Manila Standard - 2025 April 28 - Monday

China touts seizing PH reef

‘Sandy Cay’ takeover coincides with PH-US missile drills

By Rex Espiritu

THE Chinese government over the weekend announced that it had recently seized a reef controlled by Manila, a move conspicuously timed as Filipino and American troops were testing state-of-the-art air and coastal defense systems as part of their annual “Balikatan” [shoulder to shoulder] war games.

But the National Security Council said late yesterday that it deployed an Inter-Agency Maritime Operation (IAMO) to the Pag-asa island’s surrounding waters to reinforce the government’s ‘routine and lawful exercise of maritime domain awareness and

jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea.’

The NSC said four composite teams from the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard, and Philippine National Police- Maritime Group were deployed to

By Vito Barcelo

By Othel V. Campos

DEPARTMENT of Agriculture

(DA) Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has directed the National Food Authority (NFA) to start transferring rice stocks to the Visayas ahead of the launch of the P20-per-kilo rice program.

“It will take several weeks to move tens, even hundreds, of thousands of 50-kilo bags of rice from NFA warehouses, particularly in Mindoro, to various parts of the Visayas,” Tiu Laurel said.

The DA has already secured clearance from the Commission on Elections to roll out the P20/kilo program, a flagship campaign promise of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2022.

The subsidy for the lower-priced rice will be shared equally by the DA’s Food Terminal Inc. and participating local government units. Rice for the initiative will come from the NFA’s buffer stocks, which reached a five-year high last week at 378,157 metric tons—equivalent

By Ram Superable, Rio N. Araja, and Rachelle Tonelada

CLAIMING SANDY CAY. Four Chinese coast guard personnel unfurl China’s flag, left photo, to assert sovereignty over Sandy Cay (Tiexian Jiao to the Chinese), according to the Communist Party newspaper Global Times. Top right photo shows the location of Sandy Cay while the bottom right photo shows naval vessels from the Philippines and the United States conducting maritime exercises under the ongoing Balikatan wargames. Global Time, Google Map, AFP.

all three cays. It noted the ‘illegal presence’ of a Chinese coast guard ship and seven militia vessels in the area.

Beijing’s state media said the Chinese Coast Guard (CGG) briefly took over a tiny sandbank near Pag-asa Island, the site of a military facility and the smallest Philippine municipality, CCTV said that CCG personnel landed on Sandy Cay to “exercise sovereignty and jurisdiction” over the reef, carry out an “inspection” and “collect video evidence regarding the illegal activities of the Philippine side.”

The broadcaster published a photograph of two coast guard officials posing with a national flag on the reef’s white surface, in what CCTV described as a “vow of sovereignty.”

Beijing’s announcement coincided with US forces’ demonstration of their Marine Air Defense Integrated Sys-

tem (MADIS) at San Antonio, Zambales during the “Balikatan” [shoulder to shoulder] 2025 exercises with their Philippine allies.

During this portion of the annual military drills between Filipino and American troops, MADIS fired six to seven Stinger surface-to-air missiles along with 30mm chain gun and 7.62mm light machine gun rounds highlighting the system’s robustness and strong defensive capabilities.

“MADIS is a new system that we brought to the Philippines this year at the permission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and we will be operating it alongside our Philippine Air Force partners,” US 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment Public Affairs Officer 1stLt. Annie Pentaleri told reporters during the Integrated Air and Defense Missile Defense Exercises in San Antonio, Zambales.

“We’ll be shooting kinetic weapons at the targets that you will be seeing, flying around. The main thing is that we’re conducting that bilateral training with

the Filipinos and building a (strong) relationship (between the Philippines and United States),” Pentaleri added.

She added that MADIS operated as part of the coastal defense mission.

The Philippine Air Force conducted dry firing of its Spyder air-defense missile as part of its participation in the exercises.

“We don’t know what will happen, that is why we always train, because of this training it will enhance our skills, our capabilities and improve our doctrines.” Maj. Romeo Cardeño of the Philippine Air Force told reporters.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino condemned the CCG’s seizure of Sandy Cay, calling it an “outrageous assault” on Philippine sovereignty.

“Sandy Cay lies within our territorial waters, indisputably ours under international law,” he said.

“This brazen intrusion must be met by the strongest diplomatic and defensive measures. We must not allow for-

eign forces to trample upon our rights and dignity,” he added.

Tolentino warned that failure by Manila to respond firmly could encourage further violations of Philippine territory.

“The West Philippine Sea belongs to the Filipino people and no intimidation and act of aggression can ever change that. We call on all Filipinos to stand firm and defend what is ours,” he concluded.

It was later reported that the CCG left the reef after planting the Chinese flag with no indication that it had plans to permanently occupy the tiny ocean feature.

For his part, US Marine Corps Lieutenant General James Glynn said at the Balikatan 2025 opening ceremony in Manila that the two sides would “demonstrate not just our will to uphold our mutual defense treaty in existence since 1951 but our matchless capability to do so.”

“Nothing builds bonds more quickly than shared adversity,” he said, without specifying a common threat. With AFP

weekend before Canada’s election.

“Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time,” Sim wrote.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. expressed his and the First Lady’s “deepest sympathies’ to the families of the victims and to the Filipino community in Canada.

“I am completely shattered to hear about the terrible incident,” the President said in a statement.

He said the Philippine consulate general in Vancouver is working with Canadian authorities to ensure that the incident will be thoroughly investigated, and that the victims are supported and consoled.

Senate President Francis Escudero yesterday expressed deep sympathy and condolences to the victims and families affected by an attack during a Filipino street festival in Vancouver, Canada.

seated in the legislature, they are likely to work for the nullification of laws asserting Philippine territorial sovereignty, including the Philippine Maritime Zones Law (Republic Act 12064).

“If the Maritime Zones Law is repealed in the next Congress with the help of pro-China lawmakers, our foundation for defending the West Philippine Sea and the Philippine Rise will weaken. We will be crippled,” he said Sunday.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila has maintained that accusations of meddling were baseless and urged Philippine politicians to refrain from dragging China into local political issues for personal gain.

“We noticed the attempts of some politicians to play the so-called China card to serve their political self interests and boost their election prospects before the midterm election,” the Chinese Embassy said in a statement.

“Such attempts are despicable and doomed to failure,” the Embassy added.

Tolentino said reversing the law would squander the hard-earned victories of the country, including the 2016 Hague arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s nine-dash line claim.

“This would allow China to further interfere in our territories under the pretense of freedom of navigation,” he said.

The senator also pointed out the significance of the Maritime Zones Law, enacted last year to enforce the arbitral award and solidify the country’s maritime entitlements.

He emphasized China’s particular interest in the Philippine Rise, a resourcerich undersea plateau east of Luzon, where Chinese research ships and drones have been frequently monitored.

The government recently filed an official map of the Philippine Rise with the International Seabed Authority to assert its jurisdiction, in line with Republic Act 12064. For his part, La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V said there is mounting evidence of a Chinese state-sponsored effort to secure election victories for Beijing’s lackeys in Philippine politics.

“This is no longer just foreign influence. This is foreign interference designed to infiltrate our politics, confuse our people, and weaken our country from the inside,” he said Sunday.

“There are candidates who seemed they have the blessings of the foreign interest. This is not just unacceptable. This is treasonous. In the upcoming elections, we must reject Team China. The Philippines must win, and not the foreigners. Team Pilipinas…,” he added.

He condemned what he described as a “well-funded and well-orchestrated digital assault” against the Philippine electorate, noting that Chinese money was allegedly funneled into troll operations that created fake online personas to spread pro-China messaging while attacking President Marcos, members of Congress, the judiciary and the Armed Forces.

“Team China is destroying the trust of the people in this election, using our countrymen,” he said. He called on voters to stay vigilant and critical, especially of candidates who repeat anti-Balikatan, anti-EDCA, or pro-Beijing narratives.

“There is a script from Beijing. And we have locals who play with the script. The Filipino people must reject them,” he stressed.

has emerged as a favorite ahead of the conclave.

CBCP spokesperson Fr. Jerome Secillano explained in a Super Radyo dzBB interview that any of the 135 voting cardinals could become the next pope, provided they secure a two-thirds majority.

“During the general congregations where they discuss key issues, that’s when they gradually discern who might be the right choice. There’s no campaigning or designated frontrunner,” he emphasized.

Cardinals will convene Monday at 9:00 a.m. (0700 GMT) for their fifth general meeting since Francis’s death, during which they are expected to finalize the date for the start of the conclave.

Traditionally held within the frescoed walls of the Sistine Chapel, the papal election has captivated the world for centuries. The cardinal-electors are expected to cast up to four ballots daily until one candidate achieves the required majority, signaled by the white smoke rising above the Vatican.

Luxembourg Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich predicted last week that the

conclave could begin around May 5 or 6, shortly after the nine-day mourning period concludes on May 4. German Cardinal Reinhard Marx added that the voting would likely last only “a few days”

Francis’s funeral, set against a backdrop of bright spring skies in St. Peter’s Square, was a moving blend of solemn ritual and heartfelt tributes to the Church’s first Latin American pope.

Starting Sunday, the public will be allowed to visit his final resting place—a simple marble tomb in Santa Maria Maggiore, his beloved Roman church—making him the first pope in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican.

During the funeral homily, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re praised Francis for his unwavering support of migrants, his relentless calls for peace, and his insistence that the Church be a “home for all.”

Mourners voiced hope that the next pope would build on Francis’s legacy, particularly in a world grappling with conflict and a rise in right-wing populism.

Cardinal Marx noted that the selection of the next pope remains wide open. “It’s not about being conservative

or progressive,” he said. “The new pope must have a universal vision.”

More than 220 of the Catholic Church’s 252 cardinals attended Saturday’s funeral, with many expected to visit Francis’s tomb again on Sunday afternoon. A special mass, led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin—Francis’s secretary of state and considered a strong contender for the papacy—will be held at St. Peter’s Basilica at 10:30 a.m. (0830 GMT). Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, with 135 currently qualified—many of whom were appointed by Francis himself. However, experts caution against assuming the next pope will be a mirror image of the late pontiff.

Papal succession has historically brought striking shifts: Francis’s pastoral style was a sharp contrast to his predecessor Benedict XVI’s scholarly reserve, just as Benedict differed from the charismatic and athletic John Paul II.

Francis’s reforms stirred unease among traditionalists, some of whom now hope for a return to a stricter doctrinal focus.

Cardinals preparing for the conclave acknowledge the immense responsibility they bear. AFP

tional average of 10.9%, at 22.6% and 20.3%, respectively.

Cebu, Negros Island, Samar, and Leyte.

“The additional stocks for the Visayas will mainly come from Mindoro Island, where NFA inventories exceed 830,000 bags of rice,” Lacson said, noting that transferring 40,000 sacks from Mindoro to Cebu could take up to a month.

The Visayas was chosen for the pilot run of the P20-per-kilo rice program because of its higher-than-average poverty rates, particularly in Negros Island and Eastern Visayas, where poverty incidence is more than double the na-

Governors across the Visayas have endorsed the program and committed to sharing part of the subsidy.

Initially set to run until December, the DA is now reviewing and refining the plan following President Marcos’ directive to expand and sustain the program nationwide through 2028.

Aside from providing affordable rice to millions of struggling Filipinos, the initiative will also help clear warehouse space for new palay purchases, enabling the NFA to buy more from local farmers at higher prices.

The DA said the success of the Visayas

the distribution of financial aid or “ayuda,” an act prohibited during the election period.

pilot run will be critical in shaping the rollout strategy for Luzon and Mindanao, where logistical challenges and greater population densities present unique hurdles. Officials are already coordinating with regional directors and provincial governors to prepare the groundwork for a seamless transition.

Meanwhile, the NFA is stepping up security measures at its warehouses to safeguard rice stocks, amid concerns that increased movements of commodities could attract theft or spoilage.

Lacson assured the public that the agency is implementing stricter inventory controls and warehouse monitoring as the program progresses.

council of Dumangas, Iloilo; vote-buying)

“There is no place in this world for such horrible acts of violence and I trust that the Canadian law enforcement agencies will leave no stone unturned to ensure that justice is served,” he said.

The attack occurred as members of the Filipino community gathered to celebrate Lapu-Lapu Day through a peaceful public event.

The senator urged Philippine Embassy and Consulate officials in Canada to provide immediate assistance to the victims and their families.

Police said the incident happened shortly after 8:00 pm Saturday (0300 GMT Sunday) in the city’s Sunset on Fraser neighborhood.

Photos published by Canadian broadcaster CBC showed emergency crews at the scene as well as large crowds at the block party earlier Saturday.

Festival security guard Jen IdabaCastaneto told local news site Vancouver Is Awesome that she saw “bodies everywhere.”

“You don’t know who to help, here or there. It’s so shocking,” she said.

British Columbia Premier David Eby said he was “shocked & heartbroken” by the news in a post on X.

Election season

Saturday’s event featured a parade, a film screening, dancing and a concert, with two members of the Black Eyed Peas featured on the lineup published by the organizers.

“Our thoughts are with the victims and their families—and Vancouver’s Filipino community,” Jagmeet Singh, leader of the left-wing New Democratic Party said on X.

Lapu Lapu Day is celebrated in the Philippines in remembrance of indigenous chief Lapulapu, who led his men to defeat Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in battle in 1521.

The deadly incident comes a year after Canadian Nathaniel Veltman was sentenced to life in prison for running down a Muslim family with his truck on the street in London, Ontario in 2021. The ruling in Veltman’s case was the first in Canada to make a link between white supremacy and terrorism in a murder case. AFP

• Dr. Winfred Rivera (not a candidate; vote-buying and ASR)

candidates.

Garcia has summoned several mayoral candidates from Manila, Caloocan, and Malabon to clarify their supposed participation in vote buying.

Among them were former Manila mayor Isko Moreno has been accused of giving P3,000 to public school teachers. Additionally, his rival in the Manila mayoral race, Tutok to Win Representative Sam Verzosa, faces allegations of distributing items labeled with his initials, ‘SV.’

The Comelec also asked Manila City re-electionist Honey Lacuna, and 15 other candidates for the 2025 elections to explain vote-buying allegations thrown against them.

