NAVY SEIZES SHIP LOADED WITH P10B WORTH OF SHABU
Oil price shock up: P5/liter
THE Department of Energy warned domestic pump prices could increase by P5 per liter next week if global oil prices continued to soar as Israel and Iran have been exchanging deadly strikes and apocalyptic warnings for seven days now. • LTFRB puts on hold
By Alena Mae S. Flores, Darwin G. Amojelar, Othel Campos and Rio N. Araja
By Charles Dantes
By Charles Dantes
By Charles Dantes
By Charles Dantes, Maricel V. Cruz
House denies complaint vs. Sara
By Maricel V. Cruz
THE House of Representatives on Friday clarified that it did not initiate any formal complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against Vice President Sara Duterte, following reports that the anti-graft body had ordered Duterte and several other officials to respond to charges related to corruption.
“We have not received a copy of the said order to file a counter-affidavit. Me, personally, I’ve learned about it through the reports, and I’ve seen it
on social media,” House spokesperson lawyer Princess Abante said in a mix of English and Filipino.
“What I know is that the House or the
Committee (on Good Government and Public Accountability) itself did not file any complaint, but it appears that the Ombudsman acted upon the recommendation of the committee,” she added.
The Ombudsman’s move came after the House adopted the findings and recommendations of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability regarding the alleged misuse of confidential funds spent by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) while Duterte was Secretary.
“The plenary adopted the report of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability on June 10. And the committee report was furnished to the Ombudsman… they received it on June 16,” Abante said.
“So, it appears that the Ombudsman acted upon the recommendation of the committee,” she added.
The spokesperson also explained that the Ombudsman has the power to act on its own: “The action of the Ombudsman was upon the recommendation of a committee report from the House of Representatives.”
the impact the closure would have on daily commuters, many of whom already endure long hours in traffic to get to work.
“Two years of suffering. You can’t do that to a person,” the President said.
“I can’t get it out of my head, you’re in a car, on EDSA, you see that at midnight, the line is still long, waiting for a bus. Then, when that person gets home, they’ll wake up at four in the morning. They’ll wait for a bus again to get to work by seven or eight,” he added.
Calling for a complete review of the rehabilitation plan, Mr. Marcos emphasized the need to utilize modern technology that could accelerate the process without closing the capital’s busiest highway for such a prolonged period.
“Surely there are new systems there that we don’t need to shut down, or if what we’re going to do won’t take two years,” he said.
Trump’s statement, wherein he said, “Based on the fact that there is a chance for substantial negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future — I will make my decision on whether or not to go within the next two weeks,”
“I may do it. I may not do it,” the Republican president said on Wednesday about involving the US military in the fray.
The US leader is keeping his options open even as Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola described the security situation as “fluid” as missile strikes between Israel and Iran continue to escalate.
“It’s hard to say. If you look at the news reports, it seems like things are getting worse. But here, when you go outside, you see more and more people out on the streets,” she said on Friday.
Mendiola’s assessment came after the first group of Filipino nationals managed to cross the Israeli border into Jordan to flee the fighting.
Edsel Sarquilla, an engineer, was the first to reach Jordan on Wednesday.
He was soon joined by four tourists and a fellow worker, the Philippine Embassy in Jordan reported.
The six evacuees were received by Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos and other officials in Amman, who have begun conducting border inspections ahead of more expected arrivals.
Earlier, five Filipino students who were stranded in Israel while studying in Europe also received assistance from the Philippines’ diplomatic missions in crossing the border out of the conflict zone.
Meanwhile, Mendiola confirmed that eight Filipinos have been injured since fighting began on June 13, when Israel launched a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
One Filipino remains in critical condition, while seven others have been discharged from hospitals, she said.
Despite the deteriorating security, many Filipino workers are hesitant to return home due to the closure of Ben Gurion airport, which has made it difficult for them to access their savings.
Mendiola explained that most OFWs prefer to wait for outbound flights from Tel Aviv to resume before deciding to leave.
Preparations are also underway to repatriate 14 Filipino workers from Iran, in coordination with embassies in Lebanon, Iraq, and Jordan, she said.
Each returning overseas worker stands to receive P150,000 in aid, split equally between the Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development is also on standby to provide further assistance upon their arrival in the Philippines.
As this developed, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) acknowledged it cannot compel Filipinos to return home, and the choice to remain or leave is ultimately theirs.
At a press conference on Friday, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the Philippine government is not enforcing a mandatory repatriation policy for Filipinos living in Israel. The decision to return to the Philippines will be based on their judgment, rather than a government directive.
Still, the number of overseas Filipino workers in Israel wanting to come home has already reached 178, and this figure is expected to grow further, he disclosed. With AFP
ry trader on the street knows we’re two headlines away from chaos,” said Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management.
“Major oil price shock looming as Israel - Iran conflict threatens critical global shipping passage,” Romero said, noting that next week would be the highest oil price increase implemented by the DOE since January.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, however, said it has not yet approved a new fare increase for public utility vehicles pending the outcome of an ongoing study by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), formerly the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
Speculation had been swirling that Trump would throw his lot in with Israel as he said he would decide “within the next two weeks” whether to involve the United States.
Uncertainty, however, prevailed and traders remained nervous.
“Crude still calls the shots, and volatility’s the devil in the room -- and eve-
“Make no mistake: we’re trading a geopolitical powder keg with a lit fuse.
President Trump’s two-week ‘thinking window’ on whether to join Israel’s war against Iran is no cooling-off period -it’s a ticking volatility clock.”
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas warned consumer prices could exceed 5 percent if global oil benchmarks, particularly Dubai crude, reach $100 per barrel and the Philippine peso sharply depreciates.
BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. said: “Oil is one of the big risks that we worry about. Those two combined would have a very big effect on our inflation.”
“We have a bad scenario, if I may call it that, in which our inflation rate could go up to, could exceed 5 percent but we hope that doesn’t happen,” Remolona said in an interview with Money Talks.
“We’re carefully watching that. Our good scenario, our central scenario, says inflation will go up to around 3.4 percent,” he added.
Kansai Airports.
President Marcos emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships and government-to-government cooperation in enhancing tourism infrastructure, cultural exchange, and sustainable travel initiatives.
Among those present during the meeting were representatives from the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA), the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) Kansai / JTB West Japan Area, the Japan Philippines Tourism Council (JPTC), HIS Co., Ltd. Kansai Regional Division, Nippon Travel Agency, Hankyu Travel International Co., Ltd., and
Also joining the dialogue were officials from Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific, two of the country’s leading carriers, helping facilitate the growing number of flights between Japan and the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said President Marcos stressed the administration’s focus on infrastructure development, citing the planned privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and upgrades to regional gateways.
These moves aim to accommodate direct flights from Japan to popular island destinations like Cebu, Palawan, Boracay, and Bohol, as well as emerging tourist spots.
LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III, for his part, said any fare adjustment is a “serious matter that requires careful study especially considering the current economic conditions.”
“We are not rushing into a decision. We are waiting for [DEPDev’s] analysis, and the Board will act based on facts and expert recommendation,” he said.
MOPS data showed the diesel prices in the world market have soared by $9.52 per barrel this week compared to last week. Kerosene also went up by $9.20 per barrel and gasoline by $5.63 per barrel.
Romero said the DOE will hold talks with oil firms early next week to appeal for a staggered implementation of the price increase.
Jetti Petroleum earlier said it is willing to comply with the staggered increase, if mandated.
The forecasted pump price increase next week will be the sixth consecutive week of increase for gasoline, the fourth consecutive week for diesel and the third consecutive week for kerosene. With AFP
The Japanese tourism leaders welcomed the initiatives, noting growing interest among Japanese travelers in authentic and immersive experiences across the Philippines.
"The President also highlighted the Department of Tourism’s ‘Philippine Experience Heritage, Culture, and Arts Caravans,’ which promote emerging destinations through our country’s festivals, food, music, history, and local crafts," Frasco added.
She noted that the Philippines has now fully recovered flight connectivity from Japan, and more than 700 kilometers of tourism roads have been constructed and improved nationwide to support tourism access.
“So I said, let’s stop for now. Let’s think about it carefully. Let’s look for new technology. There are new technologies,” he added.
The President said he was “very happy” with the decision to delay the project, adding, “Looks like it can be done in less than two years.”
Earlier this week, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said it may be possible to complete the project, billed, EDSA Rebuild, in six months if a contractor experienced in the latest construction technologies is tapped.
He pointed out that promising proposals may have already been put forward since the President gave the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) a month to rethink the planned rebuilding of the nation’s busiest thoroughfare.
“As far as I know, the DPWH is gathering proposals from various contractors, both domestic and foreign. This is because the President’s instructions are simple, two years is too long. It’s too much of an inconvenience to the public,” he said in Filipino.
“I have seen proposals from various groups that indicate that it [6-month deadline] is feasible. We have to choose new technologies. The conventional way of doing things will not do,” he added.
Castro noted that in just less than a month, Duterte went to four countries – the Netherlands, Qatar, Malaysia and Australia.
“So, kung doon po abala ang ating Bise Presidente sa mga personal trips niya o personal trips with her family, choice po ng Bise Presidente iyon (So, if our Vice President is busy with her personal trips or personal trips with her family, that’s the Vice President’s choice),” she said.
“So, wala po tayong masasabi. Kung anuman po ang ginagawa ngayon bilang Bise Presidente, ito po ang nakikita ng taumbayan sa kanyang ginagawa bilang isang halal na lider ng bansa (So, we have nothing to say. Whatever she is doing now as Vice President, this is what the people see in what she is doing as an elected leader of the country) Meanwhile, House of Representatives spokesperson lawyer Princess Abante scoffed at the Vice President’s latest trip where she is reportedly set to attend a “Free Duterte Now” rally in support of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Abante said she could not confirm whether the trip was personal or official, but emphasized that elected officials must use their time—whether at home or abroad—for the service of the people, not personal agendas.
“I am not sure if that is an official travel or if it’s a personal travel. But as an elected official, you should always spend your time to public service,” Abante stressed.
In the latest podcast interview aired yesterday, President Marcos said other countries give fare discounts to senior citizens and students.
“These are the sectors of the society na hirap sa cash. Walang pera ang estudyante usually. ‘Yung mga matatanda, kakaunti lang ang hawak nilang pera. So, bakit pa natin pababayarin? They already served the country,
na nagtrabaho sila ng buong buhay nila eh dapat naman bigyan natin ng kaunting benepisyo ‘yun ‘di ba?” the President said. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro however said the President’s desire to increase the senior discount to 50 percent is still “being studied.” ‘’As much as possible, the President wishes to make it free for everyone. But, we will study that and we cannot implement that immediately,’’ she said during a press briefing.
Upon the directive of President Marcos, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) yesterday increased the discount for all students from 20 percent to 50 percent for LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3. The increased student discount is available to all students, including those enrolled in postgraduate studies and law school programs, according to the DOTR. They only need to show their identification cards for the current school year. The discount is applicable every day, including weekends and holidays.
Under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, Student Fare Discount Act, and Magna Carta for Persons with Disability, senior citizens, students, and persons with disabilities are entitled to a 20% discount in public transportation fares. But the promo is valid for Single Journey Ticket only and not applicable for Beep Cards or Stored Value Tickets. Students must buy the ticket at the ticket counter to avail of the promo. It was not clear whether the new discount rate for students would only be for single journey tickets.
LAST MILE SCHOOL. Education Secretary Sonny Angara conducts a zoom call with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. at the Datu Saldong Domino Elementary School in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte — the first electrified school inaugurated under the agreement signed four months ago with NEA Administrator Antonio Almeda and the Department of Energy.
P10-b drugs seized in smuggle surge
IN BRIEF
PNP spokes reassigned as chief comptroller
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) spokesperson and concurrent Region
3 director Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo has been reassigned as chief of Directorate for Comptrollership effective June 20, 2025.
The position is tasked to assist the PNP chief in the administration and management of financial resources.
Fajardo replaces Maj. Gen. Neil Alinsangan who was designated as director of Area Police CommandEastern Mindanao.
Fajardo’s transfer forms part of a major reshuffle directed by PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III. Vince Lopez
BI official sheds light on dismissal rumors
BUREAU of Immigration (BI) Board of Special Inquiry (BSI) chief Gilberto Repizo on Friday clarified that he has not been dismissed from his position; but merely reassigned to another government office.
Repizo made the clarification following a decision of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to relieve him as head of BSI, citing alleged disputes with BI commissioner Joel Anthony Viado.
Repizo said he was reassigned to the main office of the Department of Justice (DOJ), following reports that he was sacked by Remulla.
“First of all, we acknowledge the authority of the Secretary of the Department of Justice in issuing this kind of order. This is because the DOJ has supervision and administrative control over the Bureau of Immigration, including the NBI and the Bilibid prison, so this authority falls under the powers of our Secretary,” Repizo said. Vito Barcelo
Makati City celebrates ‘Spread the Love’ affair
THE Makati City government on Friday announced that Mayor Abigail Binay will lead this year’s celebration of “Spread the Love, Makati!” along Makati Avenue in Barangay Poblacion on Saturday, June 21. The event is Makati’s way of supporting Pride Month this June, with the city staging its own Pride March, that emphasizes its call for inclusivity and unity with the LGBTQIA+ movement.
The affair will feature fun and exciting booths, engaging discussions on inclusive development and cultural diversity, and live performances from celebrity guests and LGBTQIA+ artists. The Makati Avenue stretch from J.P. Rizal St. to Kalayaan Ave. will be closed to vehicular traffic during the
Palace calls Roque’s dare to ‘come and get me’
“WAIT and see.’’
This was the curt reply of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) to the challenge of former presidential spokesman Harry Roque for the Philippine authorities to come and get him.
‘’The Department of Justice is just waiting for the formal notice regarding the asylum. If he’s saying, ‘Come and get me,’ the government responds with, ‘wait and
see, ‘’ PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a news briefing in Malacañang on Friday.
Roque described earlier as ‘fake news” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla’s pronouncement that Roque’s request for political asylum was denied by The Hague and was eyeing Germany as an option.
Roque countered that his trip to Germany was pre-planned, and
Divers to look for missing ‘sabungeros’ at Taal Lake
By Vince Lopez
THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said it supports government efforts to deliver justice to the families of 34 missing sabungeros who were allegedly murdered.
PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said they heed the call of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla for the help of PCG and Navy divers in finding the remains of the victims who were allegedly dumped at the Taal Lake in Batangas province.
The information reportedly came from a source who offered to be a whistleblower in the case.
“If the DOJ needs the expertise of our men and women to confirm or reject this piece of information as part of the case build-up, we will be there,” Gavan vowed.
The PCG chief has already directed the Coast Guard Special Operations Force (CGSOF) to coordinate with the DOJ, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Philippine Navy (PN) for the immediate deployment of divers in the search for the sabungeros’ remains.
he is now back in The Netherlands.
According to Remulla, the DOJ will wait for the results of Roque’s political asylum bid in Germany, adding they might no longer request his extradition if his passport were cancelled.
