Manila Standard - 2024 Dec 26 - Thursday

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‘Most Pinoys ready to defend PH’ OCTA survey: 82% willing to join Army vs. foreign aggressions

By Rex Espiritu and Rachelle Tonelada

A

T LEAST 8 in 10 Filipinos said they are ready and willing to defend the country and safeguard national territory, a recent survey by OCTA Research Group showed.

VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 314 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2024

The fourth quarter Tugon ng Masa na- rating and a +76% net satisfaction rating. tionwide survey also showed the majorFrom 77 percent in the prior survey, ity of Filipinos approve of the Philippine the number of respondents who exNext page Army, which logged a +75% net trust

SWS: Filipinos most thankful for good health this Christmas A SURVEY by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed that most Filipinos placed the highest premium on good health, family, and “being alive” this Christmas.

The fourth quarter SWS poll asked 2,160 adults the open-ended question: “As Christmas and the

end of the year approaches, may I know what one or two things are you most thankful for in your life right now?”

Almost half of the respondents, or some 47 percent of them said they are most thankful for “Good Health,” 25 percent indicated they were

most thankful “For Family” while 24 percent were most thankful for just “Being Alive,” the survey revealed.

Following the top three responses, the respondents expressed gratitude for their Jobs/Career/ Next page

PEACEFUL AND JOYFUL. Rains triggered by a shear line failed to dampen the enthusiasm of Filipinos from celebrating Christmas Day. In Rome, Pope Francis presides over the Christmas Eve mass (top right photo) at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. (From right to left) In Manila, Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula places the image of the baby Jesus in the manger in front of the altar during Christmas Eve mass at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila. In war-torn Gaza, Father Gabriel Romanelli, Parish Priest of the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family, prepares communion at the altar during Christmas Eve mass at the church in the Zaytoun neighbourhood of Gaza City amid the ongoing war in the besieged Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. Baguio folk went off to enjoy carousel rides in Burnham Park. A cloudy day did not prevent Metro Manilans from travelling and visiting the Luneta Park in Manila. AFP/Danny Pata/AFP/Manny Palmero/Alec Mapalo FB/Norman Cruz

Firecracker Troops on high alert as Reds mark 56th anniversary today injuries rise; public warned

By Rex Espiritu

the Philippines today (Thursday, December 26).

ARMY troops are on high alert in “Our troops on the frontlines are preparation for the 56th founding an- reminded to stay on alert and conduct niversary of the Communist Party of continuous internal security operations

to ensure peace and order in their re- Dema-ala said. spective areas of operation, allowing He, however, said the Army does not the Filipino people to celebrate this find it necessary to declare a heightened holiday season peacefully with their alert for the CPP’s anniversary. families,” Army spokesman Col. Louie This year, both the CPP and the

By Ralph Harvey Rirao THE Department of Health (DOH) announced that it has so far logged 43 total cases of firecracker-related injuries this week after 18 new cases were reported on Christmas Day. Sixty two “Sentinel Sites” monitored by DOH showed that 34 of the cases involved individuals aged 19 years old or younger, and 39 of the victims were male while only 4 were female.

Furthermore, the DOH said its monitoring operations showed that 86 percent (37 of victims) of the cases were caused by illegal firecrackers.

The agency pointed out that a homemade PVC “cannon”, colloquially called “Boga,” which uses kerosine or calcium carbide (kalburo) to make a loud explosive noise, was a leading cause of injuries.

The DOH reiterated its appeal to the public to avoid using firecrackers and report to the authorities persons selling or using illegal fireworks.

It also warned the public against picking up discarded firecrackers, storing toxic materials such as gunpowder and small firecrackers such as “watusi” [dancing firecrackers], which can be deadly when swallowed by children.

The health department said it pro-

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Rainy days to last until weekend

CELEBRATION. A relative hugs Mary Jane Veloso who celebrated Christmas with family for the first time in over a decade inside the Women’s Correctional Institute. Story on A2. Screengrab from ANC Digital

Rody to help defend Sara in impeach, other cases

By Rachelle Tonelada

dent Sara Duterte, against the legal “He said he will be a collaborating challenges she currently faces, includ- counsel for all cases,” VP Duterte told FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte ing the three impeachment complaints reporters in Davao City. will defend his daughter, Vice Presi- filed against her.

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THE country is likely to experience rainy weather for the rest of the week due to the combined effects of the shear line and intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), according to state weather bureau PAGASA on Wednesday.

Both weather disturbances brought moderate to heavy rains across Metro Manila and Luzon provinces on Christmas Day, including Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Marinduque, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro and Northern Samar.

PAGASA forecast a heavy to intense rainfall outlook over Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes which will prevail from Thursday afternoon until noon on Saturday, covering Isabela and Cagayan provinces.

Rains are also expected in Apayao, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Next page

NEWS

A2

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2024

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Veloso spends 1st Xmas with kin T

HE family of Mary Jane Veloso spent Christmas with her for the first time in 15 years.

This will be the family’s second visit inside the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong, where Veloso has been detained since she arrived in the country last Wednesday.

According to Celia Veloso, Mary Jane’s mother, a total of 23 family members will celebrate Christmas on Wednesday with Mary Jane, including her two sons, Danielle, and Darren Candelaria, as well as Mary Jane’s three

sisters, grandparents, aunts, nieces and nephews, ABS-CBN News reported.

The family also prepared some of Mary Jane’s favorite food. The family arrived at the correctional facility around 7:30 in the morning and was allowed to stay with Veloso until this afternoon.

Earlier, an international group of lawyers urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to grant an absolute pardon to Veloso.

The International Association of

Democratic Lawyers (IADL) in a statement said: “We implore the Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to free Mary Jane Veloso, by way of absolute pardon on compassionate grounds, in this, the Season of Peace.”

“Veloso suffered long enough and the grant of clemency is primarily a presidential prerogative which may be given purely on a humanitarian basis, without the need of a lengthy administrative and legal review by experts. Justice delayed is justice denied,” it said.

Veloso’s family and several organizations, including Gabriela, have appealed for absolute clemency for Velo-

Firecracker...

From A1

the safety of all. There are designated community zones, and you will see beautiful lights there,” PNP spokesperson and Public Information Office chief Brigadier General Jean Fajardo earlier said.

Fajardo said the PNP will deploy police officers, especially on New Year’s Eve, as force multipliers to barangay personnel to ensure that no one sets off fireworks and firecrackers in residential areas to prevent untoward incidents.

As this developed, operatives of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) arrested three persons engaged in online selling of banned firecrackers in

a series of operations in Metro Manila and Tarlac.

In a statement, ACG public information officer Police Lt. Wallen Arancillo said two suspects alias “Mark” and “Mike” yielded assorted illegal firecrackers worth P6,900 when they were arrested during entrapment operation in Santa Cruz, Manila on Christmas Eve. Arancillo said the other suspect alias “Juan” was arrested during entrapment operation in San Rafael, Tarlac City.

The suspect yielded P5,500 worth of firecrackers that he was peddling online.

Arancillo noted that the suspects will be facing charges for violating Repub-

motes alternative noisemakers like party horns, cooking pans, or karaoke sessions with friends and relatives.

The DOH also urged the public to instead simply watch fireworks displays conducted by city and municipal governments in safe areas.

Earlier this week, The Philippine National Police (PNP) reminded the general public not to light firecrackers in all residential areas when welcoming the New Year.

“I hope our citizens will cooperate for

lic Act (RA) 7183 also known as Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution, and Use of Firecrackers and Pyrotechnic Devices in relation to Section 6 of RA 10175, otherwise known as Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

“The PNP-ACG is reminding everyone that selling illegal firecrackers online is prohibited. We should remember that this has corresponding fines and imprisonment. If you know someone selling [illegal] firecrackers online, don’t hesitate to report them to PNP-ACG for immediate action,” he said in Filipino.

Vince Lopez

CARNIVAL TIME.

Troops...

From A1 government did not declare a holiday truce.

CPP spokesman Marco Valbuena, for his part, said: “Units of the NPA and local peasant mass organizations in the countryside are busy preparing meetings and small assemblies in order to celebrate past victories, take stock of weaknesses and strengths, and reaffirm their resolve to wage greater struggles in the coming year.”

Valbuena criticized what he described as “successive insurgencyfree declarations” by administration officials and military officers.

“These only strengthen the resolve of the Filipino people, the Party and the New People’s Army to spread the flames of the people’s war,” he added.

Despite the lack of a holiday ceasefire, peace talks between the government and communist rebels have inched forward with the signing of a joint communique last year.

Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (PAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said in an earlier interview that both sides continue to conduct exploratory talks.

He expressed optimism that a final peace accord can be forged “within the term of the President – or even before the term ends.”

The joint communique was signed by Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr., representing the government, and Luis Jalandoni, a member of the National Executive Council of the National Democratic Front for the communist group.

The document states that both sides have agreed on a principled and peaceful resolution to the armed conflict.

Both sides likewise agreed to engage in dialogues to establish a peace and transformation framework that focuses on addressing the socio-economic and political drivers of the armed conflict.

Signing as witnesses were Galvez and retired General Emmanuel Bautista for the government, and Julieta de Lima, the interim chairperson of the negotiating panel of the NDF, along with Coni Ledesma, a member of the NDF negotiating panel.

“The President is very committed to finish all agreements and implement it during his term. That was his guidance to us and we commit to the aspiration of the President and the national government that we will finish the final peace agreement with the CPP-NDF-NPA in the future,” Galvez added.

so following her repatriation. However, Marcos Jr. previously said that the possibility of granting her clemency is still “far off.”

Veloso, who spent 14 years in a detention facility in Indonesia, finally arrived in Manila early Wednesday morning, marking a significant win for Philippine diplomacy.

Her return culminates an arduous legal battle for the Philippine government started by the late President Benigno Aquino III, who saved Veloso from imminent death in 2015, and continued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who now has the authority to grant her clemency.

Individuals enjoys fun rides, fun activities at a popular Fiesta Carnival amusement park at Araneta City in Cubao Quezon City on a rainy Christmas Day. Manny Palmero

SWS:...

From A1 Income (7%), to God (7%), and for having three meals daily (6%).

Less than one percent of the respondents indicated that they were most thankful for material or worldly things.

The same survey, which was conducted December 12 to 18 with respondents scattered nationwide, also revealed that 65 percent of adult Filipinos were expecting this Christmas to be happy (masaya), 10 percent expected it to be sad (malungkot), and 26 percent expected it to be neither happy nor sad.

“The 65% expecting a happy Christmas is 8 points down from 73% in 2023 and 2022, and the same as in 2021. It is 15 points above the record-low 50% in 2020 but 14 points below the pre-pandemic level of 79% in 2019,” the SWS said in its report.

“The expectation of a happy Christmas was a record-high 82% when first surveyed by SWS in 2002.

It fell to 77% in 2003 and dropped to a 62-69% range from 2004 to 2013.

It rose to a 71-79% range from 2014 to 2019 before it fell to a record-low 50% in 2020,” the pollster added citing historical data.

Furthermore, the survey indicated that Metro Manila residents were the gloomiest with only 58 percent expecting their Christmas to be happy (59% Balance Luzon), while Mindanao residents were the most optimistic with 73 percent looking forward to being happy during the Yuletide celebrations.

Meanwhile, a Philippine National Police (PNP) assessment indicated that Filipinos adhered to the season’s true spirit on Christmas Eve. Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo, the PNP’s spokesperson, said that despite nationwide festivities and merriment usually associated with the occasion, the night before Christmas came and went without much trouble. ‘’Generally peaceful nationwide with no significant untoward incident recorded,’’ she told reporters.

Vince Lopez

Rainy...

From A1

‘Most Pinoys...

From A1 pressed their willingness to fight alongside the Philippine Army to defend the country against foreign aggressions rose to 82% in the latest survey.

“The Army’s efforts in addressing internal security threats to attain stable internal peace and security in municipalities, provinces, and regions increased its engagement and relevance to the public, as these contribute to the economic and developmental growth of the nation,” said Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala said.

As this developed, Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said there has been significant progress in the Army’s modernization program.

“Our modernization is not just about meeting deadlines. It is about building a capable, disciplined and professional land force that the Filipino people can trust,” Galido said.

Galido earlier announced the Philippines plans to acquire the US Typhon missile system, also known as the midrange capability (MRC) system, to protect its maritime interests, some of which overlap with China.

“It is planned to be acquired because

Rody...

From A1 “He’ll be one of the lawyers for all of the cases, and he is preparing his documents now with the IBP (Integrated Bar of the Philippines),” she added.

According to the Vice President, the former President voiced his concern and asked about the status of her impeachment cases during their Christmas Eve

we see its feasibility and its functionality in our concept of archipelagic defense implementation,” he said.

Developed by US firm Lockheed Martin for the US Army, the Typhon has a range of 300 miles (480 kilometers), though a longer-range version is in development.

Galido said the missile system would enable the army to “project force” outwards up to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers), which is the limit of the country’s maritime entitlements under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. “You have to take note of the fact that at 200 nautical miles, there is no land there and the army cannot go there,” he said.

“We need to contribute to this (defense of Philippine interests) by having this platform to be able to assist the primary major service that would focus on maritime and air domain,” Galido added.

Under that scenario, the Typhon platform “will protect our floating assets,” he said, a reference to ships of the Philippine navy, coast guard and other vessels.

Galido said Philippine Army personnel have been training on the missile system since it was left by the US after the Balikatan exercises in April.

The US Army earlier deployed the

mid-range missile system in the northern Philippines earlier this year for annual joint military exercises with its longtime ally, and decided to leave it at the Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte.

Laoag airport is not among the nine sites covered by the Philippines-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. It is, however, near two EDCA sites in Cagayan province – the Camilo Osias navy base in Sta Ana and Lal-lo airport.

The missile system can fire the Standard Missile-6 and Tomahawk Land Attack Missile.

As this developed, the Chinese embassy in Manila criticized what it called “unjust accusations” by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. over the planned Typhon acquisition.

Teodoro earlier admonished Beijing to stop its “saber-rattling” and “interference” in internal affairs, adding that any procurement of assets is none of China’s business.

“Such words run counter to President Marcos Jr.’s instruction to deescalate maritime tensions through dialogue and contradict both countries’ relentless diplomatic efforts to manage differences through communication and consultation,” the embassy said.

Surigao del Sur, and Davao Oriental towards the weekend. PAGASA warned of possible flooding and incidents of landslides in all affected areas.

PAGASA earlier issued a weather advisory warning against the impact of a shear line weather system currently affecting Southern Luzon. This system is anticipated to bring substantial rainfall to the Bicol Region, particularly in Albay Province, over the coming days.

The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) warns that the expected heavy rains could trigger volcanic sediment flows, known as lahars, which pose significant risks to communities situated near Mayon Volcano.

DOST-PHIVOLCS stressed the importance of monitoring weather conditions and implementing preemptive safety measures to mitigate potential hazards.

In addition to the shear line's effects, the northeast monsoon is influencing other regions, resulting in cloudy skies and isolated rain showers. The affected regions include Cagayan Valley and Cordillera Administrative Region.

