Manila Standard - 2025 July 7 - Monday

Affordable rice to stay—PBBM

Assures no income loss for farmers

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. assured consumers that the P20 per kilo rice initiative is not merely a stop-gap measure, but a continuing program of his administration that is poised to be expanded further to include more public markets nationwide.

vowed full support for President Marcos’ initiative to

and expand the country’s cold chain system, a critical infrastructure upgrade to improve the livelihood of fisherfolk nationwide. He made the commitment following the chief executive’s inspection of the General Santos Fish Port Complex, the hub of the nation’s tuna industry and a vital economic driver in

Romualdez underscored the need for Congress to pass measures to establish modern fish ports and cold storage facilities to improve the country’s fisheries industry.

“The increase in fish ports and cold storage facilities would greatly help reduce transportation and production costs for our fishermen. They can count on the support of Congress to build more innovative and modern facilities,” he said.

Pope urges PH bishops to defend peace, human dignity

By Ram Superable

human dignity.

Filipino

over

“Be courageous in supporting the cause of peace and in promoting the intrinsic dignity of all people,” the pontiff said in his first message to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), as he offered prayers for the success of their plenary assembly in Bohol. His message, conveyed through Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, was read on Saturday (July 5) by Apostolic Nuncio

By Rex Espiritu

THE Malacanang Press Corps and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) bucked the move of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) to exclude a broadcast reporter from covering the Palace for alleged breach of protocol.

“While acknowledging that formal requests are preferable to demands and outright bans, NUJP backs the Malacañang Press Corps on the Presidential Communications Office’s (PCO) bid to replace reporters it has cited for breaking protocol and attempting to have an “ambush” interview with the President,” the NUJP said in a statement on Saturday..

According to the NUJP, the

‘Bising’ aka ‘Danas’ now a typhoon

By Rio Araja,

Rex Espiritu

THE weather bureau on Sunday upgraded cyclone “Danas” (formerly “Bising”) as a typhoon, threatening Batanes and other parts of northern Luzon. In its 5 pm bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Danas had moved out of the country’s area of responsibility and was accelerating northeastward towards Taiwan. PAGASA however has not ruled out the possibility of it re-entering the country either tonight or early Monday, but it is expected to exit immediately.

The combined effects of rains induced by the southwest monsoon (habagat) and tropical depression “Bising” have affected over 13,000 individuals, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Sunday.

According to the disaster agency, these figures represent 3,773 families across three regions in the country. Central Luzon was hit hardest, with 12,039 individuals affected or 3,413 families. In the same region, 23 areas remain submerged under flood-

By Rex Espiritu

POPE Leo XIV called on

bishops

the weekend to be bold in defending peace and

By Rio N. Araja

Mindanao.

THE Japanese government is preparing to export six warships to the Philippines, according to Japanese media reports on Sunday.

IN BISING’S WAKE. Rains wrought by the country’s first typhoon, codenamed ‘Bising’, left photo, together with the Southwest Monsoon displaced several thousands, flooding areas as far Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental, top right, and dampened the open-air graduation rites at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. PAGASA, MDRRMO Governor Generoso, UP Diliman

MAKATI INTER-CITY SUBWAY ROUTE

AI robots fill in for weed killers

OBLIVIOUS to the punishing midday heat, a wheeled robot powered by the sun and infused with artificial intelligence carefully combs a cotton field in California, plucking out weeds.

As farms across the United States face a shortage of laborers and weeds grow resistant to herbicides, startup Aigen says its robotic solution—named Element—can save farmers money, help the environment and keep harmful chemicals out of food.

“I really believe this is the biggest thing we can do to improve human health,” co-founder and chief technolo -

An aerial view shows Aigen’s solar-powered autonomous AI robots called ‘Element’ operating at Bowles Farm in Los Banos, California on June 26, 2025. As farms across the United States face a shortage of laborers and weeds grow resistant to herbicides, startup Aigen has a robotic solution it says can save farmers money, help the environment and keep harmful chemicals off produce people eat. Aigen’s mission is to replace herbicides, not farm workers, benefiting growers and consumers in the process, according to co-founder and chief technology officer Ricard Wurden. Photo AFP

gy officer Richard Wurden told Agence France Presse (AFP), as robots made their way through crops at Bowles Farm in the town of Los Banos.

“Everybody’s eating food sprayed with chemicals.”

Wurden, a mechanical engineer who spent five years at Tesla, went to work on the robot after relatives who farm in Minnesota told him weeding was a costly bane.

Weeds are becoming immune to herbicides, but a shortage of laborers often leaves chemicals as the only viable option, according to Wurden.

“No farmer that we’ve ever talked to said ‘I’m in love with chemicals’,” added Aigen co-founder and chief executive Kenny Lee, whose background is in software.

“They use it because it’s a tool— we’re trying to create an alternative.”

‘Element’ the robot resembles a large table on wheels, solar panels on top. Metal arms equipped with small blades reach down to hoe between crop plants.

“It actually mimics how humans work,” Lee said as the temperature hit 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Cel-

sius) under a cloudless sky.

“When the sun goes down, it just powers down and goes to sleep; then in the morning it comes back up and starts going again.”

The robot’s AI system takes in data from on-board cameras, allowing it to follow crop rows and identify weeds.

“If you think this is a job that we want humans doing, just spend two hours in the field weeding,” Wurden said.

Aigen’s vision is for workers who once toiled in the heat to be “upskilled” to monitor and troubleshoot robots.

Along with the on-board AI, robots communicate wirelessly with small control centers, notifying handlers of mishaps.

sistance Service reported.

More than 804,000 kilos of affordable rice were distributed between May 13 and June 30, it disclosed.

Marcos also reaffirmed his administration’s focus on building a resilient agricultural system to ensure food security.

to the 5% broken variety, which is the most commonly consumed variety of imported rice.

Romualdez also urged his colleagues to actively participate in scrutinizing the National Expenditure Program for 2026 to ensure that next year’s national budget has enough funding to support the upgrade in infrastructure for the fisheries industry.

“Lawmakers should give priority to the President’s programs. This is one of the priorities of the government for food security of each Filipino,” he noted.

On Friday, Mr. Marcos reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to revitalize the country’s fisheries industry, recognizing its crucial role in food security and economic growth, saying more modern fish ports and cold storage facilities should be built to upgrade the country’s fisheries infrastructure.

