Manila Standard - 2024 October 19 - Saturday

By Rio N. Araja

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) is reopening its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.

VP hits Marcos leadership; Palace ignores 2-hour rant

General Rommel Francisco Mar bil said he ordered the reopening of the cold case after whistleblower Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza told the House Quad Committee that he helped carry out the killing at the behest of ex-PCSO general manager Royina Garma.

gressmen how Garma allegedly fa cilitated the PCSO official’s roadside assassination on July 30, 2020 by providing the necessary information about his schedule, details about his vehicle and the funding necessary to carry it out.

The whistleblower also implicated incumbent National Police Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo in the planning of the murder.

Barayuga was a retired police general and lawyer who supposedly threatened to expose corruption within the PCSO shortly before he was shot dead in Mandaluyong City.

Garma, herself an ex-police Lt. Colonel, allegedly gained the top spot at the PCSO because of her in-

By Rachelle Tonelada and Charles Dantes

By Maricel V. Cruz

By Darwin Amojelar

TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime Bautista denied an online news report claiming that Malacañang was angry with the increase in airport fees without the approval of the Cabinet members.

“The Bilyonaryo article is malicious and unfounded,” Bautista said in a Viber message, referring to the website that published the said story. “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added.

Bilyonaryo reported online that “Bautista and his long-time protege in Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are at the center of the storm after it was

Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry

THE legal counsel of Chinese businessman Tony Yang sought to disparage lawmakers’ conclusions about his client’s supposedly sketchy past and his alleged ties with Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators (POGOs) and even organized crime.

Lawyer Raymond Fortun questioned the House Quad Committee’s impartiality and its ability to pin Chinese national Yang down for ay wrongdoing in a real criminal court.

“I am very interested in how they [Quad Comm members] can prove this criminal network in court. In Congress, lawmakers act as both prosecutor and judge,” he said.

Yang, who already admitted having a fake Philippine birth certificate, is the brother of Michael Yang, a presidential economic

adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Fortun, a lawyer who often finds himself at the center high-profile cases, apparently sought to mock congressmen, calling their probe “unacceptable.”

However, House members argued they did not come by their suspicions about Yang recklessly.

On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of Quezon presented a matrix showing Yang’s first appearance and his subsequent activities at the Quad Comm hearing.

CORDIAL TALKS. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez engages in a cordial conversation with World Economic Forum (WEF)

“We saw a pattern, and we tracked it to the top of these corporations... we stripped it of its layers , to get to the top and through it all, we have discovered and identified at least two main actors or players in the issue

Navy spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal

By Rex Espiritu

WEF Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland where he showcased the economic gains of the country and promoted the Philippines as an ideal hub for foreign investments.

of illegal drugs and illegal activities associated with POGOs,” Suarez said in a mixture of Filipino and English.

The solons explained how the matrix details Yang’s connections to other individuals involved in illicit activities, including the operations of illegal POGOs.

Among the companies implicated are Brickhartz Technology Inc. and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., which are being linked to alleged kidnapping.

The two firms supposedly have connections with the Baofu Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, which, in turn, can be directly traced to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo.

cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that Beijing’s statement was meant only for its internal audience.

“Our troops did not observe any exercise, we have to understand that sometimes, China is doing this for their internal audience, right? For them not to look weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad said.

Two Chinese warships were monitored at a distance ranging from eight to 14 nautical miles. One of these went up to 1,000 yards at the MMCA site but eventually went away. “It was not threatening, just normal,” accord

By Maricel V. Cruz

Some P171 million in standby fund is also available for utilization by the DSWD, including P123 million which can be allotted as Quick Response Fund (QRF) in the central office of the DSWD. In Batanes, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) advised residents to secure their roofs and install window shutters as Typhoon Julian is expected to make landfall

By Charles Dantes

THE Philippine government on Sunday publicly called for the United Nations (UN) to give it a seat on the UN Security Council, highlighting the country’s strong record and dedication to upholding the rule of law.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in a speech delivered at the UN General Assembly in New York said the Philippines continues

The ARAL law offers support to learners from Kindergarten to Grade 10 in public schools who are struggling with essential competencies or re-entering the education system after a hiatus.

PAGASA

A WEB OF CRIME? House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez

Vice President Sara Duterte

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2024

4Ps tops Comelec’s list of partylist groups

By Vito Barcelo

THE 4Ps or Pagtibayin at Palaguin ang Pangkabuhayang Pilipino gained the top spot among the 156 aspirants in the party-list ballot followed by PPP or Puwersa ng Pilipino Pandagat, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The party-list rankings were determined at an electronic raffle conducted by the election body at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila on Friday.

VP...

The remains of the elder Marcos were laid to rest at the "Libingan ng mga Bayani" in 2016 during the term of then-president Rodrigo Duterte, Sara's father.

Presidential spokesman Cesar Chavez, however, said Malacañan will not dignify the Vice President's statements with a comment.

"No statement from the Office of the President. Thanks," said Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cesar Chavez.

Duterte said she also felt used in the 2022 elections which she and Mr. Marcos won by landslide.

She said Senator Imee told her they needed to team up to prevent then Vice President Leni Robredo from winning the 2022 presidential polls.

“It is clear I was used. She (Imee) told me they will lose to Leni if they do not have the Bisaya vote," she said.

“It was straightforward. 'It was all about winning,' she (Imee) told me," she added.

Duterte said she initially had no

Solon...

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Poll chairman George Garcia said the Comelec has been conducting the raffle since the 2013 polls to prevent party-list groups with names that start with 1 or A to be listed first in the bal-

interest in the vice presidency, but she has no regrets in gunning for the position.

“I don’t regret running for Vice President. Imagine if I was only a mayor and they are running after me. It would be so easy for them to have me suspended and removed as mayor. But now they cannot have me removed," the Vice President said.

“They can drag me to hell. And when I get there, I will still be the President of hell," she added.

The Duterte and Marcos families have had a very public falling out as both attempt to shore up their rival support bases and secure key positions ahead of the midterm elections next year and the presidential polls in 2028.

Duterte, who quit her Cabinet post as Education secretary in June, is facing questions over her use of confidential and intelligence funds, which have been flagged by Commission on Audit in 2023.

A COA report also showed that DepEd, under Duterte's leadership in 2023, was only able to build 192 classrooms or just 3 percent of the 6,379 target. With AFP

order the creation of an independent fact-finding commission to investigate extrajudicial killings (EJKs) associated with the previous administration’s controversial war on drugs.

"We urge the President to form a panel—similar to the Agrava Fact-Finding Board—that will probe the summary killings and identify all individuals who may be held criminally liable," Libanan said.

"Just like the Agrava board, the proposed commission should be independent from the legislative and executive branches of government... It should consist of distinguished individuals who are highly regarded for their fairness and impartiality and who are not politically aligned," he added.

Libanan, a lawyer by profession, served as chairperson of the House Committee on Justice when he represented Eastern Samar’s lone congressional district.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin earlier said the Marcos administration “places the highest importance on the fair dispensation of justice and on the universal observance of rule of law” in the ongoing investigations into the summary execution of drug suspects.

The five-member Agrava Fact-Finding Board investigated the August 21, 1983 assassination of former Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. at the Manila International Airport.

It was chaired by the country’s first woman judge, retired appellate court Justice Corazon Agrava, alongside lawyer Luciano Salazar, businessman Dante Santos, educator Amado Dizon, and labor leader Ernesto Herrera, who was later elected senator.

The Agrava Board’s majority report found 25 military officers and men, and a civilian as responsible for the assasination of the opposition leader and his alleged gunman. They were charged with double murder but were later acquitted by the Sandiganbayan in 1985.

The Supreme Court however reversed the Sandiganbayan ruling and ordered a new trial.which led to the conviction of 16 of the accused.

Meanwhile, House Quad Committee (QuadComm) lead chair and Surigao del Norte lawmaker Ace Barbers said yesterday that the committee could issue next week a partial report on the probe of the Duterte Administration's drug war.

Barbers said the report will include a recommendation of filing criminal charges against individuals who killed drug suspects and personalities.

“The report is partial, and only based on the evidence we are in possession of. For one, the killing of three Chinese individuals convicted of drug charges in Davao Penal Colony. [Retired] Colonel [Royina] Garma also mentioned details that could be included in the partial committee report. The Barayuga case will also be included, given that the PNP Chief [Rommel Marbil] already ordered the reinvestigation of that case,” Barbers said.

Barbers, however, said the the QuadComm has not decided yet if the partial committee report will already include the testimony of Garma wherein she claimed that President Rodrigo Duterte implemented a Davao model on the war on drugs, one in which rewards are given to the killing of drug suspects ranging from P20,000 to P1 million per drug suspect killed.

lots for the national and local polls.

The Comelec chief said several party-lists had smartly put the number “1” or “A” in their names in a bid to get the top spot in the party-list ballot.

Garcia said the top 20 partylists chosen in the electronic were:

1. 4Ps- Pagtibayin at Palaguin ang Pangkabuhayang Pilipino.

2. PPP –puwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat

3. FPJ Panday Bayanihan partylist

4. Kabataan partylist

5. Duterte Youth- Duty to Energize the Republic through the Enlighten-

Solons...

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“The country’s disastrous performance in the PISA, showing a five- to six-year lag in learning competencies, is a direct result of her failed leadership,” he added, referring to the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment.

House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe did not hold back either, calling Duterte’s resignation from DepEd “the best decision she ever made.”

“Her departure saved the education system from further decline. Under her, DepEd was in free fall, and the entire education sector suffered,” Dalipe said.

They contrasted Duterte’s supposedly shoddy leadership with Marcos' decisive management of the economy, international affairs, and his efforts to ensure that the public, especially the most vulnerable, receive much-needed assistance.

“President Marcos is delivering where it matters—stabilizing the economy, fighting inflation, ensuring food security, and making sure the most vulnerable are provided with vital support. That’s real leadership, not the evasion and incompetence we saw from Duterte,” Gonzales said.

Dalipe emphasized the President’s firm stance on the West Philippine Sea, praising his defense of Philippine sovereignty against Chinese aggression, in contrast to Duterte’s silence on the issue, which has bolstered suspicions that she is "pro-China."

“President Marcos is standing up for our country on the global stage, especially against China. His diplomatic efforts are a clear mark of strong, decisive leadership,” he said.

The lawmakers slammed Duterte’s latest remarks as nothing more than a desperate attempt to deflect from her own failures.

“The Vice President’s attack on the President is pure deflection. She’s the one who failed as a leader, and now she’s trying to shift the blame. The Filipino people see through this,” Gonzales said.

“The truth is simple: President

ARAL...

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It also extends help to qualified private institutions serving similarly situated students. The program will provide structured tutorials to help students catch up on missed learning, with a focus on reigniting their passion for education.

The President expressed concern over the findings from the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment, which revealed that 75% of Filipino students fell below the minimum proficiency levels in key subjects.

A recent report by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) showed a dismal bottom ranking for the Philippines - 78/78 in 2018 and 77/81 in 2022.

"It is imperative that we acknowl-

“Let’s just wait for the final version of our partial committee report because we still have to refer to the affidavits, testimony that we are reviewing right now,” Barbers said.

Chiz...

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from an old political rivalry

"Senate President Chiz Escudero, who has taken a very important step towards political reconciliation yesterday. Well done. I'm so happy you did that," the President said. On Thursday, President Marcos shook hands with Robredo as the latter welcomed hit at the inauguration of the Sorsogon Sports Arena.

For his part, Escudero clarified that he was the one who invited Robredo to attend.

ment of the Youth 6. ML – Mamamayang Liberal

7. PBBM – Pilipinas Babangon Muli

8. P3PWD – Komunidad ng Pamilya Pasyente at Persons with Disabilities

9. Murang Kuryente partylist

10. Bicol Saro

11. Ipatupad for Workers, Inc.

12. Patrol – Public Safety Alliance for Transportation and Rule of Law, Inc.

13. Juan Pinoy- Juan Pinagkaisang Ordinaryong Mamamayan para Yumabong

14. ARTE – Advocates for Retail,

Marcos is leading with strength, while Duterte is running from accountability,” Dalipe said.

Even the Makabayan Bloc, which historically criticizes any Malacañang occupant, called Duterte's rants a mere diversionary tactic to camouflage her alleged misuse of Office of the Vice President (OVP) and DepEd confidential funds.

"Once again, Vice President Sara Duterte chooses to engage in theatrics and gossip, rather than facing the congressional committee to provide a transparent account of how the confidential funds of the OVP and DepEd were utilized," said House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro.

"The Filipino people deserve to know how public funds are being spent, especially in the education sector, which is in dire need of resources. Instead of trash talk, we demand accountability and clear answers," she added.

However, what lawmakers found especially unpalatable was Duterte's facetious threat to desecrate the remains of the President's late father.

"Ill-mannered and desperate,” was how House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong (Lanao del Sur, 1st District) and 1-Rider party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, described the Vice President.

“Threatening to desecrate the dead just to shift the narrative is utterly unacceptable,” House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong (Lanao del Sur, 1st District) said about the Vice President.

“The Vice President must answer the allegations against her, not stoop to such shameful actions,” Adiong said as she called Duterte's tirade “a new low in public discourse” and “a direct attack on our cultural values.”

For his part, Gutierrez said the Vice President's verbal attack against Mr. Marcos only reveals her desperation.

“This is pure desperation. Instead of facing the allegations head-on, VP Duterte resorts to vile threats. It’s a clear attempt to divert attention, but no amount of disrespect will cover up her mismanagement,” he pointed out.

edge this massive challenge," he said, noting the urgency of educational reform.

The ARAL Program will involve teachers, para-teachers, and pre-service teachers as key facilitators.

To support the initiative, the government will collaborate with public telecommunications entities to offer free access to DepEd-exclusive learning platforms, along with subsidized data plans for disadvantaged learners and tutors. Broadcast networks will also air tutorial videos to supplement classroom learning.

The chief executive called on educators, parents, local governments, and national agencies to work together to ensure the program’s success. He urged teachers to approach students with understanding and compassion, reminding them of their critical role in shaping the nation’s future.

"I invited her to represent Bicol in welcoming the president," he said.

He emphasized that Robredo's attendance held no veiled significance, as the arena's inauguration was an event that would draw attendance from top national and local officials.

Robredo won the 2016 vice presidential election against Marcos, who challenged the results in the Supreme Court, which upheld her victory in 2020. In the 2022 presidential elections, Mr. Marcos decisively defeated Robredo.

Fashion, Textile, Tradition, events & Creative Services 15. WIFI – Walang Iwanan sa Free Internet, Inc.

16. MAAGAP-Movement of Active Apostolic Guardians Association of the Philippines

17. United Senior Citizens Koalition ng Pilipinas Inc. 18. Epanaw Sambayanan – Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Conference for Peace and Development 19. AKO PADAYON PILIPINO Partylist

Sara...

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rested with agency's head, distancing himself from direct involvement.

He explained that while he was tasked with responding to an audit observation memorandum issued by the Commission on Audit (COA), he had no role in the decision-making process for the CIFs.

“It would probably be the Secretary or the ones responsible for the confidential funds,” Poa said in response to Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores' question.

“The Secretary and the SDO are the only ones that are privy,” he added, referring to Duterte and DepEd’s Senior Disbursing Officer Edward Fajarda.

During the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability hearing, Poa was scrutinized for using certifications from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to justify DepEd’s spending of CIFs.

The certifications related to the Youth Leadership Summits (YLS) conducted by the AFP in 2023.

However, Flores noted the inconsistency, pointing out that the AFP’s programs had no direct connection with DepEd’s confidential funds.

“You are using certifications from another agency, which didn’t spend a peso from your office, to justify your expenses. It’s confusing,” Flores said. Poa admitted he was unaware that the AFP’s activities were unrelated to DepEd’s confidential funds when he submitted the documents to COA. He clarified that the certifications were meant to show that DepEd had provided information to the AFP about vulnerable areas where seminars were needed, but conceded that this was not clearly connected to DepEd’s spending.

“It all boils down to the fact that you are using a certification of an activity of a different agency. It’s wrong, is it not?” Flores asked.

Poa acknowledged the confusion but reiterated that he followed the process based on the documents available to him.

“I got the certifications, I got the documents evidencing payment, the DEPs, which are the acknowledgment receipts, and I submitted to COA,” Poa explained. When pressed on who had the final say on the use of the confidential funds, Poa pointed to Vice President Duterte and Fajarda.

Earlier in the hearing, all four military officers who conducted the YLS denied receiving any CIFs from DepEd, stating that the AFP and local government units shouldered most of the expenses for the summit.

Retired Maj. Gen. Adonis Bajao, Lt. Col. Carlos Sangdaan Jr., and Colonels Manaros Boransing and Magtangol Panopio told the committee that they were not informed the certifications they issued were used to justify P15 million in CIFs that were supposedly allocated to pay informers. Vice President Duterte has defended the use of DepEd’s CIFs, claiming they were necessary for intelligence gathering to prevent insurgency and extremism in schools. However, the hearing raised further questions about how these funds were managed and justified, leading to increased calls for transparency.

COA confirmed that the P15 million was part of a larger P75 million in CIFs flagged in a notice of disallowance, with audit body requesting additional documentation to substantiate the expenditure.

DOE foresees oil prices roll back next week

By Alena Mae S. Flores

OIL prices are expected to go down by as much as P1.15 per liter next week to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market.

Department of Energy director for the oil industry management bureau Rodela Romero said that based on the four-day trading in the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS), there will be a price rollback across all products.

Romero said gasoline will have a price rollback of P0.50 to P0.75 per liter, diesel by P1 to P1.15 per liter and kerosene by P0.90 to P1 per liter.

She said several factors moved oil prices downward such as the de- escalating tensions in the Middle East and potential crude supply surplus in early 2025.

Romero said other drivers include “oil demand growth to slow down in 2025 due to vehicle efficiency upgrade and the slowing economy of China.”

On Oct. 15 , the oil companies implemented an increase of P2.60 to P2.65 per liter for gasoline, P2.70 per liter for diesel and P2.60 per liter for kerosene.

Year-to-date total adjustment of gasoline and diesel stands at a net increase of P9.05 per liter and P6.75 per liter, respectively.