Castro, meanwhile, has said that the DOJ’s intelligence assets have been monitoring Roque’s moves overseas. Charles Dantes
By Rex Espiritu and Joel E. Zurbano
ATOTAL of 1.5 tons of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P10billion were seized off the coast of Zambales early Friday morning, the Philippine Navy said.
Meanwhile, government agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport foiled an attempt to smuggle into the country over ₱16 million worth of ketamine and cannabis at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City.
According to Navy spokesman Capt. John Percie Alcos, the case build up and subsequent apprehension was a joint operation of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Northern Luzon Naval Command.
The seized illegal substance was taken to the Naval Operating Base in Subic for documentation and turnover to proper authorities.
“This is one of the largest illegal drug apprehensions in the history of the Philippine Navy in support of the national government’s campaign against prohibited substances,” Alcos said.
In another development, a composite team from the NAIA Interagency Drug Interdiction Task Group, the Bureau of Customs, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the Philippine National Police - Aviation Security Group (PNP-Avsegroup) interdicted the P16-milllion marijuana shipment confiscated at the Pasay mail exchange facility.
The packages which came from the United States, Poland, and Thailand, were flagged during routine X-ray screenings which indicated the presence of suspicious images. This prompted immediate K9 inspections and manual checks, leading to the discovery of illegal drugs hidden inside the parcels. During the operation, 3,025 grams of suspected ketamine, concealed inside a coffee maker, with an estimated street value of ₱15.1 million and 858 grams of suspected marijuana kush, concealed in multiple boxes and vacuum-sealed bags with a street value of ₱1.13 million were seized.
Malacañang considers options to fight digital misinformation
By Charles Dantes
media briefing.
“But most likely it will be included in the SONA,” she added, suggesting that a broader response to digital disinformation may be included in the SONA. The House of Representatives earlier flagged the threats posed by deepfakes, with some lawmakers expressing concerns over the spread of manipulated videos that could mislead the public, especially if these falsely depicted President Marcos delivering fabricated statements. Castro recalled that the President himself recently addressed the issue of fake news in his Independence Day message, signalling Malacañang’s plan to crack down on digital misinformation. Government agencies, including the PCO, are expected to enhance their information verification efforts and public awareness campaigns as part of a wider push to preserve the integrity of official communications in the internet.
ABANDONED SHABU. P olice investigators go over a suitcase containing containin over P30 kilos of shabu estimated at P204
TRIBAL WARRIOR. Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas leads the unveiling of a Dinagyang Warriors three-dimensional mural created by Himbon artists, now on display at the city’s Esplanade.
BUMPER HARVEST OF TOBACCO LEAVES. Tobacco farmers of Candon, Ilocos Sur are having a field
their prize leaves ready for the market. Revoli Cortez
Media group: Allow jail visit for Cumpio
By Rex Espiritu
THE Movement for Media Safety Philippines
(MMSP) on Friday expressed serious concern over prison officials’ refusal to allow jailed journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio to receive visits from her colleagues, calling the move a troubling restriction on press freedom.
“The refusal of jail authorities in Tacloban to allow press freedom advocates a proper visit with detained journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio is both unacceptable and deeply alarming,” MMSP said in a statement.
International and local press freedom groups were barred from meeting Cumpio during a scheduled visit to the Tacloban City Jail on Monday, June 16.
In a statement, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said Cumpio, 26, was only allowed to appear from a distance, separated by three layers of prison bars. Cumpio was visited by RSF along with representatives from AlterMidya, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Free Press Unlimited, and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.
“This incident sends a chilling message about the state of human rights and media freedom in the Philippines,” MMSP added.
According to the MMSP, Cumpio’s prolonged pre-trial detention and the irregularities in the legal proceedings reflect a broader pattern of harassment and legal persecution faced by journalists in the Philippines, particularly those reporting on human rights, marginalized communities, and local abuses of power.
Cumpio, along with human rights advocates Mariel Domequil and Alexander Philip Abinguna, was arrested on February 7, 2020.
‘Finish San Juanico rehab by Dec.’
AICS program open to anyone in crisis—DSWD
By Maricel V. Cruz
THE Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development is a catch-all, all inclusive, stop-gap measure, with the assistance provided depending on the situation being faced by the client – whether poor or middle-class, an agency official said.
DSWD Director Edwin Morata of the Crisis Intervention Division (CID) also debunked prevailing perception that the AICS program was only for the poor and that the program was making the beneficiaries “lazy” and dependent on the agency.
“What is targeted here in AICS is the crisis situation, because we believe in the scientific view of the social worker that a person may have the ability to respond to his needs but there is a situation that shocked them and their capacity to provide for their situation. So, this is where AICS comes in,” Morata said.
The CID director also reiterated there was no need for a referral letter for those who are genuinely experiencing a crisis.
Those in need and would like to avail of the program may go directly to the DSWD offices nearest to their residences from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays to Fridays, Morata said.
“AICS is a catch all. We don’t
choose anyone here, rich or poor, with or without a job. If there is a situation that affects their individual methods, we help,” he added.
Aside from the poor and the vulnerable, the DSWD also provides the AICS to those financially incapacitated; internally displaced persons; and persons of concerns such as refugees, asylum seekers, and families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
“AICS is not merely ‘help.’ This is ‘ayuda’ with a heart and process. It’s not just about giving money here. Our social workers are really studying what aspects can be given to them contained in the program,” Morata said.
By Charles Dantes
PRESIDENT Ferdinand
“Bongbong” Marcos Jr. gave a December deadline for the rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge, warning government agency heads to restore partial truck access before the end of the year or submit their resignations
“If you don’t finish this on time, I’ll accept your resignation,” President Marcos said in a podcast interview, calling the deadline a “test” for those involved in the rehabilitation effort.
The iconic bridge, which connects the islands of Leyte and Samar, has been undergoing major repairs that have severely disrupted supply routes and affected thousands of motorists and businesses in the neighboring regions.
As the longest bridge in the Philippines over water, it is a vital link in the country’s transport network, handling over 1,400 trucks daily under normal conditions.
Amid the delays, President Marcos ordered the Philippine Coast Guard to prioritize the transport of perishable goods, which have been spoiling due to shipping backlogs of up to five days.
“This isn’t just a regional issue anymore,” President Marcos said, citing complaints from businesses as far south as Mindanao.
Currently, only private vehicles are allowed to cross the bridge, forcing cargo trucks to reroute via roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferries.
Mr. Marcos said the government aims to restore access to trucks weighing up to 12 tons by yearend as part of efforts to ease logistical bottlenecks caused by the bridge’s limited capacity. He also revealed that years of neglected maintenance led to the current condition of the bridge, despite previous records claiming completed repairs.
“Our engineers were shocked. It turns out the maintenance work wasn’t actually done,” the President said.
Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro fired back at Senator Imee Marcos for criticizing the government’s efforts to rehabilitate the San Juanico Bridge.
The senator and presidential sister even remarked: “Sana ako na lang nag-presidente.” (“I should have just run for president.”)
BRIEF
Bulacan governor ramps up response to mpox cases
BULACAN Gov. Daniel Fernando has ordered city and municipal mayors, as well as barangay captains, to prepare temporary treatment and monitoring facilities for mpox cases.
This was after the province recorded two confirmed cases of mpox in San Jose Del Monte City, the Provincial Public Affairs Office (PPAO) said.
“We have nothing to worry about because the provincial government is doing everything to keep Bulacan residents safe from mpox,” Fernando said. PPAO said the two mpox cases in the province, which have since recovered, were confirmed to have contracted the Clade II strain, a less severe variant of mpox virus. It added the two cases were not linked to each other, and that all identified close contacts were asymptomatic and have completed isolation protocols as a precautionary measure. Rex Espiritu
MIAA to enforce stricter rules vs. erring personnel
THE Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is set to implement stricter internal policies against personnel involved in extortion, theft, bribery, and other illegal activities and irregularities that put the country’s premier airport in a bad light.
“To reinforce accountability and integrity within its ranks, the MIAA will implement stricter internal policies aligned with Civil Service regulations. Personnel found guilty of violating these policies will face appropriate administrative sanctions, including fines and possible dismissal, in accordance with applicable laws and procedures,” MIAA General Manager Eric Jose Ines said in a statement.
This followed reports that five members of the Airport Police Department (APD) assigned to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 were implicated in a 60/40 extortion scheme involving taxi drivers. Joel E. Zurbano
Taguig readies for major earthquake with drill
THE Taguig city government underscored the significance of disaster preparedness among health and special care institutions during the 2nd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill held on Thursday, June 19.
By Rio N. Araja
THE Quezon City government, the University of the Philippines Diliman, and the Pride PH Coalition formally signed a memorandum of agreement to co-organize the 2025 edition of “Lov3Laban: Pride PH Festival” as part of this year’s Pride Month celebration.
“For years, QC has stood as a proud ally of the LGBTQIA+ community — not merely in words but through concrete policies and programs that truly champion gender equality. We are happy to host this festival once again as a testament to our support for the community’s fight for equal rights and celebration of their love and identities,” Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
“We vow to the rainbow community that the Quezon City Government will continue to advance inclusive initiatives and promote equal opportunities for as long as inequality exists and members of the community continue to face barriers in living freely,” she added. Under the memorandum, the partners pledged to collaborate on staging a series of events for the festival, dubbed “Lovelaban sa Diliman” on June 28 at UP Diliman. This will feature a Pride Expo, Pride March, Pride Night, and Pride Villages spread across Quezon City to offer safer environments, greater visibility, and more diverse programming. Belmonte said the partnership underscores the city’s long-standing commitment to inclusivity, noting that this marks the fourth year of collaboration with the Pride PH Coalition.
Taguig is among the cities identified as likely to be severely affected in the event of a major earthquake in the National Capital Region.
Key focus areas in the latest earthquake drill included the Taguig City General Hospital (TCGH) and the Yakap Center for Children with Disabilities—facilities that require specialized protocols to ensure the safety of patients and residents during emergencies.
“Earthquake drills are essential, especially in facilities where patients and children require guided assistance. These exercises help us identify gaps, improve response time, and strengthen our systems,” said Mayor Laarni Cayetano. Led by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the citywide drill tested evacuation procedures, casualty management, and emergency response protocols, particularly in highrisk, high-responsibility environments where lives depend on fast and coordinated actions. Joel Zurbano
COMRADES. The Philippine Air Force marks the opening of Cadre Training Class 2025 at Edwin Andrews Air Base. The Cadre Training Class 2025 comprises 101 ROTC cadets representing schools from Western Mindanao, including the Zamboanga Peninsula, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
IMPROVISED PROTECTION. Some learners of the Rafael Palma Elementary School in Manila wear red hard hats while others use improvised thick boxes to cover their heads during the 2nd Quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Yancy Lim
BY THE SEA. A fisherman from Bulan, Sorsogon prepares his net and catch at the shoreline. Arturo De Vera Jr
OPINION
Dumaguete interlude
DUMAGUETE CITY – This column comes out on my last morning in this gentle city, ready to board a Manilabound plane in the late afternoon. I spent the past two weeks here as a fellow of the Silliman University National Writers Workshop. It is only now, when I am a year shy of 50, that I am able to return to what has been an aspiration since college days.
I already had great expectations of the workshop because of its prestige and its 63-year history, especially its role in shaping Filipino writers from all over the country. But the actual experience of coming here far exceeded these expectations, and in ways I never imagined.
My eight companions and I live in an old house that could easily pass for haunted, given its appearance and its age. I share a room with a girl and we have agreed to keep the lights on at night, in the hopes it would lessen the likelihood of any otherworldly episodes. After many days, however, even the strangeness has come to seem...familiar.
We refer to our residence as “cottage” or “dorm.” Here, too, I realize, this is what dorm life is about. I have always wondered what it was like to be “just” a student, living on your own and trying to relate with your peers. The meals are ready and you just have to show up. Make sure you are never late for the sessions. Read to get a sense of the pieces assigned, and then read again, this time, closely. Like a good student, participate in the sessions. Listen to the greats. And when your work is discussed, be amazed at how other people spent time and effort going into your world, caring enough to comment on what you created. Take them all in – the praises and the criticism – with humility and grace. As the days passed I found myself forgetting the life I paused back in QC. That life was crazy – plenty of work and personal/ domestic concerns. I work from home but it is precisely because of this that boundaries are easily blurred. Aside from teaching, I write for a living. Projects and deadlines loom large in my head. I sometimes fall asleep only to wake up at dawn with a jolt – acknowledging that there is yet another thing I have not yet done, even as I struggle to remember what that
something is. Fortunately, I did not leave children behind. My kids are no longer that –they are adults that could very well survive without me. I have to put my trust in the way that I brought them up, so that they are now able to fend for themselves, find meaning in what they do, and most especially to be kind to each other and to others. Mercifully they left me alone, not updating me what they are up to every minute, except to throw in the occasional “how are you?” or “we miss you” or share the obligatory meme. There was also one instance when one of them happened to be here and treated me to a nice Father’s Day dinner. Here I am just another fellow, the second-oldest in a group composed mostly of thirty somethings (our youngest fellow is my older son’s age) but I feel neither ascendancy or insecurity because of how old I am.
Soon I will get back to the life I paused.
Back home, I was anxious because of my health, always mindful of when I should see doctors and what medicines I need to take. I was restricting myself from eating things that give me too much joy. Here, while I am mindful of the hours I need to take my medicine, I mostly live in moderation. I try to halve everything I eat – quite a simple, but not always a doable – formula. We do a lot of walking anyway. I find that I do not need to aspire to a long life as much as I need to live a life of meaning, hoping to make a difference for others. It’s easy to fall into stereotypes for writers. But living with so many of them, being in constant interaction with writers for two full weeks, has shown me that people are different as much as they are the same. This acknowledgment gives me the capacity to be more accepting, yes, but to also be firm with boundaries.
The interlude is ending; soon I will get back to the life I paused. I return much humbled, with a renewed sense of purpose and a stronger commitment to do what I feel I was born to do. adellechua@gmail.com
Can NATO keep Trump on-message about
Russia threat?
BRUSSELS– When leaders from NATO’s 32 countries gather for a summit in The Hague next week, most want to send a clear message: Russia is the main threat to their alliance.
But the loudest voice in the room likely won’t be on the same page. Since coming back to office, US President Donald Trump has upended the West’s approach towards Russia’s war on Ukraine by undercutting Kyiv and opening the door to closer ties with Moscow. While the volatile leader has expressed some frustration with Russia’s Vladimir Putin for refusing a ceasefire, he has steered clear of punishing the Kremlin.
At a G7 summit this week Trump made waves by saying the group of industrialized countries should never have expelled Russia.
Ahead of the Hague gathering, diplomats at NATO have been wrangling over a five-paragraph summit statement, with many countries pressing for a full-throated assertion of the menace from Moscow.
That, they say, will help explain the main thrust of the meeting: an agreement for countries to ramp up defense spending to satisfy Trump’s demand for it to reach five percent of GDP.
