By Maricel V. Cruz
Indonesia deports Guo's sister, business associate
NBI takes custody of 2 women; Guo, brother still at large
By Joel E. Zurbano, Charles Dantes, Macon Ramos-Araneta, Maricel Cruz, Pot Chavez and Vince Lopez
THE sister and associate of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo were deported by Indonesian authorities to Manila yesterday amid a standing arrest order and subpoena from the Senate in connection with illegal POGO operations in the country.
Guo’s sister Sheila and business associate Cassandra Li Ong arrived at NAIA Terminal 1 at around 5 p.m. via a Philippine Airlines flight from Jakarta. The two were immediately brought to the National Bureau of Investigation.
Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla earlier Sheila and Ong would be debriefed first as the Bureau of Immigration prepares the necessary cases against them.
“They were intercepted in Indonesia,” said Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission spokesperson Winston Casio.
“Let me clarify the terminology. It
TIMELINE
lJuly 18 - Dismissed Bamban Mayor Guo leaves PH for Malaysia
lJuly 21 - Guo flies to Singapore, meets with her family
lAug. 18 - Guo and Ong take ferry to Batam, Indonesia
lAug. 19 - PH sends request letter to Indonesia
lAug. 20 - Guo's sister, Sheila, and Ong are apprehendee at Mega Mall Batam Center
lAug. 22 - Sheila Guo and Ong are deported to Manila
By Macon Ramos-Araneta
THE Philippines will be in a position to become a regional manufacturer and exporter of weapons and other
equipment once President Marcos signs into law the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Act, according to
MEET AND GREET. President Ferdinand
meets with
Olympians Dottie Ardina (Golf), Aleah Cruz Finnegan (Gymnastics), Levi Ruivivar (Gymnastics) and Emma Malabuyo (Gymnastics) during a meet and greet at the Malacanang
billion last Aug. 21 to the national treasury.
Sen. JV Ejercito and Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III reiterated their stand that the unutilized Philhealth funds should only be used to enhance the benefits of Philhealth members.
Ejercito, author and principal sponsor
he said. The existence of unused funds, Ejercito said, is a clear indicator of a wasted opportunity to do more for our people who desperately depend on the relief brought by our national insurance program.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III tagged the transfer of funds as “alarming and
By Rex Espiritu
By Vito Barcelo
END OF THE ROAD. Sheila Leal Guo (right), the sister of former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, and Cassandra Li Ong (left), an incorporator of the POGO Lucky South 99, arrived yesterday from Jakarta, Indonesia where they were arrested by authorities. Photo at left shows Sheila Guo and Ong at the Indonesian immigration office before they were deported. Upper right photo shows Alice Guo at the Kuala Lumpur international airport before her departure for Singapore, while lower photo shows Sheila Guo being wheeled out of NAIA airport terminal by immigration agents. Joseph Muego
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2024
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Indonesia...
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may not technically be an arrest, but rather they are being deported primarily because they are deemed undesirable aliens...due to their connection with this criminal organization,” Casio added.
He said the apprehension of Sheila and Ong -- an incorporator of the raided POGO South Lucky 99 in Porac, Pampanga -- will “obviously” help in efforts to locate the dismissed mayor.
The Directorate General (DG) of Immigration in Indonesia said Sheila and Ong, along with Guo -- earlier identified as the same person as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping -- and her brother Wesley who are still at large, “are four fugitives from the Philippine government for their alleged involvement in immigration violations and are prime suspects in transnational crime cases.”
DG Immigration head of public relations team Achmad Nur Saleh said Batam Immigration officers made the arrest following reports that Sheila and Ong “were included in the wanted Filipino citizens in accordance with the request letter from the Department Of Justice, Bureau Of Immigration Philippines dated August 19.” Saleh said the Guos and Ong booked four rooms at the Harris Hotel Batam Center for the last three days.
Shiela and Ong were caught at Mega Mall Batam Center, a mall in Riau, Indonesia, on Aug. 20.
The dismissed mayor and Ong reportedly arrived in Indonesia via a cruise ship from Singapore.
Director of Immigration Supervision and Enforcement Safar Godam said they also found out that a Singaporean national helped the four to make the hotel reservations.
President Marcos, for his part, thanked Indonesia for the close coordination that led to the arrest of Sheila and Ong.
“We are now in coordination with the Indonesian government and agencies, arranging for them to be brought back...Probably within a day,” Mr. Marcos said.
The Bureau of Immigration earlier said Guo departed the country on July 18, flying to Malaysia then to Singapore to meet with her relatives and Ong before proceeding to Indonesia.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, for her part, said Ong can now point to those behind the illegal POGO operations in Porac, Pampanga.
George Garcia said.
“The Comelec will now prepare for the 2025 national and local elections,” Garcia said.
The new machines to be provided by Miru Systems will be used during the elections,” he said, assuring that the poll body will not resort to manual voting.
The South Korean firm led the joint venture group which won the P17.9 b project for the midterm polls. It was the lone bidder after it disqualified Smartmatic.
According to the Comelec, the scheduled activities for 2025 election as follows: August 31, 2024 — Last Day of Register Anywhere Program; September 30, 2024 — Last Day of Local and Overseas Registration
September 1 to 28, 2024 — Period to hold political conventions by political parties to select or nominate candidates
October 1 to 8, 2024 — Filing of Certificate of Candidacy, Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance, and PL CON-CAN
January 12, 2025 to June 11, 2025 — Election Gun Ban
February 11, 2025 to May 10, 2025, excluding April 17, Maundy Thursday, and April 18, Good Friday — Campaign Period for candidates for Senator and groups in the Partylist Elections
March 28, 2025 to May 10, 2025, excluding April 17, Maundy Thursday, and April 18, Good Friday — Campaign Period for candidates for Member, House of Representatives, and parliamentary, provincial, city, and municipal officials
April 30, 2025 to May 12, 2025 — Voting by overseas voters
April 30, 2025 to May 12, 2025 — Voting by local absentee voters
May 11, 2025 — Liquor Ban, Campaign Prohibition
May 12, 2025 — Election Day
June 11, 2025 — Last Day of Filing Statements of Contributions and Expenditures
67 foreigners held in raid on POGO hub used for crypto, love scams
SIXTY seven foreigners were among 99 detained yesterday by police after a raid on a suspected scam hub in Parañaque City, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.
PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo told reporters authorities implemented a warrant to search, seize and examine computer data in the establishment on the 9th floor of the building.
“The onsite inventory is ongoing now, but the initial information given to us is that the arrested are 59 Chinese, 32 Filipinos, four Malaysians, two Burmese, one Indonesian, and one Vietnamese. All in all, there are 99 individuals that were taken into
Quad...
Inmates Leopoldo Tan Jr. and Fernando “Andy” Magdadaro were the latest witnesses presented before the House quad committee.
The two said the killings were executed allegedly under direct orders from then-President Duterte, who had just initiated his controversial war on drugs.
The three victims — Chu Kin Tung, alias Tony Lim; Li Lan Yan, alias Jackson Li; and Wong Meng Pin, alias Wang Ming Ping — were serving sentences for their involvement in illegal drug activities.
The incident, which occurred in August 2016, was initially reported as an altercation among prisoners.
However, new sworn statements from Tan and Magdadaro revealed a far more sinister plot.
After hearing Tan’s testimony, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. moved to invite the former President to address the allegations.
“In the interest of fairness, may I move to invite former President Duterte to hear his side on this matter?” Gonzales said.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs and overall chairman of the quad-committee, promptly declared the motion carried after it was duly seconded.
custody,” she said Fajardo said the operation was conducted after police received information that the establishment was used for cryptocurrency investment and love scams.
She said some Filipino women were used to perform acts bordering on obscenity to entice victims to invest in cryptocurrency.
“So it appears that these Filipinas were forced to work as scammers,” Fajardo said.
HOUSE QUAD COMMITTEE WITNESSES. Quad Committee
resource persons Fernando Magdadaro and Leopoldo Untalan Tan Jr., persons deprived of liberty from the Bureau of Corrections, answer questions from House members during the committee hearing yesterday at the People's Center in the House of Representatives.
Duterte has yet to make a comment as of press time. In his testimony, Tan said he overheard Supt. Gerardo Padilla, then officer-in-charge of the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, receiving a congratulatory phone call from Duterte after the Chinese drug lords were killed.
Tan said in his sworn statement: “Habang naglalakad kami papuntang Investigation Section, tumunog ang cellphone ni Superintendent Padilla. Nakita ko na pinindot ni Superintendent Padilla ang kanyang cellphone.
Nadinig ko na sinabi nung tumawag kay Superintendent Padilla, ‘Congrats Superintendent Padilla, job well done. Pero grabe yung ginawa, ginawang dinuguan.’ (While we were walking to the Investigation Section, Superintendent Padilla’s cell phone rang. I saw that Superintendent Padilla pressed his cellphone. I heard it said when Superintendent Padilla was called, ‘Congratulations Superintendent Padilla, job well done. But what was done was terrible, made to bleed.’)”
Marcos welcomes remaining Filipino Olympians in Palace
By Charles Dantes
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday met with Filipino Olympians in Malacañang who missed the welcoming ceremony last week.
“You might be wondering why we have an extra event,” Mr. Marcos said in an interview.
“When we held the reception, they weren’t here. They were traveling, and there was a mix-up. The notification came late, and they couldn’t make it back in time,” he added.
The President emphasized the efforts of all the Olympians should be recognized equally, regardless of their availability for the earlier celebration.
“We said that since they worked just as hard, they should be included in all the honors we’ve given to our Olympians... It’s a shame they missed the parade, but at least they were able to participate in everything else,” Marcos said.
ing capacity so, the Philippines can become a major producer of military materiel in Southeast Asia.
He asserted that the SRDP coupled with the Special Defense Economic Zone Act (SPEDEZA) will lay the legislative groundwork to turn the Philippines into a regional hub for defense manufacturing operations.
Zubiri pointed out that the SPEDEZA, which sets up a Special Defense Economic Zone in Limay, Bataan, has been approved at the committee level.
Enactment... From A1 Gibo...
The senator explained that the Re-
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Reduction, that China’s seemingly unabated reclamation activities outside of its territorial boundaries show it has little regard for international law.
"Their version of international law is perverted one, sad to say but it is what it is," Teodoro said on Thursday.
The Philippine Navy (PN) has stationed a patrol vessel, BRP Teresa Magbanua, at Escoda Shoal since April amid reports of China’s seemingly nonstop reclamation activities there.
Escoda Shoal, which lies about 139 kilometers from the coast of Palawan,
“We can only appeal to the executive branch to abandon and reverse their plan,” he said.
The Senate opposition leader said they still have hope that “we can force the reversal of the current action of the executive branch since there is a pending case before the Supreme Court.”
The Supreme Court has ordered respondents to answer the petition questioning the constitutionality of the fund transfer.
Philhealth President Emmanuel Ledesma, Jr. has said that if the High
gional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has paved the way for the SRDP Act, which provides a framework for a revitalized in-country defense production industry.
Zubiri, who sponsored the Senate Resolution on the RCEP, says that the Philippines’ inclusion in the RCEP agreement is a key point of attraction for investors looking to invest in the country, particularly in the defense sector.
“Defense investors are not just interested in setting up shop here so they can sell to the Philippines. They also want to come here so they can export to other RCEP countries, like Korea,
is some 1,169 kilometers from China’s nearest major landmass, Hainan Island. Recently, the Philippine government bared a litany of abuses committed by Beijing, including when Chinese fighter jets dropped flares at an unarmed Philippine Air Force transport plane over Bajo de Masinloc on Aug. 8.
On Monday, two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships were damaged after collisions with Chinese Coast Guard ships. Manila and Beijing then traded accusations as to who rammed who following the incident.
On Sunday, two People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships “shadowed” two Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels while
Court orders the return of the funds, they will do so.
Pimentel said he finds it incomprehensible how PhilHealth has “excess funds” when Filipino’s share out of outof-pocket health expenditures is the 3rd highest in the ASEAN region.
“We believe that this is a result of huge inefficiencies on the part of PhilHealth, and a symptom of a systemic issue that must be solved,” health advocate Dr. Tony Leachon said.
He emphasized that Philhealth must expand its benefits sufficiently to implement UHC which has been here for years and the transfer of funds should be stopped because it only has P13.88b left from “subsidies”.
Japan, Australia, New Zealand, among others,” he noted.
With Southeast Asia emerging as the preferred investment hub of multinational corporations, Zubiri sees a lot of opportunities for the Philippines. He expects an influx of defense investors once the SRDP Act is signed into law.
However, he cautioned that despite being an RCEP country, the Philippines is still a step behind other Southeast Asian countries in terms of defense investments.
“Vietnam is now giving lease-free land for a certain number of years, to jumpstart investments,” he said.
en route to Pag-asa Island in an apparent effort to harass the civilian vessel’s crew.
The PLAN vessels stalked the Philippine ships until Monday afternoon, reportedly getting within 100 meters.
Meanwhile, top brass of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command will convene next week in Baguio City for the annual Mutual Defense Board – Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB)
“It serves as a crucial venue to discuss and establish mutually agreed-upon policy directions on defense and security issues. It also facilitates the approval of the Activity Lists for Calendar Year 2025.” AFP Spokesperson Colonel Margareth Padilla said.
Meanwhile, Ejercito said they do not blame the Department of Finance (DOF) in their pursuit of locating idle funds to further other programs of the government.
“Let us give PhilHealth the means to effectively and efficiently perform their mandate. It can only be done if they possess the funds required to carry out this noble undertaking,” he said. He said the Senate just passed on second reading the bill lowering the Philhealth premium contribution starting next year. As such, he said Philhealth would need their funds to continue the enhancement of its benefit packages next year to achieve genuine universal health care.
The President honored the exemplary performances of athletes Dottie Ardina (Golf), Aleah Cruz Finnegan (Gymnastics), Emma Malabuyo (Gymnastics), Levi Ruivivar (Gymnastics), and Bianca Pagdanganan (Golf). These athletes were recognized with Presidential Citations and received P1 million each from the Office of the President and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.
House cites Roque in contempt for lying about absence
By Maricel V. Cruz
FORMER presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was cited for contempt for lying before the House of Representatives quad-committee with regard to his absence during its first hearing. The ruling was made after Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo showed a certification from Manila Regional Trial Court Clerk of Court lawyer Jennifer dela CruzBuendia which stated that Roque did not have scheduled hearing last Aug. 16.
The House quadcomm conducted its first heating on August 16 in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Roque however asked that he be excused from attending the scheduled meeting due to a hearing in a Manila court.
“Atty. Harry Roque sent a letter dated Aug. 13, 2024 addressed to the honorable chairman Robert Ace Barbers […] informing Chair Barbers that he will not be able to participate (in) the said meeting due to a conflict with a previously scheduled court hearing before the Regional Trial Court on 16 August 2024 — the same date of our quad-committee hearing,” Salo said.
“Mr. Chair, we are also in receipt here of a copy of a certification […] stating that Atty. Harry Roque had no hearing on August 16, and did not appear in the Court of Manila. Mr. Chair, I hate to say it but clearly Atty. Harry Roque, our former secretary and my former law professor, lied to this committee, and that amounts to disrespect to the members of the committee, which is contemptable,” he added.
POGO RAID. A suspected POGO hub on the 9th floor of a building located in Parañaque City. was raided yesterday by National Capital Region police led by Col. Jess Mendez of the NCRPO Intelligance Division. A mixture of Filipinos, Chinese and Indonesians were emporarily held by the authorities. Norman Cruz
NEWS IN BRIEF
Coast Guard says Mirola 1 towed to safety
THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday said Motorized Vessel Mirola 1 that grounded in Bataan has been refloated completely and will be towed to safety.
