach Al Timajo, who also serves as a coach for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ E-Gilas Program, picked Ateneo and La Salle as the teams to beat but expressed confidence that his squad has what it takes to contend for the title.
Italian men’s coach debuts for Alas Pilipinas in SEA V. League
Top teams face
THREE teams riding the momentum of commanding victories are set to continue their pursuit of quarterfinal berths in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference. But while PLDT gears up to face the winless yet unpredictable ZUS Coffee, Chery Tiggo and Creamline brace for tough matches against Choco Mucho and Petro Gazz, respectively.
As the second preliminary round of this import-laced tournament resumes today (Tuesday) at the Philsports Arena in Pasig, the race to secure spots in the knockout Last 8 phase heats up. The Crossovers, the Cool Smashers and the High Speed Hitters, all eager to maintain their winning streaks, are on a mission to clinch pivotal victories. However, with their opponents desperate for a win, surprises are bound to unfold in what promises to be another thrilling day of competition in this midseason conference organized by Sports Vision.
With identical 4-1 records from the first round of pool preliminaries, Chery Tiggo, Creamline and PLDT aim to secure another win to join early quarterfinalists – the unbeaten Akari Chargers (6-0) and the Cignal HD Spikers (5-1).
In the 1 p.m. opener, the Crossovers face off against the Flying Titans, who are determined to turn around a disappointing campaign that has left them with
Games today (Tuesday)
1 p.m. – Chery Tiggo vs Choco Mucho 3 p.m. – Creamline vs Petro Gazz 5 p.m. – PLDT vs ZUS Coffee
just one win against four losses.
With the absence of league star Sisi Rondina, who is still with Alas Pilipinas, Choco Mucho has struggled, with coach Dante Alinsunurin running out of options against the league’s top contenders.
Import Zoi Faki’s underwhelming three-point performance in a brief two-set appearance during their recent loss to the Angels exemplifies the team’s struggles. Although Dindin Manabat has added firepower since joining during the season break, the rest of the squad must step up to keep their hopes alive for a last-minute push to the quarterfinals.
Despite key players being unavailable – such as those still with Alas and EJ Laure due to injury – Chery Tiggo coach Kungfu Reyes has benefited from strong performances by Ara Galang, Pauline Gaston, Shaya Adorador, Aby Maraño, Seth Rodriguez and Mary Rhose Dapol, with import Kath Bell consistently delivering the scoring and intangibles necessary to keep the team winning.
The 3 p.m. match sees the Cool Smashers facing a revitalized Petro Gazz team. Although playing without injured stars
ITALIAN Angiolino Frigoni will be debuting as Alas Pilipinas men’s head coach in the first leg of SEA V. League slated for August 16 to 18 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Alas Pilipinas will be meeting Vietnam first on Friday opener at 6 pm after the game between Indonesia and Thailand at 3 pm. The Philippines is set to meet Indonesia the next day at the same time and venue before concluding the first leg with a match against Thailand also at 6 pm.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), headed by President Ramon Tats Suzara expects Alas Pilipinas men’s team to showcase quality competitions among fellow Southeast Asian nations in the single round-robin three-day tournament.
Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza, the Cool Smashers have showcased their depth. Led by import Erica Staunton, along with Michele Gumabao, Bernadeth Pons, Bea de Leon, Pangs Panaga, Risa Sato and setter Kyle Negrito, the team has continued to perform at a high level. However, Petro Gazz’s recent win, which improved its record to 2-3, will likely fuel their determination. Wilma Salas and Brooke van Sickle are eager to build on their combined 35-point output from their last match, while former MVP Myla Pablo, having regained her form, is ready to contribute after an 11-point performance in her previous full-game appearance.
To overcome the Cool Smashers, however, the Angels will need consistent contributions from Nicole Tiamzon, Jonah Sabete, Aiza Pontillas, Ethan Arce and Chie Saet.
In the final match at 5 p.m., the High Speed Hitters must avoid complacency against the winless Thunderbelles, led by Asaka Tamaru, Dolly Verzosa, Ypril Tapia, Michelle Gamit and Sharya Ancheta. Coach Rald Ricafort remains co nfident that his core players, including import Elena Samoilenko and locals Erika Santos, Fiola Ceballos, Majoy Baron, Mika Reyes, Kim Fajardo, Shiela Kiseo, and Kiesha Bedonia, will deliver as expected.
Dumalaog leads as local talents dominate JPGT Pueblo opener
CAGAYAN DE ORO—Eliana Dumala og found her rhythm late, shooting an 81 with a birdie on the final hole at the front nine, edging out Rafella Batican and Isabella Espina in the ICTSI Junior PGT Mindanao Series 4 opener here yesterday (Monday).
Despite a challenging start at the backside of the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club, Dumalaog rebounded from a triple bogey on the 17th, finishing with a 38 at the front, highlighted by birdies on the third and ninth holes. Her nine-over-par performance pushed her ahead in the girls’ 10-12 category, overtaking the favored Batican and fellow Cagayan de Oro native, Espina.
"I’ll just do my best tomorrow (Tuesday), have fun, and try to make more birdies while focusing on making pars," said Dumalaog, a 10-yearold student from Oro Christian Grace School, who finished fifth in last week's Del Monte leg of the regional series won by Batican. Despite playing on her home course, Dumalaog admitted to feeling some pressure due to the strong competition from Batican, who is also familiar with the Pueblo layout.
“Playing against quality teams in Southeast Asia is a great test for our Philippine men’s team with new men’s coach Angiolino Frigoni,” Suzara said, noting that Frigoni and Alas Pilipinas will start their buildup for the nation’s hosting of the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship next year. “We are excited to see our team compete.”
Bryan Bagunas, Josh Ybañez, Vince Patrick Lorenzo, Jade Lex Disquitado, Kim Malabunga, Noel Kampton, Gabriel Casaña, Ave Joshua Retamar, Rwenzmel Taguibolos, Leo Ordiales, Jenngerard Diao, Lloyd Josafat, Louie Ramirez and Michaelo Buddin are the players of Alas Pilipinas.
Batican, who, along with her brother Ralph, swept the South Pacific and Del Monte tournaments, opened with a 39 but faltered with a double bogey on the first hole, ultimately finishing with an 82, tied with Espina, who carded 42-40. In other divisions of the series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and sponsored by ICTSI, local talents sought redemption after losses to Bukidnon rivals last week. Shaqeeq Tanog and Abby Qiu moved closer to the 8-9 titles, Ken Guillermo took charge in boys’ 10-12, and Del Monte leg winners Zero Plete and Ally Gaccion put up strong starts in girls’ 13-15 and 16-18, respectively. Tanog carded an 87 to open a fivestroke lead over Simon Apilat, who shot a 90. Marlou Langamin followed closely with a 93, while Benedict Rolida struggled with a 97.
“I enjoyed my game, got a birdie, and made six pars,” said Tanog, who admitted being more nervous during interviews than on the course under the sweltering heat.
Qiu posted nines of 43-45 to seize a commanding 12-shot lead over last week’s winner and fellow local talent, Francesca Geroy, who struggled throughout, finishing with 54-46 for 100, while Claren Quiño carded a 109 for third place.
ITALIAN Angiolino Frigoni during training with the national team.
Eliana Dumalaog shoots an 81 in the 2024 ICTSI JPGT Mindanao Series 4 at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro. Manny Marcelo
TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2024
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor
San Miguel Beer taps NBA veteran for Governor’s Cup
THE San Miguel Beermen have made a key roster adjustment just days before the start of the 2024 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup, replacing their original import, Tauras Jogela, with former NBA player Jordan Adams. Adams, who previously played for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA, brings a wealth of experience to the Beermen, having recently showcased his skills with Dewa United in the 2024 Indonesia Basketball League (IBL).
The 30-year-old, standing at 6-foot5, averaged an impressive 22.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in the IBL, where he also earned recognition as one of the league’s top shooters by winning the IBL All-Star 3-Point Contest. San Miguel’s head coach, Jorge Gallent, explained that the decision to bring in Adams was part of their strategy to adapt to the new four-point rule in the tournament format. Gallent emphasized the importance of early preparation, which he believes will help the Beermen stay competitive against their rivals.
“We started early in practice to prepare for the coming season. It’s going to be tough because of the imports, but with Adams on board, we’re confident we can keep up,” Gallent said.
Adams will join a formidable San Miguel lineup led by presumptive season Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, who will be supported by key players such as CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter, Don Trollano, and Jericho Cruz.
The Beermen’s early start in the Philippine Cup paid off as they won their first 10 games, advancing to the quarterfinals, where they defeated Terrafirma, and then overcoming Rain or Shine in the semifinals. However, they were upset by Meralco in the finals, which claimed the Philippine Cup title and their first-ever league championship.