Also issued SCO was mayoral candidate and Marikina 2nd District Representative Stella Quimbo, re-electionist Caloocan Mayor Dale “Along” Malapitan who was accused of vote buying and misusing government resources after allegedly distributing P3,225 at the Galino Covered Court.

Garcia said that most of the complaints which were filed by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) before the Comelec involved

The Comelec chief reminded all candidates to strictly comply with election laws, particularly provisions that prohibit the use of government programs and resources to influence voters.

He warned that such actions may serve as grounds for disqualification.

He also urged voters not to accept money or favors in exchange for votes, reminding them that such acts are punishable under the Omnibus Election Code.

In a list provided to the media, the Comelec said that show cause orders were issued to candidates and two noncandidates allegedly engaged in votebuying and/or ASR, including:

• Stella Luz Quimbo (mayoral candidate – Marikina City; vote-buying and ASR)

• Maria Sheilah “Honey” LacunaPangan (mayoral re-electionist – Manila City; vote-buying, ASR)

• Romero Federico Quimbo (Congressional seat – 2nd District of Marikina City; vote-buying)

• Denver Christopher Chua (mayoral candidate – Cavite City; vote-buying)

• Marvin Venus (member – municipal council of Baras, Rizal; vote-buying)

• Ruben Talon (member – municipal

• Butch Suspeñe (member – municipal council of Dumangas, Iloilo; votebuying)

• Zake Derequito (member – municipal council of Dumangas, Iloilo; votebuying)

• Zarah Rose Lara (gubernatorial candidate – Cagayan Province; votebuying)

• Allan Martine de Leon (mayoral candidate – Taytay, Rizal; vote-buying)

• Kristofer Charls Esguerra (member – municipal council of Taytay, Rizal; vote-buying and ASR)

• Erwin Pastrana (mayoral candidate

– Mauban, Quezon Province; ASR)

• Rhapsody Rivera (member – municipal council of 2nd District of Cuartero, Capiz; vote-buying)

• Kamalayan ng Maralita at Malayang Mamamayan Inc., Kamalayan Partylist (through Chairperson Imee Reyes) (Party-list; vote-buying)

• Rolen Paulino Jr. (mayoral candidate – Olongapo City, Zambales; votebuying)

• Danilo Fernandez (gubernatorial candidate – Laguna Province; votebuying and ASR)

• Romulo Avila (vice mayoral candidate – Quezon Province; vote-buying and ASR)

• Jeren Jude Bacas (not a candidate; vote-buying) Francisco Domagoso (mayoral candidate – Manila City; votebuying)

• Samuel Versoza Jr. (mayoral candidate – Manila City; vote-buying)

• Jerry Jose (member – municipal council of Nueva Vizcaya; vote-buying)

• Richard Kho (gubernatorial candidate – Masbate; ASR)

• Levito Baligod (Congressional candidate – 5th District of Baybay City, Leyte; presumed vote-buying)

• Marilou Baligod (mayoral candidate – Baybay City, Leyte; presumed votebuying)

• Julian Edward Coseteng (member –municipal council of 3rd District of Quezon City; presumed vote-buying)

• Anna Katrina Hernandez (member

– provincial council of 4th District of Bulacan; ASR and vote-buying)

• Dale Malapitan (mayoral candidate – Caloocan City; vote buying and ASR)

• Esmael Mangudadatu (Congressional candidate – Maguindanao del Sur; vote-buying)

• Victor Mitra (vice mayoral candidate – Alaminos, Laguna; vote-buying and ASR)

• Eric Reyes (mayoral candidate – Alaminos, Laguna; vote-buying)

Ishiba goes to Vietnam, PH to talk tariffs

APANESE Prime Min-

Jister Shigeru Ishiba left Sunday for a four-day trip to Vietnam and the Philippines, as Tokyo seeks to shore up regional ties after Donald Trump’s tariff onslaught.

Ishiba’s trip comes after China’s President Xi Jinping conducted his own Southeast Asia tour, with Beijing trying to position itself as a stable alternative to the United States as leaders battle to counter Trump’s tariffs.

Before leaving for the trip, Ishiba called Vietnam and the Philippines— along with the rest of Southeast Asia— a “growth center” that is driving the world economy.

But they face “major impacts” due to US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, he said, adding that Japanese businesses operating in the region could also be hit.

“We would like to listen carefully to the opinions and concerns of Japanese companies in the region and make use of that in how we deal with the tariff measures,” he said.

Despite being the biggest investor into the United States, Japan has been pinched by steep levies imposed by Trump on imports of cars, steel and aluminium.

The country is included in Trump’s blanket 10 percent levy, although the US leader has paused his “reciprocal” duty of 24 percent.

Trump also paused “reciprocal” duties of 46 percent on Vietnam and 49 percent on Cambodia, where some Japanese companies are thought to have shifted an increasing share of production in recent years, partly to avoid the fallout from the last US-China trade war.

Ishiba is also expected to bring up issues related to China’s growing aggression in the East and South China Sea. Chinese and Japanese patrol vessels in the East China Sea have routinely staged dangerous face-offs around disputed islands.

Vietnam and the Philippines have also seen tense territorial spats in the hotly contested South China Sea with Chinese vessels.

“There are attempts by China to unilaterally change the status quo by force, and we would like to further strengthen our security cooperation” with Hanoi and Manila, Ishiba said. AFP

PBBM shouldered Nora Aunor’s hospital bills—Palace

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos

Jr. and his office shouldered the hospital bills of the late National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, Nora Aunor, according to a Presidential Communications Office (PCO) executive on Sunday.

PCO Senior Undersecretary for Operations and Strategic Communications Analisa Puod confirmed the report.

“It wasn’t the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office that shouldered the hospital bills. It was the Office

of the President and the President himself,” Puod said.

“It wasn’t just the hospital bills. Other debts and expenses were also paid using PBBM’s (President Bongbong Marcos) personal money,” she added.

While the exact amount was not disclosed, the PCO official said Nora’s hospital expenses were covered under the hospitalization benefits program for national artists.

Earlier this week, Nora Aunor was buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City, where she was given full military honors and a

Marbil in Cagayan to review Ruma killing

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP)

chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil traveled to Rizal, Cagayan to review the progress of the investigation into the assassination of Mayor Joel Ruma during a campaign sortie at a gymnasium.

Marbil’s visit began with his arrival in Barangay Gagabutan in Rizal municipality, where he visited the wake of the late Mayor Ruma to express his condolences to the grieving family.

He was joined by PNP Deputy Chief for Administration Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. and PNP Director for Operations Maj. Gen. Nicolas Salvador. The PNP chief then proceeded to the crime scene in Barangay

Illuru Sur to assess the situation surrounding the incident and ensure that every detail of the investigation is thoroughly examined by crime investigators on the ground.

Marbil also engaged with members of the Rizal Municipal Police Station and other concerned police units, emphasizing the importance of a thorough and focused investigation. He urged the team to remain diligent in their pursuit of justice.

“Our people’s safety is our responsibility, and they feel more secure when they see us on the streets, especially in areas with high tensions during election season. This is why we are ramping up our police visibility to ensure peace and order,”

Lopez

state funeral by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Aunor, whose real name was Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, passed away on April 16 due to acute respiratory failure. She was 71 years old.

The late actress, widely regarded as one of the greatest performers in Philippine cinema, was conferred the National Artist title in 2022 after decades of acclaimed work. Her contributions to film, television, and music earned her iconic status, with many considering her a symbol of Filipino excellence in the arts.

Solon: Congress has P17b fund for feeding plan

By Rio N. Araja

QUEZON City Rep. Marvin Rillo

said on Sunday that the House of Representatives has allocated up to P17 billion this year to fund vital school- and community-based feeding programs aimed at combating child hunger and boosting school attendance.

Of the P17-billion budget, P11.8 billion is earmarked for the SchoolBased Feeding Program (SBFP) under the Department of Education, while P5.2 billion is allocated to the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“These feeding programs are a lifeline for children who go to bed hungry. Access to nutritious meals can mean the difference between staying in school or dropping out for many of these children,” Rillo said.

IN BRIEF

Bato: VP Duterte’s endorsement big boost

SENATOR Ronald Dela Rosa on Sunday welcomed Vice President Sara Duterte’s endorsement of candidates allied with former President Rodrigo Duterte, calling it a significant advantage for the upcoming midterm elections.

“This is a big boost to our chances of winning,” he said, noting that Duterte’s strong trust rating could sway many of her supporters.

Pulse Asia’s March 2025 Ulat ng Bayan survey showed the Vice President’s approval rating rose from 52% to 59%, while her trust rating increased from 53% to 61%. “Out of all the national leaders, she has the highest trust rating. That means she has a lot of followers,” Dela Rosa said. Ram Superable BPSU gets 100% passing for midwifery

BATAAN Peninsula State University (BPSU) achieved a 100% passing rate in the April 2025 Midwifery Licensure Examination, with all 82 examinees passing and three ranking among the Top 10, including the Top 1 spot.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) named BPSU the topperforming school nationwide.

BPSU President and concurrent College of Midwifery Dean Ruby Santos Matibag was praised for her leadership and commitment to excellence. “President Matibag’s vision for the college is now bearing fruit,” said Monica Hipolito, Vice President for Research, Extension, and Technology Transfer. Vice President for Academic Affairs Lara Velasco added that the university’s perfect score reflects its rigorous preparation programs. Butch Gunio Gov’t officials inspect regional airports

TRANSPORTATION Secretary Vince Dizon and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) officials made surprise inspections of key airports in Western Visayas over the weekend, as part of the government’s push to modernize regional airport infrastructure.

“These visits highlight President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to upgrade regional airports, boost tourism, and strengthen national connectivity,” said CAAP Chief Information Officer

KALIKASAN FUN RUN. Participants run the 3k and 6k during the  Lakbay Kalikasan 2025 fun run at the La Mesa Eco Park in Quezon City on Saturday. Manny Palmero

Marbil said. Vince

PANGASINAN SORTIE. TV star Coco Martin joins the nominees of the FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party List, led by Senator Grace Poe’s son, Brian Poe, in a series of motorcades across Pangasinan. The convoy traveled through key towns including San Carlos City. Basista, Urbiztondo, Mangatarem, and Aguilar.

SOLAR POWER. Workers inspect the 3,638 solar panels installed across the 9,328-square-meter rooftop of SM City Molino on Sunday. Solar power is helping the mall reduce its annual power bills by up to P12.4 million Norman Cruz

Comelec: Distribution of sample ballots ahead of polls permissible

By Vito Barcelo

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has allowed candidates and their supporters to distribute sample ballots ahead of the May 12, 2025 national and local elections.

Comelec chairman George Garcia said the sample ballots were intended to serve as a helpful guide for voters in casting their ballots.

BI nabs fugitive wanted in US for sexual crimes against minors

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested in Taguig City an American wanted in the United States for sexual offenses against minors and kidnapping.

The apprehension was made pursuant to the government’s intensified #ShieldKids campaign meant to protect Filipino children from foreign sex offenders.

The suspect, identified as Young Tom Talmadge, 69, was collared by operatives of the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) at his residence in General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite after receiving information about his crimes from the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Talmadge was the subject of a warrant of arrest issued on March 20, 2025, by the 13th Judicial Circuit Court of Hillsborough County, Florida, for the crimes of sexual assault against a minor, lewd and lascivious acts on a child, and kidnapping to commit a felony against a child.

The charges were connected to a 1989 case involving the abduction and rape of a seven-year-old girl in Tampa, Florida. The suspect remained unidentified for decades, until a recent breakthrough by U.S. law enforcement using genealogical research and preserved DNA evidence led them to Talmadge.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) confirmed a match between Talmadge and the DNA evidence from the 1989 case.

BI-FSU acting chief Rendel Ryan Sy reported that Talmadge was also the subject of a deportation case for undesirability, being a fugitive from justice.

Talmadge was brought to BI detention in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, where he will remain in custody pending deportation proceedings.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said Talmadge’s arrest was part of the BI’s broader #ShieldKids campaign, aimed at preventing the Philippines from being a haven for foreign sex offenders.

“We will continue to work closely with international counterparts to protect Filipino children and uphold justice,” Viado said. Vito Barcelo

However, Garcia warned that the use of the official seal of the Commission on Elections is strictly prohibited in this process.

“As long as they don’t indicate the official seal of the poll body, that is allowed,” Garcia explained. He said those found using Comelec’s logo may face disciplinary sanctions.

‘We won’t stop anyone who can assist with voter education and share knowledge with our fellow citizens. However, make sure it doesn’t look like what you’re handing out is from the Comelec,” he added.

Garcia gave assurance that the

sample ballots will not be used in the actual elections because the official ones have special security features that only the counting machines can read.

He also reminded candidates and their supporters not to hand out sample ballots the day before the May 12 elections or on the actual election day. Don’t also use the children only because they don’t have a criminal liability, Garcia said.

COOKING THE OLDFASHIONED WAY. Cordillera tribesmen cook their time-honored chicken delicacy called ‘pinikpikan’ which involves burning of the feathers to elicit a distinctly smoky avor for the dish. Dave Leprozo

More NCR mayors support Binay’s Senate bid

By Maricel V. Cruz

SENATORIAL candidate and Makati

Mayor Abigail Binay has gained the support of more mayors in the National Capital Region (NCR) with Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo Malapitan formally endorsing her candidacy on Saturday.

Earlier, Binay received the endorsement of Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora.

Mayor Aguilar and Vice Mayor

April Aguilar jointly raised Binay’s hands to signify their support for her senatorial bid following a motorcade of Team Aguilar around Las Piñas City on Saturday.

Binay also attended the District 2 Caloocan grand rally of Team Aksyon at Malasakit in Caloocan City where she was formally endorsed by Mayor Malapitan before his allies and constituents.

Binay thanked her fellow Metro Mayors for supporting her senatorial bid, vowing to push for the implementation of Makati’s exemplary programs on health, education, and social welfare on a national scale.

“I want all Filipinos across the

country to enjoy the same benefits the people of Makati are receiving,” Binay said in Filipino.

Among Binay’s priorities are the provision of free maintenance medicines, enhanced early childhood education beginning at day care, and tax exemption of overtime pay and bonuses of workers to increase their take-home pay.

Binay has also assured her fellow local chief executives of her firm commitment to be the voice of local government units in the Senate, vowing to champion the enactment of a new local government code that will “truly empower LGU’s throughout the country to become catalysts of sustainable development and inclusive progress.”

