Manila Standard - 2025 April 2 - Wednesday

Charles Dantes and Ram Superable

resurrecting probe into PCSO official's slay

‘Taiwan invasion to drag PH’

AFP told to prepare for any eventualities amid China military drills

By Rex Espiritu

By Rio N. Araja

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

HE country's military chief warned Tuesday the Philippines would "inevitably" be involved if neighboring Taiwan was invaded, calling on troops to prepare for that possibility while warning China was working to infiltrate the Filipino military and other institutions. Armed Forces of the Philippines

Romeo Brawner made the comments as

jing's military surrounded Taiwan in large-scale exercises it said was practice for a blockade of the self-ruled island, which China has

to one day bring under its control.

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

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

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

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

By Rex Espiritu

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

Lawyer Raymond Fortun questioned the House Quad Committee’s impartiality and its ability to pin Chinese national Yang

Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry

adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

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

PH search and rescue contingent lands in Myanmar

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

On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga

By Darwin Amojelar

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

By Charles Dantes

“The Bilyonaryo article is malicious and unfounded,” Bautista said in a Viber message, referring to the website that published the said story. “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. Bilyonaryo reported online that “Bautista and his long-time protege in Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are at the center of the storm after it was

By Rex Espiritu

THE Philippine Navy debunked on Sunday the recent announcement by China that it conducted military exercises off Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). China reportedly made the announcement coinciding with the fourth Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity between the Philippines, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States within Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the regional waters over the weekend. Philippine Navy Spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vin -

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

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

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

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

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

By Rex Espiritu

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

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

During Friday’s Quad Comm hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang in contempt for “lying” to about his businesses and business partners.

ed Nations (UN) to give

By Maricel Cruz

PAGASA

A WEB OF CRIME? House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented this matrix during the last QUAD Comm hearing which shows the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang,

adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and

involved in the drug trade and extrajudicial killings.

A2

China issues PH travel warning, cites threats

By Rachelle Tonelada

THE Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has issued a travel advisory urging Chinese nationals in the country, as well as those planning to visit, to exercise heightened caution due to alleged “increasing security risks.”

The advisory cited incidents of harassment and inspections targeting Chinese citizens and businesses, as well as the growing number of political gatherings and protests across the country.

‘Taiwan...

From A1

"Do not be content with securing just the northern hemisphere up to Mabulis Island. Start planning for actions in case there is an invasion of Taiwan," Brawner said during the anniversary of the Northern Luzon Command, which he said is expected to lead the operation for the rescue of 250,000 overseas Filipino workers in Taiwan in case an invasion happens.

"Because if something happens to Taiwan, inevitably we will be involved," Brawner said without naming the potential invader. "As members of the armed forces of the Philippines, we should have that mentality that we are already at war."

Blockade, precision strikes China on Tuesday sent its army, navy, air and rocket forces to surround Taiwan for large-scale drills Beijing said were aimed at practicing for "precision strikes" and a blockade of the self-ruled island.

Modern...

From A1

Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) that calls for the deployment of modern naval ships in the "western side and the Northern Luzon side" of the country. CADC is a strategic shift where the

Palace...

From A1

He said officials from various government agencies had already provided extensive disclosures during the committee's previous hearing on March 20.

"Given the extensive disclosures made, we believe that further participation may no longer be necessary at this time, especially considering that the Honorable Chairperson has publicly relayed her comprehensive findings thereon," Bersamin said.

"We believe that all matters not covered by executive privilege have

Lawmakers...

From A1

expressed support for the measure.

"Yes, personally, I want that. We need to define what a political dynasty means, and what limitations surround the interests of a certain clan or family in running for public office. We need to clarify that first. Give it a definition, and once it becomes law, it must be strictly enforced," he said in an online interview on Tuesday.

The petitioners cited data from 2006 to 2018 showing that 80% of Congress members are from political families, while bills seeking to define political dynasties have languished in Congress. When asked if he is optimistic that a measure can be passed during the current administration, Barbers responded affirmatively.

"I think if Congress will clearly come up with a definition and limitations that will be acceptable to both the Senate and House, I support that kind of call. I would prefer that we have a definition of what it really is. So that we are not called a 'family corporation'," he said.

"This is the call and objective of the 'New Philippines' initiative. We need to change the face of the Philippines by changing political policies, economic policies, and of course, the policies of our government to really achieve the objectives of the 'New Philippines.' So,

Comelec...

From A1

When asked about vote-buying hotspots, Maceda identified Metro Manila as a consistent problem area. "NCR is consistently a center for vote-buying, whether due to a higher incidence or greater public awareness and reporting,"

Earlier, Philippine law enforcement arrested a group of Chinese nationals suspected of espionage near Subic Bay.

This comes shortly after a previous incident in which two Chinese nationals

Taiwan dispatched its own aircraft and ships, and deployed land-based missile systems, in response to the exercises and accused Beijing of being the world's "biggest troublemaker."

China deployed 21 warships around the island, including the Shandong aircraft carrier group, along with 71 aircraft and four coast guard vessels, Taiwan's defense ministry said.

The drills come after US Defense

Secretary Pete Hegseth said Sunday in Japan that the United States would ensure "credible deterrence" across the Taiwan Strait.

China opposes US support for Taiwan, which Beijing insists is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring it under its control.

Tuesday's exercises were aimed at sending a "stern warning and forceful deterrence" to alleged separatists in Taiwan, Beijing said.

They involved "sea-air combat-readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, assault on maritime and ground targets, and blockade on key areas and sea lanes," said Senior Colo-

military is tasked to defend the country's territories including its 200-nautical miles exclusive economic zone. Unified commands responsible for these points are the Puerto Princesa, Palawan-based Western Command and the Tarlac-based Northern Luzon Command. "We have need assets coming in,

already been extensively discussed," he added.

The next Senate hearing has been scheduled on April 3, Thursday.

Committee chairperson and presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos questioned the position of the executive branch.

"It's sad because there are still a lot of unanswered questions. I was only able to do a preliminary report," she said.

Bersamin invoked executive privilege through Executive Order 464 and noted that four petitions related to the arrest and surrender of Duterte are pending before the Supreme Court.

I think our President has the political will," Barbers shared.

Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc say it's about time a law against political dynasties was passed by Congress.

"It's a long overdue task of Congress to enact that. In this 19th Congress, we filed an anti-political dynasty bill precisely for that purpose. But of course, because of the domination of political dynasties in our legislative branch, it really doesn't progress. But Congress owes this to the people," Kabataan Party-list

Representative Raoul Manuel said.

"It should be very timely. Because if we let this continue, then every election, we'll just be choosing which surname should win. That's not democracy. How can that be democracy?" he added.

ACT Teachers Party-list Representative France Castro is hopeful the high court will issue a resolution on the matter soon.

"We are awaiting the Supreme Court's resolution on this. Because we see that Congress is somewhat remiss in its duty to pass an enabling law. And the problems it causes are worsening. So, I hope the Supreme Court will issue a resolution that favors the people," she said.

While there's no SC ruling yet, Manuel believes all that needs to be done is to define political dynasties based on an existing law. At least two bills against political dynasties were filed during the current 19th Congress.

Maceda said. "Following NCR, we have Region IV-A, then provinces like Palawan, Abra, and Camarines Sur."

To combat these illegal activities, Maceda emphasized Comelec’s “Kontra Bigay” Committee, established in 2019 to provide a permanent structure for addressing vote-buying. "A task force is temporary; its work ends with the election," Maceda explained.

and one Filipino were detained for allegedly conducting covert and unauthorized intelligence-gathering activities, raising concerns over national security.

“Public security in the Philippines has been unstable, with frequent incidents of law enforcement authorities harassing and inspecting Chinese citizens and enterprises,” the embassy said in a statement translated to English.

The advisory also warned of the “significant increase” in political gatherings, protests, and demonstrations in various regions, which it said had led to “height-

nel Shi Yi, spokesman of the Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command.

The drills also involved training for "multi-directional precision strikes" around the island, the Eastern Theater Command said in a statement.

Potential flashpoint

China has carried out multiple largescale exercises around the island in recent years, often described as rehearsals for a blockade and seizure of the territory.

Analysts have speculated that China was more likely to attempt a blockade of Taiwan than launch an all-out invasion, which was riskier and would require a huge military deployment.

Taiwan—a powerhouse in semiconductor chip manufacturing—is a potential flashpoint for conflict between China and the United States, which is the island's most important security partner.

While the United States is legally bound to provide arms to Taiwan, Washington has long maintained "strategic ambiguity" when it comes to whether it would deploy its military to defend the island from a Chinese attack.

new ships," Trinidad said.

One of the two guided-missile corvettes the Navy official was referring to was the prospective BRP Diego Silang which was formally launched at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea on March 27. Both guided-missile corvettes are

"Accordingly, further discussions on the matters in the agenda of the hearing may constitute a violation of the sub judice rule, which could unduly influence the ongoing proceedings," Bersamin said.

Senator Marcos, however, said EO 464 was not a blanket authority to allow Cabinet officials to avoid a Senate inquiry.

“ES Bersamin is a former chief justice, and he knows that executive privilege is not a blanket authority. You invoke that depending on the question fielded, one by one,” she said.

“There is no executive privilege that covers all topics," the senator added.

PH...

From A1

by PAF Lt. Col. Erwen Diploma, are trained and equipped for urban search and rescue missions, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said.

“After refueling at Phitsanulok Airport in Thailand, the two C-130 planes landed at Naypyidaw Airport in Myanmar carrying the first batch of the Philippine Inter-agency Humanitarian Contingent that will be undertaking medical as well as search and rescue missions to aid victims of the 7.7 magnitude quake in Myanmar.” the OCD said in a Facebook post.

They brought essential search and rescue equipment and medical supplies to conduct life-saving operations and distribute critical aid, the agency added.

Today, another 33 personnel are scheduled to depart from Manila, bringing the Philippine contingent’s total number to 91.

This is apart from the 40 PAF personnel who comprise the C-130 flight crew, aircraft security and aeromedical staff.

OCD chief Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno emphasized the readiness of the OCD and its partner agencies to provide rescue and relief efforts, citing previous experiences in Turkey and Syria.

Maceda also addressed concerns about digital vote-buying via mobile wallets. He said private companies have cooperated with the Comelec since the 2023 elections by implementing transaction limits to prevent illicit fund transfers.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has also issued a memorandum urging financial institutions to enhance

ened security risks for Chinese citizens and institutions in the Philippines.”

“It is advised to minimize unnecessary outings, stay away from political gatherings and crowded places, comply with local laws and regulations, and be vigilant against potential security threats and traps,” the statement read. Chinese travelers planning to visit the Philippines were urged to carefully assess the risks before proceeding with their plans.

“Those planning to travel to the Philippines should carefully assess the risks

As this developed, Brawner said the northern Philippines will play host to large-scale joint exercises with ally the United States scheduled to begin April 21.

"These are the areas where we perceive the possibility of an attack. I do not want to sound alarmist, but we have to prepare," he said.

Brawner also alleged that "communist China is already conducting united front works in our country."

"They are already infiltrating our institutions, our schools, our businesses, our churches, even our ranks in the military," he said without giving details.

He said the Philippines was also experiencing "cyber warfare, information warfare, cognitive warfare, political warfare."

The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Philippines has in recent weeks made a series of arrests of Chinese suspects accused of conducting surveillance on military camps and Filipino naval and coast guard ships. With AFP

equipped with a variety of weapons and sensors that can be used against antisurface, anti-submarine, and anti-air warfare. Corvettes, which usually weigh 1,000 to 2,500 gross tons, are the smallest naval surface ships capable of dealing with submarines and other maritime threats. With AFP

Senator Marcos last week accused the administration of “glaring violations of the rights” of Duterte, insisting that the Philippine government had no legal obligation to hand him over to the ICC.

The accusations came as the senator’s panel released a preliminary report following a speedy investigation into the details surrounding Duterte’s arrest.

“The Constitutional safeguards guaranteeing liberty and due process of law were not observed. No warrant was issued by a Philippine court. The arrest did not fall within the exceptions to a warrant arrest,” Senator Marcos said.

In response to the Myanmar disaster, he also urged local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines to accelerate retrofitting efforts for key infrastructure to improve earthquake resilience.

He stressed the importance of strengthening public buildings such as schools and health centers to withstand major seismic events, citing Japan as a global model for disaster preparedness.

"The most critical step in enhancing our earthquake preparedness is to implement engineering solutions, such as retrofitting essential structures like schools and health centers,” Nepomuceno said.

The government is also ramping up public awareness campaigns on earthquake safety, including the “duck, cover, and hold” protocol.

Nepomuceno warned that the Philippines must also be prepared for a potential large-scale earthquake—often referred to as “The Big One”—which could result in significant casualties.

For his part, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. reaffirmed the Philippine government’s solidarity with Myanmar, highlighting the country's commitment to disaster response and regional cooperation.

Meanwhile, Myanmar held a minute's silence on Tuesday in tribute to victims of a catastrophic earthquake that has killed more than 2,000 people, buckling roads and flattening buildings as far away as Bangkok. With AFP

security measures against fraud. While banks are not liable for vote-buying transactions, Maceda stressed their support in preventing platform misuse. "Multiple transactions of identical, round amounts—like P1,000 or P5,000—from a single account are suspicious," Maceda said. "These patterns help mobile wallet companies identify potential illicit activities."

and make prudent travel decisions,” the embassy said.

In case of emergencies, Chinese nationals are encouraged to report incidents promptly and seek assistance from the Chinese Embassy and consulates in the country.

The advisory provided emergency contact details, including the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ global consular protection hotline (+86-10-12308 / +86-10-65612308) and local consular protection numbers in Manila, Cebu, Laoag, and Davao.

Arroyo asks prayers for husband Mike and son Mikey

FORMER President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has requested prayers for her family as they go through a difficult period due to serious health concerns and personal loss.

In a statement late Monday, Arroyo revealed that her husband, Mike Arroyo, is scheduled to undergo major surgery in Singapore on April 7. He is suffering from an expanding dissecting aortic aneurysm, a condition that previously required an emergency repair in 2007. The upcoming procedure combines a bypass and aortoplasty to prevent further complications.

Arroyo also shared that her son, Mikey Arroyo, was recently diagnosed with Stage One thyroid cancer. He underwent a successful surgery on March 18.

The former president also mentioned the death of Paowee Tantoco, the husband of her niece Dina. She spent her early years in the Arroyo household.

“I have been spending much time with my constituents in Pampanga because I will be leaving soon for Singapore for Mike’s surgery. Please pray for my family,” Arroyo said in her statement.

Bail...

From A1

“Interim release [can] only be tempered by three factors. The first of which is the risk of flight, the second of which is the risk of interference of witnesses with the evidence, and the third of which is the risk of continuing crimes. None of those factors exist in the present situation,” Kaufman said.

“There is a right for Mr. Duterte to be released. We are working on that, but the timing of when we intend to introduce such an application is yet to be decided,” the British-Israeli lawyer added.

Kaufman declined to address previous statements from the Duterte camp regarding the 181 pieces of initial evidence submitted by the prosecution.