Adams’ addition to the roster comes with high expectations as the Beermen aim to reclaim their dominance in the league. His international experience, having played in countries such as Syria, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, and Venezuela, is expected to bring a new dynamic to San Miguel’s campaign. Peter Atencio
President to honor Yulo, Team PH at Malacañang
By Peter Atencio
AGRAND homecoming celebration is set for Carlos Yulo, the Philippines’ double gold medalist at the Paris Olympics, as he and the rest of the Philippine delegation return to Manila on Tuesday afternoon.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will personally honor Yulo, along with the other Filipino Olympians, in a special ceremony at Malacañan Palace immedi-
FRANCE bid a reluctant farewell on Monday to an “enchanted” fortnight of Olympic sport as athletes headed home from Paris praising a dazzling edition of the Games that has breathed new life into the biggest show on earth.
Hollywood star Tom Cruise delivered stardust at the closing ceremony on Sunday evening— and a link with the next Games in Los Angeles in 2028—by abseiling into the national stadium.
The “Mission Impossible” star descended on a wire in front of 71,500 spectators, grabbed the Olympic flag, and jumped onto a motorbike, to the delight of thousands of dancing athletes and awe-struck fans.
The final act of the Paris Olympics brought relief that an event foreshadowed by worries about terror attacks, strikes, or protests had passed off with barely a hitch.
But there was also sadness that two weeks of high-spirited celebration had come to an end.
“Keep the flame alive,” urged the front-page headline of France’s biggest sports newspaper, L’Equipe, which featured new national swimming hero Leon Marchand and urged French people to maintain the spirit “of this enchanted fortnight”. AFP
ately following their arrival via a chartered flight at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.
Yulo, 24, made history by winning two gold medals in the artistic gymnastics competitions—triumphing in both the floor exercise and vault events. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, President Marcos will present Yulo and his fellow athletes with well-deserved incentives.
Yulo will receive a total of P20 million in cash rewards from the government and millions more in pledges from the private sector. His Olympic success marks a significant milestone for Philippine sports, coming three years after Hidilyn Diaz secured the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
In addition to Yulo, bronze medalists Aira Villegas
and Nesthy Petecio, who reached the semifinals in women’s boxing, will each be awarded P2 million for their performances. The following day, the Olympic medalists will be honored with a victory parade starting from the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). After the Malacañan Palace visit, Yulo will proceed to the Hilton Hotel at Resorts World Manila, where Megaworld Corporation will present him with the keys to a luxurious three-bedroom, fully furnished unit in one of its premier residential properties at McKinley Hill, valued at P32 million. The property development company will also gift Yulo a special cash bonus of P3 million in recognition of his historic achievements.
Malixi reigns supreme at US Women’s Amateur golf
RIANNE Malixi made history by winning the 2024 US Women’s Amateur, becoming the first Filipino to do so.
She defeated Asterisk Talley, 3-2, in the 36-hole final at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, marking her second USGA title this year after winning the US Girls’ Junior in July.
This victory places Malixi among the elite few who have won both the US Girls’ Junior and the US Women’s Amateur titles in the same year, a feat last achieved by Korean golfer Seong Eun-jeong in 2016.
“Honestly, I just wanted to play good golf,” Malixi, 17, said in an interview. “I
Victoria Sports pro cycling team out to conquer Asian scene
FRESH from an intense and rewarding European tour, Victoria Sports Pro Cycling (VSPC), the Philippines’ premier professional cycling team, is gearing up to take on Asia’s toughest races for the second half of 2024. VSPC brings with them valuable experience and a sharpened competitive edge as they go wheel-to-wheel with Asia’s best cycling teams.
VSPC boasts a robust lineup of Filipino riders, including rider Pako Ochoa, Daniel Ven Cariño, Edson Corbadora, Ean Cajucom, Ismael Grospe Jr., Kenneth Maramba, Miguel Omerga, Alexis Pagara, and Nichol Blanca Pareja, who all bring their passion and prowess to the team.
Seasoned international cyclists— Jeroen Meijers from the Netherlands, José Mendes from Portugal, Edgar Nieto from Spain, and Nícolas Sessler from Brazil—complete the team and position VSPC as a formidable force in the pro cycling world.
The team’s recent competitions have been nothing short of impressive.
At the PHILCYCLING National Championships for Road 2024, Nichol Blanca Pareja claimed the top spot
in the Individual Time Trial (ITT) while Alexis Pagara secured a solid 3rd place finish.
Jeroen Meijers showed his mettle by finishing 4th in Stage 1 of the Tour de Taiwan 2024, while he and Nícolas Sessler delivered strong performances at the Volta NXT Classic 2024. One of VSPC’s standout moments was Sessler’s 4th place finish in both Stage 3 and the overall General Classification at the Belgrade - Banja Luka 2024. Meanwhile, Marcelo Felipe earned the King of the Mountain title in Stage 1b of the International Tour of Hellas, capping off his efforts with a 19th-place overall finish.
At the 6th Grande Prêmio Internacional Beiras e Serra da Estrela, Nicolas Sessler, Jose Mendez, and Edgar Nieto all delivered commendable results, further solidifying VSPC’s presence in the European cycling scene. Back on home soil, VSPC’s teamwork paid off in the Lumba Tamo Zambales 2024, where Ean Cajucom clinched the Championship title in the 150KM Road Race Category. With these achievements under their belt, the Victoria Sports Pro Cycling team is now setting its sights on
wasn’t expecting to win the Australian Master of Amateurs in January, then the US Girls’ last month, and now this one.” Talley, 15, held a one-up lead after the first 18 holes, but Malixi quickly turned the match around, taking control with a series of birdies. She sealed the win with a fourfoot putt on the 16th hole, securing her second USGA championship in just 22 days.
Malixi credited her father for helping her overcome self-doubt and maintain a positive perspective. “Everything just clicked this year,” she said.
Talley, despite the loss, was proud of her performance.
Asian
from August
Edgar
and
WELL DONE, TEAM PILIPINAS! Our 22 athletes have shown that Filipinos can achieve greatness. Carlos Yulo sparkled with 2 gold medals in gymnastics, while Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio brought home bronze in boxing. Mabuhay to all our athletes for inspiring the nation!
From the City of Lights to the world, the Philippines shines brighter than ever, carrying the pride, dreams, and resilience of the Filipino people. POC
Jordan Adams NBA.com.
the
racing circuit. Their first stop is the TransHimalaya Cycling Race in China
21-25, 2024. The lineup includes Jeroen Meijers, Pako Ochoa,
Nohales Nieto, Ean Cajucom, Edson Corbadora, and Kenneth Maramba—each one set to ride the hard tracks with grit
determination to the finish line. Next, VSPC heads to Turkey for the Tour of Routhe Salvation from August 30 - September 2, 2024. Representing the team will be Jose Joao Pimenta Costa Mendes, Nicolas Mariotto Sessler, Edgar Nohales Nieto, Marcelo Felipe, Nichol Pareja, Alexis Pagara, and Daniel Ven Carino.
Victoria Sports pro cycling team is composed of seasoned local and international riders ready to make their mark in Asia after successful stints in Europe.
Rianne Malixi AFP
San Miguel earned P33.5b, posted P789-b sales in first half
P33.5 billion
By Jenniffer B. Austria
billion. Income from operations grew 16 percent to P26.6 billion.
San Miguel’s first-half net income
CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. (SMC) said Monday its first-half net income surged 66 percent to P33.5 billion on strong sales from core businesses.
Consolidated revenues of San Miguel Brewery Inc. inched up by 1 percent to P75.1 billion, driven by improved sales volume in the second quarter.
SMC said in a statement consolidated revenues reached P789 billion, up 15 percent from the same period last year.
By Othel V. Campos
P789 billion 15%
Total sales of San Miguel Group
It said the growth was driven by strong performance across most business segments, including Petron Corp., San Miguel Global Power, San Miguel Infrastructure, San Miguel Foods and Ginebra San Miguel Inc.
Operating income expanded 22 percent to P85.1 billion, supported by improved margins in the power business and reduced raw material costs in the food business.
“Our strong first-semester performance shows the resilience of our businesses even in a challenging market. We expect this positive momentum to continue throughout the year and deliver sustained value to all our stakeholders,”
SMC chairman and chief executive
Ramon Ang said.
San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. (SMFB) reported strong results in the first half of 2024, driven by continued business growth. Net income rose 6 percent to P20 billion, as consolidated sales increased 4 percent to P192.9
The company expects stronger performance in the second half of 2024, supported by targeted sales initiatives and increased focus on specific channels.
Ginebra San Miguel Inc. reported an 18-percent sales increase to P30 billion, led by a 10-percent volume growth, along with effective marketing campaigns, new products and expanded distribution.
Despite rising costs, operating income rose 31 percent to P4.4 billion, demonstrating strong brand performance and supply chain efficiency.
THAI fiber cement manufacturer
SHERA said its P2-billion plant in Mabalacat, Pampanga is now 60-percent complete and is on track to commence operations by January 2025.
The facility, with an annual production capacity of up to 240,000 tons of fiber cement, is set to boost local production and exports, catering to both domestic and international markets.