The President cited the ongoing construction of a cold storage facility in the area as a significant step forward, but emphasized the need to expand the entire cold chain system to ensure that seafood products maintain quality from the moment of catch to arrival in the market.

“We will do everything to support not just cold storage, but the entire cold chain so the quality of the catch is preserved for better sales,” he told fishing stakeholders in General Santos City.

For his part, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced the establishment of a new laboratory in General Santos that will test for fish quality indicators such as histamine levels, as well as conduct specialized tests for shrimp products.

for it in your nearest public markets,”

Mr. Marcos assured.

Presently, only senior citizens, single parents, persons with disabilities, indigent families, and minimum wage earners, are entitled to purchase rice at P20 per kilo.

The administration targets that, by yearend, one million financiallystruggling Filipinos will be entitled to purchase affordable rice under the program, also called, “Benteng Bigas Meron na!” or “BBM.”

Last week, Mr. Marcos led the launch of the program at Zapote Public Market in Bacoor, Cavite.

This signaled a major expansion of the P20 rice initiative, originally pilot tested in the Visayas region in May. The program has so far reached over 105,000 families in Luzon and the Visayas, the Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness and Marketing As-

To date, 94 outlet sites have been established across the country, the agency added.

Meanwhile, Mr. Marcos allayed fears looming that the availability of cheap rice might hurt farmers, saying safeguards are in place to prevent the depression of palay (unhusked rice) prices.

He said the National Food Authority (NFA) is mandated to purchase wet palay at P18 per kilo and dry palay at P19 to P23.

“No matter what the price of rice is, the NFA’s purchase of palay from our farmers will not fall below this,” he assured.

Moreover, the President also cited the continued roll-out of rice processing facilities, dryers and soil laboratories across the country to allow farmers to store their harvest.

This option will allow growers to avoid selling to traders at low prices.

In his vlog, titled, “Agrikultura,” Mr.

Archbishop Charles Brown.

The NUJP also pointed out that there might be a need for more information than what is given at briefings or in advisories, or that access to the President is often limited to “managed press events and sit-down interviews with select journalists.”

“In any case, it would be more productive for the PCO to arrange regular press briefings or conversations with the President instead of trying to replace reporters whose questions and actions it may disagree with,” the NUJP noted.

The Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) on Friday strongly objected to the PCO’s request to replace a NET 25 reporter assigned to cover Palace events, calling the move as a “clear overreach” of the agency’s authority.

In a formal letter to the PCO, the MPC expressed “grave concern” over the request to replace Eden Santos, a veteran journalist from NET 25, following an alleged breach of security protocol during President Marcos’ appearance at a drug destruction event in Capas, Tarlac last June 25.

The PCO has not issued any response to the statements made by NUJP and the MPC.

The pope encouraged the bishops to draw inspiration from the ongoing Jubilee year, which he described as a moment to renew faith in God’s love and salvation.

Meanwhile, Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera was elected as the new president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of

He also urged national and local officials who assumed office June 30 to work with the administration to improve service delivery to the public.

“The political part is over, public service is what you will be dealing with now,” he said.

“We have a lot of cooperation with the local and national government and the LGU (local government unit) plays a big role in delivering services to the people,” he added.

Meanwhile, the deferred further reduction of the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for imported rice, originally set on July 1, will push through on July 16.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the MSRP of imported rice will be lowered to P43 per kilo from the current P45.

The DA’s retail price ceiling for the imported grain applies specifically

the Philippines (CBCP) during the first day of the bishops’ 130th plenary assembly in Anda, Bohol on Saturday.

He will succeed the Diocese of Kalookan’s Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David on Dec. 1. Garcera has been head of the Archdiocese of Lipa in Batangas province since 2017. He is also currently the CBCP Permanent Council’s regional representative for Southeast Luzon. CBCP officials serve two-year terms and may be reelected once, for a maxi-

The Agriculture Department delayed the reduction of imported rice MSRP on the back of the volatility in global markets as tensions escalate in the Middle East.

With tensions now easing, following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, Tiu Laurel said global conditions have stabilized enough to resume the planned rice price interventions.

The initial MSRP for 5 percent broken imported rice was P58 per kilo that piloted on January 28, 2025, and was progressively lowered to P45 by March 31.

MSRP contributed to easing inflation, allowing the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to cut interest rates to help stimulate economic activity and job creation.

Tiu Laurel added that rice sold through the DA’s Rice-for-All program would also reflect the new price levels.

Currently, 5 percent broken rice is sold at P43 per kilo, 25 percent broken at P35, and 100 percent broken at P33.

mum of four years. Garcera was ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Caceres in Naga City, Camarines Sur in 1983. In 2007, he was appointed bishop of Daet in the same province, then transferred to Lipa City.

Archbishop Julius Tonel, head of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga, was elected vice president.

The 68-year-old bishop will succeed Pasig’s Mylo Hubert Vergara, who is also on his second and final term.

waters, especially in some cities and municipalities in Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Zambales.

The Lubuagan–Batong Buhay–Abra boundary road in Kalinga has been declared impassable following a soil and rock collapse that cut off access to Kadamayan Falls, a wellknown tourist destination.

PAGASA hoisted gale warnings over the seaboards of northern Luzon, Batanes, and Babuyan Islands. Vessels are advised of risky sea travel due to prevailing weather conditions.

PAGASA, meanwhile, forecast heavy rainfall over several Luzon provinces attributed to the effects of the southwest monsoon. It said 50 to 100 millimeters of rain will shower Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, and Bataan from Sunday until Monday.

As this developed, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has allocated a P3-billion standby fund and prepositioned relief stockpiles ready for calamities nationwide this year.

Interviewed over Super Radyo dzBB, Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said, “This will be used to respond to different requests of calamity-affected local government units (LGUs).”

More than three million family food packs have already been prepositioned at DSWD warehouses nationwide, she said. The agency has also tapped LGUs’ and private organizations’ warehouses to support its calamity response operations.

The Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported that Tokyo and Manila have reached an agreement on the transfer of six decommissioned Abukuma-class destroyer escorts, originally commissioned between 1989 and 1993.

“Defense Minister (Gen) Nakatani and Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro confirmed the export of the used escort ships during a meeting in Singapore in early June. The exports are expected to consist of six Abukuma class destroyers of the (Japan Maritime Self Defense Force),” the Shimbun article reported. Classified as general-purpose de -

stroyer escorts primarily designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), the 2,550-ton Abukuma-class ships have served for over three decades. Due to a shortage of naval personnel, they are being gradually decommissioned and replaced by newer vessels that require smaller crews to operate.