Heavy to intense rainfall will prevail today (Thursday) in Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Isabela and Cagayan until the weekend, PAGASA said. Rio Araja

dinner in Davao.

The impeachment complaints filed against VP Duterte cited multiple grounds for her removal, including betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, and allegations of graft and corruption related to the controversial P125million confidential funds in 2022.

The complaints also accuse her of making threats against public officials, particularly her recent

“kill remarks.” In a statement, she revealed having “contracted” an individual to kill President Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez should her life be endangered.

VP Duterte noted that her team is waiting for the formal articles of impeachment from the House of Representatives to proceed.

“We are working on the inventory of cases based on what we have read

from the media, based on interviews with agencies of government, House of Representatives, NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and PNP (Philippine National Police),” the Vice President explained.

She added that her legal team has an assigned lawyer to handle each case.

Despite the mounting legal challenges, VP Duterte expressed confidence that she did not violate any laws.

Cherrie Anne Villahermosa

NEWS

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2024 MST.DAYDESK@GMAIL.COM

Authorities see ‘irregular’ polls in BARMM in ‘25 T

By Nash B. Maulana

HE Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will have to bear with an irregular electoral setup in May 2025, pending the creation of its provinces and legislative districts by Congress.

Local Governments and Interior Minister Elijah Dumama Alba of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MILG-BARMM) said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in recent meetings with Bangsamoro leaders, has stressed on a “moratorium on the creation of provinces.”

In essence, the May polling scenario in SGA will be that its constituents cannot vote for the gubernatorial and congressional posts, until Congress creates the provinces and congressional districts comprising SGA’s provincial local government units (PLGUs) and regular legislative districts. The power to create provinces and congressional districts solely belongs to Congress.

The SGA is composed of 63 villages carved out of five municipalities of Cotabato Province, following the February 2020 plebiscite during which they voted to join BARMM. Alba said the parliamentary elections in the region were also likely to be reset by Congress, as the Senate was probably only waiting for the official transmission of the House-passed

version of the Bill that seeks to postpone the parliamentary elections in BARMM to May 2025. “In that case, the Senate usually only reviews the House version, and there will be no more bicameral conference, and it will be passed.”

The Parliament of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) has since created eight municipalities by legislation which have been ratified in plebiscites held in April this year.

The presidential moratorium on approval of laws creating new provinces may have been prompted by corresponding adjustments on internal revenue allotments (IRA), following the so-called Mandanas Ruling by the Supreme Court which affirms short-change on LGU IRA shares nationwide, according to local governments pundits.

In that sense, the BARMM SGA will have to continue being operational with only municipal LGUs in its local governance structure and in relation to the BARMM Government, said Dumama-Alba.

GIFT-GIVING IN JOLO. Members of the Philippine Army’s 11th Infantry “Alakdan” Division conduct a gift-giving activity to Barangay San Raymundo, Jolo, Sulu.

IN BRIEF Army division conducts community gift-giving in Jolo, Sulu THE Philippine Army’s 11th Infantry “Alakdan” Division (11ID) is bringing the spirit of peace to the community of Barangay San Raymundo, Jolo, Sulu.

The division recently held a gift-giving activity themed “Padyak sa Pagbabago at Tabang Handog sa Kapayapaan” The activity brought together 135 Kuway-Kuway drivers and 95 Peace Inclined Peoples Organizations fostering unity and awareness for a peaceful and secure Sulu.

The event began with an enlightening film showing presented by the 15CMOBn, CMOR, PA and the Public Affairs Team of Alakdan Division, showcasing the progress and initiatives towards peace and security in the region.

This was followed by engaging lectures from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Jolo municipality covering essential topics such as road safety, traffic/road management and the ongoing campaign against illegal drugs.

The highlight of the program was the gift-giving ceremony, where each Kuway-Kuway driver and the Peace Inclined Peoples Organization (PIPO), organized by the 15CMOBn and the 1103rd Infantry (Kalis) Brigade, received a sack of rice, a meaningful gesture under the auspices of Project Tabang, aimed at extending tangible assistance to the community. Rex Espiritu

Police arrest notorious serial killer in Sorsogon POLICE arrested an alleged serial killer who was tagged as a suspect in multiple murders in Donsol, Sorsogon.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said the suspect identified as “Michael” was apprehended in Barangay Bororan last December 21 by virtue of two arrest warrants for the crimes of homicide.

The PNP-CIDG said that back in September of 2012 the suspect allegedly stabbed a man to death in Donsol. Authorities also said in November of 2015, the suspect also stabbed to death another victim in Imus City, Cavite after a heated verbal argument during a drinking spree.

In October of 2023, the suspect was also involved in the fatal stabbing and slashing of the necks of two more victims in Imus. The two were sitting outside their house when the suspect allegedly attacked them without provocation, according to the police.

The CIDG said that “Michael” is known as a “notorious serial killer.” The suspect was transported to the CIDG Cavite Provincial Field Unit office for documentation and proper disposition.

“This operation demonstrates the PNP’s unwavering commitment to apprehending fugitives and ensuring public safety.

The arrest of Michael sends a clear message that no criminal can evade justice. We remain steadfast in our fight for the peace and security of our nation,” PNP Chief Police General Rommel Marbil said. Vince Lopez

NEWS

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2024 MST.DAYDESK@GMAIL.COM

Quad Comm poised to fix PH legal flaws

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE lead chairman of the House of Representative’s Quad Committee has underscored the significant achievements of the panel with the filing of four initial legislative measures aimed to address urgent flaws and gaps in the country’s current legal framework, particularly those concerning POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators), extrajudicial killings, civil forfeiture of real estate, and cancellation of birth certificates, illegally or fraudulently acquired, by foreign nationals.

Rep. Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte, Quadcom lead chair and chairman of the House’s Dangerous Drugs panel, said the panel has recommended at least 30 proposed amendments intended to strengthen further several existing laws and ensure that certain abuses and misdeeds in the past are prevented from happening again in the future.

“Out of the series of hearings conducted by Quadcom, lawmakers and the public were informed and enlightened on how criminals and unscrupulous individuals or groups managed to use the flaws, loopholes and weaknesses on some of our existing laws, in the furtherance of their criminal activities.

The Quadcom is out to review, scrutinize and come up with new bills or amendments to correct those flaws and gaps in our laws,” Barbers said.

The lawmaker from Mindanao enumerated the initial four bills earlier filed by Quadcom as: 1. House Bill 10986 – Classifying and penalizing extra-judicial killings as a heinous crime, while providing reparations for the victims.

2. HB 10987 – Prohibiting all forms of offshore gaming operations in the country, with severe penalties for violations.

3. HB 11043 – Allowing civil forfeiture of unlawfully acquired real estate properties by foreign nationals.

WET CHRISTMAS DAY AT THE PARK. Even the intermittent rains couldn’t prevent these city dwellers from spending their Christmas Day at the

Rizal Park in Luneta, Manila. Norman Cruz

WPS crisis weighs down Boracay’s tourism industry

IN BRIEF

By Jun N. Aguirre

Angara vows to pursue reforms, programs in basic education

BORACAY Island’s visitor traffic this year fell short of the target, thanks but no thanks to the ongoing tension between the Philippines and China over the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Malay Mayor Frolibar Bautista told Manila Standard in a phone interview that the targeted two-million visitors might still be hit, albeit a bit delayed.

Bautista attributed the shortfall to the country’s strained bilateral relations with China arising from the territorial dispute over the WPS. In previous years, the Chinese topped tourist arrivals in Boracay, However, tourist traffic to the famous resort island this year was logged at only

two million, somewhat short of the 2.3million target, Bautista disclosed.

In 2023, the two-million visitor volume was reached as early as December 19.

Of the current tourist arrivals, 1,592,355 were domestic tourists; 397, 867 were foreign, and 22, 806 were Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW’s). Many of the foreign tourists were South Koreans, Taiwanese and Europeans.

“We may contend with the 2.1 million tourists this year for Boracay,” Bautista said.

In 2023, from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 Boracay registered some 2.15 million foreign and local tourists.

Niven Maquirang, the Jetty Port Special Operations Manager said a cruise ship is still expected to arrive in Boracay on Dec. 28, bringing in an estimated 2,000

passengers.

Esel Flores, the Caticlan Jetty Port administrator said with the current tourism trend, the province may reach some P530 million in revenue, up from last year’s P500 million.

The revenues was generated from the terminal fees collected both from local and foreign tourists at P150 each.

“The high collections are because we have seen a longer amihan season this year. We could only collect terminal fees from tourists when they passed through the Caticlan Jetty Port during sunny days. Whenever there is a strong rain or habagat, we cannot collect terminal fees because the terminal bound to Boracay is being transferred to Tabon Port also in Malay,” he explained. Maricel Cruz

‘Walang Gutom Kitchen will curb food wastage’ SOCIAL Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian says the agency’s newest convergence initiative, the Walang Gutom Kitchen, will help minimize food wastage in the country.

“This Walang Gutom Kitchen is a food bank where the private and public sectors will converge to prevent food wastage and address involuntary hunger in Metro Manila. We intend to expand this type of food bank nationwide,” Gatchalian said.

He stressed that the program will adhere to the provisions of Republic Act 9803 or the Food Donation Act of 2009 in creating measures to encourage the donation of wholesome food for charitable purposes.

“Our plan is to expand it later on and open more branches so that our compatriots in the private sector who have excess food, they can drop it here at Walang Gutom Kitchen for our hungry compatriots. They can come here anytime to get free food,” Gatchalian said.

The Walang Gutom Kitchen, located at the former Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators hub later redesigned by the DSWD, also features the convergence of the three innovative programs of the agency. These are the Pag-Abot Program, Walang Gutom Program, and the Tara Basa! Tutoring Program.

EDUCATION Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara vows to press his commitment to promote programs and reforms in the country’s basic education system.

Angara enunciated the pledge in his holiday message, citing the support of President Marcos and allies in the private sector to elevate the quality of education in the country.

The secretary underscored that the Department of Education faced numerous challenges this year, but was able to overcome the problems through cooperative action.

“I sincerely thank you for your dedication and support, as well as for your trust in me as secretary,” Angara said. Ralph Harvey Rirao

Intensity 4.5 temblor shakes Occ. Mindoro A MAGNITUDE 4.5 earthquake on Wednesday morning rocked Paluan town in Occidental Mindoro.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the tremor hit west of Paluan at 7:32 a.m.

The tremor, of tectonic in origin, had a depth of 22 kilometers, Philvolcs said.

Intensity 2 was raised over Calapan City in Oriental Mindoro. Rio N. Araja

Taguig opens 7-storey multi-purpose edifice

FEW AND FAR BETWEEN. On Christmas Day, Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City which is a perennial headache for motorists and commuters alike during normal times, becomes a traveler’s paradise traffic-wise with vehicles few and far between. Edd Castro

Bill tasks LGU chiefs to supervise allocation of donated relief goods

SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE, BRIDGE UNDER REPAIR. Roadbuilders earnestly attend to their task in a bid to put this span along the Andaya Highway in Barangay Cabutagan, Lupi, Camarines Sur back in shape, after it was shattered by heavy rains on Christmas Day, of all times.

A BILL unanimously approved by the House of Representatives mandates local government chief executives of disaster-struck areas to supervise the distribution of donated relief goods in inaccessible areas.

The measure also provides free freight or transport services for the delivery of the relief goods to cities and municipalities under a state of calamity.

Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Camarines Sur said the approved House Bill (HB)10924, or the “Free Transportation of Relief Goods Act,” likewise grants tax incentives to private logistics companies such as freight forwarders and carriers for delivering

free of charge the relief goods bound for calamity-hit communities.

“This unanimously-approved measure aims to let the government partner with carriers or freight forwarders on the cost-free transport of relief goods to places that have been placed under a state of calamity,” said Villafuerte, the bill’s principal author and president of the National Unity Party (NUP).

“It seeks to enhance the present quick response mechanisms by ensuring the quick delivery of donated relief goods to people in cities and municipalities that have been declared under a state of calamity,” Villafuerte said.

Maricel Cruz

THE Taguig City government has inaugurated a seven-storey multi-purpose building designed to bring essential services closer to the residents of Barangay Bagumbayan.

Mayor Laarni Cayetano, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Vice Mayor Arvin Ian Alit, and 1st District Rep. Ricardo Cruz Jr. led the ribbon-cutting ceremony and blessing of the building last Monday.

The first floor of the building features a fully equipped Barangay Health Center which includes consultation rooms, a nurses’ station, an examination room, a dental clinic, a minor surgical room, a prenatal room, and a breastfeeding room.

To enhance public safety, dedicated offices for the Taguig City Police Station and the Bureau of Fire Protection are located on the first and second floors.

On the third floor, visitors will find offices for the barangay secretary, treasurer, lupong tagapamayapa, barangay staff, the Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) desk, and the office responsible for barangay permits and clearances, along with electrical and CCTV rooms.

The fourth floor houses offices for the barangay captain, administrator, kagawads, and Sangguniang Kabataan officials, as well as a conference room and session hall for barangay officials and residents.

The fifth floor serves as a government satellite office, providing access to various city services, including the Barangay Affairs Office (BAO), the Taguig City Integrated Survey System (TCISS), the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), and the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA). This floor also features an e-library with 16 new computer units for educational and professional use. Joel E. Zurbano

1H

OPINION

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2024

MST.DAYDESK@GMAIL.COM

When lanterns outshine the stars themselves CHRISTMAS traditions are meant to bring us together—but let’s be honest, some are so odd they’re more likely to spark confusion than caroling.

Nowhere is this truer than in the Philippines, where our marathon holiday season makes the Tour de France look like a warm-up. Yet, believe it or not, we’ve got nothing on some global Christmas customs that could make even our Simbang Gabi look like a straightforward stroll to church.

The first Christmas Tree The first recorded Christmas tree was in 16th-century Germany, where Martin Luther decorated a fir tree with candles. Yes, candles. Open flames on dry branches.

Clearly, fire safety was optional in 1500s Europe. Filipinos, however, took this idea and upgraded it with the parol, because why stop at one star when you can have every street in the barangay glowing brighter than EDSA traffic lights?

Christmas wasn’t always on Dec. 25 It turns out Christmas was slapped onto Dec. 25 to hijack a Roman pagan festival. Essentially, Saturnalia was the original office Christmas party: lots of drinking, questionable outfits, and at least one person sacrificing dignity.

Filipinos, however, don’t need a pagan excuse.

Christmas starts in September, because why limit your holiday joy to a single month when you can stretch it across four—and still somehow run out of time to finish your shopping?

Chicken nuggets of joy In Japan, Christmas means KFC. Thanks to a 1974 ad campaign, families now reserve fried chicken buckets months in advance.

Filipinos would never let this happen. If you tried serving KFC at Noche Buena, your lola would disown you on the spot.

Filipino Christmas requires lechon, pancit, queso de bola, and at least one mystery dish brought by a tita who “just threw something together” (it’s always spaghetti with hotdogs).

Santa Claus Before Coca-Cola fattened him up, Santa Claus was a pale, thin bishop. Imagine trying to sell that Santa in the Philippines. One look at him, and your lola would shove a plate of kare-kare in his hands and yell, “Kain ka, anak, ang payat-payat mo!”