“The ship in Biaan, Mariveles, Bataan has been floating in the whole,” PCG Bataan Station Commander Lieutenant Commander Michael John Encina said in an interview conducted by Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon of PTV4.
“We are conducting towing operations today to bring him to a more safe place,” he added.
According to the PCG, a salvaging company has conducted patching and repair on the hull of MV Mirola 1. It also extracted seawater contained by the ship when it went aground for the refloating operations.
The PCG went to the shoreline of Sitio New Sibol and Sitio Quiapo and reported no presence of oil in the area. Vince Lopez
DOJ launches program vs. human trafficking
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) launched on Thursday the Barangay IACAT 2.0 Program in its bid to intensify the country’s campaign to end all forms of modern-day slavery.
“The crusade to eradicate human trafficking starts with us, within the solitude of our own homes and communities. Through our unity, collective efforts and shared wisdom, we become the most formidable foes whom human predators shall never defeat,” said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
As the lead agency, the DOJ believes in the power of prevention through collective action to truly eradicate this heinous crime. Pot Chavez
Mary Jane Cabie Recede, 53
MARY Jane Cabie Recede, an alumna of the University of San Carlos in Cebu and a former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Japan and Taiwan, died Thursday in her hometown in Minglanilla, Cebu, her family said. She was 53. She was surrounded by her sisters, children, nephews and nieces at her home as she fought courageously until 10:12 am Thursday. Recede, widowed since 2012 when her husband Ponciano of Lipa, Batangas died, left behind her three children—licensed pharmacist Tai Ching Kate, college freshman Mon Philip Keith, and senior high school student Coleen Angelica Zoe—sisters Marilyn, Mariflor, Marivic and Mary Anne, five nephews, three nieces and three brothers-in-law.
Recede is the third of eight children of Florencio Cabie of Pinili, Ilocos Norte, who worked as electronic data processor of the now defunct Paper Industries Corporation of the Philippines in Mangagoy, Surigao del Sur, and the former Vicenta Tampos, a retired public school teacher from Medellin Cebu.
By Macon Ramos-Araneta
SENATE Basic Education committee
chair Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday urged schools to implement health and safety measures, amid ongoing cases of monkeypox (mpox) in the country.
While the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)said the risk of children and adolescents getting mpox
Report sees BARMM poll violence
By Rachelle Tonelada
PEACE in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) remains elusive, with conflict not only persisting but expected to escalate, particularly as preelectoral activities intensify, according to a report by the Council for Climate and Conflict Action (CCAA).
“Right now, we tell you, we are receiving data as of the last night, about people getting killed. The numbers are increasing. Our numbers are already reaching, nearly reaching the levels of the entire 2023,” Francisco Lara Jr., CCAA Executive Director, told the media in a press briefing.
“The danger is they have 2025, the
election itself,” he added.
The Conflict Alert Report by CCAA, Lara said, highlighted the trend of violence which has been most profound in the mainland provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, and Maguindanao del Norte. In contrast, peace appears to be more
robust the “farther one gets from the center of the regional state,’ particularly in provinces like Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Basilan,” the report said.
This does not imply that peace is genuinely taking hold. The report emphasizes that evidence does not support or validate the notion of a growing peace momentum that the regional and national governments have repeatedly proclaimed through various statements.
Instead, the data points to emerging sources of instability, including clanbased feuds, Lara said.
“A lot of them are fights over political positions. That’s a trend that we noticed already since five years ago. The
SMUGGLED MARIJUANA. Agents from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted a shipment from Thailand containing P38.8 million worth of dried marijuana at the Manila International Container Port (MICP). The shipment was declared to contain plastic tableware, kitchenware, blankets, and shoes.
Gatchalian urges schools to implement safety measures amid mpox
is low, Gatchalian said that schools should help spread awareness and actively promote safety measures, including regular handwashing and the disinfection of classrooms and other spaces.
“We should continuously push for measures to maintain cleanliness and safety in schools, especially now that the virus is here,” he said.
The Department of Health (DOH)
reported the first case of mpox on August 18 in the country for this year. It is the tenth laboratory-confirmed mpox in the country since last year.
According to the DOH, the latest case involves a 33-year-old male Filipino national with no travel history outside the Philippines.
big change here also right now, because of the amount of money going into local governments.. The amounts of Ira mean that the political office, land legal office, is the major economic prize that everyone is fighting for,” he added. Aside from the clan-based feuds, schisms within the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are also a major concern, according to Lara.
Despite expectations that the MILF would contribute to peace, it has become a significant source of insecurity due to the lack of “genuine” decommissioning and demobilization of its forces. Clashes between MILF commanders and state law enforcers continue to be reported frequently.
DA continues fish monitoring after oil spill
THE Department of AgricultureBureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) reported that it is still conducting on-ground monitoring and assessment of potentially affected fishing areas and communities surrounding Manila Bay. The monitoring is ongoing three weeks after the oil spill incident that happened in Limay, Bataan, DABFAR said.
Based on the results of its latest analyses, four municipalities in the province of Cavite, namely, Naic, Ternate, Kawit, and Maragondon, have passed the sensory evaluation for three consecutive batches of fish and other fishery species collected within the period of August 7 to 21, 2024.
The DOH, however, emphasized that all previous cases were isolated, cared for, and have since recovered.
Gatchalian meanwhile is also pushing for the passage of the Philippine Center for Disease Prevention and Control Act (Senate Bill No. 1869), a bill he co-authored.
The World Health Organization recently declared the mpox outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Five coastal municipalities – Bacoor City, Cavite City, Noveleta, Rosario, and Tanza, on the other hand, have passed only two consecutive batches of sensory evaluation, so far, from the period of August 16 to 21, 2024.
Fish in an area can be declared safe for human consumption if samples analyzed have already passed three consecutive batches of sensory evaluation.
Group urges toll board to modernize
LAWYER Nick Conti, Convenor of CLICK Par-
tylist and CEO of Capstone-Intel Corp., has called on the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to prioritize the modernization of toll collection systems before imposing penalties on motorists for not having RFID tags or having insufficient loads.
“Before we even think of penalizing motorists, the TRB must first focus on improving and modernizing the toll collection systems. The persistent congestion on our toll roads, especially in Metro Manila, is largely due to defective RFID readers and the lack of a uniform payment system across various tollway concessionaires,” Conti said.
He pointed out that the current RFID technology used in the Philippines is outdated and unreliable, leading to delays and inconvenience for motorists.
“It’s time for the TRB to adopt state-of-the-art toll collection technology similar to those used in countries like Singapore, Germany, and the United States, where toll systems are seamless and efficient,” he added. Conti cited examples from around the world, such as Singapore’s Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system, which uses overhead gantries equipped with sensors to detect vehicles and automatically deduct tolls, and Germany’s Toll Collect system, which uses GPS and mobile communication technology to calculate and collect tolls based on distance traveled. He also highlighted the electronic toll collection systems in the United States, like E-ZPass, which allows for quick and seamless toll payments through RFID technology.
STATE OF CALAMITY. Capiz Governor Fredenil Castro declared that Capiza is now in a state
Dengue outbreak.
outbreak.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2024
PH to host 2024 regional confab on disaster risk
By Rex Espiritu
THE Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will host this year’s Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR).
APMCDRR is a biennial multi-stakeholder meeting convened by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UDRR) and Manila will be the venue of the convention on October 14-18.
In a press briefing, DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro underscored the vulnerability of the Philippines to natural calamities and its capabilities in disaster management.
“This meeting will provide avenue for not only exchanges of host practices ways, it will seek on the functional side rather than the academic side, to foster increase of coordination, cooperation in terms not only for response but for resilience.” Teodoro said. He also reiterated the importance of the conference in confronting issues and financial costs, as well as cooperation in response to disaster risk.
Teodoro
BARMM gov’t warns against red tape, ‘cuts’ in infra projects
By Nash B. Maulana
IN BRIEF
DILG spearheads local governance conference
SOME 3,000 local executives have attended the Local Governance (LG) Summit 2024 at the Philippine International Convention Center, which aims to strengthen relations and cooperation among local and national government officials. According to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., the summit, organized by the DILG in partnership with the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), seeks to further improve and strengthen the quality of service provided by local governments to the people. With the theme “LGUs in the New Philippines: Smart. Resilient. Driven.”, the activity with the help of national government agencies, will feature sessions on digital transformation; smart urban infrastructure; and design; climate and disaster resilience. Social protection will also be discussed; peace and order; transparency and accountability; and people’s participation. Also featured are the best practices in technology and innovation; and the delegates will strive to develop cooperation and network of local governments for the exchange of knowledge. Vince Lopez
Bataan official eyes renewed sports dev’t
A PROVINCIAL official of Bataan eyes revitalized sports development “to discover and develop new talents” in various sports.
Bataan board member Tony Roman issued the statement as he presided over the opening of a basketball tournament in Orani town.
Roman said Bataan already has successful basketball players, adding that they should be role models for aspiring athletes.
Roman’s daughter Sofia is a member of Gilas Pilipinas Team. Butch Gunio
Serbisyo Caravan rolls out across E. Mindanao
THE military in Eastern Mindanao Command on Tuesday rolled out a humanitarian project meant to deliver essential health services to the underserved sector of society, specifically in Panacam, Davao City. The event was in connection with the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao’s (NFEM) Mobilization Training and Exercise 2024, highlighting the Philippine Navy Reservists’ capabilities, coinciding with the Eastern Mindanao Command’s (EMC) pre-anniversary affair dubbed Serbisyo Caravan 2024. To address the immediate needs of underserved communities, the Serbisyo Caravan featured a range of health services, including medical consultations and check-ups, dental care services, eye checkups, circumcision, rapid blood sugar tests, haircut services, and legal consultation.
In addition, a community relations activity was also conducted, consisting of Static and Kinetic displays, distribution of food packs, and a feeding activity - benefiting the local communities of Panacan, Sasa, Ilang, Tibungco, Bunawan, and Lasang, as well as fostering a stronger relationship between the AFP and the civilian population. Rex Espiritu
THE BANGSAMORO Ministry of Public Works
(MPW) has urged its government contractors to be vigilant against red-tape, and to report any attempts to exact kickbacks disguised as “cuts” from payments of infrastructure projects that they undertake.
Avila Abobakar, head of the Maguindanao del Norte MPW District Engineering Office (DEO), exhorted the contractors to finish their infrastructure projects on time.
Maguindanao del Norte is part of the now six-province, three-city Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindan-
ao (BARMM), although the province has a separate Provincial Engineering Office that handles local projects.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim has designated engineer Danny Ong as officer-in-charge vice Minister Eduard Guerra who is reportedly recovering from an injury sus-
Pinoy Muslim boy is runner-up in international Qur’an contest
A FILIPINO Muslim boy copped second place in a competition for memorization of the Qur’an in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last Aug. 21. The feat by Muzaher Suweb Bito gained recognition in the Islamic community, notably Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Bito’s achievement was deemed a rare since the honor was traditionally dominated by Arab-speaking countries for over a century. Bito, a lad from the BARMM, won in the international contest for Muslim youths in memorizing the Qur’an, with accurate Arabic pronunciation, lines syllabification, and breath-timing.
The good news was first announced on social media by relatives and friends of Bito’s family who worked for the BARMM’s Ministry of Basic Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE).
The contestants, mostly young, who have memorized in sheer devotion the Qur’an (Muslim Holy Book), are called Hafidth. Meanwhile, Datu Rashid Hussain, 15, one of the region’s hafidh individuals, succumbed to respiratory congestion on Monday, Ike Hussain, the boy’s father, broke out the sad news.
Norodin Dodo, chief of the MBHTE BARMM’s security section, said Bito, his nephew, had previously won 27th Session of Dubai International Holy Qur’an Contest in the United Arab Emirates held from March 12 to 24, 2024.
“Your exceptional victory is a testament that every Bangsamoro can perform and compete in the international sphere (arena),” the Bangsamoro said in a statement credited to Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim.
“Your devotion, mastery, and spiritual connection are truly commendable. May this award inspire the younger Bangsamoro generation,” Ebrahim said. Nash B. Maulana
tained after falling off the stairs in his house. During a contract-signing ceremony on Tuesday, Abobakar said the marching order from Ebrahim was for the agency to be on the lookout for the so-called “percentage cuts” on costs of infrastructure projects. He said any “demand for two percent or whatever percent” should be reported to him and other top MPW officials. He also said alibis like rains were not likely to convince his office to consider delay in infrastructure project implementation. Contractors usually cite force-majeure in unfair weather to ask for extension of project implementation with specific time frame for completion
as stipulated in the contract. Auditor Mona Balabaran presented an infrastructure menu of projects that line agencies of BARMM, particularly MPW, can implement for members of the Bangsamoro Parliament. Balabaran directed contractors to at least finish 20 percent of the entire projects that they are implementing before they bill out the MPW DEO for partial accomplishment, since every project is paid 15 percent in advance for mobilization purposes. She said the contractors should promptly report where there were foreseeable problems that could cause a “negative slippage” or probable reasons for delay in project implementation.
civilian informant on NPA rebels to receive P5.3-m bounty
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said the civilian informant who furnished information that led to the killing of three ranking communist rebel leaders would be P5.3-million richer.
AFP spokesman Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the windfall would come from the bounty on the head of Maria Concepcion Araneta Bocala alias Concha, reputedly the deputy secretary of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (KR-P).
“To clarify, the rewards on the heads of top communist insurgents will be given to the informants,” Trinidad said.
Bocala, along with Vivian Torato Teodosio alias Mia, Babes and Mara, was slain in a 10-minute firefight with government forces last Aug. 15, killed in Brgy. Cabatangan, Lambunao, Iloilo Bocala was also wanted by the law for alleged murder. She was arrested in 2015 but was given a safe conduct pass in light of the peace talks between the Philippine government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front in Norway. However, she allegedly went back to the hills in 2017 after the peace talks were stalled. In 2019, she was convicted for murder by the Taguig City Regional Trial Court
over a 1975 killing.
After the clash with Bocala’s group, elements of the Army’s 82nd Infantry Battalion discovered the decomposing body of another suspected New People’s Army guerilla leader, identified as Vicente Hinojales, regional secretary of KR-P Hinojales’ death reportedly followed a series of clashes between the government forces and the KR-P, resulting in seven other high-ranking insurgents killed, among them Jose Jerry Tacaisan and Benjamin Cortel.
Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, lauded the troops for their efforts in running after the local communist insurgents, citing Executive Order No. 70, which implements a whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict.
Army spokesman Col. Louie Dem-aala said the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division will hand over the cash reward to the informant who initiated the neutralization of Bocala.
AFP spokesperson Col. Margareth Padilla also asserted that with the neutralization of the three top communist insurgents in Panay, the region was set to be declared insurgency-free by September. Rex Espiritu
MILITARY IN MEDICAL MISSION. The Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao and the Eastern Mindanao Command roll out parallel outreach projects to bring essential health and medical services to the underserved sectors of society in the region. NFEM
PORTENT OF HOLIDAYS. Huge Christmas lanterns now adorn and light up the Abacan Bridge and Friendship Bridge in Angeles City way, way ahead of the holidays. Mayor Carmelo Lazatin says he ordered the very early installation of the lanterns ‘to spread happiness and love’ across the whole Christendom in the country. Butch Gunio
UPCOMING SUMMIT ON DISASTER RISK. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro announces that his department, in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, will host the 2024 Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction to be held Oct. 14-18 in Manila.
OPINION
Crime and punishment
WHERE there’s a crime, there should be commensurate punishment, if the perpetrator is found guilty by a court of law.