Since the Kremlin launched its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the alliance has called Russia “the most significant and direct threat to allies’ security and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area.”
But this time around the United States -- backed up by Moscowfriendly Hungary and Slovakia -- has
been intent on watering that down.
Diplomats have been juggling with variants such as referring to “threats, including Russia” or mentioning “the long-term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security”.
The verbal nuances may seem slight, but they mean a lot to those countries being asked to massively ramp up spending and those on NATO’s eastern flank most threatened by the Kremlin.
Even if NATO does opt for stronger wording on Moscow, there is always the possibility that Trump could show up in The Hague and directly contradict it
NATO has warned that Russia could be ready to attack an alliance country within five years.
“If we can get Trump to sign off on calling Russia a long-term threat then that would be a good result,” a senior European diplomat told AFP.
As US peace efforts between Russia and Ukraine have stalled, the diplomat said that Washington appeared to have “moved a centimeter in our direction” on taking a stronger stance on Russia.
“Of course more hawkish countries want to go further -- but just getting Trump to agree that would still be
EDITORIAL
Re-examining the K-12 curriculum
ACADEMIC year 2025-2026 has shifted to first gear in the third week of this month, as 27 million enrollees were expected back to their classrooms, with leaders and critics’ eyes focused once more on the K-12 basic system of education.
Of the total, 4.7 million were expected to have registered for the Grades 11 and 12 levels.
The 13-year basic education program, carried through in 2013 when then President Benigno Aquino III signed the proposed measure sponsored by then Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, now the education secretary, and supported by Senator Jinggoy Estrada.
This week, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he would leave it up to Congress to decide whether or not to abolish the K-12 basic system of education, underlining he wants improvements while it remains in place.
The 13-year program includes Kindergarten and 12 years of schooling (six years of elementary, four years of junior high and two years of senior high).
The law sought to make Filipino students globally competitive by providing a more comprehensive, learn-
fine,” the diplomat said.
Part of the US reasoning is that Washington is more worried about the threat China poses worldwide -- and that Russia is more a problem just in Europe.
“Russia is the near threat,” said US ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker.
“But China is obviously a big challenge for all of us, and we need to be allied and address those threats as well.”
Camille Grand of the European Council on Foreign Relations said that beneath the diplomatic fine-tuning, NATO was being confronted by a “fundamental question”.
er-centered, and contextually relevant education system. But critics of the curriculum said it has failed to deliver its promise, and had only produced overburdened teachers and students.
We join the rest of the population in waiting for a thoughtful review of the K-12 curriculum
The President, in a mix of English and Filipino in his episode of BBM Podcast, said “It’s costing parents more because we added two more years. They have to pay tuition, buy school supplies, buy books.
“But after 10 years, there was no ad-
“How does the United States view Russia?” he said. “So far we haven’t really got an answer.”
Even if NATO does opt for stronger wording on Moscow, there is always the possibility that Trump could show up in The Hague and directly contradict it. But the debate could come into sharper focus in the months after the summit when the United States could announce a pull-back of forces in Europe as part of a review of its global deployments.
One area where Washington appears clearly not on board with most other allies is on backing Ukraine. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelen-
vantage. There was no improvement, and graduates still can’t find jobs.”
The President added while there have been mounting calls to abolish the program, the Department of Education must push for improvement particularly in the graduates’ chances of finding employment while the K-12 system is still in place.
The President recommended partnering with the private sector to lessen job mismatch.
In a volte-face, Senate President Pro Tempore Estrada said filed Senate Bill 3001, or the Ratinalized Basic Education Act, seeking to remove senior high school, citing its failure to achieve its intended goals.
Estrada’s measure does not repeal Republic Act 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 in its entirety but aims to eliminate the additional two years of senior high school, which have cost students and parents both time and money but falling short on its promises.
“Ever since this education reform was put in place, it has been met with criticisms and objections from various groups. It has been 12 years now since the enactment of the law, yet it still has not fully achieved its goal,” Estrada said in a statement.
We join the rest of the population in waiting for a thoughtful review of the K-12 curriculum.
skyy is set to attend on the sidelines of the summit but his involvement is being kept to a minimum to avoid a bust-up with Trump.
Diplomats said there should be a reference in the summit statement linking new defense spending to helping Ukraine -- but there will be no talk of Kyiv’s long-term push to join NATO.
“The US does not see Ukrainian security as essential to European security,” said Kurt Volker, a former US ambassador to NATO.
“Our European allies do, so they feel that if Putin is allowed to prevail in Ukraine, or if Ukraine does not survive as a sovereign, independent state, they are at risk.” AFP
Thai PM to meet army commander to defuse crisis threatening her gov’t
BANGKOK—Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will on Friday visit an army commander she called an “opponent” in a leaked phone call as she battles to defuse a crisis threatening to topple her government.
The 38-year-old leader, in office for less than a year, was forced to make a public apology on Thursday as anger flared over the call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen that appeared online. Her main coalition partner, the conservative Bhumjaithai party, pulled out on Wednesday saying she had insulted the country and the army, putting her government on the point of collapse.
There was better news for Paetongtarn, daughter of controversial billionaire ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, on Friday as another important
coalition partner, the conservative Democrat Party, pledged to stay.
“The Democrat Party will remain in the government to help resolve the challenges the country is currently facing,” the party said in a statement.
Another coalition party, Chartthaipattana, said late on Thursday that it would not withdraw, after urgent talks on the crisis with the Democrats and the United Thai Nation party.
With the departure of Bhumjaithai, the government led by Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai party now holds a razorthin majority in parliament.
Losing another major partner would likely see the government collapse, plunging the kingdom into fresh political instability as it grapples with a stuttering economy and US President Donald Trump’s threatened trade tariffs. AFP
European, Iranian diplomats meet as US mulls joining Israel crusade
JERUALEM—European foreign ministers will hold talks Friday with their Iranian counterpart, hoping to reach a diplomatic solution to the war with Israel as US President Donald Trump mulls the prospect of US involvement.
Israel, claiming Iran was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon, launched air strikes against its arch-enemy a week ago, triggering deadly exchanges.
Sirens sounded in southern Israel on Friday morning after missiles were launched from Iran, the Israeli army said. It earlier warned people in Iran’s northern industrial area of Sefidrood to evacuate ahead of Israeli strikes.
Nicaragua’s critic shot dead in exile in Costa Rica
MORAVIA, Costa Rica—A retired Nicaraguan soldier who has fiercely criticized President Daniel Ortega from exile was shot dead Thursday (Friday in Manila) in neighboring Costa Rica, his family and officials said.
Major Roberto Samcam, 66, was gunned down at his apartment building in San Jose, reportedly by men pretending to deliver a package.
“It was something we did not expect, we could not have imagined it,” Samantha Jiron, Samcam’s adoptive daughter, told AFP from her home in Madrid, adding her father was shot eight times.
“Roberto was a powerful voice” who “directly denounced the dictatorship” of Ortega, Samcam’s wife Claudia Vargas told reporters in San Jose as she fought back tears. His job, she said, was to “expose human rights violations” in his homeland.
Nicaraguan rights groups blamed the government of Ortega and his wife and co-president Rosario Murillo.
“It is an act of cowardice and criminal political revenge by the dictatorship of Nicaragua,” the country’s former ambassador to the Organization of American States, Arturo McFields, who lives in exile in the United States, wrote on X.
The US State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs said on X that it was “shocked” by Samcam’s murder and offered Costa Rica help in “holding the assassins and those behind them accountable.”
Samcam, who was a political analyst, had spoken out frequently against the government in Managua, which he fled in 2018 to live with his wife in Costa Rica.
That year, protests against Ortega’s government were violently repressed, resulting in over 300 deaths, according to the UN.
In January last year, another Nicaraguan opposition activist living in Costa Rica, Joao Maldonado, was shot while driving with his girlfriend in San Jose. Both were seriously wounded.
While the motive of that attack was the object of much speculation, Samcam’s killing fueled suspicion among Nicaraguans that it may have been linked to his political activities. AFP
Israeli police said they, emergency response teams and bomb disposal experts were operating “at the site of a projectile impact” in a southern city, while the rescue service said it had not received reports of any wounded.
The country’s military, meanwhile, said it had struck dozens of targets in Tehran overnight, including what it called a
MEXICO IS WARMING.
People gather in an area affected following the passage of Hurricane Erick in Chacahua, Oaxaca state, Mexico on Friday after it was downgraded to a tropical storm as it advanced through southern Mexico, after entering the country’s Pacific coast early on, where it left only material damage, authorities reported. The message is dire. Mexico is warming faster than the rest of the planet, and at an ever increasing rate. AFP
center for the “research and development of Iran’s nuclear weapons project”.
European leaders urging de-escalation have scrambled to hold talks with Iran, as Trump said he would decide “within the next two weeks” whether to involve the United States in Israel’s bombing campaign.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet with his French, German, British and EU counterparts in Geneva on Friday to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme.
Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy said “a window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution,” after meeting senior US
officials in Washington on Thursday. Lammy and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio “agreed Iran can never develop or acquire a nuclear weapon”, according to the State Department. Netanyahu welcomed the prospect of US involvement in its campaign, while Russia, an Iranian ally, told the United States that joining the conflict would be an “extremely dangerous step.”
The UN Security Council is also due to convene on Friday for a second session on the conflict, which was requested by Iran with support from Russia, China and Pakistan, a diplomat told AFP on Wednesday. AFP
MEXICO CITY—In the scant seven years from 2017, when “Despacito” was a reggaeton smash hit, the average temperature in continental Mexico rose nearly 0.5 degrees Celsius (0.8 Fahrenheit).
This rate of warming was almost twice as fast as in the 47 years from 1977, when “Hotel California” by The Eagles was a chart topper for a different generation.
Scientist Francisco Estrada Porrua leads a project using musical, cultural and historical reference points to try and bring home to Mexicans “the velocity of the change we are living through” due to global warming.
The message is dire. Mexico is warming faster than the rest of the planet, and at an ever increasing rate.
“Nearly 30 percent of all warming (in Mexico) occurred in the last seven years,” Estrada, a researcher with the National Autonomous University of Mexico’s PINCC climate change program, told AFP.
Measured on its own, Mexico has already exceeded the targeted 2.0 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) threshold for average global warming from pre-industrial levels.
Part of the reason is quicker-thanaverage warming of the Gulf of Mexico, partly due to its location and semi-
enclosed shape, according to studies. Here are excerpts from an interview Estrada gave to AFP as Mexico dealt with the fallout of Hurricane Erick, the latest major storm to hit its shores as climate change makes hurricanes stronger and more frequent.
• We are warming up significantly faster than the global average. The global warming rate is 2.0 degrees (Celsius) per century, and in Mexico, we have around 3.2 degrees per century. We have regions in Mexico, such as the north, where warming rates reach 6.0 degrees per century—three times higher than the global average. AFP
HOUSTON—A SpaceX Starship rocket exploded during a routine ground test in Texas late Wednesday, the company said, in the latest setback to billionaire Elon Musk’s dream of sending humans to Mars. The explosion—which sent a towering fireball into the air— happened at the Starbase launch facility at about 11:00 pm (0400 GMT Thursday), SpaceX and law enforcement officials said.
As the company prepared for a static fire test, “a sudden energetic event resulted in the complete loss of Starship and damage to the immediate area surrounding the
IN BRIEF
stand,” it said Thursday, updating its initial statement.
“The explosion ignited several fires at the test site which remains clear of personnel,” it said.
“As is the case before any test, a safety zone was established around the test site and was maintained throughout the operation. There are no reported injuries, and all personnel are safe and accounted for.”
During a static fire test, part of the procedures preceding a launch, the Starship’s first-stage Super Heavy booster would be anchored to the ground to prevent it from lifting off during the test-firing.
AFP
CLACKING CLOCK. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt calls on reporters during a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on Friday in Washington, DC. Where she announced that
President Donald Trump will make a decision on whether the United States will get directly involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran in the next two weeks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the prospect of US involvement in its campaign, while Russia, an Iranian ally, told the United States that joining the conflict would be an ‘extremely dangerous step.’ AFP
NEW YORK—World number one Scottie Scheffler fired an eagle and seven birdies in an eight-under-par 62 to seize a share of the first-round lead alongside Austin Eckroat in the US PGA Tour Travelers Championship in Connecticut on Thursday.
After six birdies in the first 12 holes, Scheffler tied Eckroat on eight-under with a 10-foot eagle putt at the par-five 13th.
He landed his second shot from the left rough within five feet at the parfour 15th and made that for birdie and the solo lead, and even after a bogey at the 17th the US star was pleased with a round played in tougher afternoon conditions.
“I did a lot of good stuff,” Scheffler said. “I felt like the conditions were pretty challenging out there, especially late in the day. I was able to hole some nice putts as well.” Scheffler set up his eagle at 13 with
a “really nice” three-iron.
“Very rarely throughout a tournament do you hit one exactly how I intend to, and that was one of the few,” Scheffler said.
The leading pair were two shots clear of a trio headlined by world number two Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy, coming off a disappointing US Open run last week, had six birdies without a bogey and was joined on sixunder by major winners Keegan Bradley and Wyndham Clark on 64.
McIlroy said the more forgiving TPC River Highlands layout was “a nice tonic” after the brutal US Open setup at Oakmont, but said his focus was not
Capital1 boosts roster, signs Malabanan, 4 others
AFTER making three-time UAAP
MVP Bella Belen as the overall No. 1 pick, the Capital1 Solar Spikers never stopped in their determined search for the right pieces to make the team’s puzzle complete.
In their desire to go deep in the coming PVL season, the Capital1 Solar Spikers have added a good mix of veteran and promising players as they intend to surround Belen with dependable players – one who will not hesitate to give it her all once given the opportunity.
Mandy Romero, who co-owns the team with sister Milka, said they welcomed Jerrili Malabanan, Rachel Austero, Keceryn Galdones, Nikka Yandoc and Ypril Tapia with deep enthusiasm just like when they picked Belen in the recent PVL Rookie Draft.
Given the chance to shine, Romero believes these players will do everything to help elevate the team’s level of play when they go up against the league’s powerhouse teams.
A former FEU star who last played for Cignal, Malabanan is expected
to boost the Capital1’s offense being a deadly opposite hitter, while Austero has made a name playing middle blocker for College of St. Benilde in the NCAA.
Having played for University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP, both Galdones and Tapia are also waiting for the perfect time to show their worth and hopefully it would come with their Capital1stint and so is Yandoc –a crafty setter from Adamson.
Among the veterans in the team are Jorelle Singh, Syd Niegos, Roma Doromal, Leila Cruz, Iris Tolenada, May Macatuno, Shola Alvarez, Trisha Genesis, Jenya Torres, Kath Villegas, Rovie Instrella, and Rica Rivera.
Apart from Belen, Capital1 also drafted middle blockers Pia Abbu of the University of Santo Tomas in the second round and Ivy Aquino of the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies in the third round.