He also refrained from commenting on whether these pieces are sufficient to prove crimes against humanity or if identifying the 30,000 alleged victims of Duterte’s drug war is necessary.

“The victims have a role in the process. We have to respect that role and we hope that everyone will respect that role. Whether or not we agree with the evidence coming out of the victims is a totally different matter, but we will argue that in court, not here,” he said.

Recently, Vice President Sara Duterte questioned the 30,000 drug war deaths figure, arguing that the evidence presented to ICC is insufficient to prove such widespread extrajudicial killings (EJKs).

She pointed out that the prosecution only presented 181 pieces of evidence and failed to provide names for even 50 victims, challenging the claim of a systematic killing spree.

However, lawyer Gilbert Andres, executive director of the Center for International Law Philippines, explained that it is not necessary for the prosecution to name 30,000 victims, “but only an example out of the 30,000."

“What the ICC is doing is to show emblematic examples of the killings. What is important is to show that there was a [state] policy [authorizing EJKs]… and a Davao Death Squad when Duterte was president,” he said in Filipino.

“They [prosecution] need to show that there were killings, and that these killings were not random. That there was a widespread or systematic attack on the civilian population,” he added.

IN BRIEF

Disciplinary action vs. MMDA o icial

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Tuesday it is taking disciplinary action against one of its officials for scolding a policeman over a parking violation during a road-clearing operation in Quezon City.

This demand for accountability came after Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito and National Police Commission Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan urged the MMDA to ensure its personnel refrain from abusing their authority to gain attention on social media. The incident, which was recorded on video and went viral, involved Gabriel Go, the head of the MMDA Special Operations Group Strike Force. He added while it is right to issue a citation ticket to police officers who violate traffic rules because no one is above the law, it is unacceptable to humiliate someone

DSWD, Isabela LGUs tie up on food aid

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) partnered with the Alicia and Isabela local governments to promote its Walang Gutom program at the Alicia Community Center on March 27.

A key component of the program was the Kusinero Cook-Off Challenge, designed to teach participants how to prepare affordable, nutritious meals using ingredients from the program’s food redemption system. The challenge aimed to combat hunger and encourage healthy eating habits among beneficiaries.

Alicia Mayor Joel Amos P. Alejandro expressed support for the DSWD initiative, highlighting its alignment with the administration’s focus on family resilience and food security. Undersecretary Eduardo Punay of the DSWD, delivering Secretary Rex Gatchalian’s message, emphasized the importance of the Kusinero Challenge in promoting sustainable and healthy dietary practices. Cecilia Claire N. Reyes, representing Governor Rodito T. Albano, acknowledged the province’s monthly rice distribution and its support for the Walang Gutom program. Jessica M. Bacud

Bacolod conducts rst-ever pet festival

BACOLOD CITY—Pet lovers and their furry companions came together for Bacolod’s first-ever Pet Festival, which kicked off Saturday (March 30) with a lively pet walk at Panaad Park. Organized by the City Veterinary Office (CVO), the weeklong event promotes responsible pet ownership, animal welfare, and rabies awareness under the theme “Building a Safe and Rabies-Free Community is Our Shared Responsibility.” Assistant city veterinarian Dr. John Michael Cabuguason underscored the festival’s significance in fostering a stronger bond between pets and their owners. “We are very happy that so many fur parents and fur babies joined the pet walk,” he said.

The festival features a variety of activities designed to engage pet lovers across the city. On Sunday, the Philippine Canine Club Inc. hosted an All-Breed Dog Show at the Robinsons Place Mall. Caloy Lozada

PNP vows stricter checkpoints after fatal Antipolo shooting

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday that they will enforce stricter Commission on Elections (Comelec) checkpoints following the road rage incident that led to a fatal shooting, killing one and injuring three others in Antipolo City.

PNP chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil, said that personnel from the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) will

STREET SNACK. People line up to buy a hotdog sandwich from a young girl vendor on the street of Carriedo in Quiapo, Manila. Danny Pata

also be mobilized at Comelec checkpoints nationwide.

The Comelec checkpoints have been set up in light of the election gun ban, which is effective until June 11.

Speaker Martin Romualdez on Tuesday commended the PNP for what he described as “stronger, smarter” policing, citing the significant drop in focus crimes nationwide and the swift arrest of the suspect in the recent road rage shooting in Antipolo City.

He credited PNP Chief Marbil for leading reforms that have improved crime prevention strategies and response times, saying these efforts are helping restore public confidence in law enforcement and proving that “the rule of law is alive and working.”

The Speaker also commended the police officers for

their exemplary performance in promptly apprehending the suspect, identified as Kenneth Alajar Bautista, a 28-year-old businessman.

Romualdez pointed out that rapid action in highprofile incidents like this sends a clear signal that crime and impunity have no place in society.

Latest PNP data showed a 26.76% drop in focus crimes—from 4,817 cases between January 1 and February 14, 2024, to 3,528 in the same period this year.

Focus crimes include theft, robbery, rape, murder, homicide, physical injury, and carnapping of motorcycles and motor vehicles. Among these, rape saw the sharpest decline, dropping by over 50%. Maricel V. Cruz

Tingog sends message of support after Thailand, Myanmar quake

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Tingog Party-list said it stands in deep solidarity with the people of Myanmar and Thailand in the wake of the recent earthquake that has caused damage and disruption across affected regions.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the communities working tirelessly to recover from this natural disas-

ter,” said one of the group’s nominees, Rep. Jude Acidre.

“As chairperson of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, I express my full commitment to coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) to ensure the safety and welfare of our overseas Filipino workers in the affected areas,” Acidre added.

Moro student gets MIT scholarship

By PPI News Commons/ MindaNews

A MORO student from Marawi City— known for his exceptional talent in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and statistics—is set to pursue higher education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) after winning top awards in national and international olympiads. Mohammad Nur Casib, an 18-yearold senior at the Philippine Science High School-Central Mindanao Campus (PSHS-CMC) in Lanao del Norte, has been a consistent gold medalist in various science and math competitions. He recently clinched the Absolute Winner & Gold Medalist titles at the 2025 Philippine Physics Olympiad

(PPO) held at the University of the Philippines Los Baños on March 15-16. He also won gold at the 27th Philippine Mathematical Olympiad (PMO) and the 24th Philippine National Chemistry Olympiad (PNCO) in March. His victories secured his eligibility to represent the Philippines at the 2025 International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) in Dubai this July.

Nur’s acceptance into MIT, ranked as the world’s top university by QS World University Rankings, was announced on March 14 (Pi Day)—a day celebrated by mathematicians worldwide.

His admission letter, signed by MIT Dean of Admissions Stuart Schmill, described him as one of the most talented and promising students among thousands of applicants worldwide.

He said the protection of Filipino OFWs, whom he described as “our modern-day heroes,” remains a paramount concern. “We are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to mobilize assistance as needed.”

Acidre said Tingog Party-list is in communication with relevant government agencies to verify the condition of our kababayans, extend support services, and help ensure that contingency and evacuation plans are

in place where necessary.

“Tingog reaffirms its mission of caring governance—responding with compassion, acting with urgency, and standing with our fellow Filipinos wherever they may be in the world,” stated Acidre.

“For any OFWs in Myanmar or Thailand in need of assistance, we urge you to contact the nearest Philippine Embassy or POLO office immediately. You are not alone—your country stands with you,” he added.

Oil companies cut fuel, LPG prices this April

By Alena Mae S. Flores

and Isla Petroleum cut the price of liquefied petroleum gas or LPG by P0.25 and P0.27 per kilogram, respectively effective April 1, 2025.

The companies issued separate advisories of the LPG price cut, equivalent to P2.75 and P2.97 per 11-kg tank. “Petron will implement a P0.25 per kg (VAT-inclusive) rollback in LPG prices effective 12:01 AM April 1. This reflects the international contract price of LPG for the month of April,” Petron said. An 11-kg LPG tank sells from P860 to P1,130 in Metro Manila based on the monitoring of the Department of Energy. This followed the big-time oil price hike of P1.40 per liter for gasoline and P1.20 per liter for diesel and kerosene on Tuesday.

DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) director Rodela Romero said last week the higher pump prices was driven by the imposition of US sanctions on Iran, which could remove 1 million barrels per day (MMBD) from global supply; continuing attacks between Russia, Ukraine on energy installations; and the US threat of tariffs on nations buying Venezuelan crude oil.

Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas said the higher pump prices was driven by supply and trade war risks concerns.

Bellas said fresh sanctions on Iran and tariff threats on Venezuelan oil buyers could tighten supply thus pushing up prices.

He said the latest Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies’ (OPEC+) output plan that will require seven member nations to make further oil output cuts to compensate for their past overproduction, could overtake the production hikes the group plans to introduce next month.

He said another factor are signs of healthy demand in the US as crude and fuel inventories fell more than expected. Bellas said this overshadowed the adverse effects of wider trade war on the world’s economy and demand for oil.

LIGHTS ON LOBOC. Senator Lito Lapid speaks with Loboc Mayor Raymond

Jala on the possibility of lighting the Loboc River, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bohol.

SUMMER TREAT. A vendor o ers ‘singkamas’ (turnip) to passing motorists along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. The turnip

DENR to create office on ocean environment

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) moves closer to setting up an Ocean Environment Bureau, with plans to finalize the full organization of the Ocean Environment Task Force (OETF) by the second quarter of 2025.

The DENR announced this development during the forum “Strengthening Philippines-France Cooperation for a Sustainable Blue Economy,” organized by the Stratbase Institute in partnership with the Embassy of France in the Philippines.

Environment Undersecretary and OETF Vice chairperson Augusto Dela Peña explained that the OETF aims to enhance ocean governance, align national policies with international commitments, and incorporate scientific data into policy-making.

“Our goal is to drive organizational transformation within DENR for more effective ocean conservation. To achieve this vision, we have established the roadmap for the full organization of the Task Force in Q2 2025,” Dela Pena said.

The OETF is tasked with enhancing ocean governance, integrating science into policy, and aligning national strategies with global commitments. Ultimately, the DENR aims to institutionalize this task force as a permanent bureau.

During the forum, experts also stressed the importance of a multistakeholder approach, involving policymakers, the private sector, communities, and international partners, particularly France, in the development of the country’s blue economy.

French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel emphasized the importance of the blue economy to the Philippines and France, citing its role in economic development, food security, and climate resilience.

“Our shared responsibility is to combine economic development with environmental protection. France is fully committed to this dynamic, bringing its expertise in marine resource management, innovation for sustainable ocean exploitation, and the fight against illegal fishing,” Fontanel said.

Accurate price monitoring setup eyed

PH-US Marine exercise kicks off in Maguindanao

By Rex Espiritu

A TOTAL of 480 soldiers both from the Philippine Marine Corps and United States Marine Corps are taking part in the Marine Exercise 2025 (MAREX), a large-scale bilateral training operation aimed at enhancing military interoperability and strengthening regional security.

The exercise, which kicked off last Sunday, March 31, at Camp Iranun, Maguindanao del Norte, will run until April 11, 2025.

The exercise, which gained support from the Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the FleetMarine Reservists, underscored the growing defense partnership between the Philippines and the United States.

As part of the PH-US Mutual Defense Board – Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) 2025, the drill is designed to sharpen combat readiness, enhance crisis response capabilities, and improve coordination in maritime and amphibious operations.

Key activities include joint littoral live-fire drills, amphibious assault operations, mechanized infantry tactics, and urban and jungle warfare training.

The exercise also integrates tactical combat casualty care (TCCC), surface force insertion, and logistics planning, reinforcing the ability of Philippine and U.S. forces to operate as a cohesive unit in complex security scenarios.

During the opening ceremony, Brig. Gen. Romulo Quemado II, commander of the 1st Marine Brigade and exercise director, emphasized the broader significance of MAREX 2025.

He expressed confidence that the training would enhance the operational effectiveness of both forces and further solidify their partnership in addressing security challenges.

By Maricel V. Cruz

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Tuesday called for further refinement of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) price-monitoring system to ensure that official data reflect market realities.

“Our agencies have price monitoring mechanisms, but we must make sure that the price tag is visible in the market in this monitoring. Right now, it seems that the price monitoring estimate does not match the real price in the markets,”

Romualdez said in Filipino.

Reacting to recent feedbacks from various industry stakeholders, the Speaker noted that the DA’s Bantay Presyo data show large white chicken eggs priced at P8–P9 apiece.

“But we see in the wet markets that

eggs are sold at P9-11, and in some supermarkets, it can go up to P12,” Romualdez explained.

“Why is there a price difference of P1, he noted, emphasizing the significance of a P1-variance.

“We know that the DA is doing their best to monitor the prices, but maybe, it is better that we increase our monitoring mechanism. We want to further improve the service to our countrymen,” Romualdez said.

“Every peso counts. We need to cor-

rect it so that the market is shown clearly,” Romualdez said, adding that accurate, real-time data is critical not only for effective policy-making, but also for preserving consumer-confidence. He stressed that integrating more direct input from local vendors and market operators could bridge the gap between official figures and realities on the ground. Romualdez expressed belief that a synchronized approach was necessary to rectify the oversight. The Speaker reassured the public that Congress’, upon instruction of President Marcos, to work alongside the government agencies in refining the price monitoring system. Romualdez said his call for improvement is a step toward building a more transparent and reliable economic system.

Referrals not needed to access AKAP benefits—Gatchalian

REFERRAL is not needed to access the Ayuda sa Kapos Ang Kita Program (AKAP) as only social workers can determine who can qualify for the program and the corresponding amount of assistance to be given, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian issued this policy statement in a radio interview where he was asked about measures undertaken to protect the AKAP from being used by politicians during the campaign period. Gatchalian said the sole decision for the provision of AKAP is made by the DSWD with requests for assistance carefully assessed by agency social workers.

“We assure that only one group can determine who will receive the financial assistance. Only

one group can promise you, (and) that is the social workers of the DSWD,” Gatchalian said. The AKAP was meant to serve individuals in crisis situations and earning below the minimum wage rate. Persons who are qualified may go directly to the DSWD office nearest them, bringing their identification cards and proofs of ‘need’ such as medical bills, death certificate, hospital promissory note and the like. The DSWD chief further explained that politicians are not even allowed inside pay-out centers as specifically stated in the joint AKAP guidelines drafted by the DSWD together with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Maricel V. Cruz

IN BRIEF

Caraga police bolsters security measures

THE Caraga police regional office has beefed up security measures to ensure the safety of local residents and tourists visiting the region during the summer months.

At least 1,682 police personnel will be deployed to secure tourist destinations, while 77 assistance desks will be set up in strategic points to provide security and assistance to commuters and tourists.

The police will also install checkpoints to ferret up criminal elements.

“Aside from the number of police personnel, we will also receive support from the other security sector in the region and force multipliers in the cities and municipalities,” Region 13 police spokesperson Maj. Jennifer Omiter said.

Marikina trike drivers rally behind Teodoros

TRICYCLE drivers in Marikina City on Monday conducted a motorcade in support of Mayor Marcy Teodoro and 1st District Rep. Maan Teodoro.