6 NPA rebels surrender in Sultan Kudarat

By Rex Espiritu

A NEW People’s Army (NPA) leader and five of his men surrendered to the 2nd Mechanized (Makasag) Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army in Barangay Tual, President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat, on April 24, 2025. According to battalion commander Lt. Col. Felmax Lodriguito Jr., extreme economic difficulties, exhaustion, hunger, and the continuous military operations compelled the insurgents to return to the fold of the law.

The group also also turned over six weapons, consisting of an M1 Garand rifle, an M203 grenade launcher, a Barrett-type sniper rifle, an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade), an M79 grenade launcher, and an Ingram submachine gun.

Lodriguito presented the returnees to Col. Ronel Manalo, acting chief of the 1st Mechanized Infantry “Reliable” Brigade, in the presence of Sultan Kudarat Vice Gov. Raden Sakaluran. The presentation took place at the headquarters of the 1st Mechanized Brigade in Brgy. Kalandagan, Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat.

“Their surrender is clear proof that local terrorist groups in the region are gradually losing support and strength.

We will continue to expand initiatives like these to promote peace and provide new hope for those who have strayed. We urge other members of armed groups to surrender to the government and join us in our goal of building peaceful communities,” said Maj. Gen. Donald Gumiran, commander of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division and Joint Task Force Central.

IN BRIEF

BOC raid yields P83.7-m smuggled cigarettes

PHILIP Morris Philippines Manufacturing, Inc. (PMPM) and Japan Tobacco International, the mother company of Winston and Camel brands of cigarettes, commended the Bureau of Customs for seizing P83.7 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during a raid at a warehouse in Bulacan. The confiscation resulted from the agency’s collaboration with major cigarette manufacturers to develop strategies aimed at enhancing the government’s campaign against tobacco smuggling, which is classified as economic sabotage. Joseph Dizon, the Intelligence and Investigation Security Officer at PMPM, and JTI legal counsel Raoul Fernandez praised the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service - Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) for their swift action against the establishment. “Excellent work by the CIIS Field Station at the Port of MICP. Your successful operations in Batia, Bocaue, Bulacan, are a testament to your dedication and effectiveness. Keep up the outstanding work in safeguarding our country’s interests,” Dizon stated. Joel E. Zurbano

Ex-VP Robredo thanks Tulfo for helping Bicol FORMER Vice President Leni Robredo has expressed gratitude to senatorial candidate Erwin Tulfo for his consistent efforts to support the Bicol Region, particularly Naga City, and for his effective collaboration with the Angat Buhay Foundation, especially during his time as Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Tulfo visited Robredo at her residence in Naga on Saturday, following a market tour at the Naga People’s Mall—the city’s main public market—where he received a warm welcome from residents. Robredo hosted Tulfo for a hearty lunch, personally welcoming him to her home. During their meeting, Robredo thanked Tulfo for his proactive assistance to Bicolanos and his support for Angat Buhay, the non-government organization she founded focused on poverty alleviation. She particularly cited his help during calamities. Maricel V. Cruz

20% trike fare discount for Taguig solo parents IN a bid to ease everyday challenges faced by one of the most vulnerable groups, the Taguig City government has passed an ordinance that grants registered single parents a 20-percent discount in tricycle fares for solo parents. Ordinance No. 133, signed on April 16, 2025, mandates all valid city-licensed tricycle operators to provide discounts to solo parents who present an official identification card from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO). This ordinance is based on Republic Act No. 11861, which outlines the government’s commitment to assist parents raising children on their own. Under the new law, only the solo parent can avail of the discount, whether they are traveling alone or accompanied by their child. Joel E. Zurbano

WHEN ROBREDO MEETS TULFO. After touring the Naga People’s Mall, senatorial candidate Erwin Tulfo drops by the residence of former Vice President Leni Robredo where they exchanged pleasantries over a simple lunch.

ANGAT DAM PANORAMA. The lens of Manila Standard’s Edd Castro captures the panoramic view of Angat Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan which has showed signs of gradually declining water level amid the summer heat.

OPINION

Poli-optics

THE curious title of today’s column is an amalgam of politics and optics. The first is an art—the art of the possible, which makes it less rigid than a science, its praxis more flexible.

The second is a tool, creating reality out of perception if successfully implemented. In political campaigns for national office, optics constitute more than half of the game. When the message is good, and the medium used to distribute the message is effective, the created perception becomes reality.

But in these days of fake news and disinformation, optics can be quickly and disingenuously contrived to influence public opinion, whether by offense or in defense of what would normally be indefensible.

The Republican Party’s long time political strategist Lee Atwater once said that “perception is reality,” making PR experts create illusions too real in the public mind.

One clear exercise in poli-optics is the recent unveiling by the Department of Agriculture of a highly subsidized sale in the Visayas of 20 pesos per kilo rice. Chimera, or an illusory promise made in 2022 by a candidate who later became agriculture secretary cum president, is now pictured as “reality” to counter Team Sara’s popularity in more than half the Visayan voting population.

Malacanang even likens Inday Sara to a “termite,” and ludicrously asserts that good Filipinos must always support their leader. But everyone and his mother knows that this is a gimmick to regain lost ground at great expense to all the taxpayers of this nation.

NFA bought palay at 19 to 23 pesos per kilo, and should sell as rice in the market at 38 to 45, but is now being sold at 20 in the Visayas. If NFA’s unsold inventory is 350,000 metric tons, that is 350 million kilos of rice, and at a loss of 20 pesos per kilo, that will cost taxpayers 7 billion pesos to subsidize.

Poli-optics it is, charged to us who must still buy rice at 50 pesos upwards. And the DA secretary’s promise that the gimmick would expand beyond the elections to Luzon and Mindanao is pure hogwash.

* *

*

Then comes this revelation about Chinese Embassy-financed “troll farms” managed by an Infinitus firm which is intended to influence poll outcomes.

Assuming their evidence is strong, why not order the NBI to quietly investigate and catch the troll factory operators red-handed?

Or is this another case of poli-optics intended to use anti-China sentiment and neutralize anti-Bongbong sentiment on the “kidnapping” of his predecessor and the spate of kidnappings and resurgence of crime?

Come on guys, every embassy that matters, especially the one at Roxas Boulevard, has been spying on us to protect and advance

their country’s interests in this benighted land. They even have a resident CIA honcho, otherwise known as a “political officer.” And one of their long-time PR operators is now our ambassador in Washington DC.

* * * Malacañang is in crisis-management mode. Despite Claire Castro-Seechung’s pooh-poohing the dangerously low trust and approval ratings of her boss, officials from the different Cabinet departments trooped to listen to a marketing expert’s advice last Thursday on how to boost the president’s low ratings three weeks before voters troop to the polls.

Poli-optics, another tweak in empty governance

The over-arching advice to the department’s communicators is “messaging that works” under the template of Unique Selling Propositions, this time tweaked into “Utos. Sundin. Palakpak”.

Every message must follow the rhythm of what the president wants (utos kuno), what their department is doing to follow that (sundin), that will make the public applaud right away (palakpak).

All projects of each department must be tied up to the president’s “vision” (meron ba?).

“Basta, utos yan ng pangulo,” (maski hindi niya alam) they must proclaim. Their achievements, whether big or mundane, must be attributed to our “hardworking” leader.

Tweaking the Build Better More slogan of the current dispensation, the guiding questions to which the departments must respond quickly are: What’s your Build? What’s your Better? What’s your More?

Message discipline must require coordination through a “presidential communications war room,” where the narrative is “controlled,” the message is “simplified,” symbols are “created,” and always, always “repeated.”

So listen to the de facto presidential mouthpiece, Claire Castro-Seechung in the next three weeks. She has been in defensive mode through tit-for-tat combat against the “forces of darkness” which she identifies as the immediate past regime and its diehards.

The marketing expert observed that her tactics do not endear the president and the Alyansa to voters; rather, the tactics turn them off. So voice out she should the “achievements” of our “visionary” president.

He he he, vamos a ver. Let’s see how she and the communicators of the different departments get wide “palakpak” from voters by “sundin” ang “utos” ni PBbM. Poli-optics, another tweak in empty governance.

Balikatan amid a raging battle for minds and votes

RIGHT now, the Philippines is hosting Balikatan 2025, the largest joint military exercises with the United States and other allies.

Forces from Japan and Australia are participating, while Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom have sent observers. The sheer scale and scope of this exercise demonstrate a growing global solidarity against China’s persisting aggression.

Balikatan 2025 is more than a show of force—it’s a statement that the Philippines will defend its territory, its democracy, and its future against any threat, especially from a China that seeks to impose its will through aggression and coercion.

In the face of China’s relentless incursions in the West Philippine Sea, Balikatan sends a strong, unmistakable message: the Philippines stands with the world’s democracies, not with bullies who believe might makes right.

But while our soldiers are training on the ground, another battle is raging online and in the political arena—a battle for the minds and votes of Filipinos.

Recent revelations have exposed an

alarming strategy: China is not just invading our waters; it is actively interfering in our democracy. The National Security Council (NSC) recently confirmed “indications” of Chinese meddling in the 2025 elections. At a Senate hearing, Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya presented evidence pointing to a state-financed disinformation operation aimed at influencing Filipino voters. This is not speculation—it’s a direct assault on our democracy.

We are seeing clear signs of an organized campaign to twist public opinion.

According to the NSC, China’s influence operations include the hiring of local firms like InfinitUs Marketing Solutions Inc. to run covert pro-China propaganda.

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino revealed damning evidence: a PHP 930,000 check from the Chinese embassy and a contract outlining a plan to deploy “keyboard warriors” to flood social media with false narratives.

Targets of these attacks included none other than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who was branded a “U.S. puppet” in a

This is an AI-generated cartoon with the prompt: Generate a political cartoon in horizontal format for a young lady with long, thick, wavy black hair parted in the middle. She has chubby cheeks and is smiling maliciously. Instead of eyes and nose, there is a huge question mark. She is wearing an orange polo shirt. She is carrying a shovel with a huge stack of Philippine peso bills. She is screaming, ‘Vote for me!’ Behind her is a massive pile of Philippine peso bills. There is a sign at the pile that says ‘AD BUYS.’

Economic disconnect

IN a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations between April 11 and April 15, 55 percent of respondents rated themselves poor. This translates to 15.5 million families nationwide. Per geographic area, 70% of respondents from Mindanao said they were poor, 67% of respondents from the Visayas, 45 percent from Metro Manila.

The survey results come less than a month before the May 12 midterm elections.

The same poll said that 32 percent of families did not consider themselves poor, while another 12% said they were borderline poor.

The number of self-rated poor Filipinos continued to rise despite the slower inflation rate of 1.8 percent in March as was reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority earlier this month, bringing the average inflation rate to 2.2 percent so far this year.

Before the March 2025 inflation rate, the rise in prices had been slowing from 2.9 percent in January and 2.1 percent in February.

Balikatan sends a strong, unmistakable message: the Philippines stands with the world’s democracies, not with bullies who believe might makes right

November 2024 report.

This is not isolated meddling. It is part of a calculated, integrated strategy to destabilize Philippine democracy, weaken our institutions, and install leaders who will be pliant to Beijing’s interests.

Disinformation campaigns flood social media with propaganda, embolden parrots who shamelessly amplify China’s false narratives, and bury the truth under a barrage of lies.

And the environment is ripe for exploitation.

A Feb. 2025 Stratbase-SWS survey shows that 65 percent of Filipinos ac-

—“—

The people would want to hear how they can be empowered to improve their own lot.

The March 2024 number was 3.7 percent. Meanwhile, unemployment went down to 3.8 percent in February this year from 4.3 percent the previous month, even as the number is higher than the 3.5

knowledge that fake news flooding social media has become a serious threat.

A majority admit they struggle to distinguish legitimate news from deceptive lies. Malign actors are exploiting this vulnerability, manipulating public opinion and engineering perceptions to serve Beijing’s agenda.

The goal of these Beijing-funded malign actors is to undermine the will of the Filipino people, fracture our alliances, and steer the country away from defending its territorial rights. It’s the same playbook they have used elsewhere—erode democracy from within so expansionism faces no resistance.

But Filipinos are not blind. A Pulse Asia survey from late 2024 found that 73 percent of Filipinos will not support pro-China candidates. Only 1 percent trust China as a development partner, while overwhelming majorities prefer alliances with the US, Japan, Canada, and Australia.

Except for some trolls handling multiple fake accounts, the truth is undeniable.

As patriotic Filipinos, we know who our real friends are.

Balikatan is a reminder of the world we want to live in—a world where the

percent register in February 2024.

The apparent disconnect between government statistics and survey results highlights that nominal economic gains are never enough. It could be possible, of course, that the effects of lower prices or lower unemployment could manifest themselves after a few months and not immediately. Still, given the context of the elections, the incongruity is telling. These last weeks before the elections, candidates ramp up their respective pitches to get the public to vote for them. But while controversial statements or one-time acts showing supposed generosity can earn them momentary attention, ultimately the people would want to hear how they can be empowered to improve their own lot.

No one wants to be mired in poverty or see their families go hungry. They will go for politicians who, whatever their affiliation, would be able to assure the people that they could find and keep jobs, so that they could have the wherewithal to buy their basic needs.

Philippines is free, respected, and sovereign. But securing that future does not rest solely on our soldiers. It demands vigilance from every citizen, especially at the ballot box.

Electing pro-China candidates poses serious risks. It will lead to catastrophic policies that compromise our territorial integrity and sabotage our economic interests.

These Beijing puppets will become direct conduits for Chinese influence, advancing Beijing’s agenda inside our very own institutions.

This is not just a political choice—it is a decision that will define whether we remain a strong democracy, independent republic or fall under the shadow of an authoritarian State with no respect to the international rules based order.

This May 2025, we face a historic test: stand for democracy, sovereignty, and the Filipino future—or allow China’s interference to dictate our destiny.

The answer should be as strong and proud as our soldiers at Balikatan: We will not yield. We will not be bought. We will defend the Philippines.

Vote for leaders who will stand with the Filipino people, not kneel before their Beijing masters.

MONDAY,

25 killed, 1,000 injured in big Iran port blast

TEHRAN—Fires were still blazing on Sunday after a massive explosion tore through Iran’s largest commercial port the day before, killing at least 25 people and leaving 1,000 others injured, according to state media.