The team – now handled by Alas Women’s team coach Jorge Souza de Brito – is now Vigan for the PVL on Tour starting on Sunday.
Scheffler shares lead at PGA meet
so much on winning but on his game.
“I just want to see some good golf and see some better shots,” said McIlroy, who completed his career Grand Slam with a victory at the Masters in April.
“I think if you concentrate on that and you’re concentrating on your quality of golf and concentrating on just trying to play to the best of your ability, the result will take care of itself.”
Eckroat had set an early target with his career-low score on the PGA Tour, crediting an adjustment to his grip with sorting out a tendency to miss left that has contributed to eight missed cuts this season.
- Spieth withdraws -
“It’s funny,” Eckroat said, “a lot of Wednesdays I’ve felt really good going into the tournament and then Thursday comes around and it hasn’t been there.
“I don’t know if it’s just the stress of playing in a PGA Tour event, but this one, it was nice to feel good on
Wednesday and then actually take it into Thursday.”
Eckroat, a two-time winner on the tour, got off to a solid start with three birdies on the front nine then stormed home. He drilled a 35-foot eagle putt at the 13th, then birdied 14, 15 and 18.
Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth was forced to withdraw from the elite signature event after 13 holes as pain in his upper back and neck affected his swing.
Spieth said the injury came on suddenly on Thursday morning and he hoped to play through it, but he was five-over for his round when he decided to call it quits -- the first time he has withdrawn from a PGA Tour event in 297 career starts.
“It just became too much,” Spieth said.
US Open champion J.J. Spaun got off to a rocky start in the wake of his first major title, carding a threeover-par 73. AFP
From ‘tsinelas’ to champion: TNT Tropang 5G ignites dreams through grassroots basketball
JOJO Lastimosa still remembers the cracked pavement of Cagayan de Oro where his basketball journey began.
“We didn’t have fancy courts or gear—just one hoop, one ball, tsinelas lang, and a lot of heart,” he shared. “But that was enough to dream.”
Now a PBA legend and TNT Tropang 5G team manager, coach Jolas is returning to his roots—not just to reminisce, but to give back. Through RHJ on Tour 2025, TNT’s latest grassroots basketball initiative, Coach Jolas is mentoring the next generation of Filipino athletes.
“There’s no shortcut to success,” he said. “You have to show up every day, train hard, and stay disciplined. That’s what I tell the kids—learn to coach yourself, stay away from distractions, and always listen to your parents.” RHJ on Tour 2025, named after TNT’s star import Rondae HollisJefferson, is more than a basketball clinic. It’s a movement to inspire and empower. Running every weekend until July, the tour brings free training to youth across Metro Manila
Bataan hosts 5150 FAB Triathlon
BATAAN is set to make history again – this time, in the spirit of sportsmanship and endurance – as it stages the first 5150 FAB Triathlon on Nov. 16, a milestone event that aims to put the province on the map of premier triathlon destinations in the country.
Known for its pivotal role in World War II through the Battle of Bataan and the Bataan Death March, the province now shifts from a legacy of sacrifice to one of strength and resilience – this time in the arena of sport.
Organized by Sunrise Events, Inc., the 5150 FAB Triathlon is expected to draw athletes from across the region and beyond to compete in the Olympic distance format – a 1.5-km swim, 40-km bike ride and 10-km run. The event was formally launched in a recent press conference led by Hussein Pangandaman, Administrator and CEO of the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), who promised an unforgettable experience for athletes and spectators alike.
“The 5150 FAB Triathlon reflects our strong belief in the Freeport’s capacity to become a hub for world-class sporting events,” said Pangandaman. “It’s an opportunity to showcase not just our worldclass facilities, but also Bataan’s stunning coastal landscapes and the indomitable community spirit that defines our people.” Registration is now open. For details and listup, visit www.ironman.com/races/5150-fab/register. More than just a race, Pangandaman emphasized the triathlon’s broader economic and cultural impact.
Nueva Ecija extends hot streak to 16
PACESETTER Nueva Ecija cruised past Cebu, 108-78, on Thursday for its 16th straight win in Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
leader he is.”
Hollis-Jefferson, who played six seasons in the NBA prior to joining TNT Tropang 5G, is joined by TNT icons Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo, Bong Ravena, and Coach Jolas himself. Together, they teach not just dribbling and shooting, but values like teamwork, resilience, and humility.
“TNT, Smart, and PLDT have always believed in the power of sports to build a better nation,” said Jude Turcuato, Head of Sports at PLDT and Smart. “Basketball is more than a game—to Filipinos especially, it’s a bridge to opportunity, a tool for unity, and a source of hope.”
Powered by TNT 5G, the program also connects young athletes to digital resources, helping them grow on and off the court.
Coach Jolas summed it up best:
“We may not have had the best facilities growing up, but we had passion. And that’s what we’re passing on—heart, hustle, and the belief that greatness can come from anywhere.”
Powered by veteran John Wilson, new acquisition Nick Demusis, and Jammer Jamito, the Rice Vanguards turned hot in the second half, leading as far as 91-56 to remain unbeaten in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament. San Juan trounced Pasig, 77-64, in the nightcap to catch up with Abra at 14-1 in the chase for playoff berths. Wilson posted 17 points, including 3 triples, 3 rebounds and 2 assists; Demusis, formerly of the Bacoor Strikers, tallied 13 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals to clinch best player honors. Jamito came through with 10 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists to complement Toto Villarias’ 15 points, 3 steals and 2 rebounds, and Jayvee Marcelino’s 11 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Cebu, fielding only 7 players, fell to 4-12 despite Jan Jamon’s 15 points and 8 rebounds, Paulo Hubalde’s 15 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds, Dolan Adlawan’s 12 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks, Ken Holmqvist’s 12 points and 8 rebounds, and Mark Meneses’ 10 points plus 12 rebounds.
Scottie Scheffler fires an eagle and seven birdies in an eight-underpar 62 score.
Nick Demusis of Nueva Ecija
Coach Jojo Lastimosa and TNT’s star import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson with campers
SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 2025
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor
Sinner shocked in Halle
HALLE WESTFALEN, Germany —
Defending champion Jannik Sinner lost his second-round match on grass at Halle on Thursday to Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, the Italian’s first tournament since his French Open final defeat.
The world number one fell 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to the 45th-ranked Bublik for the 23-year-old’s first defeat to a player ranked outside the top 20 since the summer of 2023.
A few days before his defeat to Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in the title match at the French Open, Sinner had easily dispatched Bublik in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros, dropping only six games.
On Thursday, ten days before Wimbledon, Bublik claimed his second victory in six ties against Sinner.
“We are tennis players and we try to win every match we play but it is a special one,” Bublik said. “I had never beaten a No. 1 in the world. It is an accomplishment.”
Sinner, who had beaten Yannick Hanfmann in straight sets in the first round, cruised through the first set against Bublik without facing a break point.
Sinner had three break points at the start of the second set but Bublik held and then went on the attack, hitting 20 winners in the set and gaining the break he needed in the sixth game.
The 28-year-old broke Sinner’s serve in the third with a flashing forehand.
“I had an amazing forehand to break in the third set and then I kept serving,” Bublik said. “On grass, if you lose your serve, it is maybe tough and I am a guy who doesn’t lose a lot of serves. I just kept serving and putting him in uncomfortable positions and it worked well.”
“He is an unbelievable player and I was not thinking that I could beat him,” said Bublik. “But I had a few chances and executed them well.”
The Kazakh will play Tomas Machac in the quarter-finals after the Czech beat Hungarian Fabian Marozsan 6-2, 6-3.
Earlier world number three Alexander Zverev rallied from a set down to see off Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego. AFP
Defending champion Jannik Sinner loses his second-round match on Thursday to Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik.
Tough grind continues for Eala in Great Britain
By Peter Atencio
THE Philippines’ Alexandra Eala will be in the qualifiers of the Eastbourne Open in Great
Britain.
The 20-year-old Eala will seek a slot in the main draw of this WTA 250 event, after coming off a first-round loss to world no.31 Magda Linette in the Nottingham Open. Eala, ranked no.77 in the world, is preparing for the Wimbledon Open. This will be part of her buildup. And she believes that the level of her game needs to be better.
“My level is there and I show that at times, but there are certain reasons why these players are top 10 and I’m not there yet,” said Eala.
The tournament will have its 50th edition at Devonshire Park from June 23 to 28.
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MILO
Last year, Daria Kasatkina won the tournament, when she beat Emma Raducanu in the quarterfinal, Jasmine Paolini in the semifinal and Leylah Fernandez in the final.
The WTA event is a 32-player singles’ draw tournament. Three players will gain entry thanks to a wildcard, while six spots are reserved for those playing in the qualifying event.
Kasatkina is currently no. 16 in the world will be the top seed.
The other seeds are Barbora Krejcikova (17), Jelena Ostapenko (19), Sofia Kenin (29), Magda Linette (31), Peyton Stearns (34), Raducanu (36) and Rebecca Sramkova (38).
Organizers are yet to confirm the wildcards for the tournament, while the qualifying draw is also still to be confirmed.
Reigning Wimbledon champion Krejcikova, Raducanu (2021 US Open winner), Sofia Kenin (2020 Australian Open champion) and Jelena Ostapenko (2017 French Open) are among those who have won a major.
HD Spikers reboot for PVL in Vigan
WITH an aggressive and calculated offseason buildup, Cignal is poised to make a serious run for the PVL On Tour crown as the HD Spikers look to bounce back from a frustrating campaign in the last All-Filipino Conference.
Despite finishing third in the preliminary round, the HD Spikers’ season unraveled following the midtournament exit of two key players, resulting in a shocking quarterfinal loss to the resurgent Galeries Tower Highrisers, a setback that prompted a full recalibration from the Cignal camp.
Now, with a revamped and deepened lineup, a renewed sense of purpose, and a tactical blueprint laid down by veteran coach Shaq delos Santos, the HD Spikers are emerging as a formidable contender in the preseason tournament. That promise will be put to the test as early as this weekend when they showcase their retooled roster in the
PVL On Tour, which kicks off tomorrow (Sunday, June 22) at the stateof-the-art Chavit Coliseum in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
Cignal’s offseason moves were deliberate and ambitious, with the franchise pulling out all the stops to build a balanced, battle-ready lineup. Anchoring the core are Vanie Gandler and Ishie Lalongisip, both of whom committed to long-term contracts that underscore the team’s vision for sustained success.
The team then turned heads by securing rising opposite spiker Erika Santos, a dynamic scoring threat expected to inject firepower and versatility into the team’s frontline. The HD Spikers further strengthened their rotation with the acquisition of Tine Tiamzon, Ethan Arce and Heather Guino-o, each bringing experience and grit to the Cignal bench. Delos Santos emphasized that this time around, they are building with intention – and excitement.
Marathon returns to Clark this August
THE MILO® Marathon, the country’s most iconic and longest-running marathon, is once again bringing its unstoppable energy to Clark, Pampanga on August 3, 2025 (Sunday) at the CDC Parade Grounds.
Runners of all ages and levels are invited to lace up and take part in the excitement — from elite marathoners chasing qualifying times to fun-loving families and young champions starting their running journey.
This year’s Clark leg offers a range of race categories fit for every type of runner, from 42KM, 21KM, 10KM, 5KM Champion Family Run (for families of 3, 4 or 5), 5KM kids/adults, and 3KM kids/adults.
Early bird rates apply, so now’s the perfect time to sign up and start training!
The MILO® Marathon is more than just a race — it’s a movement that champions grit and discipline that empowers every Filipino to start their own journey. With every step, participants champion health, discipline, and the spirit of community. Local media partners are invited to join and cover this leg of the marathon, spotlighting inspiring stories and showing support for local runners and families in Central Luzon.
Register now via Race Roster and follow the official MILO® Facebook page for more updates.
By Peter Atencio
FOIL specialist Sammuel Tranquilan reached the Round of 16, before bowing out of contention in the Asian Fencing Championships in Bali, Indonesia. Despite falling to Paris Olympian and former Asian champion Mo Ziwei of China, 13-15, Tranquilan’s performance gave the Philippines its best showing in the men’s side.
Tranquilan, who is a silver medallist in the 2023 Cambodia Southeast Asian Games, settled for a 15th overall finish out of 67 entries.
Earlier, 21-year-old Janna Catantan, the younger sister of Paris Olympics veteran Sam Catantan, eventually landed in 24th place out of 59 entries in women’s foil.
Tranquilan made it to the Round of 16 after stopping Abdalla Khalifa of Qatar, 15-14, in the Round of 32. Tranquilan earlier beat Al Jallaf Hamad (UAE), 15-6, in the Round of 64. Meanwhile, Shawn Felipe landed 36th, when he won three of five matches in the pool stage -- a 5-2 victory over Brunei’s Ali Alamiri, a 5-3 edging of Uzbek bet Doniyor Sadullaev, and another 5-3 result over Thailand’s Notethakod Wangpaisit
Their two other teammates Nathaniel Perez and Robert Cabaero were in 43rd and 66th spots, respectively. Philippine fencing team head coach Rolando ‘Amat’ Canlas said their stint in the Asian tournament serves as part of their preparations for the SEA Games in Thailand this December.
Alexandra Eala
-$298 million -$5.8 billion
BOP deficit in May 2025
BOP deficit in five months
$105.2 billion
GIR as of end-May 2025
Malampaya restarts drilling operations to extract new gas
By Alena Mae S. Flores
THE Department of Energy (DOE) said Friday the Malampaya Consortium is on track to deliver new indigenous gas from the Mampaya Deep Water Gas-toPower Project in northwest Palawan by the fourth quarter of 2026 with the arrival of the 7th generation drillship Noble Viking at the drill site.
Noble Viking arrived at the Bagong Pag-Asa drill site in offshore Palawan on June 19, 2025, signifying the official commencement of drilling operations under the Malampaya Phase 4 (MP4) Project.
DOE officer-in-charge Sharon Garin said the arrival of Noble Viking is a significant milestone for the country’s energy sector, noting that the commencement of drilling operations reflects a renewed national commitment to securing the Philippines’ long-term energy security.
“This occasion marks a significant moment not only for the SC 38 Consortium but also for the government, and more importantly, for the Filipino people we are committed to serving,”Garin said. Commissioned in 2001, the Malampaya project has served as a cornerstone of the Philippine energy mix, supplying as much as 40 percent of Luzon’s power demand at its peak.
Under Phase 4, Noble Viking will drill three new wells, Camago-3, Malampaya East-1, and Bagong Pag-asa-1, extending the life of the gas field and securing the country’s indigenous energy supply.
“This development not only strengthens our energy security and reduces our dependence on imported fuel, but also for consumers and supports our industries and jobs,” said Garin.
BOP posted $298-m deficit in May; GIR eased to $105.2b
By Darwin G. Amojelar
THE Philippines’ balance of payments (BOP) posted a $298-million deficit in May 2025, a turnaround from the $2 -billion surplus seen a year ago, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
The BOP deficit reflected the national government’s (NG) drawdowns on its foreign currency deposits with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to service external debt obligations.