Thanks to Coca-Cola, Santa’s now the ideal Filipino guest: chubby, cheerful, and always bearing gifts—preferably crisp bills for the aguinaldo.

Rudolph Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was invented by a department store in 1939 to sell coloring books. Filipinos can relate.

Rudolph is basically the reindeer version of Jose Mari Chan, who appears every September to remind you that Christmas is coming—and that you’ll need to budget for godchildren, neighbors, and the barangay tanod.

The passive-aggressive carol The line “We won’t go until we get some” was originally sung by servants

demanding booze.

In the Philippines, this carol takes on new meaning during caroling. Try sending carolers away empty-handed, and you’ll quickly learn that “silent night” does not apply to disappointed children banging empty Coke bottles outside your gate.

Christmas before Magellan?

There’s a theory that Christmas was celebrated in Pangasinan centuries before Magellan arrived.

If true, it means the Philippines was ahead of the curve – like discovering K-

—“—

Christmas isn’t just a holiday for Filipinos— it’s an identity pop before it was cool.

But let’s face it: whether Christmas started in 1320 or 1521, Filipinos would have turned it into a spectacle complete with lechon, videoke, and at least one aunt complaining about how loud it’s gotten.

Christmas in the cemetery In Barangay Tanza, Iloilo City, people celebrate Christmas in a cemetery, complete with lights and decorations. It’s the Filipino way: no one gets left out, not even the dearly departed.

Other countries mourn their dead; we invite them to the party and give them the best seat—under the Christmas lights.

And who knows?

Maybe the spirits join the festivities.

Ghostly karaoke? Sounds like a hit.

Crisp bills Forget mistletoe and eggnog. In the Philippines, Christmas is about one thing: fresh, crisp peso bills for the aguinaldo.

Nothing says holiday spirit like standing in line at the bank, hoping to swap your wrinkled 500s for pristine 20s.

And if you hand out crumpled bills?

Expect the children to politely accept them—then immediately gossip about how stingy you are.

Simbang Gabi Simbang Gabi, banned in the 1680s for being “too festive,” is proof that Filipinos cannot be stopped.

Try banning anything festive now, and you’d have titas rioting in the streets with walis tambo.

Simbang Gabi isn’t just a religious tradition; it’s also an endurance test. Who can wake up for nine consecutive dawn masses without falling asleep during the homily? Pro tip: the answer is always your lola.

As the carols fade and the lechon dwindles, one truth remains: Christmas isn’t just a holiday for Filipinos—it’s an identity.

Whether it’s decking cemeteries in lights, turning caroling into cash flow, or making fried chicken a fine-dining affair, we’ve made the season our own.

So hold that parol high, treasure those crisp bills, and never forget: the world may try, but it will never out-Christmas the Philippines.

Bride, groom, spy: India’s wedding detectives NEW DELHI – From an anonymous office in a New Delhi mall, matrimonial detective Bhavna Paliwal runs the rule over prospective husbands and wives -- a booming industry in India, where younger generations are increasingly choosing love matches over arranged marriage.

The tradition of partners being carefully selected by the two families remains hugely popular, but in a country where social customs are changing rapidly, more and more couples are making their own matches.

So for some families, the first step when young lovers want to get married is not to call a priest or party planner but a sleuth like Paliwal with high-tech spy tools to investigate the prospective partner.

Sheela, an office worker in New Delhi, said that when her daughter announced she wanted to marry her boyfriend, she immediately hired Paliwal.

“I had a bad marriage,” said Sheela, whose name has been changed as her daughter remains unaware her fiance was spied on.

“When my daughter said she’s in love, I wanted to support her -- but not without

proper checks.”

Paliwal, 48, who founded her Tejas Detective Agency more than two decades ago, says business is better than ever.

Her team handles around eight cases monthly.

In one recent case -- a client checking her prospective husband -- Paliwal dis-

—“—

The first step when young lovers want to get married is not to call a priest or party planner but a sleuth covered a decimal point salary discrepancy.

“The man said he earns around $70,700 annually,” Paliwal said. “We found out he was actually making $7,070.”

‘Service to society’ It is discreet work. Paliwal’s office is tucked away in a city mall, with an innocuous sign board saying it houses an

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EDITORIAL

Resume peace talks with Reds

T

HE Communist Party of the Philippines was founded on Dec. 26, 1968, or 56 years ago today.

Together with its armed wing, the New People’s Army and its political arm, the National Democratic Front, the CPP has been leading what it calls a “protracted people’s war.”

But what is the current status of this revolutionary project at present?

The CPP-NPA-NDF armed rebellion today was patterned after the Chinese model successfully waged by Mao Zedong starting from the 1930s onwards.

But while the Chinese communists attained victory in 1949 after less than two decades, the revolutionary project of the CPP-NPA-NDF appears doomed to failure after nearly six decades.

If the Armed Forces of the Philippines is to be believed, the communistled armed struggle is on its death throes, with the NPA’s strength reduced to only 2,000 regular fighters from its peak of 25,000 in the 1980s.

The AFP had earlier this year even claimed a “strategic victory” over the NPA, with the remaining 2,000 NPAs being relentlessly pursued in the only

active two guerrilla fronts in the Visayas and Mindanao islands.

If this military search and destroy campaign succeeds with the surrender or the deaths in the battlefield of the remaining NPAs, then the government can rightfully claim to have attained “total victory” against the communistled rebellion.

astrologer -- a service families often use to predict an auspicious wedding date.

“Sometimes my clients also don’t want people to know they are meeting a detective,” she laughed.

Hiring a detective can cost from $100 to $2,000, depending on the extent of surveillance needed.

That is a small investment for families who splash out many times more on the wedding itself.

It is not just worried parents trying to vet their prospective sons or daughtersin-law.

Some want background checks on their future spouse -- or, after marriage, to confirm a suspected affair.

“It is a service to society,” said Sanjay Singh, a 51-year-old sleuth, who says his agency has handled “hundreds” of pre-matrimonial investigations this year alone.

Private eye Akriti Khatri said around a quarter of cases at her Venus Detective Agency were pre-marriage checks.

“There are people who want to know if the groom is actually gay,” she said, citing one example.

Arranged marriages binding two entire families together require a chain of checks before the couple even talk.

That includes financial probes and, crucially, their status in India’s millennia-old caste hierarchy.

Marriages breaking rigid caste or religious divisions can have deadly repercussions, sometimes resulting in socalled “honour” killings.

In the past, such premarital checks were often done by family members, priests or professional matchmakers.

But breakneck urbanization in sprawling megacities has shaken social networks, challenging conventional ways of verifying marriage proposals.

Arranged marriages now also happen online through matchmaking websites, or even dating apps.

“Marriage proposals come on Tinder too,” added Singh.

‘Basis of lies’ The job is not without its challenges.

Layers of security in guarded modern apartment blocks mean it is often far harder for an agent to gain access to a property than older standalone homes.

Singh said detectives had to rely on their charm to tell a “cock and bull story” to enter, saying his teams tread the grey zone between “legal and illegal”.

But he stressed his agents operate on the right side of the law, ordering his

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

—“—

Nearly six decades of fighting should now end to avert further loss of lives But is the government’s projection of vanquishing the NPA soon realistic and attainable?

Recall that the military targeted victory over the NPA by the end of this year.

While the communist apparatus has been severely weakened by battlefield losses, the arrest and neutralization of

top CPP leaders and NPA commanders, and surrenders of NPA fighters, news reports of continuing fighting between the military and the NPA in various parts of the country would suggest that the communist rebellion is not about to raise the white flag amid widespread poverty in the countryside and social inequality in Philippine society.

In Nov. 2023, the Marcos Jr. administration revealed that government representatives had reached an agreement with NDF negotiators to resume the peace talks abruptly terminated by the Duterte administration in 2017.

The agreement during the Oslo meeting brokered by the Norwegian government brought renewed hope that peace would soon be on the horizon. But more than a year later, there’s little indication that the two sides have gone beyond backchannel talks and have already worked out an agenda and timetable for the formal peace talks to restart.

This is unfortunate since both sides have already agreed to talk rather than fight tooth-and-nail in the battlefield with all the resources at their command.

Nearly six decades of fighting should now end to avert further loss of lives on both sides and focus on earnest efforts to end poverty and social injustice. teams to do “nothing unethical” while noting investigations often mean “somebody’s life is getting ruined”.

Technology is on the side of the sleuths.

Khatri has used tech developers to create an app for her agents to upload records directly online -- leaving nothing on agents’ phones, in case they are caught.

“This is safer for our team,” she said, adding it also helped them “get sharp results in less time and cost”.

Surveillance tools starting at only a few dollars are readily available.

Those include audio and video recording devices hidden in everyday items such as mosquito repellent socket devices, to more sophisticated magnetic GPS car trackers or tiny wearable cameras.

The technology boom, Paliwal said, has put relationships under pressure.

“The more hi-tech we become, the more problems we have in our lives,” she said.

But she insisted that neither the technology nor the detectives should take the blame for exposing a cheat.

“Such relationships would not have lasted anyway”, she said. “No relationship can work on the basis of lies.” AFP

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Joyce Pangco Pañares Managing Editor Virgilio Galvez News Editor

Honor Blanco Cabie Opinion Editor Aytch dela Cruz Online Editor

Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

WORLD

A6

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2024

MST.DAYDESK@GMAIL.COM

Pakistan air strikes kill 46 in Afghanistan KABUL – Pakistan air strikes in an eastern border province of Afghanistan killed 46 people, the Taliban government spokesman told AFP on Wednesday, as the defense ministry vowed retaliation.

The strikes were the latest spike in hostilities on the frontier between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with border tensions between the two countries escalating since the Taliban government seized power in 2021.

Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said late Tuesday, Pakistan bombarded four areas in the Barmal district of eastern Paktika province.

“The total number of dead is 46, most of whom were children and women,” he said, adding that six more people were wounded, mostly children.

A defense ministry statement late Tuesday condemned the strikes, calling them “barbaric” and a “clear aggression”.

“The Islamic Emirate will not leave this cowardly act unanswered, but rather considers the defense of its territory and sovereignty to be its inalienable right,” the statement said, using the Taliban authorities’ name for the government.

Skirmishes on the frontier followed deadly air strikes in March by Pakistan’s military in the border regions of Afghanistan, which Taliban authorities said killed eight civilians. AFP

CHRISTMAS SCENARIO. Ukrainians hold a traditional Christmas performance to raise funds for the Ukrainian army in central Kharkiv, on Tuesday, amid the Russian invasion in Ukraine. Russia has accelerated its advance across eastern Ukraine in recent months, looking to secure as much territory as possible before US president-elect Donald Trump comes to power in January. AFP

Ukraine slams big Xmas day hit by Russia IN BRIEF Syria authorities: Armed groups to disband K 1H

Japan raises ‘serious concerns’ over China

TOKYO – Japan’s top diplomat Takeshi Iwaya expressed “serious concerns” to his Chinese counterpart over Beijing’s increasing military activity, Tokyo said Wednesday.

Iwaya also told Wang Yi in Beijing that “Japan is closely monitoring the Taiwan situation and recent military developments”, a Japanese foreign ministry statement said.

China regards Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring it under its control.

Taipei said earlier this month that Beijing had held its biggest maritime drills in years, stretching from near the southern islands of Japan to the South China Sea. Iwaya “expressed serious concerns over the East China Sea situation, including around the Senkaku Islands (and) China’s increasing military activity,” the statement said.

The chain of uninhabited islands claimed by Beijing but administered by Tokyo are known as the Diaoyu in China.

AFP

DAMASCUS – Syria’s new leaders announced Tuesday that they had reached an agreement with the country’s rebel groups on their dissolution and integration under the defence ministry.

Absent from the meeting were representatives of the US-backed, Kurdishled forces that control swathes of Syria’s northeast.

The meeting between the rebel groups and Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa “ended in an agreement on the dissolution of all the groups and their integration under the supervision of the ministry of defense,” said a statement carried by the SANA news agency and the authorities’ Telegram account.

The announcement comes just over

two weeks after president Bashar alAssad fled Syria, following a lightning offensive spearheaded by Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group.

OnSunday Sharaa, long known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, had said the new authorities would “absolutely not allow there to be weapons in the country outside state control”.

That also applied to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, he said.

Last week, the military chief of HTS told AFP that Kurdish-held areas would be integrated under the new leadership, and that “Syria will not be divided”.

Thirteen years of civil war in Syria has left more than half a million people dead

and fragmented the country into zones of influence controlled by different armed groups backed by regional and international powers.

SDF spokesman Farhad Shami told AFP the question of his group’s integration into the national armed forces “should be discussed directly.”

He did not dismiss the possibility, saying that doing so would strengthen “the whole of Syria”.

Shami added that his forces prefer “dialogue with Damascus to resolve all questions.”

Turkey has long held ties with HTS, and analysts say that since the Islamists took over Syria, both sides have sought to profit from the relationship. AFP

Impeached Yoon defies Christmas summons SEOUL – South Korea’s suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol refused a summons to appear for questioning on Christmas Day, the second time he has defied investigators’ demands in a week.

Investigators probing Yoon had ordered him to appear for questioning at 10 am on Wednesday, a demand he rejected.

Yoon, a former prosecutor, also failed to attend a hearing he was summoned to last Wednesday, giving no explanation for his absence.

The conservative leader was stripped of his duties by parliament on December 14, following a short-lived martial law declaration that plunged the country into its worst political crisis in decades.

Yoon faces impeachment and criminal charges of insurrection, which could result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty, in a drama that has shocked democratic South Korea’s allies around the world. AFP

Turkey court jails hotel owner, architect in trial ISTANBUL – A Turkish court on Wednesday sentenced the owner and architect of a hotel where 72 people died after it collapsed following an earthquake last year to over 18 years in prison.

The dead included 26 members of a school volleyball team from northern Cyprus. The Grand Isias Hotel in Adiyaman crumbled after the February 2023 quake that claimed 55,000 lives in Turkey.

The court in Adiyaman sentenced hotel owner Ahmet Bozkurt to 18 years and five months in prison for “causing the death or injury of more than one person through conscious negligence”, the official Anadolu news agency reported.

His son Mehmet Fatih Bozkurt was sentenced to 17 years and four months in jail and architect Erdem Yilmaz got 18 years and five months on the same charges, Anadolu added.

An AFP team saw the hotel completely flattened. AFP

RELIGIOUS FEARS. Christian worshippers attend Christmas Eve Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Dormition, known also as the Olive Church, in Damascus, on Dec.24. Syria’s rulers who toppled Assad’s government on Dec. 8 have since sought to assure religious and ethnic minorities their rights would be upheld. Some in the Christian community of several hundred thousands, the promises made by the new Islamist leadership have done little to soothe their fears in a country scarred by years of civil war. AFP

YIV, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday denounced an “inhumane” attack from Russia, which launched dozens of missiles and drones on his war-torn country’s energy grid on Christmas Day.

The country woke up at 5:30 am to an air raid alarm, shortly followed by air force reports that Russia had launched Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea. “Putin deliberately chose Christmas to attack. What could be more inhumane?