But what if someone accused of a crime, or even crimes, flies the coop, so to speak, to escape prosecution and disappears to parts unknown, making that individual beyond the reach of law enforcement?
It’s an established dictum in our legal system that flight is an admission or sign of guilt.
Our Supreme Court has ruled “the flight of an accused, in the absence of a credible explanation, would be a circumstance from which an inference of guilt may be established for a truly innocent person would normally grasp the first opportunity to defend himself and to assert his innocence.”
We cite here the case of Guo Hua Ping, also known as Alice Leal Guo, who claimed to be a Filipino citizen and managed to get herself elected as mayor of Bamban in Tarlac province.
Latest reports indicate she already left the country in July bound for Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, then met her parents Lin Wen Yi and Guo Jian Zhing in Singapore.
She is said to have proceeded to Denpasar and Batam in Indonesia where she is believed to be holed up at present.
Guo has been linked to an illegal POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac raided recently by authorities.
In June, the Department of the Interior and Local Government filed graft charges against her.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission also filed criminal charges against her for involvement in illegal activities of POGOs in Bamban and Porac, Pampanga.
Her identity and citizenship were also scrutinized during Senate hearings on the illegal POGOs.
She wove an intricate fairy tale of growing up in a farm and being homeschooled that left lawmakers absolutely incredulous.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered her dismissal for grave misconduct for misrepresenting herself as a Filipino citizen through fake documents, including a purported birth certificate.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue also filed a tax evasion complaint against Guo after she allegedly failed to settle P500,000 in taxes.
President Marcos’ Jr. has ordered an investigation on the reported departure of Guo and sanctions on those found responsible: “The departure of Alice Guo has laid bare the corruption that undermines our justice system and erodes public trust…Let me be clear: Heads will roll.”
“We will expose the culprits who have betrayed the people’s trust and aided in her flight…A full-scale investigation is already underway, and those responsible will be suspended and will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
“There is no room in this government for anyone who places personal inter-
est above serving the Filipino people with honor, integrity and justice,” he explained.
Coming as it does from no less than the Chief Executive, the order to authorities to launch a full-dress probe of Guo’s surreptitious departure from Philippine soil despite allegations of her involvement in illegal activities offers ample proof of government’s commitment to uphold the rule of law.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian believes the Bureau of Immigration and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines should be held accountable for Guo’s escape.
President Marcos’ order to authorities to launch a fulldress probe of Guo’s surreptitious departure from Philippine soil despite allegations of her involvement in illegal activities offers ample proof of government’s commitment to uphold the rule of law
“It’s quite embarrassing what’s happening to us because it’s not just the Philippines that is watching this issue with the POGO and Guo Hua Ping. The whole world is watching.”
Gatchalian considers Guo’s escape a “temporary setback,” saying the complaints against her will proceed or even speed up if she is not physically present. And once the case against her progresses, the dismissed mayor could be extradited to the Philippines to face the allegations and possible punishments, the senator said.
The lawmaker wants the Senate to collate all the information they have gathered on the Guo Hua Ping case and gather more information from various agencies, including the Bureau of Immigration and CAAP, among others, to prevent cases like these from causing more embarrassment for the government as a whole.
The sensational case of Guo Hua Ping has riveted the nation’s attention and understandably so, as investigation has unravelled a grand conspiracy by the dismissed local executive, along with her Chinese co-conspirators and local enablers, to use POGOs for various scams and other criminal activities.
With all POGOs now banned by President Marcos’ Jr., all those responsible for the scams and other crimes that took place behind closed doors should be punished once found guilty by our judicial system. (Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)
Baler’s barefoot banker
THE latter part of the 19th century was a time of increasing sentiment against Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines.
Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo were published in 1887 and 1891, respectively; La Solidaridad, the engine of the propaganda movement, was published in Spain in 1889; and Andres Bonifacio formed the Katipunan in 1892. Amidst political unrest, Gervacio Suaverdez was born to Honofre and Josefa on June 19, 1890, in Infanta, in what is now part of Quezon Province. Despite a thirst for education, which his parents could not provide, he left for Laguna to work as a “farm helper at P50 centavos per day with free food and cigarettes [and later worked at the Manila pier as a porter].” (Weekly Graphic, Barefoot Banker of Baler, Isagani S. Valmonte, Sept. 25, 1963).
“After saving P100, Gervacio migrated to Baler and engaged in the buy[ing]and-sell[ing] of carabaos for seven years” (op. cit.)
After giving a dowry of 10 carabaos to the parents of Rosita Santos of Bu-
3-minute police response
WILL the latest directive of Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil for police units to respond to requests for assistance within three minutes really work?
The order from the top cop leading the 230,000 or so men and women of the police force throughout the country to immediately respond to calls from the public is part and parcel of the government’s revitalized emergency hotline 911.
The top cop’s order seeks to enhance the trust and confidence of the public in the ability of the police organization to give assistance to people during emergencies.
“Every Filipino deserves a quick and efficient police response, regardless of their location or status. The revitalized 911 hotline is not just a technological improvement; it is a crucial component of our mission to make every community feel secure and supported by the PNP,” Gen. Marbil pointed out.
Recently, the Department of the Interior and Local Government simulated
the 911 emergency hotline service at Camp Crame, the PNP headquarters in Quezon City, to launch a faster and more effective method of handling distress calls comparable to those in the United States and Europe.
—“—
All spam or prank callers can be identified and located because of the capabilities of the new system using with GPS
During last week’s demonstration of the E911, a call-to-police response took only about 56 seconds. The new E911 system, which replaces Patrol 117, incorporates advanced technology designed to reduce response times and improve coordination among emergency services.
The second-class municipality of Morong in Rizal province was the first town to be equipped with the “next generation” 911 technology last May.
“Our citizens rely on us during emergencies, and we have to ensure
IT’S A tale as old as time: a group of prestigious lawyers, who, after years of studying ethics, codes, and the law, suddenly discover that maybe—just maybe—bribing their way to positions of power isn’t in line with the integrity they once swore to uphold. Comes now Nilo T. Divina, the legal world’s answer to Willy Wonka, and to thr honorable bench and mmbers of the bar, submits his motion.
Willy Wonka, for a refresher, is innovative, flamboyant, stubborn, arrogant, and authoritarian, and loves to be the center of attention by putting on outrageous attire. He cannot stand questions and considers them as criticisms or threat and always brags the products he creates to his guests.
Divina’s appearance is different. Instead of golden tickets, he’s handing out all-expenses-paid trips to Balesin Island Club and Bali, Indonesia, because what says “Vote for Me!” better than a tropical getaway?
For those who missed the memo, let’s catch up. Nilo Divina, an esteemed member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, found himself in hot water after generously sponsoring the travels of IBPCentral Luzon officers.
These officers, who clearly needed a break from the grueling life of legal practice, graciously accepted the trips – because who could say no to sun, sand, and perhaps a little bit of career advancement?
But alas, the Supreme Court was not as enamored with Divina’s version of lawyerly philanthropy.
lacan, he later married her with whom he had 11 children, with nine born alive and two stillborn.
He had a merchandising store in Baler that sold products such as rice, sugar, salt, canned goods and clothing.
Gervacio Suaverdez went to his office regularly and attended to his numerous customers in his unorthodox getup
He also ventured into lending, allowing him to purchase ricelands and coconut plantations in Baler (op. cit.)
He “recalled a funny incident in 1937, when he went to Manila to buy farm implements.
Because he was barefoot, shabby, and with a pistol tucked under his belt, he was apprehended by a policeman and
Apparently, there’s a little-known provision in the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability that frowns upon lawyers using extravagant gifts to sway the judgment of their peers. Yes, believe it or not, the Court pointed out that when you shower people with
subjected to heavy grilling.
Only the intervention of President Quezon… who had been his wedding sponsor, saved him from being detained” (op. cit.)
Although not having had any formal education, he believed “education is not a hindrance to one’s success.”
Despite this, he pushed for his children to pursue further schooling.
For one, his son Ananias, finished medicine and became a resident physician in one of the hospitals in the United States (op. cit.) All his nine children were sent to schools in Manila.
His business acumen led him to form his own rural bank in Baler in 1962, which he operated during his lifetime without any formal training in banking.
He ran his bank on his bare feet, sometimes in short pants, an outfit that
that every 911 call is met with the swift and effective response it deserves,” Marbil said.
“This directive is more than just a procedural requirement—it reflects our unwavering commitment to serve and protect the Filipino people, ensuring peace and safety across the nation,” he added.
The E911 uses the Next Generation Advanced 911 System, a global innovator of emergency calling technology and a leader in next generation emergency communications.
With the new system, all spam or prank callers can be identified and located because of the capabilities of the new system using with GPS.
Under the previous system, the hotline would receive around 50,000 calls a day with only about 500 legitimate calls.
Under the new system, the hotline has been receiving 700 legitimate calls out of a total of 30,000. Top of Form
Some of the features provided include precise caller location services, advanced mapping and incident management systems, data analytics, video streaming, omnichannel messaging, and integration of body and vehicle cameras in responding to emergencies. Will this new system lead to faster police response to emergencies? We really hope so.
Bribery on the beach, ethics on the rocks
luxurious trips and gift checks, they might feel a teeny bit obliged to return the favor.
Who knew? Certainly not Divina, who probably thought he was just promoting camaraderie among colleagues – or perhaps practicing for a future career in tourism.
Now, let’s give Divina the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he’s just a misunderstood man of unparalleled generosity.
After all, what’s a few hundred thousand pesos spent on fellow lawyers when it’s all in the spirit of friendship?
—“—
We are given a valuable lesson: when it comes to bribery, it’s not the size of the gift that matters, it’s the amount of plausible deniability you can maintain
Besides, isn’t it practical for a lawyer to ensure his colleagues are well-rested and culturally enriched before making important decisions?
Logic dictates that a trip to Bali could do wonders for one’s legal acumen, right?
And let’s not forget the politics of it all.
In the cutthroat world of IBP elections, it’s crucial to stand out.
Some might argue that speeches, debates, and a solid track record should be enough, but where’s the fun in that?
No, Divina knew in a crowded field, you’ve got to think outside the courtroom. And really, what’s more outside the courtroom than an island resort?
he became accustomed to since his stint as a carabao trader (op. cit.)
He was popularly known as Mang Gerva, a quiet and unassuming man.
He went to his office regularly and attended to his numerous customers in his unorthodox getup.
For this, he was referred to as the “Barefoot Banker” (op. cit.)
He was also a perpetual candidate for the mayorship of Baler but had never won.
“He said his political opponents capitalized on his being barefoot and the fact that he did not read and write English [although he fluently conversed in Spanish].
He totally abandoned politics after he organized the Baler Rural Bank in 1962” (op. ccit.) He was unlike his brother in this as-
But the Supreme Court, those party poopers, had to ruin the fun. They slapped Divina with a fine of P100,000 – a small price to pay, really, considering the memories made in Bali. They even went so far as to say that these “exorbitant” gifts reflect poorly on the recipients’ ability to maintain propriety in their professional dealings.
As if accepting an all-expenses-paid trip from someone with a vested interest in your decisions could ever cloud your judgment.
So, what’s a lawyer to do?
Should we abandon all hope of using lavish gifts to secure our place in legal history?
Not necessarily. Perhaps the lesson here is subtlety. Maybe instead of handing out trips to Bali, the next aspiring IBP Governor should consider a nice fruit basket.
Or a thoughtfully curated cheese platter. Who could object to a little brie and some grapes?
And for those lawyers feeling left out, fret not. There’s always the option of organizing a “continuing legal education” retreat in some far-flung paradise. Just be sure to make it sound really boring on the invitation – something like “Advanced Torts and Contractual Obligations in the Tropics.”
That should keep the Supreme Court off your back.
In the end, Atty. Divina has given us all a valuable lesson: when it comes to bribery, it’s not the size of the gift that matters, it’s the amount of plausible deniability you can maintain.
So, to all the aspiring legal eagles out there, remember: a little less flash, a little more finesse, and who knows?
Maybe next time, you too could be vacationing in Bali without a care in the world – or a Supreme Court fine hanging over your head.
pect. Landelino Suaverdez became the Municipal President (Mayor) of Infanta during the American Occupation in 1929-1931.
It was during his term that a strong typhoon wreaked havoc on Infanta, engulfing it in a flood for two days, causing President Manuel L. Quezon, Governor Leon Guinto, Sr., and the National Red Cross to make an emergency visit to the town (Read infanta.gov.ph).
“The bank he organized served the farmers and merchants also in the neighboring towns of San Luis, Maria Aurora, Dipaculao, and Casiguran.”
“[He was] one of the most prosperous immigrants of Baler [who during his lifetime] [was] reportedly second in financial standing to a Chinese logging magnate” (Weekly Graphic, Sept. 25, 1963).
Trump in 1st outdoor rally since slay try
IN BRIEF
Floods swamp Bangladesh as nation finds its feet
DHAKA – Floods triggered by torrential rains have swamped a swath of lowlying Bangladesh, disaster officials said Thursday, adding to the new government’s challenges after weeks of political turmoil.
At least two people have died and hundreds of thousands are stranded in the floods in at least eight districts in southern and eastern areas.
“Around 2.9 million people have been affected and more than 70,000 people have been taken to shelters,” Mohammad Nazmul Abedin, senior official in the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, told AFP.
Long-time premier Sheikh Hasina quit as prime minister this month and fled to India after weeks of deadly student-led protests, ending her 15-year autocratic rule.
The South Asian nation of 170 million people, crisscrossed by hundreds of rivers, has seen frequent floods in recent decades. AFP
US charges former democracy activist
WASHINGTON, DC – A New York resident who took part in China’s 1989 democracy movement was charged Wednesday with operating as an illegal agent for the Chinese government in the United States, the justice department said.
Tang Yuanjun, 67, swam to a Taiwancontrolled island more than 20 years ago before being granted political asylum by the United States. He was charged on Wednesday with acting as an agent for the People’s Republic of China in the United States from 2018 to 2023, the justice department said in a statement.
Tang completed “tasks at the direction of the PRC’s Ministry of State Security (MSS), which is the PRC’s principal civilian intelligence agency,” the department said. Tang provided MSS officials with information on “individuals and groups viewed by the PRC as potentially adverse” to its interests, including “prominent US-based Chinese democracy activists and dissidents”. AFP
Cambodia welcomes return of looted wealth
PHNOM PENG – Cambodia on Thursday welcomed the return of a batch of trafficked Buddhist and Hindu statues from collectors and museums in the United States.
In recent years the kingdom has worked closely with US officials to secure the return of hundreds of precious cultural artifacts -- many of them stolen and exported illegally. The latest return is of 70 Khmer objects including stone statues of a mythical warrior from the Hindu epic Mahabharata and the deities Shiva and Uma, as well as a bronze head. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet presided over a ceremony to welcome the items.
“The artifacts we have reclaimed are invaluable as national cultural heritage for the Cambodian people, the real owners,” he said. AFP
Walz lauds Harris at Democratic convention
CHICAGO --Tim Walz introduced himself to millions of Americans on a starstudded night at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday (Thursday Manila time), as he accepted the nomination to be Kamala Harris’s White House running mate.
In a whirlwind quarter-hour address, Walz raced through the story of his middle-class upbringing in small town Nebraska, where he worked on the family farm, and described his experience teaching students who inspired him to go into politics.
“They saw in me what I had hoped to instill in them: a commitment to the common good, an understanding that we’re
Israel kills top militant as ceasefire talks stumble
SIDON, Lebanon – The Israeli military killed a senior Palestinian militant in Lebanon on Wednesday, leading to accusations from the Fatah movement that Israel was trying to ignite a regional war.
