Manila Standard - 2025 July 3 - Thursday

Ang, Barretto tagged in ‘sabungeros’ case

PBBM orders thorough probe; Ang to sue ‘Totoy’

By Pot Chavez, Joel Zurbano and Charles Dantes

FILIPINO gaming industry tycoon Atong Ang was tagged by whistleblower “Alyas Totoy” as one of three alleged masterminds in the case of over 100 missing “sabungeros.”

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a thorough and sustained investigation into the long-unsolved case of the missing sabungeros.

“The President’s directive is to continue the thorough investigation to find out who is really involved and hold those responsible accountable,” Presidential Communications Office Usec. Claire Castro said in a briefing Wednesday.

In an exclusive interview with GMA News, “Alyas Totoy,” a suspect in the case who claimed the bodies of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts were thrown in Taal Lake, likewise named Gretchen Barretto as the female celebrity allegedly involved in the case.

PH will not be silenced by China sanctions in defense of WPS rights

By Charles Dantes

MALACAÑANG on Wednesday said it respects China’s decision to bar former Senator Francis Tolentino from entering the country, but emphasized that no Filipino will be silenced in defending the nation’s sovereignty and maritime rights.

By Charles Dantes

THE Philippines is bracing for potential economic ripple effects from ongoing negotiations on the United States’ tariff policies, with Malacañang giving assurance that the Marcos administration is taking proactive steps to protect national interests.

“Whatever happens here, the country needs to be ready,” said Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro during a press briefing on Wednesday. She confirmed that Manila and

“Whatever reason China had for banning Senator Tolentino, it is their decision,” said Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro during a Palace press briefing.

While Castro did not speculate on Beijing’s reasons, she underscored that the move would not deter patriotic Filipinos from standing up for the

Washington are engaged in bilateral talks regarding the potential impacts of US tariff policy as the 90-day pause nears its July 9 expiration.

While specific details of the discussions remain confidential, Castro emphasized that the administration is closely monitoring developments.

“That’s why our President the and economic team are always studying matters regarding this,” Castro said in Filipino, noting that the Marcos administration has tasked its economic managers to prepare contingency plans.

country’s territorial integrity.

“But every Filipino, the true Filipino and those Filipinos who are pro-Philippines, they cannot be silenced and they cannot be prohibited from defending whatever rights we have in our country and our maritime rights,” she said.

By Ram Superable and Maricel Cruz

THE Senate impeachment court cannot reconvene for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte until the House complies with two orders issued in June, its spokesperson Regie Tongol on Wednesday said.

“If you look at the intent of the impeachment court, it wants this process to already roll. And the compliances, the certifications, will ensure that there is no more question or any legal impediment once the impeachment court convenes,” he said. On June 10, the Senate impeachment court ordered the Hoyse to certify that it did not violate the one year prohibition on impeachment proceedings against the same official and to issue a formal communication of intent to proceed.

By Vito Barcelo

By Ram Superable

SENATOR Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday filed a formal complaint before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against individuals behind a viral video featuring false claims by former Senate witness Michael Maurilio.

“This is only the first step, and with the guidance of my legal team, Impeach

THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has called on bishops, priests, and other members of the clergy to remain “steadfast and committed to their ministerial duties” in the face of challenges within the ranks of the religious.

“Dear brother bishops, in our own ministry, there will always be regrets, conflicts, betrayals, disappointments — even within our own brotherhood...May these not turn our hearts to stone,” CBCP presi -

dent Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David said in his homily during mass at the Tagbilaran Cathedral on July 1, the second day of the bishops’ annual retreat.

The four-day retreat also served as a national consultation for synodal implementation, drawing dozens of participants including priests, consecrated individuals and laypeople from various dioceses. David emphasized the importance of perseverance and unity among the clergy during these

CYBERLIBEL RAPS. Senator Risa Hontiveros files an official complaint yesterday before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against the personalities allegedly behind the viral video of former Senate witness Michael Maurilio.

‘Alias Totoy’

Atong Ang

Gretchen Barretto

DENR to comply with SC order

By Rio N. Araja

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources

in Region 11 on Wednesday acknowledged a Supreme Court issuance of a writ of kalikasan in connection with the petition filed regarding the Samal Island–Davao City Connector (SIDC) Bridge project.

“In compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive, the DENR will submit a verified return within 10 calendar days from receipt of the order.

This non-extendible submission will contain accurate, complete, and science-based information necessary to assist the Court in its deliberation,” its

statement read.

“As the DENR’s regional regulatory authority in the Davao Region, we reaffirm our steadfast commitment to uphold environmental laws and ensure that all projects within our jurisdiction comply fully with the Environmental Impact Statement System and other applicable legal requirements,” the agency said.

“We are fully prepared to cooperate with the judicial proceedings and will provide all relevant technical documents, environmental assess -

ments, and compliance records as may be required.”

The DENR also said it remains “an evidence-based institution committed to promoting development that is both sustainable and environmentally responsible.”

“The DENR remains a dedicated partner of the Filipino people in advancing inclusive and sustainable development, consistent with our environmental protection mandate and the well-being of present and future generations,” it stated.

PH biodiversity hotspot pushes back on mining

A NICKEL stockpile towers over farm-

He said any motion to reconvene the impeachment court will likely occur on or after July 29, once the legislative session is in full swing.

A House member, however, said the Senate impeachment trial of Duterte should focus on accountability instead of letting procedural hurdles derail the process.

Rep. Jude Acidre of Tingog party-list said concerns raised by the Senate impeachment court on procedural requirements, such as the need for a certification from the 20th Congress, could have been properly raised during trial proceedings and not before it.

“It makes it look like they’re lawyering...But we know that if there is any responsibility, if the Senate has any perspective or any concern, the compliance could have been raised better in the course of the trial...that would have afforded also the House to present,” Acidre said.

“I hope that our desire to clarify the responsibility of the Vice President will not be drowned in technicalities. Because there is only one method for us to meet the call for accountability -- to have a trial,” he added.

Tongol explained the need for certifications from the House would help avoid future legal hurdles in the process.

“These certification procedures should not be seen as traps or measures to impede. These certification processes help prevent any legal impediment, challenges or technicalities that could undermine the impeachment process once it starts rolling,” he said.

But for Acidre, the real casualty in the delays and procedural wrangling is the public.

“It is the people who are at a disadvantage in this matter... The Filipino people should already know... what is the truth about the use of confidential funds and other allegations in the articles of impeachment,” Acidre added.

er Moharen Tambiling’s rice paddy in the Philippines’ Palawan, evidence of a mining boom that locals hope a new moratorium will tame.

“They told us before the start of their operations that it wouldn’t affect us, but the effects are undeniable now,”

Tambiling told Agence France Presse (AFP). “Pangolins, warthogs, birds are disappearing. Flowers as well.”

A biodiversity hotspot, Palawan also holds vast deposits of nickel, needed for everything from stainless steel to electric vehicles.

Once the world’s largest exporter of the commodity, the Philippines is now racing to catch up with Indonesia. In 2021, Manila lifted a nine-year ban on mining licences.

Despite promised jobs and tax revenue, there is growing pushback against the sector in Palawan.

In March, the island’s governing council unanimously passed a 50-year moratorium on any new mining permits.

“Flash floods, the siltation of the sea, f isheries, mangrove areas... We are witnesses to the effects of long-term mining,” Nieves Rosento, a former local councillor who led the push, told AFP.

Environmental rights lawyer Grizelda Mayo-Anda said the moratorium could stop nearly 70 proposed projects spanning 240,000 hectares.

“You have to protect the old-growth forest, and it’s not being done,” she said.

From 2001 to 2024, Palawan—dubbed the country’s “last ecological frontier”— lost 219,000 hectares of tree cover, more than any other province, in part due to mining, according to Global Forest Watch.

‘Fearsome’ flooding

In southern Palawan’s Brooke’s Point, a Chinese ship at a purpose-built pier waits for ore from the stockpile overlooking Tambiling’s farm.

Mining company Ipilan says in-

creased production will result in greater royalties for Indigenous people and higher tax revenues, but that means little to Tambiling’s sister Alayma.

The single mother-of-six once made 1,000-5,000 pesos ($18-90) a day selling lobster caught where the pier now sits.

“We were surprised when we saw backhoes digging up the shore,” she told AFP, calling a one-time compensation offer of 120,000 pesos ($2,150) insulting. “The livelihood of all the Indigenous peoples depended on that area.”

On the farm, Tambiling stirred rice paddy mud to reveal reddish laterite he says is leaking from the ore heap and poisoning his crops.

Above him, swathes of the Mantalingahan mountains have been deforested, producing floods he describes as “fearsome, deep and fast-moving.”

Ipilan has faced protests and legal challenges over its logging, but its operations continue.

Calls to parent company Global Ferronickel Holdings were not returned.

For some in Palawan, the demand for nickel to power EVs has a certain irony.

“You may be able to... eliminate pollution using electric vehicles,” said Jeminda Bartolome, an anti-mining advocate.

“But you should also study what happens to the area you are mining.”

‘First-class municipality’

In Bataraza, the country’s oldest nickel mine is expanding, having secured permission before the moratorium.

Rio Tuba employees armed with brooms, goggles, hats and scarves are barely visible through reddish dust as they sweep an access road that carries 6,000 tonnes of ore destined for China each day.

Company senior vice president Jose Bayani Baylon said mining turned a barely accessible malarial swamp into a “first-class municipality.”

“You have an airport, you have a port, you have a community here. You

have a hospital, you have infrastructure which many other communities don’t have,” he told AFP.

He dismisses environmental concerns as overblown.

With part of its concession tapped out, the company is extending into an area once off-limits to logging but since rezoned.

Thousands of trees have been cleared since January, according to locals, but Baylon said “under the law, for every tree you cut, you have to plant 100.”

The company showed AFP a ninehectare plot it spent 15 years restoring with native plants.

But it is unclear to what degree that will be replicated. Baylon concedes some areas could become solar farms instead.

‘Four kilos of rice’

Nearby, Indigenous resident Kennedy Coria says mining has upset Mount Bulanjao’s ecosystem.

“Honeybees disappeared where we used to find them. Fruit trees in the forest stopped bearing fruit,” the father-ofseven said.

A fifth of the Philippines’ Indigenous land is covered by mining and exploration permits, according to rights group Global Witness.

Legally, they have the right to refuse projects and share profits, but critics say the process is rarely clear.

“There are Indigenous peoples who have not received any royalties for the past 10 years,” said Rosento. Coria, who can neither read nor write, said he must sign a document each year when accepting what he is told is his share of Rio Tuba profits.

“We get about four kilos of rice from the community leader, who tells us it came from the company,” he said.

Rio Tuba said funds are distributed in coordination with the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), which is meant to represent the communities. AFP

Alejandro is new acting OCD chief

By Charles Dantes

AMID intensified rainfall and the looming threat of multiple low-pressure areas within and outside the Philippine area of responsibility, Malacañang on Wednesday confirmed the designation of a new acting chief to oversee the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro announced that Assistant Secretary Rafaelito Alejandro IV has been appointed Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the OCD, replacing former Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno.

“Yes, we have an OIC now. It is Assistant Secretary Rafaelito Alejandro IV. He is currently overseeing the Office of Civil Defense,” Castro said during a press briefing, responding to questions on disaster preparedness amid the active weather systems. Nepomuceno left his post as OCD administrator after President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. appointed him as new Bureau of Customs chief, replacing Bienvenido Rubio as part of the administration’s “revamp” to improve government services.

The announcement comes as torrential rains continue to affect various regions, increasing the risk of floods and landslides.

The OCD plays a critical role in coordinating disaster response and preparedness nationwide.

China on Tuesday imposed sanctions on Tolentino, citing his “egregious conduct” and “malicious remarks” on China-Philippines affairs. The Chinese Foreign Ministry accused Tolentino of actions that harmed bilateral ties, announcing a travel ban barring him from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao.

The move came just a day after Tolentino ended his term in office, drawing criticism over its timing and motive. Tolentino, a vocal proponent of the Philippines’ claims in the West Philippine Sea, confirmed he had been barred from entering China, calling it a consequence of his strong position on sovereignty issues.

The development comes amid heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing over repeated incursions and harassment by Chinese vessels in the country’s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.

challenging times, encouraging them to focus on their spiritual responsibilities and the needs of their congregations despite the difficulties they may face.

Addressing the realities of Church leadership, he urged fellow bishops “not to grow cold or bitter, but to stay spiritually alive by keeping their eyes fixed on Christ.”

He encouraged the prelates to resist the “temptation to dwell on past wounds and instead look to Christ for strength and direction.”

“When the temptation comes to keep looking back, look instead at Christ, who is with us in the boat,” he said.

“May our hearts dare to stay both frightened and free — not frozen like pillars of salt, but alive, trusting in Him who calms the winds and the waves,” David added.

David also emphasized the importance of leading by example and keeping Christ at the center of their mission.

“Let us fix our gaze on him who is our true destination — and lead our people to do the same,” he said.

“Alias Totoy” was identified in the news report as Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, and was said to have served as chief security officer for the agency managing the farms and cockpits owned by Ang.

Ang’s lawyer, Lorna Kapunan, told News5 her client will file a complaintaffidavit against “Alias Totoy” today (Thursday) to clear his name.

“He (Alyas Totoy) has been going around and extorting money from those whom he threatened to name (as being involved). That is why Sir Atong Ang is coming forward in his attempt to bring out the truth,” Kapunan said.

“We have evidence. We will show in due course in the case that we are going to file the exchange of text to affirm the extortions.”

“The Department of Justice is taking the wrong lead if it will listen... They should just wait. A legitimate state witness will point to ‘Alyas Totoy’ as the real perpetrator,” Kapunan added.

When asked to respond to Kapunan’s statements, “Alyas Totoy,” told GMA, “it’s like (Ang) is already suing himself.”

“I’m the one he is suing because he is the one who ordered everything, like when he said I extorted P300 million. Just so everyone knows, I can’t accept his money,” he said.

Apart from Ang, “Alyas Totoy” also identified a certain Eric Dela Rosa and Engr. Celso Salazar as among the alleged masterminds.

“Mr. Eric Dela Rosa, he is the one who monitors the shows. When he knows there is ‘tsope.’ He informs Mr. Atong Ang, then he and Celso Salazar will talk and call me to put those people on hold. Mr. Atong Ang, he is the chairman of Pitmaster. He is the

and prosecute those responsible for producing and circulating the video, which also revealed private information about other witnesses and Senate staff.

mastermind and he is the one who orders to really clean up those people,” he said in Filipino.

“Tsope” is a term used to describe an act of doublecross in cockfighting where the game is rigged to allow enthusiasts to make a profit from betting on the predetermined winner.

Meanwhile, four other alleged accomplices have also surfaced, appealing for government protection.

The Department of Justice, however, said it has yet to see any basis to consider the newly-revealed suspects as state witnesses.

“There is yet no basis for them to be state witnesses until they are charged in the case. A person can be discharged as a state witness if they help the state by testifying truthfully against others involved in a crime, and the court agrees that their evidence is important and necessary,” said Justice department spokesperson Mico Clavano.

we will determine who else should be charged and what additional charges may be filed against them,” she said in an interview.

The video, which surfaced after Maurilio allegedly sought police help, contains misleading narratives about Senate investigations into religious leader Apollo Quiboloy.

Hontiveros asked the NBI to identify

The complaint includes accusations of cyber libel and targets over a dozen individuals, including several social media personalities.