Growth in San Miguel Group’s sales
THE Department of Finance (DOF) said Monday it teamed up with other government agencies to discuss ways to promote transparency in the official development assistance (ODA) process and monitor the impact of its projects on beneficiaries. ODAs are loans or grants that are geared towards promoting sustainable social and economic development for the benefit of the people. They are contracted with governments of foreign countries with whom the Philippines has diplomatic, trade relations or bilateral agreements.
The DOF’s International Finance Group (IFG) is in-charge of the nego-
By Darwin G. Amojelar
CEBU Pacific said Monday it is strengthening its Clark hub with the launch of daily direct flights to Tagbilaran, Bohol starting October 2024.
The airline unit of the Gokongwei Group said it would operate daily flights between Clark and Tagbilaran starting Oct. 21, allowing passengers to access more domestic destinations from Clark International Airport.
tiations for ODA.
DOF IFG Undersecretary Joven Balbosa highlighted the importance of transparency and efficient progress monitoring of ODAs considering the evolving partnerships between the government and its foreign bilateral and multilateral development partners and emerging laws and policies. To promote transparency and increase public appreciation, the agencies discussed launching an ODA microsite to serve as a repository of ODA projects, detailing their corresponding project descriptions, progress reports, and success stories. Apart from this, the agencies also
“We are thrilled to launch our direct flights between Clark and Tagbilaran. Bohol is known for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and unique wildlife,” CEB president and chief commercial officer Xander Lao.
“This new route supports our commitment to provide every Juan with more opportunities to explore and discover the Philippines, one island at a time,” he said.
discussed how to streamline, codify, and automate procedures for the negotiation and implementation of ODAs contracted from bilateral or multilateral development partners.
This also includes optimizing and expediting ODA implementation schedules across relevant government offices.
The DOF, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in a meeting on July 22, 2024, delivered presentations relating to their roles and processes in dealing with ODA loans and grants and foreign donations.
The airline said it is offering a seat sale until Aug. 15, 2024, allowing passengers to book flights from Clark to Tagbilaran for as low as P1 one-way base fare, exclusive of fees and surcharges. The travel period will be from Oct. 21, 2024 to March 31, 2025.
It aims to provide easier access to SHERA’s eco-friendly and durable fiber cement products for Filipino consumers.
SHERA chairman and director Ongek Taechamahaphant expressed confidence in the project’s progress, emphasizing its importance in SHERA’s expansion plans in the Philippine market.
Once operational, the facility will offer a diverse range of fiber cement products for various applications, including wall cladding, sidings, floor decking and ceiling eaves well-suited for the Philippine climate.
SHERA said its dedication to sustainability is reflected in its ecoconscious production processes, utilizing solar energy and recycled materials.
The Mabalacat plant will also export to Taiwan, South Korea and parts of North Asia and Oceania. The expansion is projected to generate about 150 new jobs for Filipinos.
Cebu Pacific also resumed direct flights between Clark and four other domestic destinations – Davao, General Santos, Iloilo and Puerto Princesa – strengthening connectivity and accessibility to the Visayas-Mindanao region. CEB also operates flights to other domestic destinations including Caticlan and Cebu and to international destinations such as Bangkok, Hong Kong, Narita and Singapore. The airline flies to 35 domestic and 26 international destinations spread across Asia, Australia and the Middle East.
ResourceBased Industry Services (RBIS) discusses the guidelines for the registration of energy efficiency and conservation (EE&C) projects to the LIMA Manufacturing locators during the roadshow on Aug. 2, 2024 The REShift campaign is an initiative that demonstrates BOI’s commitment, as the country’s lead investment promotion agency (IPA), in fostering a culture of cooperation among investment promotion agencies, and their respective ecozones/industrial parks.
SEC clears Vista Land’s P5-b share sale
THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
DYE HUB. Officials of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine
Institute (DOST-PTRI) sign a memorandum of agreement with the representatives of University of Abra (UAbra), formerly Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology (ASIST) and the DOST Cordillera Administrative Region (DOST - CAR) to establish the second Natural Dyes (NatDyes) Hub in La Paz, Abra. This is the third NatDyes Hub in CAR and the 14th in the country. The agreement was signed during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week (RSTW) at the Heritage Convention Center in Ifugao State University on Aug. 7, 2024.
ICTSI’s profit soared 34% in first half despite end of Karachi port contract
By Darwin G. Amojelar
INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc.
(ICTSI) said Monday net income grew 34 percent in the first half of 2024 on the back of higher operating income.
The port terminal operator led by businessman Enrique Razon Jr. said net income amounted to $420.55 million from January to June this year, up from $313.80 million a year ago.
“We’ve delivered a strong first-half performance, yet again demonstrating the strength of ICTSI’s diversified international portfolio and continued
HEROESDISCOUNT.
More than 500,000 active employees from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) can avail of a 5-percent discount on all generic medicines from all branches of Generika Drugstore starting Aug. 6, 2024. This is part of Generika Drugstore’s discount program for uniformed and non-uniformed personnel to honor their courage and sacrifices in the line of duty ahead of the National Heroes Day this month.
delivery of our strategic initiatives.
We have a robust balance sheet and cash generation is strong with free cash flow up 24 percent to $602 million which means we have significant headroom to invest for future growth,” said Razon, who serves as ICTSI chairman and president.
“While we remain vigilant of con-
tinuing economic and geopolitical uncertainty, we have a proven and sustainable growth strategy which gives us confidence in our outlook and continued ability to generate value for all our stakeholders,” he said.
The company’s revenue from port operations amounted to $1.32 billion, up 13 percent from $1.16 billion in the same period last year.
ICTSI said excluding the impact of new businesses in Philippines and Brazil and discontinued businesses in Pakistan and Indonesia, the group’s consolidated gross revenues would have increased by 15 percent.
ICTSI handled a consolidated
BUSINESS SEC approves Petron’s P17-b preferred shares
volume of 6.31 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in the first six months of the year, higher than 6.27 million TEUs it handled in the same period in 2023.
“The one-percent consolidated volume growth was mainly due to the impact of new services and improvement in trade activities at certain terminals offset by the decrease in volume at Contecon Guayaquil S.A. [CGSA] in Guayaquil Ecuador, the impact of expiration of the concession contract at PICT in Karachi, Pakistan and the deconsolidation of OJA in Jakarta, Indonesia,” ICTSI said.
06 to be located in Municipalities of Banate and Barotac Viejo, Province of Iloilo. Notice is hereby given to all parties who wish to give their opinion regarding the implementation of the proposed UGASAN-JUANICO SMALL RESERVOIR IRRIGATION PROJECT
By Alena Mae S. Flores
PETRON Corp. said Monday the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved its planned series 4 preferred shares issuance, with proceeds of up to P17 billion.
Petron said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange it plans to offer 13 million series 4 preferred shares, with an oversubscription option for another 4 million shares at P1,000 apiece under its 50-million shelf registration program.
The company said it intends to use the proceeds to redeem series 3A preferred shares, refinance maturing obligations and fund general corporate purposes, including crude oil inventory purchase. Petron plans to conduct the offer from Aug. 19 to 28 and list it at the PSE on Sept. 2.
BDO Capital & Investment Corp. will act as sole issue manager, while Bank of Commerce, BDO Capital, China Bank Capital Corp., Philippine Commercial Capital Inc., PNB Capital and Investment Corp. and SB Capital Investment Corp. are the joint lead underwriters and book runners.
Petron is the country’s biggest oil company with a 180,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Bataan. It has a combined service station network of about 2,600 outlets in the Philippines and Malaysia.
Petron posted a flat growth in its net income in the first half of 2024 to P6 billion from P6.14 billion in the same period last year amid challenging economic conditions.
PH stocks drop on reduced chance of interest rate cuts
By Jenniffer B. Austria
PHILIPPINE stocks opened the week in the red amid reduced likelihood of a rate cut after July inflation rate reached 4.4 percent.
The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index lost 34.44 points, or 0.52 percent, to close at 6,613.36, while the broader all-shares index slipped 9.7 points, or 0.27 percent, to settle at 3,598.54.
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said investor sentiment turned negative as monetary officials indicated that rates could be kept unchanged during its policy meeting this week as July inflation rate came in higher
than expected. The Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is slated to meet Thursday to set policy rates.
Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said investors also stayed on the sidelines ahead of the release of MSCI rebalancing later this week.
MSCI or the Morgan Stanley Capital International index is designed to measure the performance of the large and mid-cap segments of the market.
Value turnover was thin at P3.51 billion as decliners outnumbered gainers, 105 to 79, with 52 names unchanged. Among the indices, only services sector ended positive, rising by 1.29 percent.
ABUNDANT empirical evidence has shown that industries and companies are instinctively reluctant to embrace a concept that is unfamiliar and potentially expensive and that acceptance takes place only when the leader (or leaders) of an industry firmly endorses the concept.
A prominent case in point is the concept of sustainability. This concept has had a long and difficult journey toward acceptance by the Philippine business community. Corporate programs intended to promote sustainability in the face of climate change have long been regarded as optional at best and unnecessary at worst.