The strike that killed Khalil Maqdah, described by Fatah as “one of the leaders” of its armed wing in Lebanon, came hours after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken ended a tour of the Middle East aimed at reaching a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and “made clear that we must bring the ceasefire and hostage release deal to closure,” the president wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Fatah, which is based in the Israelioccupied West Bank and rivals the Gaza Strip’s Islamist rulers Hamas, said Maqdah was killed near the southern Lebanese city of Sidon.
Israel accused him of “directing attacks and smuggling weapons” to the West Bank and collaborating with Iranian forces. AFP
all in this together, and the belief that a single person can make a real difference for their neighbors,” he said as the crowd chanted “Coach Walz!”
Meanwhile, presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to drop out of the race for the White House, US media reported on Wednesday, with the independent candidate due to make a major address later in the week.
The New York Times and CNN reported that Kennedy, whose support was at 8.7 percent in a nationwide poll by The Hill this week, would back Republican nominee Donald Trump upon dropping out.
DONALD Trump held his first outdoor campaign event on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) since an assassination attempt, lobbing insults at his surging Democratic opponent Kamala Harris from behind bulletproof glass at a rally in the battleground state of North Carolina.
Trump, 78, speaking against a backdrop of vintage warplanes at an aviation museum, called Harris the “most radical left person” ever to run for the White House and claimed that millions of jobs will “vanish overnight” if she wins in November.
“Your life savings will be totally wiped out,” the Republican candidate told the crowd, one of a number of apocalyptic scenarios he painted during his speech.
“All over the world, our adversaries knew that America was not to be trifled with when I was your commander in chief,” Trump said. “If comrade Kamala wins this November, World War III is virtually guaranteed to happen.”
With Harris drawing enthusiastic crowds since replacing Joe Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket, the event in
The Secret Service does not comment publicly on security operations and did not respond to requests for comment on Wednesday’s preparations.
The gloves came off as the 60-year-old Minnesota governor turned his fire on Republican nominee Donald Trump, accusing him of spending “all day insulting people and blaming others.”
But Walz devoted much of his speech at the United Center in Chicago to making the case for Harris.
“From her day as a prosecutor, as a district attorney, as an attorney general, as a United States senator and then our vice president, she’s fought on the side of the American people,” he said. AFP
Volcanic eruption grounds flights in New Zealand as ash drifted
WELLINGTON – A volcanic eruption belched a plume of ash that grounded flights in New Zealand on Thursday, with government scientists warning it could continue venting for “weeks to months” to come.
It is the same White Island volcano that erupted in 2019, killing 22 people.
The island, once popular with tourists, lies about 50 kilometers off New Zealand’s North Island, and 200 kilometers from Auckland, the country’s largest city. National carrier Air New Zealand said 10 flights had been canceled early Thursday as volcanic ash drifted across flight paths.
An airline spokesperson told AFP that flights had resumed after the ash in the surrounding air space dissipated.
Satellite images showed “minor eruptive activity” started earlier this month,
research institute GNS Science said in a monitoring bulletin. They believed it was part of the “typical eruptive cycles” documented on White Island, also known as Whakaari to the country’s Indigenous Maori language.
“This activity could continue for some time, weeks to months,” they warned. Scientists said residents on New Zealand’s main islands might smell volcanic gas or suffer mild irritation to their eyes or throats, although impacts would be minor. New Zealand raised its volcanic alert level earlier this
TRUCE TALKS FALTER. Pro-Palestinian
Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on Thursday. President Joe Biden pushed
to reach a Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas
Blinken
INSULTS CONTINUE. Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks behind bulletproof glass during a campaign rally at the North Carolina Aviation Museum & Hall of Fame in Asheboro, North Carolina on Thursday, Manila time. Trump, 78, speaking against a backdrop of vintage warplanes at an aviation museum, called Harris the “most radical left person” ever to run for the White House and claimed that millions of jobs will ‘vanish overnight’ if she wins in November. AFP
SPORTS
Will Dongga-as be Team Lakay’s next top MMA strawweight?
THE answer to Team Lakay’s void in the strawweight MMA division could reveal itself when Estrada Dongga-as debuts in the ONE Friday Fights circuit.
Dongga-as looks to be the next man up in the division for the proud squad when he takes on Pham Van Nam in a three-round MMA bout at ONE Friday Fights 76 on August 23 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Strawweight has always been a division that Team Lakay’s has dominated, especially during the reign of ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua Pacio and the always-exciting Lito Adiwang.
But the departure of the pair from the squad left a gap that needed to be filled, and that’s where Dongga-as comes in.
The 29-year-old brings his hard-hitting ways to ONE Championship, and he’ll have his hands full against the unbeaten Vietnamese man who comes in boasting of a versatile skill set.
Like Filipinos, Vietnamese fighters love to strike. But Pham might be a bit different from his compatriots.
Pham grinds out his opponents with his wrestling and submission game, and he’s the type to not give an inch when given an opening, evident in his back-to-back submission wins that earned him a shot in Lumpinee.
All in all, Pham comes in with a 5-0 record and wants nothing more than to put the Filipino on his list of victims.
Should Dongga-as win in his debut, though, he’ll continue Team Lakay’s brilliant run in the ONE Friday Fights circuit, with guys like Carlo Bumina-ang and Carlos Alvarez all having great performances on the weekly show.
Yulo gets P10m, boxers receive P4m from MVP
By Randy Caluag
THE Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation, a staunch supporter of Philippine gymnastics, has generously awarded P10 million in cash incentives to Paris Olympics gold medalist Carlos Yulo and P2 million each to boxing bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas.
PLDT Chairman Manny Pangilinan personally handed the reward to Yulo, who was accompanied by Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) president Cynthia Carrion during a
Isleta claims 5 golds in PAI national swim trials
VIETNAM Southeast Asian Games
gold medalist Chloe Isleta solidified her status as one of the country’s swimming stars, claiming five gold medals after three days of intense competition at the Philippine Aquatics Inc. (PAI) National Trials 25-meter short course. The University of Arizona alumnus and member of its professional team in the US Series, Isleta dominated the girls’ 50 back and 200 free, clocking times of 27.83 and 2:04.17, respectively. The event was supported by Speedo, Pocari Sweat, and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Currently pursuing her master’s degree in Communication and Media at De La Salle University-Taft and training under her own Chloe Swim Club based in Ilocos Norte, Isleta outpaced fellow national mainstay and 2023 Cambodia SEA Games record holder Xiandi Chua in their 50m duel (29.06). Tarlac pride and Asian Age-Group Championship campaigner Trixie Ortiguerra secured the bronze medal at 29.25. In the 200 free, Isleta overpowered La Salle bet Hannah Sanchez (2:09.10) and South Cotabato pride Jie Angela
ONCE in a while in an otherwise routine tryouts for a certain national team comes a virtual unknown to most local fans and from practically nowhere, but ends up as the one who really made the biggest splash all week long.
Christopher “Gian” Santos did this in the recently concluded Philippine Aquatics, Incorporated’s National Sports Trials at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool in Malate, Manila. The trials will be used to identify and select possible members of the national swimming team that will represent the country in forthcoming international competitions, including the Southeast Asian Games and others. Santos copped an impressive six gold medals in as many events. Aside from winning his races, Santos also turned in impressive times to win the Most Outstanding Swimmer award, too.
As an ordinary swimming fan who grew up idolizing Eric Buhain, Chris-
Talosig (2:10.38). This marked the third consecutive victory for Isleta against the Australian-trained Chua of Top Swim Club.
On Tuesday’s opener, she claimed the 100 backstroke (1:00.31) against her La
Supertanker G
tine Jacobs and Akiko Thompson to name a few, Santos’ supertanker performances in the tryouts were amazing considering he had only less than a week to train and prepare before coming to Manila. He also had a few practice swims after flying alone from California to join the tryouts. Despite these, he practically dominated his events, whether in sprint or long distances and even in several categories. Normally, a swimmer will have his favorite or pet event, either in the freestyle, backstroke or breaststroke. But Santos showed his versatility and mental fortitude in making an impact in the pool. Indeed, Supertanker G is not your typical tanker.
The Designated Kit Man had a chat with Santos after he got back in the United States and he was very happy with his feats.
“I was able to lower my own national junior record by 2.6 seconds and then got my fourth junior national record in the 100M freestyle. Overall, it was a good meet,” Santos said. Santos clocked 4:31.33 (four minutes
ceremony at the PLDT corporate office in Makati. Petecio and Villegas joined the event via Zoom while their coaches personally attended to receive their share of
Salle schoolmate (1:01.14).
On Wednesday, Isleta edged out Chua in the 100 Individual Medley (1:01.64) against 1:03.02. In the 50 free, she triumphed over Fil-Am Miranda Renner (25.65/25.72).
and 31.33 seconds) in the 400M IM; 0:50.70 in the 100M freestyle; 1:51.39 in the 200M freestyle; 4:01.26 in the 400M freestyle; 2:05.99 in the 200M individual medley; and 2:18.30 in the 200M breaststroke. Because of these impressive performances, Santos was able to get a sponsorship before leaving Manila.
For his future competitions, TYR Philippines will have his back.
“I’ll be able to take a small load off my plate in terms of financial expenses,” Santos shared.
But more than the records, endorsement and personal bests, Santos was very thankful for the opportunity after the pandemic to reunite with his friends, fellow junior swimmers, relatives and his two adoring Lolas who traveled all the way from Pampanga just to see him compete for the first time.
“One of the main reasons actually why I wanted to go to Manila is for my Lola Lou and Lola Remy (from his father’s side) to be able to come and watch me. They have been supporting me all my life and this was the first competition, where they were able to see me in person. It was a totally different experience having them on the sidelines,” Santos shared.
The two Lolas keep tabs on their fa-
the Philippine Sports Commission added another P20 million, sourced from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.
Yulo received P14 million from the House of Representatives, which included an additional P8 million on top of the initial reward, recognizing his outstanding achievement. Property developer Megaworld Corporation also contributed with a P3 million cash bonus.
the incentives. Yulo’s coaching team was granted P5 million, while the coaching teams of Petecio and Villegas each received P2 million.
Pangilinan reaffirmed his commitment to support Filipino athletes as they prepare for future Olympic Games.
“As always, they can count on our continued support until LA 2028. Mabuhay ang atletang Pinoy!” he shared on X.
Yulo’s rewards from both government and private sector sources have now surpassed P100 million.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. awarded Yulo a P20 million cash reward, while
Moreover, private companies Arena Plus gave P5 million and Chooksto-Go pledged P3 million in cash incentives, respectively, to Yulo. In addition to the substantial cash rewards, Megaworld Corporation presented Yulo with a P32 million, three-bedroom, fully-furnished condominium unit in their premier McKinley Hill property.
The luxurious condo includes a parking slot, home appliances, furniture, and other amenities. Yulo also received a P3 million cash reward alongside the condominium.
TECNO backs Asian Football Confederation’s club tourneys
KUALA LUMPUR—Innovative technology brand TECNO announced today that it has become the Official Global Supporter of the Asian Football Confederation’s newly unveiled club competitions, the AFC Champions League Elite™, the AFC Champions League Two™, and the AFC Women’s Champions League™ for the 20242025 season.
This strategic cooperation underscores TECNO’s dedication to enhancing its reach across its core markets in Asia, and to fostering a meaningful connection with every football fan that shares its “Stop at Nothing” spirit of progress and innovation.
The partnership was unveiled at an official signing ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where AFC representatives and TECNO executives expressed their enthusiasm and ambitions for the partnership.
TECNO and the AFC. More than just a sponsorship, it is a milestone display-
vorite apo in California by watching Santos’ tournaments through Didi’s (Gian’s ever supportive Mom and lifetime president of his fans’ club) posts in Facebook.
To set the record straight, Santos’ parents are both Filipinos – Didi is from Bacolod and dad Marlon is from Pampanga.
Santos is hoping that with his exploits, he is a step closer to his dream of representing the Philippines in the senior swimming team soon. Santos believes that he is ready for the next phase of his career in representing the country on a much bigger stage like the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games in the United States.
“It means everything to me. The LA Olympics is my main end goal. It is the main reason why I’m still swimming.
I’m hoping that it will be my final big competition for the Philippines. It will be my last hurrah. And also to create more memories and be a better person on and off the pool as I go along chasing my dream,” Santos said.
For the meantime, Santos will go to college to pursue a BS Neuroscience Degree at Columbia University in the next few days.
Santos says his ultimate goal is to become a doctor after hanging up his goggles.
“Swimming is just a phase in my life.
ing the brand spirit of ‘Stop at Nothing’ and a celebration for both parties embarking on a new journey and creating more impactful experiences for fans across Asia” said Laury Bai, Chief Marketing Officer of TECNO.
“At TECNO, we always believe in the power of sports to unite communities and inspire progress. This collaboration allows us to not only empower every Asian football fan globally to have a more interactive and immersive experience at matches through our advanced technology, but to also build a deeper connection of shared passion between TECNO and football fans.”
Datuk Seri Windsor John, General Secretary of the AFC, said: “As the AFC enters into a new era of innovation and transformation, spearheaded and driven by the revamp of our club competitions, we are delighted to welcome an entity that shares common values in global innovative technology brand, TECNO.
Hopefully, after the 2028 LA Olympics I can pursue my other goal to become a doctor. It is more permanent,” he added. Columbia was among the six Ivy League Schools that offered scholarships to Santos. Incidentally, Santos graduated valedictorian in Tesoro High School in Las Flores, California.
Santos definitely will be a good addition to our national swimming team that has been in search of glory and support for the past few years. Swimming before has been a gold mine in the Southeast Asian Games for the country before, with more promising swimmers like Santos just doing their best to come over at their own expense and time just to deliver outstanding performances, swimming may yet rediscover the spark that it needs to reclaim its past glory and create new connections, experiences and stories with fans in the coming days. Here is hoping that our officials running the NSA will not drop the ball, literally, in the pool. Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat
Chloe Isleta
From one MVP to another. Double
Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo meets with PLDT and Smart Chairman and CEO and MVPSF
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2024
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor
Zaragosa’s back 9 surge secures JPGT Luisita victory
TARLAC—Precious Zaragosa displayed remarkable poise when it mattered most, delivering clutch shots on the back nine to edge out Mona Sarines and secure the 13-15 category title with a 73 in the ICTSI Junior PGT Luzon Series 5 at the Luisita Golf and Country Club here yesterday (Thursday).
After a shaky front nine, where she posted a three-over card, Zaragosa found herself tied with Sarines at seven-over overall as the latter rallied from five strokes down with a brilliant 34 in the first nine holes.
PH sports gets boost from SC ruling, LGUs, Congress
By Peter Atencio
MORE funding will come from congress, local government units and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation for Philippine sports in the coming years.
The Philippines’ recent success in the 2024 Paris Olympics, coupled with the Supreme Court’s recent order for PAGCOR to remit the full amount of five percent of its gross income to the PSC will make this possible starting next year.
Chairman Richard Bachmann said he will sit down with PAGCOR chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco on the financial assistance that the government sports body will get in the coming years when he gets back from the Paris Paragames in the second week of September.
“I know that we will be getting a bigger budget for next year. If we are getting P100 million from them, we will get 5 to 6 times more,” said Bachmann on Thursday.
The PSC chief discussed the PSC’s as-
CREAMLINE made quick work of ZUS Coffee, securing a decisive 25-17, 25-15, 25-22 victory to all but lock in the No. 3 seed in the knockout quarterfinals of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Thursday.