On the other hand, kerosene has a total net decrease of P2.75 per liter.

Prevailing retail prices of petroleum products in the National Capital Region for Oct. 8 to Oct. 14 range from P46.40 to P69.95 per liter and gasoline from P49.10 to P84.87 per liter.

American abducted in Zambo G

UNMEN have abducted an American man living in the southern Philippines, shooting him in the leg and ferrying him away in a boat, police said Friday.

The victim, named by police as Elliot Onil Eastman, was “forcibly taken” late Thursday in Mindanao, a southern island wracked in previous decades by Muslim insurgencies and ransom kidnappings that have since waned.

A police report said the four gunmen introduced themselves as police officers and shot the victim in the leg when he resisted and attempted to flee. They then dragged the wounded

man onto a boat that sped off the coast of Sibuco municipality in Zamboanga del Norte.

A US embassy spokesman in Manila told reporters it was “aware of the reports and are coordinating with local authorities”, declining further comment.

“Based on the initial profile given to us, he (Eastman) got married to a local in the area. He has been there for

E-RAFFLE OF PARTY-LIST GROUPS. Commission on Elections chairman George Garcia ovsersees the conduct of electronic raffle of party-list groups in the May 25 elections in a bid to come out with a nonalphabetical/numeric roster of the names. Norman Cruz

PH not fully prepared for ‘Big One’ scenario—OCD

THE Office of Civil Defense (OCD) warns that the country is “not adequately prepared” in case the so-called Big One earthquake struck, potentially leaving behind 30,000 to 50,000 fatalities in its wake.

“It is unbearable to contemplate tens of thousands of fatalities. We are not adequately prepared for this scenario,” OCD administrator Ariel Nepomuceno said during the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction.

He asserted that true readiness for the “Big One,” which is feared to hit Metro Manila, can only be achieved when the potential casualty figures are reduced to a bare minimum.

“We must all work together to address this urgent concern,” he stressed. Nepomuceno called on all stakeholders to intensify their efforts, emphasizing the need for a multifaceted approach that includes engineering solutions, rigorous enforcement of building regulations, and a commitment to discipline among the populace.

“We need robust structures for homes, buildings, bridges, schools, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure. It is essential for everyone to comply with the Structural Code of the Philippines and adhere to building permit requirements,” he said.

Recognizing the Philippines as one of the

POGO ‘kingpin’ may testify in Senate probe

By Joel E. Zurbano

SENATOR Risa Hontiveros has announced they will invite Lin Xunhan, also known as Lyu Dong, the alleged kingpin of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO), to the Senate’s next and final hearing on the highly controversial Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).

The senators are particularly interested in unravelling Lin’s ties to dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and their involvement in POGO operations. In an online press briefing, Hontiveros said Lin’s alias was mentioned in a previous hearing and that “now he has been arrested, the story of POGO and his involvement will be revealed.”

Hontiveros commended the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission for capturing Lin Xunhan, also known as “Boss Boga,” on Oct. 10, adding that the arrest was a significant achievement in the fight against POGO.

most disaster-prone countries globally, Nepomuceno underscored the importance of prioritizing disaster preparedness.

“This is a shared responsibility. We urge everyone, especially the media, to raise awareness about the escalating risks associated with disasters. It is vital that the public is informed about available technologies that can aid in their preparation for, and response to, calamities,” he added.

He also cited tools like Hazard Hunter, a publicly available platform that provides information on the proximity of homes to potential earthquake and tsunami hazards. Rex Espiritu

about five months,” regional police spokeswoman Lt. Col. Helen Galvez told Agence France Presse (AFP).

“So far, no one is asking for a ransom,” she said, adding the suspects have yet to be identified. Philippine military spokeswoman Francel Margareth Padilla told reporters they are ready to assist the police in tracking the kidnappers and their victim. AFP

IN BRIEF

PH, US marines launch joint exercise in Palawan

MARINE troops from the Philippines and the United States have launched an amphibious assault exercise in Aborlan, Palawan near the West Philippine Sea, with observers from some allied nations.

In a statement on Thursday, the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) said its 3rd Marine Brigade and Combat Support Brigade, along with the Battalion Landing Team 1/5 of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) kicked off the exercise on Wednesday at Long Point in Barangay Apurawan, Aborlan.

The PMC said the exercise was part of the eighth iteration of Kaagapay ng Mandirigma sa Dagat (Kamandag 08-24) being held annually between the two countries. Other countries participating in this iteration include Japan, Australia, South Korea, and the UK, while the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Kor Marinir will be observing the event. Rex Espiritu

3 weather disturbances to bring rainy weekend

THREE weather disturbances, including an intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), will continue to trigger scattered rains over the weekend in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, the weather bureau said.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the ITCZ will bring mostly cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over Mindanao on Saturday, while Metro Manila and the rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated afternoon or evening rain showers or thunderstorms due to easterlies.

By Sunday until Monday, a low pressure area (LPA) embedded within the ITCZ outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) is forecast to enter the country.

The trough of the LPA could bring mostly cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over Quezon, MIMAROPA, Bicol region, the Visayas, and Mindanao. Rio N. Araja

Leyte marks 80th year of MacArthur landing

THE Leyte provincial government will commemorate historic landing in Palo, Leyte of Gen. Douglas MacArthur Leyte Gulf Landing on Sunday in Palo, Leyte 80 years ago. According to the Leyte local government, various activities were scheduled for the commemoration such as reenactment of the historic landing at Macarthur Landing Memorial National Park in Candahug and an exhibit dedicated to veterans in Pawing.

Leyte is spending P40 million to renovate the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Palo town, ahead of the 80th anniversary of the historic landings.

The renovation, which began in August, would be completed before the commemoration, according to Leyte Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla. Rex Espiritu

AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT EXERCISE. Elite Marines from the Philippines and the United States conduct the eight edition of their annual Kamandag Exercise (Kaagapay ng Mandirigma sa Dagat) at Long Point in Brgy. Apurawan, Aborlan, Palawan, cose to the disputed West Philippine Sea, with representatives from multiple countries as observers.

CULTURAL CELEBRATION. Now on its third year, the annual Department of TourismCordillera Administrative Region’s Festival of Festivals is again held in Baguio City. Featured were eight major festivals in the region -- Kawayan Festival of Abra, Kopyan Chi Matagoan of Kalinga, The Spirited LangAy Festival of Mt. Province, Say-am Festival of Apayao, Kulpi ad Ifugao of Ifugao Province, Boding Festival of Kalinga, Adivay festival of Benguet and Panagbenga Festival of Baguio City. Dave Leprozo

‘Give LGUs climate finance access’

MAKATI City Mayor Abby Binay underscored the need to provide stable funding for local governments that are at the frontlines of disaster response.

“For local leaders, the window for decisive action is narrowing. The impacts of climate change and disasters caused by natural hazards are no longer future risks—they are crises we face today, affecting lives and livelihoods across our cities,” Binay said.

but recover and thrive in the aftermath of disasters,” she added.

operational guidelines and its technical bodies, to ensure that their needs and contributions are duly considered,” she said.

IN BRIEF

Immigration nabs 2 fugitive Koreans

BUREAU of Immigration agents apprehended two South Korean nationals, one of them wanted for illegal gambling and the other for illegal drug trade. Arrested were Choi Jonguk, who was cornered in a popular entertainment area in Brgy. Tambo, Parañaque, and Seo Jungchul who was nabbed at the Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City, Pampanga by the BI Fugitive and Search Unit. Choi has been on the BI’s wanted list since 2019 when he was charged with operating an illegal gambling website that catered to Korean customers who bet on the results of sports competitions.

He allegedly made money by selling sports betting tickets online in violation of his country’s national sports promotion act. On the other hand, Seo was the subject of a deportation order issued in 2019 for being an undesirable alien.

He is listed in the Interpol red notice and has been overstaying in the Philippines in an attempt to evade arrest and prosecution for his crimes in Korea. Vito Barcelo

Nograles welcomes successor in CSC

DoTR chief wants to

boost aircraft accident board

By Joel E. Zurbano

TRANSPORTATION Secretary

Jaime Bautista said he plans to separate the Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board (AAIIB) from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to prevent potential conflicts of interest.

Bautista, during the 59th Directors General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Conference in Cebu, said: “We are strengthening the independence of the AAIIB. The recent restructuring of the board under the direct oversight of the DOTr is crucial for conducting unbiased investigations and eliminating any potential conflicts of interest from the CAAP.” He said in the event of an accident, CAAP will not handle the investigation.

Instead, another office within the DOTr will be responsible.

“This is a common practice in other countries, and there is already a law that establishes an investigation board,” Bautista said.

“When an accident occurs, it should be investigated by an independent body because the CAAP serves as the regulator. A regulator cannot investigate itself, so independence is necessary, as is the case in many countries,” he added.

“In Makati, we focus on protecting our most vulnerable sectors – the poor, the elderly, and marginalized communities,” she said.

“We want them to not merely survive,

The mayor, whose special focus is promoting gender equality as a member of the Advisory Group for Local and Regional Governments of United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, also cited the importance of ensuring that disaster response and climate change adaptation plans give priority to women, the elderly, and other vulnerable sectors.

Speaking before delegates to the Local and Regional Government Assembly during the sidelines of the five-day Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR), Binay echoed President Marcos’ call for more significant investments in disaster risk reduction efforts.

She also reiterated her commitment to advocate direct access to the Loss and Damage Fund for local governments.

“Being in the frontlines of climate impact, local and regional governments should be included in the negotiation of the Fund’s

The mayor vowed to actively participate in dialogs to transform Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) into urban-centric banks that cater to local and regional governments.

“If we are to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, local governments must be engaged and enabled to take climate action,” she said.

She said fellow local leaders can access several options for climate financing to enhance community resilience and preparedness.

23 cruise ships seen to visit Boracay until end-2025

By Jun N. Aguirre

BORACAY Island —The acting chief of the Port Cruise Ship Operation and Special Projects of the Aklan provincial government said some 23 more foreign cruise ships are expected to visit Boracay island by the end of 2025.

Niven Maquirang told the Manila Standard at least eight cruise ships will visit Boracay until the end of the year.

Some 15 more are coming from different companies next year.

Most of the cruise ship’s passengers are expected to visit Boracay on a oneday tour, Maquirang said.

Cruise ships have started arriving in Boracay since 2014.

FORMER Civil Service Commission chairman Karlo Nograles praised the appointment of his successor, Marilyn Baura Yap, saying the CSC is in good hands. Nograles resigned from his post as CSC chairman to run for Mayor in Davao City in the 2025 midterm elections.

He said he has worked with Yap in the past, describing her as a good choice to lead the commission.

“I have had the privilege of working with the newly appointed Civil Service Commission Chair Marilyn Baura Yap during her time as Secretary General of the House of Representatives.”

“I know that she is extremely competent and has an excellent work ethic, a steady hand amid turbulent waters and most of All a strong desire to serve the Filipino people,” Nograles said on his Facebook account. He added he is confident the newly appointed chairman will improve the gains of CSC. Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa

Leptospirosis cases on the rise, DOH warns

THE number of leptospirosis cases has reached 5,835 from Jan. 1 to Oct. 5 -- a 16 percent increase from the 5,050 cases reported during the same period last year, the Department of Health said Friday.

From Sept. 8 to 21, about 774 new cases were recorded, or twice as high as the 381 new cases reported from Aug. 25 to Sept. 7.

“All regions, except Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and Caraga, have shown an increase in cases over the past three to four weeks up to Oct. 5,” the DOH said.

PH, France bolster maritime cooperation

THE Philippines and France continued to strengthen cooperation in ensuring marine conservation.

On Wednesday, key Philippine government officials and local and foreign experts on biodiversity gathered together for the first of a series of biodiversity conferences or Blue Talks between Manila and Paris.

The conference, organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute in partnership with the Embassy of France in the Philippines, aims to strengthen cooperation between the Philippines and France on biodiversity conservation.

French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel said the Blue Talk conference is part of the Blue Nations initiative, a holistic program of bilateral cooperation between the France and Philippines in the perspective of working together as

two maritime nations toward the next United Nations Ocean Conference(UNOC), which will take place in France in June 2025.

“It was very important to start this cycle of five conferences with a discussion on biodiversity, because this subject will be at the core center of the next UNOC in France… Discussions on marine biodiversity and biodiversity conservation is also very important because the Philippines, an archipelagic state made up of more than 7,100 islands, maintains an existential link with the ocean,” Fontanel said.

“The purpose of this conference is to foster the dialogue between all stakeholders in order to identify successful ways and ideas to help the policymakers and every one of us, better protect and preserve the biodiversity that we all depend on,” she added.

As this developed, Buruanga Mayor Concepcion Labindao said the dredging operation of the P298.34 million port project under the Philippine Port Authority is set to commence next month.

Labindao said the dredging operation is set to pave the way for a modern cruise ship port in Buruanga, Aklan.

“I was informed that a South Korean agency on the maritime industry will be coming to Aklan soon to help us transform Aklan into a cruise ship hub. They are expected to forge a Memorandum of Understanding with the Aklan Provincial Government,” Maquirang said.

“While there have been 509 reported deaths thus far, the number is 11 percent lower than the 570 deaths recorded during the same period last year.”

The public is advised to avoid floodwater, wear protective gear when walking in the flood, and wash exposed skin to floodwater as more rains are expected to come.

CRUISE TOURISM PUSH. The local government of Aklan says it expects at least 23 more foreign cruise ships to dock in Boracay until the end of 2025.

OPINION

Road trips: Good cup for mental health

COLORADO SPRINGS — Road trips, seasoned travellers and road trip warriors say, can present opportunities for trippers to discover places perhaps read only in books.

Some of them argue that taking off on an adventurous road trip has bountiful benefits -- given time for planning including checking the vehicle’s roadworthiness and embracing the unexpected across the length.

People who travel more can come up with diverse ideas, given the exposure to new cultures, making new friends, studying accents and intonations in different languages, and taking in different types of food and music, some of which are linked to better problemsolving skills.

Travel, some argue, is inspirational and experiential and can help the traveller see the world in a new way.

Some say the remarkable moments one can make on vacation during road trips can open up the mind to new possibilities, create unforgettable memories, immerse oneself in new experiences and change one’s outlook on the world.

We saw the validity of that argument yet once again last month when we travelled from Vallejo, California to Colorado Springs, a distance of 19 hours and nine minutes in one go for a total of 2,055 kilometers.

But we had to stop at the California capital of Sacramento, Reno in Nevada then had an overnight stay at a hotel in Salt Lake City for the much needed rest after travelling 1,103 kilometers.

Travel warriors say road trips support personal growth, build confidence, increase knowledge and improve mental and physical well-being, apart from opening our minds to new ideas and cultures, inspiring us to consider new ways of thinking.

Others say with road trips travellers can become more open and tolerant to differences and learn more about people and their persuasions.

But while road trips may excite some, they may not always be fun, particularly for those behind the steering wheels, or even some of the passengers who may not have the tolerant attitude for sitting long hours.

Reason there is a need for stops -- in some cases overnight stay in some hotel or motel -- along the way to improve alertness and stay fresh and combat fatigue, both for drivers and passengers.

Veteran road trippers say ideally the travel should be four to six hours maximum in between stopping points.

Along the road, with the scenic and panoramic view of mountains and plains on both sides, travellers say the present-moment awareness can help reduce anxiety, alleviate stress and promote a sense of calm.

Often such trips have the accompanying soothing beats of tunes from

favorite singers or balladeers or even instrumentalists, the likes of, but not limited to, Perez Prado, Ray Conniff, Ray Anthony, Glenn Miller, Acker Bilk, Billy Vaughn, Benny Goodman or James Last.

The music bars can be enhanced by the soothing scent of air fresheners that can help intensify the sense of serenity.

There are those who submit that travelling can help to condition the quality of life positively -- by coming into contact with new cultures, learning about new horizons, and different ways of thinking.

The remarkable moments one can make on vacation during road trips can open up the mind to create unforgettable memories.

Others underline the importance of road trips in that they can help lower chances of heart disease to relieve stress and anxiety, apart from helping boost a traveller’s creativity, sense of happiness and satisfaction and broaden perspectives.

Road trips by families, which take them out of their comfort zones, allow them to decide which route to take -direct or scenic -- and decisions taken along the way make the travels verily an adventure.

One traveller has been quoted as saying “life is like a road trip because you never know how soon you get to your destination, whether there is traffic along the way, whether there is a diversion or whether there is going to be a rough or smooth road.”

More than 70 years ago, in the 1950s, there was a rapid growth of ownership of cars by American families, according to official sources,

The car has since become a trusted mode of transport and widely used for commuting and leisure trips too.

With the new vacation-by-road style, many businesses began to cater to road-weary travellers, according to many observers of the road.

Some point to benefits of life on the road: adventure, flexibility and freedom.

We agree, following the nearly 20 hours on the road, with an overnight stop in Salt Lake City in Utah, which benefited our mental health and overall mood, helped calm us down, gave us a mental reset, improved mental power and increased creativity -- with sonnets and villanelles along the seemingly never-ending road.

Massive US cyber espionage exposed

WHENEVER the United States and its vassal allies accuse another independent major power of any wrongdoing, you can be sure it’s the US already doing what it accuses the other, using the fabricated story to cover up its own crime. It has been the same case with the allegations from the US of China’s “cyber espionage that hit millions of people” starting last March 2024. Now it has been exposed by a report from China to be the US government’s operation.

The US alleged that China had launched “Volt Typhoon” which US politicians, intelligence agencies and cyber companies claimed to be a China-directed hacking operation that initiated a series of massive cyber-attack activities targeting critical US infrastructure networks, but an investigative report titled “Volt Typhoon III: A Cyber Espionage and Disinformation Campaign conducted by US Govern-

EDITORIAL

What do Filipinos want from public officials?

FOR most Filipinos, job creation and livelihood generation should be prioritized by candidates for national and local posts in the May 2025 midterm elections.

That’s according to the latest Pulse Asia survey conducted in the first to second weeks of September, or before the filing of certificates of candidacy by political aspirants.