The convoy, which passed through major roads and barangays in the city, showcased the drivers’ solid backing for Marcy and Maan Teodoro, who are running for 1st District representative and mayor, respectively.

The tricycle drivers expressed their support for Teodoro despite his six-month preventive suspension, thanking him for the free franchise and other initiatives implemented by his administration.

The tricycle drivers also expressed full support for Rep. Maan Teodoro’s mayoralty bid, saying she will continue the projects and programs that her husband started in Marikina.

Antique town to launch livestock trading center

THE local government of San Remigio in Antique is set to inaugurate a P2.5-million livestock facility seen to serve as a venue for trading farm animals.

“Farmers from our town before had to bring their livestock to Sibalom for them to be able to sell to the traders,” Mayor Margarito Mission Jr. said in an interview. He said their facility will allow farmers to save on transportation or hauling costs by as much as P1,000. The structure has a restroom, washing area and other amenities, and is close to the town’s public market, making it accessible for the farmers and traders,” Mission said.

TOP GUNS. Aviators of the Philippine Air Force’s 5th Fighter Wing gather around for a blessing ceremony for their fighter jets to invoke divine intervention and guidance in the performance of their duties and missions.

COURTESY CALL. Swedish ambassador to Manila Anna Ferry calls on Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. at the Department of National Defense headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

FISHERMEN AND THE SEA. Local fishermen in San Fabian, Pangasinan lug in their net with the iconic sunset casting a warm glow from the horizon, telling all and sundry that another day is done. Edd Castro

OPINION

Frail infrastructure

WHY do we have collapsed bridges that now lead to nowhere? By the same token, why are many of our train stations lying idle and likewise lead to nowhere?

When President Marcos Jr. went to Isabela recently to see for himself the Cabagan-Santa Maria bridge that collapsed in February, he noted that this is the only suspension bridge in the whole world that was not reinforced with steel cables, thus making it prone to disaster. His verdict: heads should roll, starting with the structural engineer of the billion-peso project. This hasn’t happened yet.

For Senate President Francis Escudero, the Department of Public Works and Highways should be held liable should it be proven that there were erroneous specifications that made the bridge substandard.

For his part, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel filed Senate Resolution 1319 directing the appropriate Senate panel to probe recurring incidents of collapsing bridges in the Philippines and seek accountability from the responsible public officials and contractors.

Research done by the senator’s office revealed that there have been other incidents of collapsed bridges in recent years: Magapi bridge in Balete, Batangas in Oct. 2024; Bantilan bridge connecting Batangas and Quezon, Carlos Romulo bridge in Bayambang, Pangasinan in Oct. 2022; Borja bridge in Bohol in June 2022; Loay-Clarin bridge in Bohol in April 2022; Bridge under construction in Marilog District in Davao City in Feb. 2022; and a steel bridge in Barangay San Isidro Majayjay, Laguna in Jan. 2022. That’s one too many failed bridge projects in the country.

It is lamentable that these collapsed bridges have resulted in deaths, injuries, and significant economic losses. They also raise urgent concerns over deficiencies in design, use of substandard materials, lack of proper oversight, and quite possibly widespread corruption in other infrastructure projects.

Equally alarming is that billions of pesos in taxpayers’ money are spent and years wasted in constructing these bridges only for them to collapse later on.

We should not allow the reckless endangerment of lives and blatant squander of public funds to continue.

We must highlight in no uncertain terms the urgent need to review the compliance of national and local governments as well as contractors with engineering standards, design feasibility, maintenance protocols and infrastructure budget allocations.

While at this, we also want to high-

light what new Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has described as “excessive delay” in the construction of the United Grand Central Station along North EDSA, which is envisioned to link major railways Light Rail Transit Line 1, Metro Rail Transit Line 3 and MRT 7.

Dizon announced his department had terminated the contract with consortium BF Corp. and Foresight Development and Surveying Co. since the common station project had lain idle for over a year now. The DOTr and BFC-FDSC signed the deal in 2019.

Heads should roll, starting with the structural engineer of the billion-peso project

According to Dizon, the DOTr’s legal team is already finalizing the termination of its contract with the consortium, adding that the consortium may even be slapped with penalties and liquidated damages for failure to complete the project.

After terminating the contract, Dizon said the DOTr is now seeking options under the Government Procurement Act or the Public-Private Partnership Code

Dizon has vowed to fast-track the implementation of priority projects under his watch. “The delay is unacceptable. This project should by now have been completed and people now benefiting from it.”

At the same time, Secretary Dizon, when asked about the problem of government’s failure to pay contractors on time, has acknowledged that late payments are really a problem, but that he would look into it and try to solve it to satisfy both sides.

At any rate, the DOTr should waste no time in getting the construction of the EDSA United Grand Station back on track as any further delay would not look good since the Marcos Jr. administration has already embarked on an aggressive infrastructure push to propel economic growth and development in the next three years.

The EDSA Common Station project is starting to gather dust and some steel portions are already rusting due to the stalled construction.

We hope the DOTr can do whatever is humanly possible to marshal both human and material resources and finish the vital project in a reasonable amount of time. Otherwise, it will end up as a monument to folly and a stark reminder of a train station to nowhere.

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

WASHINGTON, DC – Donald

Trump loves few things more than talking about his affinity for tariffs, but it’s nothing new: he’s been saying the same thing for decades.

‘Tariff man’: Trump’s long history with trade wars —“—

“To me, the most beautiful word in the dictionary is ‘tariff,’” Trump repeatedly said on the campaign trail for the 2024 election.

He has since joked that it is now his fourth favorite word, after love, God and family — but his commitment to them remains as strong as ever.

The 78-year-old Republican has promised a “Liberation Day” for America on Wednesday when he announces sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs targeting any country that has import levies against US goods.

The sudden trade war has sent leading world economies scrambling -- yet anyone surprised by the onslaught has not been listening to Trump himself.

Other policies have come and gone, especially on hot-button issues such as abortion, but Trump’s belief that

America is being ripped off by the world has remained one of his core values.

Trump’s promises of a ‘Golden Age’ harkens back to the so-called ‘Gilded Age’ that culminated with McKinley’s presidency

So has his innate conviction that tariffs are the solution, despite arguments by opponents and many economists that US consumers will suffer when importers pass on increased prices.

‘Ripping off’

“I am a Tariff Man,” Trump declared in a social media post back in 2018 during his first presidential term.

ANOTHER set of names has been unearthed in relation to the confidential files of the Office of the Vice President.

“Beverly Claire Pampano”, “Mico Harina”, “Sala Casim”, “Ralph Josh Bacon” and “Patty Ting” have been found submitted to the Commission on Audit as recipients of confidential files.

Like their predecessors, these names, which sound as though they were taken from someone’s list of grocery items, have been shown to have no official birth, death, or marriage records with the Philippines Statistics Authority.

“Mary Grace Piattos” was the first to be revealed, and then came “Jay Kamote”, “Miggy Mango”, and five who went by “Dodong’. Meanwhile, the investigation into confidential funds at the Department of Education when the Vice President was concurrently its secretary revealed names such as “Amoy Liu”, “Fernan Amuy”, and “Joug de Asim”.

The OVP listed 1,992 supposed recipients of confidential funds while the DepEd listed 677 beneficiaries. Of these numbers, 1,322 and 405 for each office did not have birth records.

The Vice President, interviewed

In fact, Trump has been saying as much since the 1980s.

His main target then was Japan, as Trump -- best known in those days as a brash property dealer and tabloid fixture -- discussed getting into politics in an interview with CNN’s Larry King.

“A lot of people are tired of watching other countries ripping off the United States,” Trump said in 1987, using rhetoric that has changed little in the intervening 38 years.

“Behind our backs, they laugh at us because of our own stupidity.”

In a separate interview with chat show host Oprah Winfrey, he raged: “We let Japan come in and dump everything right into our markets.”

By the 1990s and early 2000s, China entered his crosshairs, and Beijing remains one of his top tariff targets,

Not funny —“—

in The Hague while she was visiting her jailed father, questioned the findings and said she was not sure whether these names were even the ones her office submitted to the COA in the first place. The statement implies that the source of the funny names could not have been her office in the first place.

The names betray a low regard for public accountability and absence of respect for our processes and institutions

But the documents were submitted by her office, all right. Others argue that security reasons justify the use of aliases. What security purposes could those funds serve, we wonder. Of the numerous occasions provided the agencies to answer the questions, the VP and her staff simply have gone in circles, hiding under the cloak of, well,

along with Canada, Mexico and the European Union. In his successful 2016 election campaign, Trump stepped up the rhetoric, saying: “We can’t continue to allow China to rape our country.”

‘Very rich’

During his second term, Trump has also started citing a historical precedent going back more than a century — President William McKinley.

McKinley’s passion for both territorial expansion and economic protectionism during his time in office from 1897 to 1901 could have been the model for Trump’s “Make America Great Again” policies.

“President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent — he was a natural businessman,” Trump said in his inauguration speech in January.

confidentiality. We imagine the generation of these names could have been an enjoyable exercise for those involved in them, pulling out names out of thin air and purposely obfuscating whoever it is daring to look into their secret operations. Perhaps they were doing this before lunch, when thoughts naturally stray into food.

But the matter is never funny. This is grave and serious.

It betrays the low regard of some individuals for the credulity of the rest of us, not thinking their handiwork would actually be put under scrutiny.

It shows the failure to comprehend that such funds are from taxpayers’ money and should be used with utmost prudence, and only for purposes under specific mandates.

It shows haughtiness and arrogance in which they respond to those who hold them accountable for the money placed in their care.

It reveals the absurdity and twofacedness of promising to deliver public service to the best of their abilities while doing the opposite, The names make light of the situation, but when reckoning comes, nobody — especially Vice President Sara Duterte -- will be laughing.

Trump’s promises of a “Golden Age” harkens back to the so-called “Gilded Age” that culminated with McKinley’s presidency, a time when America’s population and economy exploded — along with the power of oligarchs.

In addition to deploying tariffs, McKinley presided over a period of territorial adventurism for the United States, including the Spanish-American war and the purchases of Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. Such moves echo Trump’s own designs for Greenland, Panama and Canada.

The two also share the unwanted similarity of being struck by an assassin’s bullet — although Trump survived the attempt on his life at an election rally last July, while McKinley was killed by an anarchist in 1901. AFP

This is an AI-generated cartoon with the prompt: Generate a political cartoon in a horizontal format that looks like a traditional editorial cartoon from the mid-20th century. The cartoon is a hand holding a smoking gun. The gunshot the holder’s foot. The foot has a gaping hole with the label “family hardship.”

Israel military says targeted Hezbollah group in Beirut

BEIRUT—Israel’s

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had warned the

military would “strike everywhere in Lebanon against any threat” in response to the rocket fire. AFP

Russian army seizes village in Ukraine

MOSCOW—Russia said Tuesday its army had captured another village in eastern Ukraine, as its troops press on across the battlefield.

The Russian defense ministry said on social media that its forces had captured the village of Rozlyv in the Donetsk region, which Russia claims to have annexed despite not having full control over it.

In Kyiv, Ukraine, visiting German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of “playing for time” in negotiations over the war in Ukraine as she

‘Heartbreaking’ floods swamp Australia’s herds

SYDNEY—Whole herds of cattle

have drowned in vast inland floods seeping across the Australian outback, officials said Tuesday as the muddy tide drenched an area the size of France.

Swollen rivers burst their banks after unusually heavy downpours last week over outback Queensland, an arid region home to some of the country’s largest cattle ranches.

Officials said more than 100,000 livestock—cattle, sheep, goats and horses— had been swept away, were missing, or had drowned.

“These are only early indications of the magnitude of this disaster and while these preliminary numbers are shocking, we are expecting them to continue to climb as flood waters recede,” said state agriculture minister Tony Perrett.

“It’s heartbreaking to consider what western Queenslanders will be going through over the weeks and months as they discover the full extent of losses and damage—and start the long slog to start again.” Researchers have repeatedly warned that climate change amplifies the risk of natural disasters such as bushfires, floods and cyclones.

Flood waters stretched some 500,000 square kilometers across sparsely populated western Queensland, Perrett said, a landmass roughly equivalent to France.

Industry body AgForce told local media some cattle ranches may have lost almost 100 percent of their herd. AFP

arrived on a visit to Kyiv on Tuesday.

“Ukraine is ready for an immediate ceasefire. It is Putin who is playing for time, does not want peace and is continuing his war of aggression, which is a violation of international law,” Baerbock said in a statement shared by her ministry.

“He is feigning a willingness to negotiate, but not deviating an inch from his goals,” she said on her ninth

visit to Ukraine since the start of the war.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s foreign minister said 45,000 in his country were without electricity after Russian strikes, but did not specify where in Ukraine.

Russia is still trying to capture the whole of eastern and southern Ukraine, though the pace of its advance has dipped in recent months, according to independent analysts.

AFP journalists visited the village of Rozlyv in October, when Russian troops were some 20 kilometers away and advancing rapidly.

Locals who spoke to AFP then, many who had already fled homes in towns captured by Russia, doubted whether they had the strength to relocate once more.

Russia’s defense ministry also accused Ukraine of a drone attack on an energy site in the Belgorod border region -- the latest in a string of such accusations over the last week.

“Thus, regardless of its public statements of support for the Russian-US agreements on a phased settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, the Kyiv regime continues to unilaterally strike Russia’s energy facilities on a daily

MANDALAY—Myanmar held a minute of silence Tuesday in tribute to victims of a catastrophic earthquake that has killed more than 2,000 people, buckling roads and flattening buildings as far away as Bangkok.

Four days after the shallow 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck, many people in Myanmar are still sleeping outdoors, either unable to return to ruined homes or afraid of further aftershocks.

The country came to a standstill at 12:51:02 (2.21 pm Manila time)—the precise time the quake struck on Friday—to remember those lost.

The ruling junta has asked the population to pause at that time, and said media should halt broadcasting and dis-

play mourning symbols, while prayers will be offered at temples and pagodas.

The gesture is part of a week of national mourning declared by the junta, with flags to fly at half-mast on official buildings until April 6 “in sympathy for the loss of life and damages.”

The junta said Monday that 2,056 have now been confirmed dead, with more than 3,900 people injured and 270 still missing. At least 19 people died in neighboring Thailand.

But the toll is expected to rise significantly as rescuers reach towns and villages where communications have been cut off by the quake.

Mandalay, Myanmar’s second city and home to more than 1.7 million people, suffered some of the worst

STRENUOUS SEARCH.

A rescue worker stands as heavy machinery is used to find people trapped in the rubble at the site of an underconstruction building collapse in Bangkok, in the early hours of Tuesday. Authorities in Thailand are investigating possible factors that led to the devastation of a Bangkok construction site, where dozens remained missing on March 31, after a massive earthquake centered in Myanmar. AFP

destruction, with many residential buildings collapsed into piles of rubble.

Hundreds of residents spent a fourth night sleeping in the open, either because their homes were destroyed or because they were afraid aftershocks would cause more damage.

“I don’t feel safe. There are six or seven-floor buildings beside my house leaning, and they can collapse anytime,” Soe Tint, a watchmaker, told AFP after sleeping outside.