More than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than a hundred attack drones. The target is our energy system,” Zelenskyy said.

This was the 13th large-scale strike on Ukraine’s energy system this year, the latest in Russia’s campaign targeting the power grid during winter.

The air force shot down over 50 missiles, Zelenskyy said.

“Unfortunately, there are some hits.

As of now, there are blackouts in several regions,” he said.

Engineers were working to repair the system, but Ukraine’s DTEK energy company said the attack severely damaged equipment of thermal power plants, and regional officials reported power cuts.

“Christmas morning has once again shown that nothing is sacred for the aggressor country,” said Svitlana Onyshchuk, the head of the Ivano-Frankivsk region.

She said part of the region was without electricity “at a time when we celebrate one of the greatest religious holidays -the bright Christmas.”

Ukraine is officially celebrating Christmas on December 25 for a second year.

The government last year changed the date from January 7, when most Orthodox believers celebrate, as a snub to Russia.

The Christmas Day attack targeted central Dnipropetrovsk, whose governor Sergiy Lysak said Russia was “trying to destroy the region’s power system.” AFP

Israeli army says intercepted ballistic missile from Yemen JERUSALEM – The Israeli army said Wednesday it intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards the country from Yemen.

Air raid sirens sounded over a wide swathe of central Israel as a precaution against falling debris, but the army said it shot down the projectile before it entered Israeli territory.

No injuries were reported, according to Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical services.

“A missile that was launched from Yemen was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory,” the Israeli army wrote on the Telegram social media platform. “Sirens regarding rocket and missile launches were activated due to the possibility of falling shrapnel from the interception.”

On Tuesday, the Israeli army also said it had intercepted a projectile fired from

Yemen.

Yemen’s Huthi rebels said Wednesday that they had fired a ballistic missile at central Israel, with Israeli forces saying they intercepted the attack.

The missile was aimed at the Tel Aviv area, the Iran-backed Huthis said. The Israelis reported it was shot down before it entered Israeli territory.

“The Yemeni Armed Forces targeted a military target of the Israeli enemy in the occupied area of Yaffa (Tel Aviv) using a hypersonic ballistic missile, type Palestine 2,” a Huthi military statement said.

“The operation has successfully achieved its objectives,” it added.

The Huthis have repeatedly launched missiles at Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians since the war in Gaza began more than a year ago. AFP

SEPARATION BORDER. Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa greets Christian worshippers upon his arrival to Israel’s ‘checkpoint 300’ at the controversial separation barrier in Bethlehem town in the Israel-occupied West Bank on Dec. 24, where he was slated to lead the annual Christmas eve procession at the Church of the Nativity. AFP

SPORTS

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2024

Djokovic eyes more Slam glory in 2025

S

YDNEY—Novak Djokovic is confident he can still win Grand Slams, starting at the Australian Open, with the Serbian kickstarting his bid for an unprecedented 11th title and record 25th major crown in Brisbane this week.

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, who is gunning for a third Melbourne Park trophy, joins him at the Queensland Tennis Centre from December 29-January 5 in a stellar women’s field.

The 2025 season gets under way on Friday with the mixed-teams United Cup in Perth and Sydney, headlined by world number two Iga Swiatek in her first tournament since revelations that she served a one-month doping suspension.

It is the first season since 37-yearold Djokovic began playing that none of the other so-called “Big Four” will be on the other side of the net following the retirements this year of Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.

Roger Federer called it quits in 2022.

As they faded, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz stepped up to become the new Grand Slam kings, with both men opting against a warm-up tournament leading into the first major of the year which begins on January 12.

As doubts grew over Djokovic’s motivation and ability to take down the new guard after a disappointing 2024, he stunned the tennis world by hiring Murray to coach him.

Kyrgios returns The British three-time major winner is set to miss Brisbane but hook up with his old rival at the Australian Open.

“I still will try to go strong because I feel like my body is serving me well. I still have motivation to win Grand Slams, make more history,” said Djokovic, who needs one more Slam crown to surpass Margaret Court’s 24.

“That’s one of the biggest reasons why I asked Andy to work with me, because I still have big plans, so as long as that’s the case, I will keep going.”

By his standards, 2024 wasn’t kind,

Giro d’Italia bike tourney to start in Albania in ’25 ROME—The 2025 Giro d’Italia will start in Albania for the first time with the opening three stages in May, organizers announced on Monday.

The first stage on May 9 will start in port city Durres and finish in the Albanian capital Tirana.

“Albania may not have a strong tradition in this sport, having never hosted major events or produced renowned champions, but there is always a reason, and a date, to start something new and beautiful,” race organisers said.

The rest of the route will be announced next month.

“This will be an exceptional opportunity to show our splendid country to 800 million spectators around the world,” said Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Slovenian star Tadej Pogacar won his maiden Giro crown this year, adding to his three Tour de France titles. AFP

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic returns the ball during Argentina’s Juan Manuel del Potro’s farewell exhibition tennis match at Arena Parque Roca in Buenos Aires. AFP

failing to win a Slam, claiming just one title -- Olympic gold in Paris -- and ending his season in October.

A resurgent Grigor Dimitrov, Holger Rune, and Frances Tiafoe are also playing in Brisbane, as is Australian Nick Kyrgios, who returns after injuries restricted him to just one ATP Tour singles match in two years.

He and Djokovic are set to play doubles together.

Challenging Sabalenka on Pat Rafter Arena will be America’s top talents Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro, ranked seven and eight respectively, along with former world number two Ons Jabeur and veteran Victoria Azarenka.

Sabalenka, who beat China’s highflying Zheng Qinwen in the Melbourne final this year, had a sensational 2024 which culminated in being named

WTA Player of Year this month.

The 26-year-old reached seven finals and won four titles, successfully defending the Australian Open, lifting her first US Open and winning WTA 1000 events in Cincinnati and Wuhan.

She also recaptured the number one ranking from five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek, whose reputation was rocked in November when it was revealed she tested positive for a banned heart medication in August.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency accepted that the violation was not intentional, and the Polish star escaped with a one-month sanction.

Sinner awaits verdict Swiatek called it “the worst experience of my life”, but vowed: “I know I will be stronger than ever.”

Her case is similar to that of Australian Open winner Sinner, who is still

waiting for the outcome of a World Anti-Doping Agency appeal against his initial exoneration for twice testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March.

The agency told AFP a ruling was not expected before the new year, but it could conceivably be handed down before or during the Australian Open.

Joining Swiatek at the United Cup is world number two Coco Gauff and fourth-ranked Jasmine Paolini.

Two-time Australian Open winner Naomi Osaka begins her season at the Auckland Classic, hoping for a better year than 2024 when she failed to win a title.

Former US Open champions Emma Raducanu, a place above Osaka in the rankings at 57, and Bianca Andreescu are also starters in New Zealand. AFP

Tennis power couple de Minaur, Boulter get engaged SYDNEY—Tennis glamour couple Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter have announced their engagement ahead of the start of the 2025 season this week.

The Australian world number nine and Britain’s top women’s player have been dating for several years with their news sparking congratulations from across the tennis world.

“We’ve been keeping a small secret,” the pair jointly said on Instagram late Monday, with Boulter showing off her ring.

Among the well-wishers were women’s stars Paula Badosa and Madison Keys while de Minaur’s fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis quipped: “It’s about damn time.”

De Minaur, 25 and Boulter, 28, both enjoyed breakthrough seasons in 2024.

The Australian broke into the top 10 for the first time while Boulter reached a career-high 23.

They both start their 2025 campaigns at the mixedteams United Cup in Sydney this week.

Tennis players Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter attend Taste Of Tennis Miami 2024 at JW Marriott Miami Brickell in Miami, Florida. AFP

Wembanyama, Edwards make Christmas NBA debuts NEW YORK—Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards will play Christmas Day games for the first time on Wednesday as the NBA delivers its 77th year of contests on the holiday.

French centre Wembanyama, last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, will lead the San Antonio Spurs into New York to face the Knicks, who have the league’s longest holiday history.

The Knicks have played the most Christmas games of any NBA club at 56 entering this year, the first coming in 1947, the year the first NBA Christmas game was played.

Wembanyama, a 20-year-old who stands 7-foot-3 (2.21m), averages 24.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 4.0 blocked shots a game for the Spurs, who return to the Christmas lineup for the first time in eight years.

“Very excited just about spending Christmas in New York,” Wembanyama said. “Going to be like the movies I hope, maybe get a little snow.

“I’ll approach it just like any other game. We’ve got to learn about their team, scout them and apply it for sure. I’m sure it’s going to be special.

I’m sure the league is going to make it something special that we’re going to be able to feel.”

Edwards, a two-time NBA AllStar guard who helped the United States capture gold at the Paris Olympics, will try to spark the Minnesota Timberwolves on a holiday road trip to Dallas in a rematch of last season’s Western Conference finals.

“Ant-Man” leads the T-Wolves with 25.3 points a game and also has 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals a contest this season. AFP

Skippers brace for gale-force winds in taxing Sydney-Hobart SYDNEY—Skippers of the supermaxi yachts in the Sydney-Hobart bluewater classic are bracing for a fast start on Thursday and a wild first night at sea with gale-force winds forecast.

A fleet of 105 will set sail from Sydney Harbour in one of the world’s great ocean races before they head down Australia’s east coast, then tackle the notorious Bass Strait towards the Tasmanian state capital Hobart.

In the final race briefing, meteorologist Gabrielle Woodhouse said the boats can expect fine weather and brisk north-easterly winds to get them underway before gusts strengthen as they fly down the coast.

“We’ll see those winds strengthening and potentially getting gale-force speeds, particularly along the southern parts of the New South Wales coast on Thursday,” she said.

Woodhouse added that a strong south-westerly change would move

across the Bass Strait on Friday morning, potentially bringing showers, lightning, thunder and swells of up to four metres (13 feet).

Wind speeds could reach 40 knots (74 kilometres per hour).

Weather is a critical factor in the race, which was first held in 1945, with winds often shifting rapidly in direction and intensity.

In 1998, when a deep depression exploded over the fleet in the Bass Strait, six men died, five boats sank and 55 sailors were rescued.

LawConnect edged Comanche last year by just 51 seconds after a treacherous 628 nautical mile journey with the two 100-footers again set to battle for line honours.

Two other supermaxis are entered -- Wild Thing and Maritimo.

LawConnect skipper Christian Beck said he relished the forecast conditions.

“I think from our point of view, the

harder it is, the better it is,” he said.

“We’ve had a crew that’s been together for six years. We hope our crew is our main strength. The harder it is, the more that comes to our advantage.

So, we’re pretty happy with the forecast overall.”

Four-time champion Comanche is the current race record holder after it surged over the finish line in one day, 9 hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds to set a new mark in 2017.

Comanche co-skipper James Mayo said that strategy would be key, adding “it’s definitely good conditions, better than waking up on Boxing Day knowing that you’re facing a southerly.”

“It’s about keeping the boat in one piece, you know there’s going to be some good rides.

“It’s about getting there safely and working through those transitions as we enter Bass Strait and getting through those as best as possible.” AFP

Yacht Andoo Comanche competes during last year’s annual Sydney to Hobart yacht race. AFP

SPORTS

A8

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2024

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Palawan Yurich Builders clinch Junior MPBL 18-Under title

By Dennis Abrina

The Palawan Yurich Builders (Perpetual Junior Altas) clinched the Junior MPBL Season 2 National Finals’ title after defeating Rizal Switch Fiber (Arellano Braves) in Game 2 of the championship showdown, 88-84. Dennis Abrina

PH’s top fencers Tranquillan, Perez join world tournament

By Peter Atencio

T

WO of the country’s top fencers are set to compete in the 2025 FIE World Cup next month in Paris, France.

Nathaniel Perez and Samuel Tranquillan have confirmed their presence in the men’s individual and team foil events in the world tournament slated from Jan. 10 to 12, 2025.

National coach Rolando “Amat” Canlas said that Perez and Tranquillan are now in the thick of preparations for the three-day meet also known as the Coupe de Monde and organized by the Fédération Internationale d’Escrime (FIE).

FIFA adapts interim transfer rules after Diarra case PARIS—FIFA announced Monday it had adopted an “interim regulatory framework” regarding player transfers after a ruling earlier this year by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in a case brought by Lassana Diarra.

The decision comes just over a week before the transfer market reopens in January and follows “close consultation with key stakeholders”, world football’s governing body said in statement.

The changes relate to article 17 of FIFA’s regulations governing the status and transfer of players.

“The framework... addresses the rules about compensation for breach of contract, joint and several liability, inducement for breach of contract, International Transfer Certificates and proceedings before the Football Tribunal,” FIFA said.

The objective is to provide “clarity and stability ahead of upcoming registration periods and upholding globally uniform rules”, it added.

The European Union’s top court, the ECJ, in October said that certain FIFA rules regarding transfers were contrary to the bloc’s laws on freedom of movement, as it found in favour of former France midfielder Diarra.

The Diarra case goes back 10 years.

In August 2014, Lokomotiv Moscow terminated Diarra’s contract citing contractual breaches by the player. The Russian club also sought 20 million euros ($22 mn) compensation from Diarra, now aged 39.

Diarra, who also played for Arsenal, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid during his career, refused and requested that Lokomotiv pay him compensation. AFP

The 28-year-old Perez is the country’s no. 1 foil specialist ranked no. 147 in the world, while the 26-year-old Tranquillan is at no. 436.

“They have confirmed their participation in the World Cup, and they’re among the four so far, who will go,” said Canlas.

Perez, who recently placed 16th in the Singapore Satellite World Cup, recently won the gold medal in the Southeast Asian

Fencing Federation Senior Championship 2024 at the Tan Sri Hamzah Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Joining Perez and Tranquillan are Antonio Manuel and Dean Myers.

The three-day joust will see world no.

2 Nick Itkin of the United States as the highest-ranked entry.

Perez and Tranquillan are expected to be part of the national squad for the coming 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

Canlas said the final list of the national team for the SEA Games will be known by June, when those selected will go into a series of training camps.

Nathaniel Perez

THE Perpetual Help community celebrated a Merry Christmas as the Palawan Yurich Builders swept the Rizal Province Switch Fiber, 2-0, following an 88-84 win to win the Junior Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 18-Under Division championship on Monday night at the Home of the Altas Gym in Las Piñas City.

In a thrilling Game 2 finish, Lebron Daep’s back-to-back baskets gave Palawan an 86-84 lead with 26 seconds remaining.

Louie Rosales then sealed the victory, hitting two free throws after being fouled by Rizal’s Axl Manansala with just two seconds left.

Daep, a 6’7” power forward/center, earned Finals’ MVP honors with a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds, to go with 2 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks.

Rosales led all scorers with 29 points, adding 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals.

John Corpuz (11 points) and TJ Tabbuan (10 points) also made significant contributions for Palawan.

Seann Franco led Rizal with 19 points.

Other Jr. MPBL champions crowned that night included the San Pedro Spartans (16-Under Division) and Biñan Tatak Gel (14-Under Division).