Over half or 57 percent of 2,400 respondents selected job creation as the most important issue that candidates should include in their platforms. Investment-led economic growth was selected by 44 percent of respondents, followed by fighting corruption at 41 percent.

Other issues cited by survey respondents as desirable goals were quality health care, quality education, peace and order, wider internet access, availability of renewable energy sources and reliable mass transportation.

But nearly everyone, or a total of 91 percent of respondents, said corrupt government officials must be held accountable before our justice system.

The survey shows that Filipinos are keenly aware of current issues.

The survey asked respondents what they think the benefits of controlling corruption are. More than half said it would increase trust in government, followed by those who said it would improve ordinary lives.

Respondents also wanted, apart from an all-out campaign against corruption, good governance, effective delivery of public services, and efficient utilization of government funds.

On the other hand, asked how corruption affects them, more than half of respondents said it resulted in loss of trust in public officials. Other negative

impacts cited by survey respondents included worsening poverty, inefficient social services delivery, abuses by government officials, prevalence of bribery, significant loss of public funds, and non-competitive economy. What the latest survey results reflect is keen awareness by ordinary Filipinos of current issues and what should be included in the platforms of those who seek positions of power at both the national and local levels.

This should be a wake-up call as well for those wishing to get elected in the May 2025 midterm elections that they must possess not just the minimum requirements for public office enumerated in our Constitution but have a concrete platform of governance, whether they are running for senator, district or party-list representative, or various local positions. Our voters should go beyond the popularity and name recall of candidates and demand commitment by those seeking public office to good governance and its key attributes, which are transparency and accountability, and for them to take a clear stand against corruption.

ment Agencies” showed that it was actually a US intel operation.

It is no wonder that there has been a massive migration of buyers from the Global South ditching their iPhones, Motorolas, and other such brands.

As a Filipino acutely aware of the malicious and evil cyber digital and information warfare the US has been targeting the Philippines and Filipinos, such as the case of the “Pentagon psyops versus China’s Covid vaccines” that likely caused hundreds of thousands of illnesses on the vaccine-averse

Filipinos it caused. It is an absolute certainty that this “Volt Typhoon” U.S. cyber warfare operation also targeted the Philippines and Filipinos being one of the major pawns in the U.S. aggression against China.

The National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center and the National Engineering Laboratory for Computer Virus Prevention Technology in its dive into the cyber espionage operations of the US government uncovered from the US National Security Agency (NSA) files the advantage it has been taking of its access to the information and information tech industry to construct “Choke Points” in the Internet.

Seven access points for tapping along all the submarine optical cables from the Atlantic to the Pacific are used by the NSA, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National Cyber Security Center of the UK to intercept and inspect transmission indiscriminately. Large US internet enterprises and equipment providers’ cooperation is tapped by the NSA to capture USsourced network wares bought by its targets where malwares are implanted

before repackaging.

The elaborate system is used by the NSA to implant “backdoor” in IT products used by its targets and activated through the NSA downstream operations. From what I understand of the complicated and apparently technical jargon used, these implantations are terms “pre-positioning” to describe the tactics used by the “Volt Typhoon operators which carried out cyberattacks on critical US infrastructures like Guam which they blamed on others to have the propaganda pretest of “demonize” target countries. Many of the IP addresses utilized by “Volt Typhoon” operations of the US to initiate attacks were used by the ransomware group Dark Power, which had no country and sectoral connection. Apparently, the cyber threats hyped up by the NSA and FBI last March 2024 also had the secondary objective of securing more funding from the U.S. Congress for boosting its cyber-infiltration capabilities. The overlapping motives have the “Five Eyes”, five intel agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand also scratch-

ing their heads. The exposé certainly alerts us to the danger of buying digital hardware, software, Internet service, downloading apps, created in the U.S., the Western countries and allies. Cyber-attack is the least of our worries as ordinary folks using the conveniences of the digital age, the vastly bigger worry is the deadly example we have seen in Lebanon of exploding pagers, cellphones, laptops and whatnot we innocently use but may explode and kill us when the U.S. and its allies target its enemies but take innocent civilian down with them. It is no wonder that there has been a massive migration of buyers from the Global South ditching their iPhones, Motorolas, and other such brands in favor of Chinese electronic and digital devices. Good thing that I have long decided to have Huawei for my laptop, and I have long switched to Huawei for my cell phone. My problem with the Huawei Mate book is that it still uses an Intel processor though a tech says that it won’t explode so long as the battery is made in China too. rpkapunan@gmail.com

‘Defense of sovereignty won’t change’

TAIPEI — Taiwanese President Lai

Ching-te insisted Friday that the island’s determination to defend its sovereignty “will not change”, as he praised troops and coast guard personnel for their response to China’s latest military drills.

Beijing sent a record number of military aircraft as well as warships and coast guard vessels to encircle Taiwan on Monday in the fourth major round of major drills in just over two years.

Taiwan deployed “appropriate forces” and put outlying islands on heightened alert in response to the exercises, which Beijing said were a “stern warning to the separatist acts of ‘Taiwan Independence’ forces”.

On Friday, Lai visited air force, navy and coast guard facilities in northern Taiwan to thank personnel for “fully defending national security”.

“Our determination to protect national sovereignty will not change,” Lai said at a coast guard division near the capital.

“Our coast guard colleagues’ determination to stabilise the society and ease the public mind... will not change. Our determination to protect fishing rights will not change.” AFP

Israel raids Gaza after Hamas leader death

IN BRIEF

Search on to replace Kenya’s impeached deputy president

NAIROBI — The race was on Friday to replace Kenya’s deputy president after the historic impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua, just hours after he was taken to hospital suffering chest pains.

It was the latest twist in a fast-moving drama involving President William Ruto’s election running mate that has rattled the political scene in the East African country, generally regarded as a stable democracy in a turbulent region.

The upper house Senate pushed ahead with impeachment on Thursday -- finding Gachagua guilty of five of the 11 charges against him -- despite the absence of the embattled 59-year-old.

Gachagua failed to testify in his defence after being rushed to hospital in a Nairobi suburb, plunging the session into disarray.

The Senate rejected an appeal by Gachagua’s legal team to delay the hearings, prompting the lawyers to walk out in protest.

Kenyan newspapers led with the news Friday, with The Standard newspaper running an image of Gachagua with the headline “Fired”. AFP

UN envoy proposes partitioning Western Sahara

THE United Nations envoy to Western Sahara has proposed dividing the territory between Morocco and the proindependence Polisario Front in order to resolve the decades-old conflict, AFP learned Thursday.

“I have discreetly revisited and expanded with all concerned on the concept of a partition of the Territory,” Staffan de Mistura said during a closed session of the UN Security Council on Wednesday, according to remarks seen by AFP.

Western Sahara is largely controlled by Morocco but the Algeria-backed Polisario Front has campaigned for independence for the territory since before colonial ruler Spain pulled out in 1975. It is considered a “non-autonomous territory” by the United Nations. Rabat, which controls some 80 percent of the vast expanse, advocates a plan for limited autonomy for Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty. AFP

Baby dies, 65 rescued as migrant boat sinks off France

LILLE, FRANCE — A baby died when an overloaded migrant boat headed for Britain sank in the Channel off the coast of France on Thursday night, French maritime authorities said Friday. The accident occurred off the French town of Wissant, the maritime authority in charge of the Channel and the North Sea told AFP, adding that 65 people were rescued but a “baby was found unconscious and sadly declared dead”. The latest sinking brings the number of migrants who perished while trying to cross the Channel this year to at least 52 -- a record since 2018.

Kim to NoKor soldiers: South ‘hostile, foreign’

KIM Jong Un told North Korean soldiers that the South was a “foreign” country, state media reported Friday, saying Pyongyang had jettisoned any idea of reunification.

Despite remaining officially at war, the two Koreas have long defined ties as a “special relationship”, not state-to-state relations, with a view to eventual reunification.

But Kim in January defined Seoul as his country’s “principal enemy”, and on Friday described ties with the South as an “evil relationship” that had ended with the detonation of roads between the two.

After months of laying fresh mines and ramping up security on the border, Pyongyang this week blew up roads and railways linking it to the South, and said

its constitution now defined the South as a “hostile” state.

“Our army should keep in mind once again the stark fact that (South Korea) is a foreign country and an apparent hostile country,” Kim told the 2nd Corps of the Korean People’s Army, state media said.

Dynamiting roads and railways this week means “the end of the evil relationship with Seoul,” Kim said, plus “the complete removal of the... unreasonable idea of reunification”.

The North’s army will strike back if needed “against the hostile country, not the fellow countrymen,” he added, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

The North last week held a key meeting of its rubber-stamp parliament, where ex-

Russian meddling in Moldova feared

ORHEI, MOLDOVA — Moldova authorities fear that up to a quarter of votes cast in a presidential election and an EU membership referendum on Sunday could be tainted by Russian cash, according to its police chief.

In Orhei -- a bastion of fugitive pro-Russian politician Ilan Shor -- a party atmosphere reigned last weekend, with a wine festival, folk music and traditional dancing on the central square.

But just before the weekend, police arrested four of the town’s municipal employees on suspicion of electoral interference.

The arrests were among a series of raids after police uncovered a massive vote buying scheme in the former Soviet republic neighbouring war-torn Ukraine.

Moldova’s government has repeatedly warned of Russian interference as

pro-EU President Maia Sandu seeks a second term and a “yes” in a referendum on joining the European Union. Washington this week accused Russia of “working actively to undermine Moldova’s election”, while the EU issued fresh sanctions on several people.

In what Moldova police chief Viorel Cernauteanu described to AFP as an “unprecedented phenomenon”, millions of dollars have been transferred from Russia to corrupt up to 300,000 people, or about a quarter of those expected to vote on Sunday in the country of 2.6 million people in total. He said suspect bank transfers to 150,000 people had been made. “If we are talking about these people having a family member, that’s 300,000. We are talking about a platform of over 25 percent of the voters in the Republic of Moldova,” said Cernauteanu. AFP

perts had widely expected the constitution to be revised.

On Thursday, Kim also examined “important documents” outlining the North’s “military action plans for coping with different developments of the situation,” KCNA said.

Pyongyang’s official newspaper Rodong Sinmun published photographs of Kim issuing orders in front of a large, blurred map, while high-ranking officials diligently took notes.

The current armistice agreement, which ended active fighting in the 1950 to 1953 Korean War is akin to “a truce between the two systems that assert claims over the entire Korean Peninsula,” said Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification. AFP

ISRAEL conducted raids on Gaza Friday, pressing its year-long war to crush Hamas after dealing it a massive blow with the killing of its leader, Yahya Sinwar.

Hailing the killing of Sinwar, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack was not over, but

Sinwar had become the militant group’s overall leader after the killing in July of its political chief, Ismail Haniyeh. US President Joe Biden, whose government is Israel’s top arms provider, said: “This is a good day for Israel, for the United States, and for the world.”

“There is now the opportunity for a ‘day after’ in Gaza without Hamas in power, and for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

Hamas’s October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures that includes hostages killed in captivity.

Militants also took 251 people hostage during the attack. Ninety-seven remain in Gaza, including 34 who Israeli officials say are dead.

The killing of Sinwar did not spell an end to Israel’s air strikes on Gaza, with several raids overnight and early Friday pummelling the territory, according to an AFP journalist on the ground.

According to Gaza’s civil defence agency, rescuers recovered the bodies of three Palestinian children from the rubble of their home in the north of the territory after it was hit at dawn.

The Israel military said it was pressing its operation in Jabalia, one of the focuses of the fighting in recent weeks, and where strikes on Thursday killed at least 14 people, according to two hospitals.

A UN-backed assessment has found some 345,000 Gazans face “catastrophic” levels of hunger this winter. AFP

DEFENDERS. Soldiers stand in front of an anti-ship missile group named ‘Hai Feng’ at a naval base in Taoyuan. AFP

DONE VOTING. A member of the Kurdish Peshmerga security forces shows her ink-stained finger after casting her ballot at a polling station to vote ahead of the October 20 parliamentary election in Arbil, northern Iraq. AFP

LANDMARK. A popular building near the old town in Panama. AFP

David Fry of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates a tworun home run during the 10th inning against the New York Yankees during Game 3 of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. AFP

EVO City Front Act Run ready to rock Cavite

THE EVO City Front Act Run will fire off Sunday in Kawit, Cavite, setting the stage for an exciting preview of next month’s much-anticipated Rock ‘n’ Roll Manila Running Series. This unique musical running event, set to blast at 5:30 a.m., will give participants a taste of what’s to come, combining fitness and fun in a dynamic and energetic atmosphere.

DJ Marc Marasigan will get the adrenaline pumping at the start line with electronic beats, while boom boxes along the racecourse will keep the runners energized with lively music. At the finish line, participants will be welcomed into a vibrant post-race area featuring more surprises to celebrate their achievements.

Whether you are a seasoned runner or simply looking for a fun way to stay active, the EVO City Front Act Run is open to people of all abilities and ages. Event categories include 5km, 10km and 21km with close to 1,500 participants joining. It serves as a warm-up for November’s RnR Manila Running Series, where runners will rock and roll through the streets of Manila while enjoying live music and entertainment at every corner.

Supported by EVO City by Alveo Land Inc. and presented by AIA Philippin es, this fun-filled run promises an unforgettable experience for all participants.

Meanwhile, the main act of the RnR Manila Running Series on Nov. 24 is expected to draw more than 4,000 participants all eager to take part in this global phenomenon, which mixes music, running, and community spirit.

The AIMS- and World Athletics-certified courses will take runners past iconic landmarks in the heart of Manila, with the race starting at Luneta Park and passing through sites like the National Museum, Manila City Hall, Fort Santiago and Chinatown in Binondo.

AFTER finding several hidden gems in the previous two races, the Go For Gold Criterium Race Series 3 kicks off Sunday to discover fresh cycling talents in Mindanao.

General Santos City, the home of former senator and global boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, will host the third and last leg of the series this year in a high-octane, one-day bikathon where promising riders from the region are expected to emerge.

``Aside from organizing safe and well-run races in order to elevate the sport of cycling in the Philippines, these races serve as talent identification,’’ said Go For Gold founder Jeremy Go. With a projected participation of 500 cyclists from 10 categories, the third phase of the three-leg series sup-

Guardians fry Yankees in MLB playoffs thriller

NEW YORK—Cleveland’s David Fry smashed the game-winning home run in the 10th inning on Thursday to give the Guardians a dramatic 7-5 victory over the New York Yankees on Thursday in the Major League Baseball playoffs.

The Guardians, one out from defeat, capped a stunning fightback on Fry’s two-run blast to pull within 2-1 of the Yankees in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series, which continues Friday in Cleveland.

“When everybody thinks we can’t do it, we think we can,” Fry said. “What a win. That was so good. It was fun.”

In the National League Championship Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers grabbed a 3-1 series lead over the New York Mets with a 10-2 blowout triumph as Shohei Ohtani homered and scored four times while Mookie Betts drove in four runs on four hits, including a homer.

“Feels great to know I can do it at

this time,” Betts said. “At crunch time it’s always great to know I can come through for the boys.”

The Dodgers can advance with a gamefive triumph on Friday in New York.

“One win away,” Dodgers shortstop Tommy Edman said. “Hopefully have my first chance to play in a World Series pretty soon.”

At Cleveland, Yankees sluggers Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton hit back-to-back homers in the eighth inning to give New York the lead and the Yankees added an insurance run in the ninth for a 5-3 edge.

But in the bottom of the ninth with the hosts one out from trailing in the

series 3-0, Cleveland pinch-hitter Jhonkensy Noel smashed a two-run homer into the left-field stands, the Dominican rookie lifting the Guardians level 5-5 to force extra innings.

New York stranded two base runners in the top of the 10th, setting the stage for Cleveland’s walk-off win.

Bo Naylor singled and took second base on Brayan Rocchio’s sacrifice bunt before Fry smashed the game-winning homer off Yankees relief pitcher Clay Holmes over the left-field wall.

“I had a really good feeling,” Fry said. “Amazing. I still don’t know what happened but it ended up we won.

“It’s so awesome. It’s surreal. We’ve got a lot more to do, though, but it was fun tonight.”

The Yankees will try to recover from the near-miss for game four.

“They scratched and clawed their way back in,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “Sucks losing like that but we’ll be ready to roll tomorrow.” AFP

Binan forces series decider; Batangas wins

Olivarez powers way past Aguilar, bags crown

ERIC Jed Olivarez reinforced his status as the rising star of Philippine tennis by defeating John Benedict Aguilar in commanding fashion, 6-4, 6-1, to capture the Rep. Edwin National Open Championship at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque, last Wednesday.

The top-seeded Olivarez’s straight-set victory, punctuated by a dominant second set, highlighted the vast potential of the 26-year-old Western Michigan University graduate, who has his sights set on winning every tournament he competes in. He was in top form throughout the event, dispatching three opponents with relative ease before overcoming a tough challenge from Loucas Fernandez in the semifinals, where he secured a 6-0, 7-6(0) win.

Meanwhile, Aguilar, 18, made waves in the lower half of the 64-player draw, producing scintillating performances, including a stunning upset of second seed and Olivarez’s doubles partner Vicente Anasta, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. But in the championship match, Olivarez’s focus and experience shone through.

Olivarez broke Aguilar early in the third game of the opening set, then maintained his composure in a series of hold games before securing the crucial break in the 10th to take the set, 6-4.

The second frame, however, was a different story, as Olivarez broke Aguilar in the third game and never looked back, winning four consecutive games to close out the match. Aguilar showed some resistance in the fifth game, forcing a deuce, but Olivarez’s court savvy proved too much for the younger player.

The victory thus added to Olivarez’s growing list of accomplishments, coming on the heels of his triumph at the Mayor Eric Olivarez National Open last August, where he snapped multi-titled Johnny Arcilla’s domination.

The win also closed their head-to-head record at 2-4 after Arcilla previously defeated Olivarez in a thrilling finals showdown during the Series I event in June.

Capping off an impressive week, Olivarez teamed up with Anasta to defeat the top-ranked pair of Rolly Saga and Bryan Saarenas, 6-1, 7-6(10), in the men’s doubles finals of the Group A tournament sponsored by Dunlop and sanctioned by Philta with support from Palawan Pawnshop, Universal Tennis Rankings and Icon Golf & Sports.