Some of those camping out have tents but many—including babies and children—have been bedding down on blankets in the middle of roads, staying as far away as possible from damaged buildings. AFP

basis,” the defense ministry said. The United States last week said the leaders of both Russia and Ukraine had agreed to halt strikes on energy facilities -- though no formal agreement or ceasefire has been put in place and both sides have accused the other of launching fresh attacks.

On March 11, Ukraine, whose army is struggling on the frontline, and the United States agreed on a plan for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia.

But Putin has rejected the US proposal and has upped his rhetoric on Moscow wanting to install new leadership in Ukraine. AFP

South Korea court to rule Friday on Yoon impeachment

SEOUL—South Korea’s Constitutional Court will issue its longawaited ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment Friday, months after he was suspended for declaring martial law.

The court has held weeks of impeachment hearings to determine whether to officially remove Yoon from office, after he was impeached by lawmakers over his short-lived suspension of civilian rule.

“The president’s impeachment case verdict will be on April 4, 2025 at the Constitutional Court,” the court said in a statement Tuesday.

The Constitutional Court has until June to decide his fate but it has typically issued rulings within weeks for past presidential impeachment cases.

The court has taken longer over the case than expected, giving rise to a surge in speculation with some suggesting the justices must be experiencing intense disagreements.

For Yoon to be removed from office, at least six of the court’s eight justices must vote in favour.

Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans have been rallying for and against Yoon every weekend in central Seoul.

Yoon, a former prosecutor, was detained in January on insurrection charges but was released in early March on procedural grounds. He has remained defiant throughout and blamed a “malicious” opposition.

He is also the first sitting South Korean president to stand trial in a criminal case, facing charges of insurrection over the martial law bid.

FRIDAY RULING. Kim Sun-ja, a supporter of impeached

THE recently concluded TNTBarangay Ginebra title showdown proved to be a monster hit not just at ticket sales but in TV ratings and in social media hits.

The Tropang Giga beat the Gin Kings in the well-fought series that took the full seven-game distance, with the decider drawing a crowd of 21,274 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

It’s a giant hit on TV viewership as well, with the winner-take-all Game 7 registering 5.1 percent NUTAM (Nationwide Urban Television Audience Measurement) rating and 4.6 PHINTAM (Philippine National TV Audience Measurement) rating.

Game views hit a peak of 7.0 percent or about five million viewers as per the Cignal TV report to the PBA board of governors in a meeting at the PBA office in Li-

Lady Falcons zero in on 12 th straight UAAP softball title

MAE Langga stepped up in a crucial moment, propelling Adamson University to a 6-3 come-from-behind victory over University of the Philippines, moving the Lady Falcons just one win away from securing their 12th consecutive UAAP Softball Tournament title, Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

The Lady Falcons will look to close out the series on Saturday at 9 a.m. at the same Malate, Manila venue.

With the game tied at three runs apiece and the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth inning, Adamson needed a spark. Enter Langga, a thirdyear standout from the University of Santo Tomas, who was called from the dugout to pinch-hit for lead-off batter Neomay Mahinay.

Langga took the first pitch from KC Valino and then perfectly timed the second, sending the ball deep into left field and past Kate Nueva, allowing Mary Jane Libaton and Madaelene

Domaug—who had come in as a pinch runner for Aliza Pichon—to score off a crucial double.

Roma Mae Cruz, who had substituted for Mae Tubongbanua and was intentionally walked in the previous sequence, added an insurance run in the sixth, scoring off an MJ Maguad sacrifice fly to UP right fielder Laica Atlas.

“I’m proud of them na may mga nagstep up nung kailangang-kailangan, kasi medyo bad ‘yung aming start kanina. Ito na siguro ang isa sa pinakamarami naming errors sa first inning. Siguro may a little bit of pressure sa kanila,” said head coach Ana Santiago.

“Good thing is nakabalik sila. Sabi

ko sa kanila nung nag-timeout ako— pinakamaaga kong timeout, first inning pa lang—na matagal pa ‘to. Huwag nating intindihin ang score, ang importante, makabalik tayo. Walang bibigay at maniwala tayo na kaya niyo pang maipanalo ‘to.”

Jane Marie Sigue, who started for Adamson in both elimination-round games against UP, impressed in her UAAP Finals debut, limiting the Fighting Maroons to just one run over the next few innings after Season 85 Best Pitcher Glory Alonzo conceded two runs in the first.

Last year’s Finals MVP, April Minanga, then took over in the final 3.1 innings, sealing the win despite allowing a lone hit from Generose Torremocha in the seventh. Minanga quickly

negated the hit by anchoring a decisive double play in the next sequence.

A precise pitch to UP captain Nickole Dela Cruz led to a sharp play by third baseman Mahinay, who caught Torremocha on the throw to second baseman Maguad. Maguad then tagged out Dela Cruz at first base, ending the game in two hours and 40 minutes.

“Sabi ko lang sa kanila, sa mga sitwasyong kinakailangan, basta nagtitiwala kayo sa sarili niyo, hindi naman kailangang nasa first nine kayo. Kahit nasa bench kayo, ang gusto kong itatak niyo sa isip niyo ay ‘I’m always ready when the team needs me.’ Ayon ang lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila,” added Santiago, who also serves as the head coach of the national softball team, the Blu Girls.

UP initially took a 2-0 lead but struggled to generate offense in the following innings. Sigue and Minanga combined to shut down the Fighting Maroons, with Danica Aquino being the lone bright spot, tallying two hits in three at-bats.

SBA mulls pact with POC to fuel growth of PH Billiards

AS a passionate advocate for the sport of billiards, the Sharks Billiards Association (SBA) is reaching out to someone committed to revitalizing its status in the Philippines -- Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino.

As the son of Perry Mariano, who has long championed the development of world-class Filipino billiards’ players, Hadley Mariano, SBA founder, is eager to continue his father’s legacy by ensuring that their athletes receive the recognition and support they deserve. Through the SBA, the Marianos are working to professionalize and elevate billiards to new heights, providing a structured platform for both emerging and elite players.

“Given the POC’s role in shaping the national sports landscape, we would like to explore a partnership between SBA and POC to strengthen the sport’s presence and ensure its long-term success,” said young Mariano.

“One key initiative we are currently preparing is the SBA Philippine Open 2025, set to take place on April 21 to 27, 2025. This premier event will bring to-

gether top local and international players, reinforcing the Philippines’ position as a powerhouse in the global billiards’ scene. More than just a competition, the SBA Philippine Open 2025 will serve as a major scouting event for SBA, identifying and recruiting the next gen-

eration of elite Filipino players,” said Mariano.

“This event will provide aspiring athletes with a platform to showcase their skills, gain exposure, and earn opportunities to compete professionally both locally and internationally,” he added.

Mariano extended his formal request for a meeting with Tolentino to discuss the possibility of securing POC’s sanction of the event, while exploring other collaborative opportunities that will benefit Filipino players and further institutionalize billiards within the POC framework.

“We believe that with the POC’s support, this event can serve as a stepping stone for billiards to gain broader national recognition and open doors for more athletes to represent the country internationally. Additionally, we are excited to share that Season 2 of the Sharks Billiards Association (SBA) is set to launch on June 2, 2025. Following the overwhelming success of Season 1, which showcased the immense talent of our Filipino billiards players, we are eager to build on this momentum,” added Mariano, emphasizing that the SBA is a professional/amateur pool league.

Laela Mateo: Ready to shine for PH junior cage team

THE open basketball program of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has been a source of many talents for Filipinos abroad.

And for Filipinos in the US, Australia, and New Zealand, the program brings hope for young basketball players – boys and girls – to show their wares and fulfill their dreams of playing for the National Team in the international arena.

“Everybody is thrilled and excited playing here. The program allows Filipinos based abroad. In front of a Filipino crowd and basketball officials, they can show their talents and hopefully make it to the Philippine team,” said FilNational Team A coach Jed Rowe.

The Fil-National Team A is one of eight Filipino-foreign squads currently in Manila participating in the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC)

– SBP’s development program in the grassroots level. The team currently holds the top spot in Group A of the girls’ under-16 division, following a huge 79-52 win over Australian Homegrown Team on Tuesday at the Enderun gymnasium in Taguig City. And one of the reasons behind the team’s success so far is the energetic point guard Laela Mateo, 16, who is based in Sacramento, California. Standing at 5-foot-7, the Grade 11 student at Franklin High School could play effectively, both the guard and shooting guard positions. Mateo boosted the team’s first three victories with her hustle defense and strong presence on the offensive ends.

“It was so fun and exciting playing again here. The league is just a preparation for the much bigger stage in my basketball career, as I will join the

official national tryouts for the junior teams this coming April 9,” said Mateo.

“I want to play and represent the Philippines in international competitions. It’s a dream I share with my father, so I will try my best to make it,” added Mateo.

She already received invitations to play for a top-tier high school team in Manila, but his father, Lance, said their priority is to make the national junior team first.

“Last year, may 8 na Fil-Am slots sa Philippine training pool, pero hindi kami nakasali, but this year we will try our luck,” said Lance, who is also looking to join her daughter in the PATAFA National Open next month.

“Sa school nila, athletics ang second sport niya, lumalaban siya sa sprint at middle distance. Hopefully, kung

bis, Quezon City Monday.

Both audience measurements were sourced from the survey conducted by AGB Nielsen.

“Nakakataba ng puso ang suporta ng mga fans, at ang aming taos pusong pasasalamat sa kanila,” said PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.

The Game 7 4.6 PHINTAM rating appromixated the achievement of the Season 47 Governors’ Cup finals at 4.9 percent which was the highest rating sports event in 2023. Incidentally, the Season 47 GC crown was also disputed by TNT and Ginebra, with the series aired on TV5. Now at RPTV, the TNT-Ginebra duel was also well followed, with Sunday’s duel’s viewership topping GMA’s Amazing Earth and PBB Celeb, and ABS-CBN’s Saving Grace and Liar.

King Crunchers seek to rewrite history vs. champ Cignal Spikers

THE stage is set for an electrifying showdown as powerhouse Cignal and Criss Cross clash in Game One of the best-of-three Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Finals at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum Wednesday.

While Cignal has dominated their finals encounters in the past, this year’s script may unfold differently. Criss Cross enters the 6 p.m. match with undeniable momentum, having swept the eliminations and semifinals while also defeating the defending champion in all three of their previous matchups this conference.

However, the HD Spikers carry the weight of history, having triumphed over the King Crunchers in their last two championship meetings.

Criss Cross setter Ish Polvorosa, a key figure in the team’s dominant 13-game run, acknowledges their underdog status but believes this is their best opportunity to finally dethrone the defending champions.

“There’s pressure on both sides, but I still see us as the underdogs. We didn’t win against them last year, so this is our chance to grab the championship, especially given how well we’ve played this conference,” said Polvorosa in Filipino. With Polvorosa leading the charge, expect reigning MVP Jude Garcia, Jaron Requinton, Nico Almendras, and Marck Espejo to go all out as Criss Cross seeks a breakthrough victory in what promises to be an intense finals series

“We have faith in each other and the courage to fight for the championship this time. We know Cignal won’t go down without a fight, so we’re preparing thoroughly for this battle,” added Polvorosa.

On the other side, Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor is focused on resetting his team’s mindset after their earlier losses to Criss Cross. He believes that championship experience and composure will be crucial as they aim to defend their title.

The Adamson Lady Falcons celebrate their 6-3 triumph over the UP softbelles.

Laela Mateo

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2025

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Andrew

Zobel leads Team White to The Standard Cup title

By Peter Atencio

INIGO Zobel scored three goals in a short and fast, four chukker-game to lead Team White to The Standard Cup 2025 crown on Sunday.

The

event’s high-goal match.

In the low-goal, six-chukker round-robin encounters earlier, Team Gray took the top honors with a twogame sweep of Red and Blue teams.

Zobel, who earned the MVP honors with his trusted pony Paloma, struck one of the first two goals in the first chukker.

Romualdez rode in the first goal at the 4:45 mark, before Zobel hit the second with nine seconds left in the clock.

Attacking from the middle, Zobel drove in the third goal with 5:13 left in the second chukker, before Tony Bitong retaliated for Team Orange at the 58-second mark.

“It was a nice game. We had good fun,” said Romualdez.

With Team White ahead, 3-1, halfway into the

game, Marcos came through with his assault in remaining 2:44 of the third.

A second goal marker came from Romualdez in the final 1:05, for a 5-1 advantage.

A final attack came from Zobel in the fourth chukker handed Team White a 6-1, spread.

Jay de Jesus landed Team Orange’s second goal during the remaining time of the contest.

Spectators were treated to a fireworks display later in the evening.

Meanwhile, Team Gray got the winning goal from Tonypet Albano in the second chukker for a 2-1 triumph over Team Red, for its first victory. Albano also had a goal when Gray, getting support from teammates Jun Juban and Patrick Cruz, prevailed over Blue, 3-1.

Bumina-ang faces Argentinian at ONE Fight Night 30

CARLO

“The Bull” Bumina-ang has his next target in sight and he plans to unleash his full arsenal against the man standing in his way. The Team Lakay standout returns this Saturday, April 5, when he faces Argentina’s Mauro Mastromarini in the curtain raiser of ONE Fight Night 30: Kyrklia vs. Knowles at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Bumina-ang, the first Filipino fighter to win a ONE Championship main roster contract through the ONE Friday Fights circuit, has made a name for himself with his heavy hands and ability to finish fighters whether on the feet or on the ground. Five straight victories in Lumpinee earned him a US$100,000 contract, but he fell short in his debut after losing to the tough EnkhOrgil Baatarkhuu with one second left in their match.

Still, Bumina-ang was undeterred even after absorbing his first loss in the promotion.

Given a veteran in Song Min Jong for his next fight, “The Bull” ran through him at ONE

By Randy M. Caluag

RETURNING to the place where his pole vault journey first took flight, EJ Obiena soared to victory with two gold medals at the Taiwan International Pole Vault competition.

Eight years since he last competed in Taiwan, the world No. 4 came back older and stronger to dominate both the outdoor and indoor competitions over the weekend.

Obiena cleared 5.50 meters in the outdoor event despite challenging zero-visibility conditions at Sun Moon Lake, a picturesque tourist destination in Nantou City situated 2,454 feet above sea level.

While no stranger to foggy conditions, this experience was unlike any other.

“During my many travels for pole vault competitions, I’ve encountered fog warnings at airports where visibility is low. But today, I experienced something entirely new—a fog warning in the middle of a competition. With only about 10 meters of visibility, you just disappear,” the Filipino pole vault star shared. Obiena outperformed 21 other competi-

tors from Australia, England, Hong Kong, Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, and host nation Chinese Taipei.

He bested American Matt Ludwig, who took the silver with a 5.30-meter jump, while fellow Filipino Hokket Delos Santos recorded a personal best of 5.15 meters, finishing in 10th place.