The blast occurred Saturday at Shahid Rajaee Port in southern Iran, near the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of world oil output passes.

The port’s customs office said in a statement carried by state television that the explosion probably resulted from a fire that broke out at the hazardous and chemical materials storage depot. A regional emergency official said several containers had exploded.

The New York Times quoted a person with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss security matters, as saying that what exploded was sodium perchlorate -a major ingredient in solid fuel for missiles.

Iranian state TV gave an updated toll on Sunday of 25 people killed and 1,000 injured, with thick black smoke still visible in live footage from the scene.

“The fire is under control but still not out,” a state TV correspondent reported from the site around 20 hours after the blast.

Citing local emergency services, state TV reported that hundreds of casualties “have been transferred to nearby medical centers,” while the

Palestinian leader Abbas appoints potential heir

RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories

—Palestinian president Mahmud

Abbas appointed a close aide as the first ever vice president of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on Saturday, positioning him as a potential successor to the veteran leader.

Hussein al-Sheikh was appointed by Abbas, 89, after the vice presidency position was created during a convention held in Ramallah this week.

The new post follows years of international pressure to reform the PLO and comes as Arab and Western powers envision an expanded role for Abbas’s Palestinian Authority (PA) in the post-war governance of the Gaza Strip.

“Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas appointed Hussein al-Sheikh as a deputy (vice president) of the PLO leadership,” a member of the organization’s executive committee, Wasel Abu Yousef, told AFP.

Founded in 1964, the PLO is empowered to negotiate and sign international treaties on behalf of the Palestinian people, while the PA is responsible for governance in parts of the Palestinian territories.

The PLO is an umbrella organization comprising several Palestinian factions, but not the militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which are currently at war with Israeli forces in Gaza. AFP

provincial blood transfusion center issued a call for donations.

The explosion was so powerful that it was felt and heard about 50 kilometers away, Fars news agency reported.

Speaking Sunday at the scene,

Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni said that “the situation has stabilised in the main areas” of the port.

He told state TV that workers had resumed loading containers and customs clearance.

Images from news agency IRNA on Saturday showed rescuers and survivors walking along a wide boulevard carpeted with debris after the blast at Shahid Rajaee, more than 1,000 kilometres south of Tehran.

Flames could be seen engulfing a truck trailer and blood stained the side of a crushed car, while a helicopter dropped water on massive black smoke clouds billowing from behind stacked shipping containers.

“The shockwave was so strong that most of the port buildings were severely damaged,” Tasnim news agency reported.

The authorities have closed off the roads leading to the site of the explosion, and footage from the area has been limited to Iranian media outlets. AFP

EXPLODED. A

above the

following an

Canada leaders make closing pitches in strange campaign

MISSISSAUGA, Canada—Canadian leaders campaigned in battleground districts Saturday, two days before a vote electrified by US President Donald Trump’s threats, with Prime Minister Mark Carney favored after assuring voters he can stand up to Washington.

A victory for Carney’s Liberal Party would mark one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Canadian political history.

For McGill University political scientist Daniel Beland, Conservative efforts to “change the subject of the campaign” away from Trump have largely failed.

Tim Powers, a political analyst, agreed the “strange campaign” full of surprises is not the one the Tories wanted.

They had hoped “there’d be more of a debate around affordability and all of the things that they were scoring points on,” he said, adding Poilievre “envisioned a campaign where Justin Trudeau would be his opponent.”

The winner should be known hours after polls close on Monday.

On January 6, the day former prime minister Justin Trudeau announced his plans to resign, his Liberals trailed the Conservatives by more than 20 points in most polls, and Tory leader Pierre Poilievre looked certain to be Canada’s next premier.

But in the weeks after that, Trump rolled out a barrage of stiff tariff policies while repeatedly talking about absorbing Canada into the United States. AFP

No handshake at muted India-Pakistan border ceremony

ATTARI, India—With swaggering soldiers giving high kicks set to booming patriotic music cheered on by crowds, it was the usual daily border ceremony between nucleararmed arch-rivals India and Pakistan. But there was one key thing at the show that was missing—the usual symbol of cooperation, a handshake between the opposing soldiers, did not take place.

Relations have plummeted after New Delhi accused Islamabad of backing an attack targeting tourists on April 22—the deadliest attack on civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir for years. Islamabad rejects the claims, and the

countries have since exchanged gunfire, diplomatic barbs, expelled citizens— and ordered the border to be shut.

The iron gates that separate the two sides remain locked.

“It just fills you with passion and patriotic pride,” said Simarjeet Singh, 17, from the nearby Indian city of Amritsar, his face painted with the national tricolor flag.

Many fear the risk of a military escalation in the coming days.

For years, the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab has been a hugely popular tourist attraction.

Visitors from both sides come to cheer on soldiers goose-stepping in a chest-

puffing theatrical show of pageantry.

Numbers were muted at the sunset show on Saturday, but thousands of Indians still came to show their loyalty to their nation.

“There were people from all over who looked and dressed different but were cheering and screaming at the same time—for our country and the soldiers,” Singh said, who came with his friends from college.

Cheering crowds still filled the stadium-like space around the gates with noise, at least on the Indian side, where on Saturday some 5,000 people—about a fifth of full capacity —watched. AFP

US deports 3 American children, including cancer patient

WASHINGTON, DC—Three

American children aged two, four and seven -- one of whom has a rare form of cancer -- have been deported from the United States alongside their undocumented immigrant mothers, campaigners announced Saturday.

The deportations from the southern state of Louisiana come as President Donald Trump pursues a hard-line immigration policy, calling for mass expulsions of undocumented migrants.

The administration of President Donald Trump contends one of the women asked for her child to be sent with her.

“The New Orleans ICE Field Office deported at least two families, including two mothers and their minor children,” the National Immigration Project said in a Saturday statement, referring to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

It said the deportations were hastily ordered, and carried out in the early hours of Friday.

“One of the mothers is currently pregnant,” the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said in a separate statement, describing the deportations as “illegal and inhumane.”

One of the US children removed from the country has “a rare form of

metastatic cancer” and was deported without medication or medical consultations, the ACLU said.

It added that ICE agents held the families “incommunicado” and failed to facilitate communication between the women and lawyers.

Gracie Willis of the National Immigration Project said in the statement: “What we saw from ICE over the last several days is horrifying and baffling. Families have been ripped apart unnecessarily.”

“We should be gravely concerned that ICE has been given tacit approval to both detain and deport US citizen children.” AFP

CONTAINERS

helicopter flies

smoke

explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port dock southwest of Bandar Abbas in the Iranian province of Hormozgan on Saturday. Several containers exploded at Iran’s largest commercial port, authorities said, causing a major blast and fire, and leaving hundreds injured. Shahid Rajaee, more than 1,000 kilometers south of the capital, is the most advanced container port in Iran, according to the official IRNA news agency.

The New York Times reported that a person with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss security matters, told the newspaper that what exploded was sodium perchlorate, a major ingredient in solid fuel for missiles. AFP

FREE PASSAGE. The Liberian cargo ship MSC Emden III is pictured at the Port of Balboa at the entrance to the Panama Canal in Panama City the other day. The Port of Balboa is managed by CK Hutchison Holdings, based in Hong Kong. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had said during a visit to Panama City earlier this month that the United States was seeking an agreement under which its warships could pass through the canal ‘first, and free.’ The United States and China are two of the top users of the Panama Canal. AFP BAFFLING

MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2025

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Guico back in hunt; Suzukis seek payback

LAUREL, Batangas—Young Zach Guico looks to regain his winning form as he rejoins the competition, while siblings Ryuji and Shinichi Suzuki seek redemption in their respective divisions as the ICTSI Splendido Taal Junior PGT Championship reels off today (Monday, April 28) here.

Guico, who edged Zoji Edoc in a thrilling finish to top the JPGT Luzon Series kickoff at Eagle Ridge three weeks ago, skipped last week’s Sherwood Hills leg to focus on academics. Now back in action, the Quezon City prodigy is eager to pick up where he left off, chasing not only another title but also valuable ranking points for a spot in the national finals.

The 36-hole event marks the third leg of the seven-stage Luzon series. The top four players from each age group division – 7-10, 11-14, and 15-18 – will form the North squad for the North vs. South showdown against Vis-Min qualifiers set for Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 at The Country Club.

Edoc, who capitalized on Guico’s absence to dominate at Sherwood Hills, is again expected to be a major contender, alongside Halo Pangilinan, Asher Abad, Kenzo Tan, Michael Ray Hortel II and Connor Sy, all aiming for crucial points in the boys’ 7-10 category.

Ryuji Suzuki, victorious at Eagle Ridge but falling to Vito Sarines at Sherwood Hills, is raring to bounce back in the boys’ 11-14 class. Sarines, however, is also set on another strong performance, while Sebastian Ledesma, Cade Santos, Matthias Espina, Jacob Casuga, Ryuichi Tao, Isaac Dillera, Victor Pangilinan, Peyton Coyiuto and Lorenzo Juane add depth to the title chase.

Thunder sweep past Grizzlies; Cavs on brink

LOS ANGELES—The Oklahoma City Thunder, fueled by 38 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, held off the Memphis Grizzlies 117-115 on Saturday to complete a 4-0 sweep in their NBA Western Conference playoff series and become the first team to reach the second round.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were on the brink of advancing, taking a 3-0 stranglehold on their Eastern Conference series with a 124-87 blowout of the Miami Heat. And the Denver Nuggets leveled their Western Conference series with a stunning 101-99 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers sealed by Aaron Gordon’s putback dunk at the final buzzer.

Jalen Williams added 23 points for the Thunder, who were pushed to the wire in Memphis despite the absence of Grizzlies star Ja Morant, who was ruled out with a hip contusion suffered in game three.

Scotty Pippen Jr. scored 30 points and Santi Aldama and Desmond Bane had 23 points each for the Grizzlies, who trailed by 12 with 3:37 to play but closed within two in the waning seconds only to come up short.

After the first three games featured a total of four lead changes, the teams traded the lead 15 times in the first three quarters. Oklahoma City took the first doubledigit lead of the game with less than six minutes remaining and, without Morant, Memphis just didn’t have enough to extend the best-of-seven series.

Gilgeous-Alexander had struggled offensively by his standards in the first three games of the series. AFP

Cajucom makes it 2-in-a-row in Tour of Luzon; Joo still leads SPORTS

By Riera U. Mallari

C

LARK, Pampanga —Ean Cajucom

wanted to be an astronaut, a cyclist or a bowler.

As a 15-year-old kid, who won fiesta cycling races left and right seven years ago, Cajucom quickly found out the choice was easy.

The rising star of the Victoria Sports Cycling Team demonstrated his sprinting prowess in his chosen career on Sunday, surging in the final three kilometers of a mass finish to secure victory in the grueling 168.5-kilometer Stage 4 of the 2025 MPTC Tour of Luzon: The Great Revival.

The stage commenced at the Eagle of the North Park in Agoo, La Union, and culminated here at the Filinvest Mimosa Acacia Drive.

It marked the second consecutive stage win for the 22-year-old native of Marikina, who completed the course in 3 hours, 32 minutes, and 45 seconds, crossing the finish line alongside approximately 98 other riders.

Mervin Corpuz of MPT Drivehub finished closely behind in second place, with Aidan James Mendoza of Go for Gold claiming third.

“Kung nag-astronaut ako, wala ako ngayon dito,” said the boyishlooking Cajucom, who also revealed that if he were not a cyclist, he might have been a bowler.

He also attributed their success to sticking to their team’s strategy.

“Plano talaga kunin ang stage win ngayon. Salamat naman at maganda ang panahon at nagtulong-tulong ang team para sa panalo kong ito,” said Cajucom, who honed his sprinting skills by taking part in pocket races in Europe.

In the final 20 kilometers leading into Clark, Cajucom was part of a large peloton that trailed an eight-rider breakaway group by two and a half minutes. The peloton successfully closed the gap in the final stretch.

Included in this peloton was Korean rider Joo Dae Yeong of the Gapyeong Cycling Team, who finished with the same time in 53rd position, allowing him to maintain the coveted yellow jersey as the individual general classification leader.

Joo’s overall time stands at 10:37:12, holding a significant four-anda-half-minute advantage over Ronald Oranza of Standard Insurance. Mendoza remains in third place, trailing by 4 minutes and 36 seconds.

Cajucom’s consecutive stage victories have propelled him from 32nd to 12th place in the overall standings, with an accumulated time of 10:42:43 – just 5 minutes and 36 seconds behind Joo.

The current individual general classification standings also include Dominic Perez of Exodus Army in fourth place (10:41:55), followed by Corpuz (10:41:56), George Oconer of Standard Insurance (10:41:58), Rustom Lim of MPT Drivehub (10:42:06), Jan Paul Morales of Standard Insurance (10:42:33), Mohammad Faiz Fakhri of Malaysia Pro Cycling (10:42:39), and Junreck Carcueva of MPT Drivehub (10:42:40).

Standard Insurance continues to lead the team general classification with a total time of 42:49:24, despite the absence of their mountain specialist, Junrey Navarra, who sustained an ankle injury and bruises in a 14-rider crash during Stage 3.

Navarra’s absence is anticipated to be a factor in Stage 5 on Monday, April 28, which features a challenging 160.6-km hilly course starting and finishing at the Filinvest Mimosa Acacia Drive.

MPT Drivehub poses a threat in second place, trailing by a mere 19 seconds, while Exodus Army is in third, 54 seconds behind the leaders.

UST women’s

MEMBERS of the University of Santo Tomas women’s sabre team came off with a 45-40 upset of the University of the East Lady Warriors on Friday at the close of the 87th University Athletic Association of the Philippine fencing tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Victories posted by Kim Tuy, Krystal Tuy and Janna Catantan gave UST the overall honors in the women’s division.

This denied UE a fourth consecutive sweep of all four divisions, as the Warriors took only three of four crowns at stake this year in the men’s, boys’ and girls’ categories.

Tuy’s 5-1 beating of UE’s Adrienne Lim, followed by Catantan’s 5-3 edging of Shareen Beltran led to UST’s maiden title conquest.

“The sabre team performed well and so did new faces like Alexa Larrazabal and Janna Catantan,” said UST women’s coach Donnie Navarro.