“If the export of these used destroyers is realized, it will be the first such case.

The export of the destroyers aim to improve interoperability with the Philippine military and jointly strengthen deterrence and response capabilities against China, which is unilaterally advancing into the ocean,” the publication said.

According to the Shimbun’s sources, “the Philippine military is scheduled to inspect the Abukuma class destroyer

escorts this summer to check its main guns and other equipment, as well as its maintenance status, and to make final preparations for the export.”

This development comes as Japan and the Philippines continue to strengthen their security cooperation.

Last month, Japan’s National Diet ratified a key defense agreement that allows the deployment of Japanese forces to the Philippines for joint military exercises with Filipino troops.

In April, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos jointly announced two significant agreements: the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) and a Security of Information Agreement. Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy is

undergoing a fleet modernization program, acquiring its first guided missile frigates and corvettes from South Korea, along with fast missile patrol boats from Israel.

These will operate alongside older vessels previously acquired or donated by the United States and the United Kingdom.

The addition of Japanese warships is expected to bolster the Navy’s capabilities, particularly amid rising Chinese military activity in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea. According to the Military Balance 2025 edition by the British International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Chinese military has 102 surface combatants such as destroyers, while the Philippines has only two frigates.

MONDAY, JULY 7, 2025

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF

Quezon City opens 2nd dialysis center for residents

QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Sunday announced the opening of the city’s second dialysis center inside the Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital in Barangay Batasan Hills.

“Chronic kidney disease is a growing public concern in the country. We hope that by opening this dialysis center and bringing our healthcare services closer to our people, no resident will have to choose between their well-being and their livelihood,” Belmonte said.

The center will operate from Monday to Saturday and can serve up to nine patients daily, providing care for as many as 54 patients each week. Each dialysis session lasts about five hours.

Belmonte said the service is free for eligible patients under the expanded PhilHealth Dialysis Package, sparing residents long waiting times or costly private treatments. Rio N. Araja

10 drivers suspended for overcharging at NAIA

THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) has suspended the licenses of 10 taxi and ride-hailing drivers for 90 days after they were caught overcharging and contracting passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said the drivers were issued show-cause orders following a surprise operation at the airport on June 25.

“We already informed these drivers of the suspension. In other words, they have no job during that period since what they did was to take advantage of our fellow commuters,” Mendoza said. He added that regular enforcement teams will continue to be deployed at all NAIA terminals to ensure discipline. Rio N. Araja

Buy-busts net P2.1m drugs in Batangas, Rizal

POLICE operations in Batangas and Rizal over the weekend led to the seizure of about P2.1 million worth of illegal drugs and the arrest of four suspected traffickers.

In Batangas City, a suspect known as “Crisanto” was caught early Sunday selling P7,000 worth of drugs to an undercover officer. Authorities recovered 145 grams of suspected shabu worth P986,000 and nearly a kilo of marijuana valued at over P112,000.

A .32-caliber pistol loaded with four bullets was also confiscated. Police identified Crisanto as a high-value individual involved in the drug trade.

In Taytay, Rizal, three men were arrested after one of them, alias “Bibidu,” sold suspected shabu to a poseur-buyer. Two more sachets of shabu were seized during the arrest. Vince Lopez

Makati to own subway firm

MAKATI City is set to be given full ownership of the corporate entity established to develop and operate the stalled underground train system in the city as part of proceedings with the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), former Makati mayor Abigail Binay-Campos said over the weekend.

Her sister, newly elected Mayor Nancy Binay, however, flagged a “midnight settlement” that the previous administration entered into seven

days before the end of their term, obligating the city to pay P8.96 billion to the private partner Philippine InfraDev Holdings Inc.

According to Binay-Campos, the arbitration proceedings are expected to give Makati City full ownership of the Makati City Subway Inc. (MCSI) with a net value of $1.6 billion, free of liabilities and including land assets, after paying $160 million to its publicprivate partner (PPP).

“It’s a win for Makati. It will end years of legal uncertainty and positions Makati to drive the subway project forward on its own terms,” she said in a statement released Sunday. Binay-Campos said the expected resolution of the arbitration will include Makati having to pay $160 million to the private partner, approximating the

actual investment made on the project as determined by auditing firm Price-

According

(COA)’s

3rd batch of OFWs repatriated from Israel

AT least 25 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were flown back to the Philippines over the weekend as part of the third batch of citizens who signed up for the voluntary repatriation program of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas

Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

In an update posted Sunday afternoon, July 6, the Philippine Embassy in Israel said the concerned OFWs underwent a pre-departure briefing led by Ambassador Aileen Mendiola at the DMW shelter

a

Manila police crack down on noisy mufflers

By Itchie Cabayan

MANILA Police District (MPD)

authorities are now going after noisy mufflers in the city. It was learned that since July 3, the MPD has already confiscated 13 noisy mufflers during a checkpoint in Tondo, Manila alone.

PLt. Col. Ronald de Leon, station

in Tel Aviv.

The returning Filipinos were advised to take advantage of government reintegration programs, especially psychosocial healing, as they adjust to their life back in the Philippines again.

According to the Philippine Em-

bassy in Israel, 72 OFWs have so far been repatriated in light of the 12-day war between Israel and Iran.

“In total, 1,405 of our countrymen were helped by the DMWOWWA team of the embassy to go home to the Philippines since October 2023,” the embassy said.

Summer remediation program boosts literacy for Grade 3 level

THE Second Congressional Commission (EDCOM 2) commended the improved literacy rate among learners under the Department of Education’s Literacy Remediation Program (LRP) held last summer. The findings highlight the LRP’s significant impact on enhancing foundational literacy skills among Grade 3 learners.

According to a DepEd report, the LRP’s primary goal was to equip Grade 3 students categorized as “Low Emergent Readers” with the foundational literacy skills necessary for a successful transition to Grade 4, where English serves as the primary medium of instruction. These learners totaled 60,000 nationwide, out of over 1.7 million Grade 3 students assessed at the end of SY 2024-2025 in March. These students had

not yet mastered phonics skills—understanding the relationships between written words and their sounds—and struggled with simple words at a Grade 1 level. Following the 18-day intervention, the program demonstrated remarkable success in elevating reading proficiency. Partial post-test results showed remarkable gains, with only 1,827 learners remaining at the lowest reading level out of the 49,957 learners. Notably, a substantial 8,300 learners reached Grade 3 reading level and are now ready to transition to Grade 4. During the program, as many as 49,446 learners mastered letter sounds, and more than 50% of learners were able to read and fully understand short passages.