“Talk about a literal ‘leap of faith!’ I decided to go for it and placed my trust in God’s hands. Winning under such murky conditions reminds me that we can’t always have sunny skies and perfect weather. We must persevere through all kinds of adversity, and this was a new challenge that taught me a valuable lesson,” Obiena added. In the indoor event, Obiena did better and clinched another gold by clearing 5.62 meters on his first attempt.

Thailand’s Patsapong Amsarang secured silver with a 5.42-meter jump, while Ludwig took bronze at 5.32 meters.

His mother, former national team coach Jeanette, recalled that it was in Taiwan where Obiena, who was then 12 years old, first achieved his 3-meter, 4-meter, and 5-meter jumps.

Fight Night 28 last February as he went back to his quick, finishing ways. He needed just 53 seconds to stop the South Korean.

From the start, the Team Lakay representative swarmed the Korean with big bombs, cornering his opponent before relentlessly dropping powerful strikes to force the early stoppage and get back on the winning track.

Another victory here against the Argentinian would certainly be significant for “The Bull.”

Bumina-ang and Mastromarini will look to set the tone for what’s shaping up to be an explosive night for striking fans.

In the main event, the big boys are out to play as two-division ONE World Champion Roman Kyrklia defends his ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Title against Lyndon Knowles.

Supporting that clash is the trilogy bout between ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion Regian “The Immortal” Eersel and Alexis Nicolas.

Castro starts rehab; PBA PH Cup starts Friday

THE TNT Tropang Giga’s Jayson Castro has started his rehabilitation for the knee injury he suffered before the finals of the 49th Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup. “Nakakalakad na ako. Nabigyan na ako ng clearance. Mag-start na ang rehab ko,” said the 38-year-old Castro, who was around when his team TNT Tropang Giga celebrated their 87-83 Game 7 triumph over Ginebra to win the title at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

The 5’10” Castro suffered a seasonending knee injury during their semifinal series against Rain or Shine. Castro hopes to be back early with the Tropang Giga, but that will still depend on coach Chot Reyes, as the squad starts a new campaign in the PBA Philippine Cup, which starts this Friday.

The Philippine Cup opener at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium will have Terrafirma Dyip clashing with Phoenix at the 5 p.m., and the Meralco Bolts facing the Converge FiberXers at 7:30 p.m. With Castro absence during the finals, Rey Nambatac took over his role as point guard for the Tropang Giga during the finals.

Nambatac earned the Finals’ MVP award for effectively assuming the role that belonged to Castro.

“Deserve niya iyung award. Kita niyo naman, nag-take over siya nu’ng nawala ako,” said Castro. Nambatac was acquired by TNT via trade with Blackwater back in July of last year, in exchange for Kib Montalbo, veteran big man Jewel Ponferrada, and a Season 53 secondround pick. Peter Atencio

UAAP champs seeing action in Beach Tour Nuvali Open

COLLEGE stars suit up for Alas Pilipinas in the Rebisco Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Tour Nuvali Open starting on Wednesday at the at the Nuvali Sand Courts By Ayala Land in Santa Rosa, Laguna. University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 87 champions Kat Epa and Honey Grace Cordero of National University and runners-up Khylem Progella and Sofia Pagara of University of Santo Tomas (UST) now wear the same colors as they try to deliver for the Philippines in the 44-team, 11-nation tournament.

Sunny Kalani Villapando, who suited up for Stanford in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, teams up with Jenny Gaviola of the Philippine Coast Guard, while veteran Alexa Polidario of the Philippine Army will see action with another college player in young Lorien Ysobel Gamboa of UST against top international players in the world-class Nuvali facility.

Australia’s Stefanie Fejes seeks a second straight Nuvali Open title but now goes into battle with Jasmine Fleming, part of the duo that got runner-up honors last year in the tournament organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara, also president of the AVC.

Georgia Johnson, the other half of last year’s runner-up pair, teams up with Elizabeth Alchin in the event offering $2,500 (around P143,000) to the winning tandems Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee and Taravadee Naraphornrapat lead Thailand’s women’s squad, while China is spearheaded by Yan Xu and Zhou Mingli.

Twenty teams vie for the women’s title, while 24 pairs see action in the men’s side.

Pool play is set on Wednesday and Thursday, with the Round of 16 and quarterfinals slated Friday and the semifinals and medal matches to be held on Saturday.

Aided by teammates Marty Romualdez, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos and Argentinian pro Ignacio O’Dwyre, Team White went on to handily beat Team Orange, 6-2, at the Enrique Zobel Field of the Manila Polo Club in Makati City.

end of the season event was fast, according to Zobel, a 53-year veteran of the game, in winning the

Carlo ‘The Bull’ Bumina-ang

Ernest John Obiena AFP

Manila Polo Club officials award The Standard Cup 2025 tropy to members of Team White, namely (starting 4th, from left), Inigo Zobel, Marty Romualdez, Rep. Sandro Marcos and Ignacio O’Dwyer.

Romualdez (right) is also in the photo, during the event held at the Enrique Zobel Field of Manila Polo Club, City of Makati on Sunday. Manny Palmero

Bank loans increase over 12% to P13t on consumer demand

By Darwin G. Amojelar

BANK loans expanded by 12.2 percent year-on-year in February 2025, slightly slower than the 12.8-percent expansion seen in January 2025, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Tuesday.

It said that on a month-onmonth seasonally-adjusted basis, outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks (U/KBs), net of reverse repurchase (RRP) placements with the BSP, rose 0.6 percent.

Outstanding loans to residents, net of RRPs, increased 12.6 percent in February from 13.3 percent in the previous month. Meanwhile, outstanding loans to non-residents decreased by 3.2 percent in February, following a

3.5-percent decline in the previous month.

Loans for production activities went up by 11.2 percent in February from an 11.8-percent growth in January.

The growth was driven largely by increased lending to key industries such as electricity, gas, steam and airconditioning supply (21.5 percent); wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (13.7 percent); manufacturing (0.9 percent); construction (12.7 percent); and transportation and storage (20.6 percent).

Consumer loans to residents grew by 24.1 percent in February from 24.4 percent in January, driven by increases in credit card and motor vehicle loans.

Gov’t debt climbed over 9.5% to reach P16.6t as of February

THE outstanding debt of the Philippine government reached P16.63 trillion as of end-February 2025, rising by P319.26

“The rise was primarily driven by the net issuance of new domestic and external debt to support more public programs and projects. Nevertheless, the increase was partially offset by the strengthening of the peso against the US dollar, which appreciated from P58.375 at the end of January to P57.990 at the end of February,

helping manage foreign debt obligations,” the Treasury said.

Data showed that on a year-on-year basis, debt increased 9.57 percent, or P1.45 trillion, from P15.18 trillion in February 2024.

The BTr said of the total, domestic debt remained the primary component of national government borrowing,

accounting for 67.5 percent of the total obligations. External borrowings represented 32.5 percent of the total.

“This financing mix reflects a prudent approach to debt management to help mitigate exposure to external risks while taking advantage of the country’s liquid domestic market,” the Treasury said.

The end-February 2025 level of domestic debt reached P11.22 trillion, up by P139.62 billion, or 1.26 percent, from its end-January 2025 level. This was mainly due to P140.72 billion in net domestic financing, as the P268.25 billion gross issuance of government securities exceeded redemptions of

STATE-RUN National Food Authority (NFA) said Tuesday it achieved its highest rice buffer stocks in years, citing improved operations and a significantly reduced deficit, despite challenges stemming from a leadership change and an ongoing Ombudsman investigation.

The NFA, an agency under the Department of Agriculture, said it struggled to compete with private rice traders in palay (unmilled rice) purchases following an Ombudsman probe that led to the suspension of 139 officials and employees.

P127.53 billion for the month. The peso’s appreciation against the US dollar contributed to a P1.10billion reduction in the overall domestic debt valuation, helping temper the increase. Foreign debt stood at P5.41 trillion as of end-February 2025, registering a P179.64 billion, or 3.44-percent increase from the previous month. This was attributed to the net availment of foreign borrowing amounting to P193.71 billion and the P20.41 billion net appreciation effect on thirdcurrency-denominated debt.

The decision, the NFA said, spurred farmers to sell their produce to the agency, leading to a surge in buffer stocks.

As of February 2025, the NFA’s palay inventory stood at 399,701 metric tons, equivalent to nearly 8 million 50-kilogram bags, enough to cover eight days of supply, up from one day’s supply before Lacson’s appointment.

The NFA also said it is modernizing its supply chain through the Masagana Agri-Food Infrastructure Modernization Program (MAFIM), a multi-billion peso

The NFA Council, led by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., appointed Larry Lacson as the new administrator and raised the procurement price for palay to P17 to P30 per kilogram from the previous P16 to P23.

nationwide initiative to build new postharvest facilities. The agency estimates MAFIM will reduce annual wastage by about 10 billion pesos, benefiting farmers and consumers.

The NFA said it avoided an estimated P631 million in expenses in 2024 through measures including the Buffer Stock Incentive (BSI) for farmers under the PRICERS program and a “less movement” policy for rice stocks, which saved an additional 172.3 million pesos. These cost-cutting measures helped reduce the NFA’s deficit to P3.753 billion in 2024 from P6.097 billion in 2023, it said.

By Othel V. Campos

DEPARTMENT of Tourism (DOT)

Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said Monday the Philippines won the coveted Destination of the Year Award at the Routes Asia 2025 Awards in Perth, Australia.

“These awards are a testament to the strength of our partnerships with different stakeholders in the aviation and travel industry, our unwavering focus on connectivity, and our collective vision of positioning the Philippines as a premier global destination,” said Frasco. The Routes Asia Awards recognize excellence in air service development and marketing across the Asia-Pacific region, celebrating collaboration between airlines, airports and tourism authorities. Aligned with the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023–2028, the DOT said it has driven connectivity improvements, with 46 new domestic and 47 international routes operational as of Feb. 28, 2025, enhancing access to

P16.63 trillion P16.31 trillion

Gov’t debt as of February 2025

Gov’t debt as of January 2025

P15.18 trillion

Gov’t debt as of February 2024

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the fare adjustment at the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1), which takes effect on April 2 , 2025 is long overdue and necessary to ensure the operational viability of the rail line and sustain its necessary upgrades for the benefit of the commuting public.

“This rate increase is needed to not only ensure smooth and timely maintenance of LRT-1 but also the extension of the line all the way to Cavite under the present PPP contract,” the department said in a statement.

It said the increase, approved on Jan. 30, 2025, represents only the second adjustment, with 2023 being the first. This was also much lower than the proposed P20 fare originally submitted by the Light Rail Management Corp., it said.

The DOTr on Feb. 14, 2025, informed LRMC that the agency’s Railway Regulatory Unit approved its petition to adjust ticket prices for LRT-1.

This means that by April 2, the new minimum fare for a singlejourney ticket at LRT-1 will be P20, up from P15, representing a 25-percent increase.

Darwin G. Amojelar

MPIC buying additional 30% in hospital unit

METRO Pacific Investments Corp. is looking acquire an additional 30-percent stake in its hospital unit from majority shareholders.

MPIC chairman Manuel Pangilinan said in a recent interview the company was looking to acquire a portion of the stake being sold by KKR & Co. and Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC in Metro Pacific Health Corp. (MPH).

KKR & Co. and GIC, which own 80-percent interest in MPH, were reportedly looking to sell their shareholders in MPH. The transaction was estimated to reach $3 billion.

MPIC owns the remaining 20 percent in MPH, which has 27 hospitals in its portfolio.

Pangilinan said that while the final amount is still being finalized, MPIC would likely tap the debt market and use internally-generated funds to finance the acquisition.

KKR and GIC invested P35.3 billion in MPH in 2019. The planned sale also drew several foreign funds that are looking to invest in the healthcare market in Southeast Asia.

MPH president Augusto Palisoc Jr. said the company remains on the lookout for potential acquisition this year, after acquiring four hospitals in 2024.

“I’m hoping we can do the same this year,” Palisoc said.

MPH, the largest private hospital group in the Philippines, acquired Quezon City-based Diliman Doctors Hospital Inc., City of General Trias Doctors Medical Center Inc., San Francisco Doctors Hospital in Agusan del Sur and UHBI-Parañaque Doctors Hospital Inc. in 2024.

FDC earmarks P24-b capex for expansion

By Jenniffer B. Austria

FILINVEST Development Corp. (FDC) of the Gotianun family earmarked P24 billion for 2025 capital expenditures, up 20 percent from P20 billion it spent in 2024, primarily to bankroll the expansion of its core businesses.

FDC president and chief executive Rhoda Huang said in a recent press briefing nearly half or 47 percent of the P24 billion capital spending would support the expansion of its real estate business.

nila remained strong.

Another 40 percent will go to expansion plan for different subsidiaries, including financial services, hotel, renewable energy and power generation.

Huang said the company remains focused on boosting the growth of core businesses to sustain its growth momentum.

As the economy is being boosted by strong consumption, Huang expects real estate, banking and power generation businesses to continue be “pillars of growth” for FDC.

The group is also focusing on expanding in sectors that complement existing businesses such as hotel management and food and beverage.

Huang said that while demand for housing in National Capital Region was soft, demand outside Metro Ma-

ELEVATED EXPERIENCE. Omada by TP-Lin elevates guest experience at The Connor Serviced Residences Managed by Hospitality Innovators Inc. (HII). TechOne Telecommunication Services Inc., authorized partner of Omada by TP-Link, deployed the Omada’s Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) System and VIGI CCTV units to ensure uninterrupted networking for hotel guests. The Connor Serviced Residences, which officially

The remainder will go into the company’s digitalization programs and investments in shared services.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

STATE-RUN Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) targets to make the first delivery of small scale liquefied natural gas (ssLNG) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao next year to enhance energy security, reduce diesel reliance and support economic growth.

“We hope to make our first delivery in 2026. We won’t be investing in the LNG generating units. We will focus on the logistics to bring small scale LNG to Mindanao. We’ll undertake a study to determine costs and returns,” PNOC president Oliver Butalid said.

He said PNOC decided to venture into ssLNG to replace National Power Corp.’s (NPC) diesel plants with lNG in off-grid areas “to reduce generating costs and lower subsidies shouldered by all Filipino electricity users.”

PNOC said it plans to engage a consultant, with an approved budget of P5 million, to assess the viability of the company’s entry into the ssLNG distribution business, including longterm strategic implications, market positioning and alignment with energy supply security goals.

The consultant will conduct a prefeasibility study to assess the technical, financial, regulatory and environmental aspects of ssLNG deployment, guiding investment decisions and ensuring alignment with national and regional energy policies and development thrusts. PNOC said it would focus on gas supplies and making gas available to marginal and peripheral markets using ssLNG and strategic pilot locations include Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Jolo, and Polloc, which were chosen for their economic potential, logistical significance and urgent energy needs.

FDC recorded a 36-percent rise in attributable net income in 2024 to P21.1 billion from P8. 9 billion in 2023, reflecting growth across all business segment.

Ionic EMS expects to complete two buildings in Malvar this year

By Othel V. Campos

IONICS EMS Inc., a leading Philippines-based electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider, plans to construct two new general-purpose buildings at the Light Industries and Science Park IV in Malvar, Batangas.