Demonstrating their dominance in firepower, depth and experience, the Cool Smashers needed just 77 minutes to dispatch the Thunderbelles, finishing the twophase elimination round with a 6-2 win-loss record. This virtually guarantees them the No. 3 ranking, setting up a potential quarterfinal clash with the Capital1 Solar Spikers (5-3).
PLDT and Chery Tiggo still have an opportunity to tie Creamline at 6-2, but the Cool Smashers hold a superior total points tally of 20 in case of a tie.
The High Speed Hitters, still in action against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans at presstime, can only reach a maximum of 19 points, while the Crossovers, who are scheduled to play the Petro Gazz Angels later, can accumulate a maximum of 18 points.
“We’re ready, sa lahat ng challenges na mangyayari. Ang importante lang talaga is yung determination namin na manalo,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses. “Lalo na knockout game, so, trust lang namin sa isa’t isa.”
sistance to athletes, the national sports associations and the country’s grassroots program during a special session of the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
The bigger financial backing from PAGCOR comes after the Supreme Court has ordered them to remit the full amount of five percent of its gross income to the PSC from 1993 to the present.
The ruling was an answer to a petition filed by former Pampanga First District Rep. Yeng Guiao back in 2016 for PAGCOR to give out the proper amount, as contained in Section 26 of the PSC Law or Republic Act 6847. Bachmann, who will be in the Para-
lympics in Paris when it is held there from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8, said gymnast Carlo Yulo’s double gold performance in the Paris Olympics, to go with the bronze-medal finishes of boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas have created a big impact on Philippine sports.
“It’s basically creating awareness on a lot of sports that can actually win medals for us. We got through LGUs and introduce sports, but most only want basketball and volleyball. By winning medals in international meets like the Olympics for gymnastics and boxing, this gives awareness that a lot of kids can be supported and become athletes. This makes the PSC’s job easier,” said Bachmann.
Last year, the PSC allocated around P33.9 million for the preparation, training and participation of athletes and coaches in Olympic qualification events.
This year, P8.6 million was allocated for the national sports associations’ Olympics-related activities, and around P51.9 million was set aside for the actual Paris games.
In all, the government sports agency spent P158.283 million for the Paris Olympics’ gig.
“The role of the government in the Olympics is financial assistance for all the NSAs and all the sports. And I’m happy to report that since 2023, we’ve been supporting all these,”said Bachmann.
Eala zeroes in on US Open main draw
But a birdie-bogey exchange on No. 10 shifted the momentum back in Zaragosa’s favor. The 13-year-old Learning Links Academy student then pulled away with another birdie on the 14th as Sarines stumbled with three more bogeys and a double bogey to finish with a 76.
“My putting was bad on the front nine, with three-putts, while Mona kept sinking hers,” said Zaragosa, whose victory has fueled her determination to secure one of the four coveted slots in the Match Play Championship in October.
However, the two-shot swing was a confidence booster, and Zaragosa drew further inspiration from her father, Boyet, who followed her during the last nine holes.
“Big thanks to my dad because when he watched at the back nine, I started making birdies,” said Zaragosa, whose precise approach shots on Nos. 10 and 12 set up birdie putts within three feet, paving the way for an unchallenged march to victory, her second in the ICTSI-sponsored series, following a four-shot triumph, also over Sarines, in the season opener at Splendido Taal last May. She assembled a 221 over 54 holes, winning by eight strokes over Sarines, who ended up with a 229. Mona’s twin sister Lisa, a two-leg winner, wound up third with 233 after a 77. Jakob Taruc, meanwhile, also bolstered his Match Play bid with a runaway victory in the boys’ division, closing with a round of 77 for a total of 225. He finished 10 strokes ahead of John Paul Agustin, Jr., who wavered with a 79 for a 235. Zianbeau Edoc snared third place with a 248 after an 84.
“I tried to play it safe in the first few holes, but it backfired. Then I got a bit over-confident and before I knew it, Paul (Agustin) almost caught up with me,“ said homeschooled golfer Taruc.
ALEX Eala eased out the 99thranked Spaniard Nuria Parrizas Diaz from Spain in a 7-5, 7-5 upset win on Thursday in the second-round qualifiers of the 2024 US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York. Currently ranked at no. 144 in the World Tennis Association, Eala took an hour and 48 minutes to beat her rival.
When it was over, Eala, whose professional ranking is expected to go up by a notch to 143, moved into the third round -- a win shy of the main draw. But she will have to get past Elena Gabriela Ruse, a Roma -
nian netter currently at no. 123 in the WTA rankings.
Eala gained headway when she broke Diaz’s serve for a 6-5 lead in the first set.
In the second set, Eala broke the serve to grab the lead at 6-5, before taking the second in the same fashion, 7-5. Ruse, a semifinalist in the 2024 French Open, advanced to the third round after getting past Chinese bet Xin Ma, 6-3, 6-3. Peter Atencio
Despite a shaky start with three bogeys on the front nine, Taruc managed to hold on, though he added two more miscues in the last nine holes.
Agustin, who had impressively slashed an overnight eight-stroke deficit to just five after six holes, seemed poised to challenge Taruc. However, he couldn’t maintain his momentum, stumbling with bogeys on Nos. 7 and 9. A triple-bogey on No. 11 dashed his hopes, leading to a disappointing backside 41.
Building on his recent victory at Riviera, Taruc credited his coach, family and especially God for his success.
“He really helped me throughout. He gave me the strength to finish this tournament,” said the 14-year-old Taruc. The chase for the 16-18 titles, meanwhile, appears to be nearing a decisive conclusion, with Lia Duque virtually securing the girls’ division crown after posting an 83 for a threeday total of 245.
Obiena settles for 3rd in Switzerland Diamond League
ERNEST John Obiena cleared 5.82 meters for a joint third-place finish at the 2024 Lausanne Diamond League at the Athletissima at the Place de la Navigation in Lausanne, Switzerland on Wednesday.
Obiena’s performance came two weeks after he settled for fourth place in the Paris Olympics. Obiena, who slipped to no. 3 in the world after his Paris campaign, tried to go higher but failed in all his three attempts at 5.92 meters.
The finish put Obiena in a three-way tie at third with Sondre Guttormsen of Norway and Australian Kurtis Marschall.
Two-time reigning Olympic champion Armand Duplantis easily took the gold at the 6.00m mark.
Duplantis tried going for the meet record 6.15m in three jumps, but did not make it.
Seven-time Diamond League champion Renaud Lavillenie equalled his season’s best with 5.72m, while the USA’s Chris Nilsen bowed out early at 5.62m.
The Athletissima meeting is the 11th leg of the 2024 Wanda Diamond League.
It is one of four remaining chances for athletes to earn points and qualify for the series final in Brussels, slated from September 13 to 14. Peter Atencio
Precious Zaragosa assembled a 221 over 54 holes, winning the ICTSI Junior PGT Luzon Series 5 at the Luisita Golf and Country Clubby by eight strokes. Manny Marcelo
PSC chairman Richard Bachmann
John Obiena
Chinese group proposes Greater Manila Bay Area
By Othel V. Campos
CBy Darwin G. Amojelar
THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Thursday it approved the release of an additional P3.68 billion in funding to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to sustain the implementation of the Free Public Internet Access Program (FPIAP) nationwide.
“Our free Wi-Fi program continues. By approving this additional budget within our calibrated fiscal program, we reaffirm our commitment to prioritizing inclusive and accessible internet for all,” DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.
“As mandated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., we will ensure that every citizen, in any corner of the Philippines, will benefit from our digital transformation initiatives,” she said.
The released fund is expected to benefit 13,462 access point (AP) sites in various locations nationwide.
Part of the FPIAP is the building and maintaining of ICT infrastructure such as towers, data centers and internet connections. It aims to maintain connectivity in public areas like schools, libraries, parks and transportation hubs, providing Filipinos with reliable internet services for education, work and daily life activities.
HINESE businessmen proposed the development of a business district around the Manila Bay similar to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA). Over $40 billion
The proposal aims to deepen economic ties and open up opportunities for the Philippines in innovation, high-technology, new energy and sustainability.
Chinese General Chamber of Commerce-Hong Kong chairman
Jonathan Choi Koon-shum suggested creating a “Greater Bay Area of Cavite, Bataan and Zambales” with Manila Bay at the center.
“We welcome the Philippines to join the GBA in a parallel capacity.
We hope that the Philippines will also create a similar GBA that will include
growth areas in Manila, Cavite, Bataan and Zambales with Manila Bay as its anchor,” he said during the Manila Forum for PhilippinesChina Relation at the Conrad Hotel Wednesday.
The forum with the theme “Exploring the Opportunities with GuangdongHong Kong- Macau Greater Bay Area” aims to foster closer trade and investment collaboration.
Koon-shum said this presents “an exciting opportunity for the Philippines to leverage the GBA’s success and create a dynamic
economic zone that fosters innovation, trade, and investment.”
“We can expand our trade relations [with China] through the Greater Bay Area in the field of electronics and textiles. The region’s demand for high-quality goods aligns perfectly with the Philippines’ export strength,” said Association for Philippines-China Understanding chairman Raul Lambino. Lambino highlighted the potential benefits the Philippines stands to gain from increased trade with China.
The GBA could potentially bring millions of Chinese tourists to the Philippines, creating significant job opportunities.
Data from the Department of Tourism showed that China was the top source of international travelers before the pandemic. More than 1.7 million Chinese tourists visited the Philippines in 2019, but this went down during the pandemic.
By Alena Mae S. Flores
THE Department of Energy (DOE)
said it expects strong investor interest in the bidding for petroleum and hydrogen service contracts in Palawan, Visayas, Luzon and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Aug. 27, 2024 at the Dusit Thani Manila in Makati City.
“The DOE and our BARMM counterparts are optimistic that the
momentum built through our recent promotional efforts and roadshows will result in a strong turnout of applications for our PDAs and the successful awarding of petroleum service contracts,” DOE Undersecretary Alessandro Sales said in a statement.
“We continue to welcome partners who are committed to driving wealth creation in line with the energy transition and sustainable development,” Sales said.
The BARMM and Philippine bid rounds will feature three pre-determined areas (PDAs) for petroleum exploration in the BARMM, two PDAs for petroleum development and production and two PDAs for native hydrogen exploration—marking the world’s first offering for native hydrogen exploration.
The DOE and the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE) launched the first
SAN Miguel Corp. (SMC) said it is nearing the completion of its massive river cleanup in Bulacan province, having removed over 4.2 million tons of silt and waste. This effort, spanning 74 kilometers of waterways, is the largest volume extracted in SMC’s Luzon-wide initiative. The project, part of SMC’s “Better Rivers PH” advocacy, comes at no cost to the government or taxpayers. It has been running since 2020, and previously covered the Tullahan, Pasig and San Juan rivers in Metro Manila.
SMC’s Bulacan cleanup removed waste from major rivers including the Taliptip-Maycapiz-Bambang, Mey-
1.7 million
263,836
cauayan, Marilao, Mailad-Sta. Maria, Guiguinto, Balagtas, Pamarawan, Kalero and Labangan-Angat Rivers.
“Our river cleanup initiative in Bulacan is now in its second year and so far, it is the most extensive of all the river cleanups we have done. The total volume of wastes and silt we have removed here—4,255,398 tons—is about twice the combined volume we extracted from the Pasig and Tullahan rivers,” said SMC chairman and chief executive Ramon Ang.
With the Bulacan cleanup nearing its end, SMC is setting its sights on Pampanga River. It is also looking to expand cleanup efforts in Binan, Laguna and Paranaque City.
HEI-INDUSTRY
FORUM. The Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Development (AMDev) Alliance holds its first HEI-Industry Forum at the Belmont Hotel in Mactan, Cebu. The forum highlighted practical, yet effective collaboration strategies to align academe curricula with the evolving needs of the manufacturing industry. The AMDev program is a joint initiative by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Unilab
conventional energy bid round for BARMM and the 2024 Philippine energy bid round on Feb. 26, 2024 which offered four PDAs for investment, exploration, development and production of the BARMM’s indigenous resources; two PDAs for the development and production of petroleum in Northern Palawan and Southern Cebu basins; and two PDAs for native hydrogen exploration in Central Luzon under the 2024 Philippine Bid Round.
AN EXPERT called for integrating nature-based solutions into infrastructure planning, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction efforts. Assistant Prof. Samantha Geraldine
Delos Santos from the University of the Philippines Los Baños - College of Public Affairs and Development highlighted the transformative potential of nature-based solutions in building resilient communities during a webinar hosted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) through the Socio-economic Research Portal for the Philippines (SERP-P).
“Given the recent flooding in Metro Manila due to a typhoon, it is crucial to consider how we can leverage nature to address our current societal issues,” said Delos Santos. She said nature-based solutions could be the key strategy for achieving sustainable development by leveraging the power of ecosystems.
Nature-based solutions are actions that work with and enhance nature to address societal challenges, providing benefits for both human well-being and biodiversity. These solutions include activities such as restoring wetlands to reduce flooding, planting trees to improve air quality and protecting coastal ecosystems to buffer storm impacts.
Delos Santos discussed their project with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature Philippines on the Sustainable Infrastructure Program in Asia, which aims to integrate green strategies into sustainable infrastructure planning and development.
By Jenniffer B. Austria
BOTH the Philippine stocks and the peso advanced Thursday, ahead of a long weekend break. Financial markets will be closed Friday and Monday. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) gained 61.34 points, or 0.89 percent, to close at 6,961.96, while the broader all-shares index added 25.35 points, or 0.68 percent, to reach 3,749.73. Philstocks Financial Inc. research head Japhet Tantiangco said investors took cues from Wall Street’s overnight rally driven by the US Federal Reserve’s July minutes of the meeting, which hinted of possible rate cut in September.
“Investors also cheered the strengthening of the local currency,” Tantiangco said.
The peso closed at 56.33 against the US dollar Thursday, up from 56.50 Wednesday.
Stock value turnover reached P4.95 billion. Foreign investors were net buyers, with net inflows amounting to P2.34 billion.
Four of the six sub-indices ended in the green. Banks rose 2.52 percent, followed by holding firms which advanced 0.73 percent; services, 0.72 percent; and industrial, 0.32 percent.
Property declined 0.67 percent, and mining and oil went down by 0.06 percent.
BDO Unibank Inc. was the top gainer, rising by 3.7 percent to P154, while ACEN Corp. was the top decliner, plunging 4.76 percent to P5.20. With AFP
MGreen signs deal to take 50% stake in Bugallon solar project
MGEN Renewable Energy Inc.
(MGreen), the renewable energy arm of Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen), signed an investment agreement with Vena Energy (Vena) to jointly develop, construct and operate the 450-megawatt Bugallon Solar Power Project in Bugallon, Pangasinan under 3 Barracuda Energy Corp. (3BEC).
The project will be one of the biggest solar power ventures in the Philippines and is expected to reach financial close and start construction by the third quarter of 2024. Commercial operations are targeted by the fourth quarter of 2025.
MGreen chief executive Dennis Jordan said in a statement Thursday the project is a significant milestone in the journey towards a sustainable future. MGreen is expected to take a 50-percent stake in 3BEC.
“Beyond ink and paper, the signing of this investment agreement for our 450-MWac solar power Project in Bugallon, Pangasinan is a testament to our commitment to power the good life of many Filipinos through solar energy,” Jordan said.
Vena Energy chief executive Nitin Apte said the company is committed to accelerating the energy transition and advancing renewable solutions that foster sustainable growth and environmental stewardship.
“The Bugallon Solar Power Project stands as a testament to our shared responsibility and dedication to engineering a greener future for the Philippines,” Apte said.