Tournament ommissioner Kieth Picazo presented the championship trophy to Palawan coach Joph Cleopas and Frank Gusi of Team Perpetual Altas.

Cleopas, also the head coach of the Perpetual Junior Altas, credited the Jr. MPBL, along with NGBL and Under Armour Invitational Championship victories, as crucial preparations for the coming NCAA Juniors Basketball season starting January 13, 2025.

“For me, the three titles we got during the off-season, the NGBL, Under Armor Invitational Championship and Junior MPBL are just battery of our team, to correct our mistakes whether its losing or winning,” Cleopas said.

Chiefs face Steelers, seek 1st-round bye, homecourt edge DEFENDING Super Bowl champion Kansas City can clinch a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the NFL post-season with a victory Wednesday at Pittsburgh as four playoff-bound teams face a holiday test.

The Chiefs, with an NFL-best 14-1 record and seeking a Super Bowl three-peat, can secure the AFC top seed with a triumph over the Steelers (10-5) while Baltimore (10-5) is at Houston (9-6) in a possible firstround playoff preview.

The Christmas double-header, in the penultimate week of the campaign, will mark the first NFL games shown by streaming giant Netflix.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has shaken off a high left ankle sprain suffered December 15, showing no signs of trouble in a victory last Saturday over Houston.

“I feel like I can move around and do what I need to do and now we’ll get to get to a little bit faster-paced practice and see where I’m truly at,” Mahomes said.

“All in all, I came out pretty well.”

Even so, a third game in 11 days is putting his fitness to the test.

“Obviously, the body is going to be sore just with a short week and everything like that,” Mahomes said.

“But I think the ankle should be in a better place.”

The Chiefs could be without their top defender as defensive tackle Chris Jones is listed as questionable with a calf injury suffered in the fourth quarter of Saturday win over Houston.

Singer Beyonce will perform live at half-time in her hometown of Houston and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson of Baltimore said he was going to skip locker room talk to see her live for the first time.

“I’m going to go out and watch,” he said. “Sorry.”

It will be the second Christmas in a row for quarterback Jackson to work’ Last year, he helped the Ravens beat San Francisco.

“I do want to celebrate at home with some time with

my family,” Jackson said. “I don’t want to play on Christmas all the time.

“All jokes aside, it’s great. It’s a present for everyone. They get to see us play, a lot of eyes on us, and I believe people are going to be watching us at the right time.”

Playoff fight heats up NFL games will be played over five of the next six days, with Seattle at the Chicago Bears on Thursday.

At 8-7, the Seahawks are one game behind the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC West division.

The Rams (9-6) host Arizona (7-8) on Saturday and can clinch the division crown and a playoff spot with a win and a Seattle loss.

Also on Saturday, the Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) visit New England (3-12) and Denver (9-6) will visit Cincinnati (7-8). Road wins will secure playoff berths for the Broncos and Chargers.

Sunday’s most crucial matchup finds the Atlanta Falcons (8-7) at Washington (10-5).

Garmin Run Asia Series makes impact in Manila debut IN a testament to the power of community and personal achievement, Garmin, the world’s leading sports and health smartwatch brand, hosted the first-ever Garmin Run Asia Series in Manila recently.

With the theme “From Zero to Hero,” the series has inspired thousands across Asia to step out of their comfort zones and challenge themselves to set new personal bests. Held at the scenic Filinvest Events Grounds in Alabang, the event drew an impressive number of more than 7,000 runners, from beginners to seasoned athletes, uniting them in a celebration of health, fitness, and their love for running.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the first ever Garmin Run Asia Series - Philippines. It’s inspiring to witness the passion Filipinos have for health and fitness. Supporting each runner’s journey with Garmin technology is an honor, and we’re committed to providing more opportunities for the community to stay active,” shared Houston Chen, Senior Marketing Communication Manager, Garmin Corporation.

Inspiring Transformations The journey to the Garmin Run Asia Series began months earlier through

More than 7,000 runners conquered the 1st Garmin Run Asia Series in Manila.

a 10-week running training program in September offered by the Garmin Run Club. More than just a lead-up to the event, the Garmin Run Club represents Garmin’s commitment to fostering a culture of health, fitness, and continuous improvement through sciencebacked training programs, state-

of-the-art technology, and an inspiring community of runners.

Participants had the opportunity to train with the best running coaches in the industry, including Coach Miguel Aldeguer of EZRC, Coach Patrick Rubin of Run With Pat, Coach Nylah Bautista of NewBound Triathlon Coaching, and

Coach Ken Mendola of WeKenRun at various locations in the metro as they built their endurance for the coming race.

The Garmin Run Club empowers runners year-round, providing not only access to structured training but also opportunities to grow through organized group runs and exclusive events.

The Garmin Run in Manila featured three race distances—5KM, 10KM, and 21KM—allowing participants of all skill levels to challenge themselves and achieve new personal bests. This event marked the debut of the Garmin Run Asia Series in the Philippines, a regional initiative spanning key countries in Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore.

The top 3 male and female runners were awarded for each running distance, whether 5KM, 10KM or 21KM. While they went head-tohead for the best places, there were exciting prizes to be won, including brand new Garmin watches.

BUSINESS

B1

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2024

extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor

ERC sets price cap on power reserve market T

By Alena Mae S. Flores

COMMUNITY OUTREACH. As part of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ 75th-anniversary celebration, the BSP

Risk and Compliance Office (RCO) visits Concordia Children’s Services Inc., a child welfare organization in Sta. Mesa, Manila. It provides residential and community-based programs, offering care for orphans and support for children from underprivileged families by addressing their educational, spiritual and nutritional needs. The BSP RCO donated school supplies, reaffirming its commitment to community service and uplifting the lives of disadvantaged children.

CICC: Crypto scams target Christmas bonuses

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) on Wednesday warned the public against cryptocurrency investment scams, targeting Christmas bonuses.

CICC executive Director Alexander Ramos said banks noticed a number of their depositors losing millions in the past few days to cryptocurrency scams, but were refusing to report to authorities.

“We have already warned the public as early as November about the surge in cryptocurrency scams, and now it is becoming worse because scammers are taking advantage of the Christmas and year-end bonuses of the people,” said Ramos.

Cryptocurrency has become popular investment instrument because of the surge in value. The

price of bitcoin skyrocketed from $500 in May 2016 to $93,730 as of Dec. 24, 2024.

CICC issued a cybercrime warning in November alerting the public of cryptocurrency scammers enticing victims to pay in dollars in a foreign account.

Ramos said scammers changed their modus operandi this time by opening digital accounts which easily disappear as soon as investors deposited between P100,000 and more than a million.

Banks were very concerned about this development because their depositors were directly transferring funds from local bank accounts to fly-by-night digital accounts, he said.

“We are advising the public to think first before they invest on anything. They should make sure

that these digital currency accounts where they will be transferring their funds are supervised by the BSP,” Ramos said.

Scammers are also believed to be locally-based, taking advantage of the fat bonuses of employees during the Christmas season.

Ramos asked the public to do research about any form of investment before putting their money into it.

“Check with government regulatory agencies if such companies have the license to do business before investing. Remember no investment is risk free,” he said.

Victims of investment scams are advised to call the Inter-Agency Response Center (IARC) hotline 1326 which is toll-free and operates roundthe-clock from Mondays to Sundays including these coming Christmas and New Year holidays.

HE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) imposed an interim price cap of P25 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the reserve market to be recalculated after a year.

It said that after careful deliberation, the commission resolved to adopt actions relating to the proposed reserve offer price floor and cap for the reserve market. The value of reserve offer price floor and cap was set at 0 per megawatt-hour (MWh) and P25,000 per MWh, respectively.

The reserve market, now integrated into the WESM, aims to optimize energy and reserve procurement. This integration is expected to promote competition and affordability while ensuring grid security and reliability.

The ERC said it would review and recalculate the interim offer price floor and cap a year after implementation, contingent on the collection of sufficient data from the annual submissions of generation companies.

It would then start its review of the existing offer price floor and cap every five years from the implementation of the revision in the interim rules adopted, or when otherwise deemed necessary by the regulator.

“Upon collection of sufficient reportorial requirements and data from generation companies, the commission will initiate a review,” it said.

The ERC proposed in June 2024 an interim price cap of P19 per kWh for the reserve market, subject to consultations and additional data from power generators.

During the initial commercial operation of the reserve market, the Department of Energy temporarily implemented a price cap of P32,000 per MWh, equivalent to P32 per kWh, and a price floor of 0 pesos per MWh. The ERC, however, rejected the DOE’s proposed P32 per kWh cap, deeming it excessive.

The ERC said it aimed to “set a reasonable offer ceiling that will limit excessive pricing in the market and prevent windfall profits for ancillary service [AS] providers, with the end view of protecting consumer interest.”

It drafted a resolution setting an interim offer price cap as mitigating measure for the trading of reserves in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

Simulations conducted on the proposed P19,000 per kWh cap showed that it would result in an annual net revenue requirement (ANRR) greater than the computed annual market revenue.

BUSINESS

B2

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2024

extrastory2000@gmail.com

AI, 5G networks likely to affect marketing, advertising future

By Darwin G. Amojelar SMART Communications Inc. said Wednesday the future of marketing and advertising, both in the Philippines and globally, will be significantly influenced by the growing prominence of artificial intelligence (AI) and advancements in mobile connectivity like 5G. “The media landscape dramatically evolves every second, and we don’t even realize it,” said Kristine Go, senior vice president for wireless consumer business at Smart.

“With digital becoming mainstream, describing the media reality as ‘fastpaced’ is an understatement,” said Go, identifying five “key provocations” impacting this changing media landscape.

Go attributed the country’s rapid digitalization to the onslaught of the pandemic.

“Smartphones became dominant, leading to the explosion of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Insta-

gram and TikTok. Streaming platforms gave rise to video on-demand and the content creator universe. In fact, the Philippines is #1 in online video consumption,” she said.

She said that in mobile-first Philippines, where people spend about a third of their days on their smartphones, video streaming is a major activity, alongside social media and gaming.

Go said this is due to smartphone affordability and improvements in mobile connectivity.

“With LTE evolving into 5G, people are now able to game and stream anywhere uninterrupted. More importantly, with everyone having access to content creation, the latest evolution of this habit has been to livestream outdoors, which 5G allows you to do,” she said, adding that mobile connectivity has also enabled ‘regular joes’ and key opinion leaders to influence other consumers via social media.

INTER-AGENCY MEETING. Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman

(right) attends the Joint Economic Development Group (EDG) and Inter-Agency Committee on Inflation and Market Outlook (IAC-IMO) meeting on Dec. 18, 2024 at the Department of Finance (DOF). With Pangandaman are EDG chairperson and Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick Go and EDG vice chairpersons Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, and National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.

PSALM selling real estate estates worth over P380m S

By Alena Mae S. Flores

tate-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. is selling its Bantay and Talon properties with a combined minimum bid price of P389 million.

PSALM said in an invitation to bid that it is selling on an “as-is, where is” basis the Bantay property in Ilocos Sur consisting of a total area of

6,027 squarer meters for a minimum bid price of P19.286 million.

It is also selling the Talomo property in Davao City and Davao Del Sur

with a total area of 66,962 sq. m. for a minimum bid price of P369.585 million. It said only three of the 35 lots of the Talomo property are for sale.

PSALM said the submission of bids would be on a per property basis, and a bidder may submit a bid in any or in all properties.

PSALM said the sealed bids would be accepted on or before Jan.10, 2025, and interested buyers should physically inspect the properties and

Aboitiz InfraCapital hosts key DTI foreign trade execs in Cebu

conduct due diligence on Jan. 6, 2025.

The agency set the bid submission deadline on Jan. 10, 2025.

PSALM said it would use proceeds from the sale of the assets to pay of its debts.

PSALM, tasked to manage the assets and liabilities of National Power Corp. under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, has outstanding financing obligations amounting to P339.4 billion as of Oct. 31, 2024.

First Gen to supply clean energy to two FEU campuses FAR Eastern University (FEU) tapped First Gen Corp. again to supply clean electricity to its campuses in Manila and Alabang as part of its objective to boost operational efficiency and sustainability.

Under the agreement finalized by both companies on Nov. 20, 2024, First Gen will supply 600 kilowatts (kW) of electricity to the FEU Alabang campus in Muntinlupa; and another 650 kW to the FEU Institute of Technology, located near the main FEU campus in Manila.

FEU and First Gen first teamed up in 2017 when the latter directly supplied power to parts of the FEU main campus in Manila under the government’s retail competition and open access (RCOA) program.

RCOA enables qualified electricity customers with a monthly peak demand of at least 500 kilowatts over the preceding 12 months to choose their own power suppliers.

“Diversifying power sources and working with independent power pro-

ducers help reduce volatility in power costs but the overall carbon footprint as well. We’re privileged to work with FEU over the past seven years, expanding to other campuses as they move forward in their decarbonization journey,” said Carlo Vega, First Gen vice president for marketing, trading and economics.

First Gen is the country’s largest producer of renewable energy (RE), with 1,651 megawatts (MW) of installed capacity from its 28 solar, wind, hydro and geothermal power plants across the Philippines.

First Gen also owns and operates four other power plants that run on natural gas, which serves as transition fuel for a decarbonized future. These First Gen portfolio of power plants, with 3,668 MW of combined capacity, help assure the country’s energy security.

FEU president Juan Miguel Montinola said the educational institution takes a holistic operational view in the delivery of continual academic improvement.

“Our aim is to have the greatest social and learning impact with the smallest environmental footprint. We take great pride in now operating fully

on renewable power, some of which is own produced, but mostly through this partnership,” Montinola said.

Alena Mae S. Flores

LOAN ARRANGER. Investment & Capital Corporation of the Philippines (ICCP), one of the Philippines’ leading independent licensed investment houses, arranges P1.25 billion in loan facilities for Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation (PDO), the residential development arm of the ICCP Group. PDO signed 7-year term loan agreements worth P500 million each with the Philippine Bank of Communications (PBCOM) and the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), which also provided a P250-million short-term working capital line.

RANKING members of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC) recently enhanced their infrastructure investment knowledge and expertise at a twoday comprehensive symposium and asset tour in Cebu spearheaded by Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC), the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group.

Co-hosted by AIC Economic Estates, operator of Mactan Economic Zone 2 Estate in Lapu-Lapu City and West Cebu Estate in Balamban and Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation, operator of the MactanCebu International Airport [MCIA]), the symposium dubbed “AIC Conversations” gave FTSC members key insights on the management and operations of industrial estates and airports.

Aside from touring these AIC sites, they also conducted regional consultations with local private and public stakeholders from the business and trade sectors.

“Through initiatives like ‘AIC Conversations,’ we aim to foster meaningful partnerships and showcase the vital role of infrastructure in enabling trade and investments,” said AIC first vice president and head of corporate affairs Christopher Camba.

“By highlighting the synergy between AIC Economic Estates and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, we demonstrate how AIC continues to drive economic growth and create opportunities for local and global businesses alike,” said AIC president and chief executive Cosette Canilao.