The facilities, set to break ground in June 2025, will be built on a fourhectare parcel of land and are expected to be completed within a year.

“These structures are for generalpurpose use—they can function as warehouses or be converted into factories,” said Ionics EMS vice president for business development Earl Lawrence Qua.

“They could be used internally, but there’s also the possibility of leasing

By Darwin G. Amojelar

GLOBE Telecom said it is deploying a cost-effective green technology called RuralLink to expand reliable telecom services in remote communities.

Globe said that for years, delivering mobile coverage to far-flung areas demanded substantial investments in large-scale macro cell sites, where the high costs of equipment, site leasing or acquisition and maintenance made 2G and LTE service financially unfea-

them to another party in the future,” he said.

Ionics specializes in manufacturing printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) used in graphics processing units (GPUs), printers and other electronic devices.

The company has benefitted from the global shortage of electronic components, particularly in the semiconductor sector, which has driven demand for its products.

Around 99.5 percent of Ionics’ production is exported, reaching markets in Japan, India, the United States and other countries.

The company is recognized for its diverse client base, serving industries such as automotive, telecommunications, medical, industrial and consumer electronics.

sible in sparsely populated regions.

It said a solution called RuralLink aimed to address these challenges to narrow the digital divide and expand its coverage.

“Providing connectivity to all Filipinos demands solutions that are both cost-efficient and eco-friendly. Through our strategic partnerships, we are pushing the boundaries of network technology,” said Joel Agustin, Globe head of service planning and engineering.

“RuralLink enables us to reduce

The partnership aims to stabilize pork prices in Metro Manila, where consumers have been grappling with rising food costs.

The memorandum, signed by FTI president Joseph Lo and CP Foods chief operating officer Nattakorn Sujipittham, outlines a pilot program where CP Foods will supply 100 live hogs per day at a discounted price.

Some of the premier hospital names in the MPH portfolio include Makati Medical Center, Asian Hospital, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Davao Doctors Hospital and Riverside Medical Center Bacolod. Jenniffer B. Austria FOOD Terminals Inc. (FTI), a government corporation under the Department of Agriculture, signed on Friday a memorandum of agreement with the local unit of Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand Foods PLC (CP Foods).

The hogs will be sent directly to a slaughterhouse in Caloocan, where the distributor and viajeros will simply receive the live hogs directly rather than transporting them from various farms.

The hogs will then be processed for fresh pork carcasses, which will be delivered to different retailers in various wet markets.

Lo expressed optimism about the potential impact of the program.

“If this pilot proves successful, we will extend it to other hog raisers, creating a broader solution to ensure pork remains affordably priced, with minimal shock to the industry,” he said.

The decision to team up with CP Foods was driven by the company’s capacity to supply the volume needed for the pilot.

Lo also noted CP’s swift response to FTI’s call for private sector collaboration in addressing the nation’s pork supply challenges.

“We needed a company that could guarantee the volume we need at the price we were looking at to achieve our goals,” said Lo.

our carbon footprint and power consumption while ensuring that no community is left behind in the digital age,” he said.

RuralLink merges the capabilities of multiple antennas into a single, compact unit, reducing capital outlay and operational expenses and simplifying installation.

RuralLink will initially cover 20 locations, with plans for further expansion as Globe brings connectivity to more underserved and unserved areas.

ISTAR GRADUATES. The Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation (NWTF), a long-time partner of Coca-Cola Philippines, hosts the first Hybrid Mass Graduation Ceremony for the iSTAR Program in Bacolod, Negros Occidental on Feb. 1, 2025. The milestone aligns with Coca-Cola Philippines’ commitment to economic empowerment, particularly for women in grassroots communities. The ceremony brought together 2,000 graduates and reinforced the program’s role in uplifting women entrepreneurs nationwide.

BUSINESS

Maximum retail price for garlic, eggs eyed to curb profiteering

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) plans to impose a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) on garlic and farm eggs to curb profiteering.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco

Tiu Laurel, Jr. said, however, the DA’s priority remains controlling rice and pork prices.

“Since prices have fallen to P100 a kilo, we decided to hold back. Given their cost of around P80, I think it’s

PH charging stations for electric vehicles hit 912 as of March

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Department of Energy said

Tuesday the Philippines now has 912 publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) charging stations as of March 31, 2025, primarily concentrated in the National Capital Region.

The Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI) outlines a short-term goal of deploying 7,300 EV charging stations by 2028.

“Our goal of deploying over 7,000 EV charging stations by 2028 is ambitious but achievable. By combining infrastructure development with public engagement, we can accelerate the transition to EVs and build a cleaner, more sustainable transportation sector,” said Energy Utilization Management Bureau director Patrick Aquino in a statement.

The DOE said to accelerate EV adoption, it is introducing new regulatory initiatives and public consultations aimed at ensuring a safe, efficient and sustainable charging network.

The agency said it would publish the implementing guidelines on obligations of electric vehicle charging station (EVCS) providers and EVCS requirements, specifications and interconnectivity (IG-ORSI) this month as it recognizes the need for a robust regulatory framework.

The IG-ORSI will provide clear installation requirements for charging stations, particularly for Mode 4 chargers, which use direct current (DC) to deliver energy rapidly to EV batteries.

fair. But if prices spike again, we will definitely implement an MSRP,” he said Tuesday.

The proposal for an MSRP on garlic was initially discussed, but put on hold after prices dropped to around P100 per kg. from a peak of P160—

double the estimated landed cost of P80.

With the Philippines importing 95 percent of its garlic, the DA deems the current price reasonable.

The DA is also monitoring egg prices to prevent unreasonable increases following spikes in sales due to election-driven demand and higher chicken mortality attributed to rising temperatures.

A DA price monitoring places egg prices within the P6 to P8 per piece range, lower than the reported P10 to P12.

“Some suggest implementing an MSRP on eggs, but as with rice and pork, we must consult stakeholders first to avoid disrupting the industry,” Tiu Laurel said.

The DA also reduced the MSRP for imported rice from P49 to P45 per kg. on March 31, 2025, following a downtrend in global prices.

The DA also set an MSRP of P380 per kg. for liempo and P350 per kg. for kasim and pigue, but compliance, while improving, remains below ideal levels.

ABACA

MACHINES. Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) executive director Ali Atienza leads the inspection of 12 spindle stripping machines in Cagayan de Oro City. The equipment will be distributed to 12 farmer cooperatives and associations across five provinces in Region 10—Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Bukidnon. Each machine can process 60 to 90 kilograms of highquality abaca fiber daily, with the potential to generate up to 300,000 kg. of improved fiber annually for the region.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2025

IPs, fisherfolks among poorest sectors in 2023

POVERTY incidence was highest among Indigenous Peoples, fisherfolk and farmers in 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said based on poverty data for 11 basic sectors under the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act. The PSA said in a statement it included indigenous peoples in the 2023 poverty estimates for the first time.

It also released poverty estimates for the newly-established Negros Island Region (NIR) for 2018, 2021 and 2023, requiring adjustments to 2018 and 2021 figures for Western Visayas and Central Visayas to reflect the updated regional composition.

The PSA said that in 2023, poverty incidence was 32.4 percent among indigenous peoples, 27.4 percent among fisherfolk and 27.0 percent among farmers, the PSA said, indicating the percentage of individuals in families living below the poverty threshold.

Conversely, senior citizens (7.8 percent), formal labor and migrant workers (8.3 percent), and urban residents (10.3 percent) had the lowest poverty incidences.

Poverty incidence declined across all sectors from 2021 to 2023, the PSA said, with the national poverty incidence also falling by 2.6 percentage points.

Children (9.29 million) and women (8.66 million) had the highest number of individuals in poor families, the PSA said, adding these sectors also saw the largest declines in poor individuals from 2021 to 2023.

PLDT on track to complete Apricot submarine cable project by 2027

By Darwin G. Amojelar

PLDT Inc. said Tuesday it is on track to complete the Apricot submarine cable system by 2027 that will enhance its international capacity. Benedict Patrick Alcoseba, PLDT first vice president and head of enterprise product management and global capacity strategy, said the project is slated for 2027 completion, with Indonesian water permitting remains a significant hurdle.

He said the progress in Philippine waters is on track.

Alcoseba said the Apricot submarine project was supposed to be completed by 2026, but there was delay in permitting in Indonesia

“Apricot extends from the lower part of the Southeast Asia toward Guam. It increases the resiliency of the Philippines when we connect to diffiencet southeast asian countries,’ Alcocsba said.

“It also helps us to connect to the US via Guam. We would have more connections so that there are better resiliency and more capacity. So, there’s more stable internet,” he said.

MSME INNOVATION. Cultural micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines are encouraged to embrace innovation, while preserving tradition to remain competitive in an evolving market. Experts emphasized this during a symposium hosted by the Philippine APEC Study Center Network (PASCN) of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) in collaboration with Xavier University (XU)-Ateneo de Cagayan on March 10, 2025.

MANILA Electric Co (Meralco) assured customers it is ready to maintain stable electricity service following the Philippine weather bureau’s (PAGASA) declaration of the dry season’s start.

“We are actively coordinating with the Department of Energy (DOE) and other industry stakeholders to ensure readiness to meet the higher demand we anticipate in the coming months, which coincides with the country’s midterm elections,” said Joe Zaldarriaga, Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications.

The distribution utility said it had ramped up maintenance and upgrade activities to ensure its network and facilities were in good condition.

Meralco said it proactively secured

additional supply to meet customer demand since last year.

Meralco entered an emergency power supply agreement for 200 megawatts in January 2025 to augment baseload supply during the critical dry months and reduce customer exposure to the volatile Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.

The company also continued to encourage businesses and industrial establishments to join the government’s Interruptible Load Program (ILP) to manage demand.

The ILP asks large-load customers to use their generators or shift operations, instead of drawing power from the grid, to prevent household power interruptions during red alerts or sup-

ply shortages.

More than 100 companies with over 500 MW of total de-loading capacity are enrolled in the ILP within Meralco’s franchise area.

Meralco said it has consistently promoted energy efficiency among consumers.

Residential electricity consumption during summer months jumps by 20 percent to 33 percent compared to January and February, according to the company’s data.

“By practicing energy efficiency, customers can better manage their electricity consumption while also doing their part in managing energy demand,” Zaldarriaga said.

Alena Mae S. Flores

PLDT is investing $80 million (P3.9 billion) in the APRICOT cable system, along with four other parties that formed the consortium.

The company earlier said it completed the cable laying for the branches of the Apricot cable system in Baler, Aurora and Digos, Davao.

The 12,000-kilometer-long Apricot cable system will be a state-of-theart, high-capacity fiber-optic submarine cable system that will address the increasing telecommunications traffic capacity demands in the Asia Pacific region, with a system design capacity

of more than 211Tbps. A direct cable from Singapore to Japan via the Pacific Ocean, the Apricot cable system gives telecommunication companies alternate routes that do not traverse the usual West Philippine Sea waters. It is reinforced by two landing points in the Philippines at two newly-built cable landing stations. It will increase PLDT’s international capacity by up to 33 percent totaling to more than 140Tbps, further boosting the diversity and capacity of PLDT’s cable system portfolio.

Former executive of Misamis Oriental electric coop named NEA board member

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

appointed Jovel Ubay-Ubay, former general manager of Misamis Oriental I Rural Electric Service Cooperative Inc. (MORESCO 1), as acting member of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) board of administrators.

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla administered Ubay-Ubay’s oath of office on March 31, 2025, at the Department of Energy (DOE) office in Taguig City, with NEA administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda witnessing the ceremony.

Ubay-Ubay, a veteran of rural electrification, led MORESCO 1 for 38 years before joining the governmentowned and -controlled corporation (GOCC). He brings decades of technical and operational expertise in the

power distribution service industry.

The former general manager also served as chairman of NEA task forces that rehabilitated the operations of Zamboanga del Sur II Electric Cooperative Inc. (ZAMSURECO 2) and MORESCO II. He also worked with the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) board.

Marcos signed Ubay-Ubay’s appointment papers on March 25, 2025. Other members of the NEA board include Almeda, Rene Gonzales, and Alipio Cirilo Badelles, with Lotilla as chairman.

The NEA board of administrators exercises the corporate authority of the state-owned corporation, guided by Republic Act No. 10149, the “GOCC Governance Act of 2011.”

Money supply expands 6.3% to nearly P18t

By Darwin G. Amojelar

DThis was slightly slower than the 6.8-percent rise seen in January 2025, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

“On a month-on-month seasonally adjusted basis, M3 decreased marginally by 0.3 percent,” the BSP said. Domestic claims rose 10.1 percent year-on-year in February, slow-

IN BRIEF

er than the 10.9-percent growth in January. Claims on the private sector grew by 12.3 percent in February, following a 13.1-percent increase in the previous month, driven by continued expansion in bank lending to nonfinancial private corporations and households.

Net claims on the central government increased 5.9 percent from 7.4 percent due to lower deposits of the national government with the BSP relative to a year ago.

Net foreign assets (NFA) in peso terms rose 5.8 percent year-on-year in February compared to 2.6 percent in January.

The BSP said its NFA expanded 8.9 percent, reflecting the increase in gross international reserves.

Meanwhile, the NFA of banks declined, largely due to higher foreign currency-denominated bills and bonds payable.

THE Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said its National ID authentication services are improving service delivery and transaction efficiency by verifying identities through facial recognition, fingerprint scanning and ID card numbers.

The system aims to minimize fraud by relying on unique credentials, going beyond basic ID verification, said PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis Mapa.

“Through the National ID authentication services, both the public and relying parties can be assured that the delivery of services are more targeted and transactions are more seamless,” Mapa said in a statement.

The services are used in social protection programs, ensuring benefits

reach intended recipients. Beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are authenticated during family development sessions (FDS). As of Dec. 31, 2024, over 2.58 million 4Ps beneficiaries had been authenticated during FDS.

The National ID authentication is also used for releasing civil registry documents like birth, marriage and death certificates, through the PSAHelpline online portal. As of March 17, 2025, over 16,000 individuals had undergone authentication via the portal.

In Tublay, Benguet, the local government uses the system for various services, including 4Ps beneficiary authentication and civil registry document processing.

implementing the policy of the State for so long as the express or implied powers granted to them by law allows them to do so,” the Supreme Court said. Jenniffer B. Austria

BSP, HKMA hold bilateral meeting BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Gov-

Metis College launches in Manila, offers business education

METIS College launched a business education program on Friday, designed for professionals seeking practical skills rather than traditional credentials.

The college, founded in 2023, aims to serve working professionals with a modular MBA program. It offers courses in eight-week terms with monthly start dates, progressing from foundational skills to applied strategy.

“We created Metis for people who move—people who don’t wait for perfect conditions,” said Trisha Roque-Oreta, director of learning experience at Metis, at the launch held at F1 Hotel in Bonifacio Global City.

“Education here isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about developing the kind of leadership that knows how to navigate uncertainty with clarity and

purpose,” she said.

Metis, named after the Greek goddess of wisdom, offers a globallyaccredited MBA through partnerships with Woolf University and the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School. The college said it serves over 2,000 students.