Despite the loss, Aguilar’s breakout performance has established him as a future contender on the local tennis circuit with the Camalig, Albay find poised to continue creating an impact and solidify his place on the national stage.

Go For Gold Criterium Race Series 3 fires off in GenSan

ported by event partners Go For Gold PH, SCRATCHIT, PhilCycling, General Santos City and Manny Pacquiao aims to bring back the animated local atmosphere in cycling.

Seasoned rider Jan Paul Morales ruled the men’s elite race during the successful Go For Gold Criterium Race Series 2 in Cebu City last July as a slew of two-wheeled talents from the Visayas showcased their full potential.

The series opener in Clark, Pampanga early this year was likewise a smashing success with prized finds 17-year-old Marvin Mandac from Batangas and Marco Lumanog from Pangasinan among the several discoveries.

``We’re trying to grow the sport of cycling and also trying to professionalize it. That’s why we always work

hand in hand with PhilCycling,’’ said Go, the cycling godfather who has been supporting nearly 200 riders, including the 26-man Go For Gold Cycling Team.

Backing Series 3 of the three-phase race are SPNCYCLE, CYCLE LAB, MAGENE, KALOS PH, HYTERA, Strong Group Athletics, Midas Smart Resources Inc., MVP Sports Foundation, DPWH and PSO with Gatorade as official hydration partner and Booster C as official energy shot provider.

Excitement will fill the air as entries in men elite, women open, men under 23, men junior, men youth, MTB elite, MTB men junior, men 40-up, men 30-39, manager category negotiates a 1.4-kilometer loop in front of the General Santos City hall for the prized Go For Gold Race Series trophy.

CARLO Lastimosa canned two charities with 11.9 seconds left as Binan Tatak Gel rallied to nip South Cotabato, 70-69, on Thursday and force a Game 3 decider in

Eric Jed Olivarez

The Go For Gold Criterium Race Series 2 in Cebu City

Veteran Marc Pingris shines for Binan Tatak Gel.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2024

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Defense, Yuki’s treys carry Lions past Altas

SAN Beda University rode on its grinding defense and Yuki Andrada’s three-point shooting spree as it turned back University of Perpetual Help, 5753, on Friday and remained in the race for a place in the top two in NCAA Season 100 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

The Lions showed why they’re the league’s top defensive squad as they shackled the Altas all game, while Andrada erupted for a game-high 21 points that included five triples that helped them jump to an 8-4 record.

“It’s probably our defense in the second quarter, we limited them to seven points, that’s what fuelled our offense and got Yuki open,” said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta.

Escueta was referring that second quarter onslaught where the defending champion outscored UPHSD, 21-7, in a run that turned a 19-8 deficit into a 2926 lead at halftime.

It was no coincidence that the burly, sweet-shooting Andrada was at the center of it all as he sparked that onslaught with 11 straight points he highlighted with three treys that sparked that turnaround.

Rookie sensation Mark Gojo Cruz fired 14 points, while Jearico Nuñez pounded in 11 points but it wasn’t enough to escape San Beda’s marauding defensive presence and Andrada’s assassin-like shooting.

It didn’t help the Las Pinas-based school lost its lead point guard in Shawn Orgo, who was stretchered out after hurting his left shoulder following a collision with San Beda guard Oliver Tagle.

Archers try to formalize semis stint

DE La Salle seeks to formalize its Final Four entry as it tangles with Adamson University, while University of Santo Tomas tries to arrest a two-game slide at its home floor against Ateneo in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament today (Saturday).

The back-to-back title-seeking Green Archers seek to sew up their fourth consecutive Final Four stint in the 3:30 p.m. duel with the Falcons. After opening the second round with back-to-back losses against last year’s finalists, the Growling Tigers hope to capitalize their advantage of playing at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena in the 12 noon showdown with the Blue Eagles.

De La Salle currently holds a leaguebest 8-1 record, just half-a-game ahead of idle University of the Philippines, which has a 7-1 card, and has a fivegame winning streak. The Green Archers were coming off an 94-87 overtime win over the Growling Tigers Wednesday night to move closer in securing a place in the Final Four.

Sporting a 3-5 slate in fifth place, Adamson is just half-a-game behind of UST (4-5) in the race for the last Final Four slot.

The Falcons may have been beaten badly, 52-82, in their first round, but coach Topex Robinson has high respects with his counterpart Nash Racela as the Green Archers face another team fighting for a place in the Final Four.

“We know that Adamson is one of the best defensive teams in the league right now. Their numbers are really showing that, you know, they know how to play defense, again a wellcoached program. So we just have to make sure that we come in prepared and confident, knowing that we have to do things also to give problems to Adamson,” said Robinson.

Women’s football gets boost from PH team, new sponsor

By Peter Atencio

EXCITING times are in store for women’s football in the Philippines.

Organizers of the 2024 Philippine Football Federation Women’s Cup welcomed a new supporter in Coca-Cola Philippines, which threw its support for the staging of the tournament. The competitions, which started last Sunday, will get the backing of Coca-Cola for the remainder of its matches.

“Its going to be exciting times for women’s football, for this year and next year. Right now, CocaCola is supporting the PFF Women’s Cup. Sana magtuluy-tuloy,” said PFF General Secretary Angelico Mercader during Friday’s presentation with the PFF at the softdrink company’s head office inside the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Six teams are competing, namely Azzurri, Beach Hut, Kaya–Iloilo, Manila Digger, Stallion Laguna, and Tuloy Foundation.

The tournament welcomed the entry of members of the Philippine Women’s national squad, which saw action last year in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Coca-Cola Vice President for Franchise Opera-

tions Pablo Noriega said the presence of the likes of Halli Long, sisters Olivia and Chandler McDaniel, and Inna Palacios in the different teams is truly inspiring.

“For the sport of football, we hope to inspire and instill pride, after what happened here in the Philippines with the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year. We are proud of the women who represented the Philippines in the tournament,” said Noriega. National training director Freddy Gonzalez said have members of the national team in the tournament is uplifting.

“The league is important to our new players, because it provided competitive football for the last two years,” said Gonzalez.

Lady Blazers book ticket in Super League playoffs

COLLEGE of Saint Benilde booked the last ticket to the next round after sweeping also-ran San Sebastian College, 25-19, 25-18, 25-20, in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship Friday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The Lady Blazers displayed composure and maturity especially in the third set, staving off the Lady Stags’ desperate attempt to extend the match.

Wielyn Estoque showed the way in Saint Benilde’s second straight win to close Pool D with a 2-1 winloss record.

The veteran winger pounded 11 kills with one kill block and one ace for a game-high 13 points for the Lady Blazers. The reigning three-peat National Collegiate Athletic Association champion joined seven teams from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines in the playoffs of the tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, GCash, Chery Tiggo, F2 Logistics, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, R and B Milk Tea and Summit Water.

San Sebastian rallied from a three-point

21-20.

Clydel Catarig answered with a kill to ignite the Lady Blazers’ 4-0 closing barrage, which she punctu-

MURCIA, Negros Occidental—Reymon Jaraula stormed past his rivals with a brilliant display of skill and composure, opening with a blistering start and maintaining his steely nerves down the stretch to fend off Angelo Que’s late surge, securing a one-stroke victory with a closing-round 68 in the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge here on Friday.

The win marked Jaraula’s third Philippine Golf Tour title, and it was a testament to his mettle and ability to execute under pressure.

Jaraula’s final-hole drama unfolded on the 180-yard par-3 18th, where a pulled tee shot into the wind landed him 40 yards left of the green, sparking hopes of a potential playoff with Que, who spiked his scorching 64 with closing backto-back birdies.

The Bukidnon native, however, showed remarkable poise, producing a masterful chip shot that sent the ball bouncing through the green, rolling past four feet of the hole. After

ated with the match-clinching attack from the middle.

Saint Benilde head coach Jerry Yee praised his wards for stepping up to the challenge. “’Yan naman ang inaasahan ko

carefully studying the line from all angles, he confidently knocked in the par-saving putt, sealing his narrow one-shot victory over Que.

“I never doubted I could save that par. My caddie told me it was the perfect spot to make a chip shot,” said Jaraula in Filipino, who secured the victory with a 16-under 264 total, earning him P440,000. Que, starting the day five shots back, birdied four of the last six holes to finish with a 64 and 15-under 265 total worth P287,500. Two flights behind the leader, Que’s rally forced Jaraula to dig deep, as any slip on the final hole could have led to a playoff. But Jaraula remained unfazed, stringing together pars from the 12th through the 17th to keep his lead intact. Even when his punched 7-iron tee shot on No. 18 veered left, opening the door for Que, the 32-year-old displayed nerves of steel, calmly executing the chip and draining the decisive putt.

sa kanila. Ganoon naman tayo, tuturuan sila ng tama and composure is a part of it. Also, matagal na tayo sa labas, sa SSL and other leagues so nakikita ko na nagma-mature naman sila, nagi-improve and nakikinig naman sila,” he said. Catarig finished with nine points while Cristy Ondangan and Rhea Densing added seven and six markers, respectively, for the Lady Blazers. San Sebastian, led by Christina Marasigan’s nine points, ended its campaign winless in three outings. Saint Benilde faces University of the East in Pool E on Sunday at the start of the second round-robin phase, where two twice-to-beat advantages in the crossover quarterfinals are at stake. Also in Pool E are three-peatseeking National University and De La Salle University.

Philippine national women’s football team members Isabella Passion, Sofia Harrison, Reena Balajadia, Isabella Bandoja, Olivia McDaniel, Chandler McDaniel, Mary Christine Duran, Hazel Lustan, Hali Long, Inna Palacios, Quinley Quezada and Rhea Chan are shown with Philippine Football Federation

Angelico Mercader, competitions committee chair Lovely Tababa Lovely Tababa. national team director Freddy Gonzalez and Coca-Cola

Medina Noriega.

Benilde’s Weilyn Estoque and Zam Nolasco dive to keep the ball alive. Roman Prospero

Reymon Jaraula Manny Marcelo

P18.4 billion

Mitsubishi buying 6.5% GCash stake for P18.4b

payments and new credit solutions.

Mitsubishi’s stake in AC Ventures

Mitsubishi’s eventual stake in GCash

NEDA cites role of competition for development

WELL-CRAFTED competition policy can unlock new pathways for creating greater economic opportunities, unlocking innovation and sustaining economic growth, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said Friday in Tokyo, Japan.

He made the remarks at the launch of the book “Designing Competition Policy for Economic Development in Asia and the Pacific” at the Asian Development Bank Institute. The book analyzes the critical role of competition policy in the region.

Balisacan said sound competition policy could contribute to broader development goals by boosting productivity, creating a culture of innovation and ultimately benefiting consumers.

“Competition policy for economic development involves applying disruptive competitive pressure on rent-rich incumbents to break their grip on captive markets and enable greater consumer choice,” he said. “This results in lower prices, higher product quality, faster adoption of new processes, and the creation of new products.”

From a political economy perspective, a credible competition authority can act as a countervailing force on behalf of consumers, balancing market power and improving economic welfare, Balisacan said. He underscored the importance of competition authorities in developing economies finding ways to integrate their tools and perspectives into broader policy frameworks.

He said that in the Philippines, competition policy was integrated into the Philippine Development Plan 2023 to 2028, complementing other policy tools aimed at achieving various development objectives. However, Balisacan noted that mainstreaming has come with implementation and coordination challenges.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

CONGLOMERATE Ayala Corp. agreed to sell 50 percent of AC Ventures Holding Corp. (ACV) to Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp. for at least P18.4 billion.

The deal will give Mitsubishi a 6.5-percent stake in Gcash as AC Ventures owns about 13 percent of Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc. (Mynt), which operates two fintech companies: G-Xchange Inc., the operator of GCash, and Fuse Lending, a micro-lender.

“The needed corporate approvals had been completed for the acceptance by AC of a binding offer from MC to invest inAC-owned AC Ventures Holding Corp. which will serve as the joint venture entity that will

explore consumer-related and digital opportunities in the Philippines,” Ayala said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Friday.

The deal is aligned with Ayala’s strategic priority to support the growth of clear business winners within its portfolio. The sale is subject to regulatory approvals.

Ayala said Mitsubishi, Japan’s largest trading company, could help Mynt expand both internationally and within Japan. This includes opportunities in cloud-based

Ayala and Mitsubishi have a long-standing partnership dating back to 1974. The partnership has included projects in various sectors such as renewable energy and auto dealerships.

They are now renewing their collaboration to support the Philippines’ growing economy, which is among the fastest in the region.

“We believe Mitsubishi can add meaningful value to Mynt, which will allow Mynt to deliver significant value to its over 94 million registered users. It’s all about serving better the many Filipinos that depend on GCash and Fuse, and for making a wider variety of financial and other products available to as many Filipinos as possible,” said Cezar Consing, president and chief executive of Ayala Corp.

4 Bulacan towns tap Prime Waste Solutions

FOUR towns in Bulacan province tapped Prime Waste Solutions (PWS) Pampanga’s innovative waste disposal approach.

The municipalities of San Ildefonso, Bocaue, Pulilan and Sta. Maria chose PWS’s state-of-the-art facility in Porac, Pampanga for their waste disposal needs, reinforcing their commitment to responsible waste management and environmental sustainability.

“PWS Pampanga continues to widen its coverage in the region as more customers recognize the value of our sustainable waste management solutions,” said PWS Pampanga president

Cara Peralta.

“Their decision to partner with us reflects a strong alignment of our sustainability goals and a shared vision for responsible waste disposal,” said Peralta.

PWS Pampanga began collecting residual waste in the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone as the exclusive service provider recognized by the Clark Development Corp. on Oct. 6, 2024.

Its waste facility in Porac is designed to handle up to 5,000 tons of solid waste daily, employing advanced technology to maximize re-

DTI launches job blueprint for trade sector

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) unveiled a comprehensive job blueprint to transform the wholesale and retail trade sector in the Philippines.

The DTI, in partnership with the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) and the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP), developed the blueprint to bridge the gap between technological advancements and economic opportunities.

DTI Secretary Cristina Roque said this is a significant moment for the industry.

“By uniting the DTI, PRA and SCMAP, we’re charting a new course for collaborative development,” she said.

The blueprint is expected to benefit over 10 million Filipinos within the sector, which contributes significantly to the national economy. To ensure its effectiveness, the DTI conducted focus group discussions and guided surveys involving a diverse range of stakeholders. Participants addressed key industry issues such as workforce development, digital transformation, supply chain optimization and the regulatory landscape.

The DTI said it remains committed to collaborating with wholesalers, retailers and public sector stakeholders to ensure that the job blueprint effectively addresses the challenges and opportunities in the industry.

source recovery with the objective of reducing landfilled waste by 20 percent or less.

PWS Pampanga can effectively meet the waste management needs of businesses and local governments throughout Central Luzon and Northern Luzon.

“PWS’s innovative practices are transforming traditional waste management methods into more responsible solutions. Partnerships with our clients not only streamlines waste disposal but also highlights a collective commitment to environmental responsibility within the region,” Peralta said.

offshore wind farm

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) awarded Danish firm Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) with the first pre-development environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for any offshore wind project in the Philippines.

The ECC, a requirement for all renewable energy projects, including offshore wind, to ensure adherence to environmental rules and regulations and alignment to global industry standards, will enable CIP to initiate offshore geotechnical works and geophysical surveys for its 1-gigawatt San Miguel Bay Offshore Wind Project in Camarines Sur province. CIP said in a statement Friday these activities are crucial in determining the design and layout of the proposed offshore wind farm. The award follows the successful deployment of state-of-the-art scanning and vertical Light Detection and Ranging devices (LIDARs) in its project sites in May.

“We are very pleased to announce the issuance of the ECC for our predevelopment activities. With this in place, we have initiated offshore site surveying, a critical step in advancing the project’s development,” said Rune Damgaard, offshore wind co-chief executive of Copenhagen Offshore Partners (COP), CIP’s investment vehicle in the Philippines.

WORLD FOOD DAY. The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations lead the 2024 World Food Day celebration in the Philippines on Oct. 16, 2024 at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, highlighting the country’s commitment to achieving zero hunger.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PHILIPPINE stocks ended the week in the green on positive cues from the US equities market amid encouraging economic data.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index climbed 15.40 points, or 0.21 percent, to

close at 7,415.73, while the broader allshares index inched up 5.28 points, or 0.13 percent, to reach 4,081.52.

“Philippine shares showed minor gains at close, just above 7,400 level, as investors gear up for third quarter earning with BPI [Bank of the Philippine Islands] reporting better-than-expected profit,” Re-

gina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said.

The peso also rebounded Friday to close at 57.51 against the US dollar from 57.80 Thursday.

Limlingan said the US equities also continued to rise on the back of strong economic data, including increase in retail sales and lower jobless claims.

Mining and oil rose 0.76 percent, as gold prices in the world market soared to all-time high Thursday and investors sought safety amid uncertainties from the US presidential elections and Middle East conflict.

On the other hand, industrial and holding firms declined by 0.19 percent and 0.13 percent, respectively. Value turnover reached P4.245 billion, with 103 advancers and 91 decliners.

Nestlé PH to increase local coffee production

By Othel V. Campos

NNOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE DECEASED SPOUSES ALBERTO R. TANTOCO & MARIA SANTOS-TANTOCO WITH DEED OF SALE Notice is hereby given that the

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE DECEASED SPOUSES ALBERTO R. TANTOCO & MARIA SANTOS-TANTOCO WITH DEED OF SALE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late

NOTICE

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that RICHLI WATER INC.

ESTLÉ Philippines on Friday announced an ambitious plan to increase the country’s coffee output by two metric tons per hectare by 2025, as the Coffee++ Program concludes its three-year initiative.

“That is the ambition. But what is realistically possible, at this point, is for our coffee farmers to sustain the initial gains of producing a metric ton per hectare,” said Nestlé Philippines head of corporate affairs Joey Yu in a briefing.

Under the NESCAFÉ Plan, Nestlé Philippines worked with the Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) to introduce two joint initiatives that promote regenerative agriculture among smallholder robusta farmers.