Named in the filing are vloggers Krizette Chu, Jay Sonza, Sass Rogando Sasot, Trixie Cruz Angeles, and “Banat By,” among others, whom Hontiveros accused of spreading and embellishing the disinformation.

Hontiveros said the sudden appearance of “Pagtanggol Valiente,” the YouTube account where the retraction video was posted, suggests a coordinated campaign to discredit Senate witnesses and derail ongoing investigations.

The senator said she remains open to criticism as a public servant but draws the line at deliberate lies and orchestrated disinformation.

She urged the Philippine National Police in Davao to locate Maurilio and ensure his safety amid fears he may still be in danger.

“If Michael Maurilio was truly kid-

“Whatever the resolution may be, it will be for the benefit of the country,” she said.

US President Donald Trump’s tariff regime, reintroduced under what he has dubbed “Liberation Day” trade policy, imposes a 10-percent universal tariff on nearly all US imports and threatens additional “reciprocal” tariffs of up to 50 percent on goods from countries deemed to have unfair trade practices.

While the initial tariffs took effect in April, the more punitive country-specific rates were suspended until July 9 to allow time for bilateral negotiations. The Philippines currently faces a proposed 17-percent reciprocal tariff rate under the policy.

napped and is now in serious danger because of it, all the more reason for the PNP (Philippine National Police) to locate and rescue him from whatever threat he may be facing,” she said. Despite the situation, Hontiveros said Maurilio still has to explain and take responsibility for his participation in the disinformation campaign.

“I will never, ever tolerate this kind of lying, especially dangerous lies like these, because the targets weren’t just me. The targets were the witnesses, my staff, and the Senate itself,” she said. Castro assured the public that any resulting decisions from the negotiations would reflect the country’s long-term economic strategy.

AP Renewables is top taxpayer in Laguna town

AP RENEWABLES Inc. (APRI),

the geothermal subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation, has been recognized by the municipality of Calauan, Laguna as its top taxpayer among local businesses. The award was given during the recent Calauan Business Summit held at the municipal conference hall.

The recognition highlights APRI’s consistent contributions to the local economy. In previous years, the company had also been endorsed as a top taxpayer nominee to the provincial government of Laguna, leading to a province-wide award in 2024.

APRI operates geothermal power facilities in Tiwi, Albay, and in the areas of Bay and Calauan in Laguna, as well as Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

Company representatives and local officials were present at the awarding ceremony, including Calauan Local Economic Development and Investment Officer Leonardo Cairo, Aboitiz Renewables SVP for Stakeholder Relations and Compliance Miguel Robillo, and APRI First Vice President and General Manager Ireneo Itoses.

Aboitiz Power said the recognition reflects its commitment to responsible business practices and to supporting host communities through sustainable development and reliable renewable energy generation.

Palace rejects Roque’s ‘forced’ departure claim

By Charles Dantes

MALACAÑANG on Wednesday rejected accusations from former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who claimed he was “forced to leave the country” and could not forgive the Marcos administration for the circumstances of his departure.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro dismissed Roque’s statements as “baseless” and “obstructionist.”

“I didn’t want to respond anymore, but I have to because the public might think there’s truth to it,” Castro said. “It seems like he’s blaming the President and this administration for what happened to him. But the real question is: where is his proof?” Castro cited Roque’s transactions and disclosures that she said happened independently of the President, including his reported dealings with Whirlwind Corporation and Lucky South 99, and the opening of a joint account with an individual identified as AR Dela Cerna. She added that Roque voluntarily submitted documents such as his SALN, tax records, and an estate settlement contract.

“All of this came from him,” Castro said. “The President was not with him during these transactions or disclosures. So how can he blame the administration?” She urged Roque and others she described as obstructionist to stop spreading misleading narratives and “start acting like true Filipinos.”

Remulla eyes integration of BJMP and BuCor

By Vince Lopez

DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla on Wednesday announced plans to integrate the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor). The move follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to streamline resources and address jail congestion nationwide.

“It is a proposal, a work in progress, and one that will be done in consultation with you,” Remulla said during BJMP’s 34th Anniversary Celebration in Quezon City. “You must know what we are doing, how we are doing it, and be part of the integration.”

Remulla commended BJMP per-

sonnel for their efforts to rehabilitate Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) and keep communities safer. He cited a reduction in national jail congestion from 314 percent in 2024 to 296 percent this year, as well as paralegal aid extended to over 85,000 PDLs.

The BJMP has also declared 230

facilities drug-free and 77 drugcleared through surprise inspections.

Education and livelihood remain central to the agency’s rehabilitation programs, with more than 10,700 PDLs completing basic education, 107 earning college degrees through the College Education Behind Bars program, and over 66,000 benefiting from livelihood initiatives that generated ₱116.7 million in gross income.

Former PDL Marissa Basa, now employed at city hall, shared her story during the event. “Ito na ako ngayon, hindi na katulad noon. Masaya ako kasi first time ko magtrabaho,” she said. Remulla assured that the DILG will continue to support BJMP’s mission to protect, reform, and empower people in custody.

‘No’ to Ong’s bid to dismiss trafficking raps

By Pot Chavez

THE Court of Appeals 13th Division has dismissed Cassandra Li Ong’s petition to quash and dismiss the qualified human trafficking case filed against her.

In a seven-page decision penned by Associate Justice Pablito Perez, the appellate court ruled that Ong’s explanation for bypassing standard procedures was insufficient and unjustified. The court questioned why Ong went directly to the Court of Appeals without first filing an appeal or motion for reconsideration with the Department of Justice.

According to the decision, rules

require petitioners to exhaust all remedies with the agency that issued the resolution—in this case, the DOJ—before elevating the matter to the appellate court.

“Petitioner’s belief that reconsideration and appeal would have been futile in this case is speculative and conjectural,” the ruling stated. “Immediate resort to this court was unjustified and this court has no other duty but to dismiss the petition.” Ong, representative of the raided Lucky South 99 POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga, remains the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Angeles City Regional Trial Court.

503 Amelia Street, Barangay 439, Zone 44.

Firefighters raised the alarm to the fourth level as the flames spread rapidly through tightly packed houses. The fire was declared out at 5:44 a.m., after nearly five hours of firefighting operations. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. Authorities are still determining the cause of the blaze and assessing the total damage to property. Itchie G. Cabayan Malay council seeks removal of Boracay bridge THE Sangguniang Bayan of Malay, Aklan has formally requested the removal of the proposed ₱7.5-billion Boracay bridge project from the town’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Annual Investment Plan.

Former councilor Daligdig “Datu” Sumndad said the proposal was the last resolution he filed before stepping down as a threeterm councilor.

“Here is one of my last resolutions in SB Malay—to remove Boracay Bridge from the CLUP and AIP,” he posted on Facebook, citing Malay SB Resolution No. 106, Series of 2025.

The measure was adopted by the committee of the whole and approved on June 25. Several councilors and representatives of the Indigenous People were present during the session.

Earlier, the Department of Public Works and Highways said it would decide this July on the project’s fate. The bridge proposal by San Miguel Corporation has faced opposition from the provincial government, boat operators, Indigenous communities, and business groups. Jun N. Aguirre

CHR: Child-focused disaster plan needed

THE Commission on Human Rights on Wednesday called on the government to improve disaster response in local communities by prioritizing the needs of children.

The CHR urged the Department of Education to adapt educational strategies and strengthen the Alternative Learning System, especially in culturally diverse areas.

In an advisory, the commission raised concerns about the rights of children displaced by disasters such as Typhoon Yolanda, the Marawi Siege, and the Taal Volcano eruption.

“Given the complex and vulnerable conditions of internally displaced children, the CHR emphasizes the urgent need for targeted, sustainable, and institutionalized interventions,” it said. Rio N. Araja

NEW LAKAS. Reelected Leyte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Speaker of the 19th Congress and President of Lakas-CMD, administers the oath of membership to South Cotabato 3rd District Representative Dibu

SOL TAKES HER OATH. Laguna Governor-elect Marisol “Sol” Castillo Aragones-Sampelo takes her oath at the Cultural Center, Capitol in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, on Wednesday, July 2, joined by her daughter Annika.

TOP TAXPAYER. Aboitiz Power Corporation subsidiary AP Renewables Inc. (APRI) was named one of Laguna’s top taxpayers. Company representatives and local officials were present at the awarding ceremony, including Calauan Local Economic Development and Investment Officer Leonardo Cairo, Aboitiz Renewables SVP for Stakeholder Relations and Compliance Miguel Robillo, and APRI First Vice President and General Manager Ireneo Itoses.

IN BRIEF

LTO steps us drive vs. abusive taxis at NAIA

THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) will be more visible at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) with the deployment of more personnel to conduct random inspections of public transportations particularly taxis servicing the facility.

“We are making NAIA and its surroundings a discipline zone, and the deployment of our personnel there will be the start to ensure compliance with the regulations of these drivers,” LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said.

The deployment would make the response system more active and realtime against drivers of taxis and other modes of public transportation who overcharge passengers.

Mendoza gave assurance that the LTO personnel would inform airport passengers on where to file their complaints against erring public utility vehicle drivers. Rio N. Araja

Isabela officials take oath en masse in Ilagan

ILAGAN City—The newly elected and re-elected officials of Isabela province, from congressmen down to members of the Sangguniang Bayan, took their oath of office in a ceremony held June 30 at the Capital Arena here.

Gov. Rodolfo Albano was sworn in for his third and last term by Regional Trial Court Judge Grace Manaloto.

In his remarks, Albano acknowledged the vital role of public servants and the people in shaping the future of the province. He emphasized that collaboration is the key to development. Albano in turn administered the oath to three Isabela representatives; Tonypet Albano of the 1st District, Ed Christopher Go of the 2nd District, and Faustino Dy of the 6th District.

Jessica M. Bacud

PA’s ‘Dolphin Warriors’ end mission in Basilan

AFTER more than 15 years of detail in Basilan, the 4th Special Forces “Dolphin Warriors” Battalion (4SFBn) of the Philippine Army (PA) officially concluded its mission in the island province, receiving a warm and emotional send-off on June 30 at the Port of Lamitan City.

The ceremony was led by Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon, commander of the 101st Infantry “Three Red Arrows” Brigade, and attended by military officials, local leaders, and community stakeholders.

The event marked the end of a deployment that significantly contributed to the province’s transformation from a conflict-ridden area into a more peaceful and secure community. Representing battalion commander Lt. Col. Adolf Ian Garceron was Maj. Jundy Adrian Paul Peralta who received the commendations and messages of gratitude on behalf of the unit. Rex Espiritu

PH warns vs. new hires to Israel

By Vito Barcelo

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday said deployment of newly hired workers to Israel remains restricted despite the downgrading of Alert Level 3 to Level 2 in the war-torn region.

In a statement, DMW Secretary Leo Hans Cacdac said while overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)

with existing jobs in Israel are allowed to leave under the BalikManggagawa program, deploy-

ment of newly hired workers is “still not recommended.”

He said the precautionary measures were meant to ensure the safety of the OFWs in the Middle East.

The DMW prioritizes the welfare and protection of OFWs, following the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) decision to lower the country’s crisis from Alert Level 3 which calls for voluntary repatriation to Level 2 that allows

deployment but with restrictions.

“Alert Level 2 allows our returning OFWs with valid contracts to go back to their employers in Israel. We need to prioritize their safety and welfare wherever they are,” Cacdac said, adding that the government will continue to assist the OFWs.

The DFA lowered the alert level effective immediately due to improved security conditions in Israel.

OIC hails MILF leader’s appointment as head of BARMM

By Nash B. Maulana

THE Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has welcomed the appointment of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leader Abdulraof Macacua as chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The OIC ratified a resolution hailing Macacua’s appointment as an agenda on the “Question of Muslims in Southern Philippines,” “Welcomes the appointment of Abdulraof Macacua as Interim Chief Minister of BARMM and other members of the

BTA by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr,” the measure read.

The OIC resolution was passed and adopted during the 51st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation under the Theme: The OIC in a Transforming World) held in Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye June 21 to 22, 2025.”

A copy of the resolution was shared by lawyer Suharto Mastura Ambolodto, a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament.

The OIC said it acknowledged the full and unwavering commitments conveyed by President Marcos to the Bangsamoro

THE government, through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), has completed the socioeconomic profiling of 458 former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters in Sulu under the MNLF Transformation Program. The move aims to assist the former Islamic guerrillas and their communities in becoming self-reliant and productive members of mainstream society, providing transitional cash aid of P45,000

commitments under the 1996 Final Peace Agreement.

“We sustain our collaboration with the MNLF leadership to ensure the transformation and progress of every MNLF combatant, their families and their communities, particularly here in Sulu,” Galvez said in his remarks.

The initiative was carried out with the help of national and local government agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the PhilHealth, the Philippine Statistics Au-

thority, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and educational institutions. In 2025, over 500 loose firearms were documented as part of the program’s peace and security components.

Key stakeholders praised the collaborative process, emphasizing that the program is more than just technical profiling—it represents healing, peace building, and long-term development.

The government plans to screen the remaining 167 MNLF members within the year as part of its ongoing commitment to the 1996 Final Peace Agreement. Rex Espiritu

peace process and the BARMM, It also cited as a welcome development, Marcos’ strong commitments to push for unity, inclusivity, socioeconomic development and interventions to promote peace and development in the BARMM area, and having considered the Report of the Secretary General on the Question of Muslims in Southern Philippines.”

Further, the OIC “acknowledges Al Haj Murad Ebrahim’s role as the former interim Chief Minister of BARMM and recognizes his leadership of the BTA since February 2019; The Islamic body of nations, also urged OIC member states, subsidiary or-

ganizations, specialized institutions, and affiliated institutions, including other stakeholders, to heighten their medical, humanitarian, economic, social, educational and technical assistance to (help) develop BARMM with a view to accelerating socio-economic development; It also “requests the Government of the Philippines to facilitate a joint delegation of the General Secretariat, MemberStates, and representatives of the Islamic Development Bank to visit the area for developing a viable mechanism to provide necessary development assistance and financing to the Bangsamoro region,” the resolution stated.

OCD faces dilemma on Kanlaon evacuees still sheltered at schools

By Rex Espiritu

THE Office of Civil Defense (OCD in the Negros Island Region is coordinating with the local government of La Castellana in Negros Occidental to address the needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the recent eruption of the Kanlaon Volcano.

OCD regional director Donato Sermeno III met with La Castellana Mayor Añejo Nicor on Tuesday following the return of 37 families from Barangay Cabagna-an to their homes within the six-kilometer extended danger zone. The families had left the evacuation center at La Castellana on Monday without official clearance from appropriate authorities.

“Most of them were still back home, but three families have already returned to the evacuation camp. The LGU continues to convince them to return. Our

way forward is to hold a dialogue to address their concerns,” Sermeno said. He said the OCD also has an ongoing procurement of pre-fabricated emergency shelters to alleviate the living conditions of the affected families.

“On July 3, we will resume meeting with the central office to plan out how to implement this. Still, this is a temporary solution while we are crafting a comprehensive plan -- the Kanlaon recovery and development plan,” he added. The displaced families from Barangay Cabagna-an were initially housed at La Castellana Elementary School, but were relocated to tent shelters at La Castellana National High School – Senior High School when classes resumed on June 16.

According to Sermeno, the evacuees were expected to stay at the school site for only 10 days while preparations were underway at another temporary relocation area near Barangay Cabagna-an.

RIVER CLEAN-UP. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority workers do the dirty job of clearing a Navotas river clogged with the remains of a concrete wall that collapsed during the recent heavy rains, sending floodwaters rushing into multiple communities.