“Everything I learn, I can use the next day,” said Migs Martinez, an Athena scholar, who works in client strategy.

“This isn’t education for someday. It’s designed for now,” said Martinez.

The program is a full member of Woolf University, offering ECTS-accredited degrees and provides access to Oxford’s Saïd Business School faculty and alumni network.

Student ambassadors at the launch highlighted the program’s practical applications.

“The best part of Metis is that it doesn’t feel like a classroom,” said Dreya Evangelista.

“It’s space to listen, reflect, and grow—not just for grades, but for real conversations about who we’re becoming,” said Evangelista.

Khail Macadaeg cited a transformative international immersion in London, while Shawntel Nieto, a social impact entrepreneur, spoke about leadership aligned with personal values.

Keynote speaker Francis Kong emphasized the importance of defining one’s purpose.

“Burnout isn’t always about too much work. Sometimes, it’s about borrowed purpose. You need to define your own,” Kong said.

DEPARTMENT of Agriculture assistant secretary for policy and planning Paz Benavidez II was elected as the chairwoman of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

Benavidez was elected during the commission’s 20th session in Rome. The commission, a permanent intergovernmental body of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), focuses on policies for the sustainable use, conservation, and equitable sharing of biological diversity for food and agriculture.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. lauded Benavidez’s election. “This is a very proud moment for the DA family. Assistant Secretary Benavidez’s election as the first Filipino to head the Commission speaks volumes not only about her personal achievements but also the wealth of talent within the DA,” he said in a statement.

Benavidez, who led the Philippine delegation, will serve a two-year term, ending in 2027 at the commission’s 21st session.

As chairwoman, she will lead discussions and decision-making processes, ensuring the smooth functioning of the FAO’s advisory body on genetic resources. Her role will be key in advancing global efforts to preserve and sustainably manage genetic resources for food and agriculture.

MSME SUPPORT. Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Christina Roque and TikTok Shop executives sign a memorandum of agreement to solidify their shared commitment to supporting MSMEs. Building on the success of Camp Asenso in 2024, the partnership institutionalizes the program under UNLAD LOKAL, a structured learning initiative designed to equip Filipino entrepreneurs with essential digital skills for business growth. Source: Secretary Christina Roque’s Facebook page

AI FINTECH FORUM. Surfin’s AI Fintech Forum (SAFF) 2025 brings together well-known thought leaders, fintech experts and policymakers in Manila to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics are transforming financial services amid shifting geopolitical tides and growing urgency to push for greater financial inclusion.

Metis College launches on March 29, 2025 at F1 Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, introducing a new model for business education built for professionals seeking relevance, movement and real-world application.

Voices of Strength: Three women, one purpose

By Sasha Uy

AS WE reflect on the recent celebration of International Women’s Month, we highlight three Filipinas whose work in heritage, education, and media continues to inspire change beyond the month of March.

Gemalin Batino-Diaz: Guarding Heritage

As Chairperson of Kilusan Cuartel de Santo Domingo, Inc., Gemalin BatinoDiaz spent 22 years advocating for the autonomy of the Cuartel de Santo Domingo in Santa Rosa, Laguna—a battle that finally ended in 2022. What was once under exclusive police use is now a thriving cultural hub with 17 trained Cultural Heritage Workers (CHWs), mostly women. “From zero visitors, we now have almost 11,000,” she shares. “We even collaborate with the police for patriotic tours and signed an MOA with the National Police College.” Gemalin’s leadership style is handson. She trained her team through workshops and mentoring, then shifted to performance-based management. “Loving your people and seeing their potential

drives me,” she says. Her advice: “Follow your dreams but don’t forget your identity as Filipino women.”

Dr. Pamela Grace Muhi: Teaching with Purpose

For Dr. Pamela Grace Muhi, professor at PUP and Ph.D. holder in Public Administration, teaching is a calling.

“There’s no greater impact than being a teacher,” she says. “When students message me years later saying their research made a difference, I know I’ve done something right.”

Teaching, she adds, demands constant learning. “Staying relevant is a challenge, but I treat it as a chance to grow.”

For Dr. Muhi, empowerment means lifting everyone—especially those often left behind. “Don’t be afraid to learn, unlearn, and relearn,” she tells young women. She draws inspiration from the

Optimist Creed, focusing on positivity and self-improvement.

Ruby Asoy-Lebajo:

Championing Stories

Veteran journalist Ruby Asoy-Lebajo, who recently earned her master’s degree in Communication, has spent over 30 years in media and public relations. “My defining moment came in the ’90s when I wrote exclusive features that inspired others,” she recalls.

Keeping up with the digital age has been her biggest challenge. “Adapting to new platforms taught me how to stay relevant and continue empowering women.”

She balances multiple roles by focusing on what matters most. “Empowerment is about showing up for women, supporting their stories and causes.”

Her advice? “Pursue your passions with integrity and resilience.”

One Mission, Many Voices From conserving history to shaping young minds and amplifying untold stories, Gemalin, Dr. Muhi, and Ruby reflect the power of purpose-driven leadership. Their lives remind us that no role is too small to create impact, and that the real legacy lies in uplifting others.

These women aren’t just making history—they’re preserving it, teaching it, and writing it for the next generation.

AI dental assistant reads X-rays with near-perfect accuracy

THE Ateneo Laboratory for Intelligent Visual Environments (ALIVE) and international researchers have developed a deep learning model that aims to revolutionize dentistry, with the capability to identify tooth and sinus structures in dental X-rays with an accuracy of 98.2%. Sample dental X-rays or dental panoramic radiographs (DPRs) as seen by the YOLO 11n deep learning model, which is able to identify tooth structures with up to 98.2% accuracy. CREDIT: PeiYi Wu et al., 2025

Notoriously difficult to diagnose

Using a sophisticated object detection algorithm, the system was specifically trained to help quickly and more accurately detect odontogenic sinusitis—a condition that is often misdiagnosed as general sinusitis and, if left unchecked, could spread infection to the face, eyes, and even the brain.

Odontogenic sinusitis, caused by infections or complications related to the upper teeth, is notoriously difficult to diagnose. Its symptoms—nasal conges-

tion, foul-smelling nasal discharge, and occasional tooth pain—are nearly identical to those of ordinary general sinusitis. To make matters worse, only about a third of patients experience noticeable dental

pain, meaning the condition is frequently overlooked by general practitioners. Traditional diagnosis requires collaboration between dentists and otolaryngologists, often leading to delayed treatment.

deep

THE Negros Occidental Garden Club, under the presidency of Lope Nonoy Napao, recently treated 150 children and adults to a healthy and nourishing breakfast of arrozcaldo with chicken, egg, bread and fruit juices.

The feeding activity, held in the all-purpose gym at the Purok Gonzaga Ext., Brgy. Taculing, Bacolod City, was part of the club’s outreach programs designed to help the less fortunate in the community.

The food was prepared and served by some 30 volunteer club members. Feeding activities address hunger and malnutrition and promote good health and nutrition. Founded in 1962, the Negros Occidental Garden Club is one of the oldest and most active clubs of its kind in the Philippines. It aims to promote, encourage,

and cultivate interest in

Finscore names Angel Dimitrov COO, country head to boost inclusive lending

By Jason Dela Cruz

FINSCORE, the country’s leading provider of alternative credit scoring solutions, has appointed Angel Dimitrov as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Country Manager—a move that signals a stronger focus on helping more Filipinos access fair and smarter lending opportunities.

With over a decade of experience in financial technology, data analytics, and credit risk assessment, Dimitrov brings a solid track record in building tools that help lenders make better decisions, especially for people without traditional banking histories. Helping the Underbanked Through Data

In many parts of the Philippines, people are denied loans simply because they lack formal credit records. FinScore tackles this problem by using alternative credit scoring—a method that looks beyond credit cards and bank statements. Instead, it analyzes mobile data and telco activity to paint a clearer picture of a person’s financial behavior. Since co-founding FinScore in 2018, Dimitrov has played a key role in developing these tools. Under his leadership, the company created models specifically designed to assess underbanked communities—those who may not have

THE Philippine APEC Study Center Network (PASCN) of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), in collaboration with the Xavier University (XU) – Ateneo de Cagayan, highlighted the vital role of community-based agroecotourism in diversifying income, stabilizing livelihoods, and preserving the environment during the March 10, 2025 symposium.

The event brought together experts to discuss agroecotourism’s role in diversifying income, stabilizing livelihoods, and preserving the environment. Discussions revolved around its intersection with agriculture, tourism, and environmental conservation, offering actionable insights for inclusive growth.

XU Department of Economics Associate Dean Dr. Jerelyn Medalla presented

policy insights from the PIDS study she co-authored, titled, “Developing and Sustaining AgroEcotourism Through a Community-Based Approach.”

She highlighted how agroecotourism helps local communities achieve sustainable development and economic resilience by investing in farm diversification, small businesses, and value-added activities.

“Agroecotourism sits at the intersection of agriculture, tourism, and environmental conservation,” Medalla said. She explained the dual benefits of agroecotourism such as providing alternative income sources for farmers and local entrepreneurs, and fostering conservation efforts with active community participation.

Medalla underscored the

access to banks but still deserve financial trust.

Now as COO and Country Manager, Dimitrov will lead FinScore’s strategic growth while continuing to expand its partnerships with banks and lending institutions. His goal: to help financial institutions lend more responsibly while also extending services to those previously left out.

One of the highlights of Dimitrov’s leadership is the relaunch of CrediView, FinScore’s advanced credit insights platform. It gathers data from over 30 lenders in the country, offering real-time “Flags” that give lenders a more accurate view of an applicant’s creditworthiness.

“With CrediView, lenders can extend credit to more unbanked applicants while effectively reducing default rates,” said Dimitrov. “It turns raw data into real insights, helping financial institutions make faster, fairer, and smarter loan decisions.” Towards a More Inclusive Financial Future Under Dimitrov’s leadership, FinScore will continue to expand its suite of AIpowered tools to support banks, microfinance groups, and other lenders. The ultimate goal? To create a lending environment where more Filipinos—regardless of their background—can access the credit they need to build better lives.

potential of agroecotourism to address poverty among farmers and fisherfolk, who continue to experience the highest poverty rates in the Philippines. However, she flagged challenges such as poor infrastructure lack of skills, and limited funding that need to be addressed to maximize this potential.

To ensure sustainability, Medalla emphasized the importance of educational programs and skills development to enhance community engagement and participation. “Increasing awareness of communitybased agroecotourism can enhance positive perceptions of its benefits,” she noted. She proposed developing agroecotourism in parks, training in entrepreneurship and organic farming, strengthening community leadership, integrating agroecotourism into local plans, and fostering partnerships for sustainability.

In addition to these insights, OICRegional Director of the National Economic Development Authority Richardson Cua highlighted the need for better policy coordination.

Asoy-Lebajo

Muhi

Batino-Diaz

Sample dental X-rays or dental panoramic radiographs (DPRs) as seen by the YOLO

11n

learning model, which is able to identify tooth structures with up to 98.2% accuracy. Pei-Yi Wu et al., 2025

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2025

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER

VALDEZ, Writer

A new ‘stage’ for Ara Mina

By Jasper Valdez

ACTRESS and entrepreneur Ara Mina is stepping into a new kind of spotlight as she officially announces her candidacy for councilor in Pasig City’s 2nd District under the Team Kaya This slate, led by mayoral hopeful Sarah Discaya.

In a press gathering with local media and longtime supporters, Ara, whose real name is Hazel Pascual Reyes, shared that her decision to enter politics was not made lightly.

After more than three decades in showbiz, she said this next chapter is driven by prayer, purpose, and the urge to help on a larger scale.

“I really wanted this new journey,” she said.

“I prayed for it for three months. This isn’t just a career move. I asked for signs—not just once. I kept praying because I know politics isn’t easy.”

The 45-year-old actress, known for her roles in film and television since the early 1990s, said she has long been involved in charity work and community outreach.

But with a seat in local government, she hopes to do more for those who often fall through the cracks, especially struggling artists and ordinary citizens seeking help.

“Before, when I couldn’t afford to help, I would even sell some of my belongings just so I could give something,” she said.

“It’s hard when you want to help but don’t have the authority. So I thought, what if I had a bigger platform?”

Ara is running alongside Sarah Discaya, a Pasig native and advocate for women’s rights and healthcare reform.

The two met through St. Gerrard Foundation and found common ground in their shared advocacy for vulnerable sectors.

“We may have different backgrounds, but we have the same goals,” Mina said, referring to Discaya. “She’s like an older sister to me. I’ve never had an older sister, so it feels like I finally have one now.”

For Discaya, having Ara on the team brings not just star power but also genuine heart.

“I want to share the same space and the same purpose with Ms. Ara Mina,” Discaya said.

“She has long advocated for women’s rights, the well-being of young people, and the protection of disadvantaged sectors. These issues are important to me.”

Mina clarified that she has no plans to leave showbiz altogether, but her focus will be on public service should she win.

“I never stopped working. I love our industry,” she said. “But if this is really the calling of the time, I also want to answer it.”

When asked if she’s ready for the scrutiny that comes with politics, she smiled.

“We’re already used to intrigue,” she said with a laugh. “But at the end of the day, we’re still family—whether in showbiz or in public service.”

F R O N T R O W

SHOWBIZ

By Nickie Wang

POWER and desire have long been intertwined in films, often serving as a lens through which society’s unspoken desires and harsh realities are explored.

Two recently released films, Elevator Lady and Delusyon, tackle these themes, each projecting a different yet complementary take on the transactional nature of relationships, ambition, and the consequences of choices made in desperation.

In Elevator Lady Aliya Raymundo’s Kat is a woman navigating a world that rewards those who know how to play the game. As an elevator operator, she literally controls

Unspoken desires and harsh realities

the ride up and down, mirroring her pursuit of upward mobility. However, her real power lies in the services she offers behind closed doors.

The film doesn’t shy away from showing how financial struggles can push people into morally gray decisions, but it also presents Kat as a character with agency—someone who sees opportunity and takes it, rather than simply being a victim of circumstance.

Kat’s entanglement with Jay (Albie Casiño) brings an added layer of complexity. She sees him as a possible way out of her predicament, but as their relationship deepens, hidden truths begin to unravel. Here, Elevator Lady teases an ageold dynamic: when emotional and financial security become intertwined, does true love ever stand a chance?

On the other hand, Delusyon takes a much darker path, showing how desperation can lead to destruction. Ardy Raymundo’s Noli is a man who starts as a criminal and ends up

a broken shadow of himself, undone by his own insecurities and inability to cope with betrayal. His wife, Esmeralda (Apple Dy), sacrifices herself to save him, only to find that her act of survival feeds a toxic spiral.

The film presents a grim reality: in moments of crisis, love can morph into something unrecognizable. Esmeralda’s choices, driven by necessity, ultimately become the very chains that trap her. Noli’s descent into obsession and violence is a chilling reminder that when power shifts in a relationship, the fallout can be catastrophic.

Both Elevator Lady and Delusyon present raw, unapologetic portrayals of survival and ambition in a world that often leaves people with few choices. While one focuses on using personal connections as a tool for financial gain and control, the other delves into the emotional and psychological price of love turned into obligation.