Project Coffee++, a farmer upskiling program, is helping local planters improve their economic and environmental resilience. It also deployed the Coffee Crop Calendar and an interactive online certificate course on Regenerative Agriculture for Coffee Farmers and made available on the DA-ATI e-Learning website. These initiatives cater to a younger generation of farmers who prefer online platforms to learn modern and sustainable farming methods.

Nestlé said training farmers on regenerative agriculture would not only help them become more productive and profitable but also establish low-carbon, climate-resilient coffee farms in the Philippines.

Project Coffee++, the next phase of the farmer training program, targets to educate 1,500 more smallholder coffee farmers in Bukidnon and Sultan Kudarat, bringing the total number of farmers assisted to 3,000.

Notice is hereby given that RICHLI WATER INC. (Formerly: Richli Corp.) with office address at Barangay Patrocinio, Cortes, Bohol, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Operator of Bulk Water Supply (Bulk Potable Water Supply-Trinidad, Bohol) with a capacity of 1MLD under Tier 1 (Preferred Activities-Infrastruture and Logistics including LGU-PPPs) of the 2022 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) of R.A. 11534 (CREATE Act) with project site located at Brgy. Hinlayagan llaud, Trinidad, Bohol.

(Formerly: Richli Corp.) with office address at Barangay Patrocinio, Cortes, Bohol, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Operator of Bulk Water Supply (Bulk Potable Water Supply-Trinidad, Bohol) with a capacity of 1MLD under Tier 1 (Preferred Activities-Infrastruture and Logistics including LGU-PPPs) of the 2022 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) of R.A. 11534 (CREATE Act) with project site located at Brgy. Hinlayagan llaud, Trinidad, Bohol.

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

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

(SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

(SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

NOTICE

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that 77 LIVING SPACES, INC. with office address at Ground Floor, Portal West Building, Siliman Avenue, Dumaguete City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Developer of Economic Housing Project (MARINA DEL COSTA SUBDIVISION) with a capacity of 730 House & Lot units, under Tier 1 (Preferred Activities -Mass Housing) of the 2022 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) of R.A. 11534 (CREATE Act), with project site located at Brgy. Cangmating, Sibulan, Negros Oriental.

Notice is hereby given that 77 LIVING SPACES, INC. with office address at Ground Floor, Portal West Building, Siliman Avenue, Dumaguete City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Developer of Economic Housing Project (MARINA DEL COSTA SUBDIVISION) with a capacity of 730 House & Lot units, under Tier 1 (Preferred Activities -Mass Housing) of the 2022 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) of R.A. 11534 (CREATE Act), with project site located at Brgy. Cangmating, Sibulan, Negros Oriental.

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

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

(SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT

Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

(SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

ROBINSONS Land Corp. (RLC) is raising P1.868 billion from selling shares in its real estate investment trust firm RL Commercial REIT, Inc. (RCR), the company said in a stock exchange filing Friday.

RLC, the property arm of the Gokongwei Group, said its board authorized the sale of 318.9 million shares in RCR at P5.86 apiece, excluding taxes and fees.

The price represents a 5.5-percent discount to the stock’s closing of P6.20 on Thursday. The sale is supported by institutional investors.

RLC said it would offer the shares in the Philippines under exemptions from registration requirements of the Securities Regulation Code. The shares will not be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

including LGU-PPPs-Water Transport-Domestic/Inter-island Shipping) of the 2022 SIPP of the CREATE Act (RA 11534)

Domestic Shipping Operator (18 MB Oil Tanker-MT MAKINANG with 2,033 GT) under Tier I (Preferred Activities-Infrastructure and Logistics including LGU-PPPs-Water Transport-Domestic/Inter-island Shipping) of the 2022 SIPP of the CREATE Act (RA 11534)

RLC said it would submit a reinvestment plan detailing how it would use the funds.

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

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

BPI Capital Corp. acted as the sole place agent and bookrunner for the transaction. Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos served as transaction counsel. Jenniffer B. Austria

(SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

(SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

By Darwin G. Amojelar

DITO Telecommunity Corp. on Friday launched a groundbreaking home internet solution, powered by its cutting-edge 5G standalone network.

DITO teamed up with Huawei Technologies to bring 5G RedCap technology to Filipino homes, delivering unprecedented speeds of up to 100 megabits per second.

DITO chief revenue officer for consumer business Evelyn Jimenez said the newest home WOWFi is changing the norm and disrupting the market, enriching the lives of Filipino households with better internet options that suit their needs.

DITO Home WOWFi is the world’s first 5G RedCap Wi-Fi for residential use.

“In reality, the current internet options of Filipino households are quite limiting. You can get fast and unlimited Wi-Fi, but it won’t be cheap; you can get fast and affordable but not unlimited, and you can get affordable and unlimited, but it won’t be fast– this is the reality we live in. As the third telco committed to enhancing the lives of the Filipino people, we want to change the norm and disrupt the market by giving Filipinos the home internet they deserve– fast, unlimited, and affordable,” Jimenez said.

KFC EXPANSION. KFC Philippines opens a new branch at the corner of MacArthur Highway and Fil-Am Friendship Highway in Barangay Telabastagan, San Fernando City, Pampanga, the 17th store of the quick-service restaurant in the province. Leading the ribbon-cutting ceremony are (from left) KFC real estate manager Michael Angelo Garcia, KFC operations manager for North Luzon Upper Sherwin Santos, lessor Ferdinand Labung and KFC operations director Linda Jalandoni.

DA asks BAI to refine ASF vaccine rules

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) ordered the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to refine its vaccination protocol to expedite the rollout of the African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccine developed in Vietnam.

Blood tests conducted on pigs inoculated in Lobo, Batangas, the epicenter of the latest ASF outbreak, showed that vaccinated hogs developed sufficient antibodies to combat the ASF virus.

The DA initially purchased 10,000 doses of AVAC live vaccines in August as part of a broader plan to distribute at least 600,000 vaccine doses. The vaccine rollout aimed to eradicate the ASF virus, which devastated the local hog population since its first outbreak in 2019.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said many backyard hog raisers remained hesitant to participate in the vaccine rollout due to negative publicity and concerns about their pigs being slaughtered if infected.

“We’re hopeful that impending changes to the vaccination protocol

will finally accelerate the vaccine rollout and address our problem with this stubborn virus,” the DA chief said.

BAI data show that 30 provinces still have active ASF cases.

Local hog farmers and swine industry groups earlier asked the DA chief to push for an emergency use authorization (EUA) of the Vietnamese ASF vaccine.

AGAP Partylist Rep. Nicanor Briones, in a letter addressed to the DA secretary, requested that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declare the ASF outbreak a national emergency, a necessary step to enable the issuance of an EUA.

The groups argued that an EUA is crucial for rapid and widespread vaccination, particularly among backyard farmers who have been disproportionately affected by the disease.

Cebu Pacific issues tips for peak ‘Undas’ travel

CEBU Pacific on Friday reminded passengers of important tips for a smooth and convenient journey as the Undas peak travel season approaches.

The airline said that before heading to the airport, passengers should double-check their itinerary or boarding pass for flight number and terminal assignment. Cebu Pacific flights are operated by Cebu Pacific (5J) or Cebgo (DG).

It said 5J flights use larger jet aircraft and arrive at and depart from NAIA Terminal 3, while DG flights operate from NAIA Terminal 4 (un-

til Nov. 6, 2024) and will relocate to NAIA Terminal 2 starting Nov. 7. Cebu Pacific said that to avoid airport delays, passengers should arrive at the airport at least three hours before domestic flights and four hours before international flights. Check-in counters close 45 minutes before domestic flights and one hour before international flights. Checking in online is recommended to avoid queues, as it is available 48 hours to one hour before domestic flights and four hours before international flights.

Bureau of Plant Industry taps FMC on digital solution for agri products

THE Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) teamed up with FMC Research Solutions Inc. to pilot test a digital solution aimed at improving the safety and quality of imported agricultural products.

The partnership leverages innovative technology to enhance inspection processes and ensure compliance with food safety regulations, safeguarding the health of Filipino consumers.

“By adopting this technology, we will gain additional verification

Figaro, farmers sign agreement on food security

FIGARO Innovation and Development Inc. (FIDI), a subsidiary of Figaro Coffee Group, signed an agreement with San Jose Workers’ Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SJWMPC) and the Batangas Organic and Natural Farming Agriculture Cooperative (BONFAC) to boost local agricultural development and ensure food security.

The signing took place on Oct. 11, 2024 in San Jose, Batangas, bringing together leaders from FIDI, SJWMPC and BONFAC.

The initiative is in line with efforts to promote sustainable agriculture and provide innovative solutions to food security challenges in the Philippines. The milestone also coincided with the celebration of World Egg Day, emphasizing the importance of local food production.

Cecille Aldueza Virtucio, SJWMPC and BONFAC chairperson, pointed out the significance of the new commissary and cold storage facility.

“Today, in celebration of World Egg Day, we once again rise to the challenge of contributing to food security. The inauguration of the SJWMPC Commissary, Meat Cutting, and Cold Storage Facility— a project realized in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and the National Meat Inspection Service—marks an important step forward,” Virtucio said.

“With a focus on chicken and eggs, we aim to provide affordable, nutritious food to workers and families, thereby addressing food inflation. Our partnership with FIDI strengthens our resolve to create progress through innovation and collaboration.”

points for our agricultural product supply, allowing us to be more proactive in ensuring the availability of safe, pest-free, and disease-free agricultural commodities,” BPI director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said.

“The initiative is particularly important in light of the recent enactment of the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act, which has expanded DA’s powers to combat agricultural smuggling,” he said.

The BPI, tasked with enforcing food safety and phytosanitary regu-

lations, will benefit from FMC Research’s comprehensive lifecycle monitoring system for imported agricultural products.

The pilot program will demonstrate the capabilities and features of the solution, which is designed to enhance the monitoring and audit functions of regulatory agencies.

FMC Research Solutions Inc. cofounder Melody Chua said the adoption of their technology would foster greater transparency in import com-

pliance, ensuring improved food safety and quality for consumers.

“We aim to secure an end-to-end system designed to counter the present issues on food safety and agricultural smuggling. Our proposed solution ensures comprehensive coverage to enhance the monitoring and audit functions of regulatory agencies by providing the needed reports and business analytics to aid the Bureau of Plant Industry,” she said.

Othel V. Campos

NIA distributes 100 shallow tube wells to farmers in 5 Pampanga towns

THE National Irrigation Administration Pampanga-Bataan Irrigation Management Office (PamBat IMO) distributed 100 shallow tube wells (STWs) and engines to Pampanga farmers on Oct. 18, 2024.

The STWs aim to provide irrigation water supply to farmlands and increase rice production. Irrigators Associations (IAs) and farmers from the municipalities of Porac, Lubao, Guagua, Sta. Rita, and Floridablanca are the beneficiaries of the program.

It said the STWs are expected to enhance the irrigation capacity of IAs, ensuring more efficient water distribution in their respective service areas. Better rice production and cropping intensity can be attained, thus increasing agricultural output

and farmers’ income.

Senate Committee on Finance

chairperson Senator Imee Marcos and Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo joined NIA Central Luzon officials during the event.

Senator Marcos presided over the Senate Budget Hearing for NIA’s FY 2025 proposed budget. She continuously supports NIA’s programs to strengthen the agricultural sector and enhance irrigation infrastructure across the nation. NIA’s efforts to improve irrigation systems contributes to the nation’s food security. It is a testament to the agency’s broader mission of strengthening agricultural infrastructure and promote sustainable farming practices.

It said that for international flights, passengers should complete eTravel forms within 72 hours before departure and arrival. Each passenger is allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item, both not exceeding 7 kilograms.

Cebu Pacific recommends purchasing prepaid baggage online for a cheaper rate.

Passengers flying from select domestic destinations can self-tag their check-in luggage at designated kiosks before proceeding to bag drop counters. Joel E. Zurbano

Sweden, PMSEA sign MOU on safe mining practices

THE Embassy of Sweden in Manila and Business Sweden signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) to promote safe, environment- friendly and economically-viable mining practices.

Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Sweden in Manila Harald Fries emphasized the significance of sustainable mining for both nations during the MOU signing Friday.

“Together, we can redefine mining practices to ensure they are sustainable, safe, and economically viable, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable development,” he said. State Secretary to the Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Håkan Jevrell highlighted Sweden’s commitment to sustainable mining and its role in addressing climate change and fostering economic growth.

“Mining has been a pivotal industry for both Sweden and the Philippines, supporting a range of sectors globally and identified as one of the keys to sustaining global action in reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” he said. PMSEA board member Ramon Santiago emphasized the association’s dedication to enhancing mining safety and environmental standards. He said the collaboration is important in achieving responsible mining practices that benefit both the industry and the communities it impacts.

Othel V. Campos

BICOLANO FAIR. Bicolano products shine

INFRA FORUM. Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista discusses the country’s transportation project portfolio during the 2024 Korea-Philippines Infrastructure and Plant Forum Oct. 17, 2024, in conjunction with the 2024 Korea-ASEAN Project Plaza. Bautista cited the projects with existing engagement with Korea and laid out those that could

viably explored further to advance the planning and implementation processes. FUEL VOUCHERS. Phoenix

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2024

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Editor

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ,

ALENA

MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor

Pangilinan-led companies vow to expedite AI adoption

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE chief information officers (CIOs) of companies led by businessman

Manuel Pangilinan formed a strategic alliance to accelerate data and artificial intelligence capabilities across the group.

The CIOs and Kayana Solutions, in a meeting with Pangilinan, agreed to drive innovation, operational efficiency and value for Filipino customers.

Pangilinan, who is also Kayana’s chief executive, challenged the CIOs to use data to address pressing societal needs.

“My challenge to you is not simply to handle data wisely and responsibly, but to leverage it to respond to the most pressing needs of our customers and

our country. Don’t be afraid to use data to help our people,” said Pangilinan, who also sits as Kayana chief executive, addressing his group’s CIOs. Those who attended the meeting included Bayad, Meralco and Kayana first vice president and chief technology officer Rocky Bacani, Maynilad senior vice president and CIO Francisco Castillo, Mediaquest CIO Vicky De Leon, Metro Pacific Health Group chief technology officer Rogelio Umali, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. first vice president and CIO Carlo Cagalingan, mWell chief strategy and technology officer Albert Padin, PLDT senior vice president and head of enterprise Jojo Gendrano and Smart first vice president and head of IT and transformation office Gilbert Gaw.

GSIS allots P2.8-b loan for calamity victims

THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) said Friday it earmarked over P2.8 billion in emergency loan to around 87,000 active members and pensioners in nine areas in Luzon and Visayas.

The areas were declared under a state of calamity due to bad weather and mosquito-borne diseases.

Active members and old-age and disability pensioners may apply for the loan.

GSIS said that for those working or residing in in Ilocos Norte, the deadline for application is on Nov. 5, 2024; in Northern Samar,

Dingle in Iloilo and Hinigaran in Negros Occidental on Nov. 7, 2024; and in Vinzons in Camarines Norte on Dec. 24, 2024. Application deadlines were extended until 2025 in the provinces of Palawan and Mountain Province until Jan. 6; Batanes, until Jan. 7; and in Cagayan province until Jan. 16.

PEZA, PNOC sign deal to explore self-generating industrial parks

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly explore the development of selfgenerating industrial parks (SGIPs).

“A common resolve has emerged to develop embedded energy resources, promoting clean and green production and ensuring energy sufficiency through an agency-to-agency collaboration aimed at deploying energy facilities in the ecozones throughout the country,” said PEZA director-general Tereso Panga.

The MOU, signed on Oct. 14, 2024, forms a strategic partnership focused on strengthening the energy sector within PEZA-managed economic zones and identifying new energy projects and business opportunities.

PEZA will provide crucial information, conduct studies and offer logisti-

cal support to evaluate the feasibility of developing SGIPs.

The partnership will involve collaboration on various energy initiatives, including solar PV rooftops, retail electricity supply, clean energy promotion, small-scale natural gas and oil and gas infrastructure.

The primary objective of the MOU is to establish closer cooperation between PNOC and PEZA to advance energy projects and explore broader opportunities for collaboration.

“In previous agreements, our focus was on solar rooftops. Today, we are thrilled to establish a more extensive partnership with PEZA as a strategic ally. Our goal is to tackle energy challenges in off-grid islands through Self-Generating Industrial Parks. We aim to provide not only solar rooftops for new buildings but also sustainable, long-term energy solutions,” said PNOC president and chief executive Oliver Butalid.

To qualify for the loan, active members residing or working in the calamity areas should not be on unpaid leave, have no pending administrative or legal cases and have made at least six monthly premium payments before applying. Their net take-home pay should not be less than P5,000 as stipulated by the General Appropriations Act.

Old-age and disability pensioners residing in the calamity areas may avail of the loan provided their net monthly pension is at least 25 percent.

Members and pensioners with existing emergency loan balances may borrow up to P40,000 to enable them to settle their previous loans and receive a maximum net amount of P20,000.

Those without existing loans may apply for P20,000. The loan features a low interest rate of 6% per annum and payment period of three years.

GSIS encourages qualified active members and pensioners to apply via the GSIS Touch mobile app.

Wells Fargo PH shares blueprint to create disability-friendly workplaces

MARTIN Luis Cortez, a quality assurance manager at Wells Fargo Philippines, moves confidently through the company’s bustling corridors. His journey of empowerment within a diverse workplace reflects the company’s commitment to inclusion and accessibility. As companies worldwide strive for inclusivity, Cortez’s experience highlights the transformative power of a disability-friendly environment.

Wells Fargo Philippines offers a blueprint for creating such environments, encompassing infrastructure design, employee support, benefits, and education.

Thanks to thoughtful design, navigating his workday is seamless for Martin. Accessible ramps, grab bars, and well-placed features create an inclusive environment. “The emphasis on accessibility extends to corridors and restrooms, making me feel safe and comfortable,” Cortez

said. “It allows me to fully engage in my work and contribute to my fullest potential.”

Spacious corridors, accessible parking and thoughtfully designed ramps ensure ease of movement for all. Restrooms feature ample space, grab bars, and emergency buttons. Wells Fargo Philippines also provides a dedicated workplace accommodation process to support employees with temporary or permanent challenges.