Alena Mae S. Flores
Malampaya consortium awards $180-m contract
By Alena Mae S. Flores
THE Service Contract 38 (SC38) Consortium, led by Prime Energy Resources Development BV, said Thursday it is on-track towards extending the life of Malampaya deep water-gas-to-power project with the award of a major contract worth $180 million to Allseas Nederland (Brasil) B.V.
Allseas, a world-leading contractor in the offshore energy market, will install the pipeline and umbilicals that will connect two new wells to the Malampaya Shallow Water Platform in northwest Palawan. The wells will be drilled in 2025
and are expected to deliver new gas by 2026. “As a service contractor to the government, we are committed to maintaining high standards of production and exploration that have defined the Malampaya project
since its inception in 2001. By increasing our gas supply, we extend Malampaya’s life and sustain our own ‘sariling atin’ Filipino gas, always available and at a stable and predictable price,” said Prime Energy president and chief executive Donnabel Kuizon Cruz.
Prime Energy said this is a major milestone in the consortium’s Malampaya life extension project dubbed “Project Sinagtala” as it progresses well into the project execution phase.
Prime Energy, a subsidiary of businessman Enrique Razon’s Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc., is a natural gas exploration and development company.
SFA Semicon Philippines Corp. (SSP) said Thursday it is voluntarily delisting its shares from the Philippine Stock Exchange.
SFA Semicon Co. Ltd. will acquire all outstanding common shares in the company it did not own at P2.22 per share, the company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.
SSP said the P2.22 per share acquisition price is the highest valuation of the company’s shares based on the fairness opinion and valuation report prepared by R.G. Manabat & Co.
Following the disclosure, SSP requested for a voluntary trading suspension of its common shares to give the investing public time to absorb the disclosed information. The share price of SSP closed at P1.50 on Wednesday.
The company has public float of 10.01 percent with 204.662 million common shares being held by minority investors. At P2.22 per share, SFA Korea will spend P454.34 million to acquire all shares held by minority investors.
THE International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines invites organizations to showcase their commitment to a sustainable future by participating in the Triple P Awards.
IABC said that with the deadline for submission fast approaching on Aug. 30, 2024, now is the time to put their respective company’s sustainability achievements in the spotlight.
The board approved the filing of an application for the voluntary delisting subject to shareholders approval and conduct of a tender offering during a special meeting held on Wednesday.
“The company intends to file with the PSE the petition for voluntary delisting, and SFA Korea intends to launch the tender offer in support of the petition for voluntary delisting, as soon as stockholders’ approval on the voluntary delisting is obtained by the company,” SSP said.
The company will conduct a spe-
rative of purposeful business, and I encourage all organizations to share their sustainability stories and inspire positive change,” said Melody del Rosario, IABC chair and ESG committee head.
By Darwin G Amojelar
Visayas Container Terminal (VCT), International Container Terminal Services Inc.’s (ICTSI) operation in Iloilo, said Thursday it is acquiring two new mobile harbor cranes (MHC) to expand its operations.
The investment aligns with ICTSI’s commitment to modernize VCT which was granted a 25-year concession by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in April.
ICTSI said it continues to expedite facility upgrades, IT system implementation and deployment of other modern cargo handling equipment at VCT.
“VCT is far from the terminal we took over six months ago. We’ve not only improved the facilities but also grown our team to over 240 organic personnel, who undergo continuous training to ensure top-tier service,” VCT executive director Timothee Jeannin said.
“We also continue to expand our equipment fleet, which include the upcoming MHCs and the recently delivered reach stackers, chassis and forklifts – all part of our commitment to transform VCT into a world-class port,” he said.
The MHCs, scheduled to arrive by the first week of September, will enable VCT to handle new generation vessels and cater to the increased volume.
The MHCs will be the largest and first such equipment in Panay and the entire Region 6 in the Philippines.
Dredging along the berths is also set to commence later in the month to increase depth capacity in preparation for the arrival of larger ships.
VCT’s container yard is currently equipped with 33 reefer plugs, which will double in the next two weeks in anticipation of increased demand for perishable goods and potential exports from Panay.
cial stockholders’ meeting on Oct. 11, 2024, with record date of Sept. 6, 2024.
SSP is a majority-owned subsidiary of SFA Korea and a part of the SFA Engineering Group of South Korea. SSP is one the country’s largest semiconductor companies and the biggest exporters in terms of dollar revenues in the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga. The company is one of the major technology employers in the Freeport. Jenniffer B. Austria
an opportunity to be recognized among the best in the industry. It said that as the corporate landscape evolves, the importance of ESG strategies has never been more critical.
“The Triple P Awards represent a powerful opportunity for businesses to demonstrate how they are making a difference. Each entry contributes to a growing nar-
The Triple P Awards for planet, people and progress honors and celebrates excellence in sustainable business practices, transparency, and impactful communication. IABC said that whether the organization has redefined industry standards through sustainable practices, created a meaningful impact on the community or demonstrated leadership in environmental stewardship, the awards is
Investors, customers and employees are increasingly prioritizing sustainability and ethical practices in their decision-making processes, it said.
Participating in the IABC Triple P Awards positions companies as leaders in this transformative arena, allowing them to highlight their commitments to sustainability and social responsibility. PH stocks rise; peso at 56.33 per US dollar
with Wilcon.’ Joining the celebration at
Ayala Museum in Makati City are (from left) RJ Ledesma, Tessa Mangahas, fashion designer Puey Quiñones, Cathy Saldaña, Wilcon Depot senior executive vice president- chief operating officer Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, executive vice president and chief people officer Careen Belo, Manny Samson, Michelle Concepcion-Reyes and Joanne Guevarra. The book celebrates creativity, quality and the art of transforming spaces and a must-have for design enthusiasts, providing expert insights and inspiration for home improvement and architectural design.
KFC GUIGUINTO. KFC Philippines opens its newest store in Sta Rita, Guiguinto, Bulacan located along Old Cagayan Valley Road. Leading the ribbon-cutting rites for the 22nd store of KFC in Bulacan province are lessors Agustin De Jesus and his wife Maxima, KFC area coach for North Luzon Marilou Bulanadi, KFC operations manager for North Luzon Gina Domingo and real estate officers John Martin Majadas and Dione Rivera.
BUSINESS
AirAsia expects 34% passenger growth on network expansion
By Darwin G. Amojelar
AIRASIA Philippines said it expects passenger traffic to grow by more than 30 percent this year as it continues to expand its domestic and international flight network.
The budget carrier said it is looking to close 2024 with more than eight million passengers, up 34.2 percent from 5.96 million domestic and international passengers last year.
The airline said to support its growth target this year, it is offering a P127
Group asks TRB to modernize, stop penalizing motorists
LAWYER Nick Conti, convenor of CLICK Partylist and chief executive of Capstone-Intel Corp., called on the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to prioritize the modernization of toll collection systems before imposing penalties on motorists for not having RFID tags or having insufficient loads.
“Before we even think of penalizing motorists, the TRB must first focus on improving and modernizing the toll collection systems. The persistent congestion on our toll roads, especially in Metro Manila, is largely due to defective RFID readers and the lack of a uniform payment system across various tollway concessionaires,” Conti said.
Conti, a former commissioner of the Presidential Commission on Good Government and the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission, said the current RFID technology used in the Philippines is outdated and unreliable, leading to delays and inconvenience for motorists.
“It’s time for the TRB to adopt state-of-the-art toll collection technology similar to those used in countries like Singapore, Germany, and the United States, where toll systems are seamless and efficient,” he said. Conti cited examples from around the world, such as Singapore’s Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system, which uses overhead gantries equipped with sensors to detect vehicles and automatically deduct tolls, and Germany’s Toll Collect system, which uses GPS and mobile communication technology to calculate and collect tolls based on distance traveled.
He also highlighted the electronic toll collection systems in the United States, like E-ZPass, which allows for quick and seamless toll payments through RFID technology.
“Modernizing our toll collection systems will not only improve efficiency and convenience for motorists but also ensure accurate and transparent toll collection, which is crucial for revenue generation and road maintenance,” Conti said,
one-way base fare for travels beginning this week until March 31, 2025, for all destinations including the airline’s newest offering - Nagoya, Japan.
“As a pioneer and leader in lowcost travel, we’re thrilled to turn our guests’ travel plans into a reality with
our lowest fare offering in time for the long weekend where most Filipinos are expected to take advantage of,”
AirAsia Philippines communications and public affairs head First Officer Steve Dailisan said.
“This latest offering is also ideal for those planning end-of-year holidays. We encourage our guests to take advantage of these offers to save time and money while planning future trips,” he said.
AirAsia Philippines flew over 5 million guests from January to August 2024, 85 percent of which were booked via double digit, PISO sale
and other low fare promos.
AirAsia also sees the lowering of the fuel surcharge from level 6 to level 5 for the month of September to have a huge impact on the public’s booking behavior. At level 5, fuel surcharge cost is expected to go down by P800 for international flights and P542 for domestic flights which would immediately reflect on ticket prices next month.
“Filipinos are always on the lookout for discounts. Any budget saved from airfares can be used as an additional budget for hotels, restaurants, activities, or souvenirs”, Dailisan said.
BIR: Festival organizers liable for selling illegal vapes
BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. blamed the organizers of the Philippine Vape Festival 2024, including the owners of stalls with illicit vape, for the raid that happened on Sunday.
The BIR said vape products without an internal revenue stamp is an easily noticeable violation of taxation laws, yet the organizers and owners involved in the festival failed to comply with this basic requirement.
Lumagui also reminded celebrities and influencers to stop promoting illicit vapes and instead promote compliant vapes.
“To the organizers of the Philippine Vape Festival 2024, the owners of vape products who had stalls in the festival, why did you allow them in the festival when they do not have internal revenue stamp? You have the responsibility to check the compliance of the vape products in the festival. You invited hundreds of Filipinos then you display illegal vape? You are not compliant, do not fool the public,” Lumagui said.
The BIR said a team of celebrities and influencers, whose names and faces are plastered across dozens of social media posts and publication materials, actively promoted the festival.
“Celebrities, influencers, and endorsers of the Philippine Vape Festival 2024 should be more responsible in promoting vape products. Instruct your agents or managers not to accept endorsements or promotions that involve illicit vape. Instead, let us aim to promote compliant vapes, for the safety of our fellow Filipinos,” Lumagui said.
Digital Minds BPO opens new state-of-art facility in Naga City
DIGITAL Minds BPO, a leading business process outsourcing company in the Bicol region, opened its new office in Naga City on July 25, 2024.
The new headquarters, featuring state-of-the-art facilities, will foster skill development and unlock potential.
Amenities include biometric access, 24/7 CCTV coverage, spacious workstations and a well-equipped conference room, ensuring a safe,
secure and productive environment.
Employees can also enjoy a cozy lounge and pantry with communal dining spaces and seating areas during breaks.
“Our new headquarters at Greenwood Magsaysay Building marks a pivotal chapter in Digital Minds BPO’s journey,” said Charvel Rebagay, Digital Minds BPO president and chief executive.
“This state-of-the-art facility not
only expands our operational capacity but also reaffirms our commitment to Naga City and the talented professionals in the region. As we continue to grow and innovate, this new space will serve as the epicenter of our mission to deliver world-class outsourcing solutions. We’re excited to leverage this enhanced infrastructure to drive greater value for our global clients and contribute to the local economy,” he said.
THE Makati Business Club (MBC) said it welcomes the appointment of Rep. Francisco Bentinez as the new directorgeneral of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
As a member of the House of Representatives, Benitez has been a strong advocate for education and skills development.
Benitez’s extensive experience in the education sector including his roles as the former president of the Philippine Women’s University and commissioner at the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EdCom2), positions him well to steer TESDA in its mission to provide quality technical-vocational
education and training (TVET), the MBC said in a statement. Benitez has been a valuable partner of MBC in advancing sustainability initiatives through the Circular Economy Act and other legislation.
“While we regret his departure from this vital role, we are confident that his expertise will be instrumental in propelling forward the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Development [AMDev] program, a key MBC initiative supported by USAID and the Unilab Foundation,” MBC said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), announced that advanced learning systems and technologies
such as artificial intelligence, robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT) would be offered to all TVET regional centers.
This significant step demonstrates the administration’s commitment to equipping the Filipino workforce with in-demand skills.
“We are optimistic that under director-general Benitez’s leadership, TESDA can successfully upskill the Filipino workforce and prepare them for highvalue jobs,” the MBC said.
The group said it looks forward to working with TESDA and supporting Benitez as he leads the agency in its mission to develop a world-class Filipino workforce.
Digital Minds BPO remains dedicated to providing top-tier outsourcing solutions while creating multiple opportunities for local talent.
By expanding its operations, the company aims to hire competent individuals and lead a new generation of BPO experts and professionals, delivering the best outsourcing experiences to businesses worldwide.
6. Ratification of Actions Taken by the Board of Directors and Officers since the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting
7. Ratification of Exclusion of Unioil Group, Inc. from the Internal Restructuring and Continuation of Merger with Six (6) Companies, with UNH as Surviving Entity
8. Appointment of External Auditor for Fiscal Year 2024
9. Other Matters 10. Adjournment
UNH’s Board of Directors has fixed 27 August 2024 as the record date for the determination of Stockholders entitled to be notified, participate, and vote in absentia, at the meeting and any adjournment thereof.
If you are unable to attend the meeting, please accomplish the proxy form that can be found in the Corporation’s Information Statement posted in its Website at https://cip.chemphil.com.ph/ and on the PSE Edge. Kindly submit the same to the Corporate Secretary through email at unhcorpsec@gmail.com, no later than 6:00 p.m. on 05 September 2024, for validation purposes. The validation of proxies shall be conducted on 12 September 2024 at the principal office of the Corporation. Stockholders may attend and participate in the Annual Stockholders Meeting through videoconferencing. If you wish to attend through videoconferencing, kindly inform the Corporate Secretary at unhcorpsec@ gmail.com by 05 September 2024.
Copies of the Corporation’s Information Statement, Management Report, SEC Form 17A (Annual Report) and other pertinent documents necessary under the circumstances are available and posted on the Corporation’s Website and PSE Edge.
In compliance with the SEC Advisory dated May 6, 2015, a copy of the Interim Unaudited Financial Statements of the Corporation as of and for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 are posted in the Corporation’s Website and through PSE Edge. The hard copy will be provided to any requesting shareholder, free of charge. For questions, clarifications and inquiries, kindly contact UNH’s Corporate Secretary at unhcorpsec@gmail.com (sgd.)
Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. is holding responsible the organizers and owners/sellers of illicit vape during the Philippine Vape Festival 2024 raid on Sunday. Lumagui said endorsers of the Festival should be careful in the brands or events they promote. Lumagui says vape products without an internal revenue stamp is an easily noticeable violation of taxation laws, yet the festival organizers and owners failed to comply with this basic requirement. Digital Minds BPO, a
SSS, DSWD sign deal to protect
program
Clark food hub bill advances at House panel
By Othel V. Campos
By Darwin G. Amojelar
THE Social Security System
(SSS) teamed up with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide social security protection to 4.4 million beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
SSS president and chief executive Rolando Ledesma Macasaet and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that will allow 4Ps beneficiaries nationwide to become SSS
Metro Retail posted P100-m profit in first half
By Jenniffer B. Austria
METRO Retail Stores Group, Inc.
(MRSGI) said Thursday its first-half net income fell 26.6 percent to P100.4 million from P136.8 million in the same period last year.
MRSGI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange first-half sales increased 6 percent year-on-year to P18 billion, driven by improved sales of existing stores and incremental sales from newly-opened outlets.
The company posted P9.3 billion in net sales in the second quarter, up by 7 percent from last year’s level.