It said that as a result, the fivemonth BOP shifted from a $1.6-billion surplus in 2024 to a $5.8-billion deficit this year.
Preliminary data indicate the yearto-date BOP deficit was largely due to a continued trade in goods deficit, the BSP said.
Based on preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) International Merchandise Trade Statistics (IMTS), the trade deficit from January to April 2025 reached $15.91 billion.
This was partly offset by sustained net inflows from personal remittances from overseas Filipinos, government foreign borrowings and foreign portfolio investments, the BSP said.
It said the BOP position mirrored a slight decrease in the gross international reserves (GIR) to $105.2 billion by end-May 2025 from $105.3 billion at end-April 2025. Despite the modest decline, the GIR level remains a strong external liquidity buffer, sufficient to cover 7.1 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income, the BSP said.
The GIR, which consists of foreign assets held by the BSP primarily in the form of foreign-issued securities, gold and foreign exchange, serves as a key indicator of the country’s ability to manage external shocks. It covers about 3.3 times the country’s short-term external debt based on residual maturity.
Prime Infra unit completes Upper Wawa Dam in Rizal
PRIME Infrastructure Capital Inc.led WawaJVCo announced Friday the completion of the Upper Wawa Dam in Rizal province, seven months ahead of its scheduled commercial operations in December 2025.
Prime Infra said in a statement it held the handover ceremony from the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor to WawaJVCo, marking the successful completion of the dam’s construction works.
“The completion of the Upper Wawa Dam reflects Prime Infra and WawaJVCo’s ability to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects on time. This marks the beginning for one of our most critical water projects,” said WawaJVCo president
for
Once commercially operating, the Upper Wawa Dam is expected to benefit over 700,000 households or 3.5 million Filipinos within the service area of the Metropolitan Waterworks & Sewerage System (MWSS).
WawaJVCo said it conducted a series of tests to evaluate the dam’s performance, including testing the Upper Wawa Dam’s gates, the functionality of the environmental flow turbine and other sensors and instruments in the dam.
The Upper Wawa Dam is the largest water supply dam to be built in the Philippines in over 50 years. It is the second phase of the
BSP turns more cautious as peso weakens
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas turned more cautious after the peso weakened recently as a result of the Middle East conflict that forced investors to seek the dollar as a safe haven, according to global advisory firm Oxford Economics.
Oxford Economics said the BSP, which reduced its policy rate by 25 basis points on Thursday, may delay further action until the fourth quarter because of the pressure on the local currency.
“While the BSP does not explicitly use the policy rate to influence the exchange rate, the pass-through effect of a weaker peso on inflation
remains a concern. Therefore, we believe the BSP is likely to adopt a more cautious approach while maintaining an easing bias. We expect the next 25bps rate cut to take place in the fourth quarter,” Oxford Economics said.
The peso has come under renewed depreciation pressure, as risk-off sentiment prompted capital outflows, it said. It said the peso has depreciated by 1.7 percent since Friday.
BSP Governor Eli Remolona said, however, it is “futile to intervene” when the depreciation is driven by a strong dollar linked to safe-haven flows. Darwin G. Amojelar
Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project and will provide a yearlong water supply of up to 710 million liters per day.
The construction of the dam started in 2021 and was completed in record time taking into consideration its complexity, scale and magnitude.
It features a 450-hectare reservoir which is about twice the size of Bonifacio Global City and can store up to 120 million cubic meters of water.
MWSS administrator and vice chairperson Leonor Cleofas cited the Upper Wawa Dam as integral in the agency’s implementation of its water security roadmap, specifically in terms of ensuring a stable water supply. Alena Mae S.
B3 B4 B2
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced Friday a 50-percent student fare discount on major elevated rail lines, effective immediately.
The discount for students riding Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), LRT Line 2 (LRT-2) and Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) was raised to 50 percent from 20 percent. DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said the enhanced discount is a direct response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to help alleviate students’ expenses for the current school year.
He said the initiative is a collaborative effort between the DOTr, MRT-3, Light Rail Transit Administration (LRTA) and Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC).
“The President has directed us to increase the student discount for LRT1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 fares from the previous 20 percent to 50 percent,” Dizon said at the program’s launch at the LRT-2 Antipolo Station.
He said the increased saving would be a “big help to families, especially parents who are struggling to send their children to school. What they save, they can allocate to other expenses such as projects, additional allowances, or other school expenses.” Darwin G. Amojelar
Melvin John Tan, who is also Prime Infra market sector lead
water.
Flores
HOUSING FOR THE POOR. Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling meets with Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian to discuss a possible collaboration aimed at supporting the housing needs of the most vulnerable Filipinos. Held at the DSWD Central Office, the meeting focused on aligning efforts between the two agencies to assist vulnerable groups such as street dwellers and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries. Source: DHSUD’s Facebook page
PH stocks dip, peso recovers amid escalating ME tensions
By Jenniffer B. Austria
LOCAL shares slipped on Friday as global crude price continue to rise due to escalating tension between Iran and Israel and uncertainty about possible involvement of United States. The peso, however, strengthened to 57.17 versus the US dollar from 57.45 on June 19. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index shed 17.24 points or 0.27 percent to end the week at 6,339.77 while the broader all shares index declined 18.62 points or 0.49 percent to 3,760.56.
Analysts said concerns over the Iran-Israel conflict and with US now weighing on the possibility of getting involved in the conflict, dampened investor sentiment.
“Investors also death with the economic consequences of the conflict including the rise in oil prices and depreciation of the peso,” Philstocks Financial Inc. said. These concerns offset these positive developments in the local front, including by 25 basis points rate and easing inflation rate.
Meanwhile, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Friday said inflation rate could breach 5 percent if global oil benchmarks reach $100 per barrel and peso sharply declines.
As world oil prices remained volatile, local oil firms projected pump prices to go up by more than P4 per liter next week.
Two of six sectoral indices ended in green. Mining and oil rose 5.34 percent while holding firms advanced by 0.23 percent. On the other hand, property declined by 1.64 percent. Value turnover amounted to P11.96 billion.
Foreign investors turned net sellers with outflows reaching P835.44 million.
Alliance Global Group Inc. emerged as top index gainer, rising by 3.84 percent to P9.46 apiece while GT Capital Holdings Inc. was at the bottom, declining by 4.88 percent to P546 each.
PLDT launches community effort for telecom infra
By Darwin G. Amojelar
PLDT Inc, announced Friday it has rolled out a grassroots initiative aimed at strengthening partnerships with local communities to protect critical telecommunications infrastructure.
The program’s pilot, held in Barangay Bangkal, Makati City, signals the beginning of a broader campaign to deepen security awareness at the barangay level.
The activation was led by Willie Antalan, head of PLDT’s Asset Protection Division (APD) for Greater Metro Manila South (GMMS), in collaboration with Bangkal Barangay Captain Virgilio Hilario III and barangay officials.
“We at PLDT believe that protecting our network infrastructure is a shared responsibility,” Antalan said.
“Through this program, we aim to arm our barangays with the knowledge and tools necessary to keep our communities connected by helping secure vital telco assets in their area, as well as assisting each other in bringing to justice perpetrators of crimes such as theft and vandalism of telco equipment.” He emphasized how local vigilance plays a key role in ensuring the reliability and resilience of telco services.
This initiative is part of PLDT’s broader response to persistent theft and vandalism targeting its network.
In 2024 alone, nearly 1,000 loss incidents were recorded — mostly involving copper cables, which made up 91 percent of the total cost of material losses.
The impact, however, goes beyond lost materials: these attacks disrupted services, leading to customer complaints and lost business. In parts of Manila, theft occurred as often as every three days.
Petron pegs interest rates for P32-b bond issue in July
By Alena Mae S. Flores
PETRON Corp. announced Friday it has set the interest rates for its upcoming P32 billion fixed-rate bond issue, slated for next month.
The oil company’s board previously approved a public offering of up to P25 billion in retail bonds, with an oversubscription option for an additional P7 billion. These bonds will be issued from a shelf registration approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, valid until September 2025.
Petron has set the interest rate for its Series G Bonds due in 2030, at 6.5945 percent. The Series H bonds, maturing in 2033, will carry an interest rate of 6.9761 percent, while the Series I bonds, due in 2035, are priced at 7.3896 percent. The bonds are scheduled to be offered on July 7, 2025. Proceeds from
the issuance will be used to repay maturing bonds, settle existing debt, fund short-term loans for working capital, and for general corporate purposes. PNB Capital and Investment Corp. has been appointed as the sole issue manager for the offering. Joint lead underwriters and joint bookrunners include Bank of Commerce, BDO Capital & Investment Corp., China Bank Capital Corp., First Metro Investment Corporation, Land Bank of the Philippines, Philippine Commercial Capital, Inc., and PNB Capital and Investment Corp.
Petron reported a net income of P4.03 billion for the first quarter of 2025, a slight increase from P3.9 billion in the same period in 2024. This sustained performance comes despite continued volatility in the international market.
“We continue to operate in a volatile and unpredictable market. As we navigate through these setbacks, we remain committed to enhancing our efficiency and strengthening our performance to sustain our market leadership and further our role as a nationbuilder,” said Petron president and chief executive officer Ramon Ang.
Megaworld to enter ultra-high-end residential market this year
PROPERTY giant Megaworld announced plans to enter the ultra-highend residential market with the launch of its new brand category, Megaworld Signature Collection, this year.
Megaworld president and chief executive Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso said during the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting Friday that the company plans to roll out a rare collection of residential projects catering to an affluent market.
She said this collection will be “rare and one-of-its-kind in terms of location, design, features, innovations
and amenities.”
“These residential properties are so rare that we will only be offering this once or twice every year, only in select locations,” Gutierrez-Alfonso said.
“We chose the name because each residence bears the mark of purposeful design. Every development is envisioned as a one-of-a-kind property and offered with discretion — chosen by those who truly understand the value of rarity.”
Megaworld said it will create an entirely new group to handle the segment.
“We will be launching our inaugu-
Deputy Privacy Commissioner, National Privacy Commission and Ivin Ronald Alzona, executive director, National Privacy Commission joined the ceremony.
Ayala Land launches estates green certification
AYALA Land Estates Inc. (ALEI) has launched an initiative to secure BERDE District certification for its major estates, including Nuvali, Parklinks and Arca South.
The move aims to reinforce Ayala Land’s position in climate-resilient real estate and marks the most extensive estate-level green certification effort in the Philippines to date.
BERDE (Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence) is the Philippines’ premier green building rating system, developed by the Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC). Ayala Land Estates is seeking BERDE District certification for six flagship estates and one emerging township.
The initiative highlights Ayala Land’s commitment to sustainable urban development and reflects the growing integration of Environmen-
tal, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria into the operations of leading Philippine developers.
A May 22 launch event saw senior leadership from Ayala Land and PHILGBC, along with key estate operations units, sign a collective commitment board. This signaled a unified push to meet and exceed BERDE criteria across various aspects: water and energy efficiency, waste reduction, climate resilience, and urban connectivity.
Obtaining a BERDE certificate ensures a development meets high standards of environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and overall performance. It provides third-party validation that a project is planned, built, and operated to support long-term ecological and social well-being, raising the bar for responsible urban development in the Philippines.
ral project for this category within the year,” Gutierrez-Alfonso said.
Megaworld executive director Kevin Tan said this new venture will enable the company to diversify its portfolio and tap into opportunities in the ultra-luxury residential market.
This move comes as demand rises for long-term, exclusive real estate assets among Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs).
This market has also remained resilient despite a current oversupply in the overall property market.
The property firm said it remains
committed to its planned five-year capital spending of P30 billion to grow and reinvest in its office leasing portfolio.
Under the plan, Megaworld aims to reach 2 million square meters of office leasing space from 1.6 million square meters. It also aims to double its retail footprint to 1 million square meters and expand its hotel room keys to 9,000. Megaworld is looking to launch two new township developments, one in Luzon and another in the Visayas this year. Jenniffer B. Austria
THE National Privacy Commission
(NPC) awarded SM Retail, the retail subsidiary of SM Investments Corp. with the Privacy Management Program Award during the recently concluded National Data Privacy Conference in Parañaque City, recognizing the company’s consistent and structured efforts in upholding data privacy standards across its operations.
The Privacy Management Program Award is given to organizations that demonstrate effective implementation of privacy policies, proactive risk management, and clear accountability structures in line with the Data Privacy Act of 2012. SM Retail was cited for its internal training initiatives, integration of privacy practices into day-to-day opera-
tions, and for embedding Data Protection Officers within its business units. These measures have contributed to building a strong data protection culture among employees and improving safeguards for customer information.
“We’re grateful for this recognition from the NPC, and we share this accolade with everyone at the SM Group. An effective data privacy management program hinges on strong leadership, active stakeholder engagement, dedicated privacy champions in critical DPA areas, embedded DPOs within the business, and practical, layman-friendly training rooted in real-world scenarios,” said Honeylin Castolo, vice president of SM Retail. Jenniffer B. Austria
Misamis Power Corp. president and chief executive Juan Eugenio Roxas (second from right) joins Department of Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara (second from left) and local officials in visiting the first school under the Off-Grid
SM Retail, the retail arm of the SM group, wins the Privacy Management Program Award during the recently concluded National Data Privacy Conference in Paranaque City. (From left) Reinier Jeffrey Abdon, SM Retail DPA Compliance; Rafael Kieran Monday, SM Retail DPA compliance; Nerissa De Jesus, Deputy Privacy Commissioner, National Privacy Commission; John Henry Naga, Privacy Commissioner and chairman, National Privacy Commission; Honeylin Castolo, vice president, SM Retail; Leyson San Juan, assistant vice president and data protection officer, SM Retail DPA Compliance; Jose Amelito Belarmino II,
Ng represents PH at EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025
Jacinto Ng, Jr., Group Executive Officer, Joy~Nostalg Raemulan Lands, Inc., and EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 Philippines winner, represented the country at the prestigious EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 held in Monaco.
Ng was honored at the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 Philippines Awards Banquet for his significant contributions to enhancing opportunities and improving the social welfare of low-income Filipinos.
As the driving force behind Joy~Nostalg Raemulan Lands Inc., Ng has been instrumental in providing countless families with essential resources, education, and support, empowering them to rise above poverty and realize their dreams of homeownership. His efforts have not only transformed lives but have also created job opportunities and fostered the development of vibrant communities among homeowners.
“Our Joy~Nostalg Social Housing is low-tech, literally bricks and mortar; and its impact is limited to the Philippines, thus, smaller relative to the world. And what is of greater relevance to the world today may not be what’s relevant to us at home; for our relevance was perhaps their relevance decades upon decades ago,” Ng said.
Manila Standard TODAY
“Yet it only means we need more of us to rise and raise others who need our light for we have seen much more and can see much better. Now that we have seen it, let us seize the day and every moment to love the Philippines more, and bring it one day soon for the world to celebrate with us,” he said.