“The LRP initiative boosts our confidence that while we face a learning

commander of the MPD-Police Station 1, said that the operation was carried out via checkpoints. Motorcycles are being flagged down so they can be subjected to a decibel meter.

If they fail, the drivers will be issued an ordinance violation receipt and their mufflers will be seized as evidence. Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso announced over the weekend that loud motors are now banned in the city.

“Motorcycles with noisy exhaust pipes are now strictly prohibited in Manila! Don’t try us—if you get caught, no excuses, your tailpipes will be seized immediately,” Domagoso warned in a Facebook post late Saturday.

BANNED. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso (right) holds

sample motorcycle exhaust pipe, which he said is now banned in the city to address noise pollution.

COMICS FEST. Day 2 of the Philippine International Comics Festival (PICOF) at Megatrade Hall buzzed with excitement as comic enthusiasts, creators, and collectors gathered around vibrant booths showcasing locally made titles, graphic novels, and zines. Visitors browsed a diverse selection of indie works, engaged with artists, and immersed themselves in the growing community of Filipino komiks storytelling. Edd Castro

VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION Twenty-five Filipino workers have flown home to the Philippines as the third batch under the voluntary repatriation program of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Ambassador Aileen Mendiola led the pre-departure briefing at the DMW shelter in Tel Aviv, urging them to avail themselves of reintegration programs, especially psychosocial counseling.

OPINION

apples, oranges, grapes and pears, and gone are our santol, bayabas, makopa, duhat, siniguelas, atbp.

tion experiences involuntary hunger. By First World standards, that is criminal. By ASEAN standards, we are at the pits. One reason is un-managed population growth.

While Thailand, with its 51 million hectares of land, used to have the same population as ours in 1978, we are now 114 million and growing. Within the same period, Thais grew from 43 million to 66 through years of pro-active population management.

Then again, Thailand’s 51 million hectares is mostly contiguous land; ours is just 30 million hectares dispersed among 7,600 islands. Our population density is thus 2.9 times more than Thailand per square kilometer.

Because of these demographics, we produce less food than the Thais. Locally produced rice, poultry, pork, seafood, fruits and vegetables are plentiful and cheap in Thailand.

We import much of our food requirements to feed a big population, half of whom reside in urban centers where supply chain complexities compound prices.

Take rice, our staple food.

Last year, Thailand exported close to 10 million tons of rice. The Philippines imported 4.3 million tons, mostly from Vietnam, because Thai rice is more expensive as they have strategically targeted the higher end market.

Soon, Vietnam will follow suit, and in fact, they are devoting more land for high value crops, from coffee in the highlands to dragon fruit in the lowlands.

What happens when the exportable volume of rice in the world market gets thinner?

Recently, the DA and BOC confiscated containers of onions and fish.

For a country surrounded and interspersed with huge bodies of water, we now import fish, while our paltry vegetable produce cannot compete with the bumper crop of aromatics from countries like China, even tiny Taiwan. 98 percent of the garlic we consume without which our adobo cannot be cooked, is from Taiwan and China.

I go to the wet market weekly as I love to cook meals for my brood. Arranque in Manila and Cartimar in Pasay for seafood and vegetables; special meat cuts from Quiapo and San Andres.

Food is a continuing passion; cooking is relaxing.

In Arranque and Cartimar, there is a surfeit of imported vegetables, mostly from Taiwan and the mainland, while in Quiapo’s Quinta I buy locally-grown veggies.

Except for mangoes, bananas and pomelos, what we see in fruit stands are imported

Even the peanuts that we toast and grind for the family’s favorite kare-kare is imported, as local peanuts are spottily available. We grind the toasted nuts and malagkit rice because I never use commercial peanut butter for what friends and family call “ma piece de resistance.”

But our main concern should focus on the poor, both the desperate and the nouveau pauvre, the latter to include the lower middle class whose standards of living have been diminished by inflation.

What happens when the exportable volume of rice in the world market gets thinner?

BbM’s solution to our food-poor present is pure optics.

It was a false promise to begin with, defying the law of supply and demand, and now egregiously shifting the cost to the 95 percent who cannot access the hugely subsidized Benteng Bigas, Meron na (otro BBM).

But just how much palay can the State, through DA’s NFA buy?

Because of this false pretense intended to make false promise a delusional reality, our palay farmers are now groaning because NFA cannot buy enough of their produce, while the private millers and traders have been given reason to peg their buying prices lower than production costs.

Pity the farmer, Markham’s “man with the hoe,” always “magtanim ay di biro,” always at the losing end, because government is on survival mode, pleasing the consumer on TV news at the expense of the countryside poor.

It is classic “Utos, Sundin, Palakpak!”; Utos ni BbM ay Sundin ng mga ahensya, at Palakpakan (sana!) ng sambayanan, the Unique Selling Proposition which is the president’s cut and dried solution to address the public’s woes and hopefully shore up his decreasing trust and approval ratings.

We wrote about the Malacanang marketing guru’s strategy in this space last March 27, under the title “Branding,” but that may have been too late to make BbM’s Alyansa win. Now they are hoping it will reverse the decline.

It probably would. Madali namang pasakayin ang tao sa bansang ito. Incremental reasoning; never mind the medium and long-term consequences.

Unmasking the silent breach of our democracy

HOW does a foreign national slip through the cracks of our democratic process and assume a seat of power in local government?

That question now looms large after the Manila Regional Trial Court confirmed that Alice Leal Guo, the former mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, is not a Filipino citizen at all—but a Chinese national named Guo Hua Ping. With that finding, her election was declared void from the moment she filed her candidacy. This was not a clerical error. It was a calculated breach of our sovereignty and the sanctity of our elections. This case is not merely about one individual.

It exposes how vulnerable our systems are to manipulation and how urgently we must reform the way we vet candidates for public office.