The slowness of industries to embrace an unfamiliar concept has been true to one of this country’s biggest industries-real estate development. Over the years, the industry has been developing millions of hectares of valuable land with little concern for the sustainability –environment, economic, social, governance – of their projects.
But that is about to change, for the leading real estate developer in this country, SM Development Corp. (SMDC), a subsidiary of SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI) – has just described what sustain
Mining and oil dropped 1.72 percent followed by holding firms which declined by 1.52 percent and financials by 0.60 percent.
Century Pacific Food Inc. emerged as the top gainer, rising 2.79 percent, while Nickel Asia Corp. was the worst performing, declining by 5.07 percent. Meanwhile, Asian markets mostly rose Monday as investors tried to move on from last week’s upheaval fueled by US recession worries, with focus shifting to the release of key inflation and retail data.
After a painful collapse fueled by a big miss on US jobs creation, equities managed to bounce back over the following days and ended Friday on a healthy note. With AFP
The nation’s biggest real estate developer has laid down the path to sustainable real estate development.
able real estate development looks like.
“Developers must create new communities that act as economic and cultural hubs, emphasizing inclusivity, environmental protection and cultural preservation,” said Jessica Bianca Sy, SMPHI and SMDC lead executive for design, innovation and strategy, before the recently concluded “Advancing Sustainable Cities and Communities through Science, Technology and Innovation.”
In her speech, the SMDC executive addressed the matters that are proving to be particularly challenging to living in a world beset by climate change and other 21st century pressures. I was struck by the approaches that apparently are being adopted by her company to deal with the challenges.
Ms. Sy spoke of her company’s integrated property developments (IPDs) –efficiently managed areas within which residential, commercial and leisure areas are blended – located in prime locations accessible to transportation that guarantee high-yielding investment for investors and easy access to economic opportunities for residents. The IPDs are in furtherance of SMDC’s “15-minute
city”, which involves planning for the location of essential daily needs and services within a 15-minute-walk radius.
For the transportation element of IPD living, Ms. Sy spoke of a “pedestrianfriendly infrastructure” incorporating a network of protected pedestrian and cycling corridors.
This country’s leading real estate developer apparently has initiated discussions with franchise holders about an “Integrated Smart Energy Management” system that will manage energy use by buildings and infrastructure. “District cooling” will be introduced in future SMDC properties to lower individual buildings’ energy needs for cooling. For more efficient water supply and use, SMDC intends to install a natural drainage system into its future projects, Ms. Sy said. Such a system will incorporate small catchment areas and detention tanks and ponds.
The nation’s biggest real estate developer has laid down the path to sustainable real estate development. The rest of the real estate industry is bound to follow SMDC down that path.
(llagasjessa@yahoo.com).
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
BUSINESS
MSME DAY.
More than 150 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and eight exhibitors participate in the first leg of the MSME Day event in Iloilo City. These businesses gained valuable knowledge and skills essential for thriving in the digital era. PLDT Enterprise, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Strengthening Private Enterprise for the Digital Economy (SPEED) Activity, launched its first MSME Day, marking the beginning of a nationwide roadshow dedicated to supporting MSMEs.
JG Summit’s core net income doubled to P18.1b in first half
By Jenniffer B. Austria
JG SUMMIT Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei Group said Monday its core net income doubled to P18.1 billion in the first half of 2024 from the same period last year on the back of a P7.9-billion one-time gain from the merger of the Bank of the Philippine Islands and Robinsons Bank that took effect at the start of the year.
Excluding the P7.9-billion merger gain, recurring core profits grew 12 percent year-on-
MPIC sees core income topping P20b this year
core net income for 2024 would exceed the company’s record income of P19.9 billion in 2023.
MPIC’s core net income reached P12.5 billion in the first half, up 27 percent from P9.9 billion registered in the same period last year on strong contribution from core infrastructure businesses. Income from operations reached P14.8 billion, fueled by strong growth in energy sales at Manila Electric Co., billed volume from Maynilad Water Services Inc. and increased traffic and tariff on tollways. Power accounted for the largest share of net operating income at P10.1 billion, followed by toll roads and water which contributed P3.2 billion and P2.5 billion, respectively. Reported net income rose 23 percent to P12.5 billion from P10.2 percent.
MPIC’s toll road unit Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. registered a 25-percent increase in core net income to P3.4 billion, as revenues grew 18 percent to P15.4 billion on toll rate hikes and growth in traffic in all markets. Maynilad Water Services Inc. revenues amounted to P16.4 billion, up 29 percent from a year ago, boosted by a 4-percent growth in billed volume and 19.8-percent increase in tariff rate implemented early this year. Core net income rose 29 percent to P5.6 billion.
MPIC also continues to ramp up its investments in agri-business with the recent acquisition of Universal Harvester Dairy Farms Inc. (UHDFI) worth P700 million.
UHDFI, located in Maramag, Bukidnon, operates under the Bukidnon Milk Company brand, producing fresh milk, flavored milk, yogurt, and cheese products, with presence primarily focused on key cities in Visayas and Mindanao.
It is the largest state-of-the-art dairy production facility in the country.
“Our power, toll roads, and water business continued to deliver doubledigit growth in earnings on the back of strong volumes and the impact of long overdue tariff adjustments,” said MPIC chairman, president and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan. Jenniffer B. Austria
year, the company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.
Reported net income, which incorporates noncore items such as foreign exchange and mark-tomarket losses, stood at P14.8 billion, up 43 percent from a year ago.
First-half revenues rose 15 percent year-on-year to P187.8 billion, boosted by increased demand for tourism and recreation, along with improved petrochemical operations and higher food and beverage sales volumes.
“We continue to post overall topline growth despite the lingering effects of inflation which dampened consumer sentiment. We have seen a divergence of results from our operating units with the strong demand for travel and leisure benefiting our air transport and real estate businesses,” JG Summit president and chief executive Lance Gokongwei
said.
“Our food and beverage unit continues to deliver higher sales volumes, but product mix has changed into lower price point categories, while increased plant utilization in our petrochemicals unit pulled up revenues in the first half. Coupled with our initiatives to drive productivity and better operating leverage, we have now seen improvements in margins,” said Gokongwei.
Gokongwei said the company hopes to sustain this momentum in the second half of 2024, as the expected decline in inflation rate could boost consumer demand.
“We will continue to execute our commercial strategies to drive topline growth while implementing overall operational discipline to ensure we sustain the year-on-year recovery in core net income and margins,” he said.
SECURITY BANK’S BRANCH. Security Bank Corp. expands its network with a new branch in Binangonan, Rizal. Situated along the Manila East Road, the branch benefits from numerous small businesses including micro-enterprises engaged in food processing, handicraft production and other cottage industries. Attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony are (from left) Michelle Bragas, owner of FCMB Construction Supplies; Evangeline Puntillar, owner of Mono Quadratic; Ariel Puntillar, owner of Mono Quadratic; Katerina Tutaan, sales officer, branch banking Luzon distribution, Security Bank; Cesar Ynares, mayor of Binangonan; Leslie Cham, EVP and branch banking group head of Security Bank; Ronnie Asturia, SVP and branch banking Luzon distribution head of Security Bank; Harold De Leon, FVP and branch banking Luzon distribution of Security Bank; and Mai Aguiting, area head-VPbranch banking Luzon distribution of Security Bank.
Higher real estate sales lifted Filinvest Land’s first-half profit
FILINVEST Land Inc. (FLI), the property unit of the Gotianun family, said Monday net profit in the first half of 2024 grew 6.6 percent to P1.77 billion from P1.66 billion in the same period last year, led by the growth in the residential segment.
FLI said in a financial report to stock exchange first-half consolidated revenues jumped 15.8 percent to P11.5 billion from P9.92 billion. Real estate sales reached P7.4 billion in the first half, up 21.75 percent from a year ago level. More than three-fourths of total
real estate sales came from projects catering to middle-income segment, including mid-rise and high-rise residential buildings, followed by affordable and low market at 12 percent.
Revenues from retail leasing rose 7.31 percent, on higher occupancy level, rental escalation rates and the removal of rental concessions.
Co-living (dormitel segment) contributed P114.28 million in revenue from the operations of The Crib Clark as of June 30, 2024.
The company said second-quarter net income rose 5.15 percent to
P818.6 million from P778.5 million a year ago. Second-quarter revenues reached P5.88 billion, up by 18 percent from P4.98 billion in 2023.
FLI had a land bank of about 1,865 hectares of raw land for the development of its various projects as of end-June 2024, including 196.5 hectares of land under joint venture agreements, which the parent company’s management believes is sufficient to sustain several years of development and sales.
FLI plans to launch P25 billion worth of residential projects in 2024. Jenniffer B. Austria
By Ralph Harvey Rirao
AN ECONOMIST of ING Bank said Monday the higher inflation rate in July may force the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to reconsider its planned interest rate cut this month.
“The inflation numbers make it slightly less likely that there will be easing in August. The GDP [gross domestic product [GDP) numbers at the margin may have shifted it back a little bit,” said ING head of research and chief economist for Asia Robert Carnell.