“With the improved momentum from the second quarter and going into the second half of 2024, the company continues to hold an optimistic outlook for the rest of the year on the back of improvement in sales growth, cost management, and the projected opening of new stores planned in the third and fourth quarters,” said MRSGI president and chief operating officer Manuel Alberto.
Same-store sales in the second quarter ending June expanded 4.7percent, stronger than the 2.8-percent growth registered in the first quarter – bringing the blended same-store sales growth for the first half of 2024 to 3.8 percent.
Food retail sustained strong sales growth in the first six months at 7.9 percent on basic grocery items and additional sales from the supermarkets that were opened last year. General merchandise was nearly flat at 0.9 percent versus the prior year.
Blended gross margin in the first half decreased to 20.7 percent from 21.9 percent in the same period last year on higher share of food retail in total business, notably the lower margin wholesale category and the unwinding of excess inventory.
members and have access to social security benefits.
Macasaet said that under the agreement, SSS and DSWD would work together to protect the welfare of the most vulnerable sectors of society, including those families benefitting from the Philippine conditional cash transfer program.
“SSS aims to provide these vulnerable sectors with the mechanism to become active SSS members and thereby secure their future through the range of SSS benefits,” Macasaet said.
Macasaet said SSS would develop an AlkanSSSya program specifically designed for 4Ps beneficiaries. The program was established in 2011 as a micro-savings scheme for self-employed workers with irregular income, such as tricycle drivers, market vendors, farmers, fisherfolks and other workers in the informal economy.
“We may also craft a special SSS contribution table for 4Ps beneficiaries tailored to fit their paying capacity considering the current minimum monthly contribution of P570,” Macasaet said.
Macasaet said SSS is exploring several options to help 4Ps beneficiaries pay the 120 monthly contributions required to qualify for a lifetime pension when they reach retirement age.
“It is important for 4Ps beneficiaries to have SSS contributions. Once they have paid at least 120 monthly contributions, they will no longer need financial support from the government because they will become qualified to receive a monthly pension from SSS upon reaching 60 years old,” Macaset said.
Macasaet said SSS would discuss corporate social responsibility programs with businesses to subsidize the SSS contributions of 4Ps beneficiaries.
THE UP Alumni Association (UPAA) honored 96 distinguished alumni as this year’s top awardees at the Luciano E. Salazar Hall, Ang Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman, Quezon City on Aug. 17, 2024.
The UPAA presents awards each year to UP achievers who have exhibited excellence in their respective fields and have made notable contributions that greatly benefit society and bring prestige and distinct honor to the University.
“These exceptional individuals are being recognized for their established leadership, significant achievements, tireless service, and substantial contributions to their professions and the communities they chose to serve,” UPAA president and alumni regent Robert Lester Aranton said in a statement.
One of the awardees is Robert Jor-
dan, Jr., a social entrepreneur, cofounder of more than 30 companies and co-founder and CEO of Asialink Finance Corp.
He was honored with the 2024 UPAA Distinguished Alumni Award in Social Entrepreneurship and Banking for his outstanding leadership and impact to the Philippines’ financing industry.
Jordan satisfied all the criteria established for the UPAA Distinguished Alumni Award. He stood out among the other nominees due to his service orientation, leadership, impact and integrity.
The UPAA bestowed the award to Jordan for his contribution and accomplishment in the field of entrepreneurship and banking as he financially enables MSMEs and communities to improve their lives across the Philippines by providing accessible, fast and
THE Department of Tourism, together with the Department of Trade and Industry and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, announced their support for the Halal Expo Philippines and the first Philippines International Health and Wellness Congress in November 2024.
“We are pleased that we are hosting the very first Philippine’s International Health and Wellness Congress which will bring in buyers from the Middle East and various other countries to position the Philippines as a health and wellness destination, in addition to becoming Halal and Muslim friendly,” said DOT Secretary Christina Frasco. Frasco made the announcement
convenient loans.
This is the core of Jordan’s mission—the empowerment of businesses, especially micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the upliftment of Filipino lives. By fostering economic development and inclusive growth through accessible and innovative financial solutions, his work transcends mere financial ventures—it celebrates the dreams and potential of every Filipino.
Through his strategic leadership as CEO, Asialink Finance Corp. has been in the industry for 27 years, with assets worth P14 billion.
Jordan’s exceptional foresight and dedication to providing financial assistance have driven Asialink’s remarkable growth, setting new benchmarks for sustainable growth and financial stability.
during the House Committee on Appropriations hearing on the proposed 2025 budget of the DOT on Tuesday where she received commendations from members of the House of Representatives for her leadership in promoting halal tourism in the country. The expo aims to explore the huge potential for the halal industry to thrive in the Philippines, further strengthening its position in the market. Frasco highlighted several initiatives implemented to bolster the country’s appeal to Muslim travelers, including the release of guidelines on standards for accommodations,
taurants and
lim
catering to
Othel V. Campos
development plans for the Luzon Economic Corridor.
The project also has the support of Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who cited the CIAC leadership’s competence in promoting investments.
IN BRIEF
RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor Asst. Editor
Social Security System president and chief executive Rolando Ledesma Macasaet (front row, right) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
Secretary Rex Gatchalian (front row, left) sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that will allow 4Ps beneficiaries nationwide to become SSS members and have access to social security benefits.
Robert Jordan Jr. (center), co-founder and CEO of Asialink Finance Corp., is among this year’s 96 awardees of the UP Alumni Association (UPAA). With Jordan are (from left) UPAA president and alumni regeant Robert Lester Aranton and UP president Angelo Jimenez.
Sharlene
SMC promises more pleasant NAIA
ICTSI achieves carbon neutrality at TecPlata
TECPLATA S.A., a subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), has made history as the first port in Argentina to achieve carbon neutrality certification. This achievement underscores the company’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and promoting sustainable practices.
TecPlata S.A. (TecPlata), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) Argentinian subsidiary, has become the first port in the country to obtain carbon neutral certification.
The certification underscores TecPlata’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint, promoting responsible resource use, and offsetting unavoidable emissions through certified carbon credits, which support the development of renewable energy sources. The company’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will be monitored annually.
“This certification is a testament to TecPlata’s dedication to minimizing our environmental impact. By reducing and offsetting our carbon footprint, we contribute to the protection of our planet and, at the same time, promote the use of renewable energy,” said Juan Pablo Trujillo, TecPlata chief executive officer.
TecPlata’s certification aligns with its broader sustainability initiatives, including waste management, efficient water use, and emission reduction. The certification process followed the international standards set by the GHG Protocol and ISO14064-1, with support from Carbon Neutral+.
By Darwin G. Amojelar
efficiency in the long term.
TYCOON Ramon Ang said there would be no quick transformation, like magic, at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) once his company takes over the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the country’s main international gateway on Sept. 14, 2024. (O&M)
“We are now in the process of finalizing the study on how to decongest, which flight to move to at what time and which terminal,” he said.
The SMC executive also said that it was the government, not SMC, that set the new parking and landing fees.
“I do not expect when we take over everything, [it] will improve in one day like magic. But you will see a lot of improvements by December. Three months after [the takeover], there’s a lot of improvements like less traffic and more,” said Ang, president and chief executive of San Miguel Corp.
Ang said the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) would initially focus on repairing the elevators, escalators, toilets, air-conditioning units and NAIA’s electrical system.
NNIC, composed of San Miguel Holdings Corp., RMM Asian Logistics Inc., RLW Aviation Development Inc.
and Incheon International Airport Corp., is set to take over the NAIA O&M.
Formerly known as SMC SAP & Co. Consortium, the group signed a P170.6-billion contract in March 2024 to operate, maintain and upgrade NAIA for 15 years, extendible for another 10 years.
“The brownout of the terminals? When we take over, give us one year. That’s all solved,” Ang said.
Airlines reassignment
Ang said NNIC is studying the possibility of reassigning terminals and airplanes to optimize airport
The passenger terminal fee would also increase to P950 by 2025 from P550.
“The last increase was in 2000, so [it has been] 24 years without an increase. We also have the lowest passenger terminal fee if you compare it to other airports in other countries,” Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said.
“It’s about time. We need to implement reforms. We need to modernize the airport, so if we want a better experience, of course there will be a cost,” he said.
Easier traffic
Ang said NIC plans to impose curbside fees at the airport to improve traffic congestion.
Cebu Pacific hailed as best employer for 2nd straight year
CEBU Pacific has bagged the Best Employer Brand award for the second consecutive year at the LinkedIn Talent Awards 2024, demonstrating the airline’s continuous efforts to engage with talents in a meaningful way.
The budget airline was hailed as the Best Employer Brand among Philippine companies with 1,000 to 5,000 employees on LinkedIn.
“We are honored to receive this award from LinkedIn for the second year in a row. Moving forward, we will stay committed to meaningfully engaging with our current employees and future talents, empowering them to make a valuable impact in the aviation industry as Moment Makers,” said Felix Dan Lopez, CEB’s Chief Human Resources Officer.
The LinkedIn Talent Awards are data-driven recognition awarded by LinkedIn to companies based on their use of LinkedIn Talent Solutions and activities on the LinkedIn platform.
CEB was also a finalist for the Talent Insights Pioneer category – an award that recognizes companies who have utilized LinkedIn Talent Insights to make informed talent decisions with real-time insights.
Over the years, CEB has continuously enhanced its employee engagement initiatives by organizing activities that
From left: CEB director for talent management Chrissie Perfecto, Aira Dizon of CEB employer branding team, IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines president and chief executive officer Jack Madrid, and KC Palermo of CEB learning and development team during the awarding of Best Employer Brand to CEB at the LinkedIn Talent Awards 2024.
aim to strengthen staff camaraderie and activating LinkedIn Learning to promote upskilling and self-paced learning. Just recently, CEB was able to expand its pool of LinkedIn Learning accounts by making more licenses accessible to more than 4,000 CEB employees. The airline has also sought to make the workplace even more inclusive through equal employment opportunities and
programs that celebrate every Juan’s individuality. As a testament to these efforts, CEB earned its Great Place to Work® certification this year following a positive evaluation of its employee experiences in key areas such as fairness, respect, and camaraderie, among others. CEB is the only airline in Southeast Asia that has achieved such a distinction.
PLDT Enterprise revolutionizes transport industry with IoT
AS PART of its commitment to explore the transformative potential of the Internet of Things (IoT) in the transportation industry, PLDT Enterprise brought together industry leaders and technology partners to showcase the benefits of the solution during the IoT roadshow in Metro Manila. PLDT Enterprise highlighted how its solution called Smart IOT, the first all-in-one IoT-enabled platform in the Philippines, can enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve passenger experiences. Transport operators learned about the various applications of Smart IOT, such as vehicle and delivery tracking, payment systems, smart meters, and remote device control.
“IoT technology is at the forefront of our commitment to revolutionizing the transportation sector,” said Robert Jay Sumulong, Smart Category Head for IoT Solutions at PLDT Enterprise. “The Smart IOT platform empowers transport operators with real-time data and actionable insights, enabling them to enhance operational efficiency and optimize costs.” In addition, the Smart IOT platform allows users to manage thousands of devices in a single portal, offering full control, transparency, and visibility. This capability helps businesses make data-driven decisions, maintain constant connectivity, and set automation rules for efficient operations.
“The passenger meeters and greeters, they are the ones who cause congestion. Once they are on the departure curbside, they won’t immediately leave. Why? Because they would wait for their son, daughter or girlfriend to board the airplane before leaving,” he said.
“In other countries, there’s a curbside fee. In short, you are free to drop off your passenger for 10 minutes. That’s free. If you stay beyond 10 minutes, P200,” Ang said. NNIC also plans to construct a new NAIA Expressway off-ramp leading to NAIA Terminal 3 to ease traffic congestion in the area.
“I think [the project is estimated to cost] P3 billion to P5 billion. We obtained a permit from Pasay LGU [local government unit] and TRB [Toll Regulatory Board [TRB],” Ang said.
Ang said the construction of the new off-ramp already started and was expected to be completed within the next 12 months.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2024
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer
Very Wang Nickie Wang
WHO doesn’t know the music of December Avenue?
The five-piece band has become a staple in the Philippine indie pop and alternative rock scene. Known for its evocative lyrics, December Avenue has earned a loyal following with its relatable songs about love, life, and moving on.
Some of the group’s popular songs have been used as soundtracks for movies, including “Kung ‘Di Rin Lang Ikaw,” featuring Moira Dela Torre, which was the theme song for Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards ’s 2019 blockbuster film Hello, Love, Goodbye . Other popular tracks include “Eroplanong Papel,” “Bulong,” “Sa Ngalan ng Pag-ibig,” and “Huling Sandali (Tayo Sa Huling Buwan).”
In 2019, December Avenue was Spotify’s Most Streamed Artist in the Philippines and is behind the Most-Streamed OPM Album of All Time, Langit Mong Bughaw
Now, after 15 years, December Avenue is holding its first major concert. The event will take place on Aug. 30 at the MOA Arena and will be directed by Paulo Valenciano
According to Valenciano, the concert aims to provide fans with an enhanced musical experience of the band.
“The vision was to give the audience the same feeling of why they like December Avenue’s songs, but with an elevated experience,” the director told Manila Standard Entertainment
“I remember back in the day when their venue was Teatrino Promenade, we told each other that one day, we’re going to do MOA Arena. And now it’s happening,” Valenciano said.
“I’ve always seen them on the road to becoming one of the biggest bands. They deserve
December Avenue is known for their hit songs like ‘Kung ‘Di Rin Lang Ikaw,’‘Sa Ngalan ng Pag-ibig,’ and ‘Huling Sandali (Tayo Sa Huling Buwan)’
December Avenue to hold first
this. Their commitment to the quality of their music, their music videos, and the live experience of December Avenue is impressive. It’s no surprise to me that the band is now doing something of this scale, and the fact that it’s sold out is something they truly deserve,” he added.
As of this writing, the concert is already sold out, so they will open a new section – standing room
THE Mrs. Universe Philippines FDN 2024 coronation will be held at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati on Sunday. The pageant recently presented its twelve official candidates to the press, with Maria Charo Calalo, the national director of the Mrs. Universe Philippines FDN organization, presiding over the event.
The twelve candidates are Christine Serato, Graciel Suarez, Marilou Ponlaqui, Vehverly Gador, Jes-Lin Delmundo, Joy Orta, Cachet Oaman, Marie Claire Briones, Jimaymah Mayang Coching, Mikay Giselle Reymus, Marilou Rosete-Pasolo, and Catherine Muguerza
“What I’m looking for is attitude; that is very important. I don’t want the candidates to feel afraid because the reason they are in the pageant is to bring out the best in them and to show their talent to the world. I am thankful that I found Mrs. Universe Philippines, which gives married women like me a chance,” said Calalo during the presentation.
Three winners will be chosen to represent the Philippines at the Mrs. Universe 2024 pageant in South Korea. The Coronation Night is set for this Sunday, Aug. 25 at the
Mauri Ballroom of the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City. * * *
Fil-Canadian vies for Mutya ng Pilipinas 2024 crown A standout in the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2024 pageant is the beautiful and articulate Arianna Pantaleon, who recently spoke at a press meetup held at the Brittany Hotel in BGC, Taguig City. Born and raised in Ontario, Canada, the 21-yearold, who holds a degree in Public Speaking and Communication, proudly identifies as Filipino despite her upbringing in Canada.
Pantaleon, an advocate for antidomestic violence awareness, previously worked for a photography company in Canada before moving to the Philippines to pursue her dreams. She won her fi rst title as Little Miss Philippines Canada in 2012, which she credits with shaping her future aspirations. She also won Mutya ng Pilipinas Canada 2022.