Edzel Reyes, executive director of Wells Fargo Philippines’ corporate properties group, emphasized the importance of accessibility in line with the company’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

“We built our sites in accordance with building codes and local laws,” Reyes says. “But as an organization that values inclusivity, we go beyond compliance and continue to add features and amenities that will deeply impact all employees.”

UAE companies express strong interest in PH renewable, nuclear power projects

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Department of Energy (DOE) said Friday it generated strong investor interest from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) companies in the country’s energy sector, including renewable energy and nuclear power.

A Philippine energy delegation led by Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla met with the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of the UAE Suhail Mohamed Faraj Al Mazrouei to negotiate and finalize a memorandum of cooperation on energy transition and explore specific activities to implement energy transition.

Lotilla also met with Mohamed Hassan Abdul Rahman Al Hawi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Investment, and Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, president and chief executive of Masdar, a governmentowned renewable energy company to discuss business collaboration.

Masdar, one of the world’s fastest-growing renewable energy companies and a leader in green hydrogen, developed projects in over 40 countries with a combined capacity of about 32 gigawatts.

The DOE said Masdar is interested in establishing solar, wind and battery storage projects in the Philippines.

PARIS—For long periods of its history, artificial intelligence has lurked in the hinterland of science, often unloved and unfunded -- but two Nobel prizes in one week suggest its time in the sunshine has finally arrived.

First on Tuesday, Geoffrey Hinton and John Hopfield won the physics prize for their pioneering work in creating the foundations of modern AI.

Then on Wednesday, David Baker, John Jumper and Demis Hassabis shared the chemistry prize for work revealing the secrets of proteins through AI. While the trio had been among the favourites for the chemistry prize, the physics one was unexpected.

“I’m flabbergasted,” said Hinton when he was told of the prize. “I had no idea this would happen. I’m very surprised.”

He wasn’t the only one.

Online commentators wondered why a computer scientist was getting a physics prize.

And with programs such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT dominating the cultural conversation around AI, for many the idea that such a technology could be worthy of such an award seemed bizarre.

‘AI winter’ But for scientists the news was not so surprising.

Artificial Intelligence enters science limelight with Nobel wins

A screen displays details from the work of

announcement

John

the

“AI’s role in transforming how we do science cannot be underestimated,” Elena Simperl, a professor at King’s College London’s informatics department, told AFP.

“The Nobel prize news recognises this, while also acknowledging the role interdisciplinary methods play in advancing computing.”

The science now bundled together as artificial intelligence has a long history, emerging in the 1950s and 60s with rudimentary chatbots, translation machines and simple algorithms.

But many of the early experiments

failed to take off and researchers struggled to get funding, particularly during the 1970s and the 1990s, periods known as “AI winters”.

Before the latest explosion of interest prompted by ChatGPT in 2022, AI had only had a handful of moments when it pierced the public imagination.

In 2016, a program called AlphaGo created by Hassabis’s DeepMind beat South Korean grandmaster Lee SeDol at the game Go. It came almost a decade after the IBM-developed supercomputer Deep

Blue beat world chess champion Garry Kasparov.

In his acceptance speech, Hassabis flagged that there was a direct line between AlphaGo and AlphaFold, the program that won them the Nobel for predicting protein structures.

“We used games in the early part of DeepMind to train as a proving ground for our early algorithms that then led to some of the techniques we eventually use in our modern programs,” he said. And he encouraged children to play games, saying it was “just a really fun

way to get into the guts of how computers work”. New Nobels needed?

Simperl said that, far from it being problematic to see AI pioneers being rewarded by the Nobels, it should be encouraged.

“Maybe it’s time for this to be recognised with a new Nobel prize category,” she said.

She added that disciplines like software engineering and cybersecurity also deserved recognition for their contributions to society.

“There is no issue in my mind with an AI scientist being recognised in a Nobel prize scientific category,” she said.

“This is merely an acknowledgement of how modern science works today.”

Outside the science community, the conversation continues to be dominated by the astronomical valuations of AI companies and the outsize cultural influence of some of their leaders. After Wednesday’s prize was announced, online memes quickly emerged suggesting Sam Altman, boss of ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, could be next in line.

“It’s not done yet,” Sean O’Heigeartaigh, director of the AI: Futures and Responsibility Programme at the University of Cambridge, wrote on the social media platform X.

“Hearing reports that the Nobel prize for literature will be going to the authors of ‘OpenAI’s nonprofit governance structure’ for outstanding contributions to creative fiction.” AFP

Extra Budget for Holiday Preps: Grab and Maya Team Up for Easy Credit Access

AS THE holiday season approaches, many are already planning festive celebrations –from grand feasts and family reunions to exciting travel plans. To help make these moments even more memorable, Grab and digital bank Maya have teamed up to offer a fast and convenient way to access extra funds in time for the holidays.

Introducing Maya Easy Credit on Grab, a hassle-free loan option that allows eligible Grab users to borrow up to ₱30,000 without the need for collateral, paperwork, or the usual waiting time associated with traditional loans. This collaboration is designed to ensure Grab users can enjoy a smooth, seamless borrowing experience just in time for the holiday rush.

If you are a frequent Grab user, you could be among the pre-selected users eligible to apply for a Maya Easy Credit! There are two ways to verify this!

1. Check your Grab Homepage for a ‘Say Yes to Extra Budget’ Icon

2. Check your Grab in-app notifications and messages if you have received an offer to apply for a Maya Easy Credit Loan Grab users can get as much as P30,000 in just three easy steps

If you’ve spotted the homepage feed card or received the Maya Easy Credit notification, you’re just a few steps away from applying for your loan. We’ve simplified the process for Grab users:

1. Apply: Click the link in your notification box or the feed card. Hit

Harnessing the power of data analytics, Grab and Maya have optimized the evaluation of creditworthiness, ensuring the entire application process is made extra fast and convenient! With Maya Easy Credit, you can effortlessly make various QR PH transactions, shop at the

2. Verify: Enter your Grab-registered number to receive an OTP. As a pre-qualifier for the Maya Credit Loan, you’ll also be asked to provide consent to share your Grab information with Maya.

Maya Store, or make online payments with selected merchants with an extra budget of up to P30,000. You can also use Maya Easy Credit to cash into your Maya wallet, which you can link on the Grab platform and include in your choices of cashless payment options

If you’re satisfied with the offer, you can proceed to open a Maya Credit account.

for your transactions on the leading superapp. Maya Easy Credit on Grab is the perfect financial tool to help with all your holiday preparations, offering you quick, easy access to extra funds when you need them most.

2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry laureate David Baker during the

by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm, Sweden. David Baker, Demis Hassabis and

M. Jumper won

2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for work on predicting the structure of proteins using artificial intelligence. AFP

Why DITO’s 5G technology stands out: The true 5G experience in the Philippines

By Riera U. Mallari

DITO’s Role in Transforming Philippine Connectivity

Launched in 2021, DITO has demonstrated its efforts in improving and gaining recognition with awards such as being the first telco in the country to achieve back-to-back Ookla wins as the #1 Mobile Network in the Philippines. DITO Telecommunity has quickly become an established player in the telecommunications industry and has been committed to continuously delivering highquality products to Filipinos.

I was excited to learn that DITO is once again reaching a significant milestone by introducing a true 5G experience at competitive prices. Unlike other providers that rely on 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) systems connected to 4G networks, DITO is built entirely on 5G Standalone (SA) technology, delivering exceptional connectivity. As a testament to this advancement, DITO received the “Best Network 5G SA Core Network Construction Award” at the 5G Core Summit in the UAE. This recognition highlights DITO’s leadership in 5G deployment and solidifies its status as a trailblazer in the industry. This is an exciting change for technology in the Philippines. DITO has chosen key technologies to stay competitive by using 5G Standalone (SA) technology, which means there’s no need to switch from older systems. DITO’s 5G SA is 20 times faster than 4G, having an average speed of 639 Mbps. It features a cloud-based setup that makes the network easier to manage, and has two data centers and ten edge clouds that helps reduce latency for users. This type of technology being available for home use can greatly benefit many Filipinos in their daily lives. The Transformative Role of 5G Wireless Broadband

I’m honored to share how 5G wireless broadband is set to revolutionize home internet connectivity in the Philippines. As the tech editor of Manila Standard, I recognize that this technological leap is more than just a trend; it’s a significant step forward

in progress. Rural areas, in particular, stand to benefit, as it can enhance development, education, and strengthen community connections.

DITO is now serving 12.5 million people, reaching 86% of the population with its 9,000 4G and 5G stations. It has focused on promoting 5G-compatible services in high-value areas to boost Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) while enhancing the customer experience (ToC). They are introducing specialized packages for popular online applications like streaming shows and movies, ensuring that customers enjoy a better experience. DITO is also making 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) products more affordable for homes (ToH), helping more Filipinos access these services.

In addition to residential offerings, DITO supports both small businesses and large companies by providing 5G FWA solutions in the business sector (ToB). This approach shows DITO’s commitment to improving connectivity for everyone. They are constantly looking for new ways to make their network capabilities even more accessible.

DITO Home’s 5G Wireless Broadband: My Superior Choice

I am impressed by DITO’s 5G technology and the advantages it brings over traditional fiber connections. Living in the heart of the business district, I’ve experienced firsthand how quick and hassle-free the setup is—I just plug it in and I’m good to go, without the headache of dealing with extensive wiring. This convenience is a game changer for me, allowing for mobility and flexibility as I move around my home. I can connect seamlessly from different rooms, whether I’m working, streaming my favorite shows, or video calling friends. Plus, DITO’s 5G delivers speeds that rival fiber, all while giving me the freedom of a wireless solution.

For those interested in exploring DITO’s 5G home products, I highly recommend checking out DITO Home Postpaid for flexible postpaid offerings and DITO Home Prepaid for convenient prepaid options. With DITO, you’re not just connecting; you’re stepping into the future of telecommunications.

Top five tips for education organizations to enhance cybersecurity

By Jerry Jimenez Bongco

IN AN increasingly digital world, educational organizations are facing more sophisticated cybersecurity threats, and these institutions must rely on collecting and maintaining sensitive data to effectively carry out their core missions. Safeguarding this data must remain a top priority, especially as schools continue to digitally transform to bring new innovation and capabilities to their students, educators, and sponsors.

Known ransomware attacks increased by 68% in 2023, a study by MalwareBytes found in its annual 2024 State of Malware Report, and last year there was a 70% increase in the education sector, making 2023 “the worst ransomware year on record for education.” “Cybersecurity as a core competency” was again selected as the top priority by in the EduCause Top-10 List, which identifies the most critical issues affecting colleges and universities each year. It is imperative that education organizations have robust cybersecurity measures in place to help mitigate cyberthreats. Below are five top tips for all education organizations to follow in enhancing their day-to-day cybersecurity:

1. Create a documented security policy—To help ensure all employees are on the same page and have a clear reference point for any queries, the best starting point for education organizations is to draw up a simple cybersecurity policy. This should clearly outline the expectations and duty of all employees to adhere to the collective standards required to enhance cybersecurity. The policy should be clearly communicated throughout an organisation and made easily accessible across internal systems. The policy should include the following four tips as actions for all employees.

2. Require unique credentials for all login requirements—This is something we all take for granted in our personal lives but is imperative in keeping potential bad actors at bay, particularly when dealing with sensitive or confidential data. Employees must be required to use unique credentials for all work-related login functions with set rules that help ensure that passwords are strong, both in length and complexity. This means bad actors cannot unlock multiple doors across an organisation through accessing one set of credentials.

3. Tighten admin rights, permissions, and privileges— It is obviously important to have the necessary IT system rights in place for your employees to work effectively. Organizations must remember, however, that granting many rights or privileges to many employees increases cybersecurity risk. Best practice is to ensure that all employees only receive privileges that are necessary for their business role. To start, organizations should audit existing privileges, establish a system for documenting any new permissions, and perform regular access reviews. Educational institutions can use cloud services such as IAM and Cognito to easily manage and monitor access rights.

4. Back up your systems on the cloud—Using a cloud backup is a crucial step towards making sure data across an organisation is secured, recoverable, and easily accessible should bad actors compromise locally-held information. Cloud backups provide greater resiliency, so that that data cannot be deleted easily by bad actors. AWS Backup provides cloud-native back up services for education

organizations’ key data stores, such as buckets, volumes, databases, and file systems, across AWS services. A cloud backup is a necessity for all education organizations.

5. Foster a blame-free culture—Underpinning all these recommendations is culture. An organisation’s cybersecurity culture must be driven by inclusion and safe space, avoiding any blame on the part of employees when things go wrong. Phish-testing and more traditional security training methods are increasingly outdated, ineffective, and potentially problematic for employee relations and morale. Organizations should concentrate on driving greater awareness and improving behavioural training to encourage positive changes among their employee base and to help enhance collective cybersecurity.

Strong cybersecurity is no longer a “nice to have” for education organizations. Learning is increasingly taking place online, with technology facilitating communications and interaction between educators and students. This is opening the door for bad actors. In January 2023, for example, confidential data from 14 schools in the UK was leaked online after the organizations refused to meet hackers’ ransom demands following attacks that occurred during 2022. The leaked information included children’s SEN information, pupil passport scans, staff pay scales, and contract details.

Organizations can help mitigate many of these risks by following the five guiding principles above. Putting these into action, in combination with strong leadership buyin for cybersecurity investment and a well-understood, widely adopted “security culture” among employees will help any educational institution enhance its cybersecurity capabilities against future threats.

“If you really want to drive change, look to your leadership. Cybersecurity isn’t just about technology: it starts at the top,” says Orlando Scott-Cowley, public sector tech and business development manager at AWS. “Leadership must own and foster a culture which supports cybersecurity.”

DITO Telecommunity, the fastest growing telco provider in the country, introduces DITO Home WOWFi– the first 5G RedCap technology Wi-Fi in the world for home usage, powered by DITO’s Standalone, “true 5G” network.

In partnership with Huawei Technologies, one of the global leaders in 5G deployment, DITO brings its newest product to the market, unlocking the full potential of 5G, bringing fast internet speeds of up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps) to allow more Filipinos to enjoy the true 5G experience at an affordable cost.

Evelyn Jimenez, DITO Chief Revenue Officer for Consumer Business, claims that DITO’s newest home WOWFi, is changing the norm and disrupting the market, enriching the lives of Filipino households with better internet options that suit their needs.

“In reality, the current internet options of Filipino households are quite limiting. You can get fast and unlimited Wi-Fi, but it won’t be cheap; you can get fast and affordable but not unlimited, and you can get affordable and unlimited, but it won’t be fast– this is the reality we live in. As the third telco committed to enhancing the lives of the Filipino people, we want to change the norm and disrupt the market by giving Filipinos the home internet they deserve– fast, unlimited, and affordable.” Jimenez said.

“With DITO Home WOWFi, we want to jolt Filipinos out of their old ways of dealing with their internet at home; our goal is to give them a life-changing home Wi-Fi that lets them live big and never lets them down, especially in this age of digitalization and technological advancements,” Jimenez added.

5G RedCap Technology: The Future of IoT Application

5G RedCap is a new 5G standard and critical evolution of 5G originally called NR-Light, an important part of lightweight 5G. This kind of technology only operates on 5G Standalone (SA) networks, the “true 5G,” offering high capacity, maximum quality, and lower latency compared to 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) networks that rely on existing 4G infrastructures.

“5G RedCap is a new addition to the 5G family, offering the right balance of 5G capabilities. It is the kind of technology that provides all the benefits of 5G, such as low latency, high peak data rate, maximum capacity, without the need for high bandwidth,” said Huawei Technologies.

Globally, 5G RedCap is only being utilized for industrial use, but this time, here in the Philippines, DITO is bringing this technology straight to Filipino homes, allowing them to enjoy the full potential of 5G.

DITO is the sole telco operator in the country with a true 5G or 5G SA network to date; hence, it can deliver this emerging technology. DITO’s newest Home WOWFi is also the first in the world for home, driving the future for Internet of Things (IoT) or smart home applications and supporting the growth of the digital economy

Enjoy greater convenience, just plug and play!

One of the standout features of the DITO Home WOWFi is the ease of installation. Filipino households can enjoy its wireless broadband advantage, which is a big step up from wired connections, offering greater reliability and convenience versus fiber– there is no need for messy wires, just plug-and-play! Whether gearing up for remote work, online learning, or simply staying connected with family and friends, this device gets you online in no time.

This home Wi-Fi is also suitable for underserved areas where wired connections are no longer feasible, bridging the digital divide and providing a quality home internet experience to remote areas.

FRANKFURT—A

row over an Italian mafia author, growing interest in wacky literary subgenres and the use of AI in publishing will be in focus at the world’s biggest book fair this week.

The Frankfurt book fair, which officially kicks off Wednesday, brings together authors, publishers and other industry players over five days in the western German city.

Big names include Israeli author and historian Yuval Noah Harari, best known for “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind”, American writer Anne Applebaum and British-Turkish novelist Elif Shafak.

But the run-up has been marred by a row in Italy, this year’s “guest of honour”—an annual tradition intended to shine a spotlight on a partner country’s literary scene.

Fury erupted after the initial official selection put forward by the Italians did not include Roberto Saviano, author of bestseller “Gomorrah” who was convicted and fined last year for defaming far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Following the move, Saviano lashed out on social media at what he branded the “most ignorant government in the history of Italy”. In the end he is coming to the fair anyway, but at the invitation of his German publisher.

Critics say it is further evidence of a worsening climate for freedom of expression in Italy, with 41 authors writing an open letter in response that complained of “increasingly suffocating political interference in cultural spaces”.

AI in focus at world’s biggest book fair

The Italian Publishers Association insisted that it would never allow any kind of “outside interference” in the programme, called “Roots in the Future”.

The fair is no stranger to controversy —last year several publishers from Muslim-majority countries withdrew in protest at organisers’ strong support for Israel following Hamas’s October 7 attacks that triggered the Gaza war.

Despite the row, fair director Juergen Boos insisted that it was “the right time” to have Italy as guest of honour.