OATH-TAKING. Reelected Gov. Rodolfo Albano of Isabela takes his oath of office before Regional Trial Court Judge Grace Manaloto, witnessed by his family, in a ceremony held at the Capital Arena in Ilagan City. Jessica M. Bacud

TURNOVER OF BARMM LEADERSHIP. Moro Islamic Liberation Front chief Abdulraof Macacua (right) , appointed by President Marcos as Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, talks with his predecessor, outgoing BARMM interim chief Al Haj Murad Ebrahim.

OPINION

Straws in the wind

THE City of Manila is in the “financial ICU,” declared its newly returned mayor as he delivered the State of the City upon his inauguration.

His hand-picked predecessor, to whom he entrusted the reins of City Hall in 2022 after his much-admired threeyear stint not only slept on the job, but apparently left the city bankrupt.

I use the word “bankrupt” figuratively, because Manila under “Yorme” Isko Moreno will surely bounce back to financial health, and continue his vision of providing, at the very least, the MBN or “minimum basic needs” of his more than 2 million city dwellers and another 2 million who work in the city but reside in its environs.

Still, the gory details of the state of the city’s finances and the almost inexplicable chicanery and management foolhardiness that brought the capital of the nation to its feet is mind-boggling, too many to write about in a single article.

Aside from the urgent task of cleaning up the detritus that littered the “kabisera ng bansa,” a visual hallmark that characterized the dying days of the Lacuna administration, we await the “straws in the wind” the Yorme will do next, to make officials accountable and, furthermore, to nurse the city to recovery. ***

Yet the capital is a mirror of the true state of the nation.

As of April this year, the NG’s indebtedness has reached P16.75 trillion, up by 3.96 trillion in the first two years and four months of the BbM administration, compared to his imprisoned predecessor who left him a “legacy debt” of 12.79 trillion at the end of his term.

Duterte borrowed P6.8 trillion, as the parsimonious PNoy left him with almost 6 trillion in debt. Examining the debt in detail, we see that most of it was incurred during the pandemic, when, for two full years, the economy was at a standstill due to the pandemic.

We were operating on various degrees of lockdown with severe economic impacts, and we have yet to fully recover, unlike our regional neighbors.

In 2019, the national debt stood at 7.73 trillion, an increase of 1.78 trillion from PNoy’s 2016, which however jumpstarted the Build Build Build infrastructure programs of Duterte, most of which which BbM now inaugurates with attendant fanfare.

But with COVID 19, we had to borrow 2 trillion to sustain government operations and another 2 trillion in 2021, plus one more trillion in the first half of 2022.

Keeping the population alive and feeding the marginalized at a time when the economy was shut down costs plenty, yet the Duterte government was able to accomplish many infrastructure

projects.

The BbM government tweaked Build Build Build into Build Better More, pursuing a personality cult that identifies every undertaking for the resurrected “caudillo,” but there is little to show after three years.

The mountain heaved, but produced a tiny mouse.

At the rate this government is borrowing more and more to finance unsustainable but useless spending on “ayuda” and larceny-graced pork barrel entitlements of the uber-greedy legislators, BbM’s government will graduate in June 30, 2028 leaving us in hock by 21 trillion pesos, maybe more.

—“—

Sell government assets where buyers are disinterested if not at bargain basement prices, or substantially moderate the greed?

With very few FDI’s bringing capital to our shores (and fewer tourists too), with persistent and intractable headline inflation hounding us all, with our balance of trade ballooning negatively as imports continue to outpace exports, and the insatiable greed of officialdom that sucks every penny from the “kaban ng bayan,” Duterte’s 12.79 trillion legacy will have increased by 63 percent or 8.21 trillion more.

That in turn will be BbM’s legacy debt to whoever --- be it Inday Sara, his first cousin Martin, one of the Tulfo brothers, Chiz, Leni or Risa or Bam for the pinklawan cult, Baguio’s Magalong, even BbM dark horses like Johnvic or Vince.

Meanwhile, DOF’s Ralph Recto has to find ways and means to finance the 2026 budget, which the DBCC announced as a whopping 6.793 trillion despite his absence as head of the economic management team, an increase of 441 billion from 2025’s What can Recto do? The BIR and Customs (with its newly minted Ariel Nepomuceno heading it), can only cough up 4.21 trillion in revenues in 2026, while GOCC dividends and other revenues can at best produce another 700 billion to make for 4.9 trillion, leaving a gap of 1.9 trillion.

Straws in the wind: Utang pa more; sell government assets where buyers are disinterested if not at bargain basement prices, or substantially moderate the greed?

Betcha by golly wow!, to borrow from a 70s Stylistics song, it won’t be the last option.

Our dismal tourism numbers

ALTHOUGH we have some of the best islands and beaches in the world, not to mention our dive sites consistently adjudged as number one, we remain at the tail end in the ASEAN region when it comes to foreign tourist arrivals.

The country suffered a decrease in tourist arrivals for the first quarter of this year with only 1.65 million instead of increasing like our neighbors.

The big question is why have we failed so far to draw the kind of tourist numbers our neighbors are attracting and how could this be reversed?

We have heard all the reasons mentioned before. Some of these are poor tourism infrastructure, peace and order or safety of foreign tourists, difficulty in traveling internally, costs, poor marketing strategy, and negative perception of the country.

A new one which I just came across recently is geography.

This contends that since the country is supposed to be the farthest, foreign tourists from Europe no longer would like to go any farther unless the Philippines is really in their initial itinerary.

The beaches in Thailand or Vietnam seem to be sufficient for them.

But how come Indonesia, which actu-

ally requires farther travel, has been attracting an increasing number of foreign tourists which could not be only due to the island of Bali?.

There must be other reasons why we are failing to increase our tourist arrivals.

This has prompted some of our tourism stakeholders to urge for a “strong catalyst” so the country can at least recover to pre-pandemic arrival levels.

—“—

Why have we failed so far to draw the kind of tourist numbers our neighbors are attracting and how could this be reversed?

What that strong catalyst is they did not mention but it is true that unless something is done, tourist arrival numbers will continue to be dismal.

DOT projections from now to 2028 therefore will have to be revised downwards.

But if we look at all the problems

This is an AI-generated cartoon with the prompt: Generate a political cartoon in horizontal format of a giant monstrous foot covered in green scales. It has long nails and a crocodilian foot, positioned at the center of the cartoon and occupies a significant portion of the space. The foot is stepping on a pile of crumpled pieces of paper, and within that pile is a pair of human legs lying face down. There is a pair of hands that holds the scales of justice and a sword. There is a bloody puddle at the bottom of the pile. The scaly foot is labeled ‘Witness tampering.’

EDITORIAL

Private sector can help ease housing backlog

HOW should government address the 6.5 million housing backlog in the country?

With no little help from the private sector, that’s for sure, given the national government’s limited resources that should also go infrastructure and vital social services such as education and health needed by a growing population.

Enter, therefore, the private sector, which is now pushing for the passage of key legislative measures that can help sustain economic growth while addressing the country’s housing backlog.

“We are ready to work with our lawmakers toward a future where every Filipino has a place to call home—and where housing becomes the cornerstone of a stronger, more resilient economy,” the group said recently.

The umbrella organization of the real estate and housing sector is the country is urging the government to pass key legislation that would allow the disadvantaged sectors in Philippine society to be able to have homes of their own.

Among these is the amendment of the balanced housing provisions under Republic Act 7279 or Urban Develop-

mentioned, all or most of them are issues which will take time to repair and cannot be solved instantly.

Also, most of us seem to view that when it comes to tourism, it is mainly the responsibility of the DOT which is not the case at all.

Let us take the case of marketing strategy.

The DOT can only go so far in trying to market the country as a tourism destination.

In order for the DOT to succeed, the product it is marketing must be in itself a good product because otherwise no matter how much effort and money is spent, the result we expect will not happen. It has to be a country effort where the entire government bureaucracy together with the public should all contribute.

ment and Housing Act of 1992 to encourage greater private sector participation in the delivery of socialized and economic housing units.

The group is also seeking “fundamental changes” in Republic Act No. 6552 or the Maceda Law to promote equitable consideration of developers and buyers’ welfare in cases of defaulted home purchases.

—“—

Inclusive growth, sustainable development, and access to decent housing for all Filipinos that our legislators should seriously consider in the 20th Congress

The private sector is likewise pushing its longstanding advocacy for the passage of the National Land Use Act, which it has long championed, urging legislators to enact the measure to establish a clear, equitable framework for land allocation that safeguards agricultural resources, promotes infra-

Let us first try to improve the image of the product we are selling and then let it speak for itself. People will find this out for themselves eventually and they will come.

We can start from all our entry points like our airports and ports by making them clean, efficiently and professionally managed and be truly comparable with the best in the world.

Then we must improve our internal transportation system and make it easy for everyone together with our visitors to travel efficiently.

For the DOT, it should focus its attention in seeing to it that our tourism infrastructure like our hotels and resorts are affordable, clean and professionally managed. Lastly, our visitors must feel safe in our country and that is where our law

structure and human settlements, and ensures sustainable growth.

“While the bill has been, time and again, certified as an urgent measure, several versions of the NLUA bills have continued to languish in the legislative mills for close to 30 years for lack of consensus among stakeholders,” the group lamented. Then there’s what it called the longoverdue enactment of a Comprehensive Home Financing Program, which could expand access to long-term, affordable housing credit for low- and middle-income families.

There’s more. Congress should amend or strengthen existing laws on property registration, taxation, fiscal incentives and rental housing to eliminate bottlenecks and improve efficiency in land development and the delivery of much-needed housing units in support of national government goals. These measures will help address the “nation’s nagging housing shortfall, streamline property development, and improve the overall investment climate in real estate to more effectively respond to the large-scale goals of the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program.”

The end-goals? Inclusive growth, sustainable development, and access to decent housing for all Filipinos that our legislators should seriously consider in the 20th Congress.

enforcement agencies come in. Our police must be perceived as professional, capable and able to do its job.

Only then can we begin to improve our tourism numbers. We have to remember that oftentimes, people go to countries where they have positive impressions and not to places where they have negative perceptions.

It is simply a natural human reaction.

The sad part in all of this is that the country has so much to offer to our visitors.

Not only our more than 7,600 islands, among the most environmentally diverse in the planet, but also our pristine white sandy beaches, dive sites and our rich culture as well.

So, if we want to catch up, let us do the hard work first. Nothing really comes that easy.

Trump urges 60-day Gaza ceasefire deal

IN BRIEF

2 dead in fire as heatwave scorches

BARCELONA, Spain – Firefighters in Spain have said they found two bodies after a blaze in the northeast of the country, which is in the midst of a brutal heatwave.

The heatwave across Europe this week broke high temperature records, caused the closure of schools and increased the risk of fire.

Authorities in Spain’s Catalonia region on Tuesday confined about 14,000 people to their homes due to two wildfires that broke out almost simultaneously in the province of Lerida.

In one of the blazes, near the city of Cosco, “two people were found lifeless by firefighters,” the fire and emergency service said in a statement.

The exact cause of the fire was unclear, but the service said the recent heat, dry conditions and strong winds caused by storms had increased the intensity of the flames.

Catalonia regional president Salvador Illa said he was “dismayed after learning of the death of two people as a result of the fire”, in a post on X. AFP

Trump ramps up Musk feud

WASHINGTON, DC – Donald Trump and Elon Musk reignited their bitter feud Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time), with the US president threatening to deport the tech tycoon and strip federal funds from his businesses for criticizing Trump’s flagship spending bill. The world’s richest person was Trump’s biggest political donor in the 2024 election, and became his inseparable ally during his first months back in the White House as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

But the Space X and Tesla boss is now threatening to turn his riches against Trump, mulling a rival political party to challenge Republican lawmakers who vote for the president’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Trump, 79, reacted vengefully on Tuesday as he headed to the opening of a new migrant detention center in Florida dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.”

“We’ll have to take a look,” he told reporters when asked if he would consider deporting Musk, who has held US citizenship since 2002. AFP

Combs Trial: Day 3 of jury debate

NEW YORK – Jurors in the trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs head back into deliberations Wednesday, aiming to reach a unanimous decision on the case’s most serious charge of leading a criminal organization.

The New York jury of eight men and four women have already come to agreement on four of the five charges -- those that pertain to sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution -- but told the court Tuesday there were “unpersuadable opinions on both sides” concerning the first count of racketeering.

That charge paints Combs as the boss of a decades-long criminal group who directed loyal employees and bodyguards to commit myriad offenses at his behest.

The alleged crimes include forced labor, drug distribution, kidnapping, bribery, witness tampering and obstruction, arson, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.

To find Combs guilty of racketeering, jurors would need to find the existence of a criminal enterprise and that the organization committed at least two of the offenses. AFP

HEATWAVE: SILENT KILLER. Children refresh themselves at a fountain in Reims, northern France, on Tuesday as a heatwave hits France. Schools were partially shut in France, iconic monuments closed to tourists, and cities across Europe put on high alert as a record-breaking early summer heatwave spread across the continent. Nearby Spain had its hottest June on record last month, with an average temperature of 23.6 degrees Celsius, the Aemet national weather service said today. AFP

Relief coming for Europe after brutal heatwave

PARIS – After days of record-breaking heatwaves across Europe, relief will start to arrive from the Atlantic on Wednesday, bringing thunderstorms and cooler temperatures to parts of western Europe.

Paris hit 40 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, but the high will drop to 35C on Wednesday and to 28C on Thursday, Meteo-France forecast.

“Our latest forecasts confirm the arrival of cooling from the west on Wednesday, which will quickly affect the northwest of the country,” MeteoFrance said, adding that there could be heavy thunderstorms late Wednesday and Thursday in the east along the German border.

Germany’s national weather service is forecasting a peak of 40C on Wednesday in the economic capital Frankfurt, but that will plummet to 27C by Thursday. Spain and Italy, meanwhile, may have to wait for the weekend to see some lim-

ited relief.

On Tuesday, around 2,200 schools were shut in France because of the heat, but only about 135 are expected to be kept closed Wednesday, the education ministry said.

Meteo-France said June 30 was the hottest June day since measurements began in 1947, beating out a record set in 2019.

Similar records were set Tuesday in Portugal and the Netherlands.

“For the continent as a whole, the month is likely to be ranked among the top 5 warmest Junes on record,” said the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.

On Sunday, in a case of two extremes, the Mediterranean Sea hit a record-high temperature for June while Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Europe, went above freezing, a rarity for this time of year.

In Turkey, forest fires that broke out

Canada turns to drones to impel reforestation after summer fires

CHIBOUGAMAU, Canada – A large aerial drone flies over the charred remains of Canadian forests devastated by wildfires, bombarding the ground with seed capsules to accelerate reforestation.

This area of northern Quebec province was ravaged by megafires in the summer of 2023 and for the second year in a row a pilot project has been using drones to plant new black spruces and jack pines.

Rather than simply dropping seeds from high above, the company Flash Forest, which is leading the initiative, uses seeds protected in capsules that also contain water and nutrients, as well as fungi, to maximize their growing potential.

“There is a niche that’s appropriate for drone reforestation which we’ve spent the last five years narrowing in on,” Flash Forest co-founder Cameron Jones explained.

The company focuses its efforts on forests that were scorched in the last year or two and excludes older burn sites that already have vegetation that can crowd out new seeds.

It is no longer feasible to wait for Canada’s forests to bounce back all on their own with millions of hectares of forests destroyed each year.

In 2023, Canada experienced a record year of wildfires with blazes affecting every province, ultimately burning nearly 18 million hectares.