UST got its other golds from Alexa Larrazabal in the indi-

Palaro organizers to make final inspection of venues

By Peter Atencio

A FINAL inspection of venues will get under way this week as Laoag, Ilocos Norte gets ready to host the 65th Palarong Pambansa.

A technical meeting is set on Wednesday as technical officials make a last ocular viewing of the facilities, ahead of the opening on May 24.

“We will have the final technical consultation on April 30. We are still finalizing everything (on the venues) for the Palarong Pambansa,” said athletics’ technical official Jeanette Obiena.

The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) is making sure that the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium in Laoag, Ilocos Norte will be ready for the athletics events, one of the premier events of the games.

Organizers are seeking to avoid mistakes which took place in last year’s edition of the Palaro in Cebu City. It will be recalled that that Cebu City Sports Complex did not meet international standard when the track meet was held there.

Back then, several meet records established were not recognized after officials found that the measurements of the oval’s length did not meet requirements set by World Athletics for an event to be certified.

It was discovered that the 400-meter track oval was found to be short by 0.88 meters

Preparations are being led by Laoag City Mayor Michael Keon, a former track official and head of Gintong Alay project which produced legends like Isidro del Prado and the late Lydia de Vega.

held the Centennial

MPTC Tour of Luzon riders answer the Stage 4 starting gun near the Eagle of the North statue in Agoo, La Union on Sunday. Roman Prospero

Several banks plan to buy 49% stake in fixed-income exchange

By Jenniffer B. Austria

Stake in PDEx that banks eye Industry cap on exchange ownership

P2.3 billion

Estimated PSEPDEx deal

SThe move follows BAP’s recent divestment of its shares in the Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp. to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

“So, what we’re doing is we’re selling our PDS shares, which is the holding company, and then the banks are buying back shares of PDEx,” BAP president Jose Teodoro Limcaoco said in an interview.

The deal, however, is still subject to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approval as it will require exemptive relief from the 20-percent cap on the ownership of a single industry in an exchange.

“I think the depository really belongs with PSE, but PDEx, which is the bond exchange, the banks wanted to be also part of that to make sure that we continue to grow it. We are hoping to buy up to 49 percent of PDEx,” said Limcaoco, who is also the president and chief executive of Bank of the Philippine Islands.

“This setup makes sense because banks are among the biggest users of the bond exchange,” he said.

Some BAP-member banks, particularly government banks, may not be able to participate in the buyback of PDEx shares as they need to go through a process.

EVERAL member banks of the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) plan to acquire up to a 49-percent stake in the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. (PDEx), the country’s fixed-income trading platform. Converge’s Dennis Anthony Uy: From handyman to tech giant

By Jimmy Montejo

WITHOUT a doubt, the life story of businessman Dennis Anthony Uy is a compelling narrative.

Born June 1, 1966, to a poor family in Fukien (now Fujian), China, who considered being able to eat one meal a day a blessing, the Uy family moved to the Philippines in 1977 in search of opportunity.

Uy was 11 years old at the time, and communicating with locals was next to impossible because he could neither speak English nor Tagalog. With the help of an uncle, Uy found his first job as a cold storage handyman at a supermarket in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Now 58, Uy was estimated by Forbes in 2020 to have accumulated assets estimated at $650 million, making him the Philippines’ 22nd-richest person.

He is the founder of Angeles City-based Converge ICT Solutions, a major player in the Philippine internet service provider market.

He graduated from Holy Angel University with a degree in electrical engineering in 1992.

His business acumen manifested while he was still in high school. He sold Betamax and VHS tapes, which he procured from Greenhills in San Juan, Metro Manila.

Uy later set up the Angeles City Cable and Television Network, a cable television provider that caters to the Central Luzon market. Soon, he expanded into the broadband and fiber optics platform with ComClark Network and Technology Corp., the forerunner of Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc.

In 2021, Uy became a board member of Silicon Valley–based firm Axiado Corp.

In 2023, President Marcos named him special envoy to South Korea for digital transformation. That, in a nutshell, is Uy’s incredible rags-toriches biographical journey.

As a member of Malacañang’s

extraordinary league of technocrats, Dennis called for stronger collaboration between the technology sector and the government to explore the potential of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and hyperconnectivity in the Philippines.

Addressing the Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC&E), he underscored that only through a united effort can the Philippines cope with global technological developments.

Dennis said the Philippines lagged in AI adoption and automation. “While other countries are racing ahead with AI and automation, we are struggling to keep pace. Technology is not slowing down — and we need to catch up fast,” he said.

He emphasized the imperatives of modernizing the country’s technological infrastructure.

The PSE has been acquiring shares from PDS as part of its broader strategy to integrate the country’s equities and fixedincome markets.

So far, the PSE has signed share purchase agreements with major PDS shareholders including Singapore Exchange Ltd., Whistler Technologies Inc., San Miguel Corp., Golden Astra Capital Inc., Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines Research and Development Foundation, Investment House Association of the Philippines and AIA Philippines Life and General Insurance Co. Inc.

The PSE offered to acquire PDS shares at P600 per share, a deal that could reached P2.32 billion.

The PSE’s acquisition of a controlling stake in PDS is also subject to the SEC approval.

Prior to the deal, the PSE owned 20.98 percent of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the PDS Group.

Uy also highlighted the critical role of AI and emerging technologies in the global economy.

“AI and emerging technologies will be the currency of the future. To stay competitive globally, we must ensure that the right infrastructure is in place, strong governance and regulatory frameworks are implemented, and every Filipino is upskilled so they can excel in this new digital era,” he said.

He pushed for the establishment of a sovereign cloud infrastructure to ensure that Filipino data remains within the country’s borders, providing greater control over privacy and security.

Converge ICT co-founder and CEO Dennis Anthony Uy

BSP works closely with digital bank CIMB to resolve ‘unauthorized’ fund withdrawals

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said it is closely coordinating with digital bank CIMB to resolve the unauthorized fund transfers that allegedly affected some of its customers.

Digital-only commercial lender CIMB Bank Philippines said it started the reversal of funds to customers and assured the public its core banking system and customer data “remain secure and intact.”

CIMB said in an advisory customers could now check their accounts after select customers were impacted by unauthorized fund transfers.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. Rest assured that your security continues to be of utmost importance to us,” it said in the advisory.

The lender said it conducted a thorough investigation and committed to ensuring a “swift and thorough” resolution of the unsolicited withdrawals which affected “a few customers.” CIMB on April 26 assured the BSP and its customers that the affected funds would be returned to the account owners.

“We would like to assure affected customers that any impacted funds will be returned,” CIMB said.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. Rest assured that your security continues to be of utmost importance to us,” it said.

The BSP said it would continue to monitor the issue until fully resolved.

The BSP said it remains committed to safeguarding the security of the financial system, protecting consumer welfare and maintaining public trust.

Please be advised tha t the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Meeting ) of OCEANAGOLD (PHILIPPINES), INC (the Company ) will be conducted in person and online on 16 June 2025, a t 10:00 a m to be presided a t the Company s principal of fice address a t Didipio Mine, Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines

The order of business a t the Meeting will be as follows:

1 Call to order 2 Cer tifica tion of notice and quor um

3 Approval of the minutes of the annual stockholders’ meeting held

vote a t the Meeting

Stockholders who wish to par ticipa te in the Meeting must register by completing the registra tion for m ( Registra tion For m ) and all required a ttachments and submit the same to oceana asm@stocktransfer com ph (cc: Cor pora teSecretar yph@oceanagold com) for valida tion Registra tion begins on 1 May 2025 and closes on 20 May 2025 (“Registra tion Period”)

The requirements and procedure for par ticipa ting and voting including the Registra tion For m proxy for m and period for voting in absentia may be accessed via the Company s website a t https://didipiomine com ph/annual-generalmeetings/ and will be available beginning 1 May 2025

The Annual Repor t for the year 2024 (and the accompanying Audited Financial Sta tements and Sustainability Repor t) (https://didipiomine com ph/annual-infor ma tionfor ms/), as well as the minutes of the 2024 Annual Stockholders Meeting (https://didipiomine com ph/minutes-of-all-generalor-special-stockholders-meetings/) are available for download and/or viewing on the links provided and the Company Disclosures section a t the PSE EDGE por tal a t edge pse com ph The Definitive Infor ma tion Sta tement will be available once approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission which is estima ted on or around 23 May 2025

Ayala Group wants bigger share of local retail sector

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Ayala Group is stepping up its efforts to enter the local retail sector as it aims to get a bigger share of Filipino consumer spending.

“We recognize that the consumer segment is the largest industry in the country that Ayala does not currently directly participate in, and that there is significant opportunity to disrupt and enhance the current industry landscape, and also that consumer businesses are highly complementary to our current portfolio”, Ayala Corp. president and chief executive Cezar Consing said during the company’s annual stockholders meeting.

HEALTH ACCESS.

Philippine Pharma Procurement, Inc. president and chief executive

Maria Blanca

Kim Lokin cites the need to reform how medicines and vaccines are evaluated and approved for government use, particularly for preventive care and patients facing complex or life-threatening conditions during a forum hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines.

Ayala introduced Anko, a value retail brand from Australia last year. It is seen as part of the company’s wider strategy to change how Filipinos shop.

Given the positive results from Anko, Ayala group is now planning to put up four new stores before the end the end of the year.

“Filipinos often pay high prices for very low-quality goods, so we believe that by capitalizing on our current

ecosystem, we can change the local retail and consumer landscape and bring new and better value concepts to Filipino consumers,” Consing said.

Ayala Group currently has investments in real estate, banking, telecommunications, healthcare, manufacturing and power generation.

Ayala Corp. managing director Mark Robert Uy said the group plans to bring in more retail concepts that will give local consumers better choices and better value for money.

“So in the case of Anko which we brought in here, we saw a concept that was quite game changing in Australia, They really making really good quality, well designed products. They are also selling it at the price point that is affordable even to the middle class

or even the lower class Filipinos,” Uy said.

Uy said that in bringing in new concept stores to the domestic market, Ayala should address “a pain point in the market”.

“What we’re trying to do is we’re trying to offer great value to customers and will continue to be on the lookout for brands that are relevant to the Filipino customers.”

The strategy to venture into retail is also linked to Ayala’s efforts to improve its mall business.

“The malls are Ayala Malls team has announced a very ambitious plan, you know, to modernize and uplift our more portfolio as well as potentially to grow. So this strategy really goes hand in hand with that,” Uy said.

Doc. No. Book No. 2025. (MS-APRIL 21 2025) THERE are fashionistas, and then there is the rest of us: people who simply wear clothes. If you ask fashionistas about significant dates and events that revolutionized fashion, they would probably say the 1920s when Coco Chanel first introduced the Little Black Dress, more popularly known as the LBD. Some might say 1947, when Christian Dior debuted the “New Look”, which featured cinched waists and full skirts, and redefined what femininity looked like after World War II.

Stocks seen trading from 6,000-6,400 this week

SHARE prices may test the strength of its recent breakout as investors continue to monitor global trade developments and currency movements for direction.

Philstocks Financial Inc. research head Japhet Tantiangco said while investors remain cautious, the local stocks may test the validity of the market after it breached the 50-day exponential moving average last week.

“Investors are still expected to monitor the developments on the global trade frictions initiated by the US’ tariff policies. Positive developments mainly on trade negotiations are expected to boost market sentiment. Lack of such, however, may cause investors to exit the bourse,” Tantiangco said.

Tantiangco said the strengthening of the peso against the dollar, if it continues this week, is also expected to help the market rise further.

Investors are also expected to look at fresh economic data, particularly the April S&P Global Manufacturing PMI, for signals on the health of the local economy.

“Chartwise, the market’s trading range is still seen from 6,000 to 6,400,” he said.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index surged 2.19 percent, to close at 6,268.75 last week, while the broader allshares index advanced 1.06 percent to finish at 3,695.69. Average value turnover improved to P6.08 billion from previous week’s average of P4.32 billion.

Foreign investors were net sellers for the week, with outflows amounting to P178.1 million. Jenniffer B. Austria

Fashion-consciousness vs. conscious fashion consumption

—“—

Fashion-consciousness doesn’t have to contradict conscious consumption.

Shop smart

While our clothes are durable goods, no amount of mending can make them last forever. Buying new clothes is inevitable, so here are some ways that we can do it mindfully:

However, I’d like to argue that a significant date that everyone who wears clothes ought to remember is April 24, 2013. On this fateful day, a garment factory building in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Rana Plaza collapsed, taking with it the lives of 1,134 garment workers and injuring 2,500 others. This sparked another kind of fashion revolution: a global campaign to ensure that no lives are sacrificed while creating outfits that are “to die for.” It has also fueled the growing interest in conscious consumption, the recognition that the things that we buy and use have environmental and social impacts.

Conscious consumption seems simple: use only what you need. But it’s easier said than done because it’s easy to rationalize our consumption patterns, especially when we buy

clothes. We don’t just buy clothes for their functional value, like when we buy jackets to stay warm in cold weather or sportswear to participate in athletic activities. We also buy clothes for their social value, that is, how we think we will be perceived by others when we wear certain types or brands of clothing. We see clothing as an expression of our identity. Is it possible to be fashion-conscious and still be mindful of how much we consume?

Make do and mend

Conscious consumption is not a new concept. In fact, the United Kingdom government has a poster in its archives for a campaign called “Make-do and Mend” from 1929 to 1945, around the time of World War II. With the war causing a shortage on clothes as manufacturing supplies and efforts were diverted to making uniforms and parachutes, citizens were encouraged to go through their wardrobes and maximize the use of the clothes that they already had. The government even went as far as organizing evening classes to teach people how to sew new clothes from old garments.

I believe that this campaign is still relevant today. While it might be faster and cheaper to just buy new clothes, mending your old clothes could add value to them. Visible mending techniques like covering holes and stains with patches and appliques can make them more durable, attractive, and personal. And it doesn’t even require fancy sewing skills! For example, “sashiko,” a traditional Japanese embroidery technique that is used not just to patch up, but also to reinforce and adorn worn-out garments with just a series of running stitches. This does not just extend the life of the clothes, it also gives it a whole new unique look.