The FTSC WCE tour was led by AIC EE senior industrial business manager for Cebu operation Ginalyn Casinillo and assistant business operations manager for West Cebu Estate Winmundo Charcos, together with AIC external affairs manager Raymond Esperat.

Keeping the PH natural gas market competitive and sustainable MERGERS and acquisitions are sometimes frowned upon because of fears that they are aimed at removing a competitor or a threat in the industry.

For the players involved in the process, the business option boosts their combined strengths and eliminates weaknesses to achieve ascending growth.

Regulators, thus, must do a balancing act in giving the green light on mergers and acquisitions, and ensure the market stays competitive.

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) did the right thing in allowing Meralco PowerGen Corp.(MGEN), Aboitiz Power Corp. and San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp.

(SMGP) to proceed with their joint acquisition of two gas-fired power plants and a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal.

The PCC noted that the transaction supported the country’s energy security but imposed conditions that it deemed were vital to maintaining a competitive market.

The deal is subject to conditions aimed at ensuring fair competition and promoting transparency.

The transaction involves MGEN and Therma NatGas Power Inc. (Therma) of Aboitiz Power Corp., through their joint venture Chromite

Gas Holdings Inc. (Chromite), acquiring a 67-percent equity interest in South Premiere Power Corp. (SPPC), Excellent Energy Resources Inc. (EERI) and Ilijan Primeline Industrial Estate Corp.

In addition, MGEN and Therma, through Chromite, along with San Miguel Power, will jointly acquire 100 percent of Linseed Field Corp. (LFC), which operates the LNG terminal in Batangas City.

As a result of the acquisitions, MGEN and Therma, through their 60-40 ownership of Chromite, will control 67 percent of SPPC, EERI and Ilijan Primeline. San Miguel Power retained a 33-percent stake in these three entities and gains a corresponding interest in LFC. The series of transactions clearly impact the Philippine natural gas industry. The PCC identified potential competition concerns, including risks of coordination in the national power generation market and foreclosure in power supply deals with distribution utility companies (DUs).

The ultimate parent companies―Pilipinas Enterprise Management Holdings Inc. (PEMHI), Aboitiz & Company Inc. and Top Frontier Investment Holdings Inc.—had to offer voluntary commitments on October 18, 2024 to address the issues.

—“—

Regulators must do a balancing act in giving the green light on mergers and acquisitions.

Such pledges were reviewed and validated by the PCC, with input from industry players, stakeholders, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

The PCC eventually approved the resulting voluntary commitments on December 20, 2024 and imposed key safeguards. These include a PCC oversight of the Competitive Selection Process (CSP) to ensure power supply agreements are awarded through a transparent and competitive bidding process. The PCC supervision aims to prevent collusion or unfair practices.

Per the regulator, the acquired companies must operate independently of their parent companies, with strict measures to separate IT systems, offices and management to prevent coordination or undue influence. The boards of directors should include independent members, and internal trading units will operate

independently of affiliates.

The PCC went further. It asked power plants to submit reports on unplanned outages to the regulator within seven days of reporting to the DOE to promote transparency. The regulator also required companies to appoint a competition compliance officer to monitor the fulfillment of the commitments.

The conditions, according to the PCC, will remain in effect for five years, with possible extensions depending on market conditions.

Violations could result in daily fines of up to P2 million per infraction, until the entity fully complies, in addition to other penalties and sanctions.

The PCC assured that the safeguards strike a balance between encouraging investments in critical energy infrastructure and ensuring a fair and competitive market that benefits consumers, businesses and the broader economy.

Ensuring the energy security of the Philippines is not a simple task. The goal must address potential competition issues, a key step toward bolstering the Philippines’ energy landscape and long-term sustainability.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com

BUSINESS

B3 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2024

extrastory2000@gmail.com

DTI bolsters bid to regulate vape industry

By Othel V. Campos

T HEIGHTENED ALERT. The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 is on heightened security alert since Dec. 20, 2024 to ensure the safe travel of passengers during the Christmas rush. Security and station personnel are ready to assist passengers at each station. This is in addition to police assistance desks where police officers can be approached by passengers for any security concerns.

Program names 6 best places to work in PH in 2024

ACMobility buys local EV charging network

NOVO Nordisk, Dragon Edge Group, Global Payments, Universal Robina Corp., AIA Philippines and Diversey were recognized as the 6 best places to work in the Philippines for 2024, according to the prestigious Best Places to Work 2024 certification program.

Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare leader, secured the top position, recognized for its exceptional commitment to employee well-being and development.

Dragon Edge Group, an FMCG company known for its iconic brands and innovative work culture, earned the second spot.

Ranking third is Global Payments, a leading provider of payment technology solutions, celebrated for its focus on employee engagement and professional growth.

Universal Robina Corp., a prominent name in the food and beverage industry, earned the fourth position, followed by AIA Philippines, a leading insurance provider, in fifth.

In sixth place is Diversey, a global provider of hygiene and cleaning solutions, praised for its commitment to sustainability and creating an inclusive, engaging workplace.

Best Place to Work said that in the face of global challenges, these companies have excelled by achieving an impressive average employee engagement score of 78 percent.

This accomplishment reflects their unwavering commitment to fostering workplaces where employees can thrive.

Insights from this year’s program reveal that more than 81 percent of employees within these organizations trust their employers to honor commitments made to staff. About 83 percent commend their leaders for effectively articulating the company’s vision and inspiring alignment with organizational objectives.

ACMOBILITY acquired Evro, the Philippines’ first brand-agnostic roaming electric vehicle (EV) charging network, developed by 917Ventures, Globe’s venture builder and tech innovation arm.

“We built Evro with the intention of simplifying Filipino EV owners’ charging journeys,” said Vince Yamat, managing director of 917Ventures.

“Since launching earlier this year, we’ve made significant headway in advancing sustainable transport through our tech and partners. Entrusting Evro to ACMobility ensures it will continue to evolve and contribute to the advancement of sustainable transport,” he said.

ACMobility said it is dedicated to advancing the growth of electrified mobility and closing infrastructure gaps that hinder EV adoption.

Its acquisition of Evro further enables the company to address issues

By Darwin G. Amojelar

faced by EV users, particularly the availability and accessibility of nearby charging stations, which remains a common concern among drivers especially those who take their EVs outside the city.

“We are thrilled to bring Evro into the ACMobility ecosystem,” said Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, AC Mobility chief executive.

“Evro is changing the game for electric vehicle adoption in the Philippines. Alongside our efforts in ACMobility, it will address range anxiety concerns and empower EV owners to have full control of their charging experience,” he said.

As an e-mobility service provider (eMSP), Evro seeks to consolidate the Philippines’ EV charging network regardless of brand or Charge-Point Operators (CPOs) to make them more accessible and convenient to local EV users.

Evro is the only mobile app recognized by the Department of Energy (DOE).

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is intensifying efforts to regulate the vape industry, reminding distributors and sellers to register with the agency and comply with consumer protection standards.

Manila

Standard DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque Recent developments highlight two TODAY said several companies are now acbrands, FLARE and SHFT, which credited, with expectations to have face potential license revocation due nine to 10 fully-compliant businesses to misleading claims on social media. by the end of the year.

FLARE falsely asserts full regu“Vape products are being sold out latory compliance, while SHFT imthere, and these are chemicals. We properly shared unauthorized images need to ensure they meet safety stanof DTI personnel, the agency said. dards and are fit for public consumpThe DTI said both actions violate tion,” Roque said. consumer protection laws, including The registration process is vital to Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consafeguard public health, particularly sumer Act of the Philippines, which given the chemical components in prohibits deceptive advertisements. vape products, she said.

It said both companies contradict The DTI has taken a strict stance Department Administrative Order on vape compliance, treating it with No. 2 (2007), which bans false or the same rigor as other regulated conmisleading information and the consumer products such as Christmas cealment of material facts. lights and fireworks.

The DTI said brands such as Don “For vape products, we’re quite Bars, KLIQ, ONE Bar, Phantom strict. We want them to register and Vape, RELX, Tomoro, TRUEZ, Vacomply,” Roque said, adding that gend and X-Vape possess valid Philmost vape products are imported but ippine Standard (PS) licenses, authodistributed locally by Filipino entrerizing their sale in the local market. preneurs.

RELIEF DRIVE.

The Social Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC) initiates a Christmas relief drive to assist communities impacted by recent typhoons that hit the Cagayan Valley and Bicol region. Held on Dec. 21, the initiative provided much-needed support to over 1,000 families affected by the calamities

Cebu business group launches power alliance to meet demand THE Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) said it is establishing a pioneering “Power Alliance” initiative to address the growing ener-

gy demand in one of the Philippines’ key economic centers.

This comes at a critical time as Cebu’s industrial and commercial

RENEWED TIE-UP. Silliman University Medical Center (SUMC), one of the

leading health institutions in the Visayas region, renews its partnership with First Gen Corp. for direct supply of renewable energy (RE) to support operations of the 300-bed tertiary hospital. The partnership is part of the overall drive towards sustainability of Silliman University. The renewed supply agreement, finalized ON Dec. 12, 2024, involves the supply of 800 kilowatts (kW) of electricity for SUMC sourced from the Palinpinon geothermal power plant in Valencia, Negros Oriental operated by First Gen subsidiary Energy Development Corp.

growth continues to drive increasing power requirements, highlighting the importance of collaborative approaches to energy security in expanding economic hubs.

“We’re looking into expanding our Power Committee with this alliance to support sustainable economic growth through enhanced coordination between business stakeholders and energy sector partners,” said CCCI president Jay Yuvallos.

“As businesses expand and new industries emerge, ensuring reliable and affordable power becomes increasingly crucial for maintaining competitiveness,” he said.

Department of Energy (DOE) data show that Cebu’s current demand is at 1,223-megawatts, compared to its local generation capacity of 1,123 MW. The group said the 100-MW deficit underscores two critical challenges for Cebu’s power security including the urgent need to

expand reliable local generation capacity and the region’s significant dependence on the broader Visayas transmission network, including interconnections with Luzon (via Leyte) and Mindanao.

They said addressing both aspects—through increased embedded generation and enhanced transmission infrastructure—is imperative for sustaining Cebu’s economic momentum and maintaining its attractiveness as an investment destination.

The DOE expects Cebu Island’s peak demand to reach about 1,400 MW by 2026, reflecting the region’s rapid economic expansion.

This growth in demand is part of the broader Visayas region’s projected increase from 2,464 MW in 2023 to 10,678 MW by 2050.

“Our Power Alliance aims to create a collaborative platform where businesses, power providers, and stakeholders can work together effectively,” Yuvallos said.

BUSINESS

B4

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2024

extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor

Construction workers told to get accredited T

By Othel V. Campos

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) asked individual construction workers such as plumbers, painters and masons to register for official accreditation.

NOCHE BUENA ITEMS. The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) conduct a joint inspection of wet markets and grocery stores in Guadalupe, Makati City on Dec. 19. 2024. The inspection aimed to ensure that supplies of Noche Buena and agricultural products remain adequate and that their prices stay reasonable.

Bitget expands network of crypto advocates CRYPTOCURRENCY exchange and Web3 company Bitget is scaling up its Bitget Builders Program after reaching 5,000 global connections.

Launched in June 2023, the program aims to expand Bitget’s recruitment efforts to more countries including the Philippines.

The initiative involves a network of crypto advocates, attracting over 5,000 participants from 55 countries, with 1,300 actively contributing to Bitget’s growth.

“The awareness for crypto and

blockchain is increasing daily. We’re growing at a fast pace to meet market demands. Through this program, we aim to build a network of supporters who share our vision—bringing crypto to all,” said Bitget chief operating officer Vugar Usi Zade.

The program seeks to engage Filipino crypto enthusiasts, influencers, and community leaders to drive blockchain innovation and adoption.

Participants in the program enjoy tailored incentives, exclusive

rewards and professional growth opportunities.

Outstanding contributors can attend global and regional events, offering a platform for Filipino crypto advocates to showcase their expertise and represent the country internationally.

These initiatives will provide opportunities for collaboration, skill development, and deeper engagement with blockchain technology, fostering stronger communities and advancing innovation in the crypto space, Bitget said. Othel V. Campos

Alipay+ reports mobile payments growth in Asia ALIPAY+, Ant International’s crossborder mobile payment and digitalization technology solution, announced new payment partners, expanded global merchant coverage and introduced exclusive rewards for partners’ users in time for the year-end peak travel season.

Alipay+ said it now has 35 international payment partners, serving more global travelers and connecting them to more than 90 million merchants in 66 markets.

It now includes an in-app destination marketing platform with digital lifestyle services, giving merchants direct channels to reach and engage customers. Its destination marketing platform, A+ Rewards, is available in more than 10 leading superapps, including Touch ‘n Go eWallet from Malaysia, TrueMoney from Thailand, GCash from the Philippines and Kakao Pay from South Korea.

It said that in the Philippines, Alipay+ expanded its coverage in key cities in the Philippines and is now accepted by more than 140,000 merchants, including the Mall of Asia, one of the largest shopping malls in the world.

Travel rebounded significantly in 2024, and according to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the tourism industry will break all records in 2024, with international spending increasing by 33 percent.

It said that for a registration fee of P500, workers can get accreditation from the DTI, boosting their credibility and increasing their chances of securing jobs.

“Not everyone needs a contractor for their projects. Sometimes, people just need a plumber or painter and having a DTI accreditation assures clients of their skills and reputation,” said DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque.

The program, which targets individual tradespeople who may not need to work under large contractors, allows homeowners and small-scale clients to easily find accredited workers for minor repairs and renovations, the agency said.

It said the initiative, tailored for independent tradespeople, allows individuals to work on specialized jobs while maintaining a professional reputation.

The DTI said it would monitor registrations and track the number of accredited workers as part of its broader efforts to enhance opportunities for

DBP’S AWARDS.

The Development Bank of the Philippines celebrates consecutive and dual honors at Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability (ACES) 2024.

Receiving the Green Initiative Award on behalf of DBP are president and chief executive Michael de Jesus (third from left) and senior vice president and head of the branch banking sector Carolyn Olfindo (second from left).

CREATE MORE biggest Christmas gift to investors—DOF THE enactment of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act in 2024 is one of the government’s biggest Christmas and New Year’s gifts to local and foreign investors and the Filipino people, according to the Department of Finance.

Signed into law on Nov. 11, 2024, Republic Act No. 12066, or the CREATE MORE Act, transforms the Philippines into an attractive destination for business by making the tax incentives regime more globally competitive, investment-friendly, predictable and accountable.

“CREATE MORE is definitely among the best gifts for our current

and future investors as well as the whole nation this year,” Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said.

“The economic outlook for 2025 is brighter as we see foreign investment pledges materialize and local businesses grow stronger because of this law. This is a true win-win for everyone — not only for the businesses but especially for Filipinos, who will reap the bigger benefits of CREATE MORE,” he said.

Among the exciting features of the law is a more competitive and generous incentive package that awaits strategic and highly desirable investments.

Registered business enterprises (RBEs) will have the option to choose between the Special Corporate In-

come Tax (SCIT) of 5 percent or the enhanced deductions regime (EDR) right from the start of their commercial operations.