Guo registered to vote in 2021 and ran in 2022 with mere compliant scrutiny. Her fingerprints, matched against Chinese immigration records, confirmed the fraud. Yet at no point did our bureaucracy raise the alarm. That is not just embarrassing. It’s dangerous. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has since admitted its role in candidate screening is “ministerial.” As long as complete documents are submitted, they cannot reject a candidacy. This enabled Guo’s deception to go unchecked. Comelec’s move to make Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) publicly accessible online is welcome, but it’s a reaction to failure—not a pre-emptive safeguard against the next one. This was not a harmless mistake. The court declared it a national security risk—because it is. At a time when China continues to violate Philippine sovereignty

in the West Philippine Sea, this case raises deeply disturbing questions about foreign interference not just at sea, but in our own government. The strategy of aggression doesn’t always come with warships. It can come cloaked in a deep web of dangerous infiltrators. Beijing’s expansionism isn’t confined to disputed waters.

Comelec’s move to make Certificates of Candidacy publicly accessible online is welcome, but it’s a reaction to failure

Its influence operations target weak spots in governance—through illegal offshore gaming/scamming operators, economic infiltration, controlling supply chains, and heavily supported proxies in government.

That’s why lawmakers like Sen. Risa Hontiveros are right to raise the alarm.

If someone like Guo can win a mayoral seat under a false identity, what’s stopping a deeper network from embedding itself further into our institutions?

Public outrage has been swift and justified.

Filipinos are angry—not only at the deception, but at the realization that our institutions inadequately equipped to detect or prevent it. Trust in our institutions is damaged.

This is an AI-generated cartoon with the prompt: Generate

A new generation of workers

THE pandemic taught us many things, among them the need to make healthcare a priority, to hold government officials accountable for decisions that ultimately affect people’s lives, and to never take anything for granted.

And now, it appears that for the younger generation of workers, flexible working arrangements are preferable to those that require them to be at a cetain location every day, logging in a fixed number of hours while there.

According to the Department of Labor and Employment, the workforce is undergoing a dynamic shift.

“Young people are increasingly seeking not just any job, but meaningful work that aligns with evolving global demands,” said Labor Undersecretary Carmela Torres.

These evolving global demands include a growing interest in flexible work arrangements, digitally driven roles, and contributions to sustainable practices, she said.

While details of how the DOLE was able to arrive at these conclusions are not immediately available, the finding resonates with global trends, not necessarily in the context of the pandemic but as a function of generational evolution.

An April 2025 article on Forbes.com, for instance, says Gen Zs – those born roughly between 1997 and 2012 -- are redefining the way they want to work.

“This cohort brings a values-first mindset to work. Their goals are different. As opposed to older generations, this group wants more than a paycheck. They

And while Comelec says it lacks discretion, that’s no excuse to ignore the need for reform.

Given today’s advancements in generative AI and document forgery, citizenship can no longer rest on easily falsified paperwork alone. It must be verified—digitally, biometrically, and transparently.

This is why we must become serious in securing our digital infrastructure as a pillar of national defense and institutional resilience.

The digitization of civil registries, school records, and biometric data must be interconnected and cross-validated in real time.

Every candidate must undergo strict and verified background checks.

No one should hold power without first proving they are a Filipino citizen and with impeccable stature.

The right to lead begins with the obligation to prove not just citizenship, but allegiance.

desire purpose, meaningful work and providing an impact,” the article written by Jack Kelly says.

—“—

Older decision makers in government ad industry must concede that the younger generation’s way of getting work done is not necessarily superior or inferior, just different

The Forbes story also mentions the 2024 Deloitte Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey found that 86% of Gen Zers say a sense of purpose is key to job satisfaction, with 44 percent willing to reject employers misaligned with their ethics.

An earlier study by Deloitte found that 49 percent of Gen Z workers would quit within two years if they are dissatisfied with company values or work-life bal-

Here, the private sector must play a critical role. Tech companies, telcos, and cybersecurity firms can partner with government to fortify election systems, digitize public services, and secure databases from both foreign and domestic threats. Cloud-based solutions can empower local governments by speeding up the validation of identity, qualifications, and legal documents at the grassroots level.

Public-private partnerships can expand digital access in underserved regions while shielding electoral systems from manipulation.

But it’s not just about technology—it’s about political will.

The Guo scandal should be more than fleeting outrage; it must be the moment we confront how easily our democratic institutions can be breached. We must overhaul our democratic processes so that only the most qualified, most honorable Filipinos, and the best citizens of

ance. “Unlike older generations, Gen Z is less likely to stick around if their needs for flexibility, growth, and alignment aren’t met, frustrating managers accustomed to longer tenures.”

The Forbes article also cites a 2023 Pew Research study that ys seven in 10 Gen Z workers prefer working for organizations with strong ethical stances even at the cost of a lower salary, differing from millennials (58%) and Gen Xers (47 percent).

And, in consonance with the DOLE statement, Gen Z workers indeed overwhelmingly prefer hybrid or remote work. “LinkedIn’s 2024 survey found 72 percent of Gen Zers have left or considered leaving jobs lacking flexible policies, dwarfing Millennials (55 percent) and Gen X (40 percent). Deloitte’s 2024 data adds that 63 percent prefer hybrid arrangements, valuing control over where and when they work. This isn’t just convenience, it’s a lifeline to balance amid economic and mental health strains,” it says.

Of course, the Philippine situation would be slightly different from Western or global environments despite these trends. Nonetheless, decision makers in the government and in industries – who likely belong to a prior generation – must acknowledge that the emerging workforce have different needs and preferences. They must concede that the younger generation’s way of getting work done is not necessarily superior or inferior, just different, and a function of the time in which they live.

Thus, adapting to these evolved needs and preferences is needed to achieve full potential, productivity, as well as better quality of life.

the land are elected to public office—leaders who are not only capable and competent, but unquestionably loyal to the nation they serve. In that light, the case of Alice Guo must be recognized for what it is: a wake-up call in this complex environment of hybrid threats.

If we fail to act now—with clarity, urgency, and conviction—we risk normalizing fraud as a strategy for foreign interference.

Sustaining trust in our democracy requires more than reforms—it demands resolve.

Experts have long warned that we are already the target of an asymmetric assault aimed at undermining our democratic institutions, national security, and our sovereignty.