1. Space out spending. We don’t need a new shirt or a new pair of shoes every week or even every month. We can challenge ourselves to only buy a new item to replace one that cannot be repaired, or try that #nonewclothes challenge, where we go 30, 60, or 90 days without buying any new apparel. This also helps us save up and buy better-quality items that could be more expensive.

2. Curate, don’t consume. Our wardrobe ought to reflect our personality and lifestyle. We can commit to only buying and keeping clothes that we can use multiple times. This means buying based on durability and timelessness, rather than trendiness and cheap prices.

3. Choose with purpose. What we spend our money on reflects what we value. We can choose to buy from brands that reflect what is important to us. Buy from local brands that create livelihoods for marginalized communities. Buy products that use carbon-neutral materials and processes. We can wield our purchasing power to create a more equitable world.

Fashion-consciousness doesn’t have to contradict conscious consumption. We can choose to shift our focus from fleeting fads to enduring quality and ethical production, thereby creating a personal style that respects the planet while making profits for more people.

Liza Mae L. Fumar is a PhD in Business candidate of De La Salle University, where she also teaches Management courses, including Corporate Social Responsibility and Governance. Her research interests include consumer behavior and green consumption. She is an outfit repeater and a volunteer for Fashion Revolution Philippines. She can be reached at liza.fumar@dlsu.edu.ph.

The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN YELLOW BLACK

PopMart plans

retail store, food expansion in PH

By Othel V. Campos

POPMART International Group, a renowned collectible toy company, is setting its sights on expanding in the Philippines, with plans for permanent retail stores and potential ventures into the food sector.

FPA chairman Chris Lim shared insights into the discussions PopMart has been having with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at the International Franchise Conference and Expo 2025 held April 23 to 25, 2025, “Their visit to the Philippines was to better understand the local landscape. PopMart has had pop-up stores here, but now they want to establish permanent locations. They are exploring how to adapt to the market and considering collaborations with local partners to make their expansion a success,” he said in a press briefing on the sidelines of the conference.

Lim also highlighted PopMart’s interest in expanding into the food sector, particularly with the introduction of a bakery concept similar to the one in their Beijing theme park. He said the toy company has been gathering insights from local retail experts and meeting with local food players to understand the best way to enter the Philippine market.

“They’ve had success with a bakery in China, and they are considering launching that concept in the Philippines as one of the first markets outside China,” said Lim.

The DTI facilitated PopMart’s exploration of the Philippine market, helping connect the brand with potential partners.

According to the DTI, PopMart is also looking to collaborate with local artists to create unique collectibles inspired by Filipino culture.

“They want to understand the market more deeply and see how they can align their business model with the local consumer behavior,” said Lim.

Singapore firm building 38.8-MW Capas solar plant

SINDICATUM C-Solar Power Inc. (SCSPI), a subsidiary of Singapore-based renewable energy firm Gurīn Energy Pte Ltd, has started building a $33 million solar photovoltaic power plant within New Clark City, with completion targeted by next year.

SCSPI and Gurīn Energy, together with the Department of Energy (DOE), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), and Union Bank of the Philippines, broke ground on the Capas Solar Power Project, a 40-hectare facility located inside New Clark City, on April 11, 2025.

“The Philippines has one of the most exciting opportunities for renewable energy in the world. Here in Capas, Tarlac, with the support of the BCDA, the local government, and the stakeholders in our community, we wanted to show our commitment to our work plans by having this groundbreaking ceremony,” said SCSPI president and country manager of Gurīn Energy Jose Rafael Mendoza.

The facility will deliver a capacity of 38.81 megawatts peak once completed, with operations targeted to start by January 2026.

Power generated by the plant will be transmitted to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ substation in Concepcion, Tarlac through a 69-kilovolt transmission line.

The project aims to strengthen the renewable energy sector’s share in the Philippines’ overall energy mix and support the energy needs of New Clark City’s locators and residents, as well as the broader Tarlac province.

According to the DOE, the solar project will support the government’s goal of increasing the renewable energy share in the power generation mix to 35 percent by 2030.

“This solar power project will not only generate the energy for New Clark City, but will also bring skills, employment and economic prosperity to the local community, proving that progress can go hand in hand with innovation and sustainability,” said BCDA vice president for Investment Promotions and Marketing Erwin Kenneth Peralta. Othel V. Campos

NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING

MAY 21, 2025 (WEDNESDAY) AT 10:00 A.M. VIA ZOOM

TO: ALL STOCKHOLDERS OF GMA NETWORK, INC.

Please be notified that the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of GMA Network, Inc. (the “Company” or “GMA”) will be held on May 21, 2025 (Wednesday) at 10:00 a.m. via the Zoom application through: https://us06web.zoom.us/ webinar/register/WN_3Kmd474yQcS4h6YgBxK_ZA

The Agenda of the said Meeting is as follows:

1. Call to Order

2. Certification of Notice and Quorum

3. Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held on May 15, 2024

4. Annual Report of the President and Chief Executive Officer and approval of the Audited Financial Statements of GMA for the year ended December 31, 2024

5. Ratification of the Acts of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Management

6. Approval of the Meritorious Justifications for the Retention of Former Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban and Dr. Jaime C. Laya as Independent Directors

7.Election of Directors (including the Independent Directors)

8. Appointment of the External Auditor

9. Other Matters

10. Adjournment

ANNEX “A” BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EACH AGENDA ITEM

Call to Order

The Chairman will call the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. on May 21, 2025.

Certification of Notice and Quorum

The Corporate Secretary will certify that a written notice of the meeting was duly sent to the stockholders and that a quorum exists for the transaction of business. Kindly see Procedure for (1) Registration, Participation and Attendance in the GMA 2025 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting by Remote Communication and (2) Voting in Absentia under Annex “A” of the Notice of the Meeting contained in the DIS.

Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting Held on May 15, 2024

The approval of the Minutes of the previous year’s Annual Stockholders’ Meeting is made part of the agenda for transparency and in order to comply with the requirements of the Company’s By-laws, the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 11232), as well as the pertinent rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). A copy of the Minutes of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held on May 15, 2024 was posted on the Company’s website within five (5) business days from adjournment of the said meeting and is attached to the Notice of the Meeting contained in the DIS as Annex “I” thereof. These minutes are subject to stockholders’ approval during this year’s meeting.

Annual Report of the President and Chief Executive Officer and Approval of the Audited Financial Statements of GMA for the year ended December 31, 2024

The Annual Report of the President and the Chief Executive Officer is made part of the Agenda in order to inform the stockholders of the Company’s ratings and financial performance during the previous year and to adhere to the principles of transparency and good corporate governance.

A brief description of each item is summarized under Annex “A” of the herein Notice. Moreover, the rationale for each agenda item is set forth in detail under Annex “B” of the Notice of the Meeting attached to the Definitive Information Statement SEC Form 20-IS (“DIS”). The DIS, the Management Report, and the Annual Report, and other pertinent documents may be viewed at and downloaded from the Company’s website via www.gmanetwork.com/ asm2025 and the PSE Edge.

For purposes of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting, the Board of Directors has set April 29, 2025 (Tuesday) as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice, to participate, and to vote in absentia, at such meeting and any adjournment thereof.

The Company will be conducting the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting, including the attendance and participation therein, via remote communication, particularly, through the Zoom application.

Stockholders who intend to attend and participate via remote communication and/or vote in absentia shall notify the Office of the Corporate Secretary by email to GMA2025ASM@gmanetwork.com

beginning April 29, 2025 (Tuesday) until May 13, 2025 (Tuesday) and shall register in accordance with the procedure set forth in the attached Procedure for (1) Registration, Participation and Attendance in the GMA 2025 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting by Remote Communication and (2) Voting in Absentia (Annex “A” of the Notice of Meeting attached to the DIS) and in the DIS. All information to be submitted as required under said Annex “A” shall be subject to verification and validation by the Corporate Secretary. Upon successful registration, the meeting link will be sent to the participant/stockholder.

Voting for matters to be submitted for approval, including the election of directors, shall be made in absentia through a secure online voting facility. Once duly registered, the stockholder may vote in absentia

In addition to the Annual Report, the Audited Financial Statements (AFS) for the year ended December 31, 2024 which were reviewed in audit by the Company’s independent external auditor, Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co., and reviewed by and approved by the Board of Directors as recommended by the Audit Committee of the Company on March 31, 2025, are also submitted for the approval of the Company’s stockholders.

Stockholders may request a hard or soft copy of the Annual Report and AFS through GMA2025ASM@gmanetwork.com. The Annual Report and the AFS are also accessible via the Company’s website. The Company’s 2024 AFS is also attached to the Notice of Meeting contained in the DIS as Annex “G” thereof.

Ratification of all Acts of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Management

The acts of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Management taken or adopted since the last Annual Stockholders’ Meeting on May 15, 2024 until meeting date were duly deliberated upon prior to their approval and were conducted in the Company’s ordinary course of business. The aforementioned acts of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Management are submitted for approval to the stockholders in compliance with the Company’s By-laws, the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines, as well as the pertinent rules and regulations of the SEC.

Approval of the Meritorious Justifications for the Retention of Former Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban and Dr. Jaime C. Laya as Independent Directors On March 28, 2025, the Board of Directors of the Company provided meritorious reasons for the retention of former Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban and Dr. Jaime Laya as Independent Directors, subject to the stockholders’ approval at the May 21, 2025 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting. The meritorious reasons for the recommended retention of former Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban and Dr. Jaime Laya as Independent Directors of the Company are set forth in Annex “B-1” of the Notice of Meeting attached to the DIS.

on or before May 19, 2025 (Monday) in accordance with the procedure set forth in Annex “A” of the Notice of Meeting attached to the DIS. In order to allow time to validate the votes, the deadline to cast votes shall be on or before May 19, 2025. Votes submitted after May 19, 2025 will no longer be included in the tabulation of the total votes cast for each of the items in the Agenda.

We are not soliciting your proxy. However, if you are unable to attend the meeting but would like to be represented thereat, you may accomplish the sample Proxy Form(s) annexed as Annexes “C” and “D” of the Notice of the Meeting attached to the DIS. Stockholders who wish to appoint a proxy should submit in advance the electronic copies of their duly accomplished forms during registration and must send the originals to the Office of the Corporate Secretary at 15/F Sagittarius Building, H.V. De la Costa Street, Salcedo Village, Makati on or before May 9, 2025 (Friday) at no later than 3:00 p.m., for validation purposes. Any stockholder may vote by proxy provided that such authorization remains unrevoked and on file with, or is submitted to, the undersigned at the said address.

A video and audio recording of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting will be available online ten (10) days after the meeting and the recording shall be available for access by the requesting stockholder within thirty (30) days from the posting date, subject to the stockholder’s compliance with the requirements set forth in Annex “A” of the Notice of the Meeting attached to the DIS.

For complete information on the annual meeting, kindly visit www.gmanetwork.com/asm2025 through the QR Code provided hereunder.

Election of Directors The incumbent Directors have been recommended by the Company’s Nomination Committee for reelection. On the basis of the nominated directors’ proven track record as shown by the results of the Company’s performance and after review of their qualifications, the said Directors were recommended for re-election by the Nomination Committee. Their appointment is submitted for approval to the stockholders in compliance with the Company’s By-laws, the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines, as well as the rules and regulations of the SEC. The procedure followed for the nomination of Directors is set forth under Annex “B” of the Notice of the Meeting attached to the DIS.

Appointment of the External Auditor

Upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee and after proper deliberation, the Board approved the re-appointment of SyCip Gorres & Velayo & Co. (SGV & Co.) as the Company’s external auditor for the year 2025. SGV & Co.’s appointment is submitted for approval to the stockholders in compliance with the Company’s Revised Manual on Corporate Governance, the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines, as well as the pertinent rules and regulations of the SEC.

Other Matters

The Chairman will open the floor for comments and questions by the stockholders, and to take up other items, if any, included on the agenda upon a request/notice received from qualified stockholders in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations of the SEC (such as, but not limited to, SEC Memorandum Circular No. 14, series of 2020 on stockholders’ right to put items on the Agenda for Regular/Special Stockholders’ Meeting).

Adjournment

Upon determination by the Corporate Secretary that there are no other matters to be considered, and on motion by a stockholder duly seconded, the Chairman shall declare the meeting adjourned. This formally ends the GMA 2025 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting.

ANNA TERESA M. GOZON-VALDES Corporate Secretary

SOLAR ROOFTOP. Workers inspect the

IN BRIEF

PH electronics group bullish, awaits US funding resumption

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippine semiconductor industry is cautiously optimistic following signs that the United States may soon resume funding critical programs under the CHIPS Act and the International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund.

Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. (SEIPI) president Dan Lachica, speaking on the sidelines of the Industrial Summit organized by Aboitiz InfraCapital on April 25, 2026, said the sector is still recovering from back-to-back contractions, an 8-percent decline in

DOTr asks airlines to handle passport checking carefully

By Darwin G. Amojelar

TRANSPORT officials told domestic and international airlines to ensure their staff do not misuse their authority when checking the validity of passenger passports.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), issued the directive after a social media post went viral about a passenger whose relative was denied boarding due to a tear on his passport.

While airlines are required to perform these checks, the DOTr said this authority should be exercised responsibly.

Airlines should coordinate with immigration authorities in the destination country to verify if they will accept a passport deemed tampered or damaged, in line with established protocols, the DOTr said.

The DOTr said it is investigating the incident and contacted immigration in Bali, Indonesia to confirm if they assessed that the passenger’s passport would be rejected, which the airline cited as the reason for denying boarding.

Meanwhile, the CAAP and CAB were also instructed to investigate other allegations of deliberate passport tampering at some airports. The DOTr assured the public that such schemes would not be tolerated if proven.

2023 and a 6-percent drop in 2024, leaving growth projections relatively flat for now.

“We’re treading carefully. Even if contracts are signed today, it takes a year or two before investments translate into production,” he said.

Lachica said, however, that renewed investments would be vital to

fueling growth, generating jobs and strengthening the local supply chain over time.

The Philippines is among six countries selected to benefit from the ITSI fund, which is linked to the $52.7 billion CHIPS Act.

The $500-million ITSI allocation is meant to bolster assembly, testing and packaging (ATP) capabilities outside the US, with Filipino workers among the beneficiaries.

The momentum, however, hit a snag when the ITSI fund was frozen since early 2025, when the US called for a temporary halt of overall foreign assistance initiatives, pausing workforce training programs

and ATP projects.