Quebec, and particularly this area in the north of the French-speaking province, was hit especially hard that year.

Drone operator and geospatial data scientist Owen Lucas says the method uses artificial intelligence to map out the sites ahead of time. AFP

over the weekend around Izmir in the west and Hatay in the south were largely brought under control, authorities said Tuesday evening, though they warned about continued risks from dry, hot winds.

Tens of thousands of people have died in Europe during past heatwaves, prompting authorities to issue warnings for old and young, the sick, and others vulnerable to what experts call a “silent killer”.

On Tuesday, police in Spain said a two-year-old died in the country’s northeast after being left in a car in the sun for several hours.

“Due to climate change caused by humans, extreme heat is becoming more frequent and intense. This is something we must learn to live with,” said Clare Nullis, spokesperson for the World Meteorological Organization, a UN agency based in Geneva. AFP

WASHINGTON, DC – US President Donald Trump urged Hamas on Tuesday to accept a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, saying that Israel had agreed to finalize such a deal, as its forces also stepped up operations in the Palestinian territory.

Trump, in a post on social media, said his representatives had met with Israeli officials about the raging conflict, ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington next week.

“Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War,” Trump wrote.

He said representatives of Qatar and Egypt, mediators in the conflict, would deliver “this final proposal.”

“I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better -- IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE,” he added.

Trump earlier on Tuesday said he would be “very firm” with Netanyahu when they meet on July 7.

The end of Israel’s 12-day war with Iran -- which followed a US bombing mission on Tehran’s nuclear sites -- has provided a window of opportunity for a deal, with Trump keen to add another peace agreement to a series of recent deals he has brokered.

Israel’s campaign meanwhile continued to rage on, with Gaza’s civil defense agency reporting Israeli forces killed at least 26 people on Tuesday.

In response to reports of deadly strikes in the north and south of the territory, the Israeli army told AFP it was “operating to dismantle Hamas military capabilities.”

Separately, it said Tuesday morning that in recent days it had “expanded its operations to additional areas within the Gaza Strip, eliminating dozens of terrorists and dismantling hundreds of terror infrastructure sites both above and below ground.”

Raafat Halles, 39, from the Shujaiya district of Gaza City, said “air strikes and shelling have intensified over the past week,” and tanks have been advancing.

“I believe that every time negotiations or a potential ceasefire are mentioned, the army escalates crimes and massacres on the ground,” he said. “I don’t know why.” AFP photographers saw Israeli tanks deploying at the Gaza border in southern Israel and children picking through the rubble of a destroyed home in Gaza City. AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Iran suspends cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog

EHRAN – Iran suspended on Wednesday its cooperation with the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, days after a ceasefire in a war that saw Israeli and US strikes on nuclear sites in the Islamic republic.

The unprecedented war, which broke out on June 13 and lasted for 12 days, has intensified tensions between Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

On June 25, a day after a ceasefire took hold, Iranian lawmakers overwhelmingly voted in favour of the bill to suspend cooperation with the agency.

It was later approved by the Guardian Council, a body tasked with vetting legislation, before a final ratification from the presidency. Iranian President “Masoud Pezeshkian promulgated the law suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agen-

cy”, state TV said on Wednesday.

Iranian officials have sharply criticised the IAEA for what they described as the agency’s “silence” in the face of the Israeli and US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites.

Tehran has also lambasted the agency for a resolution adopted on June 12 that accuses Iran of non-compliance with its nuclear obligations.

Iranian officials said the resolution was among the “excuses” for the Israeli attacks.

Iran has rejected a request from the IAEA’s chief, Rafael Grossi, to visit nuclear facilities bombed during the war.

Earlier this week, Pezeshkian decried Grossi’s “destructive” conduct, while France, Germany and Britain have condemned unspecified “threats” against the IAEA chief.

Iran’s ultra-conservative Kayhan newspaper has recently claimed that documents

showed Grossi was an Israeli spy and should be executed.

Iran has said Grossi’s request to visit the bombarded sites signalled “malign intent,” but insisted there were no threats against him or against inspectors from his agency.

On Monday, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the parliament vote to halt cooperation with the IAEA reflected the “concern and anger of the Iranian public opinion”.

The 12-day war began when Israel launched a major bombing campaign on Iran and killed top military commanders and nuclear scientists, with Tehran responding with waves of missiles and drones launched at Israel.

On June 22, Israel’s ally the United States launched unprecedented strikes of its own on Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz. AFP

Djokovic thanks miracle pills after Wimby victory

LONDON— Novak Djokovic thanked “doctors’ miracle pills” after he overcame feelings of discomfort and the loss of a set to launch his mission to win a record 25th Grand Slam at Wimbledon.

The veteran Serb, a seven-time winner at the All England Club, beat French world number 41 Alexandre Muller 6-1, 6-7 (7/9), 6-2, 6-2 in a late-night match on Centre Court.

Djokovic dominated the first set, breaking three times, but Muller levelled the match after taking the second set tie-break.

The sixth seed resumed normal service in the third set and a couple of breaks in the fourth set sealed the deal.

“I enjoyed myself, obviously a bit less in the second set but I went from feeling my absolute best for a set and a half to my absolute worst for about 45 minutes,” he said.

“Whether it was a stomach bug, I don’t know what it is.

“I struggled with that but the energy came back after some doctors’ miracle pills and I managed to finish

the match on a good note.”

Djokovic said he was delighted to be back at Wimbledon.

“I have to acknowledge the sacredness of this court, of this tournament,” he said.

“It has always meant a lot to me and many other players. It’s a childhood dream tournament, so I never take anything out on the court for granted.”

Djokovic has been tied with longretired Margaret Court on 24 Grand Slam singles titles since 2023 and he believes his most realistic hope of a historic 25th win lies at the All England Club.

The 38-year-old, who has lost the past two Wimbledon finals to Carlos Alcaraz, has the added incentive of pulling level with the retired Roger Federer, who won a record eight men’s titles at the All England

13th Asian University Basketball Championship set at TUP

By Graham C. Lim

the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) in Manila from July 3 to 7, 2025.

This international event is made possible with the support from PAGCOR, the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Airlines, LT Group Inc., Healthy Options, BESTANK, and OMNI Electrical and Lighting.

Three exciting games kick off the tournament, namely Ningbo University (China) vs. De La Salle University–Dasmariñas at 10:30 a.m.; Universidad Indonesia vs. TUP at 11:45 a.m.; and Mapúa University vs. Philippine Normal University (PNU) at 12:45 p.m.

FESSAP president Edwin C. Fabro will declare open the tournament open, which will have invited special

guests and dignitaries, led by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.

Also gracing the opening are FESSAP chairman Alvin Tai Lian, Baldomero Estenzo, and Felix Tiukinhoy from Cebu City.

The AUBC Organizing Committee is composed of chairman Prof. Robert Milton A. Calo, executive assistants Allan Soria, Romulo Raytos and Cecille Sarmiento, tournament director Johny Tam and Communications Director Albert Andaya.

Competition format will have the six participating teams facing each other in a single round-robin format. The team with the best win-loss record will be crowned champion.

Games will follow FIBA rules, with minor house rules set by the organizing committee.

Candon City gears up for PVL On Tour return with blockbuster double-header

UPenn bans transgender athletes after swimming furor

WASHINGTON—The University of Pennsylvania has agreed to ban transgender athletes from its women’s sports teams, settling a federal civil rights case stemming from the furor around swimmer Lia Thomas, the US government said Tuesday. The US Department of Education said in a statement that UPenn had entered into a resolution agreement vowing to comply with Title IX, the federal law which prohibits sex-based discrimination in any educational program.

It follows an investigation by the department’s Office for Civil Rights which found the university had violated Title IX by allowing transgender swimmer Thomas to compete in women’s competitions in 2021-2022.

US President Donald Trump, who campaigned on the issue of trans athletes, has worked to prohibit them from competing in girls and women’s sports since returning to office. Trump issued an executive order in February aimed at banning transgender athletes, allowing federal agencies to

US

“The Department commends UPenn for rectifying its past harms against women and girls, and we will continue to fight relentlessly to restore Title IX’s proper application and enforce it to the fullest extent of the law.”

Under the terms of the settlement, UPenn will restore all individual swimming records and titles to female athletes affected by Thomas’s participation.

on defending All-Filipino champion Petro Gazz, which has a storied history of success in the city. The Angels have swept their previous PVL On Tour outings at the Candon City Arena, including a dominant performance against the Nxled Chameleons on Oct. 27, 2023, and a resounding win over the Farm Fresh Foxies on Nov. 23, 2024. In both cases, fans were treated to straight-set victories that underscored the team’s dominance – and they’ll be out to make it a hat

for their highly anticipated clash in Candon.

THE Quezon Huskers quelled the Gensan Warriors’ final assault and prevailed, 86-82, on Tuesday in Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.

LJay Gonzales poured 12 points, including four straight free throws, in the fourth quarter to help the Huskers foil the Warriors’ comeback from 12 points down to within 81-82, with 2 minutes and 15 seconds left.

The Huskers notched their fourth straight win and climbed to 14-3, keeping the top spot in the South Division and fourth overall in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament. North Division powerhouses Nueva Ecija (17-0), Abra Solid North (16-1) and San Juan (15-1) pace the chase for playoff spots.

Gonzales posted 16 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists to earn best player honors over Judel Fuentes, who contributed 22 points and 2 rebounds, and Joseph Gabayni with 10 points and 4 rebounds. Gensan skidded to 11-7.

The Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters leaned on Kenneth Ighalo in the fourth quarter to subdue Quezon City Galeries Taipan, 73-66, and climb to 11-7.

Djokovic

out as Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner establish a stranglehold at the top of the men’s game.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates winning against France’s Alexandre Muller at the end of their men’s singles first round tennis match on the second day of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London. AFP

Candon City Arena

LJay Gonzales of Quezon

Oftana earned a fourth PBA Press CorpsPilipinas Live Player of the Week citation this season after a performance that boosted TNT’s bid to secure another trip to the Finals. Oftana’s timely plays in Game 2 of the Philippine Cup semifinal series with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters enabled the Tropang 5G to pull off an escape act by taking a 113105 win at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2025

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Centeno eyes history as 1st women’s world 8-Ball champ

By Randy M. Caluag

CHEZKA Centeno is set to chase an-

other milestone in her decorated billiards career as she competes in the inaugural 2025 Oneida WPA Women’s World 8-Ball Championship in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Already a World 10-Ball champion in 2023, Centeno now has her sights set on becoming the first-ever Women’s World 8-Ball champion, a title that will be up for grabs in this historic 64-player invitational tournament.

The path to the crown won’t be easy. Centeno will face an elite field that includes fellow world champions such as Kelly Fisher, Jasmin Ouschan, Chieh Yu Chou, Shin Mei Liu, and Kristina Tkach—all seasoned threats in the world of professional pool.

Centeno stands as the sole representative of the Philippines in the high-stakes showdown, where the champion will walk away with a $30,000 purse and a place in history. Notably absent from the Wisconsin tournament is Rubilen Amit, a twotime World 10-Ball titlist, who opted to skip the event to participate in the Men’s World 9-Ball Championship in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, later this month.

LOS ANGELES—Oklahoma City

Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has agreed a four-year $285 million contract extension, the richest per-year contract in NBA history, US media reports said Tuesday.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who guided the Thunder to the NBA championship last month after a campaign that saw him win regular season and finals Most Valuable Player awards, is now tied to the club through 2031.

The 26-year-old Canadian point guard has two years remaining on his existing contract with Oklahoma City worth $79.1 million (67.2 million euros).

The four additional seasons of his contract extension will see him receive $62.5 million, $68.6 million, $73.7 million and then $78.7 million in 2030-2031.

The deal gives Gilgeous-Alexander the highest annual salary in the NBA, eclipsing the average $64.3 million salary of the Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid and the $62.8 million earned by the Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum.

Gilgeous-Alexander was the fulcrum of the Thunder’s dazzling 68win Western Conference season, before inspiring the team to a 4-3 NBA Finals victory over the Indiana Pacers last month.

The Thunder ace averaged a league-high 32.7 points during the regular season and 30.3 points in the NBA Finals on his way to completing his MVP double. AFP

ALEXANDRA EALA Remember her name

By Peter Atencio

AS ALEXANDRA Eala headed to exit of Wimbledon’s Centre Court after a heartbreaking setback to defending champion Barbora Krejcikova, the applause around her carried a tinge of disappointment for those who had hoped for a fairytale upset.

Yet, as the broadcast cameras zoomed in on Eala, a figure of grace even in defeat, a seasoned female broadcast commentator said with certainty -- “Remember her name, because she’s not going anywhere. She’s here to stay.” Indeed, she is.

Eala’s Wimbledon game, a historic first for any Filipina in the Open era, may have ended in defeat to the 29-year-old Czech champ, who bounced back from a first-set loss to score a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 in the women’s singles.

But it will be an unforgettable ex-

SMART/MVP taekwondo

THE search for a new batch of stars continues as the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) stages the SMART/MVPSF National Taekwondo Poomsae Championships on July 5 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Out to replicate the success of its athletes in the past – notably in the 2024 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Hong Kong – the PTA is determined to select the best possible members of the training pool from more than 1,500 participants. In last year’s world championships, the Philippines – as usual – made heads turn by bringing home two silver and eight bronze medals in a fitting follow-up to the bronze medal performance of Patrick King Perez in the Hangzhou Asian Games.

Backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and Milo, the one-day event features two categories – the

Recognized Poomsae (Individual, Pair and Team) and Freestyle Poomsae (Individual, Mixed Pair, Team).

Top collegiate teams, including University of Santo Tomas, La Salle, UP, and San Beda, and clubs from all over the country are expected to field their best athletes for a chance to become part of PH training team.

Competition will start promptly at 9 a.m. with participants all ready and confident to showcase their athleticism and artistry.

Poomsae, as in the past, has consistently attracted a large following – young and old – for its well-choreographed patterns of movements – not to mention the practice of taekwondo’s well-respected principles.

Other teams fancied to do well are clubs from Central Gymnasium, Meta Taekwondo, Discovery Pluz, Xavier School, PNP and AFP – all convinced that taekwondo is meaningless without poomsae.

CAGAYAN DE ORO—Bukidnon’s

Claren Quiño delivered a gritty performance under final-round pressure to break the looming stranglehold of the homegrown talents, clinching the girls’ 7-10 division title in the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Junior PGT Championship despite a closing 84 on Wednesday.

Quiño kept her composure amid tough conditions at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club here. Though she stumbled with six bogeys and three double bogeys for a 12-over round, her 36-hole total of 165 was enough to overcome first-day leader and hometown bet Francesca Geroy and another local standout Abby Qiu to secure the top podium finish. More than just a win, it was a breakthrough triumph that shattered what had seemed like an inevitable CDO sweep of all four age-group divisions following their commanding Day 1 showing.

“I was happy but nervous when I took the lead,” said Quiño, 9, from Del Monte School. “On No. 9, I got a bit cheeky since my friends were watching.”

Scoring her breakthrough win, Quiño said the experience taught her a key lesson: never give up.

Quiño’s resolve proved decisive as she fended off Qiu, who mounted a final round charge with an 83 but came up three strokes short at 168.

Geroy, who had hoped to bounce back from a third-place finish in the

perience for the 20-year-old Eala, who with her grit, skills, and charisma, introduced herself before a worldwide audience.

“This match is my dream match, my dream debut,” said Eala in a postgame interview that was posted online.