DA completes repair of six NFA warehouses
By Othel V. Campos
THE Department of Agriculture (DA), through its Masagana Agri-Food Infrastructure Modernization (MAFIM) program, has completed the rehabilitation of six out of ten National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses in Region II.
“This initiative reflects the Marcos administration’s commitment to improving post-harvest systems, minimizing grain losses, and ensuring Filipino rice farmers receive fair value for their palay through more efficient procurement by the NFA,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who also chairs the NFA Council.
While the upgrades did not increase storage capacity, they significantly improved safety, structural integrity, and operational efficiency, maintain-
ing rice quality and extending the shelf life of buffer In Isabela, rehabilitated warehouses in Burgos, Roxas, and Tumauini can collectively store up to 148,000 50-kilo bags of rice.
In Nueva Vizcaya, facilities in Bagabag and Bayombong can hold 160,620 bags, while warehouses in Alfonso Lista and Lagawe, Ifugao, can accommodate a total of 28,880 bags. The upgrades include roof replacements, wall reinforcements, improved
ventilation systems, reinforced flooring, and enhanced pest control, ensuring more resilient, disaster-ready storage facilities.
“Our upgraded warehouses are now better equipped to protect rice stocks and support swift response during emergencies. We’re also expanding capacity to accommodate more palay from farmers who have long waited in line for NFA to purchase their harvest,” said NFA administrator Larry Lacson.
Region II, one of the country’s top rice-producing areas, was prioritized in the DA’s three-year NFA modernization roadmap to strengthen buffer stocking and streamline procurement logistics.
Local farmers and community leaders welcomed the improvements, especially amid declining palay prices, which have recently dropped to as low as P10 per kilo.
HIRING
Company: VS Industry Philippines, Inc. (VSIPI)
“I’m going home to the Philippines for the Filipinos, much wiser, much stronger, much alive; and with a global inspiration to do more.” Ng was accompanied by SGV chairman and country managing partner Wilson Tan, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines Program Director Henry Tan, Carrascal Nickel Corporation president Antonio Co, ECo Global Consulting, Inc. founder and chief executive Elenita Dela Rosa, Avocadoria.ph chief executive and president Czarina Sevilla, and his family. At the award ceremony in Monaco’s Salle des Etoiles, Stina Ehrensvärd, founder of Yubico, was named the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025. Stina was selected from nearly 5,000 program participants, including 52 winners from 43 countries and jurisdictions competing for the global title. She is the fourth woman to receive this honor and the first winner from Sweden in the award’s 25-year history.
The EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 was determined by an independent panel of judges based on four key criteria: entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth, and impact. This year’s panel featured a diverse and esteemed group of entrepreneurs from around the globe, chaired by Asif Ramji, founder and chief executive of Venture Worx.
Company Address: Lot 1, Block 8, Alogis Sto. Tomas, Millenium Drive corner Quality Street, San Rafael, Light Industry & Science Park III, 4234 Santo Tomas, Batangas, Region IV-A (Calabarzon)
(SGD.)
Nature of Business: Manufacturing and sale of consumer appliances, industrial, and medical devices
Nature of Business: Manufacturing and sale of consumer appliances, industrial, and medical devices
1. Position: Operations Manager Job Description/Functions:
1. Position: Operations Manager Job Description/Functions:
• Managing injection molding projects and production, ensuring compliance with ISO 9001:2000 standards in a large-scale injection molding plant.
• Managing injection molding projects and production, ensuring compliance with ISO 9001:2000 standards in a large-scale injection molding plant.
• Developing scheduled maintenance programs to minimize production downtime.
• Conducting analysis and implementing corrective actions to improve machine availability and performance.
• Developing scheduled maintenance programs to minimize production downtime. • Conducting analysis and implementing corrective actions to improve machine availability and performance.
• Organizing and managing the injection molding department, ensuring operational efficiency.
• Organizing and managing the injection molding department, ensuring operational efficiency.
• Studying industry trends and promoting innovation in mold test technology.
• Studying industry trends and promoting innovation in mold test technology.
• Establishing and leading a trial team, ensuring members possess the necessary skills and training.
• Establishing and leading a trial team, ensuring members possess the necessary skills and training.
• Defining job responsibilities and performance appraisal standards to enhance employee productivity.
• Defining job responsibilities and performance appraisal standards to enhance employee productivity.
• Overseeing injection production management, personnel control, raw material utilization, and 5S improvements.
• Overseeing injection production management, personnel control, raw material utilization, and 5S improvements.
Qualification Requirements:
Qualification Requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree and master’s Degree Holder
• Candidates should have at least 7-10 years of experience in a management role within operations, logistics, or production.
• Bachelor’s degree and master’s Degree Holder • Candidates should have at least 7-10 years of experience in a management role within operations, logistics, or production.
• The ability to lead and motivate teams, resolve conflicts, and manage diverse personalities.
• The ability to lead and motivate teams, resolve conflicts, and manage diverse personalities.
• Effective communication with senior leadership, employees, and stakeholders.
• Effective communication with senior leadership, employees, and stakeholders.
• A certification that specifically focuses on operations management.
• A certification that specifically focuses on operations management.
Workplace Address:
Workplace Address: Lot 1, Block 8, Alogis Sto. Tomas, Millenium Drive corner Quality Street, San Rafael, Light
Lot 1, Block 8, Alogis Sto. Tomas, Millenium Drive corner Quality Street, San Rafael, Light
Industry & Science Park III, 4234 Santo Tomas, Batangas Region IV-A (Calabarzon)
Industry & Science Park III, 4234 Santo Tomas, Batangas Region IV-A (Calabarzon)
Employment Duration: April 15, 2025 – April 15, 2026 VSIPI intends to hire Ximing Shen as Operations Manager for one (1) year. For this purpose, VSIPI will apply for his Alien Employment Permit (AEP) with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office No. 4-A (CALABARZON) located at 3rd and 4th Floors, Andenson Building II, Brgy. Parian, Calamba, Laguna. Mr. Tang residing in Santo Tomas City, Batangas, is able, willing, and qualified to perform the service for which his or her employment is desired.
Employment Duration: April 15, 2025 – April 15, 2026 VSIPI intends to hire Ximing Shen as Operations Manager for one (1) year. For this purpose, VSIPI will apply for his Alien Employment Permit (AEP) with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office No. 4-A (CALABARZON) located at 3rd and 4th Floors, Andenson Building II, Brgy. Parian, Calamba, Laguna. Mr. Tang residing in Santo Tomas City, Batangas, is able, willing, and qualified to perform the service for which his or her employment is desired.
2. Position: Technical Advisor Job Description/Functions:
• Being responsible for the new technologies industry development; • Promoting the upgrading and transformation of production lines, actively participating in the continuous improvement activities in the production process, and putting forward suggestions for improvement.
2. Position: Technical Advisor Job Description/Functions: • Being responsible for the new technologies industry development; • Promoting the upgrading and transformation of production lines, actively participating in the continuous improvement activities in the production process, and putting forward suggestions for improvement.
• Being responsible for new product review and processing path confirmation, new mold sampling, and mass production follow-up, as well as Standard Operating Procedure production and distribution and process implementation and maintenance;
• Providing technical support to Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and other factories to ensure the smooth progress of production activities;
• Improving and optimizing continuously the injection molding production process to improve production efficiency and product quality; and
• Working closely with the Research & Development department to introduce new process technology, equipment, and materials to improve the competitiveness of production processes and products.
• Being responsible for new product review and processing path confirmation, new mold sampling, and mass production follow-up, as well as Standard Operating Procedure production and distribution and process implementation and maintenance; • Providing technical support to Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and other factories to ensure the smooth progress of production activities; • Improving and optimizing continuously the injection molding production process to improve production efficiency and product quality; and • Working closely with the Research & Development department to introduce new process technology, equipment, and materials to improve the competitiveness of production processes and products.
Qualification Requirements:
Qualification Requirements:
• Bachelor’s Degree Holder • Typically, 5 years of experience in the relevant field or industry. Experience in troubleshooting, problem-solving, and advising stakeholders on complex technical issues.
• Familiarity with industry-specific standards, regulations, and best practices. • Analytical skills for evaluating and improving technical processes. • High level of integrity and ethical responsibility, especially when advising on technical
• Bachelor’s Degree Holder • Typically, 5 years of experience in the relevant field or industry. Experience in troubleshooting, problem-solving, and advising stakeholders on complex technical issues. • Familiarity with industry-specific standards, regulations, and best practices. • Analytical skills for evaluating and improving technical processes. • High level of integrity and ethical responsibility, especially when advising on technical
or clients. Workplace
Jacinto Ng, Jr. (left), group executive officer, Joy~Nostalg Raemulan Lands, Inc., and EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 Philippines winner, represents the country at the prestigious EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 in Monaco. Ng was honored at the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 Philippines Awards Banquet for his significant contributions to enhancing opportunities and improving the social welfare of lowincome Filipinos.
CLASSROOM TURNOVER. Enchanted Kingdom president and chairman Cesar Mario Mamon (center) commits to continue supporting Brigada Eskwela. EK celebrates 11 years of support to Brigada Eskwela, recently turning over two adopted kindergarten classrooms to Caingin Elementary School in Santa Rosa, Laguna. Roy Tomandao
SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 2025
extrastory2000@gmail.com
RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor
ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor
Manila Water rises to 384th spot in Fortune SEA 500 list
EAST zone concessionaire Manila Water Co. has earned a spot on the prestigious Fortune Southeast Asia 500 list for a second year, with an even stronger standing in 2025.
In the 2025 edition, Manila Water climbed to 384th place from its 435th rank in 2024, reflecting the company’s continued growth and operational excellence.
“Being recognized as one of Southeast Asia’s Top 500 companies is a proud moment for all of us. This achievement reflects the trust of our customers, the hard work and dedication of our team, and the bold vision that drives us forward. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to creating lasting value for our stakeholders and contributing meaningfully to the region’s dynamic economic land-
scape,” said Manila Water president and chief executive Jocot De Dios.
The Fortune Southeast Asia 500 ranks top-performing companies from Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines, each meeting a minimum revenue threshold of $349.4 million.
Collectively, the companies on the 2025 list generated $1.82 trillion in revenue in 2024, up from $1.79 trillion the previous year.
According to Fortune, the Southeast Asia 500 companies are playing an increasingly important role in global supply chains — capturing manufacturing capacity shifting from China, which is drawing significant capital flows and reshaping global trade dynamics.
UK seeks doubling of trade with PH
By Othel V. Campos
THE United Kingdom aims to double its trade with the Philippines to 6 billion pounds over the next three to four years, while focusing on strategic investments in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and renewable energy as key drivers of growth.
Visiting UK Trade Envoy George Freeman said the total trade in goods and services between the two countries hit an all-time high of 3 billion pounds in 2024, up 3.6 percent from 2023, with the Philippines posting a trade surplus of 1.8 billion pounds,
while the UK accounted for 1.2 billion pounds.
“We’ve reached an all-time high in UK-Philippine trade. And I’m proud to tell you that the number one foreign inward investment in the Philippines last year was from the UK,”
Aurora ecozone in talks with 2GO to conduct land logistics route study
THE Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) is in talks with 2GO Group Inc., a leading logistics and transportation provider in the Philippines, to conduct a land logistics route study for Aurora province.
The study aims to support future investors and locators by improving the movement of goods and equipment in and out of the region.
The proposed route study will evaluate the capacity of Aurora’s existing road networks and determine the appropriate types and sizes of trucks to ensure efficient transport to and from the APECO zone.
“Our goal is to provide reliable logistics solutions for our locators, ensuring their goods and equipment are moved as efficiently as possible,” said APECO business development and
marketing division manager Gene Angelo.
Long-term development plans were also discussed, including the proposed construction of a seaport and airport in Casiguran.
These facilities are expected to accommodate larger shipments and support key industries such as renewable energy, particularly the transport of wind turbine components, and manufacturing, especially as APECO positions itself as a hub for the defense sector.
Cold-chain logistics to boost the commercial fishing industry in the region were also highlighted as a priority.
“We want to ensure that our infrastructure can meet the demands of the industries and investments we aim to attract, both now and in the future,” Ferrer said. Othel V. Campos
Freeman said in a briefing Friday.
The rise in trade was led by an 8.6-percent increase in UK imports from the Philippines, totaling 1.8 billion pounds, an increase of 139 million pounds from the previous year.
UK exports to the Philippines declined 2.8 percent, amounting to 1.2 billion pounds, a decrease of 35 million pounds in current prices, resulting in a Philippine trade surplus of 600 million pounds.
With the recent performance, the Philippines ranked as the UK’s 61st largest trading partner, accounting for 0.2 percent of the UK’s total trade.
Freeman said a deeper collaboration in foundational sectors could unlock substantial British investment, generate jobs and foster inclusive, long-term economic growth in the Philippines.
“This is really the point I was making about strategic partnerships. If we develop a partnership around the digital economy, cybersecurity, digital identity and tackling fraud, giving Filipinos access to secure online trading, that’s a serious project. And that alone, over the next five or ten years, could bring in a lot more UK investment into the Philippines,” he said.
LandBank program grants financing assistance to 1,000 Bukidnon farmers
By Darwin G. Amojelar
FINANCE Secretary and Land Bank of the Philippines chairman Ralph Recto granted financing assistance to 1,000 farmers in Bukidnon through the enhanced AGRISENSO Plus program, empowering them to boost productivity and livelihoods.
AGRISENSO Plus, or the Agriculture Growth and Resource Integration through Strategic and Enhanced De-
livery of Support and Opportunities, is LandBank’s value chain-based financing program designed to empower small farmers, fishers, agrarian reform beneficiaries, and agri-MSMEs with better access to credit, capacitybuilding and market linkages. The program is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s goal to boost the agriculture sector, accelerate rural development and strengthen the country’s food security.
“This program of LandBank and President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. is a concrete and inclusive response to your long-standing call for financial assistance,” Recto said in a message during the distribution of ATMs to about 1,000 beneficiaries in Malaybalay, Bukidnon on June 20, 2025.
“This is a caring program—and has a clear vision to make the advancement of every farmer and fisherfolk within reach,” he said.
NLEX Corp. said Friday it is speeding up repair works on the Marilao Overpass Bridge, which was recently struck by an overheight truck.
“The Marilao Overpass Bridge is part of the road network of the Province of Bulacan. The bridge was constructed prior to the rehabilitation of the NLEX and presently has a vertical clearance of 4.27 meters at both directions,” the company said in a statement.
“It is not part of the NLEX Concession; nonetheless, NLEX conducts necessary repairs on the bridge to ensure its structural integrity for the safety of NLEX motorists,” it said.
NLEX said it actively sought government support for the structural
The distribution was led by LandBank president and chief executive Lynette Ortiz, Bukidnon Governor Neil Roque and Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Roger Navarro.
“We are all here to listen, support and respond to your needs. As your true partners in progress, our goal is to further strengthen our agriculture sector so that we may all advance and prosper together,” Ortiz said.