Lachica, who previously led USAID’s Accelerating Microenterprises Development (AMDEV) skills development initiative before it was also halted, described the funding freeze as “a mistake.”

He said he recently received information that the ITSI fund would soon be unfrozen, potentially within the year. This would also pave the way for renewed collaboration with Arizona State University on workforce training workshops.

He tempered expectations, noting that global headwinds, including tariff challenges and capacity issues at new high-tech fabs in the US, could affect the timeline.

Meralco unit asks DOE to explain exclusion of Atimonan from coal ban

By Alena Mae S. Flores

MERALCO PowerGen Corp. said it is seeking clarification from the Department of Energy on its decision to recall its previous grant of exemption from the coal ban of the 1,200-megawatt Atimonan ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plant.

The DOE issued the acknowledgment of non-coverage letter for the Atimonan coal plant on the coal ban, but decided to recall its decision last

week pending additional review.

“I’m trying to clarify what aspect of the project will be reviewed… I’m hoping that we can still get this review done sooner rather than later…They’re aware that when they granted the, when they issued a letter, that I’m planning to bring this to our board for approval around June,” MGen president Emmanuel Rubio said at the sidelines of the Giga Summit 2025. He said MGen aims to deliver

GSIS posts record P10.5b in non-life insurance premiums

general manager Jose Arnulfo Veloso said.

“Our insurance programs are not just financial safeguards—they are strategic tools that enable agencies to recover faster from calamities and continue public service with minimal disruption,” said Veloso.

goal. This followed a strong performance in 2023 with P9.7 billion against a P6-billion target, and P6.84 billion in 2022 over a P6-billion goal.

“These achievements reflect the growing trust of government agencies in GSIS as a reliable partner in risk management,” GSIS president and

(DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco welcomes

to the

resident embassy in Manila in March, a milestone in diplomatic ties between the two countries.

GSIS said it is working with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through a technical cooperation project (TCP). The initiative focuses on improving GSIS’s risk assessment models, refining its underwriting process, and promoting the importance of insuring public properties.

In November 2024, GSIS held its

second Seal of Protection Awards, recognizing local government units and national agencies for their commitment to securing infrastructure through GSIS insurance.

As climate risks and other unforeseen events continue to threaten public infrastructure, GSIS said it would expand its insurance coverage, support postdisaster recovery, and strengthen partnerships with national and local government agencies.

GSIS now offers parametric insurance in addition to traditional indemnity insurance, allowing for the quick release of funds for cities to use for disaster recovery.

the baseload capacity by late 2029 early 2030, “in time for us to participate in the baseload capacity auction that the DOE is planning for December.”

“Our commitment is that the LCOE (levelized cost of energy) of this is going to be probably one of the most competitive and it’s needed, the capacity is needed,” Rubio said.

He said MGen had met the conditions set by the DOE when it issued the exemption, which included repur-

posing the coal plant by 2050 to burn another type of fuel.

He said that if MGen does not comply with the conditions, it cannot operate the coal plant.

“We’re looking at technologies like ammonia co firing as long as it’s viable, right? Then we will consider. So even in the in the discussions with our EPCs (engineering, procurement and construction), we already asking them to make sure that the boiler can co-fire ammonia,” he said.

FE Engineering Corporation, a Japanese engineering firm, and First Balfour Inc., the construction arm of the Lopez Group, formed a joint venture for a P7.7-billion project to strengthen two of Metro Manila’s oldest and busiest bridges against earthquakes.

The joint venture, JFE Engineering-First Balfour Joint Venture (JFE-FB JV), signed a contract with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to implement the Metro Manila Priority Bridges Seismic Improvement Project (MMPBSIP).

The project, funded by Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will upgrade the earthquake resilience of the 50-year-old Lambingan Bridge along New Panaderos Street in Santa Ana, Manila and the 46-year-old Guadalupe Bridge on

EDSA in Makati City.

About 400,000 vehicles pass through Guadalupe Bridge daily, while Lambingan Bridge serves more than 30,000 vehicles.

Under the project, the joint venture will demolish the existing Lambingan Bridge and build a stronger archtype steel bridge in its place. At Guadalupe Bridge, the concrete outer spans will be replaced with steel box girders, supported by new piers and retrofitted abutments for greater stability.

Temporary steel detour bridges will be installed during the Guadalupe Bridge works to maintain traffic flow and minimize disruption as the project proponents await the notice to proceed (NTP), expected to be issued in the coming weeks. Othel V. Campos

FRANCHISE EXPO. Franchise Asia Philippines 2025 International Franchise Expo, organized by the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA), opens on April 25, 2025 at the SMX Convention Center Manila. Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque (upper row, fourth from left), delivered the keynote message during the opening ceremony. With Roque are (upper row, from left) PFA vice chair Ma. Alegria Sibal- Limjoco; Ambassador Rangsant Srimangkorn of the Royal Thai Embassy in Manila; PFA chairman Sam Christopher Lim; PFA president Joseph Tanbuntiong; Malaysian Ambassador Abdul Malik Castelino; Franchise Management Certificate Program, Georgetown University, USA director Benjamin Litalien; Taiwan Trade Center director Jung Chuan Lai; and PFA vice chair Robert Trota.

iACADEMY. Joseph Muego

REAL ESTATE

SEton Properties sets

aside

P900m for 2025

ETON Properties Philippines, Inc.

(EPPI), the real estate arm of the Lucio Tan Group, is allocating P900 million in capital expenditures for 2025 to fuel property enhancement initiatives and township redevelopment projects.

The investment will focus on upgrades in master planning, zoning strategies, and amenities aimed at boosting long-term asset value and enhancing the customer experience.

“We’re staying focused on what matters: building better spaces, improving the way people live and work, and responding to what our markets need,” said Kyle C. Tan, EPPI president and chief executive officer.

“We’re not just building structures—we’re building the future of Eton with clarity and purpose.”

This planned spending follows a year of steady operational performance amid ongoing industry challenges.

In 2024, EPPI recorded P3.1 billion in revenues, a 12 percent increase from P2.8 billion the previous year despite exit of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and the non-renewal of some retail tenancies.

While net income declined to P213 million from P746 million, this was largely due to a one-time P503 million inventory revaluation gain in 2023.

“2024 showed our ability to stay steady in a shifting market. We stayed focused on delivering long-term value, adapting where needed, and investing where it mattered most,” Tan added.

Higher expenses from construction, maintenance, taxes, and staffing also affected profitability.

Despite these pressures, Eton’s leasing operations held firm. The office segment remained a key contributor, with 70 percent of total office gross leasable area (GLA) leased, while commercial leasing achieved a 72 percent occupancy rate. Residential leasing was optimized to align with inventory sales strategies.

The residential business rebounded significantly, with revenue surging 266 percent to P501 million from P137 million in 2023, driven by strong sales in Eton City, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, and ready-for-occupancy units in Metro Manila. With the P900 million capital plan, EPPI aims to strengthen its position in a competitive market and ensure sustainable growth beyond 2025.

GROHE, a leading global brand for complete bathroom solutions and kitchen fittings, returned to Milan Design Week 2025 with a new immersive experience in one of Milan’s most historic locations: The Garden Senato. Located at Via Senato 14 in Milan’s fashion district, the garden blends historical charm with contemporary design, making it a high-profile venue for cultural events and exhibitions— the ideal backdrop for the GROHE Aqua Gallery. Following on from the brand’s previous success with the Red Dot “Best of the Best” awarded GROHE SPA installation at the Palazzo Reale during Milan

SM unit launches Pico Terraces

M Leisure Resort Residences

(SM LRR), a unit of SM Prime Holdings Inc., has launched a new residential development in Hamilo Coast, the group’s a premier leisure development within Nasugbu, Batangas.

Set across 2.3 hectares within residential resort village Pico de Loro Cove, SM LRR developed Pico Terraces to offer residents quick weekend getaways and holiday treats.

Pico Terraces is a mid-rise, multi-tower development designed for those who crave nature, comfort and accessibility. With 80 percent of the area devoted to open space, it blends modern living with a relaxed, natural setting.

The project offers 211 units across Ardea Suites and Balea Suites, with one-, two-, and threebedroom layouts.

“Pico Terraces is designed for families and individuals seeking a balanced lifestyle with forested landscapes as their constant backdrop,” said Shirley Ong, executive vice president and business unit gead of SM LRR.

“It places you far enough to truly disconnect yet close enough to come and go with ease,” said Ong.

The project is slated for completion by December 2027.

Resort living

Just two hours from Metro Manila, Pico Terraces gives residents direct access to the sea and the mountains.

Located within walking distance to Pico Beach, the Beach Club and the Country Club, the development offers convenience without sacrificing peace. At the center of the community is a 500-square meter cascading pool complex with zones for laps, lounging and family time.

There’s also a nature trail, outdoor fitness lawn, indoor gym and a multi-purpose green for yoga or games. Indoor amenities include a private theater, a game room, and a clubhouse with al fresco dining, BBQ spots and an events garden.

“Pico Terraces is a premium coastal development that moves to the rhythm of nature—unhurried, grounded and deeply attuned to how people truly want to live today,” said Ong.

Coastal community

Pico Terraces is the latest addition to the established leisure estate of Pico de Loro Cove, the first development within the 5,900-hectare

Robinsons bets big on Siargao with new island resort hotel

ROBINSONS Hotels & Resorts (RHR), the hospitality arm of Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC), has officially broken ground on its first resort development in Siargao, signaling the company’s foray into one of the country’s fastest-growing travel destinations.

Set to open in 2026, Summit Villas Siargao is being developed by Hira Holdings Inc. through Mega Mykon Builders and will be managed by RHR under its Summit Hotels and Resorts brand.

The property will feature 18 standalone villas, each designed with private amenities and eco-conscious features aimed at supporting the island’s sustainability efforts.

“Summit Villas Siargao is more than just a new property — it’s a celebration of the island’s natural beauty, vibrant culture, and rapidly growing tourism appeal,” said Barun Jolly, Senior Vice President and Business Unit General Manager of Robinsons Hotels & Resorts.

“We are excited to bring the Summit brand’s signature warmth, style, and Filipino brand of excellence to Siargao.”

GROHE

Located near the popular Cloud 9 surfing spot and Tourism Road, the resort will primarily cater to the upscale segment of both domestic and international travelers looking for premium accommodation on the island. The project is positioned to respond to the rising demand for high-quality hospitality offerings as Siargao con-

tinues to attract more tourists postpandemic.

“Summit Villas Siargao reflects our strategy to expand into key leisure destinations while contributing to local tourism growth,” added Jolly. “We see strong demand for quality hospitality in Siargao, and this development aims to respond to that.”

The development also marks Hira Holdings’ first venture into the hospitality industry, underlining a growing investor interest in the island’s tourism potential.

“We’re optimistic about the tourism outlook in Siargao,” said Seth Hiranand, Managing Director of Hira Holdings. “This project is a long-term investment in the island’s potential as a premier travel destination.”

As part of its corporate social responsibility efforts, Hira Holdings announced a partnership with Malinao Elementary School during the groundbreaking ceremony, designating the school as a green hub for the resort’s future sustainability programs.

Tourist arrivals in Siargao have steadily risen in recent years, attracting more hotel developers to the island. Industry leaders continue to advocate for environmentally responsible tourism development to ensure Siargao’s natural charm is preserved amid its growing popularity.

RHR is the largest hospitality group in the Philippines with 30 properties and over 5,000 hotel keys.

presents the Aqua Gallery at Milan Design Week 2025

Design Week 2024, GROHE transformed the Garden Senato into an immersive exhibition space.

Within carefully curated spaces, the GROHE Aqua Gallery showcased GROHE products as both efficient objects (Function) and crafted artifacts (Form) that deliver meaningful water experiences (Impact). Visitors can explore how these products create a bridge between humans, water, and the environment.

“At GROHE, we use design to transform trends and insights into experiences that enhance various facets of our lives. By delving deeply into people’s needs and wants, cultural nuances, and environmental contexts, we create and develop products that combine premium aesthetics, superior quality, advanced technologies and sustainability. Our showcase at Fuorisalone 2025 embodies this philosophy, offering visitors an immersive experience into how GROHE is shaping the future of water enjoyment.” said Antoine Besseyre des

Horts, Leader, LIXIL Global Design, Asia.

Conceived by the in-house LIXIL Global Design and Brand Identity team, the installation seamlessly blended indoor and outdoor elements, offering a unique gallery experience. Featured for the first time in Milan was the recently launched GROHE Purefoam, with its proprietary technology that mixes the perfect balance of water and Kinuami soap to deliver a cocooning foam, creating a revolutionary vertical bath like experience, enveloping users in a unique and hydrating skincare sensation. Another exciting highlight was the new GROHE Essence Crafted Lever. The award-winning GROHE Essence Collection is the brand’s most-specified faucet — in the affordable luxury segment that delivers harmonious proportions and sensual-minimalist transitions. The introduction of the new crafted lever variants and an array of color options affords the Essence Collection greater freedom for customization.

Centris Cyberpod One, part of the Cyberpod series within the Eton Centris township, is now 100 percent fully leased.

C2 SHOWBIZ

MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2025

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ , Writer

By Nickie Wang

IT’S hard to ignore the power of social media, especially when it comes to the entertainment that floods our feeds. A quick scroll can lead to unexpected impulse buys—whether it’s the latest fashion trend or that gadget you didn’t know you needed. Maybe an influencer’s hilarious video inspired a spontaneous night out, or a viral dance challenge pushed you to join in. From trending dance moves to those late-night snack cravings sparked by a food post, social media influencers are at the heart of these decisions.

The influence of online content on our behavior is undeniable, but becoming a successful content creator is no easy task. It takes more than just posting pictures or videos—it requires creativity, consistency, and a deep connection with your audience. Entertaining content is at the core of this process, and those creators who nail it have the power to keep followers coming back for more, day after day.

In the Philippines, this digital space is thriving with up-and-coming influencers who are gaining massive followings.

Let’s have a rundown of eight rising stars who are positioning themselves for even greater success in the dynamic world of social media and content creation.