Eala, who had big wins early this year as she became the first Filipina to reach a World Tennis Association (WTA) 1000 semifinal at the Miami Open in March and a first finals’ appearance at the Eastbourne Open last week, is still not through with her Wimbledon journey as she teams up with German partner Eva Lys in a clash against American Quinn Gleason and Brazilian Ingrid Martins in Round 1.

With the singles’ loss Eala, picked up a purse of 66,000 British pounds, which is around more the P5.096 million, to go with 10 WTA points. But more than the purse, Eala gained something more important than any prize money ever could give – respect from the tennis world.

“I would like to start with giving the credit to Alex. I mean, what the hell she played in the first set. She was smashing the ball and she was cleaning the lines and all that, so, wow,” said Krejcikova after her win.

“Wow, it’s a next generation coming. She’s going to come up and she’s going to be really good in a couple of years. So, first of all, big credit, big credit to her,” she added.

Del Monte leg, hit two birdies but couldn’t sustain her momentum. Costly miscues led to a 92 and another thirdplace result at 172.

Quiño’s feat not only highlighted her poise beyond her years but also served as a reminder of Bukidnon’s emerging junior golf talent, challenging the traditional CDO dominance in Mindanao events. Earlier in the day, CDO’s Jamie Barnes added another trophy to his growing collection, going 2-for-2 in his debut Junior PGT campaign. After a dominant victory at Del Monte, the 9-year-old phenom cruised to a commanding nine-shot win in the boys’ 7-10 class, firing rounds of 71 and 78 for a 149 total. Barnes seemed on track for another under-par round but stumbled with two bogeys on the front nine and four more on the back to settle for a 78. Still, it proved enough to distance himself from nearest rival Miguel Revilleza from Davao, who matched his 78 for a 158 finish.

“I played okay but my putting wasn’t so good again,” said Barnes. Still, he emphasized enjoying the journey: “It doesn’t matter what the score is – you just have to have fun.”

Shaqeeq Tanog, who briefly challenged the lead, faltered in the sweltering heat and dropped to third with an 84 and 163 total.

In other divisions, local aces completed wire-to-wire triumphs.

Margaux Espina shot an 84 for a 165 to beat Bukidnon’s Angel Wahing by 13 strokes in the girls’ 11-14 category. Wahing closed with a 91 for a 178 while Yvonne Colim finished third with a 180 after a 93.

For Espina, 12, it was also a milestone victory in the ICTSI-backed circuit.

“My driving, fairway woods and pitching all clicked. Every time I had a bad shot, my pitching would help me save par,” she said.

Espina credited her parents and grandparents for their unwavering support: “They’ve been teaching me a lot and really want me to win. I know they’re all so proud of me.” As for what she learned, Espina said: “It’s okay to have a bad shot as long as you recover on the next holes.” CDO’s Ken Guillermo matched Barnes’ back-to-back wins, ruling the boys’ 11-14 side with an impressive even 144 total after a final round 74. He trounced Valencia’s Marcus Dueñas, also from CDO, by 10 strokes. Dueñas, who also fell to Guillermo in Del Monte, posted a second 77 for a 154, while Blademher Estologa placed third with a 161 after an 83. Guillermo said he felt more relieved than thrilled.

“There wasn’t much of a highlight in this one since it was just par golf,” said the Xavier U–Ateneo de Cagayan standout. “I made

The Philippines’ Alexandra Eala eyes the ball as she plays against Czech Republic’s Barbora Krejcikova during their women’s singles first-round tennis match in the 2025 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon. AFP

Poomsae athletes come up with a well-choreographed routine.

Claren Quiño (Manny Marcelo)

Chezka Centeno

BSP @32: Harnessing Digital Innovation for Sustainable and Inclusive Future

STABLE. STRONG. STRATEGIC.

BSP’s role in building more inclusive, resilient PH economy

AMID global headwinds and domestic pressures, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) continues to reaffirm its role as one of the country’s most trusted institutions.

In 2024 and 2025, the BSP launched bold reforms that made the Philippine economy more resilient, more digital, and more inclusive.

Navigating with precision Monetary policy was calibrated to ease from a peak of 6.5 percent in October 2023 to 5.25 percent by June 2025. This timely easing helps stimulate business activity and consumer confidence while keeping inflation in check.

The country’s gross international reserves (GIR) stood at US$105.46 billion as of May 2025, providing an ample buffer to cover the country’s import and external debt service requirements.

Banking system that delivers

The Philippine banking system continued to expand. As of April 2025, the total resources of the banking sector reached P26.9 trillion, reflecting a 5.5-percent year-on-year growth. During the same period, total loans rose to P15.3 trillion, marking a 10.0-percent growth, while total deposits reached P19.8 trillion, with a 4.0-percent growth.

Lowering the reserve requirement ratio helped ease financial market distortions and support credit expansion. Financial inclusion surged, with deposit accounts topping

over 150 million, up 19 percent yearon-year as of March 2025. Digital bank deposits jumped 33 percent, while rural and cooperative bank deposits posted 19-percent growth.

Digitalization that works

Digital innovation lies at the core of the BSP’s transformation agenda. From pioneering cashless transport to securing digital wallets, the BSP is building the rails for a frictionless and resilient financial system.

Digital payments surged from just one percent of retail transactions in 2013 to 52.8 percent in 2023, thanks to deliberate policy and regulatory reform. More Filipinos now rely on digital platforms for bills, salaries, remittances, and everyday spending.

PESONet transfers now clear higher-value transfers more quickly, complementing InstaPay’s real-time services for lower-value transactions.

Bills Pay PH, an interoperable bill payment platform, simplifies paying bills across institutions.

Through the Nexus Project, the BSP is helping build the ASEAN region’s first cross-border real-time payment network. Soon, OFWs could send money home in 60 seconds, straight to any local account—via apps already in their hands.

BSP pushes CPR to fight digital fraud

WITH more Filipinos shifting to digital channels to save, shop, or send money, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reminds the public to reap the benefits of digitalization while keeping safe from scams and fraud.

As the country moves towards a cash-lite economy, the BSP is working for not just convenience but also trust and security. At the heart of this campaign is a simple and timely call to action: Check, Protect, Report or CPR.

Smarter and greener currency

In December 2024, the BSP introduced the First Philippine Polymer Banknote Series. The notes are smarter, cleaner, and stronger. Designed to resist counterfeiting and withstand everyday wear, they offer both durability and savings on replacement costs.

Goodbye, grey list

Another milestone came with the Philippines’ exit from the Financial Action Task Force grey list. The BSP played a key role in a coordinated national effort that restored global

finance space. It teaches three simple steps: Check—Verify the validity of and be alert for suspicious messages, unexpected links, or urgent prompts from unknown sources. Protect—Never share your OTPs, PINs, account details, or other personal information—even if the request appears to come from a familiar institution. Report—Notify your bank or e-wallet provider immediately if something seems off.

A digital economy that protects its users

Digitalization has expanded access to financial services. During and after the pandemic, millions of Filipinos opened bank and e-wallet transaction accounts for the first time—gaining access to savings, loans, and other financial services. But with this convenience comes increased risk from online fraud and cybercrime.

According to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, cybercrime complaints surged to over 10,000 cases in 2024 alone, more than triple the number from 2023. The BSP sees this not just as a crime statistic, but as a public trust issue.

People will only embrace digital finance if they feel secure using it.

CPR: A shared strategy for cyber safety

The CPR campaign encourages every user to take part in protecting the digital

These habits form the foundation of what experts call “cyber hygiene”—basic practices that can help prevent digital fraud and account takeovers.

Industry-wide support

The BSP has partnered with the Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines and other financial institutions to carry the CPR message across platforms—branch posters, ATM screens, mobile apps, social media, and more.

Educational content is customized to reach different audiences—from firsttime bank account and e-wallet users to long-time clients of credit card and other more sophisticated products and services. CPR materials include red-flag reminders for phishing messages, security prompts during transactions, and action steps for reporting fraud attempts.

Everyone has a role to play

Whether one is a bank client, a small business owner, or a daily user of digital wallets, the call remains the same: Do the CPR.

Online security is not just the job of regulators or IT departments. It is a shared responsibility.

By building a culture of cyber care, the BSP aims to ensure that the benefits of digitalization—greater access, faster payments, and financial inclusion—are not undermined by fear or fraud.

trust in the country’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework. No one left behind

The BSP’s push for inclusive finance took root in real places— public markets, transport hubs, and fishing villages. Paleng-QR Ph Plus was rolled out to 178 LGUs, raising account openings from just 5,500 in July 2022 to over 182,000 in Q4 2024. Today, 26.2 million Filipinos, many of whom were previously unbanked, now hold basic deposit accounts.

Financial literacy initiatives like

Cebuana Lhuillier and MG

Fish N’ Learn, KITA Mo Na!, and the Youth Financial Inclusion Initiative are empowering citizens to take charge of their financial future. Small businesses were not left behind. Lending to MSMEs rose by 11 percent to P545.2 billion in Q4 2024. The BSP waived burdensome loan documents for microenterprises and startups and rolled out a simplified loan application form.

At 32, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is advancing, evolving, and anchoring the nation’s financial future with agility, integrity, and credibility.

Forex Corporation Forge Strategic Alliance to Redefine Foreign Exchange Access for Filipinos

CEBUANA Lhuillier, the country’s leading and most trusted microfinance services provider, has joined forces with MG Forex Corporation, a recognized authority in the Philippine foreign exchange industry, to enhance the accessibility and deliver more reliable foreign currency/money exchange services— specifically designed to serve the diverse needs of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), travelers, and everyday clients nationwide.

This game-changing partnership between Cebuana Lhuillier and MG Forex Corporation brings together the unrivaled reach and reliability of Cebuana Lhuillier’s 3,500+ branch network and MG Forex’s deep market expertise and real-time pricing capabilities— delivering fast, transparent, and competitively priced foreign exchange services across the country.

“This strategic move strengthens our commitment to making financial empowerment truly accessible to all Filipinos,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier. “By embedding innovative foreign exchange solutions into our extensive network, we are not only enhancing our service offering but also creating a more inclusive financial ecosystem where every transaction is straightforward, secure, and customer-focused.”

Cebuana Lhuillier’s competitive edge lies in its expansive nationwide presence, high customer trust, and track record of delivering essential financial services to underserved communities. By integrating foreign exchange into its core offerings, the company is further solidifying its position as a one-stop hub for everyday financial needs, especially for OFWs and families managing cross-border remittances. MG Forex Corporation adds strategic strength through its decades of industry experience, regulatory compliance, and real-time exchange rate tracking— ensuring that clients benefit from accurate, fair, and updated rates, refreshed regularly to mirror global market movements.

“At MG Forex, our mission has always been to deliver efficient and trustworthy foreign exchange services,” said Michael Guy, President of MG Forex Corporation. “This collaboration with Cebuana Lhuillier allows us to bring institutional-level currency solutions to the retail market, empowering more Filipinos with the tools they need to maximize their hard-earned foreign currencies —right in their local communities.”

The foreign exchange services now available at select Cebuana Lhuillier branches are designed for speed, accuracy, and security, rate boards, trained personnel, and detailed transaction documentation. These innovations ensure a streamlined and trustworthy customer experience, even in high-volume or high-value transactions.

“This partnership is not just about convenience— it’s a bold leap toward greater financial inclusion,” said Philippe Andre Lhuillier, Senior Executive Vice President of Cebuana Lhuillier. “We are empowering Filipinos from all walks of life to exchange currencies with ease, confidence, and full transparency—putting control and value directly into their hands.”

As demand for accessible and secure foreign exchange services continues to grow, Cebuana Lhuillier is now preparing for a nationwide rollout, confident that this revolutionary solution will address the evolving needs of its vast and diverse client base.

With this partnership, Cebuana Lhuillier and MG Forex Corporation are not just expanding service offerings—they are reshaping the foreign exchange landscape in the Philippines by making world-class financial services available at the grassroots level.

“This is just the beginning,” added Lilian Sengia, EVP and Head of Global Markets of MG Forex Corporation. “We envision this partnership as a model for future collaborations with Cebuana Lhuillier. Together, we can build a stronger financial ecosystem—one that responds to the evolving needs of Filipinos, both here and abroad.”

From left: Cliff Cabungcal, Chief Finance Officer; Erlinda Sumanga, First Vice President & Head of the Money Transfer Group; Jean Henri Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier President & CEO; Michael Guy, MG Forex President; Allan Matthew Guy, Executive Vice President & Treasurer; Lilian Sengia, Executive Vice President & Head for Global Markets

and MWPV chief operating officer Melvin Tan.

PEZA reports 59% growth in investments

By Othel V. Campos

Del Monte Foods Holdings files for bankruptcy

By Jenniffer B. Austria

DEL Monte Foods Holdings Ld. Inc.,

(DMHFL) the US-based subsidiary of Campos Group-owned Del Monte Pacific Limited (DMPL), has filed for bankruptcy in the US.

DMFI said it filed for Chapter 11 proceedings after reaching a restructuring agreement with lenders. Chapter 11 is a US legal process focused on the financial and operational restructuring of a company. It allows a company, through its existing management, to continue operating in the ordinary course.

41-MW solar farm in Bataan starts operations

By Alena Mae S. Flores

SAMAL Solar Renewable Energy

Corp. (SSREC) started commissioning its 41.920-megawatt Samal Solar Energy Project in Bataan province, a milestone that reaffirms the government’s commitment to achieving a 35-percent renewable energy share in the country’s power generation mix by 2030.

The Department of Energy (DOE) joined SSREC, owned by Tigon Power Corp., during the commissioning ceremony of the project on July 1, 2025, delivering clean, reliable and sustainable electricity to the grid.

“This solar project is a testament to the transformative power of renewable energy,” said DOE assistant secretary Mylene Capongcol.

“It not only provides clean power but also fuels local development through employment and capacity building. This is the kind of sustainable, inclusive progress we are working to achieve nationwide,” she said.

The construction of the plant began in 2024, providing employment for over 1,000 workers. It is also expected to create long-term jobs in operations and maintenance.

The project is also helping develop local talent through training programs implemented in partnership with local governments and academic institutions.

With the successful commissioning of the Samal solar plant, the municipal government of Samal and residents of Barangays Gugo and San Juan will begin to experience the far-reaching economic, social and environmental benefits accorded to host communities of renewable energy projects.

The court-supervised process enables the debtor to come up with a process to address the company’s existing debts during DMFHL is one of the largest producers, distributors and marketers of branded processed food for the US retail market.

DMPL said in a disclosure to the stock exchange DMFHL secured $912.5 million in “debtor-in-possession” financing to fund ongoing operations.

“The newly-constituted board of DMFHL has determined to pursue a value-maximizing sale process. The company has been advised that DM-

FHL has entered into a restructuring support agreement [RSA] with a group of its term lenders holding certain of DMFHL’s secured debt,”

DMPL said

“The RSA contemplates a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of DMFHL and certain of its subsidiaries, among other strategic transactions to be implemented through Chapter 11 proceedings in the US,” it said.

The company said the filing is part of DMFHL’s overall strategic plan aimed at maximizing value for its business operations and those of its subsidiaries.

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) recorded a strong first-half performance in 2025, approving P72.362 billion worth of investments from January to June 2025, up 59.1 percent from P45.48 billion it registered in the same period last year.

PEZA director-general Tereso Panga attributed the agency’s strong midyear performance to its continued efforts to streamline processes, promote regional growth and support the Marcos administration’s push for job-generating and export-oriented investments.

“This continued surge in investments affirms PEZA’s role as a vital engine for economic growth and job creation for the country. The confidence shown by both new and existing investors is a strong signal that our ecozones are thriving and open for business,” he said.