The SCIT and EDR incentives, initially capped at a maximum of 10 years, are now extended to a period of up to 17 or 27 years. Labor-intensive projects will be allowed to apply for an extension of another five or ten years.

More incentives are given to registered export enterprises (REEs) and high-value domestic market enterprises (DMEs) with investment capital exceeding P15 billion and are engaged in sectors considered importsubstituting or export sales in the immediately preceding year of at least $100 million.

PH forest cover expands 2.9%, but crop area contracts 2.8% THE Philippines forest cover expanded 2.9 percent in five years from 2015 to 2020, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The annual crop area, however, shrank 2.84 percent to 5.94 million ha. from 6.12 million ha. in the same period.

“Statistics on land cover changes in the Philippines reveals specific trends in forest cover across various regions.

In 2020, the Philippines’ total open and closed forest cover reached 6.91 million hectares or 23.4 percent of the total land cover. This indicates a growth of 2.9 percent or 193,354 ha from 6.72 million ha in 2015,” the PSA said in the latest Land Asset Accounts of the Philippines.

It said that in particular, the closed forest cover grew by 9.3 percent, or 189,356 ha. from 2.03 million ha. in 2015.

The PSA said that at the regional

level, the highest contribution to the growth of closed forest was recorded in Central Luzon (1.8 percentage points), MIMAROPA (1.4 percentage points), and Northern Mindanao (1.2 percentage points).

Open forest cover also grew by 0.1 percent, or 3,998 ha., from 4.69 million ha. in 2015.

The Land Asset Accounts of the Philippines aims to describe the changes of the country’s area in terms of the land cover types from the beginning to the end of the reference period.

The country’s total land area is 29,588,367 hectares (ha), which covers the forest area (closed, open, and mangrove), brush and shrubs, open/barren, grassland, marshland/swamp, annual and perennial crop, fishpond, built-up, inland water, and sea and ocean.

GSIS DONATION. Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) president and general manager Jose Arnulfo Veloso (second from left) hands over the property titles for 89 road lots, 79 pathways and 2 open spaces in Bagong Nayon Subdivision to Antipolo City Mayor Jun Ynares (third from left), witnessed by Rizal Governor Nina Ricci Ynares (right) and GSIS Real Estate Asset Disposition and Management Office vice president Apollo Escarez (left). The donation enables the local government to take full responsibility for the maintenance and improvement of these public spaces, benefiting residents and supporting community development.

DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque

small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

It noted that the evolving e-commerce platform is not only promoting the sale of products but also of services.

“The market has expanded significantly with the rise of online platforms, creating both opportunities and challenges. We are scaling up our efforts to regulate and ensure products meet standards while protecting consumers,” Roque said.

Experts urge researchers to take advantage of storytelling STORYTELLING is not just an art form, but also an essential tool in communicating research.

This was one of the key messages conveyed during the knowledgesharing forum, “Research in Action: Transforming Research Dissemination in the Digital Age,” conducted by the Socioeconomic Research Portal for the Philippines (SERPP), an initiative of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).

The forum was part of a full-day symposium that served as an avenue for SERP-P network members to amplify their reach and improve research dissemination efforts.

By leveraging modern information technology and fostering a robust research network, SERPP aims to make research findings more accessible to policymakers, academics, and other stakeholders.

As a one-stop hub, it provides access to a wide range of research outputs, including studies, discussion papers, books, and journal articles.

“Your writing is only as good as how understandable it is. If you have a lot of information, but you don’t know how to communicate it, it doesn’t have as much value,” said Gabby Baizas, a digital forensics researcher and one of the presenters during the forum.

Ingrid Espinosa, an independent consultant for science communication and a lecturer at Ateneo de Manila University, positioned storytelling as part of the scientific process.

“Communicating is an easy way to multiply the impact and the results of the hard work you’ve already put in,” she said.

Espinosa shared how the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the critical role of empathy and storytelling in helping the public grasp complex scientific concepts. She said that research shared through stories is more believable and memorable to audiences than facts alone.

The emphasis on stakeholders also held true in the forum’s exploration of digital spaces and open science.

Luigi Conti, communications and advocacy head of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), explained the ways in which the growing digital space has shaped communication.

BINONDO

C1 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2024

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Traditional Chinese medicine boosted through partnership

By Julie Ann Lope THE China-Philippines Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Center, represented by Professor Zhen Qi Ming and the Jin Jiang City Bureau of Health and Sanitation led by deputy director Huang Guo Yu signed a cooperation agreement at Jin Jiang Hospital of Chinese Medicine on Dec. 19, 2024.

The collaboration, supported by Fujian Chinese Medicine University, aims to integrate the core principles of traditional Chinese medicine with modern healthcare services.

It also seeks to enhance the development of the TCM industry in the Philippines by combining medical, educational, cultural, and industrial

Fil-Chinese film set for release in January 2025 FILIPINO-CHINESE indie film “Her Locket” will hold its nationwide theatrical release on Jan. 22, 2025.

Directed by J.E. Tiglao and produced

by Rebecca Chuaunsu Film Production, in collaboration with Sinag Maynila Film Festival and Rebelde Film Production Company, the film will be shown in cinemas across the Philippines for a limited time.

The film follows Jewel Ouyang, a Filipino-Chinese widow in her senior years who is suffering from dementia.

As she is cared for by her son Kyle, a newly practicing lawyer, Jewel discovers a gold locket that triggers a flood of memories from her youth.

The locket transports her back to significant events from the 1970s to the 1990s, including her strained relationship with her brother, Magnus, who wrongfully took her share of the family inheritance.

The story revolves around whether Jewel and Kyle can use these memories to reclaim her rights and seek justice in court.

Her Locket has already received international acclaim, representing the Philippines at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival and screening at several international film festivals, including the 2023 London East Asia International Film Festival, the 2024 Dhaka International Film Festival and the 2024 Wu Wei International Film Festival in Taipei.

The film will also be featured in the 2024 San Diego Film Festival and is set to compete at the Jargan Film Festival in India, traveling across 18 cities from Dec. 2024 to March 2025.

The film has garnered significant recognition in the local indie film scene, winning eight awards at the 2024 Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Actress for Rebecca Shangkuan Chuaunsu who also portrays Jewel. Julie Ann Lope

China-Philippines Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Center Prof. Zhen Qi Ming and the Jin Jiang City Bureau of Health and Sanitation Deputy Director Huang Guo Yu sign a cooperation agreement at Jin Jiang Hospital of Chinese Medicine on Dec. 19, 2024.

elements into a single, unified system.

The TCM Center, headquartered in Mandaluyong City, has made significant strides in the Philippines, having opened a Chinese Medicine Department at Manila Metropolitan Hospital in April 2022.

It provides a range of services, including acupuncture, cupping, herbal treatments, and health consultations, primarily serving the Filipino Chinese community.

With the new partnership, the TCM Center aims to expand its services and outreach, promoting the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine to a wider audience in the Philippines while fostering closer ties between the two countries in the field of healthcare.

Coseteng calls for deeper understanding of China ties F

By Michael Wong Ho

ORMER senator Nikki Coseteng shared her views on China and the growing relationship between the Philippines and China at the 13th Manila Forum on Philippine-China Relations on Dec. 11, 2024.

Coseteng, who has strong Chinese roots, talked about her personal experiences and how they shaped her understanding of China’s culture, progress and global influence.

She emphasized how challenging it

is to truly understand China, noting that Western media often misrepresents the country with inaccurate or overly simplistic reports.

The former senator also highlighted that many in the western world don’t

fully grasp China’s complexities and are hesitant to engage with it.

Coseteng, who is 75-percent Chinese, shared her family’s rich cultural background. Her father, Emerson Coseteng was full Chinese, while her mother was of mixed Filipino and Chinese descent.

Growing up, she was exposed to different languages and cultures, including Tagalog, English and the Fujian and Iloilo dialects. She also recalled how her Buddhist grandmother practiced traditional

rituals at a temple in Tondo, Manila.

She noted how her grandfather, Jose Marquez Lim, one of the founders of Equitable Bank, taught her the values of hard work and business ethics, which she learned from a young age as the eldest grandchild.

She also discussed the changing global economy, particularly China’s rise. In her youth, American brands dominated the Philippines, but by the 1990s, Chinese-made products began to flood the market.

Fire volunteer group honored as BFP partner THE Parañaque Filipino-Chinese Fire Volunteer Association (PFCFVA) was recognized as the “Best Partner Agency” by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Parañaque led by FSupt. Alexander Dale Baena, during the 51st BFP National Capital Region Fire Service Recognition at Linsangan Hall, BFP National headquarters on Dec. 18, 2024.

Former senator Nikki Coseteng calls for deeper understanding of China amid misconceptions during the 13th Manila Forum on Philippine-China Relations on Dec. 11, 2024.

Cultural association celebrates anniversary, unites communities THE Philippine Sytiok Songlim Musical Federation Association celebrated its 65th anniversary and the induction of its 66th set of officers at Century Seafood Restaurant on Dec. 9, 2024.

Shi Neng Ding was elected as its new president.

Jose Go, vice president of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), emphasized the importance of the Filipino-Chinese community’s contribution to the Philippines.

“Our ancestors left China, built families and careers here, and today, we celebrate the success of the Filipino-

Chinese community and the opportunities the Philippines has given us,” he said.

He also underlined the thriving political and economic relationship between ASEAN and China, and noted the pivotal role of local Chinese in acting as a bridge between the two regions.

Go encouraged the community to continue contributing to the nation through charitable works and people-topeople diplomacy.

The Sytiok Songlim Musical Federation, founded by Zhuang Qing Quan and his friends, has been at the forefront of promoting traditional Chinese culture, ethics and social welfare.

Members of the Philippine Sytiok Songlim Musical Federation Association celebrate their 65th anniversary at Century Seafood Restaurant on Dec. 9, 2024.

FFCCCII hosts appreciation dinner for medical and dental mission teams

Members of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII), its medical mission team and the Filipino-Chinese Dental Association Inc. gather at Furama Restaurant on Dec. 12, 2024.

THE Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) hosted an appreciation dinner at Furama

Restaurant on Dec. 12, 2024, in recognition of the outstanding contributions made by its medical mission team and the Filipino-

Chinese Dental Association Inc. FFCCCII president Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro, vice president and social responsibility committee supervisor William Yap Castro and director Hong Zhao Jian, along with other leaders, attended the event.

The medical and dental teams played a crucial role in providing essential healthcare services to marginalized communities across the Philippines.

Free clinic and medication services are considered one of the Filipino- Chinese community’s “Three Treasures”, a core initiative aimed at providing

essential healthcare and support to underserved populations.

Every Sunday morning, the FFCCCII social responsibility committee, in collaboration with doctors, dentists and volunteers, travels to various communities to offer free medical consultations, distribute medications and provide dental services.

The team also provides reading glasses to elderly residents in need to improve their quality of life.

FFCCCII remains committed to expanding its outreach and providing continued support to those in need in the coming years.

The award was presented to the association for its unwavering support and partnership with the BFP Parañaque, highlighting the importance of teamwork and collaboration in ensuring the safety and well-being of the community.

PFCFVA honorary officer-incharge Marc Alain Ong and fire chief Allan Norman Birion accepted the award.

The recognition was made possible through the leadership and guidance of FSupt. Baena, director of BFP Parañaque, who has been instrumental in strengthening the collaboration between the BFP and the volunteer association.

It reflects the dedication, hard work and commitment of its members and the ongoing support from directors, particularly PFCFVA chairman Anson Ong, whose leadership continues to guide the organization in its mission.

The Parañaque Filipino-Chinese Fire Volunteer Association said it looks forward to continuing its mission to serve the community alongside the BFP, as they work together to foster safety and security for all. Julie Ann Lope

SHOWBIZ

C2 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2024

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer

GMA guns for another Best Picture with ‘Green Bones’ The film is based on a concept by GMA Public Affairs’ senior manager for documentaries JC Rubio

Actor Dennis Trillo plays wrongfully imprisoned man Domingo Zamora in ‘Green Bones’

Very Wang

Actor Ruru Madrid makes his MMFF debut in ‘Green Bones’ as Xavier Gonzaga

Nickie Wang

W

HAT makes a good film? Is it a compelling story? Welldeveloped characters that resonate with the audience?

The strong performances of actors who breathe life into these characters? The script? Or the exceptional direction supported by technical brilliance in cinematography, production, sound, and editing?

His suspicions about Zamora grow as he observes his peculiar behavior, despite the inmate’s reputation as a reformed man.

Zamora’s silence throughout the film, as he communicates only through sign language, challenges Dennis to convey his character’s emotions without dialogue.

This restraint results in a deeply moving portrayal.

From beginning to end, Green Bones delivers a tightly woven narrative with well-defined characters. The supporting cast complements the leads without overshadowing them, creating a cohesive and impactful story.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Zig Dulay, who also helmed Firefly, the film is based on an original concept by JC Rubio, GMA Public Affairs’ senior manager for documentaries. National Artist Ricky Lee and MMFF 2023 Best Screenplay winner Anj Atienza bring the story to life.

The ensemble cast includes Mikoy Morales, Royce Cabrera, Sofia Pablo, Sienna Stevens, Kylie Padilla, Pauline Mendoza, Gerhard Acao, Raul Morit, Victor Neri, Ruby Ruiz, Enzo Osorio, Michael de Mesa, Ronnie Lazaro, Wendell Ramos, Alessandra de Rossi, Iza Calzado, and Nonie Buencamino.

Produced by GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs, Green Bones is distributed

by Columbia Pictures for Sony Pictures Releasing International.

As a viewer, I believe great films are those that leave a lasting impression, inspiring reflection on their themes and characters long after the movie ends.

This sentiment holds true for Green Bones, a masterfully crafted film by the creators of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2023 Best Picture and Best Screenplay winner Firefly.

Green Bones is a strong contender for Best Picture in the 50th edition of MMFF due to its compelling story, well-developed characters, and exceptional performances.

During its special media and celebrity premiere at SM North Edsa, the audience witnessed an emotional moment when the movie ended and the lights came on. The cast and crew were hugging each other, their eyes filled with tears. The emotional atmosphere reached the audience, many of whom stayed in their seats, wiping away tears.

Green Bones stars Dennis Trillo, who makes his MMFF comeback, alongside actor Ruru Madrid in his debut MMFF role.

Dennis delivers an award-worthy performance as Domingo Zamora, a man wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. The film moves between different time periods, gradually revealing how Zamora ends up in a penal colony, where his genuine care for fellow inmates earns him their admiration.

The tension escalates with the introduction of Xavier Gonzaga, a prison guard played by Ruru.

Determined to keep Zamora behind bars, Xavier’s mission becomes a personal vendetta. Embittered by the tragic loss of his sister in a senseless crime, Xavier doubts the capacity of criminals to possess such virtue.

‘Green Bones’ follows the story of a man imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit and a police officer determined to keep him behind bars

Denise Julia speaks on issue with BJ Pascual

By Angelica Villanueva

Singer-songwriter Denise Julia

AS PROMISED, OPM singer Denise Julia broke her silence on Christmas Day regarding the controversy involving her and celebrity photographer BJ Pascual, who recently described her as the “worst” personality he has worked with during a podcast.