The Alice Guo case is not an anomaly—it is the tip of the iceberg in a broader strategy to compromise our national security through the erosion of our democratic institutions.

a political cartoon in Horizontal format of a caveman figure wearing a fur pelt carrying a massive club labeled ‘No to divorce.’ The caveman, sporting a sloping neanderthal brow, has thick, wiry hair with flies milling around his head. He is leading the charge with other rampaging cavemen who walk behind

Wildfires spread across Europe

ISTANBUL – Several wildfires broke out during the weekend across European countries including Greece, Turkey and France, whose southern regions are battling multiple fires following a prolonged heatwave.

In Turkey, where firefighters have battled more than 600 fires in the droughthit nation over the past week, authorities said a forestry worker injured while fighting the flames in the province of Izmir had died of his injuries.

The blaze, about 100 kilometres (62 miles) east of the coastal resort of Izmir, had already claimed the lives of an 81-year-old bedridden man and a

39-year-old forestry worker on Thursday.

The fire was brought under control on Friday evening, along with six other forest fires mainly in western and central Turkey, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said on X.

But firefighters on Saturday were still battling a fire in the southern coastal area of Dortyol, near the Syrian border. Turkey has largely escaped the recent

heatwaves that swept southern Europe, but strong winds have intensified the forest fires.

French weather service Meteo-France said on Saturday the punishing heatwave that began on June 19 had officially ended on Friday, lasting in all 16 days -- the same length as the country’s deadly 2003 heatwave.

That same day, however, the first major fires of the season broke out in the south, as well as in the Bouches-du-Rhone and Herault departments, leading authorities to shut down portions of a key motorway during the first weekend of the summer holiday season.

Traffic jams reached up to 10 kilometers in each direction on the A9 motorway, with water being distributed to the

numerous motorists stranded under the blazing sun.

In Mireval, near the southern city of Montpellier, a blaze fanned by swirling winds led firefighters to evacuate about 10 people.

“It was very frightening, especially between 4:00 pm (1400 GMT) and 6:30 pm.

The air was unbearable to breathe, there was a lot of smoke in the village, you couldn’t see anything anymore and large ashes were falling from the sky,” said 46-year-old resident Lorette Gargaud.

In Greece, a 52-year-old man was arrested on the island of Evia, accused of starting the fire that devastated part of the island between Friday evening and Saturday morning. AFP

and

BRICS nations voice ‘serious concerns’ over Trump tariffs

RIO DE JANEIRO – BRICS leaders meeting in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday (Monday, Manila time) are expected to decry US President Donald Trump’s “indiscriminate” trade tariffs, saying they are illegal and risk hurting the global economy. Emerging nations, which represent about half the world’s population and 40 percent of global economic output, have united over “serious concerns” about US import tariffs, according to a draft summit statement obtained by AFP on Saturday. Since coming to office in January, Trump has threatened allies and rivals alike with a slew of punitive duties. His latest salvo comes in the form of letters informing trading partners of new tariff rates that will soon enter into force.

Conceived two decades ago as a forum for fast-growing economies, the BRICS have come to be seen as a Chinese-driven counterbalance to Western power. But the summit’s political punch will be depleted by the absence of China’s Xi Jinping, who is skipping the annual meeting for the first time in his 12 years as president. That absence has prompted fevered speculation in some quarters.

“The simplest explanation may hold the most explanatory power. Xi recently hosted Lula in Beijing,” said Ryan Hass, a former China director at the US National Security Council who is now with the Brookings Institution think tank. AFP

Israel army bulldozers plough through West Bank

TULKAREM, Palestinian Territories – In

the West Bank city of Tulkarem, the landscape has been transformed after Israeli army bulldozers ploughed through its two refugee camps in what the military called a hunt for Palestinian militants.

The army gave thousands of displaced residents just a few hours to retrieve belongings from their homes before demolishing buildings and clearing wide avenues through the rubble.

Now residents fear the clearances will erase not just buildings, but their own status as refugees from lands inhabited by generations of their ancestors in what

is now Israel. The “right of return” to those lands, claimed by Palestinian refugees ever since the creation of Israel in 1948, remains one of the thorniest issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The army said it would demolish 104 more buildings in the Tulkarem camp this week in the latest stage of an operation that it launched in January during a truce in the Gaza war, billing it as an intensive crackdown on several camps that are strongholds of Palestinian armed groups fighting against Israel.

“We came back to the camp and found

our house demolished. No one informed us, no one told us anything,” said Abd alRahman Ajaj, 62, who had been hoping to collect his belongings on Wednesday.

Born in Tulkarem camp after his parents fled what is now the Israeli city of Netanya, about 12 kilometers to the west, Ajaj said he had not foreseen the scale of the Israeli operation. It began with a raid on the northern West Bank city of Jenin, a longtime stronghold of Palestinian militants, and quickly spread to other cities, including Tulkarem, displacing at least 40,000 people, according to UN figures. AFP

THE LAST GENERATION. This photo, taken on May 29, 2025, shows a student putting the final touches on a painting for an annual project to preserve the testimonies of atomic bomb survivors to keep the memories of the bombing in 1945 relevant for younger generations, at Motomachi High School in Hiroshima, Hiroshima prefecture. For almost 20 years now, the school has tasked its art students with interviewing ‘hibakusha’ -- atomic bomb survivors -- and turning their harrowing testimonies into paintings. This August marks the 80th anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, as well as the 80th anniversary of the end of the Pacific theatee of World War II. AFP

Rescuers search for missing girls as Texas flood death toll hits 50

teddy bears and other belongings caked in mud.

“We have recovered 43 deceased individuals in Kerr County. Among these who are deceased we have 28 adults and 15 children,” said Larry Leitha, the sheriff of the flood-ravaged region.

will continue the search until all those who are missing are found,” he said.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he was expanding a state disaster declaration and was requesting additional federal resources from President Donald Trump. The flooding began Friday -- the start of the Fourth of July holiday weekend

Party bars members from hiring sex workers

MADRID – Hit by a corruption scandal involving alleged kickbacks and sex workers, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s party shook up its top leadership Saturday and banned members from paying for sex. Sanchez, 53, is facing the biggest crisis of his seven years in power. That was heightened on Monday by the detention of a former top official in his Socialist party, Santos Cerdan, in an investigation involving allegations of corruption and hiring sex workers.