IN BRIEF
Pru Life UK launches Islamic-compliant plan
PRU LIFE UK has launched PRUTerm Lindungi, its first life protection plan in the Philippines that adheres to Islamic principles. The product is based on the principles of mutual aid, fairness and shared responsibility. It offers ethical, inclusive and affordable protection for all Filipinos, regardless of religion, background or income.
PRUTerm Lindungi is available for as little as P250 per year and provides a death benefit of P100,000. The plan avoids elements such as interest (riba), gambling (maysir) or uncertainty (gharar).
Filipinos aged 18 to 60 are eligible to apply for the plan, which is renewable annually.
All contributions are directed to a Shari’ah-compliant Tabarru’ Fund, which is separate from Pru Life UK’s conventional business operations. Claims are paid from this fund, and any surplus may be distributed equitably among participants, reflecting values of transparency and community support.
Jenniffer B. Austria
MPA, MSU team up on energy education
MERALCO Power Academy (MPA) and Mindanao State University-General Santos (MSU-GenSan) teamed up to promote education, training and research initiatives in the energy sector. Officials recently signed a memorandum of agreement to formalize the undertaking, which aims to boost capability-building through specialized training programs, learning events, and industry immersion opportunities for students.
Planned initiatives include the Mindanao leg of the Young Engineers and Scientists Summit and the development of advanced academic programs in renewable energy and nuclear science.
MSU-GenSan Chancellor Shidik Abantas cited the importance of aligning academic programs with industry needs to better prepare students for professional careers.
“This collaboration is vital for MSU-General Santos as it bridges our colleges with industry, helping prevent skill mismatches,” Abantas said during the signing ceremony at Meralco’s headquarters in Pasig City.
Burong Isda has probiotic benefits
upgrading of the bridge for several years.
“In the interest of public safety, NLEX offers to construct a new and upgraded bridge to support the plans of the relevant national and local government agencies,” NLEX said.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier ordered NLEX to suspend toll collection for the northbound segment of the Marilao Interchange on the North Luzon Expressway until all four lanes are fully passable.
The DOTr’s decision came after the Marilao Interchange Bridge was struck by an overheight container truck on June 19, 2025. Darwin G. Amojelar
RESEARCHERS at the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) have found that bacteria from “burong isda,” a traditional Filipino fermented fish, possess probiotic and antifungal properties. The study identified Limosilactobacillus fermentum (L. fermentum), a bacterium closely related to well-known Lactobacillus probiotics, in “burong isda.” Researchers used a combination of genomic and laboratory analyses to create a comprehensive probiotic profile of two L. fermentum strains. Their approach also revealed the strains’ antifungal benefits against Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus), a common fungus affecting immunocompromised individuals. The study could lay the groundwork for new probiotic products and may be the first to report L. fermentum’s antifungal effects against A. fumigatus.
“Historically, probiotic research in the Philippines has relied heavily on culture-based methods and basic molecular techniques,” said Joshua Veluz, corresponding author from UPD-CS National Sciences Research Institute (NSRI).
DIGITAL TOOLS. Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) president and general-manager Jose Arnulfo Veloso (second from right) hands over laptops, printers and other information and communications technology
IF there’s one lesson that was learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s that digitalization is not just the buoy to keep micro and small businesses afloat in times of calamities - it’s the entire ship that will save businesses and keep them moving forward amid adversities.
The Department of Trade and Industry, referencing numbers from the Philippine Statistics Authority, cites that there are a total of 1,246,373 business enterprises operating in the country in 2023. Of these, 99.63% are MSMEs.
“Given their immense contribution to the economy, including local employment, small and micro businesses need to be at the forefront of digitalization,” PCCI President Consul Enunina Mangio said. This is why the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the Philippines’ largest business group, is taking a leap to modernize MSMEs in small but tangible ways.
Leading fiber broadband and technology solutions provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. has officially lent a hand to this cause, and, together with the DTI, are moving as one to boost the country’s digital competitiveness. The goal is for the country to ride the momentum of digitalization that has propelled the growth of advanced Southeast Asian economies like Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia.
“Under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and in line with the vision of a Bagong Pilipinas, we are forging a future where no small business is left behind. At the Department of Trade and Industry, we believe that every sari-sari store, every market vendor, every MSME has the power to grow, compete, and uplift communities—if given the right tools,”
Converge, partners aim to ‘tech-enable’ MSMEs
said Secretary Cristina A. Roque.
“Digitalization is a promise to our people. By embracing e-commerce, digital
payments, and online marketing, we are opening doors for Filipino entrepreneurs to dream bigger, reach farther, and build
a better life for their families. This is how we move forward—together, and with no one left behind,” the trade chief added.
Maya pilots FINFIT Program in schools to promote financial empowerment
MAYA, the Philippines’ leading fintech ecosystem, has kicked off its Financial Fitness (FINFIT) Program in Mandaluyong City, engaging educators, non-teaching personnel, parents, and students in practical sessions designed to strengthen everyday financial health and literacy.
The pilot was held at Ilaya Barangka Integrated School and Highway Hills Integrated School, in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) and in time with this year’s Brigada Eskwela. Through interactive sessions, participants were introduced to essential financial skills, including digital savings, responsible credit use, and scam prevention. Beyond financial literacy, the program emphasized building financial habits and confidence that can support household stability and longterm planning.
“Financial health goes beyond knowledge—it is about helping people feel more in control of their decisions, their resources, and their
helping lay the foundation for a more financially empowered next generation.”
Schools are natural hubs for learning and community connections. They play a vital role not only in educating students but in shaping the behaviors and decisions of entire households. By starting within school communities, Maya’s FINFIT ensures that financial wellness becomes part of the everyday conversation among teachers, families, and future earners alike.
The Mandaluyong rollout marks the initial leg of Maya’s FINFIT Program, an initiative in support of DepEd’s goal to cultivate financially resilient learning communities. Maya is preparing to expand the program, with continued focus on reaching educators and learners who play a central role in shaping financial behaviors at home.
“Schools are where habits take root. With FINFIT, we aim to spark a culture of confidence, responsibility, and digital empowerment within Filipino families,” Rada added.
realme C71, with a 6,300mAh battery, retails for as low as P3,999
REALME has officially unveiled the latest addition to its entry-level C Series lineup: the realme C71. Packed with a massive 6300mAh battery, the realme C71 delivers reliable all-day power at an affordable price.
This feature-packed smartphone can be purchased at an introductory price of P3,999 via the realme TikTok Shop from June 19-24.
Early buyers can also enjoy a P500 discount when purchasing from offline partner stores nationwide, bringing the price down from P5,499 to P4,999 (4GB+64GB) and P6,499 to P5,999 (6GB+128GB), respectively.
Here are a few more impressive features of the realme C71 that make it a true stunner in its class and a value-for-money digital companion. The energy that won’t quit halfway or even all-day Frequent charging is a thing of the past with the realme C71. Equipped with a massive 6300mAh battery, this budget-friendly smartphone is built to keep up with the Squad’s fast-paced digital lifestyle. Whether it’s making long calls with friends to share the latest ‘tea’ or dedicating an entire day to finding relevant Review of Related Literature (RRL) and compiling reference materials, all in the name of a passing thesis grade, the realme C71’s battery surely won’t disappoint. Just an hour of charging powers the device for up to two days, allowing the squad to do more with their smartphone and maximize productivity. And when all is said and done, it only takes about 37 minutes of waiting to juice the phone up to 50% — all thanks to the device’s 45W SUPERVOOC fast charging. Even better, the realme C71 also supports reverse charging so that users can top up other devices running low on power.
Superb Camera that Stands Out
The realme C71 may fall under the budget smart-
phone category, but its camera department tells a different story. With a 50MP AI rear camera, users can expect crisp and clear photos every time. Whether it’s a travel photo or a shot of a mundane moment, the results look like they came straight from a mood board.
Furthermore, taking mobile photography to the next level, the realme C71 features AI tools like AI Eraser, which removes photo bombers and unwanted objects in the background. Its AI Clear Face also enhances facial features and sharpens throwback photos that users once hesitated to share.
Raising the Bar Higher for Durability and Style
Another reason why the realme C71 offers great bang for one’s pocket is because it features
Military-Grade Shock Resistance, Daily Water Resistance, and an exclusive SonicWave Water Ejection system that clears moisture from the speaker using sound vibrations. These features effectively address common concerns among the Filipino Squad, such as accidental drops and exposure to rain or spills, making the C71 one of the most durable phones in its class.
As for style? It’s a total stunner, too. It comes in two feather-inspired colorways that complement any outfit: Forest Owl and White Swan. Despite housing a large-capacity battery, the realme C71 remains impressively slim. Measuring just 7.79mm thin and weighing 196g, it offers a lightweight, comfortable, and conveniently pocketfriendly feel. On top of that, the realme C71 also sports a Customizable Pulse Light on the back, a circular LED with six color options, and two lighting effects that alert users to calls, notifications, charging status, and more.
Retailing at P5,499 for the 4GB+64GB storage option and P6,499 for the 6GB+128GB variant, the realme C71 aims to bring value for money to fans looking for a dependable smartphone that doesn’t compromise quality or performance.
Early buyers can also enjoy a P500 discount when purchasing from offline partner stores nationwide from June 27-July 6, bringing the price down from P5,499 to P4,999 (4GB+64GB) and P6,499 to P5,999 (6GB+128GB), respectively. With its stylish and durable look and feel, the device can surely be an easy ‘yes’ for fans looking for a smartphone that not only gives up when things get ‘tough and heavy,’ but also stays resilient enough to endure a few bumps. To stay updated on the latest promos and announcements for the realme C71, visit the realme official website and follow realme on Facebook and Tiktok.
Converge will be mounting a 24hour hackathon called Byte Forward, that will run alongside PCCI’s regional business conferences, to be held in North Luzon, Visayas, National Capital Region, Mindanao, and South Luzon.
“We want to maximize the use of technology in every area where business owners stand to benefit. In the hackathon, we will not just concentrate on solving real-life problems of business owners but crucially, we will tap students that have the technological know-how to solve these problems and put them in the same room,” said Converge CEO Dennis Anthony Uy, who was also elected as the PCCI’s Chairman for the Philippine Business Conference and Expo for 2025.
PCCI’s local chambers of commerce, majority of which are comprised of MSMEs, and Converge will come up with solutions addressing problem statements stemming from actual pain points experienced in the course of business, then ten teams of third and fourth year college students from the areas will be put to the test to come up with the best solution.
“The hackathon is certainly a welcome move for MSMEs particularly as it will come up with viable and practical technology solutions that meet their needs and can help them move up the value chain. We are happy that Converge, through the efforts of our PBC Chair Dennis Uy, is making this happen,” Mangio added.
Each leg of the hackathon will see the one winning team take home P 50,000. The winners of the Regional Hackathons will go head to head during a culminating hackathon that will happen at the PCCI’s 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo in October 20-12 at the SMX Convention Center in Manila with prizes of up to P500,000.
Alipay+ launches world’s 1st smart glasses-embedded payment solution
SINGAPORE—After Alipay debuted a smart glasses payment solution with Rokid in China, Alipay+, the unified wallet gateway service under Ant International, announced the Alipay+ smart glasses-embedded payment solution for global e-wallets. In collaboration with Meizu, a global industry leader, Alipay+ completed the world’s first real-world smart glasses-embedded e-wallet payment transaction in Hong Kong. The successful transaction on Meizu StarV Snap smart glasses with AlipayHK, Hong Kong’s leading superapp, marks another milestone in Alipay+’s advance at the forefront of global mobile payment innovation. Users can make seamless payments with QR scans or voice commands from their smart glasses, backed by Alipay+’s AI-powered voice interface, intent recognition, and voiceprint authentication technologies. The new feature will roll out to Alipay+ global partner e-wallets in 2025 upon the integration of Alipay+’s upgraded tech suite for smart glasses.
In April 2025, Meizu officially announced the global pioneer of offline AI glasses-enabled mobile payment function powered by Alipay+. Alipay+’s advanced payment SDK solutions are integrated into all new Meizu smart glasses, supported by Meizu’s industry-leading optical waveguide display technology, voice noise reduction and capture technology, and camera-based code scanning technology.
Alipay+ is accelerating new innovations to support e-wallets’ transition into the future of seamless commerce. Today, Alipay+ connects over 1.7 billion user accounts on 36 global e-wallets, national QR schemes and banking apps to 100 million merchants across 70+ core markets.
DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque and Converge CEO Dennis Uy share the mission not to leave micro and small businesses behind as the government moves forward on broader digitalization initiatives.
future,” said Toff Rada, Maya Head of Corporate Affairs. “By equipping teachers, parents, and school communities with the right tools, we are
Maya’s FINFIT nancial literacy program was rolled out in Mandaluyong City in time for this year’s Brigada Eskwela activities.
Boasting of the largest battery capacity in its segment, the realme C71 offers up to two days of use on just an hour of charge
Alipay+ enables world’s rst successful e-wallet payment transaction on Meizu StarV Snap smart glasses via AlipayHK.
Shown here are (from left) Michael Pelayo; Phillip Fullon, Head of Institutional Relations, Shopee Philippines; Atty. Emerson G. Cuyo, Supervising Director for Enforcement, IPOPHL; Atty. Brigitte M. da Costa-Villaluz, Director General, IPOPHL; Atty. Eryl Nagtalon, E-commerce Bureau Director, DTI; Atty. Reggie Anne D. Pamatian, IP Rights Specialist IV, IP Rights Enforcement Office (IEO) Office of the Director- General; Clara Patricia C. Vizconde, Intellectual Property Rights Specialist III, IP Rights Enforcement Office (IEO) Office of the Director General
Shopee, IPOPHL host IP Bootcamp to strengthen brand protection
IN AN increasingly digital world, safeguarding intellectual property (IP) is essential to building trust in e-commerce. Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, reaffirmed this commitment at the IP Bootcamp 2025, held in partnership with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL).
Hosted at Shopee Philippines’ headquarters in Manila, the hybrid bootcamp brought together over 50 participants, including representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry Philippines (DTI), IPOPHL, brand owners from the E-Commerce MOU signatories, and regulatory agencies. The bootcamp featured deep dives into the platform’s Notice and Takedown procedures, an overview of the upgraded Brand IP Portal, and an open forum for rights holders to raise key IP concerns.
The event was graced by Atty. Brigitte M. da Costa-Villaluz, Director General, IPOPHL, Atty. Eryl
Nagtalon, E-commerce Bureau Director, DTI, and Atty. Emerson G. Cuyo, Supervising Director for Enforcement, IPOPHL.
IPOPHL Director Cuyo delivered the opening address at the bootcamp, emphasizing the importance of cross-sector collaboration in upholding digital fairness. “E-commerce will thrive when it is built on trust, and that begins with protecting intellectual property. We applaud Shopee for championing a brand-first approach to enforcement and investing in tools that empower rights holders at every level,” said Director Cuyo.