The Philippine economy grew 6.3 percent in the second quarter of 2024, while inflation rate in July climbed to 4.4 percent from 3.7 percent in June.
“The thing that I think makes it more of a coin toss is the volatility of the marking backdrop. We have been through a really very hectic, volatile couple of days,” said Carnell. “I’d probably leave it this month and wait till the markets to be little calmer.” Carnell said the Philippines peso is also well supported and may not be a main reason for an interest rate cut. Carnell said the country should also wait how the lower import tariff on rice could affect inflation in the coming months.
“So long as the rice remains roughly where it is, then inflation is gonna fall over the coming months. If the price of rice goes down, inflation will fall over the coming months,” he said.
The Monetary Policy meeting of the BSP is scheduled to meet on Aug. 15, 2024.
RCBC posted P4.5-b income in first 6 months
RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) said Monday it closed the first half of 2024 with an unaudited consolidated net income of P4.5 billion.
The bank reported a 12-percent increase in earning assets, 29-percent jump in net interest income and a 33-percent rise in fees. Core business revenue in the first semester surged 29 percent, led by a 38-percent increase in consumer loans, lifting the net interest margin by 41 basis points to 3.71 percent.
RCBC said its credit card portfolio led the growth with a 53-percent jump, with credit card billing increasing 42 percent, or double the industry growth rate.
The auto and housing loan portfolio of RCBC also marked a 28-percent year-on-year expansion.
RCBC said that as of the first half of 2024, its personal and salary loan portfolio tripled, with loans generated digitally reaching P2.0 billion.
Consumer loans represented 36 percent of the bank’s total consumer loans, while the remaining 63 percent consisted of corporate and SME portfolio.
Ralph Harvey Rirao
THE municipality of Sta. Maria in Bulacan province padlocked a plant producing steel angle bars.
Sta. Maria Mayor Bartolome Ramos, in an order dated Aug. 8, 2024, ordered the suspension of operation of Hightension Industrial Corp., which is a subject of a complaint filed by environmental NGO SEEDS PH for allegedly operating without an updated environmental clearance certificate (ECC) and permits to operate pollution-control facilities. SEEDS PH alleged that Hightension was selling and producing angle bars using induction furnace, which was banned in China and a town in Pampanga.
Sta. Maria officials served the cease-and-desist order to Hightension and placed a tarpaulin on its gate
giving notice that the “establishment has been ordered closed due to violations of Municipal Ordinance 404, or the Revenue Code of Sta. Maria, Bulacan; Municipal Ordinance no. 137, or the Environmental Code of Sta. Maria; Presidential Decree 1586, or the Environmental Impact Statement System; PD 856, or the Sanitary Code of the Philippines; PD 1096, or the National Building Code of the Philippines; and Republic Act 7160, or the Real Property Tax Code.” “In connection to this, I hereby order to temporarily suspend your business operations effective immediately until compliance of deficient documents. Please be reminded that failure to abide this order, the municipality may take legal action on this matter,” Ramos said in his order.
IN BRIEF
Police back on Dhaka streets
DHAKA – Bangladeshi police resumed patrols of the capital Dhaka on Monday, ending a week-long strike that left a law and order vacuum following the abrupt ouster of autocratic ex-premier Sheikh Hasina.
Officers vanished from the streets of the sprawling megacity of 20 million people last week after Hasina’s resignation and flight abroad ended her 15-year rule.
Police were loathed for spearheading a lethal crackdown on the weeks of protests that forced her departure, with 42 officers among the more than 450 people killed.
Police had vowed not to resume work until their safety on duty was guaranteed, but they agreed to return after late-night talks with the new interim government, helmed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
“It’s good to be back,” assistant commissioner Snehasish Das told AFP while standing at a busy intersection directing traffic.
“As we feel secure now, we are back on duty.”
Student-led protests against Hasina’s government had been largely peaceful until police attempted to violently disperse them. AFP
Hong Kong court rules vs. democracy leaders
HONG KONG – Hong Kong’s top court on Monday dismissed a bid from seven prominent pro-democracy figures, including media tycoon Jimmy Lai, to overturn their convictions for taking part in an unauthorized assembly that drew nearly two million participants.
The conviction centered on a peaceful August 2019 march through the city at the height of Hong Kong’s democracy protests that went ahead in defiance of a police ban.
The defendants, who include some of the most recognizable faces of Hong Kong’s now-quashed democracy movement, were cleared by a lower court of organizing the rally, which was attended by an estimated 1.7 million people.
Four of them -- newspaper publisher Lai, rights lawyer Albert Ho, activist and exlawmaker “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung, and unionist Lee Cheuk-yan -- are serving time on various other charges, including national security offenses, after being caught up in the wide-ranging crackdown that followed the 2019 protests. AFP
Tanzania nabs opposition figure Lissu in mass arrests
DAR ES SALAAM – Tanzanian police have detained leading opposition Chadema party figures including former presidential candidate Tundu Lissu, and rounded up several hundred youth supporters, a Chadema official said on Monday.
The Chadema leaders were arrested in the southwestern city of Mbeya, where the party was due to hold a rally on Monday to mark International Youth Day, Chadema’s director of communications and foreign affairs John Mrema told AFP on Sunday.
He said that around 500 youth supporters had also been arrested by police as they were making their way to the Mbeya gathering and were being escorted back home.
Tanzanian police had announced Sunday a ban on the Chadema youth gathering, accusing the party of planning violent demonstrations.
The youth wing had said about 10,000 youngsters were expected to meet in Mbeya to mark International Youth Day under the slogan “Take charge of your future”. AFP
Thai PM faces possible ouster in court case
BANGKOK – Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin could be thrown out of office this week when the country’s Constitutional Court rules on his appointment of a Cabinet minister with a criminal conviction.
The case comes a week after the same court disbanded the kingdom’s main opposition political party and banned its former leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, from politics for a decade.
Srettha is accused of violating ethics rules by appointing Pichit Chuenban, a lawyer closely associated with the family of billionaire former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as a minister.
Pichit was sentenced to six months in prison in 2008 for a corruption-related offense.
Pichit resigned from his role in a bid to protect Srettha, but the Constitutional Court still agreed to hear the case, initiated by a complaint from army-appointed senators. Srettha, whose Pheu Thai leads a multi-party coalition government, has said Pichit underwent thorough vetting.
The PM has suggested the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle if he remains in office, according to local media.AFP
Residents flee as Greece wildfires rage despite ‘superhuman’ efforts
Tropical storm Maria hits Japan with record rain
TOKYO – Tropical Storm Maria made landfall in northern Japan on Monday and dumped the most rain in some areas since records began and forced the cancelation of dozens of flights. Maria came ashore around 8:30 am near Ofunato city in Iwate prefecture, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
It was initially categorized as a “severe tropical storm”, one level below a typhoon, but was downgraded to a “tropical storm” by Monday afternoon as it lost some of its strength.
There were no reports of injuries or severe structural damage, according to the Iwate Prefecture government.
Two families were trapped inside their houses in a remote town due to an overflowing creek, the Iwate government said.
The region’s municipalities issued evacuation advisories and warnings to some 315,000 residents overnight, and around 2,000 people spent the night at local shelters.
The storm dumped 368 millimeters of rain in the 24 hours to Monday morning in Kuji city, the most since the meteorological agency began keeping records there in 1978.
The area’s average monthly rainfall for August is 177.9 millimeters.
The city also issued an urgent evacuation warning to about 8,300 residents living along a river as a nearby dam began a controlled release of water to prevent overflowing.
“The residents in the affected region are advised to be vigilant about land-
Moscow battles to contain push by Kyiv, orders more evacuations
KYIV – Russia on Monday ordered more evacuations in a region bordering Ukraine as it battled to contain an unprecedented push onto its territory by Kyiv forces.
Ukraine last week sent troops into Russia’s border region of Kursk, in the largest cross-border operation by Kyiv since Moscow launched its offensive more than two years ago. The assault, which has sent tens of thousands of people fleeing, marked the most significant attack by a foreign army on Russian territory since World War II. A top Ukrainian official told AFP that the operation was aimed at stretching Moscow troops and destabilising the country after months of slow Russian advances across the frontline.
The assault appeared to catch the Kremlin off guard, with Moscow’s army rushing in reserve troops, tanks, aviation, artillery and drones in a bid to quash it.
Despite the efforts, the army on Sunday conceded that Ukraine had been able to penetrate its territory by up to 30 kilometers in places. In a daily briefing on the situation in the western Kursk region, the defence ministry said it had “foiled attempts” by Ukraine’s forces to “break through deep into Russian territory” using armored vehicles.
But it said some of those forces were near the villages of Tolpino and Obshchy Kolodez, some 25 kilometers and 30 kilometers from the Russia-Ukraine border. AFP
slides, surging and flooding rivers and flooding in low-lying areas, as well as violent gusts and high waves,” the weather agency said. Some 300 households in Iwate were without power Monday afternoon, according to regional utility Tohoku Electric Power. As of noon local time on Monday, Maria was travelling above Hanamaki city in Iwate, bringing gusts of up to 108 kilometers per hour and moving northwest at 20 kilometers per hour, the agency said. It has forced the cancellation of flights to the northern region. Japan Airlines said it canceled 78 domestic flights, affecting 7,039 passengers. Its rival ANA canceled eight flights, national broadcaster NHK said. AFP
ATHENS – Greece ordered fresh evacuations near Athens on Monday as wildfires spread despite “superhuman” efforts to contain the flames, firefighters said.