PEZA approved 133 new and expansion projects in the first six months, higher by 10.83 percent than the 120 projects it registered in the same period last year. These projects are expected to generate 32,982 direct jobs and about $1.26 billion in exports, PEZA said. The manufacturing sector remained the largest contributor with 55 projects, fol-

SOUTHEAST Asian nations that rely on liquefied natural gas (LNG) for fuel face potential risks from geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, an international research group said Wednesday.

A new report by Zero Carbon Analytics (ZCA) says these conflicts could significantly impact LNG supply at a time when Southeast Asia plans to import more of the fuel to strengthen energy security and address tariff pressures from the United States.

“The unpredictable nature of the conflicts in the Middle East has the potential to disrupt LNG flows, placing Southeast Asian countries at heightened risk of supply shortages and surging costs,” said Dario Kenner, an energy transition researcher at

DigiPlus set to start Brazil operations in September as part of global expansion

GAMING firm DigiPlus Interactive Corp. said it is ready to launch operations in Brazil in September 2025, a major step in the company’s global expansion.

The September launch is ahead of the original target of fourth quarter of 2025.

DigiPlus said in a statement Wednesday Brazil would provide a new source of growth for the company as its gaming market is twice the size of the Philippines. Brazil, with a population of over 200 million and nearly 90 percent internet penetration, is also one of the fastest-growing gaming markets in Latin America.

“We are excited to bring world-class entertainment to new markets, bringing the strengths and expertise that we have established in the Philippines,” said Di-

giPlus chairman Eusebio Tanco.

“Our entry into Brazil is part of our strategic expansion program to usher DigiPlus’ next phase of growth,” he said.

DigiPlus said a local team is already in place, aiming to combine global game offerings with culturally relevant experiences. In March, DigiPlus appointed industry veteran Graham Tidey as country manager for Brazil. As part of its expansion, DigiPlus plans to introduce livestreamed games, slots, table games and exclusive digital content tailored to Brazilian players. The company’s technology infrastructure, recently upgraded through a migration to Amazon Web Services (AWS), will support these offerings. Jenniffer B. Austria

ZCA.

ZCA, a research group providing insights and analysis about climate change and the energy transition, said geopolitical disputes could raise affordability issues despite an impending surge in global LNG supply.

These concerns are intensified by the Israel-Iran conflict, where analysts warn that any disruption to the Strait of Hormuz could severely affect Southeast Asia, potentially making LNG unaffordable or inaccessible for some regional buyers, ZCA said.

“The region’s investments in LNG infrastructure come with exposure to continued price volatility, dollar-denominated costs, and potential supply constraints,” Kenner said.

ZCA estimates Southeast Asia’s LNG import infrastructure invest-

ments will cost $11.8 billion, which could lock the region into decades of fuel shocks and price instability due to global market volatility and political disruptions.

“By contrast, ASEAN countries have substantial untapped renewable energy potential, and the region’s existing clean energy manufacturing capacity and grid interconnection initiatives offer alternative pathways to strengthening long-term energy independence and resilience,” Kenner said.

ZCA said Southeast Asia’s increased demand for LNG as an energy security solution is partly driven by projected growth in global LNG supplies, as the United States and Qatar expand their export infrastructure. Alena Mae S. Flores

lowed by 39 in information technologybusiness process management (IT-BPM), 12 domestic market enterprises and nine ecozone development projects. The rest were spread across 10 new facility projects, four in logistics and four in utilities.

Big-ticket investments accounted for P50.89 billion of the total, reflecting ongoing interest in large-scale, capital-intensive projects.

PEZA recorded a 30.4-percent decline in approved investments in June 2025 to P6.02 billion from P8.65 billion a year earlier, even as the number of approved projects rose to 31 from 25 in the same month last year. Despite the slower investments, the June approvals are expected to generate 7,793 direct jobs and $241.787 million in export revenues.

Manufacturing and IT-BPM remained the top sectors, followed by logistics, domestic market enterprises and ecozone development during the month.

view of the influx of projects under the DOE’s Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP) 1 to 3, and the upcoming fourth round. As the world’s largest power transmission and distribution utility, SGCC operates across 88 percent of China’s territory.

MAIDEN VOYAGE. The Department of Tourism (DOT) represented by Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano (second from left) joins Philippine Airlines in celebrating the maiden flight of PR 585 from Manila to Da Nang, Vietnam on July 1, 2025 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1. The historic flight also marks the strengthened ties between the Philippines and Vietnam, as both nations celebrate their 10th anniversary of strategic partnership this year, and soon their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026.

Participants take part in DigiPlus ’Tamang Laro, Tamang Panalo’ sessions which offer practical financial coaching designed to help players enjoy gaming responsibly while protecting household finances.

MGen to pursue backdoor listing of unit via SPNEC

By Jenniffer B. Austria

MERALCO PowerGen Corp. (MGen) is moving ahead with plans to list its renewable energy subsidiary, MGEN Renewable Energy Inc. (MGreen), on the stock exchange through a backdoor listing via Solar Philippines Nueva Ecija Corp. (SPNEC).

Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan said in a recent interview that the company hopes to complete the planned backdoor listing through SPNEC this year.

Instead of an initial public offering (IPO), MGreen intends to consolidate its renewable assets under SPNEC, which is already listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Pangilinan said SPNEC’s name will be changed after the transaction.

In March, MGen’s board approved the selection of advisers for MGreen’s planned listing on the local bourse.

MGen, a subsidiary of power dis-

tributor Meralco, has been expanding its renewable energy portfolio.

SPNEC, originally developed by Solar Philippines, owns one of the country’s largest solar farms and has actively partnered with larger firms for capital and expansion.

MGreen boasts a net sellable generating capacity of 397.3 megawatts of pure renewable energy.

It also holds a stake in SPNEC, which has a controlling interest in Terra Solar Philippines Inc., the company developing MTerra Solar in Nueva Ecija.

Once completed, MTerra Solar is

PH stocks hold above 6,400 ahead of June inflation data

PHILIPPINE share prices remained above the 6,400 level Wednesday, trading in a narrow range ahead of key economic data releases.

The peso closed at 56.365 to the U.S. dollar, slightly weaker than its 56.3 close on Tuesday.

The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index dipped 4.80 points, or 0.8 percent, to close at 6,419.05. The broader all shares index fell 2.45 points, or 0.06 percent, to 3,796.91.

Analysts attributed investor caution to the upcoming release of U.S. June inflation rate data.

Veteran stockbroker Jonathan

Ravelas noted that positive developments, such as low inflation, stable interest rates, infrastructure spending, and an easing monetary stance

by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, are being offset by weak corporate earnings, a slowdown in China, political instability, and global economic headwinds. Given current market conditions, Ravelas suggested investors consider dividendpaying and undervalued stocks. Sector performance was mixed. The properties and industrial sectors rose by 0.60 percent and 0.47 percent, respectively. Conversely, the mining and oil index dropped 2.05 percent, while financial and services sectors declined by 0.97 percent and 0.22 percent. Value turnover remained strong at P7.62 billion. Foreign investors were net buyers, with inflows reaching P258 million. Jenniffer B. Austria Manila Standard TODAY

To All Stockholders:

projected to be the world’s largest integrated solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage system, with a capacity of 3,500 megawatts peak solar energy and 4,500 MW alternating current battery.

MGreen aims for an initial 1,500 MW in its renewable energy portfolio.

rtc1mdlocc@judiciary.gov.ph Hotline: 639952598147/82876702 BDO LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY, INC., as Assignee-InInterest of BDO Leasing and Finance Inc., Mortgagee-Assignee, -versus- FRE-MC24-1896 FOR: EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE OF MORTGAGE (UNDER ACT NO. 3135 AS AMENDED)

Businessman-turned-politician Leandro Leviste reported last week that he had divested most of his stake in SPNEC. However, Leviste, through Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc., still owns 8.16 billion shares of SPNEC, which he plans to sell via private placements.

SPNEC became the first solar company to conduct an IPO in the Philippines in 2021.

Please be advised that the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of MARCVENTURES HOLDINGS, INC. (the “Corporation”) will be held on July 25, 2025 (Friday) at 2:00 P.M. The meeting will be held at the McKinley B & C Room, Manila Polo Club, 35 McKinley Road, Forbes Park, Makati City.

The Agenda of the meeting is as follows:

1. Call to Order

2. Proof of Notice and Certification of Quorum

3. Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Annual Stockholders’ Meeting Held on 26 July 2024

4. Approval of the Management Report and Audited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

5. Approval of the Management Contract between MHI and MMDC 6. Ratification of Acts of the Board of Directors and Management

7. Election of Directors

8. Appointment of the External Auditor

9. Other Matters

10. Adjournment

For purposes of the Meeting, stockholders of record as of June 25, 2025 are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the said meeting. Registration for the meeting begins at 1:00 p.m. For convenience in registering your attendance, present your valid identification, such as, Driver’s License, Voter’s ID, TIN card, SSS card, or Passport.

Rising debt is not bad if it leads to economic expansion

THE country’s increasing debt level has alarmed many Filipinos. Critics have feared that future generations will unfairly inherit the enormous debt and suffer the consequences of higher spending.

But accumulating debt per se is not poor economic management. Borrowings are supposed to be plowed back into the economy to fund investments in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, education and social services. These, in turn, lead to economic expansion that generates jobs.

Only a handful of countries are debt-free, namely Brunei, Macau, British Virgin Islands, Liechtenstein and Palau. These nations have a small population to feed and have just enough to provide social services.

It’s a different story when a country has a big population that demands infrastructure, connectivity, and social and housing services. If revenues are not enough, governments resort to borrowings to fund the needs of a growing population. Managing the debt level properly, thus, is critical to sustain economic growth. Keeping the debt level below the international threshold of 70 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) is responsible management—it is an indication that a country is producing more than it owes.

The Philippines is one country that continues to pay interest on its debt without refinancing and without hampering economic growth.

The Philippines has reduced the national government’s debtto-GDP ratio to 60.7 percent in 2024 through a prudent debt management strategy. With the economy projected to grow to about P36.8 trillion by 2028, faster than its obligations, the government remains on track to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio to below 60 percent by the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term.

Accordingly, Vice President Sara Duterte’s potshot at the country’s P16.75-trillion debt is absurd. Ms. Duterte is wondering where the debt proceeds had gone.

She should be reminded that the biggest jump in public debt didn’t occur under the Marcos administration. It happened under her jailed father’s reign.

The administration of Rodrigo Duterte added P6.84 trillion in debt, or more than all six previous administrations combined had incurred.

President Marcos in 2022 inherited P12.79 trillion in obligations, partly because of the massive funding required in containing the COVID-19 epidemic and a handful of big-ticket infrastructure projects.

The P6.84-trillion debt incurred during President Duterte’s administration surpassed the combined borrowings of all

Managing

previous governments: Ferdinand Marcos Sr. (P365 billion); Corazon Aquino (P372 billion); Fidel Ramos (P681 billion); Joseph Estrada (P766 billion); Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (P2.40 trillion); and Benigno Aquino III (P1.37 trillion).

As of end-April 2025, the national government’s total outstanding debt stood at P16.75 trillion. The Department of Finance noted that this level is relatively lower than most other Asian countries based on available data. Japan’s total debt is at P485.94 trillion, Singapore’s at P53.68 trillion, South Korea’s at P46.89 trillion, Indonesia’s at P31.37 trillion and Thailand’s at P17.73 trillion.

SPOUSES TAN HORNG YUEH and AW YUIN SIN, represented by their Attorney-in-fact, ROSE ANNE MANAAY RAGAY, Debtors/Mortgagors, x---------------------------------------------------------x NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE Upon Extra-Judicial petition for sale under Act 3135 as amended by Act 4118 filed by BDO LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY, INC., (a domestic corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at 30F Petron Megaplaza Building, 358 Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City) in its capacity as Assignee-In-Interest of BDO Leasing and Finance Inc. and Finance Inc., Mortgagee/Assignee, against Debtors/Mortgagors, SPOUSES TAN HORNG YUEH and AW YUIN SIN, represented by their Attorney-in-fact, ROSE ANNE MANAAY RAGAY, with residence and postal addresses at (1) Unit H 36/F South Tower, One Shangri-La Place Internal, Shangri-la Place, Brgy. Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong City; and (2) Block 5, Lot 37, Purok 1, Upper Bicutan, Taguig City to secure the payment thereof, and all other obligation/s, including interests, penalties and expenses incidental thereto which as of October 15, 2024 amounts to PESOS: SEVEN MILLION FOUR HUNDRED THIRTY THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED SIXTY & 57/100 ONLY (PHP,430,960.57), the Ex-Officio Sheriff of Mandaluyong City or his duly authorized deputy will sell at PUBLIC AUCTION to the HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH OR MANAGERS CHECK and in Philippine Currency on JULY 29, 2025 at 9:00 o’clock in the morning or soon thereafter but not later than 12:00 o’clock in the afternoon at the Main entrance of Mandaluyong City Hall, Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City, The Condominium unit with all the improvements existing thereon to wit: Registry of Deeds of Mandaluyong City CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 008-2017005439 IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that the unit identified and described as: TOWER : SOUTH LEVEL : 36 UNIT : H FLOOR

The country’s fiscal deficit, meanwhile, has steadily gone down to 5.7 percent of GDP in 2024, a significant improvement from the pandemic peak of 8.6 percent in 2021, 7.3 percent in 2022 and 6.2 percent in 2023. It is projected to decline further to about 3.8 percent by 2028.

The government’s strict adherence to fiscal discipline has recently earned it a credit rating upgrade of A- from Japan’s Rating and Investment Information Inc. (R&I) and an outlook upgrade to positive from S&P Global.

The upgrades signal high investor confidence in the Philippines’ economic performance, increasing interest in Philippine bonds and lower borrowing costs for the government.

The Vice President’s grasp of national debt reflects her limited experience in national governance. Before 2022, her track record was confined to Davao City. Running a city, however large, is not the same as steering an economy of 115 million people.

If the Vice President is still wondering where the proceeds of the government’s borrowings went, she might want to check her own office’s books. The budget she is now questioning helped fund her “sympathy trips”—right in the middle of a global military conflict—and her controversial confidential funds, too.

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

If you will not be able to attend the meeting but would like to be represented thereat, you are requested to submit a duly signed and accomplished proxy form to the Office of the Corporate Secretary of Marcventures Holdings, Inc. located at the 4th Floor BDO Towers Paseo, 8741 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City or on before 6:00 p.m., July 15, 2025. Beneficial owners whose shares are lodged with PDTC or registered under the name of a broker, bank, or other fiduciary allowed by law, must likewise present a notarized certification from the owner of record (i.e. the broker, bank, or other fiduciary) that he is the beneficial owner indicating thereon the number of shares. Corporate shareholders shall likewise be required to present a notarized Secretary’s Certificate attesting to the authority of its representative to attend and vote at the Stockholder’s Meeting.

The deadline for submission of proxies is on July 15, 2025. Validation of proxies will take place on July 18, 2025.

Pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Notice dated March 12, 2025, an electronic copy of the Information Statement and Management Report and SEC Form 17A and other pertinent documents related to the meeting may be accessed through the Corporation’s website at https://www. marcventuresholdings.com.ph/ and on the Philippine Stock Exchange Edge website.

For any question about the meeting, you may send an email to: inquiries@marcventures.com.ph

Makati City, June 30, 2025.

ANA MARIA A. KATIGBAK Assistant Corporate Secretary

PLDT HEADQUARTERS. Filinvest City and PLDT mark a game-changing milestone, with the tech giant’s choice to make the Garden CBD in Alabang as its future home, unveiling its plans to develop the country’s first tech campus. Signing the agreement are PLDT chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan and Filinvest Development Corp. vice-chairperson Josephine Gotianun-Yap.