Strengthening the Foundation for Brand Protection
At the heart of the Bootcamp was Shopee’s Brand IP Por tal, the central platform which rights holders manage and enforce their IP. First launched in 2022, the portal has since expanded access to all verified rights holders across the region and has been enhanced annually to provide users with a better experience. Key features include: One-time IP registration across multiple markets; Centralized case submission and tracking; Realtime dashboards offering visibility on enforcement actions and results.
During the boot camp, participants were guided through hands-on demos and casefiling best practices, with the goal of improving success rates and further streamlining the takedown process. Shopee’s Regional Brand Protection team also emphasized continuous improvements, such as multilanguage support, and localized takedown policies, to meet the needs of rights holders and regulators alike.
SGV Knowledge Institute holds AI Pulse Forum to emphasize AI’s role in shaping consumer futures
ON May 28, 2025, the SGV Knowledge Institute, together with EY-Parthenon and SGV Consulting, held a forum titled “AI Pulse: Shaping Consumer Futures,” at Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila.
The event explored the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the consumer goods and retail sectors.
As businesses navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the forum addressed how AI has revolutionized consumer engagement, supply chain management, and product innovation. The event brought together local and international subject matter resources who shared insights and strategies for leveraging AI to drive growth and efficiency in the industry.
The program commenced with opening remarks from SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan, who highlighted the significance of AI in modern business strategies. The first session featured presentations from Olivier Gergele, EY-Parthenon Asia-
Pacific Consumer Leader, and Shaurya Ahuja, EY-Parthenon Partner
THE future has never looked or felt smarter on your wrist as HUAWEI unveils the latest addition to its wearable device lineup, the HUAWEI WATCH 5. The new smartwatch from HUAWEI, designed to be your all-in-one lifestyle companion, is now available starting at P22,999. The HUAWEI WATCH 5 introduces the industry-leading, 3-in-1 sensor, the HUAWEI XTap. The smartwatch is engineered to make life smarter and simpler with groundbreaking health and wellness technology along with advanced, intuitive features. Its powerful performance is complemented by its futuristic aesthetic to keep the HUAWEI WATCH 5 looking sleek and sophisticated, perfect to go with any look. Thinking of leveling up your wrist accessory? The HUAWEI WATCH 5 might be the ultimate smartwatch upgrade you need.
The Future of Smart Health at Your Fingertips with HUAWEI X-Tap If you’re someone who values health and wellness features on your wearable devices, then the HUAWEI WATCH 5 is the perfect addition to your lineup. The HUAWEI X-TAP technology distinguishes between varying levels of touch and pressure, enabling unique interactions across multiple smartwatch functions. By simply holding the X-TAP sensor for three seconds, users
XIAOMI has officially announced the launch of the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G BamBam Limited Edition in the Philippines, as well as a special sale for the Redmi Note 14 Series starting July 1. The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G BamBam Limited Edition features an exclusive design with BamBam’s signature (BamBam Kunpimook Bhuwakul) on the back cover and a unique new color that makes the phone truly one-of-a-kind. In addition to its limitededition design, the device is equipped with a 200MP AI camera and advanced AI features that allow users to creatively capture every shot. It runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Ultra chipset for smooth performance, and offers all-around durability with IP68 dust and water resistance, Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2 for scratch protection, and a large 5110mAh battery for all-day use.
discussed the pivotal role of AI in transforming consumer products and retail.
Christian Domingo, Digital Business Development Head at NutriAsia, Inc., spoke about his company’s AI journey, encouraging audience engagement through a Q&A session.
Other speakers included Maria Kathrina Macaisa-Peña, SGV Partner; Marie Stephanie Tan-Hamed, SGV Partner; JJ Tan, EY-Parthenon Associate Partner; Kunal Sethi, EY-Parthenon Senior Manager; and Marcus Wong, EY-Parthenon Senior Manager.
The speakers delved into four critical themes: whitespace identification and innovation, direct consumer engagement and hyper-personalization, transparent and agile supply chains, and agentic AI for process automation.
Maria Kathrina S. Macaisa-Peña, SGV Consumer Products and Retail Leader, said “Agentic AI can enable complex third-party risk assessments for suppliers without constant human intervention by leveraging real-time intelligence from submitted requirements and online information. It can also bring transformative value to the finance function through data understanding and reporting, knowledge management, and content creation (GenAI and Machine Learning).”
The BamBam Limited Edition Redmi Note 14 will be available on the official Shopee and Lazada store for a special price of P17,999 starting on June 20. The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G (12GB+512GB) is available in Lavender Purple, Frost Blue, Midnight Black and Sand Gold for a Special price of P24,999. The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G (12GB+256GB) is available in Midnight Black, Lavender Purple, and Coral Green at a special price of P17,999. The Redmi Note 14 5G is available in Midnight Black, Lavender Purple, and Coral Green (8GB+256GB) for a special price of P13,999 while the 12GB+512GB variant goes for P16,999. The Redmi Note 14 (8GB+256GB) is available in Midnight Black, Mist Purple, Lime Green and Ocean Blue for P9,999. Mark your calendars for June 20 to get a piece of BamBam through the limited-edition Redmi Note 14 – or make that upgrade with any of the Redmi Note 14 Series devices! For all available Redmi Note 14 Series models mentioned above, a price drop sale will kick off on July 1, 2025, on the official Shopee and Lazada stores, as well as all Xiaomi stores nationwide. To learn more about the Redmi Note 14 Series, visit http://mi.com/ph.
gain immediate access to Health Glance, a comprehensive health report encompassing 11 key metrics such as heart rate variability (HRV), emotional wellbeing, and blood oxygen saturation, all delivered within 60 seconds.
Powered by X-TAP, HUAWEI WATCH 5 introduces an industry-leading fingertip blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring capability, delivering accurate results in under 10 seconds. The fingertip sensor greatly enhances the quality of pulse wave detection by leveraging the dense vascular distribution and thinner skin at the fingertip. Whether you’re pushing your limits in training or unwinding on a weekend hike, the HUAWEI WATCH 5 is designed to move with you. It supports over 100 sports modes, including golf, 40-meter free driving, and trail running. With in-depth insights available on the Health Glance feature, the HUAWEI WATCH 5 provides personalized insights into your sleep patterns and heart health to empower you to make smarter decisions for a healthier life.
Smart, Futuristic Technology for Next-Level Convenience
Everyday interactions with the HUAWEI WATCH 5 become intuitive, hands-free, and futuristic. Now, you can stay connected with loved ones or stay on top of work projects while you’re away with eSim calling on the HUAWEI WATCH 5.
key that lets you unlock doors with just a tap. Futuristic Design with Refined Elegance The HUAWEI WATCH 5 is as much about style as it is about performance. Designed with futuristic flair and built for all-day comfort, the HUAWEI WATCH 5’s lightweight, ergonomic form feels as good as it looks. This smartwatch is undoubtedly the perfect everyday companion from morning meetings to dinner date nights.
Now, you can stay in touch even when your phone is not within reach with one number across both your HUAWEI WATCH 5 and your phone. With the HUAWEI WATCH 5’s dual-battery system that switches in just 3 seconds, you can power through your day in Standard Mode for up to 7 days or stretch it to 11 days in Ultra-long Battery Life Mode..Plus, the HUAWEI WATCH 5 is compatible with a rich
HUAWEI WATCH 5
SHOWBIZ
SunKissed Lola’s ‘HKP’ soundtracks emotional
PUREGOLD’S digital series Si Sol at si Luna featured SunKissed Lola ’s hit song “HKP” in its latest episode, amplifying the emotional climax as protagonists Sol ( Zaijian Jaranill a) and Luna ( Jane Oineza ) neared a longawaited reunion. The third episode, released ahead of Saturday’s new installment, closed with “HKP”’s lyrics—“Parang alanganin
pang ika’y patawarin pa…”—as Sol finally spotted Luna at a bus stop after days of searching. The song’s themes of uncertain love mirror Luna’s grief over her late partner Andy and Sol’s unspoken feelings.
SunKissed Lola, known for viral tracks like “Pasilyo” and “Makalimutan Ka,” comprises vocalists Dan Ombao, Alvin Serito, and Laura Lacbain, with
By Jasper Valdez
FORMER sexy actor, writer, and now theater director Dante Balboa is challenging convention with Walong Libong Piso , a bold, onecharacter stage play featuring four different actors, each offering their take on the same emotionally charged role.
Set to premiere this August at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the psychological drama explores themes of trust, sexuality, and mental health through the lens of a troubled sexy actor.
It’s a deeply personal script that Balboa says is “50 percent fiction, 50 percent true story.”
“The main character talks to someone over the phone, whom you never see, so technically it’s a one-character narrative,”
Dante Balboa’s daring new play defies conventions
Balboa said. “But it’s filled with metaphor and layers. It’s erotic, psychological, and rooted in real emotion.”
Leading the cast is screen actor Paolo Gumabao, who makes his theatrical debut with this project. Performing solo for 90 minutes, Paolo says the biggest challenge is keeping the audience engaged without any scene partner or pause.
Kailangan kong ibigay lahat. Every emotion, every nuance, kailangan lumabas,” Gumabao said.
“This isn’t like a movie where you can do a second take. Here, every scene, every movement has to be complete and real.”
Sharing the stage on alternating schedules is indie actor Drei Arias , a theater graduate who brings a different energy to the same role.
For Arias, the stage feels like home, and the excitement lies in reimagining the character through his lens.
“The stage feels more like home to me. But the challenge for us is how we can bring our approach to the character,” Arias said.
“Paolo is different, I’m different, and so are Juan Paolo Calma and John Mark
said Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, Puregold’s senior marketing manager. “HKP captures Luna’s grief and Sol’s hope, asking ‘Huwag kang paasa.’” The upcoming Episode 4, “Signs,” will determine whether Sol and Luna reconnect. The series streams weekly on Puregold’s YouTube channel. Watch Episode 3: https://youtu.be/ eT02r8HOX9Q
Marcia, ” he added, referring to the other actors alternating in the role. “We all have the same script, but our stories must be different.”
Balboa, a veteran of more than 20 stage productions, said casting four actors was both a practical and artistic choice.
With plans to tour the production in Cebu, Davao, and other provinces, having rotating actors allows fl exibility and offers audiences multiple interpretations of the same story.
He also emphasized that the play should be seen first as a work of art, not merely for its message.
“People always ask, ‘What’s the lesson here?’ But more than the lesson, it’s the uniqueness of the art that matters,” Balboa said.
“This is my most daring work, and I’m proud these actors are brave enough to take it on.”
Walong Libong Piso runs from Aug. 22 to 24 at the CCP’s Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Black Box Theater).
It is produced by BenTria Productions, with Balboa directing from his script.
Best shows to watch this rainy season
While working with Ara, portrayed by Karina Bautista (left), Sol’s thoughts drift back to Luna
In Episode 4 of ‘Si Sol at si Luna’, Zaijian Jaranilla’s (right) character crosses path with Luna played by Jane Oineza Danj
’Walong Libong Piso’
A scene from the series ‘How To Spot A Red Flag,’ starring Donny Pangilinan (left) and Belle Mariano
‘Pyramid Game’ is a Korean psychological thriller that delves into brutal reality of high school bullying
Chinkee Tan serves financial sense at ‘Pandesal Forum’
where many are just one medical emergency or job loss away from hardship, separating essential funds from risk capital is more urgent than ever.
He also cautioned against investing in things you don’t understand—a warning that resonates at a time when social media influencers and self-proclaimed “financial coaches” promote complex trading schemes and crypto investments with little transparency or regulation.
“If an investment can’t be explained in plain language, or if you can’t explain it yourself, you probably shouldn’t put money into it,” Chinkee stated.
His bluntest reminder? There’s no such thing as a guaranteed high return.
“If banks and licensed institutions can’t offer double-digit interest rates without risk, why would an unlicensed outfit? Though even
AT Kamuning Bakery, fi nancial insight is served with warmth and a side of pandesal
This was the scene when fi nancial adviser
Chinkee Tan recently opened the 10thanniversary speaker series of the Pandesal Forum at Kamuning Bakery Café in Quezon City.
Chinkee’s advice, delivered in his signature practical style, echoed lessons often overlooked in a country still vulnerable to get-rich-quick schemes and financial misinformation. His message was simple: Don’t risk what you can’t afford to lose.
While not new, the reminder is crucial in an age where investment scams flourish both online and offline. In the Philippines,
if you’re the smartest person in the room, pwede ka maloko ,” he said. “So, manage your greed.”
His appearance marked a fi tting start to the Pandesal Forum ’s year-long anniversary celebration. Since 2015, this civic initiative—hosted by Kamuning Bakery Café—has earned a reputation for convening speakers across the political spectrum, from then-Vice President Jejomar Binay to thenSenator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. , fostering unfi ltered dialogue over freshly baked pandesal and coffee.
The 86-year-old bakery, one of Metro Manila’s last to use traditional wood-fired ovens, has become more than a culinary
UNIQLO has rolled
fabrics, as part of its
line aimed
and
richly as its signature bread.
Since its inception, Pandesal Forum has become a space where intellectual and civic engagement is encouraged.
“For 10 years, the Pandesal Forum has been a space where ideas rise like dough— slow, steady, and transformative. We welcome thinkers, doers, and dreamers because progress begins with dialogue,” Flores remarked.
All Pandesal Forum events are held at the historic Kamuning Bakery Cafe located on Judge Jimenez St. in Quezon City. Media and intellectuals enjoy the bakery’s legendary wood-fired pandesal while engaging with the country’s most compelling voices.
and
for hot and humid climates, the
collection includes breathable garments crafted from natural flax fibers. The brand said its linen products are built to offer water absorption and quick-drying properties while remaining durable and softening over time with use. The lineup includes three categories: Premium Linen, made of 100 percent European Linen Flax; Linen Blend, which combines 30 percent linen with 70 percent rayon to reduce wrinkling and offer a smoother drape; and Cotton Linen, composed of 30 percent linen and 70 percent cotton, for a more structured feel. Uniqlo stated that the varied fabric compositions aim to cater to different preferences for daily wear.
The collection is now available in Uniqlo stores nationwide and through its website. The brand continues to promote its LifeWear concept, which emphasizes simplicity, quality, and longevity, with garments intended to serve as versatile wardrobe essentials.
Uniqlo is operated by Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., a Tokyo-based global retail group that posted sales of approximately 3.1 trillion yen (US $21.39 billion) in the fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2024. The yen-to-dollar figure is based on an exchange rate of 144.9 yen per US dollar.
Fast Retailing is one of the world’s largest apparel companies and owns eight brands, including GU, Theory, PLST, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princesse tam. tam, J Brand, and Helmut Lang. Uniqlo remains the group’s flagship brand and
landmark. Under writer-entrepreneur Wilson Lee Flores’ stewardship, it has evolved into a cultural hub where ideas ferment as slowly and
Chinkee warns against investing in complex schemes or crypto without understanding them
Chinkee Tan (left) opens the Pandesal Forum’s 10th-anniversary speaker series together with Kamuning Bakery owner Wilson Lee Flores