“It is a very difficult, fragmented world right now,” he said at a press conference ahead of the fair’s opening.

“We need to listen. We need to exchange (views) on what’s happening in the world.”

‘Romantasy’ and robot writers There is much more going on besides the controversy surrounding Italy—the world’s biggest publishing trade event will this year welcome about 1,000 authors and other speakers at some 650 events on 15 stages.

A large area will be dedicated to “new adult” literature, which encompasses a weird and outlandish range of sub-genres beloved of younger readers, such as “Romantasy” and “Dark College”.

These genres have been rapidly growing in popularity, often boosted by exposure through social media

trend BookTok on the TikTok platform, where authors promote their work and readers post reviews. Book fair organisers like to “pick up on new developments in the market and make them visible in Frankfurt,” said Boos.

The “new adult” area will be “fandriven” and “centred on autographs, on selfies, with authors and stars from special genres,” he added.

Artificial intelligence will also be a major topic, with talks and panel discussions dedicated to the subject, as fears mount in the industry about poor-quality, computer-written books flooding the market and potential copyright violations.

Leading authors, including John Grisham and Jodi Picoult, have in recent times taken legal action against OpenAI, alleging the company unlawfully used their works to train its popular AI chatbot ChatGPT. Still it’s not all doom and gloom. There are hopes that AI can improve efficiency for publishers and also that it could be beneficial in some areas, such as scientific and research publishing.

An annual highlight is the awarding of the prestigious “Peace of the German Book Trade”, which will this year go to Applebaum, an AmericanPolish journalist and historian whose latest book “Autocracy Inc.” examines the growing links between authoritarian states. AFP

Experience the transformative power of AI in the Microsoft Surface for Business Devices

By Patricia Taculao-Deligero

ARTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) is changing how we use technology and work quickly. It has enormous potential to increase productivity across various industries thanks to its capacity to automate tasks, analyze data, and learn from experiences. AI quickly takes over modern devices and gadgets, from virtual assistants that simplify daily tasks to sophisticated analytics tools that offer insightful information. The way we work and live will be transformed entirely by even more inventive and potent applications of AI as it develops.

Microsoft Surface for Business, with its AI capabilities, is a versatile tool that adapts to different needs. Whether it’s the Surface for Business AI PCs (Surface Laptop 6 and Surface Pro 10) or Surface for Business Copilot+PCs (Surface Laptop 7th Edition and Surface Pro 11th Edition for Business), there’s a device for everyone.

Surface for Business Copilot + PCs

Copilot+ PCs represent the convergence of specialized AI capabilities and advanced hardware. Thanks to innovations in processing, devices like Surface Pro 11th  Edition and Surface Laptop 7th  Edition feature readily available machine learning models and generative AI that can run directly on the hardware. This shift provides several benefits, including efficient processing, reduced latency, and improved performance.

At the heart of Copilot+ PCs, the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) enables high-efficiency AI processing, delivering up to 45 trillion operations per second (TOPs) while being optimized to perform trillions of compute operations using less than 10 watts of power. Such optimization enables groundbreaking computing power and sustained inferencing, allowing AI to run in the background with minimal impact on battery life.

Surface Pro 11th  Edition for Business delivers exceptional performance in a form factor that redefines what a laptop can do. The latest Snapdragon®, X Elite, and X Plus processors turboboost productivity, offering lightning-fast app performance. Optional 5G provides a secure mobile connection, and—when combined with the Surface Pro Flex Keyboard— you get flexible productivity from any location.

Surface Laptop 7th Edition for Business offers the same Snapdragon® X Series performance in a newly sleek profile, smaller footprint, and more significant screen real estate. This device, redesigned for productivity, features more ports, Wi-Fi 7, and has up to 22 hours  of battery life. Offered in 13.8” and 15” sizes, it provides larger, brighter viewing areas in an all-new, compact design. From security to serviceability, both devices are engineered for trust to help your business outperform.

As Windows on Arm adoption grows, Prism, Microsoft’s new emulation engine, represents a leap forward from previous emulation efforts. Prism incorporates significant optimizations that enhance performance and reduce CPU usage for emulated apps. The combination of Prism and the powerful Snapdragon X Elite and processors propels the new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro to deliver emulated app performance that surpasses even native apps on earlier models like Surface Laptop 5 and Surface Pro 9.

Surface for Business AI PCs

Microsoft Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 for Business were designed from the ground up with direct customer input, incorporating requested features ranging from enhanced connectivity options to advanced security and performance capabilities. Engineered to work seamlessly with Copilot1  and Windows 11 Pro, Surface Pro 10, when paired with the new Surface Pro Keyboard and Surface Laptop 6, introduces a dedicated Copilot key  that makes accessing generative AI experiences a click away.

The Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 are the first commercial devices to deliver the all-new Intel Core Ultra processors. Unleash productivity thanks to a new architecture that provides superior power-efficient performance for various complex business workloads by sending the right task to the right engine at the right time. Intel Core Ultra processors are purpose-built for the next era of AI software, balancing AI workloads across CPU, GPU, and their latest Intel AI Boost NPU or neural processing unit.

Surface Pro 10 for Business  is designed for teams that need a no-compromise device. It is the most powerful Surface Pro ever powered by Intel Core Ultra processors, with an option to have 5G in the Intel platform. It brings a new level of productivity and versatility – whether used as a powerful tablet for frontline workers in the field, a versatile laptop in the conference room, or anywhere in between – Surface Pro 10 adapts to the customers’ needs and how they use technology. The Copilot key is added to all of the new Surface Pro keyboards. Surface Pro 10 has the new Ultrawide Studio Camera, the best front-facing camera that has ever been put into a Windows 2-in-1 or laptop. It’s the first Windows PC with a 114° field of view, captures video in 1440p, and uses AI-powered Windows Studio Effects to ensure the speaker is in the frame and looking their best during video calls.

Surface Laptop 6 for Business  is the ultimate laptop built for business. It is powered by the latest Intel® Core™ Ultra H-Series processors and designed with improved thermal capacity to deliver incredible performance. It allows its users to be productive with the least amount of downtime. There is a choice between 13.5” and 15” PixelSense touchscreen displays built for touch to help browse and navigate easily. These vibrant displays also all come with anti-reflective and adaptive color technology that allows users to see the content on the screen in almost any lighting environment and reduces reflections by up to 50%.

To sum up, the Microsoft Surface series provides various gadgets to meet the demands of individuals and professionals looking for robust and adaptable computing solutions. Thanks to their incorporation of AI technology, these Surface for Business devices have the potential to transform how we work and engage with technology.

Both  Surface for Business Copilot+ PCs  and  Surface for Business AI PCs  offer unique advantages tailored to different business needs. If your focus is on leveraging real-time AI capabilities for enhanced productivity and personalized experiences,  Copilot+ PCs  are the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you require robust performance, advanced security, and versatile connectivity options,  AI PCs  will provide the comprehensive solution you need.

Invest in your business’s future with Microsoft Surface for Business. Whether you choose  Copilot+ PCs  or  AI PCs, you’ll be equipped with the tools to drive innovation and success in your organization.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2024

advertise@manilastandard.net

Infinix showcases AI-powered E-Color Shift 2.0 Technology

IN a bold leap forward for the smartphone industry, Infinix, a trendy tech brand crafted for young consumers, unveils the groundbreaking E-Color Shift 2.0—the first-ever AIpowered color-changing back cover technology.

This revolutionary innovation transforms smartphone personalization by integrating AI, allowing users to dynamically customize their phone’s back cover with colors and icons that reflect the emotions of characters and the weather in their chosen pictures. E-Color Shift 2.0 answers the global demand for fluid selfexpression, offering endless customization possibilities to suit users’ unique and everevolving styles.

and artistic expression.

“Infinix’s latest innovation addresses the growing demand for personalization and self-expression among young consumers globally. Traditionally, customization was limited to front screen wallpapers, while the back relied on fixed phone cases. E-Color Shift 2.0 breaks this barrier with a color-shifting battery cover. Using AI, the phone’s back cover changes colors and patterns based on selected photos. It

Color-shifting technology has gained momentum in recent years, primarily falling into two categories: passive (non-electrically driven) and active (electrically driven). Infinix has been at the forefront of innovation in both, pushing boundaries from conceptual development to cutting-edge research. The 2021 Infinix Concept Phone introduced the industry’s first dual color-changing back cover, utilizing electrochromic and electroluminescent technologies. In 2022, Infinix pioneered Light-Painting Leather technology, driving advancements in photochromic tech. Earlier this year, the E-Color Shift 1.0 transformed smartphone color interaction. Building on that foundation, E-Color Shift 2.0 introduces key upgrades, including a nearly tenfold increase in color-shifting zones and the Prism3S hardware upgrade for enhanced performance. These advancements seamlessly fuse AI with innovative hardware, elevating both functionality

extracts emotions or weather from the image and reflects them in abstract designs across 46 customizable zones. This fusion of technology and art enables radical combinations, making future smartphones truly unique.” — Weiqi Nie, Product Director at Infinix Color Shift 2.0: Three Key Upgrades to Revolutionize Phone Back Customization Infinix’s E-Color Shift 2.0 concept phone is truly taking smartphone personalization to the next level. It allows users to change the phone’s back cover appearance dynamically based on mood or environment, offering unlimited options. Building on the success of E-Color Shift 1.0, this latest iteration introduces several significant upgrades, including internal battery power, a 3D four-curved back cover, 46 color-shifting zones, and the advanced Prism3S diaphragm. Together with AI-driven features, E-Color Shift 2.0 blends cutting-edge technology with art, laying the foundation for future mass production possibilities.

Fake AI history photos cloud the past

PARIS—A wave of touching photos showing great moments in time is fascinating amateur historians online. The problem? They are not real -- and may be clouding our view of the past.

Widely shared on social media, the atmospheric black and white shots -- a mother and her child starving in the Great Depression; an exhausted soldier in the Vietnam war -- may look at first like real historic documents.

But they were created by artificial intelligence, and researchers fear they are muddying the waters of real history.

“AI has caused a tsunami of fake history, especially images,” said Jo Hedwig Teeuwisse, a Dutch historian who debunks false claims online.

“In some cases, they even make an AI version of a real old photo. It is really weird, especially when the original is very famous.”

One photo shared on Facebook shows a pair of fresh-faced young men posing in front of an antique biplane: purportedly Orville and Wilbur Wright at the time of their first powered flight.

But those are not the Wright Brothers.

Real archive shots from the time show mustachioed Orville and his taller brother Wilbur in flat caps, looking nothing like the blond pair in the sepia-hued AI image. Hiroshima reproduction

Among the images created using Midjourney, a popular AI online image generator, is a series of fake reproductions

portraying the moment when the

Other images on Midjourney purport to show the explosion of the atom bomb over Hiroshima in 1945, the invasion of Prague by Soviet-allied troops in 1968 and even a vision of the Roman Coliseum in ancient times.

“They often focus on events from too long ago to have been photographed or on moments that are poorly documented,” said Marina Amaral, an artist who specialises in adding colour to black and white photographs.

“This creates a risk of false visuals being accepted as fact, which could, over time, distort our understanding of history and weaken public trust in visual evidence as a reliable source for learning about the past.” Spotting fake images

For now, Amaral and Teeuwissen believe they can still tell fake historical images from real ones just by looking at them.

AI-generated photos often have telltale glitches: too many fingers on a hand, missing details -- such as the lack of a propeller on the Wright brothers’ plane -or, on the other hand, compositions that are too perfect.

“AI-generated pictures can recreate the look, but they miss the human element, the intent, the reason behind the photographer’s choices,” said Amaral.

“They may be visually convincing, but they’re ultimately hollow.” AFP

suspected assassin of president John F. Kennedy, Lee Harvey Oswald, was himself shot dead by Jack Ruby in 1963.

WASHINGTON —The artificial intelligence arms race has gone nuclear.

Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are now looking to outgun each other with announcements on atomic energy, which they hope will power a technology that is consuming electricity at an alarming rate.

The US tech juggernauts, convinced that AI is technology’s next big chapter, are investing billions to expand data centers globally.

According to Goldman Sachs research, data centers will consume 8 percent of US power by 2030, up from 3 percent in 2022.

In Europe, their power needs by 2030 will match the current combined consumption of Portugal, Greece, and the Netherlands.

The driving force is the tech giants that want to build the best AI systems they can using bigger and bigger data centers, which incur a tremendous amount of electricity consumption and CO2 emissions.

As tech companies seek energy sources to meet these demands while maintaining their zero-carbon emission commitments, nuclear power has emerged as a compelling option.

Although expensive and politically sensitive to build, nuclear power provides consistent, zerocarbon electricity once operational.

“Tech companies aren’t in love with nuclear, but they want carbon-free, reliable, and predictable energy 24/7,” explained Jacopo Buongiorno, Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering at MIT.

“The cost may be high, but it’s predictable for 60 years.”

‘Huge numbers’

Nuclear reactors are vastly more expensive to build than solar or wind power facilities, so nuclear energy really only makes sense for the tech titans that generate tens of billions in annual profits.

Rob Bittencourt of Apollo Global Management said that the cost of the industry’s data center buildout was a trillion dollars and that the electricity supply needed to generate the power necessary was enormous.

“These are huge numbers, but Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and Google can afford to play the long

Tech giants go nuclear in AI arms race

game,” he told the Odd Lots podcast.

Several approaches are being considered.

One strategy involves extending the life of aging nuclear plants. Microsoft recently announced a 20-year agreement with Constellation Energy to restart Unit 1 at Three Mile Island, shut down five years ago for economic reasons.

The announcement struck a nerve as the 1979 partial meltdown of Unit 2 at the site caused panic

in the United States and brought the expansion of nuclear energy to a standstill. Similarly, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is turning to the 40-year-old reactor at Susquehanna Steam Electric Station to power a nearby data center complex.

‘Unpleasant surprises’

Another approach focuses on investing in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), but these compact, poten-

X-energy. Google is partnering with Kairos Power to develop SMRs that could be operational as early as 2030. However, challenges remain. SMR technology may not be immediately reliable, and the tech giants lack experience in nuclear projects that could see “unpleasant surprises” along the way, according to Buongiorno.

Safety concerns also persist, given the history of nuclear accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima, the 2011 disaster in Japan.

Despite these challenges, industry leaders remain optimistic. Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who is investing billions in his own SMR startup Terrapower, acknowledges the difficulties but expresses confidence in making a strong case for nuclear power’s role in the AI-driven future. His project has begun construction in Wyoming, but is still awaiting approval from the US nuclear regulator.

“I’m putting billions into it because I’m quite confident we can make that case,” he said at a recent event in New York. AFP

Ink is seen on the hand of Microsoft co-founder and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation co-chair Bill Gates as he addresses participants of the World Health Summit 2024 in Berlin. AFP

Lenovo announces comprehensive new hybrid AI portfolio at Tech World event

LAST October 15, global technology leader Lenovo unveiled the next phase of its Smarter AI for All vision at the company’s annual global innovation event, Tech World, held in Bellevue, Washington. Lenovo showcased a comprehensive portfolio of AI solutions, services, and devices that deliver transformation and tangible return on investment to industries, enterprises, and individuals around the world, as well as announcing key new technologies.

Building on last year’s momentum, Lenovo further embraced hybrid AI as the way forward: a seamless, secure integration of private and public clouds, individual and enterprise solutions. New technologies announced include the launch of Hybrid AI Advantage for enterprises; the latest ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition AI laptop, Lenovo AI Now local AI agent, and Lenovo Learning Zone software platform; next-gen Lenovo Neptune liquid cooling for servers for more sustainable AI; and proofs of concept that harness AI for social impact.

Joined by an unparalleled community of partners and customers, Lenovo showed how AI has definitively moved beyond potential and into transformative results. Lenovo’s combination of expertise, infrastructure, and an ever-evolving, interconnected ecosystem reimagines workflows, unlocks creativity, and turns unstructured data into actionable insights.

Lenovo Chairman and CEO Yuanqing Yang was joined by fellow AI visionaries, including AMD Chair and CEO, Dr. Lisa Su; Intel CEO, Pat Gelsinger; Meta Founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg; Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella; NVIDIA Founder and CEO, Jensen Huang; and Qualcomm President and CEO, Cristiano Amon.

“Building on the announcements from last year’s Tech World, we have been actively delivering on our hybrid-AI vision for customers and partners across the globe,” Yang said. “We already see that AI is improving the quality of life for individuals and delivering higher productivity for enterprises—and Lenovo makes this paradigm shift faster, more accessible, more connected, and more sustainable. Our strategy is to combine modularization with customization, so that we can respond quickly to customer needs while tailoring our solutions for them.”

“Our vision of Smarter AI for All, now very much a reality, is unleashing human potential,” said Lenovo Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Tolga

Lenovo showcases end-to-end, responsible AI capabilities to fasttrack AI adoption and innovation for individuals, enterprises, and entire industries— delivering Smarter AI for All

Kurtoglu. “Our key differentiator is AI integration across our vast portfolio, from on-device AI agents to more efficient server architectures. Lenovo also joins our partners in a tireless commitment to scientifically rigorous exploration, which keeps us defining the future of AI.”

Hybrid AI delivering maximum ROI for businesses Yang, in his keynote presentation with NVIDIA Founder and CEO Jensen Huang, unveiled Lenovo Hybrid AI Advantage to empower organizations to rapidly turn intelligence into outcomes. Stemming from the expanded partnership announced at last year’s Tech World, the Lenovo Hybrid AI Advantage with NVIDIA is enabled through collaboration by the two companies across the fullstack AI portfolio and brings AI-powered compute anywhere—with speed and ease.

The Lenovo Hybrid AI Advantage framework includes the new Lenovo AI Library, a comprehensive repository of ready-to-deploy AI templates that allow businesses to implement AI solutions with minimal complexity. The AI Library spans multiple industries and business functions,

including marketing, IT operations, product development, and customer service.

The next era of Lenovo Neptune Water Cooling arrives to efficiently power AI at every scale Lenovo continues its unwavering commitment to secure, efficient hybrid infrastructure at every point, from edge to cloud, and to setting the bar for sustainable high-performance computing (HPC) operations. A new family of ThinkSystem solutions offers up to 100 percent heat removal, including servers that supercharge efficiency to bring the NVIDIA Blackwell platform and NVIDIA GB200 to any size enterprise.