In the podcast, BJ revealed that Julia’s team canceled a shoot tied to her music release just a day before it was scheduled.

Following this, the celebrity photographer said he canceled the shoot himself and covered the incurred cancellation fees.

Taking to her Instagram stories, Denise Julia shared her side of the story, emphasizing budget constraints and communication delays as the cause of the cancellation.

The “B.A.D.” singer

confirmed that her team had approached BJ in May for a collaborative project. She also noted that BJ’s team was “slow to respond at times,” which delayed planning and created logistical challenges.

“Despite us following up many times and not getting replies for weeks at a time… we were patient and pushed back our deadlines to accommodate BJ’s schedule because we knew he was booked and busy,” Julia wrote, adding that she even moved her music release date to work with the photographer.

Denise Julia also shared screenshots of conversations between her team and BJ’s manager, revealing that her team initially proposed a budget of P650,000 for the shoot, which later increased to P800,000. However, BJ’s team quoted over P1 million for the

Celebrity photographer BJ Pascual

project, which Denise Julia’s team could not match.

“BJ’s team did not get back to us about this budget despite my manager checking in and following up… We can’t really have a shoot date without being sure if the budget is even feasible,” she added.

Contrary to what BJ had said, Denise Julia denied that her team canceled the shoot. She said her manager suggested rescheduling to avoid cancellation fees, but

BJ’s team decided to terminate the project, citing differences in production processes.

She admitted fault in not reaching out to BJ directly after the incident.

“It was because I didn’t know the extent of his frustrations until everything aired out on social media and it blew out of proportion. It is something that I will take with me as I move forward with work,” she continued.

Denise Julia revealed that she and BJ are set to meet in person to resolve the matter. The singer also expressed admiration for BJ’s work, saying she remains a fan despite their professional differences.

C3

SHOWBIZ

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2024

Do they know it’s got a good tune?

T

HE lyrics of the classic charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by the gathered all-stars of the second British Invasion are now being mocked on social media, ostensibly because the words have not aged well.

Well, I find that to be an excess of wokeism, like trying to fix something that is not broken. It may not be the best lyrics ever written, but it has a good melody and captures the sound of Christmas.

The song, credited to Band Aid, featured legendary recording acts like George Michael, Boy George, Simon Le Bon, Bono, Sting, and more. It was the product of Bob Geldof and Midge Ure’s initiative to raise money for Ethiopia at the time. They’re the credited songwriters, with Geldof writing most of the lyrics based on a song he wrote for his band Boomtown Rats, called “It’s My World.”

It preceded the efforts of USA For Africa that produced “We Are The World,” an anthemic song we can say possesses better lyrics.

Obviously, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie are better lyricists.

The song, in essence, led to Live Aid, where the world witnessed Freddie Mercury and the rest of Queen deliver what is now billed as the greatest gig in pop history.

It’s almost blasphemous to raise the matter about the words to “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” 40 years after its recording. Why mock now something that was a great gift to music history and humanity? I say we should rather criticize the current crop of songs with arguably strong lyrics but lacking in recall melodically or digital singles crafted through simple tunes with elementary lyrics and rely more on their danceability on TikTok. “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” became effective primarily because of its novelty as a new record showcasing some hitmakers singing certain lines. But if the lyrics couldn’t stand the test of time, it made up for its melody. The “feed the world” hook holds up as a straightforward

Touchbass

Yugel Losorata

clarion call for people to reach out to the needy.

The opening lines sung by Paul Young were both plaintive and hopeful, while George Michael’s part, accentuated by Phil Collins’ entry on the drums, heightened the spirit of the song as a communal track.

Personally, the juiciest part came at halftime, when Young returned and sang “raise a glass for everyone” and “underneath that burning sun.” Why Young was given a longer spotlight than anyone is unclear.

But David Bowie was supposed to sing the opening words.

I think that hearing Young’s voice again before the sing-along somehow wrapped up the solo parts properly. His voice, too, wasn’t distinctive enough, which benefited the track’s “singability” rather than if you had to mimic Bono or Le Bon’s voice when going over his parts.

The more you can imagine yourself singing a line in such an all-star affair, the closer the song comes to achieving its universal appeal.

I’d rather not discuss what the naysayers bubble about. There’s so much negativity in the world already, it doesn’t make sense to make an issue out of a beloved Christmas single. I remember as a young boy witnessing the groundbreaking release of the track. It was a major event, like the Beatles performing “All You Need Is Love” on the world’s first live TV satellite link-up in 1967.

The ‘80s produced some of the best tunes on record. Not because anyone can say something on social media gives us the right to make fun of a gem pulled off by people who planted the seeds of the future we now enjoy.

Turning them into a laughing stock is not a classy move. That’s one problem with today’s music. It’s sometimes so focused on what it wants to spit out that it forgets that a song should first and foremost be a tune with good recall.

Band Aid features various recording artists like George Michael, Boy George, Simon Le Bon, Bono, Sting, and many others

Japan’s content boom wins global fans FUELLED in part by the success of TV hit Shogun, foreign studios are hungry for quality Japanese content and local creators are adapting to meet demand.

Fans of Japanese manga and anime cartoons have often criticized foreign adaptations that are unfaithful to the original material. But Shogun, based on the 1975 novel by AustralianBritish writer James Clavell, broke the mold when the period drama series – mostly in Japanese and hailed for its authenticity – won 18 Emmy awards in September.

Other recent Japanese works have also become worldwide hits.

French-American-Japanese show ‘Drops of God’ follows the story of an heiress and an oenologist’s student who are competing to inherit an estate and a vast wine collection

‘One Piece’ is a live action adaptation of the manga series of the same name by Eiichiro Oda

‘Shogun’ is based on a novel

by Australian-British writer James Clavell released in 1975

American pop star Mariah Carey first released hit track ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ in 1994

Mariah Carey sets new records with ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ AMERICAN pop diva Mariah Carey has set two new Billboard records, adding to her holiday season triumphs. Her classic hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has now topped the Billboard Hot 100 for the 17th week, and the track also broke a streaming record, according to Billboard.

The song, which was released 30 years ago, has now become the first holiday track to surpass two billion streams on Spotify, a milestone revealed by the platform on Dec. 13.

“This is beyond incredible. I’m honored to have ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ be the first holiday track on Spotify to reach 2 Billion Streams!’ Carey expressed her gratitude in a statement.

Additionally, the song led the Hot 100 for a third consecutive week this holiday season, marking its third-longest run in the chart’s 66-year history. Carey also surpassed her own previous record with the song, now holding the longest career lead on the chart, surpassing a 16-week No. 1 run in 1995 and 1996 with “One Sweet Day,” her collaboration with Boyz II Men. In total, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has spent a record 21 weeks at No. 1 on the Streaming Songs chart, with 48 million streams in the week ending Dec. 19.

The song’s success is further highlighted by its enduring popularity, having returned to the top of the charts each holiday season since its release in 1994.

Carey’s festive anthem, which came from her first holiday album, Merry Christmas, has become a seasonal staple and is now considered a timeless classic.

Franco-US-Japanese show Drops of God, based on a manga of the same name, won best drama series at the International Emmy Awards in November.

Netflix’s 2023 adaptation of the manga superhit One Piece – starring Mexican actor Inaki Godoy as the

lead – was hailed by viewers and critics alike and will return for a second season.

More adaptations of major manga and anime hits are in the works, including the superhero adventures of My Hero Academia and the ninja escapades of Naruto.

“Demand from Western markets is clearly increasing,” said Kaori Ikeda, managing director at TIFFCOM, the content trade fair affiliated with the Tokyo International Film Festival.

But Japanese companies lack “know-how” when it comes to things like negotiating rights, she told AFP. So TIFFCOM has organized Tokyo Story Market, a space to facilitate networking and meetings between international producers and Japanese publishers. AFP

LIFE

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2024

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer

Exercise can help in managing weight, blood pressure, cholesterol during the holidays

Tuna lumpiang shanghai made with Century Tuna Hot and Spicy is one of the many healthy and delicious recipes one can make for the holidays

Keep your health in check this holiday season

By Nickie Wang

A

RECENT survey by the American Heart Association reveals that many people neglect their health during the holiday season, with 79 percent of respondents admitting to this. The survey also found that 63 percent of participants consider the season more stressful than tax season, while 51 percent say it takes weeks to recover from the holiday rush.

To help people stay healthy and reduce stress during the holidays,

Dr. Michelle Loy, an integrative medicine physician at NewYorkPresbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine, offers six practical strategies.

First, she recommends focusing on whole foods, opting for meals that are fiber-rich, nutrient-dense, and energy-boosting. Including naturally sweetened desserts and seasonal vegetables and fruits can also improve nutrition. Staying active is crucial, as exercise helps manage weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol while promoting better sleep and reducing stress.

Dr. Loy suggests exercising outdoors, where sunlight can help regulate the body’s internal clock.

Adequate sleep is another key to maintaining health. Dr. Loy advises aiming for 7-9 hours of sleep each night to support immune function and ease anxiety. Establishing a bedtime routine, avoiding screens, and practicing deep breathing can aid in falling asleep, as well as exposing oneself to morning sunlight to stabilize sleep patterns.

The medical community in the country aims to have zero deaths due to dengue by 2030

Community action to curb dengue crisis in PH THE Philippines faces a dire challenge with dengue cases on the rise, prompting healthcare professionals (HCPs) to advocate for sustained prevention and innovative solutions. From January to October 2024, the country reported 314,785 cases and 3,000 deaths, the highest in Southeast Asia.

Rising global temperatures and frequent typhoons exacerbate the problem, creating ideal conditions for mosquito breeding, particularly in grassroots communities. Dr. Florentina Ty, former president of the Philippine Pediatrics Society (PPS), stresses the need for proactive strategies.

“We must go beyond a ‘ningas kugon’ approach and embed sustained measures into our healthcare system,” she said.

Dengue has been a persistent public health issue since the Philippines reported the region’s first epidemic in 1954. Despite efforts, severe cases such as dengue shock syndrome continue to claim lives, primarily among children.

Unlike other ASEAN countries, the Philippines has yet to classify dengue as a vaccine-preventable disease. The absence of an FDA-approved dengue vaccine further hinders efforts to control outbreaks.

Compounding the issue is the controversy surrounding the previous dengue vaccine, which undermined public trust despite unproven allegations.

Countries like Sri Lanka and Singapore have achieved significant progress through integrated approaches, including vaccination programs, aggressive vector control, and community education.

Sri Lanka reduced dengue fatality rates from 5 percent in 1996 to near-zero in 2024.

A second-generation dengue vaccine offers

renewed hope. Already approved in several ASEAN nations, it provides protection regardless of prior exposure, addressing the limitations of earlier vaccines. “This vaccine has a higher safety profile and can be administered without prior exposure to dengue,” said Dr. Ty. The new vaccine, developed using a dengue virus backbone, targets all dengue serotypes, with proven efficacy against severe dengue type 2 (DENV-2). By eliminating the need for prior screening, it enables broader immunization efforts.

The Department of Health’s 5S campaign— Search and Destroy, Self-Protection, Seek Early Consultation, Support Fogging, and Sustain Hydration—remains central to dengue prevention.

However, Dr. Ty emphasized the need for dedicated community champions to ensure the continuity of initiatives despite leadership changes.

The medical community is committed to achieving “Zero Dengue Deaths by 2030,” aligning with the World Health Organization’s goals.

“Achieving this is possible if we work together,” said Dr. Ty. “By prioritizing vector control and integrating vaccines, we can significantly reduce cases and mortality.”

Dr. Ty also highlighted lessons from the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, which showcased how robust immunization efforts save lives. She called for similar strategies to complement dengue prevention measures and reduce its burden.

Healthcare experts continue to push for sustainable and innovative solutions, inspired by the success of neighboring countries. They envision a future where Filipino communities are protected from the devastating impact of this preventable disease.

Dr. Loy also recommends engaging in small acts of kindness to boost mood and live in the present moment, which can enhance overall well-being. Reducing clutter is another practical tip to foster a positive mindset and sense of control while giving away unnecessary items.

Lastly, taking time for self-care, whether through a relaxing bath, herbal tea, or a favorite activity, helps support mental health and stress management.

Health experts also highlight the importance of nutrition in staying fit.

To help maintain a healthy balance during holiday festivities, Century Tuna offers a range of nutritious meal options. Packed with heart-healthy Omega-3 DHA and free from preservatives, Century Tuna is a versatile ingredient for festive dishes.

For the holiday season, Century Tuna offers a variety of recipe ideas to help maintain a healthy and festive lifestyle. Try making a creamy tuna pesto with Century Tuna Flakes in Oil, adding parmesan for extra creaminess.

For a zesty twist, prepare Tuna Lumpiang Shanghai with Century Tuna Hot and Spicy, incorporating siling labuyo for added heat. Another delicious option is paella with Century Tuna Chunks Spanish Style, which combines tuna with mixed veggies, seafood, and chorizo for a hearty dish.

For a refreshing snack, Century Tuna ambassador Richard Gomez recommends a tuna sandwich with Century Tuna with Calamansi, a light and healthy choice. If you’re looking for a simple, energizing meal, Century Tuna ambassador Aga Muhlach suggests pairing Century Tuna Chunks in Vegetable Oil with warm brown rice.

These recipes offer flavorful and nutritious options that fit perfectly into holiday celebrations.

By incorporating these tips and healthy recipes, individuals can maintain a balanced lifestyle and enjoy the holiday season without sacrificing their fitness goals.

A tuna sandwich made with Century Tuna with Calamansi is a refreshing snack recommended by Century Tuna ambassador Richard Gomez

A gift that grows THIS holiday season, instead of gifting toys or gadgets that offer momentary joy, why not give your child something that will last a lifetime?

For Christine Caberte, the gift of financial security for her son is more valuable than any toy. The proud mother recently opened a bank account for her sixyear-old, choosing a BDO Junior Savers account over a traditional piggy bank.

“I’ve seen my son save money in his piggy bank for some time, but I wanted something more secure,” Christine said.

“With a bank account, I know his money is safe and intact, unlike a piggy bank that can be easily opened.”

Christine, a former overseas Filipino worker planning to return abroad, values the peace of mind knowing she can send money to her son’s account for both his daily expenses and savings. “It’s comforting to know he now has a bank account that’s his alone,” she added. “It’s safe, and nobody

can touch it; it’s his to grow.”

BDO Junior Savers accounts are available to children from birth, offering an easy way for parents to teach their kids the value of saving. Starting with an initial deposit of just P100, the account earns interest and rewards points once the balance reaches P2,000. Kids also receive a Special Design Passbook to monitor their savings and, when they turn seven, a Junior Savers Debit card.

This holiday season, consider securing your child’s future by opening a BDO Junior Savers account. With its low minimum deposit, the account provides an affordable way to teach children financial independence and responsibility.

Instead of spending their aguinaldo on gadgets or toys, kids can deposit their gifts into their Junior Savers account, watching their savings grow while learning important lessons about patience and financial discipline.

Giving young children the gift of financial security is something that will last them a lifetime. (Image generated by AI)