BSP @32: Harnessing Digital Innovation for Sustainable and Inclusive Future

Elevate Rewards with Cebuana Lhuillier Gold Bars: Bespoke Tokens of Value and Legacy

CEBUANA Lhuillier, the country’s largest and leading micro-financial services provider, is redefining the way companies recognize excellence through its premium product offering: Cebuana Gold Bar. Originally launched to make gold more accessible to Filipinos, this initiative now empowers corporate partners to create bespoke gold bars—a prestigious solution for rewards, incentives, retirement tokens, and executive gifting.

By blending precision craftsmanship, advanced minting technology, and a deep understanding of brand storytelling, Cebuana Gold Bar offers more than a keepsake—it creates a legacy piece that delivers both emotional impact and intrinsic value.

“Gold has always symbolized value, permanence, and prestige. With Cebuana Gold Bar, we help brands express these ideals through personalized designs that reflect their identity,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier. “This is not just gifting—it’s about honoring milestones with pieces that carry meaning, worth, and lasting impression.”

Why Personalized Gold Works for Business

Cebuana Gold Bar offers a unique way to celebrate success, reward loyalty, and strengthen relationships through personalized gold that makes an impact. Ideal for:

Employee Recognition—A tangible and memorable token for exemplary performance or years of service.

Sales Incentives—A prestigious motivator that drives excellence and ambition.

Retirement Tokens—A timeless memento to honor longstanding dedication.

Client Appreciation—A refined gesture that reinforces high-value partnerships.

Milestone Gifting—Perfect for corporate anniversaries, product launches, or executive milestones.

Trusted by Leading Brands

Top corporations have already turned to Cebuana Gold Bar to elevate their recognition efforts:

Solaire Resort & Casino: Commissioned engraved collector’s gold bars that matched their luxury brand.

FWD Insurance: Rewarded loyalty with customized gold bars that doubled as investment assets.

Watsons, Maynilad, SunWest, TORM, and SunJewel: Utilized personalized gold to mark key achievements and promote brand affinity.

Each bar is meticulously crafted to meet the highest standards in purity, finish, and design. Businesses can select from various shapes, sizes, and engraving options, with Cebuana’s expert team guiding every step of the customization process.

“Through Cebuana Gold Bar, we extend our mission of helping Filipinos grow and protect their wealth to businesses, offering a reward solution that is timeless, valuable, and truly meaningful,” added Lhuillier.

Let Your Brand Shine in Gold

Looking to elevate your rewards and recognition program? Make every milestone unforgettable with Cebuana Gold Bar—a symbol of excellence, permanence, and prestige.

For inquiries and orders, please email  partnerships.goldbar@ cebuanalhuillier.com  or call Cebuana Lhuillier Gold Bar

Corporate Solutions Hotline: (02) 7-759-9888 loc 1510.

Three pillars of central banking: Why they matter to you

BEHIND stable prices, strong and stable banks, and fast and safe payments is a central bank doing its job well. These pillars empower people and businesses to earn, save, invest, and plan for the future.

Pillar 1: Price stability—Managing inflation, protecting purchasing power

Stable prices help households plan and businesses grow. The government now targets 2- to 4-percent inflation rate for 2026 up to 2028.

The BSP pursues this target and manages inflation by adjusting its interest rates. Higher interest rates make it more expensive to borrow and buy, tempering demand and containing price pressures. Meanwhile, lower interest rates support economic activity and encourage credit, consistent with the price stability mandate.

In 2020, the BSP cut policy rates to support the economy during the pandemic. As inflationary pressures emerged, it tightened policy from 2022 to 2023. With inflation reverting to the 2- to 4-percent range by August 2024, the BSP began easing again to reinforce the economy’s resilient growth.

Pillar 2: Financial stability—A sound banking system that supports inclusive growth

A strong economy needs a banking system that is stable, well-regulated, and trusted. Financial stability means depositors feel secure, lenders act responsibly, and the system can withstand unexpected shocks.

The BSP achieves this through bank supervision, risk-based regulation, and financial sector reforms. Banks are required to hold enough capital, manage credit exposure, and follow prudential governance standards.

At the same time, the BSP promotes financial inclusion and innovation. It supports the growth of digital banks, strengthens cybersecurity oversight, and encourages new business models that reach underserved sectors.

The strength of the financial system was tested during the 2008 global financial crisis, the pandemic slowdown, and the post-pandemic global interest rate swings. In all cases, Philippine banks remained fundamentally sound—demonstrating the effectiveness of years of institutional reforms and proactive supervision.

Pillar 3: Efficient payments and settlements system—Infrastructure for everyday transactions

Digital payments have become part of daily life.

From retail purchases and utility bills to transport fares and tax payments, more Filipinos are choosing to pay digitally.

The BSP has invested in building a payments system that is interoperable, fast, and secure. It continues to work with banks, e-wallets, and local governments to improve access, expand reach, and reduce costs.

Today, interoperable platforms allow users to transfer funds across institutions without needing to ask what app the other person uses. QR codes and realtime transfers are widely accepted in both formal establishments and small community vendors.

Beyond personal transactions, the BSP also operates infrastructure that allows banks, businesses, and government institutions to efficiently settle large-value transactions. This reduces settlement risk and supports overall economic activity.

Efficient payments are important tools for the growth of a modern economy. When money moves swiftly and safely, trust and participation grow.

A steady course in a changing world Technology, climate risks, and shifting global conditions continue to test the resilience of central banks. But the BSP remains steadfast in upholding its three pillars.

They provide the foundation for monetary and financial policies that are adaptive, forward-looking, and anchored in public trust.

As the BSP navigates emerging challenges, these pillars will continue to guide its efforts toward building a more inclusive and sustainable future.

A TRIP to the market used to involve cash. How much cash to bring. How much change you would receive—Barya barya ba? Maraming coins? Marumi? Basa?

But these days, more markets are going digital, which is great for shoppers—and for vendors too. They are not just going digital— paying e-wallet to e-wallet—but going QR Ph, with even more benefits. For example, without QR codes, you could type a wrong account number to pay. With QR codes, the account number is automatic.

For market regulars like Cheeryline Gay from Victorias City, Negros Occidental, QR payments make everyday transactions safer and simpler.

“Mas convenient siya dahil hindi ko na kailangang magdala ng pera. Mas safe din siya gamitin dahil hindi ko na kailangang i-type yung account number ng tindera dahil ii-scan ko na lang yung

code. Eksaktong bayad din ang matatanggap nila,” she shared. QR—or “quick response”— technology spread fast when it was first launched in 2019. It emerged as one of the most expedient means of making payments since it only entails the use of smartphones to scan QR codes to make payments in a fast, convenient, and safe way compared to using cash or even ATM or credit cards. But they hardly reached public markets. Busy vendors needed help. The Paleng-QR Ph, a program jointly developed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), brought the QR technology closer to the public. The program aims to maximize the use of digital payments—payments using digital devices such as cellphone apps—in markets and tricycle hubs through the QR Ph initiative. Markets

Vingroup offers full scholarships to PH students

By Julie Ann Lope

VINGROUP, Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate and the parent company of VinFast, is offering 20 full-ride scholarships to outstanding Filipino students to pursue undergraduate studies at VinUniversity in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The scholarship, valued at up to $4.3 million, covers full tuition, round-trip airfare, accommodation and living expenses.

Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis and will close once all 20 slots are filled. The final deadline for applications is on August 15, 2025. VinUniversity, a private not-forprofit university established by Vingroup, has received a QS 5-Star rating and FIBAA accreditation.

Its academic programs are codesigned and advised by faculty from the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University, and it maintains a strategic partnership with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) of Singapore.

It offers a diverse range of undergraduate programs designed to equip students with cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills. Students can pursue Bachelor of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of

Computer Science, Bachelor of Data Science, Bachelor of Multimedia Communication, Bachelor of Economics, Bachelor of Psychology, and Bachelor of Nursing.

Faculty include eight professors ranked among the top 2 percent of the world’s most influential scientists, as published by Stanford University in 2024.

In addition to academic excellence, students at VinUni have opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research from their first year, supported by investments totaling up to $6.5 billion.

The university also provides student exchange programs, integrated bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and joint PhD programs with top 100 universities worldwide.

VinUni promotes strong industry engagement through internships, projects, and company visits, particularly with the Vingroup ecosystem, which includes VinFast - its electric vehicle subsidiary.

The educational initiative follows Vingroup’s recent expansion in the Philippines through the launch of its Green and Smart Mobility (GSM) all-electric taxi and transport network vehicle service on June 10, demonstrating its broader commitment to sustainability and regional development.

Filipino-Chinese traders share secrets to success

By Michael Wong Ho

WELL-KNOWN author Wilson

Lee Flores, in his article titled “Building Business Empires: Lessons from Chinese Entrepreneurs,” summarized the experiences and values that have guided generations of Filipino-Chinese in building thriving businesses.

These include hard work and perseverance, where success is largely built on determination and effort.

They use a cash flow-based accounting system that focuses on actual money, allowing practical financial decisions.

Their strong Math skills help them quickly identify opportunities and make fast business moves. Trustworthiness, or shingyong, plays a key role in gaining support from suppliers and banks.

Confucian values like respect and discipline influence their personal and business behavior. They take risks only after careful calculation, never acting recklessly.

Lifelong learning is important to them, as they constantly seek self-improvement.

Family plays a major role in their businesses, offering strong support and unity.

Frugality is another key trait- they are known for being thrifty, which helps sustain and grow their ventures.

Intense competition among Filipino Chinese entrepreneurs keeps them from becoming complacent and pushes them to improve continuously.

Lastly, many follow a business model based on low profit margins but high sales volume, as seen in companies like SM, Jollibee and Cebu Pacific.

The strategy requires strong will, discipline and longterm vision, all of which are central to their lasting success.

These values and strategies, passed down through generations, have helped shape the Filipino-Chinese business community into one of the most dynamic and influential economic groups in the Philippines.

These lessons continue to inspire both new and established entrepreneurs across the country.

TECO promotes education, culture through puppetry

THE Culture Center of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines conducted a teacher training workshop titled “The Charm of Taiwanese Puppetry: Where Tradition Meets Innovation”, bringing together 16 Mandarin language teachers from across Metro Manila.

The workshop is part of Taiwan’s cultural seed teacher program, organized by the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC).

It featured Dr. Uly Yu, an expert in

FFCCCII readies workshop on advanced AI

THE Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) will host a “Workshop on the In-depth Application of AI” on July 5, 2025 at the 8th floor of the Federation Building in Binondo, Manila.

The event aims to deepen the understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly the latest developments in Large Language Models (LLMs).

Professor Peng Shu Juan, a respected doctoral supervisor from Huaqiao University in Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China will be the guest speaker.

Peng is recognized as an advanced talent of Fujian Province and has led over 10 national scientific research projects, making her a prominent figure in the field of AI research and education.

The workshop will focus on several key areas namely understanding the technical principles behind AI Large Language Models (LLMs), gaining insights into cuttingedge trends in AI development, exploring practical, scenario-based applications of AI technologies, and enhancing hands-on skills for real-world integration Expert facilitators, alongside Peng, will provide onsite instruction in updated AI theory and technology. The goal is to bridge the gap between industry and education, promoting real integration of AI into various sectors.

Participants can also look forward to interactive discussions and Q&A sessions, offering valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and professional networking. Michael Wong Ho

visual arts and ink painting, who led the session by introducing participants to the history and artistic traditions of Taiwanese glove puppetry- a cultural icon that blends education and entertainment. Participants took part in hands-on puppet-making activities, including fabric cutting and painting puppet heads, while exploring the storytelling techniques embedded in the art form. Culture Center director Eric Po-Chih Chuang highlighted the importance of Taiwan’s folk

TECO conducts a teacher training workshop titled ‘The Charm of Taiwanese Puppetry: Where Tradition Meets Innovation’

traditions and encouraged educators to incorporate cultural elements into Mandarin language teaching. He also promoted OCAC’s digital teaching platform, HuayuWorld, which offers online resources and upcoming webinars for Mandarin instructors.

The teachers lauded the workshop’s blend of culture and creativity, noting its strong value in enriching overseas Mandarin language education and preserving Taiwan’s cultural identity.

Julie Ann Lope

Free

medical mission held

THE Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) conducted a free medical mission in Naic, Cavite upon the invitation of the Pasinaya Homes Association on June 15, 2025. The medical team, composed of five doctors and ten dentists, was led by FFCCCII social responsibility committee vice director Xu Huan Dong and office head Yang Xue Qing. They were assisted by association staff member Michael Lui and several

volunteers.

About 450 residents received medical consultations, 100 patients underwent tooth extractions and 150 pairs of reading glasses were distributed.

In total, the mission benefited 700 individuals.

The initiative is part of FFCCCII’s regular outreach program, which aims to provide healthcare and support to underserved communities across the Philippines. Michael Wong Ho

Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate and the parent company of VinFast, offers 20 full-ride scholarships to outstanding Filipino students.

Wilson Lee Flores

THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2025

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

By Nickie Wang

TSHOWBIZ

HE 8th Entertainment Editors’ Choice

(The Eddys) is training the spotlight on stars who proved their box-office dominance in 2024.

Topping the list are Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards whose reunion film, Hello, Love, Again , didn’t just tug at heartstrings but also made history by grossing P1.6 billion worldwide.

The romantic sequel, which rekindled the magic of their 2019 hit Hello, Love, Goodbye , achieved the largest opening weekend ever for a Filipino film in the U.S. and Canada, earning $2.4 million in North America and even landing at No. 8 on the region’s weekly boxoffice chart. It now holds the title of the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time.

Meanwhile, Vice Ganda continues his holiday box-office streak with And the Breadwinner

Is… , which raked in P460 million, proving once again that his comedies draw crowds during the festive season.

Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia also return to familiar territory with their hit romance Un/ Happy for You , which surpassed P450 million globally. Their onscreen reunion drew cheers, tears, and long cinema lines, reminding audiences why their chemistry once ruled primetime and the big screen.

Rounding out the Box Office Heroes roster are industry veterans

Vic Sotto and Piolo Pascual ( The Kingdom ), and Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid ( Green Bones ), the multi-awarded film that proved critical acclaim and commercial

By Jasper Valdez

MARIS Racal’s breakout indie film Sunshine to make waves internationally, winning two major awards at the Austin Asian American Film Festival (AAAFF).

The sports drama, directed by Antoinette Jadaone home the Narrative Feature Jury Award and the Narrative Feature Audience Award from the AAAFF, which celebrates Asian and Asian-American voices through film and creative storytelling.

The film had its Texas premiere on June 29 as the closing night feature of the festival.

Sunshine follows the story of a teenage gymnast whose Olympic dreams are upended by an unexpected pregnancy. Clocking in at 92 minutes, the film features Maris in what many regard as her strongest dramatic role yet, alongside Elijah Canlas, Xyriel Manabat, Jennica Garcia, Annika Co, and Meryll Soriano

The AAAFF jury praised the film for “the clarity of its storytelling, its potent sense of place, and an extraordinary lead performance by a striking new talent.”

“The energetic heart of the film keeps us gripped throughout, drawing us into the world of our lead’s complex dilemma while persuasively reminding us that life is so often about the possibilities we extract from seemingly impossible situations,” the jury added.

Sunshine also premiered at last year’s TIFF on September 13, under the Discovery section. Meanwhile, the film made its European debut at the 2025 edition of the Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy, this April.