The sixth generation of Neptune liquid cooling systems is now rolling out across the company’s partner ecosystem, enabling organizations everywhere to build and run accelerated computing for generative AI while reducing data center power consumption by up to 40%.

AI devices, solutions, and concepts that are more personalized, productive, and protected Lenovo is unmatched in offering a diverse ecosystem of hybrid AI capabilities across the widest portfolio in the market—from PCs,

smartphones, mixed reality, tablets, and device accessories to servers, storage, and public/private cloud. Now, the infusion of AI delivers hyper-personalization, ultra-productivity, and unprecedented data processing protection for work, education, and personal use.

Today, Lenovo revealed the next generation of personal AI: By embedding AI across its portfolio, Lenovo aims to transform how people work and interact, streamlining processes, fostering seamless collaboration, and focusing on top-tier security. The key announcements at Tech World 2024 reflect Lenovo’s commitment to advancing smarter technology that drives meaningful impact and elevates user experiences on a global scale.

Lenovo introduced Lenovo AI Now, a local AI agent that transforms PCs into personalized assistants; the new ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition AI laptop that integrates AI-driven features for hybrid work; and Lenovo Learning Zone, an AI-powered personal educational software platform. In addition, Lenovo showcased exciting new proof of concepts such as Lenovo AI Buddy, a visual interactive module, as well as advanced technology demos, including Workstation AI solutions and ThinkShield AI PC security, demonstrating its leadership in cutting-edge AI solutions.

Motorola announced the launch of new moto ai experiences into beta testing, with plans to expand beta invites progressively through the end of the year. With it, the company is elevating and simplifying every smartphone interaction with on-demand summaries of personal communications, auto-identification of action items, and AI-generated contextual information for captured content like photos.

Human-centric development and groundbreaking AI for Good Lenovo unveiled new technologies and proof of concepts dedicated to empowering people, preserving cultural heritage, and improving lives.

“We innovate without compromising our values and commitment to serving our diverse communities,” said Doug Fisher, Lenovo’s Chief Security and AI Officer. “We combine security and AI at every moment, and we evaluate all of Lenovo’s AI initiatives to ensure we’re accelerating into a future that prioritizes privacy, transparency, and responsibility.”

Lenovo launched Alzheimer’s Intelligence, the first avatar companion for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, using a curated data set of real experiences to provide meaningful support to people facing a difficult diagnosis. Alzheimer’s Intelligence builds upon Lenovo’s Work For Humankind initiative that shows how smarter technology, including responsible AI, can bring people together for social good.

Chairman and CEO Yuanqing Yang was welcomed to the stage with a new comprehensive, AIpowered communication solution for people with ALS, combining AI avatars, eye-tracking tech, and predictive LLMs.

Lenovo and InCor, the largest cardiac hospital in Latin America, announced a clinicalgrade arrhythmia detection platform, which brings AI to a small, wearable IoT device for real-time monitoring.

By Jessica Luna

ITS name is a straight giveaway.

The nubia Focus Pro 5G (with emphasis on the focus) is a phone that flaunts its camera. But does it live up to its ‘name’? Let’s find out. Design

The nubia Focus Pro 5G’s oversized camera module is a standout design feature, setting it apart from the crowd of generic-looking phones. And while the unique camera design might not be for everyone, it’s refreshing to see a manufacturer take a risk and create something truly distinctive. The buttons are located in their usual places and the face unlock feature is responsive. However, the phone is noticeably heavier than other similarly sized devices and the extra weight might not bother everyone, but it’s something to keep in mind. It comes in two colors - Classic Black, which features a back glass design that is both fashionable and minimalist, and Light Brown (our unit), which showcases a back vegan leather design. Vivid and Immersive Visual Experience

The Nubia Focus Pro 5G boasts of a large and immersive 6.72-inch FHD+ display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. This provides sharp, detailed

visuals that are perfect for watching movies, playing games, and browsing the web. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and animations, making the overall user experience more fluid and responsive. One of the standout features of the Focus Pro 5G is the Live Island Interactive Display. This innovative feature allows you to see crucial notifications, reminders, and real-time activities directly on your screen, without having to unlock your phone. It’s a convenient way to stay updated without constantly checking your device

Battery and Charging

The Nubia Focus Pro 5G is equipped with a powerful 5000mAh battery that can easily last you through a full day of regular use. The smart power-saving technology optimizes app operations and manages high-power consumption apps, ensuring efficient battery usage.

The phone also supports 33W fast charging, which allows you to quickly recharge your battery when needed. This means you can spend less time plugged in and more time enjoying your device.

Processor and performance

The Nubia Focus Pro 5G is powered by an octa-core 2.2GHz UNISOC T760 5G SoC, which provides smooth and responsive performance for everyday tasks. Whether you’re browsing the web, using social media apps, or playing games, the Focus Pro 5G can handle them decently.

It offers ample storage with 256GB ROM and UFS 3.1 technology, ensuring you have plenty of space for your apps, photos, and videos. Additionally, the phone supports up to 20GB of dynamic RAM (8+12GB) with Memory Fusion technology, which enhances multitasking capabilities and allows you to keep more apps open in the background.

The phone also delivers enhanced audio quality with DTS sound technology. This ensures that you enjoy a rich and immersive listening experience, whether you’re listening to music, watching movies, or playing games.

The Focus Pro 5G delivers solid results for its price. It handles everyday tasks like web browsing and social media with ease. While it might not be the best option for demanding mobile games, it’s more than capable of handling most casual gaming. And then there’s the camera/s, of course.

NEOVISION AI photography system

The nubia Focus Pro 5G features a 108MP AI camera with a large aperture and advanced stabilization, ensuring stunning photos in any scenario. It supports five focal lengths and modes like RAW super night mode and RAW HDR that allow users to capture every moment perfectly, even in low light.

The 4K video capability that allows for ultra-highdefinition recording, delivering sharp and detailed videos, while 32MP wide beauty selfie camera that ensures vibrant and flattering self-portraits.

Even the zoom seems to be surprisingly good for the price range, especially at 72mm, while the 10x digital zoom is usable.

In night mode, the nubia Focus Pro 5G performs well, balancing highlights and shadows, although it might not be necessary with the main camera in most situations, while in macro mode, the main camera can take good macro photos with excellent detail.

Of course, comparing the nubia Focus Pro 5G with other flagship smartphones five times its price would be unfair. But at a price point below P9,000 at nubia’s official Shopee store (https://shopee.ph/ nubiaofficialph)? The nubia Focus Pro 5G is a winner, a solid choice and is definitely worth considering if you prioritize photography on a budget.

The nubia Focus Pro G

Sample photos

By Abigail Adriatico

SAVOY Hotel Manila has been curating food festivals that give people a taste of the various local cuisines that deserve attention not only from food connoisseurs but also from the general public.

A taste of Boracay without leaving the metro

Following the hotel’s move to put the spotlight on Ilonggo and Cebuano dishes in the past months, another local cuisine takes centerstage—the flavors from Boracay Island.

Continuing the tradition from the previous food events, Savoy Hotel Manila’s “Boracay Island Flavors” featured a menu crafted by Savoy Hotel Boracay executive chef Nicks Valmeo in collaboration with Savoy Hotel Manila executive chef Kit Carpio

The menu includes delectable dishes such as Hurmong Talaba or baked oysters, Binakol na Manok or chicken sautéed in ginger, garlic, and onion with a hint of lemongrass, fresh coconut juice, and meat, Ensaladang Pako or a salad consisting of fiddlehead fern, cherry tomato, sliced onion rings topped with crispy Danggit fish with calamansi vinaigrette, Alugbati at Kesong Puti Salad which consists of mesclun greens, local alugbati , cherry tomato, black olives, and kesong puti drizzled with dalandan-honey vinaigrette, and Tinumis or sautéed pork with fresh tomato, onion, garlic, vinegar, and Batuan puree for a tangy twist.

Other dishes include the Inubarang Manok or slow-cooked chicken in coconut milk with lemongrass, ginger, and ubad or banana pith, Tinumkan or freshwater shrimps, coconut meat, ginger, and spices wrapped in taro leaves and simmered in coconut cream, Chori Pasta or Pinoy spaghetti with a Boracay twist, Pansit Bisaya or a Visayan noodle dish that combines egg and rice noodles with seafood, pork, and chorizo, Inday-Inday or palitao with bukayo , and Eangkoga or the Aklanon version of binignit or bilo-bilo

“As the Philippines’ Leading Airport Hotel, we have guests who stay with us while en route to various parts of the country. Serving Boracay Island’s iconic dishes at our very own Savoy Café gives our guests a taste of vacation even before they reach their destination,” said Savoy Hotel Manila general manager Den Navarro

Speaking on the dishes, Valmeo shared how the curated menu was inspired by his experience when it came to the food that customers usually requested from him.

“I take great joy in cooking the most requested dishes from our customers who are vacationing with us, especially favorites from Aklan and the Visayas region. These are the flavors that bring people together,” said Valmeo.

Carpio told Manila Standard Life that there were challenges that came with curating the menu.

“It took us several days to finalize the menu, ensuring it

would cater to all of our guests. The most challenging part was recreating the heirloom recipes, as many of these dishes are rarely prepared in Aklanon households today,” said Carpio.

The executive chef of Savoy Hotel Manila also added that there were also some difficulties that came with the preparation of some dishes such as the Kansi, which required a long cooking process to make sure that the deep flavors were extracted from the beef shank while also being tender. Another challenge that came with the dish was the sourcing of fresh batuan fruit since it was only endemic to the Western Visayas region.

Despite the challenges, Carpio believed that the dishes from Boracay will be loved by the hotel’s patrons because of how it is made.

“Their cooking techniques are more straightforward, favoring tradition over innovation. Some of the vegetables they use are so unique that you might not even realize they’re edible such as the banana trunk heart. They’ve learned to make use of these ingredients out of necessity and adversity,” said Carpio.

“The flavors and variety may resemble other regional dishes in the country, but they stand apart in certain ways, especially in their use of local ingredients. These dishes have evolved around the belief that what grows together, stays together,” he added.

Savoy Hotel Manila’s “Boracay Island Flavors” event will run until Oct. 20. For more information and table reservations, call +63253172817 or email dine@savoymanila.com.

‘Crafting Fashion’ at Red Charity Gala 2024

RENOWNED Filipina designer Lulu Tan-Gan is set to showcase her sustainable “Farm-to-Fashion” philosophy, spotlighting the versatility and beauty of piña fabric, at the highly anticipated Red Charity Gala on Oct. 22 at Shangri-La The Fort.

Tan-Gan’s latest collection, titled Crafting Fashion, reimagines piña as a luxury material, reaffirming its prestige in the fashion industry. Known for her innovative approach, Tan-Gan explains the significance of the handwoven fabric.

“Piña is a luxury material because of all the handwork that goes into it,” she says. The fabric’s cultural importance was further recognized when it was included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity list. Through her “Farm-to-Fashion” initiative, Tan-Gan advocates for sustainability by using plant-based materials handcrafted by indigenous weavers from the Visayas. This collection emphasizes natural dyes, such as indigo, turmeric, and sapang, to give the fabric a rich variety of colors. Her pieces, which include boleros, caftans, jackets, and dresses, are designed to be stylish, comfortable, and versatile.

Tan-Gan’s creative process reflects her personal connection with piña fabric.

“I mostly engage with piña throughout the cutting process, where I love the crisp sound it makes while cutting,” she shares. “I’m also mindful of ensuring that no inch of the weave is wasted.”

This attention to detail results in garments that balance artistry with sustainability.

The collection bridges Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao by incorporating cultural motifs such as the Kalinga pattern from the Ifugaos and the Mandaya print from Mindanao, combined with the signature piña weaves of the Visayas. These elements celebrate the diverse heritage of the Philippines, expressed through Tan-Gan’s distinctive style.

Piña weaving is a labor-intensive process involving the extraction of fibers from pineapple leaves. The fibers are meticulously knotted to create a continuous filament, which is then handwoven into fabric. This intricate tradition passed down through generations, is what earned piña its recognition as an intangible cultural heritage.

Tan-Gan expressed her pride in promoting the potential of piña fabric.

“It’s inspiring to see designers and brands recognizing this fabric’s possibilities and getting involved with our identity and heritage,” she said. She also acknowledged the Red Charity Gala’s role in providing a platform for Filipino fashion and supporting local resources and craftsmanship.

The Red Charity Gala, an annual event showcasing top Filipino designers, has been a key platform for highlighting Filipino fashion for over a decade. Past featured designers include Dennis Lustico, Furne One, Michael Cinco, Cary Santiago, and Rajo Laurel

This year’s event is presented by Bench and co-presented by Mentorque Productions, with support from brands like Emirates Airlines, Jewelmer, and Shangri-La at The Fort. Proceeds from the gala will support various charities, including the Philippine Red Cross and the Hope for Lupus Foundation, which raises awareness and provides aid to those affected by the autoimmune disease.

As Tan-Gan prepares to take the stage at the Red Charity Gala, her collection promises to honor both tradition and innovation, showcasing the beauty of piña fabric while championing sustainable fashion in the Philippines.

BELMONT Hotel Manila has announced its participation in Global Handwashing Day, joining efforts to raise awareness of the importance of proper hand hygiene in preventing disease. The initiative, part of the Global Handwashing Partnership’s global campaign, aims to promote improved hygiene practices to combat public health threats. In collaboration with Project Pearls, a local non-profit organization focused on community service and education, Belmont Hotel Manila is distributing hand hygiene supplies such as soap and sanitizers to communities in Tondo, Bulacan, and Naic, Cavite. This effort seeks to equip individuals with the tools and knowledge necessary to maintain clean hands and reduce the spread of illness. As part of the campaign, Belmont Hotel Manila has installed “tippy

Belmont Hotel Manila marks Global Handwashing Day with community drive

The ‘Inubarang Manok’ is dish that has a slow-cooked chicken in coconut milk with lemongrass, ginger, and ‘ubad’

From left: Savoy Hotel Boracay executive chef Nicks Valmeo, Savoy Hotel Manila executive chef Kit Carpio, and Savoy Hotel Manila general manager Den Navarro

The ‘Pansit Bisaya’ is a noodle dish from Visayas that mixes egg and rice noodles with seafood, pork, and chorizo

The ‘Kansi Bulalo’ takes a long cooking process to ensure the beef shank is tender and flavorful

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2024

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer

Very Wang

Nickie Wang

Shanaia Gomez confronts the dark in ‘The Gatekeeper’

USHOWBIZ

P-AND-COMING star Shanaia Gomez into horror with her latest film, The Gatekeeper, an iWantTFC Original, just in time for the Halloween season.

Streaming starting today, Oct. 19, The Gatekeeper taps into modern fears and supernatural elements to create a terrifying experience that combines riddles from antiquity with Filipino legend.

Directed by Matthew and Dean Rosen, the team behind the acclaimed biopic Quezon’s Game , the film centers on Cita, an antiques dealer played by Shanaia. The story intensifies when Cita stumbles upon a mysterious cabinet that turns out to be a portal to the underworld. As the unwitting gatekeeper between our world and darker realms, Cita’s journey promises suspense and terror.

In previous interviews, Shanaia expressed that taking on the lead role in a horror film marked an exciting new chapter in her acting career. Known for her roles in TV dramas like FPJ’s Batang Quiapo and Buy Me Love , and her time as a housemate in Pinoy Big Brother Kumunity Season 10 , this horror role showcases her versatility as an actress.

“I didn’t see myself doing horror. But when this opportunity came, I decided to embrace it. I discovered a lot about myself while filming this movie. I’m really excited for everyone to see it, and I can’t wait to try other genres as well,” Shanaia shared.

Before The Gatekeeper , Shanaia was recognized more for her singing career, having competed in the first season of Idol Philippines . She also recently made waves in the music scene with her single “Cloud 9,” under Star Music. Her transition into acting has been steady, with notable roles in country’s highest-grossing film, Rewind

The directors of The Gatekeeper praised Shanaia’s dedication to the role and commended her acting skills, despite being relatively new to the business.

“We are in awe of her performance. Shanaia brought depth and authenticity to the character of Cita, making her journey both believable and relatable,” said Matthew. He added that the film is not just about fear, but also a journey into the unknown. “It combines ancient biblical mysteries with Filipino lore.”

Dean Rosen further explained the film’s layered storytelling: “ The Gatekeeper it is a horror film. It combines elements from history with supernatural themes, and by the end, it offers answers to those mysteries.”

competed the He’s Into Her and a part in the is as much a mystery as the

The Gatekeeper streams for free on iWantTFC.com and the official iWantTFC app.

TV HOST and comedian Vice Ganda has officially endorsed a campaign aimed at securing recognition and rights for gig and informal workers in the Philippines. The announcement was made early this month during an event with George Royeca, the CEO of Angkas and a prominent advocate for gig workers.

The initiative seeks to improve the working conditions and prospects of gig workers across various industries, particularly those in the informal sector, including the entertainment industry. It aims to highlight the oftenoverlooked contributions of informal workers to the national economy.

In a statement sent to the press, the group said that Vice Ganda’s endorsement adds a powerful voice to the campaign as it resonates not only within the LGBTQ+ community but also with gig workers nationwide. The popular personality, known for his influence and advocacy, emphasized the importance of securing the respect, benefits, and protections that gig workers deserve.

“I stand with George Royeca because I believe in his vision and commitment to the welfare of gig workers. It’s about ensuring these workers get the respect, security, and benefits they deserve,” said Vice Ganda after formally endorsing Angkasangga Partylist. Royeca, through his various programs, has already made significant strides in advocating for the welfare of gig workers. His decision to bring this advocacy into the political sphere reflects a desire to secure legislative support and wider recognition for informal workers across the country.

Angkas CEO George Royeca (left) with TV host and comedian Vice Ganda

From left: Shanaia Gomez with ‘The Gatekeeper’ directors Dean and Matthew Rosen

RISING STAR. Actress Shanaia Gomez plays an antiques dealer in horror thriller ‘The Gatekeeper’