At least five more communities were told to flee by civil protection authorities on Monday, after hundreds of people evacuated Sunday from at least eight villages.
“Civil protection forces battled hard throughout the night, but despite superhuman efforts, the fire evolved rapidly,” fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said.
“At this moment it has reached Mount Pentelicus and is headed in the direction of Penteli,” he added.
The Mediterranean country is exceptionally vulnerable to summer blazes. After the warmest winter on record, Greece also experienced its hottest June and July since reliable data collection began in 1960, and the summer season has seen fires burn daily.
Temperatures are forecast to peak at 39 degrees Celsius in Greece on Monday, with wind gusts of up to 50 kilometers per hour.
Two hospitals in Penteli -- one for children and a military facility -- were evacuated at dawn, Vathrakogiannis said.
The brigade has deployed 510 firefighters and 152 vehicles, while 29 aircraft were due to set out at first light, he added.
“Forest fire near you. Follow the instructions of the authorities,” said SMS messages sent to people in the Attica region on Monday, indicating in which direction to flee.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis cut short his holiday and returned to Athens Sunday evening to deal with the crisis.
By Sunday afternoon, firefighters had quickly dealt with 33 out of the 40 blazes that had broken out in the past 24 hours.
But the force was battling seven more in the high summer heat, the fire brigade spokesman said Sunday. AFP
RUTHLESS WILDFIRES. This photograph shows the Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill in a smoke cloud from a wildfire, in Athens on Monday. Greece’s civil protection authorities ordered the evacuation of several towns in the north-eastern suburbs of Athens, threatened by a violent fire that started the day before and is spreading. Temperatures are forecast to peak at 39 degrees Celsius in Greece on Monday, with wind gusts of up to 50 kilometers per hour. AFP
ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY
Potato eyed as sustainable food
GLOBAL agrifood systems are facing challenges to feed the world’s growing population and the potato can provide an effective solution.
The recent World Potato Congress made the pitch, with Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. expressing confidence in the potential of the tuber as a source of carbohydrate and an alternative to rice, making it a valuable crop for addressing the food
needs of the Filipinos.
“I am very hopeful… potato is one of the best solutions available to us today.
Potatoes have many uses... from the normal table potatoes to local chips, then French fries, etc,” he said.
Tiu Laurel said he has already approved the implementation of potato seed tissue culture program, which will significantly boost potato production in the country.
André Devaux, a member of the World Potato Congress’ board and an independent consultant and scientist emeritus at the International Potato Center (CIP), said cultivating potatoes can provide incomes and sustainable livelihoods for farmers.
He stressed that the potato was
a resilient crop with a high yield capacity, a short growing cycle and had a low carbon footprint.
Devaux noted that 1.3 billion people now consume potatoes worldwide but said consumption was still far behind that of wheat and rice. “It is a cash crop but also provides food for domestic consumption. It can play an important role in food crises,” Devaux said.
The DA and Universal Robina Corp., the food manufacturing arm of the Gokongwei Group, signed a fiveyear agreement to jointly establish and continue the Sustainable Potato Program (SPP).
The SPP, which began in 2019, seeks to develop dependable seed
systems, strengthen potato farmers’ organizations, and boost farm productivity and incomes.
Under the agreement, DA regional offices and URC will collaborate to identify and select farmers’ groups for capacity building, training in good agricultural practices, seed multiplication, pest and disease management, storage, handling and marketing.
URC has committed to upscale the project and expand production areas in the Cordilleras, Bukidnon and Davao provinces in partnership with the DA and the United Potato Producers of Benguet and Mountain province and other farmers’ associations in various provinces. DA, FAO News
Private sector role stressed in mitigating disaster risks CCC, Ayala firms boost efforts to fight climate woes
THE Climate Change Commission (CCC) stressed the crucial role of the private sector in adaptation and mitigation efforts during the Disaster Resilience Forum held recently at the San Miguel Corp. headquarters. The forum focused on transitioning to a green economy and enhancing climate resilience.
The CCC cited the importance of transformative climate action in the private sector by adopting and promoting climate-smart practices and technologies. This includes utilizing renewable energy and developing products or services that reduce ecological impacts and carbon emissions.
“The complexities and challenges brought by climate change need to have a whole- of-society approach, which involves active participation and collaboration of government, the private sector, academe, and communities,” said Assistant Secretary and CCC deputy executive director Romell Antonio O. Cuenca.
Recognizing that the global crisis requires collaborative efforts from all sectors, the CCC has established various coordination mechanisms, including the Communicating Opportunities to Network, Navigate and Explore Climate Transformation (CONNECT) to strengthen partnerships with the private sector.
“Attracting foreign investments is key to overcoming technological barriers and enhancing the country’s capacity for green innovation.“ said Cuenca. He added that prioritizing these aspects enables the private sector, particularly large corporations, to advance technology while reducing their carbon footprints. CCC News
Citihomes Builders commits to innovative residences
CITIHOMES Builder and Development Inc. (CBDI) is aiming for innovations that have driven it to a path to elements-focused construction and community-developing practices.
CBDI executive vice president John Philip Wang said the company has committed to incorporate class-leading sustainability features in its current and future housing projects as possible, while maintaining affordable prices and financing for its buyers.
These elements-inspired sustainable measures include grid-tied solar energy panel systems, rainwater harvest tanks, minimal use of lumber in both construction processes and housing products, reduced-carbon cement, and solarpowered streetlights, which are already active in their current projects.
“Our network of experts and industrial partners continues to grow, with the next endeavor being household composting and focused recycling programs to help our communities reduce our overall dependence on waste hauling and landfills” Wang said.
“We are fully intent on continuing on this path, to enjoin not only our buyers but as many stakeholders as possible to engage in conscientious and responsible living.” he added.
The first of CBDI’s next-generation projects, Liora Homes Naic, has already been awarded a 3-Star rating by the prestigious BERDE Districts of the Philippine Green
Building Council, and its Amora townhouse model an equally significant EDGE Certification by the International Finance Corp. (IFC). The awards are testaments to the company’s thrust of building from the heart to enhance the lives of Filipino homeowners.
CBDI has a 40-year track record in the home construction industry, but its reputation is built on 18 years of developing residential communities that enhance the quality of life for ordinary Filipino homeowners.
As it continues to expand its portfolio, CBDI stands out as one of the pioneering companies delivering green and sustainable residential communities.
Healthy diets remain unaffordable for a third of the world—UN
ROME—More than a third of the world’s population could not afford a healthy diet in 2022, and some regions have yet fully to recover from the harms wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings are contained in a data set published in the 2024 edition of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World the flagship hunger report issued last week by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and four sister United Nations agencies. While food prices increased throughout 2022, pushing up the average cost of a healthy diet, this was largely offset by economic recovery and the ensuing positive income effects.
As a result, some 35.4 percent of the global population, equal to 2.826 billion people, were unable to afford a healthy diet in 2022. That compares to 36.4 percent and 2.823 billion in 2019. However, this recovery to prepandemic levels in 2022 was achieved in an uneven manner across regions.
“In 2022, the number of people unable to afford a healthy diet dropped below pre-pandemic levels in the group of upper-middle- and high-income countries. In contrast, low-income countries had the highest levels since 2017,” the first year for which FAO has published estimates, said Maximo Torero, Chief Economist of FAO. The finding highlights “a major
structural problem of our agrifood systems,” said David Laborde, Director of FAO’s Agrifood Economics and Policy Division. He noted this part of the SOFI 2024 report revealed significant variation across and within regions that in turn point to where national and international attention should be prioritized.
The share of people in Africa unable to afford a healthy diet was 64.8 percent. In Asia, the figure is 35.1 percent; in Latin America and the Caribbean, 27.7 percent; in Oceania 20.1 percent; and in Northern America and Europe, 4.8 percent.
In low-income and lower-middleincome countries, the number of people unable to afford healthy diets grew from 2019 to 2022, an outcome that reflects how post-pandemic economic recoveries were unevenly shared and how more advanced economies were better placed to cope with supply-chain shocks and worldwide inflationary pressure on food commodity prices.
The SOFI 2024 report details the methodology used to calculate the affordability of a healthy diets, defined as comprising diversity, adequacy, moderation and balance.
The main takeaway is that the prices, in purchasing power parity (PPP), rose significantly–a global average of 6 percent in 2020 and 11 percent in 2021–but the impact was diluted where income growth was also robust and where food as a share of household budgets was lowest, as in higher-income countries with greater fiscal capacities. FAO News
THE Climate Change Commission (CCC) and Ayala Corp. pushed for the integration of corporate and public sector initiatives in the climate agenda to strengthen partnerships among key stakeholders in addressing adverse weather conditions.