In a bid to right the ship, the Socialist party announced that “soliciting, accepting or obtaining sexual acts in exchange for money” was now banned for party members, punishable by “the maximum sanction, expulsion from the party”. “If we believe a woman’s body is not for sale, our party cannot allow behaviour contrary to that,” Sanchez said. AFP

‘Simple Buddhist monk’ marks landmark 90th

MCLEOD GANJ, India – Calling himself a “simple Buddhist monk” who usually didn’t celebrate birthdays, the Dalai Lama marked his 90th on Sunday by praying for peace after China insisted it would have final say on who succeeded the Tibetan spiritual leader.

Chanting of red-robed monks and nuns rang out from Himalayan hilltop forested temples in India, home to the Dalai Lama since he and thousands of other Tibetans fled Chinese troops who crushed an uprising in their capital Lhasa in 1959.

“I am just a simple Buddhist monk; I don’t normally engage in birthday celebrations,” the Dalai Lama said in a message, thanking those marking it with him for using the opportunity “to cultivate peace of mind and compassion”.

Dressed in traditional robes and a flowing yellow wrap, walking with the aid of two monks while flashing his trademark beaming smile to thousands of followers, he watched dramatic dance troupes with clanging cymbals before the start of prayers. AFP

Victoria state police charged the man with a string of offences, including reckless conduct endangering life.

“Detectives will continue to examine the intent and ideology of the person charged to determine if the incident is in fact terrorism,” police said in a statement. The worshippers escaped unscathed through the back of the synagogue before firefighters doused the blaze.

Police said they were yet to find a link between two other incidents targeting Jewish residents in Melbourne on Friday night. AFP

THOUSANDS DISPLACED. In this file photo, an Israeli military bulldozer demolishes a home at the Nur Shams Palestinian refugee camp, east of Tulkarem, in the Israeli occupied West Bank on June 23, 2025, during an ongoing military operation in the north of the Palestinian West Bank. In the city of Tulkarem, the cityscape has been transformed after army bulldozers ploughed through its two refugee camps in what the military called a hunt for Palestinian militants. AFP

MULTIPLE FIRES. People and firefighters attempt to extinguish the flames as smoke

flares rise from a forested area following a wildfire in the Cesme district of Izmir the other day. An elderly man and a forestry worker died on Thursday in wildfires in Turkey, as firefighters battled high winds fanning two blazes in the western province of Izmir, lawmakers said. Turkey, which was spared the recent heatwaves that gripped the rest of southern Europe, has been battling the effects of a long-term drought brought on by climate change. AFP

BARMM chief rejects resign bid of six ministers

By Rex Espiritu

BANGSAMORO Autonomous Re -

gion in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) chief minister Abdulraof Macacua has turned down the courtesy resignations submitted by six members of his Cabinet.

In a statement on Saturday, the Bangsamoro government’s spokesperson announced that Macacua did not accept the resignations of Minister Akmad Brahim of environment, natural resources, and energy; Ubaida Pacasem of finance, budget, and management; Dr. Khadil Sinolinding Jr. of health; Muslimin Sema of labor and employment; lawyer Raissa Jajurie of social services and development; and Jehan Usop of science and technology.

In a statement, the BARMM government said Macacua’s decision was “guided by clear criteria to determine competence, experience, overall physical fitness, and above all, adherence to the Moral Governance Agenda.”

“These standards enabled the Chief Minister to make informed and objective decisions which are deemed necessary to uphold the effectiveness and efficiency of our services as we approach the end of the transition period,” the statement read.

It said careful deliberations were still ongoing for the remaining ministries and offices.

“In the meantime, the ministers and heads of offices not mentioned above are enjoined to continue performing their limited functions until final decisions are made regarding their respective courtesy resignations,” the BARMM government stated.

Cops nab 2 high school bullies in Isabela, Basilan

By Vince Lopez

TWO teenage boys were apprehended by the police for allegedly bullying a classmate at the Basilan National High School late last month.

The police did not identify the suspects, but said they were turned over to the Children in Conflict with the Law Center in accordance with the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.

According to the father of the victim, the suspects cornered his 15-year-old son inside the school’s toilet, forced him to smoke at knifepoint, and banged his head on the wall.

Alarmed by the incident, the school administrators summoned the parents of the students involved for a conference with the view of imposing punishment where it is due.

Investigation also indicated by the suspects had prior records of bullying in the school campus.

Meanwhile, the Isabela City police has coordinated with the Department of Education and the Department of Social Welfare and Development in a bid to provide counselling services to the victim and conduct intervention programs for the students.

Libanan eyed as leader of House minority bloc

By Rio N. Araja

ABROAD coalition at the House of Representatives, led by the Akbayan party-list, has formally endorsed 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan as minority leader in the 20th Congress which is to convene its first regular session on July 28.

The new minority bloc included party-list congressmen Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro; Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers; Jan Rurik Padiernos of Galing sa Puso; Jonathan Clement Abalos II of 4Ps; Percival Cendaña, Jose Manuel Diokno, and Dadah Kiram Ismula of Akbayan; Leila de Lima of Mamamayang Liberal; Rob -

erto Nazal Jr. of Bagong Henerasyon; Elijah San Fernando of Kamanggagawa; Jernie Jett Nisay of Pusong Pinoy; Allan Ty of LPGMA; Eastern Samar Rep. Sheen Gonzales; Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice; and Northern Samar Rep. Niko Raul Daza. In a joint manifesto of support, the group cited Libanan’s “unwaver-

ing integrity, proven legislative competence, and steadfast commitment to public service” as key reasons for their endorsement.

They also emphasized Libanan’s extensive experience across both the legislative and executive branches of government, saying he “embodies the values of transparency, accountability and inclusive governance —principles essential to a strong and responsible minority bloc.”

“With confidence in his ability to lead with honor, wisdom, and dedication, we affirm our collective support for Rep. Libanan as minority leader,” the manifesto read.

The minority leader is also the acknowledged spokesman of the minority bloc.

IN BRIEF

PH, US navies reaffirm bilateral security ties

THE Philippine and United States navies are poised to outline the future of their cooperative undertakings, coinciding with the American Independence Day and the Philippine-American Friendship Day.

In a statement, the Philippine Navy (PN) said US Navy Carrier Strike Group 5 chief Rear Admiral Eric Anduze met with Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Jose Ma Ambrosio Ezpeleta to reaffirm strong bilateral relations between the two countries Both sides renewed their commitment to deepening cooperation and strengthening maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Discussions focused on ongoing and future joint activities, including naval exercises, ship visits, and opportunities for closer coordination on operations, training, and modernization, the Navy disclosed. Rex Espiritu

BEST FOR THE VETERANS.