The film is written and directed by Jadaone, produced by Bianca Balbuena, Dan Villegas, Geo Lomuntad, and backed by production companies ANIMA and Project 8 Projects.

Sunshine is scheduled for a theatrical release in the Philippines on July 23 and has received an R-16 rating. It will be distributed nationwide through SM Cinemas.

Kathryn Bernardo, Alden Richards

lead honorees in 8th

Eddys’

This latest recognition follows the film’s international success earlier this year, when it won the Crystal Bear for Best Film (Generation 14plus) at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 21.

Box Office Hero award

success can go hand in hand.

Now in its second iteration since the pandemic, the Box Office Hero Award recognizes actors whose films achieve both massive earnings and cultural impact, reinforcing their status as pillars of Philippine entertainment.

The awards ceremony is set for July 20 at the Ceremonial Hall of the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City. A delayed telecast will air on Kapamilya Channel and Jeepney TV, while iWant will stream the program for international viewers starting July 27.

The 8th Eddys is presented by Playtime PH in cooperation with Newport World Resorts and ABSCBN. Co-presenters are Globe and Unilab. It is supported by Senator Camille Villar, Beautederm Corporation, Luxxe White, Puregold CinePanaloFilm Festival, Kat Corpus and My Daily Collagen, with co-production by Brightlight Entertainmen t under Pat-P Daza and direction by Eric Quizon

The Eddys is organized annually by the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd), a nonprofit organization composed of past and current entertainment editors from national broadsheets, top tabloids, and leading online portals.

Maris Racal starrer ‘Sunshine’ wins big at Austin Asian American Film Fest

For more information, follow The Eddys on Facebook at The Eddys (The Entertainment Editors’ Choice)

BTS will release a new album and launch a global tour in 2026, its agency HYBE confirmed, marking the official return of the K-pop supergroup after its members completed their mandatory military service.

The announcement was made during a livestream on Tuesday, the first time all seven members appeared together since 2022, which drew more than 7.3 million real-time views, according to HYBE. The group is scheduled to fly to the United States this

Vic Sotto and Piolo Pascual receive recognition for their roles in the drama ‘The Kingdom’

With ‘Green Bones’, Ruru Madrid and Dennis Trillo take the spotlight at this year’s EDDYs

Vice Ganda continues his box-office streak with the holiday hit ‘And the Breadwinner Is..’

Joshua Garcia (right) and Julia Barretto draw acclaim for their romantic blockbuster ‘Un/Happy for You’

Alden Richards and Kathryn Bernardo earn recognition for the global success of ‘Hello, Love, Again’, the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time

SHOWBIZ

BINI wraps up global tour with fan meet at MOA Arena

AFTER completing its 15-stop BINIverse World Tour , Filipino girl group BINI returned to Manila for a onenight fan gathering at the Mall of Asia Arena.

F R O N T R O W

ALEX Warren has released “On My Mind,” a new single featuring Blackpink’s Rosé ahead of his upcoming album You’ll Be Alright, Kid, set for release on July 18.

The collaboration, produced by Ammo and John Ryan, was announced as a surprise addition to the album. A music video directed by Colin Tilley was released alongside the track.

The album includes 11 new songs and previously released tracks from You’ll Be Alright, Kid (Chapter 1). It follows a shift in Warren’s music from themes of grief to resilience and healing.

Warren’s single Ordinary has topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and reached No. 1 on global charts, including the UK and Australia. It has recorded nearly 1 billion streams.

The show, attended by thousands of supporters, included performances of fan favorites such as Cherry On Top , Zero Pressure , 8 , Out of My Head , and Here With You . In a highlight moment, about 100 fans joined BINI on stage for a live rendition of their tour track Shagidi

The event, titled Here With You, marked the group’s homecoming and served as an exclusive fan meet for members of BINI Global. It featured live performances, fan interactions, and reflections from the members—Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena—on their experiences performing overseas.

Maloi recalled the group’s stop in London as a

BY NOW, it’s almost unfair to describe South Border as just one of the best Filipino bands in rhythm and blues. They have the hits—written and recorded by them. They boast the longevity that other ’90s heavyweights achieved. They can also do live shows that rival and exceed any excellent show bands in the land.

And then they have Jay Durias—the man who holds it all together—the one who connects their past achievements, high reputation, and continuing success in the concert circuit.

South Border is simply the biggest draw among the Pinoy R&B bands around and since. So just say they’re the best in their genre. No one’s going to argue with you.

I was recently asked to share my insights on the band and write down my take on them for use in a tribute project being planned.

I’m working on it, and let me share some of my thoughts. Let me give you a few factual reasons why South Border is special.

First, South Border broke through during the ‘90s when alternative rock dominated, standing out with a distinct sound far from distortionheavy guitar bands. Despite multiple frontman changes, they’ve kept their identity intact and stayed relevant for over three decades.

turning point. “Aside from Filipino BLOOMs, we saw non-Filipino fans singing our songs,” she said. “It reminded us that our music is reaching beyond the Philippines.”

During the event, the group turned over a donation of P362,453.50 to the ABS-CBN Foundation. The amount was raised from merchandise sales, specifically the limitedrelease BINI beanies sold during the tour.

BINI also previewed upcoming projects.

These include a new makeup line, BINI Cosmetics, and a behind-the-scenes documentary titled BINIverse World Tour Stories, which will stream on iWant this September.

The fan meet was hosted by Robi Domingo, Milo Elmido Jr., and Emilio Daez. Pre-show performances featured local talents Zpectrum PH, Overheat, Kolette Madelo, Rain Celmar, and Jarren Garcia, with an additional number from BINIkada.

Since the group’s debut under ABS-CBN’s Star Music label, BINI has steadily built a growing fan base both in the Philippines and abroad. The BINIverse World Tour included stops in North America, Europe, and Asia, with the group noting the enthusiasm of international fans as a key milestone in their career.

What makes South Border the best Filipino band in R&B

“Kahit Kailan” is a special record, with its dual lead vocal showcase and the solo sax cued in by Brix Ferraris’ stratospheric wail. This track, which was named Song of the Year by a number of radio stations, also formally introduced music fans to the brilliance of Jay Durias as the band’s chief songwriter, musical director, co-vocalist, and de facto leader. Durias is a major reason for the band’s success.

His recent single “Bloodline” with Jelly Roll also saw strong streaming numbers, debuting in the Top 10 on Spotify U.S. Warren recently performed at the American Music Awards and on The Tonight Show. He will resume his Cheaper Than Therapy U.S. tour in August.

I’d sarcastically laugh if one day he leaves the band and the rest of the members continue using the name—and he’s not allowed to sing South Border songs. He is South Border. Period.

For all his reputation as a perfectionist who makes sure that things are done right, Durias has equally shown his side as a good collaborator— having teamed up with renowned scriptwriter Armando Lao for the writing of “Habang Atin

South Border, led by Jay Durias (center), continues to dominate the live R&B scene with timeless hits and celebrated showmanship

Ang Gabi,” which became the theme song to a Star Cinema movie titled La Vida Rosa He likewise joined forces with Vince Alaras, a one-time South Border frontman, to create the gritty track “The Show,” which puts on display the group’s expertise in the genre they’re most identified with.

“The Show” proved that the group can write a groovy number to go hand-in-hand with their superb cover of Eric Gadd’s “Do You Believe in Me,” which is a staple in their live gigs. Don’t be surprised if someone tells you they actually thought that song was a South Border original. Talk about owning a cover song. That’s another reason they’ve made it this far and for this long: they’re a top-notch live act, with a repertoire that includes legitimate hits and competently done covers.

Second, the hits. Without songs like “Kahit Kailan” and “Rainbow,” they might have remained underground. But those tracks—and a polished image beyond rock—secured their place in the mainstream.

Perhaps some of us first heard them interpreting a Metropop Music Festival finalist written by Neocolours’ Jimmy Antiporda, called “May Pagibig Pa Kaya.” Or through their recording of “Love of My Life”—not the Queen classic, but their original, which stands on its own.

Filipino audiences love to dance and be serenaded by a fine live band. In South Border, they enjoy not just a skilled act capable of doing a long set of other people’s music—radio hits— and making them sound like their own. And then the big bonus: they can entertain you with songs they popularized because they’re premier recording artists.

I read that South Border will have a concert at Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, Indian High School, in Dubai on Aug. 16. Then, as part of their Australian tour, they’ll perform at Coliseum Theatre, 33 Railway Street, Sydney, on Sept. 4. In 2005, South Border dominated the 18th Awit Awards by winning eight trophies, including Album of the Year (Episode III), Song of the Year (“Rainbow”), Best Regional Recording (“Usahay”), Best Song Written for Movie/TV/Stage Play (“Ikaw Nga”), and yes, Best R&B (“The Show”).

Two decades on, South Border continues to influence younger Filipino bands outside the rock genre. Despite lineup changes and shifting trends, they’ve endured—led by Durias and backed by a loyal fan base that still believes in the show that is South Border.

Alex Warren (right) and Rosé team up for the surprise release of their new single ‘On My Mind’ ahead of Warren’s upcoming album

BINI interacts with fans up close aboard a float that circles the venue at the

BINI takes center stage at the MOA Arena for their ‘Here With You’ fan gathering after completing a 15-stop world tour

THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2025

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

This is how

diabetes can impact your body from head to toe

MEDICAL experts are raising alarms about diabetes, often called a “silent killer,” due to its ability to cause severe damage throughout the body before symptoms become apparent. Chronic high blood sugar, resulting from the body’s inability to produce or properly use insulin, can lead to life-threatening complications affecting the heart, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

Doctors at Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed) stress that diabetes impacts nearly every major organ system, making early detection and proactive management essential to prevent irreversible harm.

Dr. Jimmy B. Aragon of MakatiMed’s Diabetes Care Center explains that prolonged exposure to high blood sugar damages blood vessels, leading to serious health conditions. Cardiovascular disease is a major risk, as damaged vessels become stiff and develop plaque, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.

Diabetes also threatens vision by damaging blood vessels in the eyes, potentially causing diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. Kidney function can deteriorate as high blood sugar impairs filtration, sometimes necessitating dialysis or a transplant. Additionally, nerve damage, or neuropathy, often manifests in the feet, leading to numbness, slow-healing wounds, and infections.

Many patients remain unaware of their condition until complications arise. Warning signs include excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and dry skin.

Dr. Aragon emphasizes the importance of two key tests for diagnosis: the Fasting Blood Sugar test, where levels of 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher indicate diabetes, and the HbA1c test, which measures average blood sugar over two to three months.

While medications help regulate blood sugar, lifestyle modifications play a critical role. Dr. Aragon recommends a diet rich in low-glycemic whole grains and fiber while avoiding sugary beverages. Regular physical activity, such as a 30-minute walk after meals, can improve insulin sensitivity and overall health.

Due to the heightened risk of foot complications, proper foot care—including regular cleaning, moisturizing, and protective footwear—is crucial. Patients are also advised to monitor their blood pressure, cholesterol, and kidney function regularly.

“Diabetes doesn’t have to dictate a person’s life,” says Dr. Aragon. “With proper management, patients can maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.”

Fast

NEARLY one in ten Filipino children are now overweight or obese, according to recent national and international health surveys, highlighting the growing impact of unhealthy eating habits driven by increasingly fast-paced urban lifestyles.

The 2023 National Nutrition Survey found that 39.8 percent of Filipino adults are either overweight or obese, while the number of overweight children aged 5 to 10 increased from 10.4 percent in 2019 to 14 percent in 2022. A similar rise was recorded among adolescents. Health experts link the trend to a shift in dietary patterns, with more families relying on processed and fast foods amid long work hours, urban congestion, and the growing affordability of ultra-processed products. These include sweetened cereals, packaged snacks, and sugarladen drinks, which are widely marketed and easily accessible across the country.

A UNICEF report noted that Filipino children are consuming fewer fruits and vegetables and more food high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. The World Health Organization has also raised concerns about the increasing presence of ultra-processed food in developing countries, which it says is contributing to higher rates of non-communicable diseases. Beyond weight gain, studies show that these

Very Wang Nickie Wang

Janine Gutierrez on grief, healing, and why health is her greatest priority

JANINE Gutierrez had little time to process the triple blow that hit her family earlier this year. Over the course of three weeks, she lost three people dear to her. She lost her Mamita, Asia’s Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales, her maternal grandmother, the late National Artist Nora Aunor, and her uncle, seasoned actor Ricky Davao

“Some days are easier than others,” she said, her voice soft. “But you never really get used to the emptiness.”

“Some days are easier than others,” she said. “But you never really get used to the emptiness.”

The losses came just as work was picking up, but she had little choice but to return. One of her first public appearances after the losses was for iCare, a health maintenance organization that introduced her as its first brand ambassador.

At 34, Gutierrez understands that health is essential not only for her personal wellbeing but also for her ability to keep working.

“Losing loved ones reminded me how important it is to take care of yourself,” she said.

She tries to make time for physical activity, mentioning tennis and paddle as regular parts of her routine. “It helps clear my head,” she said. “It keeps me steady.”

also said health is a regular topic between her and her partner, actor Jericho Rosales. “We talk about health a lot because our work is physically and emotionally demanding. Health is our capital, and that goes for everyone,” she told reporters.

“We always talk about how to be healthier, whether it’s through regular check-ups or taking care of our families. Health is very important to me, and I’m glad I have a partner who shares that. Take care of your health, live your life, and choose the right people to have around you, they’re the ones who’ll lift you when you need it.”

iCare president and CEO Geronimo Francisco said the company chose Janine as their ambassador because she represents the values of “hope, dignity, and courage to say yes to better health.”

“We don’t just offer health plans,” he said. “We create options for families, freelancers, and businesses, people who are often left

behind by traditional systems.”

For iCare board member Carol Dominguez, the decision to bring Gutierrez on board was also personal. Dominguez is the sister of the late Leo Dominguez, the talent manager who helped guide Gutierrez’s career. He was also an iCare member during his final days.

“Janine isn’t just a brand ambassador,” Dominguez said during the launch. “She’s part of a legacy.”

Earlier this year, iCare launched a campaign in Boracay featuring ten orange-sailed paraws to promote health awareness. Some thought it was a personal announcement involving Janine. The company clarified that it wasn’t a love story, it was about choosing to live well.

That message fits where Janine is right now. Even while dealing with personal loss, she is choosing to look after her health and encouraging others to do the same.

“It’s not always easy,” she said. “But I try.”

food habits linked to obesity in Filipino youth

foods may cause cellular damage linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, and long-term health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

Health organizations and some private groups are promoting dietary interventions, such as increasing antioxidant intake, as part of broader efforts to prevent chronic disease. Antioxidants—found naturally in fruits, vegetables, and some supplements— are compounds that help counteract oxidative stress and support immune function.

During Nutrition Month in July, LAC Philippines launched a campaign to promote antioxidant awareness, citing ongoing research into compounds such as oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), which are said to have potential benefits in reducing internal inflammation and preserving collagen.

The firm said its dietary supplement featuring French Pine Bark Extract is part of a wider push for preventive healthcare and everyday wellness, particularly among working adults and families.

The Department of Health earlier urged the public to adopt healthier diets and reduce consumption of processed food, especially among

She

Janine Gutierrez joins iCare executives at her official launch as brand ambassador for the health-focused organization

A simple health check can go a long way in detecting conditions like diabetes before complications arise

Janine Gutierrez says one of her go-to routines for staying physically and mentally fit is playing tennis and other racket sports

Actress and health buff Janine Gutierrez is the new face of iCare