Elevator Lady and Delusyon are now streaming exclusively on VMX.

WHEN The Last of Us—the smash hit series about a post-apocalyptic society ravaged by a mass fungal infection—arrived on our screens in 2023, the real world was emerging from a pandemic. Its timely premise evidently struck a chord, as the video game adaptation’s debut season drew a record-breaking 32 million US viewers per episode, according to HBO.

Now season two, which premieres April 13 and hinges on themes of conflict and vengeance, will be equally relevant and prescient, promises returning star

Pedro Pascal

Part of the show’s strength is its ability “to see human relationships under crisis and in pain, and intelligently draw political allegory, societal allegory, and base it off the world we’re living in,” said the actor, who plays lead character Joel.

“Storytelling is cathartic in so many ways... I think there’s a very healthy and sometimes sick pleasure in that kind of catharsis— in a safe space,” he told a recent press conference.

In the first season, smuggler Joel

is forced to take teenage Ellie (Bella Ramsey)—seemingly the one human immune to the deadly cordyceps fungus -- with him as he crosses the United States seeking his brother.

Although fans of the original video games will know what to expect from season two, HBO is trying to keep plot details of the dark and gritty second installment under wraps. A recent trailer makes clear

that Joel and Ellie have come into conflict with each other, and a new character Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) is a soldier on a murderous rampage.

In a quirk of fortune, rising star Dever (Booksmart Dopesick) was originally in talks to play Ellie when a film adaptation of The Last of Us was in development in the mid-2010s.

Though the film collapsed, she became a fan of the games, and

said getting cast as Abby -- a main, playable character in video game

“The Last of Us Part II” -- for the TV series years later was “surreal.”

“I was a fan of the game. It was a real bonding moment for me and my dad playing it together,” she reflected.

“And to have it come back around, what, 10-plus years later?... It just felt right. Abby felt right.”

Gabriel Luna, who returns as Joel’s brother Tommy, agreed with Pascal that “there’s a huge catharsis element” to watching the second season at a time when, in the real world, conflicts are raging and alliances are fracturing.

“The first season, we made a story about a pandemic, fearing that maybe there was a fatigue. But I think the experience that everyone had just gave them an entry point to what we were doing,” he said.

He continued: “I think the second game... and the second season is about conflicts. Where do they start? And who started it? Right now, all over the world, we’re dealing with these conflicts... People are stuck in the wheel of vengeance. Can it be broken? Will it be broken? And that’s where we are.” AFP

(right) and British actor Bella Ramsey

the premiere of HBO’s ‘The Last of Us Season 2,’ at the TCL Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California (Photo by AFP)

Actors Racquel Enriquez, Ardy Raymundo, and Apple Dy in VMX’s latest offering, ‘Delusyon’

’Elevator Lady’ lead stars Aliya Raymundo (left) and Albie Casiño

LIFE

Duchess Fine Teas introduces global selection to Philippine market

DUCHESS Fine Teas has officially launched in the Philippines, offering a curated selection of premium teas from around the world. The brand introduces a collection sourced from India, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, China, Korea, and Sri Lanka, aiming to redefine tea culture in the country.

Founded by Dee Ledonio

Duchess Fine Teas supplies homes, hotels, cafes, and restaurants with handpicked teas.

“Tea is more than just a drink— it’s an experience, a ritual, and a connection to cultures across the world. At Duchess Fine Teas, we are passionate about sourcing only the best, ensuring that every sip tells a

Glazing Life

Glaiza Lee

Istory,” Ledonio said.

The brand collaborates with international tea companies, including Sancha, Tea Shelf, Dancing Leaf, Goodwyn, Hillarts, and Tea Trunk from India; Savis from Indonesia; Ikkyu from Japan; Monteaco from Thailand; JSY from Taiwan; Nokchawon from Korea; and its own label from China. It offers both loose-leaf and bagged teas across various sales channels.

Beyond tea, Duchess Fine Teas provides tea accessories, luxury packaging, and educational workshops. It recently joined the WOFEX DRINKS 2025 expo from March 27 to 29 at the World Trade Center Manila to mark its launch.

N A world that’s always changing, a woman’s journey is much like the political landscape of our country—complicated, full of challenges, and constantly evolving. Just as politics is shaped by power shifts, societal pressures, and historical struggles, a woman’s life often involves balancing expectations, fighting for her freedom, and breaking through barriers set by tradition and culture.

As if the external world weren’t complicated enough, women still face quieter struggles— the daily balancing acts—the early mornings spent juggling work, housework, and family

Ledonio’s interest in tea began during her travels in Europe, particularly the UK, where she explored tea cafés and discovered diverse blends. Her inspiration grew after receiving a gift set of fine loose-leaf teas from India in 2024, which led her to question why premium tea selections were limited in the Philippines.

With the help of a co-founder, Ledonio sourced high-quality teas from multiple countries, aiming to introduce Filipinos to loose-leaf teas and pyramid tea bags. As more Filipinos seek natural alternatives to coffee and sugary drinks, Duchess Fine Teas seeks to redefine tea culture in the local market.

Celebrating womanhood through art

responsibilities, and the endless expectations to “have it all together” while dealing with personal doubts and insecurities.

These daily battles aren’t always visible, but they weigh heavily on a woman’s spirit. They mirror the never-ending process of transformation, where external struggles meet personal growth, demonstrating the resilience women must have to keep pushing forward, no matter the obstacles.

In the latest installment of Conrad Manila’s Of Arts and Wine, visual artist Kara Pangilinan delves into this ongoing evolution, using visual art to symbolize the multifaceted and often challenging paths women navigate.

“At Conrad Manila, we recognize the invaluable contributions of women in our workplace and beyond. This Women’s Month, we are proud to celebrate their achievements and the vital roles they play in shaping our industry and communities. Throughout March, we honor their dedication and impact with meaningful experiences that reflect our appreciation,” shares Fabio Berto, general manager of Conrad Manila.

Through her exhibit Woman in Progress, Pangilinan invites viewers to reflect on the inner and outer experiences of women as they navigate personal identities amid societal roles and cultural expectations.

In the Name of Progress

As the exhibit’s title suggests, transformation is at the core of Pangilinan’s works, depicting a woman not as a static being but as a dynamic force constantly reconstructing itself.

Through her use of texture, imagery, and color, the artist captures the continuous change inherent in a woman’s life. She evokes a sense of growth, representing a woman’s progression both physically and emotionally.

When Conrad Manila invited her to hold a solo exhibit in April 2024, Pangilinan had her reservations. It wasn’t just her upcoming wedding in July 2024 that gave her pause but also the major changes unfolding in her life and the evolving nature of her art style.

“I thought it was a weakness that my life and my art were shifting. And I thought it was a bad thing that I would exhibit during a time like that. But it became the point of interest for the curator. I didn’t realize that it would be nice to share that evolution and that it would be very relatable to others. Women always change, and people always change,” Pangilinan said.

She added: “We are meant to continually evolve. Through my paintings, I intend to emphasize that we can embrace every version of ourselves and be the multifaceted, dynamic beings we are all meant to be. Every stroke and every line on each piece allowed me to breathe a little bit deeper and feel a little bit more at peace, and I hope that is what guests and viewers feel when they see the paintings.”

Her Journey, Her Story

Rooted in human emotions and experiences, Pangilinan’s works convey these themes through the intricate lines and patterns of her “linescapes,” as well as lace, leaves, and female figures. This latest collection showcases detailed pieces that reflect the idea of being a work in progress.

Pangilinan describes her style as “elaborate expressionism,” defined by intricate details across various subjects. She began her art career in 2011, using black-and-white doodles to express her teenage emotions. Her classmates soon took notice, leading to the creation of her artist brand, Details Ink. In college, she expanded from selling stationery and shirts to creating murals and illustrations for brands like Heineken, Johnnie Walker, and Google. During the pandemic, she found her passion for painting, using acrylics and ink to explore vibrant depictions of nature, marking the evolution of her style. Her paintings Self-Portrait: I Am a Work in Progress Right Where I’m Meant to Be and Sometimes I Wanna Disappear resonate deeply, capturing the emotional complexity of women’s journeys. Woman in Progress offers a compelling narrative—one that embraces growth, contradictions, and the power to shape one’s own path. As I left the exhibit, I carried not just images of transformation but also a renewed sense of purpose, knowing we are all works in progress.

Woman in Progress , featuring 29 artworks by Pangilinan that highlight the transitions in her artistic journey—and how she herself is a work in progress, like everyone else—will be on exhibit until May 10 at Conrad Manila’s Gallery C.

BELMONT Hotel Manila has opened its 5th Lobby Art Exhibit, Hiraya: Crafted Visions by Josso Baldera , showcasing Filipino artistry through three-dimensional works. The exhibit was officially launched on Feb. 27, reaffirming the hotel’s support for local artists and cultural heritage.

The opening event welcomed guests, including members of the media and clients. Belmont Hotel Manila’s director of operations, Mayann Malapote, and cluster general manager, Socrates Alvaro, emphasized the hotel’s dedication to promoting Filipino creativity. Crafted Visions features Baldera’s

Duchess Fine Teas has launched in the Philippines, offering premium teas from around the world

Belmont Hotel Manila opens 5th Hiraya exhibit on Filipino artistry

Belmont Hotel Manila opens ‘Hiraya’

From left: Belmont Hotel Manila’s director of operations Mayann Malapote, artist Josso Baldera, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts’ cluster general manager Sonny Alvaro

Kara Pangilinan‘s (center) exhibit is the latest installment of Conrad Manila’s ‘Of Arts and Wine’ series

Visual artist Kara Pangilinan delves into the evolving journey of women in Conrad Manila’s ‘Of Arts and Wine’

Kara Pangilinan uses visual art to explore women’s evolving roles in the society

NICKIE WANG, Editor

Writer

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA,

Writer

JASPER VALDEZ,

KULTURA is a mustvisit destination for anyone looking to experience the richness of Filipino culture in a modern, sophisticated setting.

And the opening of Kultura Edited at Greenhills Mall represents a significant step forward in celebrating its commitment to showcasing the elegance of locally made products within an elevated and meticulously curated space.

Kultura Edited at Greenhills Mall is the brand’s 50th store. This new addition features polished interiors with artistic wall treatments and rich wood paneling, creating an inviting ambiance for a luxurious shopping experience. This refined design allows customers to appreciate Filipino artistry in a setting that rivals that of top international brands.

The launch event exemplified this refined approach. Hosted by KC Montero, with music from DJ Brandon, the gathering attracted notable personalities such as Marian Rivera, Senator Grace Poe, and San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora

Kultura Edited offers a carefully curated selection of heritage fashion, authentic pearls, handcrafted accessories, and artisanal home décor. Each piece is specifically chosen to represent the finest Filipino craftsmanship. Its immersive layout, on the other hand, encourages customers to explore these treasures,

Primer

Chong Ardivilla

Very Wang

Kultura Edited:

A sophisticated showcase of local artistry

making the experience both enjoyable and enriching. The introduction of tropical print shopping bags, which double as ready-to-gift packaging, adds a thoughtful touch that enhances the overall shopping experience.

Pinoy culture: It’s time for fiesta

A MASSIVE painting of town festivities in an idealized rural setting hangs at the Power Plant Mall. This is Mauro Malang Santos’s (more popularly known as Malang) 1960 painting Fiesta For a cartoonist like Malang, whose comic strips were compact and small, this painting is massive at 217 x 461 cm. This work is from the Lopez Museum and Library. The figures are reminiscent of Malang’s cartoons, offering a multi-perspective witnessing of small-town happiness.

It is crucial to note that February, National Arts Month, has just passed. In the shortest month of the year, we are supposed to celebrate artistic contributions to the economy, society, and culture. Malang’s work at the Power Plant Mall deserves a closer and longer look despite its position at the entrance/exit, where security guards keep watch.

The figures in Fiesta combine Larry Alcala’s graphic shorthand observations of people and, I argue, Vicente Manansala’s cubist forms. This is arguably an early work of Malang’s, but one can already see the idyllic charm he would later bring to his canvases. The playfulness of his forms became even more pliant in his later works. Over time, Malang transformed his cartoonish figures into painterly strokes, shaping quirky human forms.

Fiesta showcases Malang’s fascination with the overlapping dance of geometric shapes coalescing into recognizable forms. His future works retain this familiarity, but they are rendered with greater confidence in his distinct visual idiom—a playful kind of distortion. In a way, Malang became a master of idealized Filipino rural imagery.

sought talent from outside the United States. One of the countries they looked to for talent was the Philippines. What they found here was an abundance of skilled artists who would go on to change how American comics were produced, drawn, and laid out. Filipino komiks luminaries like Nestor Redondo, Alfredo Alcala, and Alex Niño were among those recruited by American comics publishers. Malang’s cartoonist roots and influence may have contributed to his involvement in this labor export. It must be noted that even today, numerous Filipino comics illustrators work for international publications. This National Arts Month, we recognize the significance of cartoons and comics in shaping our identities and driving strong international sales. During the visits and negotiations,

One of the most interesting aspects of Malang’s life is how he was vital in helping Filipino komiks illustrators get hired by major American comic publishers. In the 1970s, DC Comics

as a key contact for the DC Comics representatives in their discussions with Filipino artists. In my recent email interview with Paul Levitz, former DC Comics publisher, he shared a memory from one of DC’s head executives who visited the Philippines in the 1970s. Levitz recounted: “One amusing anecdote—Joe Orlando asked Malang (I paraphrase): ‘You’re a small, poor country. How do you have so many talented artists?’ Malang replied: ‘In America, you don’t think everyone can become a mathematician, but you teach everyone to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. In the process, you find who has mathematical talent. In the Philippines, we think everyone should be able to draw a horse.’

“I don’t know if that was a fair assessment of your arts education then or now, but it seems logical.”

Malang asserted a strong “naturalization” of Filipino talent in the visual arts at the time. But does that assessment still hold true today, in an era of TikTok dances and institutional neglect of the arts?

You may reach Chong Ardivilla at kartunistatonto@gmail.com or chonggo.bsky.social

Nickie Wang

Malang pays homage to his cartoonist roots with a hilarious detail at the upper right portion

The detail of Mauro Malang Santos’ ‘Fiesta’ shows the idyllic beauty of an idealized, simple life

Malang served

SM Kultura celebrity ambassador Marian Rivera

Kultura is introducing its tropical print shopping bags which can also be used as ready-to-gift packaging

Reina Hispanoamericana 2025 Dia Mate graces the opening of Kultura Edited in Greenhills

From left: Kultura Edited’s ribbon cutting ceremony is led by actress Marian Rivera, Kultura president, Ivy Yap, San Juan mayor Francis Zamora, and Senator Grace Poe

Kultura Edited offers a carefully curated selection of heritage fashion, authentic pearls, handcrafted accessories, and artisanal home décor

Moreover, the store continues Kultura’s strong commitment to supporting local artisans and MSMEs. By providing a premium platform for

their products, Kultura Edited helps to promote Filipino craftsmanship while fostering economic growth for small businesses.