The effort builds on the memorandum of understanding (MOU) both parties signed earlier this year, which stressed the importance of public-private collaboration for transformative climate action.
In a recent coordination meeting with company executives at Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City, Secretary Robert E.A. Borje, vice chairperson and executive director of the CCC, highlighted the need to enhance climate resilience, especially in the areas of planning and adaptation strategy implementation.
“Extreme weather events are hitting us harder, so it is important, as the President says, to be better prepared,” said Borje, referring to the pronouncement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Mr. Marcos noted that weather events worldwide were becoming more extreme, adding that the country’s geographical location made the Filipinos highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
The CCC presented key components of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the Nationally Determined Contributions Implementation Plan (NDCIP), outlining their roles in the country’s climate strategy. CCC News
How halting deforestation can help check the increasing temperatures
First of 3 parts
EVERY year, humanity clears 10 million hectares of forests, an area equivalent to the size of Portugal.
The loss of these ecosystems is devastating for wildlife and the billions of people who rely on forests for food, water and other essentials.
But deforestation has another, often-overlooked peril: it is stoking climate change. The felling of trees in tropical areas alone releases more than 5.6 billion tons of planet-warming greenhouse gasses every year. That is more than four times the combined total of aviation and shipping.
As countries prepare to update their national climate pledges in 2025, a key part of the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change,
experts are urging them to include concrete targets to end deforestation and restore forests. Without those provisions, experts say, countries will be hard pressed to rein in a climate crisis that is shattering temperature records and unleashing a maelstrom of extreme weather around the world.
“Not only do forests support rich biodiversity and provide for human societies and economies but they play a vital role in stabilizing our climate,” says Mirey Atallah, head of the Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience branch of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). “If we are to have any hope of slowing climate change, we must halt deforestation.” (To be continued) UNEP News
Officials of the Climate Change Commission and Ayala Corp., along with executives from various Ayala business units, pose during a coordination meeting at Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City.
A village market in Tanzania. FAO/Luis Tato
Every year the world loses 10 million hectares of forests, with much of the devastation concentrated in tropical and subtropical areas, including the Amazon.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2024
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer
WATSONS is hosting a P-Pop
concert on Aug. 18 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, exclusively for its Watsons Club members. The event, dubbed Watsons Playlist: The P-Pop Power Concert, is expected to draw a crowd of 10,000 fans. Gates will open at 6:00 p.m., with the pre-show beginning shortly after. The concert will feature
Alamat,
Kaia, and G22
Attendees will be treated to live renditions of hits such as Alamat’s “Day & Night,” “Dayang,” “Say U Love Me,” “ABKD,” and “Maharani,” and G22’s “Takin’ Over,” “Bang,” “Babalik,” “One Sided Love,” and “I Hate Boys.”
Free tickets for Watsons Playlist:
SHOWBIZ
The P-Pop Power Concert are exclusive to Watsons Club Members who buy their makeup, skincare, personal care, and health items such as vitamins and supplements via the Watsons app.
Watsons Club Members showed up and showed out as tickets quickly sold out shortly after they were made available. Customers who were able to complete a P3,500 single checkout are entitled to an upper box ticket. These tickets were also available at the following Watsons stores: SM North Edsa The Block, SM Aura, SM Mall of Asia, and SM Megamall.
On the other hand, those who completed a single purchase of P5,500 are considered VIP ticket holders who will also receive exclusive merchandise plus meetand-greet opportunities with the concert artists.
Watsons Club Members claim their tickets by waiting for the unique redemption code to be sent via email after checkout. This unique redemption code is to be presented to get the Watsons Playlist printed ticket at any SM Ticket branch. Become a Watsons Club Member
Docufiction film dominates 20th Cinemalaya
Richard Jeroui Salvadico and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay’s film Tumandok was a standout, winning several awards including the Best Full-Length Film. The film, which depicts the Ati ethnic group’s fight to reclaim their ancestral lands in Western Visayas, received P350,000 from the Cinemalaya Foundation and a post-production package from Central Digital Lab.
Sumagaysay expressed gratitude for the recognition, noting that participation in the festival had already been a success in raising awareness and support for the Ati community.
“Before the awards, we felt we had already won. Winning the Best FullLength Film is a huge bonus because it allows us to reach even more people,” she said.
In an interview with Manila Standard Entertainment, Sumagaysay highlighted the collaborative effort behind the film.
“We are thrilled because this project involved not just Richard and me, but also the entire cast and crew, and the 296 people from Sitio Kabarangkalan who contributed to its completion,” she added.
She also credited the seven communities that she and Salvadico had been visiting for the past five years to ensure the accuracy of what they were portraying on screen.
Sumagaysay admitted to having several challenges during their lengthy yet eventually fruitful production, one of them being how she needed to translate the script to English, Tagalog, and Hiligaynon, as well as Inati, the language of the Ati, for both the film crew and the members of the Ati community to understand each other.
Another came with how many of the Ati actors did not know how to read so they had to resort to dictating their lines to them.
pinaglalaban mo [ay] tama,”
“From 7:00 a.m. hanggang mag11:00 p.m., nagdidictate kami ng lines nila para mamemorize nila,” said Sumagaysay. Despite the difficulty, the director and scriptwriter shared how they were able to connect with the community and learn more about their language throughout the production.
“Worth it naman pala kapag yung
By Abigail Adriatico
groups in the country, including SB19, Hori7on,
said Sumagaysay. Apart from the Best Full-length Film award, Tumandok also took home the awards for Best Original Music Score (Paolo Almaden, The Ati People of Kabarangkalan and Nagpana), Best Screenplay (Sumagaysay, Arden Rod Condez), Best Supporting Actor (Felipe Ga-
P-pop boy band Alamat will be performing their hits ‘Day & Night,’‘Dayang,’‘Say U Love Me,’ and many more
P-pop sensation SB19 recently released their song ‘Kalakal’ with rapper Gloc-9
G22 is composed of (from left) AJ, Jaz, and Alfea
Cinemalaya 2024 Main Competition juror and renowned actress Dolly De Leon (left) with Best Actor award winner Enzo Osorio
‘Tumandok’ receives the NETPAC Jury Award for the full-length category
The cast and crew of ‘Tumandok’ receive the Best Full-Length Film award
The Cinemalaya 2024 Main Competition Jurors, the Cinemalaya organizing committee, and the winners of the Best Actor and Best
actress awards
Actress Marian Rivera delivers her acceptance speech as one of the recipients of the Best Actress award
LIFE & SHOWBIZ
Vilma-Juday team-up
movie remains uncertain
VShticks
Joseph Peter Gonzales
ETERAN actress Vilma
Santos , who recently headlined When I Met You in Tokyo at last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), is now considering new fi lm offers, with a focus on meaningful and highquality projects.
Among these is an offer from Mentorque Productions for a film to be directed by Dan Villegas, as well as another potential project from Quantum Films titled Espantaho, which could see the Star for All Seasons sharing the screen with Judy Ann Santos under the direction of Chito Roño
However, Vilma revealed that the status of Espantaho remains uncertain.
“The project with Direk Chito and Juday is still up in the air. It was supposed to be submitted to this year’s MMFF, but it didn’t make it into the top five entries. I’m not sure what the next steps will be, so I can’t say for sure if it will proceed.”
Regarding the offer from Mentorque, the former Batangas governor emphasized the importance of taking her time.
“I told Direk Dan that I don’t want to feel pressured to fi nish the fi lm just to meet the MMFF
deadline. I want us to focus on creating a good story, not just rushing it for the festival. At
A midrange contender with advanced connectivity, AI feature
By Nickie Wang
IN the competitive midrange smartphone market, striking the right balance of essential features is key. OPPO’s latest entry, the Reno12 Series 5G, offers a compelling mix of display quality, camera prowess, fast charging, and enhanced connectivity, catering to users who seek value without compromising on performance.
The Reno12 Series 5G boasts a 6.7-inch Full HD AMOLED display, delivering vivid colors and deep blacks that enhance the viewing experience
for games, photos, and videos. The AMOLED technology ensures a more immersive display suited to various content types. Camera performance is a highlight with the OPPO Reno12 Pro 5G. It features a 50MP main sensor paired with an upgraded 50MP telephoto lens, providing detailed zoomedin shots. The front camera also benefits from a significant upgrade to 50MP, promising clearer and sharper selfies.
Vilma, who continues to receive numerous scripts, expressed gratitude for the opportunities but noted that she’s selective about the roles she takes on.
“I’ve been blessed with many good offers, but I can’t do them all. I believe in perfect timing. I want to take on roles that challenge me and that I’m passionate about.”
On the personal front, Vilma shared her willingness to step in as a hands-on grandmother to her grandchild, Peanut , especially as her son Luis Manzano and daughter-inlaw Jessy Mendiola juggle their showbiz careers.