1. Toniyuh (@iamtoniyuh) Toniyuh is a talented actor and content creator who has found viral success on TikTok with his spot-on celebrity impersonations. His ability

Eight emerging Pinoy content creators to watch

2. Maykel (@jmichaellianzon)

A dancer and comedic skit creator, Maykel has carved out a unique niche by blending humor and dance. His dedication to his craft has earned him over 2.3 million followers on TikTok. Whether he’s lip-syncing to viral sounds or showcasing his dance skills, Maykel’s content connects with viewers of all ages, making him a versatile creator with a bright future in both entertainment and collaboration.

3. Joshua (@juswathegreat1)

Joshua brings a mix of comedy, dance, and motivational content to his TikTok feed, resonating with fans through his relatable content. Balancing his studies with his passion for performing, Joshua is a perfect example of how online platforms offer young creators the opportunity to grow and express themselves. With over a million followers, his journey is one to watch.

4. Xaii Allii (@saibinmadali)

Known for his relatable and comedic takes on everyday experiences, Xaii has quickly garnered over 1.1 million followers. His content, particularly his POV: Brokenhearted series, taps into the emotional core of Filipino audiences, proving that empathy and humor are a powerful combination in online content creation.

5. Jomari (@jomariraniego)

Jomari’s rise in the TikTok world has been nothing short of meteoric, thanks to his comedic skits and dance routines. His Angie Serye series, based on real-life experiences, has gone viral, showcasing his ability to connect deeply with his audience. With no prior experience in entertainment, Jomari’s success is a testament to the power of creativity and passion.

6. Tiff (@mariatiff)

Tiff is an all-rounder, balancing his love for singing, makeup, and drawing with the ability to inspire others. After sharing his personal journey through open-heart surgery, Tiff has become a beacon of strength and authenticity online. His transparency and humor have allowed him to partner with major brands and become a voice for those facing similar health challenges.

7. Papa JT (@papajtls)

Papa JT is a seasoned radio personality and voice actor whose smooth voice has earned him a loyal following. Known for his work on Barangay Love Stories and his podcast, his deep understanding of the industry and his relatable content make him an influential figure in the digital space. His motto, “Motivation keeps you going, but discipline keeps you growing,” speaks to his work ethic and dedication.

8. Los Akiyama (@losakiyama)

A versatile actor, host, and musician, Los Akiyama has impressed audiences with his talent across different fields. His range in accent work, acting, and music has earned him critical acclaim and major collaborations with brands like DigiPlus and Holcim. Los’ journey is a testament to the power of a multifaceted approach in content creation, making him a force to be reckoned with.

These eight influencers are are shaping the future of online content in the Philippines. Their authenticity, creativity, and passion for their craft set them apart, making them worth watching in 2025 and beyond.

Big winners at 19th Gandingan

By Rolando Ng III

MEDIA programs in television and radio were lauded at the 19th Gandingan Awards, organized by the UP Community Broadcasters’ Society.

Brigada News FM and DZRH AM were hailed as this year’s most developmentoriented networks for terrestrial radio.

Ted Failon at DJ Chacha and Sana Lourd of True FM were also recognized as the best FM program and best radio drama, respectively.

GMA Network’s roster of nominees and hosts also graced the awards night, earning recognition once again from the university-based award body.

24 Oras’s report on spotting deepfakes was cited as the most developmentoriented feature story, while anchor Emil Sumangil was hailed as its best news anchor for the year. This is the second award received by Sumangil, as he was named Best Field Reporter by the body in 2018.

Raffy Tima, anchor of GTV’s

Balitanghali, won as this year’s best program host for the show, as the newscast is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary in November.

Balitanghali is now in its 20th year. This is a wonderful gift to the entire team,” he said in an exclusive interview. Tima is one of its pioneer anchors, along with Pia Arcangel

Jessica Soho, Martin Javier, and Kim Atienza were separately cited as this year’s ‘Gandingan ng Kalikasan’, ‘Gandingan ng Kabataan’, and ‘Gandingan ng Edukasyon’.

The Atom Araullo Specials report entitled “On the Deaths Incurred from the War on Drugs” was cited as the most development-oriented documentary.

JulieXStell: Ang Ating Tinig was given the special citation as this year’s best musical program, with Julie Anne San Jose accepting the award.

“Stell and I wanted to emphasize the value of collaboration. We believe that music is a powerful tool for driving awareness, connection, and change,” San

Awards

Jose said through a video message. Other program winners that showcased their commitment to development include Pulang Araw for drama and Dear SV for public service.

ABS-CBN’s Winnie Cordero and Ariel Rojas were named ‘Gandingan ng Kababaihan’ and ‘Gandingan ng Agham at Teknolohiya’. TV5’s Jiggy Manicad was also cited as this year’s “Gandingan ng Kabuhayan”.

State-run PTV 4 also garnered wins at the Gandingan for programs On Assignment, Artsy Craftsy, and Iskoolmates

This year’s Gandingan Awards centered on its theme of ‘weaving histories’ through the power of media’s work in shaping the country’s national development. “In an era where there is misinformation and disinformation that distorts our history, this is a clear call for all of us to live up to our responsibility for the truth,” said UPLB instructor Guien Garma, adviser of the Community Broadcasters’ Society, in an interview.

From left: GMA Network’s Martin Javier, Raffy Tima, Emil Sumangil, and Joseph Morong at the 19th Gandingan Awards

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

A fresh look at Puerto Princesa’s best-kept secrets

“PUERTO

Princesa… where nature begins and never ends!”

Reading this city’s tagline from the brochures, I conk myself on the head for not having taken the time to do a comprehensive tour of this capital city and the rest of the province.

The very first time I visited Puerto Princesa was about four decades ago when I was still the director of sales at the Hyatt Hotels in the Philippines. Part of my duty was to promote the city’s premier hotel, the Hyatt Rafols. It was a hotel way ahead of its time. It offered all the modern conveniences and facilities of today’s world-class accommodations, even though Palawan was not yet the tourist destination it is today. The second time I made a trip to Palawan was about twenty years ago when I joined some friends for a weekend visit. Since we didn’t have much time, our group had to choose which tourist attraction we preferred: the Underground River or Honda Bay/Starfish Island.

Since I’m claustrophobic, I chose the latter, which is only a 25-minute ride from Puerto Princesa.

Honda Bay is on the eastern shore of the province. It has a pristine white sand beach, and the sea is ideal for snorkeling. One of the small islands near it is Starfish Island, which gets its name from its abundant supply of starfish. I remember when we went to this island, we had to walk precariously along the beach so that we didn’t step on the many starfish. It was surreal to see that many! Fast forward to my visit last week to Puerto Princesa, I was there for work.

My Philippine Retirement Authority team and I signed a Memorandum of

By Angelica Villanueva

IF YOU’VE never played the video game Minecraft, don’t worry, you’re not alone. I went into the special screening hosted by McDonald’s of A Minecraft Movie with no real knowledge of the game beyond “it has blocks.” Just as I expected, the theater was filled with kids, giggling with excitement for the movie to start.

Well, I expected something playful and a kid-friendly movie. What I got instead was a surprisingly serious, intense adventure set in a world that’s part video game, part fantasy survival story.

The movie doesn’t waste time easing you in. It throws you straight into its blocky universe with strange rules, odd-looking creatures, and a sense of danger around every corner. For someone unfamiliar with the game, it can feel a bit confusing at first—but not in a bad way. There’s something kind of exciting about being tossed into a world that doesn’t explain everything. It trusts the audience to figure things out, and that confidence gives it some edge. The animation style, while staying true to the pixelated look of the game, is done with care and creativity.

Agreement (MOA) with the Provincial Government of Palawan to embark on collaborative efforts to take care of the more than 300 foreign retirees who have chosen to spend the rest of their golden years in Palawan.

My team and I were accorded a very warm welcome by the employees of the Provincial Government through a very colorful tableau of Filipino dances at the Provincial Capitol’s lobby. I have to say, there is nothing warmer and more delightful than a traditional Filipino welcome. Our brand of hospitality is always the first reason our foreign retirees point out when I ask them what made them choose our country as their retirement home.

After the MOA signing with the provincial government, represented by its tourism promotions and development officer, Maribel Buñi, I met with the president of the Palawan

Tourism Council, Rix Rafols. We agreed to work together to make the province’s tourism establishments, which are members of the council, easily accessible to our Palawan-based foreign retirees.

After these official tasks were done, I had about an hour left before calling it a day. So, on my way back to the hotel, I asked the driver to take me around the nearby spots that visitors, like me, would find interesting.

First, we passed by Kilometer Zero, from where all distances in the province are measured. I managed to snap a photo of it, despite the many vehicles going around it.

The driver then brought me to the Baywalk. This is a long stretch of promenade, similar to what we have along Manila Bay, but this one in Puerto Princesa has cleaner air because no vehicles are running adjacent to it,

FRONT ROW

and the fresh sea breeze is continuously blowing. It looks deserted during the day, but I learned that it is packed with locals and visitors at night, patronizing the many food stalls and bars that open when the sun sets. This is also where the popular Ironman events are held. Our next stop was at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. This 153-yearold cathedral has very impressive NeoGothic architecture and is the biggest church in the province. Naturally, it is also the westernmost cathedral in the country. Its very unique interior has a row of wooden arches over it, from the main door all the way to the altar, where the statue of the Blessed Mother is flanked by two beautiful and attractive stained-glass windows. Beside the cathedral is the Plaza Cuartel, which is very rich in history because it used to be a military base during World War II. What makes it

A movie movie that builds a world for fans

significant is that, during the Japanese Occupation, around 150 American Prisoners of War were burned to death by the Japanese soldiers. A few survivors managed to swim to Iwahig, which is approximately 16 kilometers away. The remains of those who died were eventually brought to St. Louis, Missouri, and interred at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

I’m glad I saw a few more attractions during this latest visit to Puerto Princesa. I’m looking forward to discovering more of them…in my next working visit, perhaps?

----------O---------YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE: The word “queue” shows exactly what it means---it’s just a letter “Q” with a bunch of silent letters waiting in line.

----------O---------For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@ gmail.com

game-world

But I think here’s the part that

to be said clearly: this is not a

Despite its origins in a game

by millions of children, the

for

is much

There are fights with real consequences, scary monsters, and even a few moments that lean into violence. Characters die, and the story dives into themes of survival, sacrifice, and fear. That might sound like a bad thing, but honestly, it gives the film some emotional weight. It’s not just loud action and silly jokes—it actually tries to tell a serious story. Yes, it’s clearly aimed at Minecraft fans. The film leans heavily on game references, tools, creatures, and lore that will go over the heads of most nonplayers. But it never feels exclusive in a mean-spirited way.

So

Whether

From left: Jack Black, Danielle Brooks, and Jason Momoa in a scene from ‘A Minecraft Movie’

Sebastian Hansen plays the role of a teenager named Henry who ends up entering the world of Minecraft

Starfish Island got its name from the abundance of these marine invertebrates

The Plaza Cuartel has a tragic history, as this was where Japanese soldiers burned to death 150 American soldiers during World War II

The Immaculate Conception Cathedral is 153 years old and is the biggest church in the province

These welcome dancers in their attractive costumes are all employees of the Palawan Provincial Government

An invitation to see a side of Japan few ever experience

IF YOU think you’ve seen everything Japan has to offer, Walk Japan’s newest tour might make you think again.

The East Hokkaido Walk, a relaxed seven-day, six-night guided trip, takes travelers deep into Japan’s wild and beautiful northeastern edge. Few tourists reach this part of the country, but for those who do, the rewards are clear: sweeping wetlands, steaming volcanoes, ancient forests, and some of the clearest crater lakes anywhere in the world.

“Our tour is a great way to appreciate Japan’s history, geography, culture, and modern way of life,” said Paul Christie, who has led Walk Japan since 2002. “It takes us through the beautiful countryside that provides us with intimate connections with the locals and their culture.”

Scheduled in June, July, September, and October—when the weather is ideal for walking—the East Hokkaido Walk covers everything from the Ramsar-listed Kushiro Shitsugen wetlands, where rare redcrowned cranes roam, to Lake Akanko, famous for its floating marimo algae balls.

Travelers will also see AtosaNupuri, a volcanic mountain dotted with steaming vents, and the Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site considered one of Japan’s last true wilderness areas. There’s also Mashu-ko, a deep, clear crater lake often said to be one of the

purest bodies of water in the world.

Walk Japan keeps daily walks manageable, up to 11 kilometers a day, and wraps each evening in a stay at a cozy modern inn with onsen hot springs and meals built around local ingredients.

“If you’re joining our tour, you need to have a lot of appetite for local cuisine, be ready to immerse yourself in local culture, and most of all, be willing to build connections with other guests,” Christie pointed out.

One thing that sets Walk Japan apart is the small group size— only 12 travelers per trip. “We’ve found that this group size helps everyone connect better and makes it easier for our tour leaders to guide comfortably,” Christie explained.

“With smaller groups, we can enjoy amazing inns, restaurants, sites, and experiences that bigger tours simply can’t access.”

The company’s tour leaders also bring something special to each trip. They come from a wide range of backgrounds—agriculture, media, academia, the arts—and speak both English and Japanese fluently. According to Christie, “Our tour leaders are known for their enthusiasm, friendliness, knowledge, communication skills, and

professionalism. Their goal is to create memorable experiences that encourage guests to return, many of whom do, often repeatedly.”

The East Hokkaido Walk is also part of Walk Japan’s longterm work to support rural communities. Since 2007, the company’s Community Project has been helping revive two small valleys in Kyushu by providing local jobs, restoring empty properties, and maintaining parks and public spaces.

“Our Community Project is helping communities maintain their society and environment, with the long-term vision of providing a sustainable and viable future,” the Walk Japan CEO said. “We bring the same commitment to diversity and inclusiveness into our workplace as we do in our tours.”

The East Hokkaido Walk starts in Kushiro and ends at Memanbetsu Airport, with prices starting at JPY550,000 per person based on double occupancy.

For travelers ready to step off the beaten path, slow down, and see Japan in a whole new way, Walk Japan’s latest adventure offers a deeper, more meaningful experience—and memories that last long after the trip ends.

“We’re offering something that keeps communities alive, maintains traditions, and gives travelers experiences they would otherwise miss,” Christie said.

For further information on Walk Japan, its tours, and its Community Project, visit walkjapan.com.

The calm waters of the Shiretoko Five Lakes reflect the skies

Travelers explore the steaming vents of Mount Atosanupuri