“I’m thankful to be Filipino, even though I live in Canada. I enjoy those big family gatherings, especially during Christmas, feeling all the love in the household, along with the food and presents,” Pantaleon said.
“I can’t thank everyone enough—my trainers, teachers, management, family, and friends—for collectively supporting me and allowing me to become the person I am today, able to stand and speak my mind. I hope to continue making you proud as your Mutya ng Pilipinas queen,” she added.
major concert in 15 years
only (SRO) – to accommodate fans hoping to catch December Avenue’s first major show.
The concert is titled “Sa Ilalim Ng Mga Bituin: December Avenue Concert.”
The band consists of Zel Bautista (vocals and guitar), Jem Manuel (guitar), Don Gregorio (bass), Jet Danao (drums and backing vocals), and Gelo Cruz (keyboards and backing vocals).
Together with musical director Nikko Rivera, December Avenue will perform with the City Lights Symphony Orchestra for the concert. Fans will also hear their newest song “Magparaya” for the first time during the show. “It is our gift for them. It will be part of the show,” Bautista shared.
GMA Kapuso Foundation enhances disaster response with major relief operations
THE GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF) has solidified its role as a critical support system for Filipinos affected by calamities and disasters. Dedicated to its core mission of providing immediate relief, GMAKF has expanded its focus to include health and education programs.
In 2023, the Foundation reached 263,370 individuals through various initiatives, with Operation Bayanihan assisting 132,908 people, education programs supporting 62,568, health projects benefiting 4,341, and values formation programs touching 63,553 lives.
In 2024, GMAKF has intensified its relief efforts due to increasing severe weather events. From January to July, Operation Bayanihan assisted 127,546 individuals. The Foundation provided aid to 17,800 residents affected by the shear line
phenomenon in Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental, and offered support to 12,500 evacuees following the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.
During a severe drought, GMAKF helped 52,800 people across multiple provinces and responded to Typhoon Aghon, floods, and landslides with substantial relief efforts.
The Foundation’s continued expansion includes building calamityresistant classrooms and conducting blood drives, further enhancing its impact. Rapid response to typhoons
The GMA Kapuso Foundation’s swift action in response to Super Typhoon Carina and the habagat (Southwest Monsoon) illustrates its commitment to disaster relief.
The Foundation, supported by Sparkle GMA Artist Center talents and Kapuso personalities, has conducted extensive relief operations. So far, GMAKF has assisted 30,246 individuals affected by Typhoon Carina. Relief efforts in Marikina City included food distribution through the Kapuso Soup Kitchen, sponsored by GMA Network Chairman Attorney Felipe L. Gozon, with actress Bianca Umali participating. Additional support came from GMAKF Executive Vice President Rikki Escudero-Catibog, and service partners including AFP Joint Task Force NCR and
LIFE & SHOWBIZ
Piolo Pascual, Jasmine Curtis-Smith
blur reality in thriller ‘Real Life Fiction’
By Nickie Wang
PIOLO Pascual and Jasmine CurtisSmith star in the intense drama thriller Real Life Fiction, directed by Paul Soriano and produced by Black Cap Pictures.
The film, which both stars described as their most daring yet, was shot during the peak of the pandemic, and explores the psychological turmoil of an actor who begins to lose his sense of self after years in the spotlight.
Pascual portrays Paco, a successful actor who decides to write, direct, and star in a film that gradually pushes him toward self-destruction. Curtis-Smith plays Paula, his muse both on and off-screen, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. The film delves into the mental strain actors endure in their quest for artistic brilliance.
“We were on set the entire time, unable to leave due to lockdown restrictions, but it was an incredibly focused and rewarding experience,” Pascual said of the production. “Working in such an intense environment allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in our characters.”
Curtis-Smith shared similar sentiments, noting
Free laundry service aid Manila after Super Typhoon Carina
SUPER Typhoon Carina caused severe flooding in the Greater Manila Area, submerging many neighborhoods and forcing thousands to evacuate.
In Tondo, Manila, Grace Remodano described the floodwaters as “higher than a person’s height,” with levels reaching above their heads. “Lahat ng gamit namin nabasa (all of our things got wet in the flood). Ang hirap po talaga (it was so hard for us),” Remodano said.
The typhoon brought torrential rains and strong winds, resulting in power outages, water disruptions, and damage to homes. Approximately 4.8 million people were affected, with 108,000 still in evacuation centers as of this week.
In response, Procter & Gamble’s Ariel launched the “Cycles of Care” community program to provide relief. The initiative, in partnership with Save5 Laundromat and Beko, offered free laundry services to over 13,000 families. The program aimed to help those who lost access to clean water and electricity by washing stained clothes, bedding, and blankets.
“Ariel’s ‘Cycles of Care’ helps families restore normalcy by providing clean clothes and bedding,” said Ralph Morales, Ariel Philippines Brand Director. The program saw 100 Save5 branches participate, processing over 27,000 washing machine cycles and cleaning more than 216,000 kg of soiled clothing using Ariel Laundry Detergent. Ryan Lim, President of Save5 Laundromat, praised the initiative: “Ariel’s ‘Cycles of Care’ is a meaningful way to support communities affected by the typhoon.
P&G and Ariel Philippines’ commitment to helping during these challenging times is truly inspiring.”
Beko supported the program by supplying washing machines for free laundry services in Barangay Tumana, Marikina City, another area severely impacted by the flooding.
Ghie Papa, Beko Philippines Brand Communications Manager, highlighted the importance of the program: “We’re glad to assist Marikeños through Ariel’s ‘Cycles of Care’ with our trusted laundry brand.”
Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude,
“The script and cast were too good to pass up, especially during such uncertain times,” she said.
Pascual also found the film’s concept intriguing, noting that it offered a departure from the usual romantic comedies he’s known for. “It was a chance to explore a different kind of role, and I was excited to work with this team,” he added. Real Life Fiction also features Epy Quizon as Paco’s strict
experience was far from difficult,” she said. Talking about her decision to join the project, Curtis-Smith highlighted her eagerness to work with the team behind the film.
with many leaving laundromats with clean clothes and blankets.
“Nakatipid po kami sa paglalaba sa tulong ng Ariel (we were able to save money and time with the help of Ariel). Ang laki po ng pasasalamat namin (we can’t thank them enough),” said Grace. Eden San Diego, also from Tondo, added that the program was a significant help for her family in focusing on cleaning their home.
P&G also contributed health and hygiene products, such as soap, shampoo, and diapers, to affected areas. These donations were made in collaboration with organizations like the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Red Cross (PRC), Manila Water Foundation, World Vision Philippines, and the GMA Kapuso Foundation.
New Filipino folklore musical opens Repertory’s Eastwood theater
REPERTORY Philippines (REP) will debut its new theater, REP Theater at Citywalk in Eastwood City, Quezon City, with the interactive musical Jepoy and the Magic Circle starting Oct. 5.
Directed by Joy Virata, this family-friendly fantasy is based on the Palanca Award-winning short story The Magic Circle by Gilda Cordero Fernando. The English adaptation is written by award-winning playwright Rody Vera, marking his first collaboration with REP. Music and lyrics are by Ejay Yatco, who also serves as musical director.
The musical follows Jepoy, a young boy whose routine laundry day becomes a magical adventure when his dog, Galis, drags a dress into a mystical forest. There, Jepoy encounters Filipino folklore creatures like tikbalang, kapre, and engkanto, who are fighting to protect their home.
“This production introduces children to Filipino magical creatures through vibrant costumes, music, and puppetry,” said Virata.
“It’s an excellent opportunity for kids to appreciate their culture and the environment.”
The cast includes Noel Comia Jr., Elian Dominguez, and Yhuan Gatbunton as Jepoy; Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante and Abi Sulit as Aling Barang; and Francis Gatmaytan and Cara Barredo as Galis. Hans Eckstein, Julienne Mendoza, and Joey Vargas play the Kapre, while Pinky Marquez portrays Doña Geronima. The ensemble features a diverse group of performers, including Chesko Rodriguez, Broey Divinagracia, and many others.
The creative team includes Barredo as assistant director, Viñas as choreographer, and Infante for set design. The show is a milestone for REP, marking their first production in their new Eastwood location.
“We are thrilled to open our new theater with a production that celebrates Filipino culture,” said REP president & CEO Mindy Perez-Rubio. “We look forward to enriching lives through theater and welcoming a new audience.”
Jepoy and the Magic Circle opens in October. For tickets, contact REP at 0966-905-4013 or 0962-691-8540, or email promotions@repphil.org or sales@repphil.org
Jasmine Curtis-Smith (left) and Piolo Pascual play as lovers Paula and Paco in the lm
‘Real Life Fiction’ stars Jasmine Curtis-Smith (left) and Piolo Pascual
The drama thriller lm is directed by Paul Soriano and produced by Black Cap Pictures
‘Jepoy and the Magic Circle’ is directed by Joy Virata and written by Rody Vera
Ariel’s ‘Cycles of Care’ provides free laundry services to 13,000 families affected by Super Typhoon Carina
The community program had 100 branches of Save5 Laundromat clean more than 216,000 kg of clothes
Beko Philippines supplied washing machines for the residents of Barangay Tumana in Marikina as part of the program
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2024
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer
Random Talk
Kate Adajar
Ready, reset, go
AFTER years of trying countless diets—from low-carb and ketogenic to intermittent fasting —I’ve been on a quest to find something that works for me. Each time, I would dive in strong-willed, with so much enthusiasm, but more often than not, I found myself giving up just a few days in.
The hunger pangs would kick in, and the deprivation was too much to bear. I’ve had moments where I would question why I even started, feeling discouraged and frustrated by the lack of sustainable results.
When Pillowbread PH reached out to me about trying their reset cleanse again, I was a bit hesitant but I banked on past success. I have tried their three-day cleanse before, and unlike other programs, it left me feeling satisfied and light, rather than starved and depleted. This time, I am deciding to give it another go, hopeful that the results would be just as promising.
Based on my research, a tummy reset cleanse is important, particularly from an Ayurvedic perspective, because our digestive system is the foundation of our overall health. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, places great emphasis on the digestive system, or “agni,” which is considered the body’s fire. When our digestive system is out of balance, it can lead to a build-up of toxins, or “ama,” which affects our health in various ways.
Clara Day Herrera , an international yoga and meditation teacher, CEO of ADA Inc., and a UKcertifi ed vegan and vegetarian nutrition specialist said, “My background in Ayurveda made me aware that our digestive health plays an important role in our overall health.”
is the numerous benefits I discovered that come with a liquid cleanse. First, it gives your digestive system a break, which is crucial for repairing the gut lining and reducing inflammation. Second, a liquid cleanse helps to flush out toxins that have accumulated in the body, which can lead to clearer skin and improved energy levels. Third, because the cleanse is rich in nutrients, it can help boost your immune system and improve overall health. Fourth, a liquid cleanse often leads to weight loss, as it encourages the body to burn stored fat for energy. Lastly, many people, myself included, find that a liquid cleanse helps reset unhealthy eating patterns and curb cravings for processed foods. What made this cleanse work for me the previous times I tried it? Instead of feeling deprived, I shifted my mindset and imagined my digestive system getting
Clara has designed programs that focus on rejuvenating the digestive system. As someone who has tried both juice cleanses and bone broth programs from other brands and struggled with them, I was pleasantly surprised by how doable and effective the program was.
The cleanse program, as promised in its brochure, is designed to allow the digestive system to relax and detoxify, which in turn enhances nutrient absorption. The drinks and dishes are dairyfree, low-carb, sugar-free, gut-friendly, and gluten-free. With excitement, commitment, and trust in the process, I’m gearing up to do the two-day cleanse again this weekend.
One of the main reasons I’m so eager to do this cleanse again
the vacation it deserved. This mental shift made all the difference, and by the end of the three days, I felt lighter and more energized. The program is designed in a way that you feel full and energetic throughout, which helps stave off cravings and drowsiness.
For the next two days, I’ll be nourishing my body with warm ginger turmeric drinks, peach drinks, sugar-free green slushies, and vegan soups like roasted tomato basil, and pumpkin. The option to have plant-based bulletproof coffee before 4 PM is a lifesaver, offering a gentle energy boost to keep me going. If I need a snack, I was told I can reach for
Memorial park developer honors top sellers in Manila Gala
FOREST Lake Development Inc., the top memorial park developer in the Philippines, celebrated surpassing P3.2 billion in sales in 2023 with a grand gala at its 10th National Sales Convention.
The event, held at the Grand Ballroom of City of Dreams Manila, honored the company’s top sellers, whose hard work has driven Forest Lake’s growth.
The convention not only showcased Forest Lake’s strong sales but also highlighted its expansion to over 37 sites nationwide, strengthening its network of memorial parks. The company used the occasion to recognize its over 5,000 active sellers, who are key to its success and market leadership.
“Our sales team’s exceptional performance in achieving PHP 3.2 billion in sales is a true testament to their dedication and hard work,” said Alfred Xerez-Burgos III, Forest Lake’s president and CEO. “Their relentless pursuit of excellence has been the cornerstone of our success.”
To recognize and incentivize its sellers’ exceptional efforts, the convention, themed “Unstoppable Icons,” also announced an allexpenses-paid trip to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, for top-performing agents, sales leaders, and park managers.
Carlos Miguel V. Locsin, Forest Lake’s National Sales & Marketing Head, emphasized the significance of the company’s sales-driven growth: “We are proud to announce that Forest
Lake has achieved a remarkable milestone, surpassing P3.2 billion in sales revenue. This accomplishment reflects our stature as the strongest sales force in the industry.”
In praising its sellers, Forest Lake ensures that their efforts are rewarded with substantial benefits, including commissions, bonuses, recognition programs, and significant career development opportunities. These incentives are designed to foster excellence and motivate sellers to reach their full potential.
sliced cucumbers or fresh strawberries, and of course, I need to be diligent about drinking 1.5-2 liters of water each day. This cleanse has been a gamechanger for me for three years now every time I need to do a health reset but as always, it’s important to consult a doctor before getting on the program.
Editha Basa, Forest Lake’s top agency manager, affirms this, saying, “Being part of Forest Lake has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The incentives and support we receive motivate us to achieve our best, and seeing our efforts contribute to the company’s growth is truly fulfilling.”
As Forest Lake continues to pursue sales-driven growth throughout the year, the developer remains confident that its dedicated sales team will continue to expand, living up to this year’s battle-cry: “United We Soar, 4 for 2024.”
“Our ultimate goal has always been
to establish a nationwide reach, where we can serve every Filipino through our developments,” said Carlos Miguel Locsin “This can only be achieved through the efforts of our top-notch sales team, who have been with us on every step to success.” Forest Lake invites those interested in joining its dynamic sales force to explore available career opportunities on its official website, forestlakeparks.com. Aspiring sellers and interested clients can also visit Forest Lake’s official Facebook page at facebook.com/ForestLakeMemorialParks and Instagram at @forestlakememorialparks.
The reset cleanse program features drinks and dishes which allow the digestive system to relax and detoxify
Chairman Antonio V. Syyap (leftmost) and Group CFO Rupert L. Rivera (rightmost) with service awardees Rhodhelie Salvador (second from left), Francis Bernard Malit (third from left), Philip Jayson Duyanen (third from right), Darwin Cayabyab (second from left)
Forest Lake Chairman Antonio V. Syyap
Forest Lake Vice Chairman Alfred Xerez-Burgos Jr.
Giselle Sanchez (left) and Luis Manzano host the Forest Lake 10th National Sales Convention
From left: Forest Lake Chairman Antonio V. Syyap, Leonora Antivola, Marion Bengco, Rogelio Farafoldane, and Group CFO Rupert L. Rivera