“Yes, I’m more than willing to take care of Peanut if her parents are busy. ABS-CBN has been accommodating to Jessy’s schedule as a mother, which is great.” Vilma also hinted at a future
The Reno12 Series 5G incorporates OPPO’s SuperVOOC™ Flash Charge, now upgraded from 65W to 80W for quicker recharges. Combined with a 4nm processor, this ensures extended battery life and reliable performance. The MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Energy chip delivers robust processing capabilities for both everyday use and more demanding tasks.
A standout feature is AI LinkBoost technology, which enhances connectivity by adapting to network conditions and maintaining strong, reliable connections through its 360º Surround Antenna system.
This innovation has earned the Reno12 Series 5G a High Network Performance certification from TÜV Rheinland after extensive global testing.
In the Philippines, the Reno12 Series 5G was tested in partnership with Smart across Metro Manila, demonstrating impressive results. The Reno12 Pro 5G achieved downlink
The Reno12 Series 5G has received a High Network Performance certi cation from TÜV Rheinland
speeds of 20.96 MBPS and uplink speeds of 16.41 MBPS in weak signal areas, surpassing other devices. Network switch tests showed smooth transitions between WiFi and mobile data, with connection stability of 48.24 and 46.94 seconds for the Reno12 5G and Reno12 Pro 5G, respectively. File transfer speeds were notably fast, and signal recovery was efficient even in challenging environments.
The OPPO Reno12 Series 5G is now available through Smart Postpaid Plans. The Signature Plans+ 999 includes unlimited 5G for 12 months, 20GB monthly data, unlimited calls and texts, landline calls, and a Netflix subscription or a discount on existing plans.
The Reno12 5G is accessible with an additional P500 per month and a P7,000 down payment, while the Reno12 Pro 5G is available with an additional P600 per month and a P8,300 down payment. For more details, visit OPPO Philippines’ official website and Facebook page.
in the entertainment industry for her grandchild. “I’m sure she will eventually enter showbiz. She’s so pretty, lovable, and even at this early age, you can tell she has what it takes.”
* * *
Marian Rivera described her latest film, Balota , as one of the most fulfilling projects of her career.
“It’s the fulfillment of one of my wishes in life,” she said. Marian noted that after years in showbiz, Balota allowed her to step out of her comfort zone.
“I was able to do something different, something I hadn’t done before,” she added.
In the fi lm, Marian’s portrayal is raw and unfi ltered. “No fi lter—from the looks, lines, everything. It’s something new, and I’m grateful Balota was offered to me,” she expressed.
Alden Richards finds ideal partner
BDO Unibank has announced actor Alden Richards as its newest brand ambassador. Richards, a long-time client of the bank, has been with BDO for nearly a decade.
“I am thrilled to join the BDO family and represent them. My long-term experience with their services gives me confi dence in speaking on their behalf,” Richards said.
Richards favors visiting BDO branches for his banking needs due to the helpfulness of the staff and the convenience of BDO’s extensive network of branches and ATMs across the country.
“I’ve witnessed BDO’s significant impact on the Philippine banking industry. The bank’s innovations, like the Service Assist Machine (SAM), have greatly enhanced the efficiency and quality of its services,” he added.
The SAM allows clients to input transaction details before interacting with branch staff, reducing paperwork and wait times.
For those unable to visit a branch, Richards also highlights the convenience of the BDO Online App, which consolidates his financial information—including savings, credit cards, investments, and loans—into a single platform accessible anytime and anywhere.
Vilma Santos reveals that the production of director Chito Roño’s upcoming lm ‘Espantaho’ has not yet been con rmed
this stage in my career, I’m only interested in projects that truly inspire and challenge me.”
Actress Judy Ann Santos is supposed to star alongside Vilma Santos in ‘Espantaho’
TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2024
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer
A brighter outlook for financing in the Philippines
By Paulo Abad
GLOBAL Dominion, a leading
financing company in the Philippines, has shown significant growth amid a challenging economic environment. The firm’s revenue surged 23 percent year-over-year to a record 2.62 billion pesos, driven by strategic expansion, market entry, and a diversified product portfolio, according to finance officer Tom Laderas
The company has also invested in talent acquisition, branch expansion, and enhanced marketing efforts, leading to a strong operating profit margin of 22 percent and a net operating income of 518 million pesos. Its cash flow remains robust, supporting continued growth and expansion. Non-performing loans are low, comprising only 0.9 percent of net loan receivables, while expected credit loss (ECL) decreased from 1.7 percent to 1.12 percent, reflecting effective risk management. The debt-to-equity ratio stands at 3.19 times, below financial covenants, allowing for further external funding opportunities.
Global Dominion allocated 391 million pesos to salaries and employee benefits and paid 488 million pesos in taxes, demonstrating its commitment to regulatory compliance and community support.
“Looking ahead, we are optimistic about our future, with a double-digit growth in net income in Q1 2024 and new loan bookings of 2.337 billion pesos from January to April 2024,” Laderas said.
Patricia Poco-Palacios, President and Managing Director, emphasized the company’s focus on disciplined execution, strategic investments, and value delivery to stakeholders.
Founded in 2003, Global Dominion operates over 100 locations nationwide, aiming to foster growth and improve lives. For more information, visit gdfi.com.ph.
Culinary showcase with renowned chefs from Philippines and Hong Kong
THE Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) hosted a culinary collaboration earlier this week at the Grand Hyatt Manila, featuring star chefs Vicky Cheng of Hong Kong and Margarita Forés of the Philippines.
The event, titled When Stars Align: A Four Hands Dinner and Culinary Showcase, took place at Penthouse No. 66, offering an intimate dining experience against the backdrop of city lights.
The event gathered local partners of the tourism board and content creators to celebrate the close ties between Hong Kong and the Philippines. The evening’s menu, jointly crafted by Cheng and Forés, highlighted the finest elements of both Hong Kong and Filipino cuisine, utilizing unique ingredients and techniques from each culinary tradition.
Chef Vicky Cheng, known for his Michelin-starred restaurant VEA and his innovative blend of contemporary Chinese-French cuisine, collaborated with Chef Margarita Forés, a prominent figure in the Philippines recognized for her expertise in Italian and Filipino dishes. This marked their first joint effort since 2017. Together, they designed a menu that fused their distinct culinary styles, reflecting the rich traditions of both regions.
“It’s an honor to represent the Philippines and collaborate with my good friend, Vicky. Hong Kong holds a special place in my heart; its culinary scene is unparalleled, offering a unique experience for food enthusiasts worldwide,” Forés commented during the event.
Guests were given an inside look at the chefs’ creative process, observing the preparation of each dish through the show kitchens at Penthouse No. 66. The event was more than just a meal; each course was meticulously curated using ingredients sourced directly from Hong Kong and various regions in the Philippines, creating a
memorable symphony of flavors.
“We aimed to highlight the best of Hong Kong and Philippine flavors in each dish. From appetizers to dessert, Chef Margarita and I combined ingredients from our respective regions, merging our culinary traditions,” Cheng explained.
The dinner also served as a precursor to HKTB’s upcoming Wine & Dine Festival in October, an annual event that underscores Hong Kong’s reputation as a premier gastronomic destination in Asia. The festival is one of the region’s most anticipated culinary events, attracting food and wine enthusiasts
from around the globe.
“We are delighted to have brought these two chefs together to celebrate the culinary ties between Hong Kong and the Philippines. We hope this event will foster further collaborations between our Filipino partners and HKTB,” said Liew Chian Jia, Regional Director of Southeast Asia for HKTB.
The evening also featured a special cocktail menu in partnership with Grand Hyatt Manila, showcasing Hong Kong-inspired drinks such as Avenue of Stars, Yam Cha, and Hong Kong Blossom. For more information on Hong Kong’s culinary scene and details about the upcoming Wine & Dine Festival, visit discoverhongkong.com.
The Whisky Library celebrates first year with new cocktail menu
THE Whisky Library, known for its vast collection of whisky and liquors in Manila, is celebrating its first anniversary. To mark the occasion, it is introducing a new cocktail menu inspired by famous works of art.
The new menu, Volume 2, replaces the previous Volume 1, which was themed around movies and stars. This time, the menu is divided into seven chapters, each representing different cocktail flavors: Tropical & Lively, Soft Sour & Spice, Bright & Refreshing, Decadent & Indulgent, Bold & Adventurous, Shared & Experienced Together, and Flavorful & Non-Alcoholic.
David Jorden, Chief Marketing Officer of Newport World Resorts, says, “We wanted the new menu to feel like a book, with each chapter offering unique experiences. We had fun creating drinks that we believe everyone will enjoy.”
The new menu includes 25 signature cocktails and four mocktails, reflecting The Whisky Library’s dedication to fine liquors.
Visit The Whisky Library to explore this new collection and experience a world of cocktails. For more details, visit www.newportworldresorts.com and follow @newportworldresorts on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
FOUR-HAND ACTION. Chefs Margarita Forés (left) and Vicky Cheng demonstrate how they prepare their dishes
The culinary showcase utilized ingredients sourced directly from Hong Kong and various regions in the Philippines
The event featured a special cocktail menu which had drinks inspired by Hong Kong
of Filipinos