Defense Secretary Giolberto Teodoro Jr. (left) graces the opening of newly refurbished Ward 3 of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, accompanied by hospital director Dr. Peter Paul Reuben Galvez. DND photo

VMMC unwraps refurbished facility

THE Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) has officially opened its newly refurbished ward viewed as a key development in the government’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare services for Filipino veterans.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. spearheaded the inauguration over the weekend, reaffirming the administration’s dedication to recognizing the sacrifices and service of the nation’s former military personnel.

“All of these have been approved by the President. It is a presidential project already and not just a DND (Department of National Defense) project,” he said.

The newly upgraded Ward 3 now accommodates specialized facilities such as the Acute Stroke Unit

and the Neurological Intensive Care Unit, significantly boosting VMMC’s ability to manage complex neurological conditions.

Accompanied by VMMC director Dr. Peter Paul Reuben Galvez, Teodoro also visited several key medical facilities, including the Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Medical Social Work Department, and the recently acquired Arthroscopy Tower.

He praised the hospital’s staff for delivering quality care and reaffirmed VMMC’s role as a “place of honor and dignity” for veterans.

“Rest assured that we’ll continue all efforts to make the VMMC worthy to live up to its vision of honoring our veterans,” Secretary Teodoro said. Rex Espiritu

PNP opens new firing range at Camp Crame

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday opened its new indoor firing range at Camp Crame, Quezon City, presided by PNP chief Gen Nicolas Torre III, accompanied by members of the PNP Command Group and key personnel from various units.

During the event, Torre exhibited his proficiency in target shooting, turning in a near perfect score.

“Mastery of firearms handling is not just a skill, but a responsibility that requires consistent practice and focus. This facility offers that opportunity—one that empowers every officer to meet the demands of law,” Torre said.

The state-of-the-art facility is designed to enhance practical shooting skills and reinforce operational readiness of the law enforcers. Vince Lopez

Mariveles leaders seek support for local school

THE political leaders of Mariveles, Bataan are calling for wider public support for the Mariveles National High School Poblacion (MNHS Poblacion) which has been named one of the 10 finalists in the World’s Best School Prizes 2025. The town’s leaders encouraged all and sundry to vote and support the school in its bid for the global award.

Mayor AJ Conception, Vice Mayor Jesse Conception, and members of the Sangguniang Bayan recently visited MNHS Poblacion to personally show their support for the remarkable achievement of the school. MNHS Poblacion has launched “Changing Lives Through Sports” program, which helps students develop physical, mental, and emotional skills. Butch Gunio

FILIPINO COWBOY. Whoever said cowboys are only in America has another thought coming. The Philippines has its own brand of cowboys as manifested by this lonesome horseman marshalling a herd of cattle at a ranch

NAVAL TOP BRASS. Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta and United States Navy Carrier Strike Group 5 Task Force 70 chief Rear Admiral Eric Anduze reaffirm strong bilateral security ties during the latter’s visit in Manila, marking Philippine-American Friendship Day and American Independence Day. PN photo

MONDAY, JULY 7, 2025

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

5150 Bohol sparks triathlon fever in Panglao

PANGLAO Island comes alive once again as the Sun Life 5150 Bohol returns for another exhilarating showcase of speed, power and endurance, with nearly a thousand athletes set to compete across various age-group divisions and the overall championship.

Now on its fourth staging, the Olympic-distance race – consisting of a 1.5km swim, 40km bike, and 10km run – fires off on Sunday (July 13), capping a weekend filled with high-energy racing for both beginners and seasoned triathletes.

Organized by the IRONMAN Group/Sunrise Events, Inc., the 5150 series continues to serve as the ideal entry point into triathlon, offering a platform for athletes to build confidence or progress toward more demanding IRONMAN events.

Irienold Reig, Jr. and Erika Burgos are expected to headline the stellar field, with the former eyeing back-to-back titles in the men’s overall division and the latter gunning for a historic third straight crown in the distaff side.

Copok builds momentum

AFTER a scrambling third-place finish at Del Monte and a rousing runnerup effort at Pueblo de Oro, Armand Copok is eyeing nothing less than the top podium finish as he heads into the ICTSI South Pacific Junior PGT Championship in Davao.

The talented shotmaker from Cagayan de Oro knows what lies ahead, aware of the stern test posed by the South Pacific Golf and Residential Estates course and the challenge from a cast of hungry, homegrown talents looking to assert their edge in local conditions.

Set to unwrap on Wednesday (July 9), the third leg of the four-stage Mindanao swing of the Visayas-Mindanao Series promises fireworks as Mindanao bets aim to reestablish their dominance after snaring two wins at Del Monte and coming up empty at Pueblo.

Still, Copok enters the 54-hole tournament in the boys’ 15-18 age category riding a wave of confidence, his game finally clicking into place after months of fine-tuning. The 16-yearold British School Manila standout showcased his newfound form with a blistering, bogey-free three-under 69 in the final round at Pueblo – and the lowest of the division that week.

41 PH jungolfers to campaign in world junior championships

Halo Pangilinan,

FORTY-ONE of the Philippines’ most promising young golfers are set to compete against the world’s best at the 2025 USWING MOJING Junior World Championships, which officially begins on July 8 in San Diego, California.

The prestigious tournament will see over 1,000 junior golfers from across the globe vie for top honors across seven challenging golf courses in the San Diego area, concluding on July 10.

The Philippine contingent, proof of the country’s burgeoning golf talent, is comprised of 33 junior golfers representing the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP), seven individuals from the delegation sponsored by USWING MOJING endorser and Filipino pro Golfer Miguel Tabuena, and one additional participant.

Each of these 41 young athletes has dedicated countless hours to perfect their game, earning their coveted spots in what is considered the biggest junior world competition of the year.

NGAP Secretary General Bones Floro, who sent off the junior golfers on July 5 at the iconic Torrey Pines Golf Course, expressed his pride and optimism.

“We wish all members of the Philippine contingent the best of luck,” said Floro. “We thank the parents for their continuous support for their children. We will continue

REIGNING world junior cham-

pion Tachiana Keizha Mangin and Tokyo Olympian Kurt Bryan Barbosa banner a strong SMART/MVPSF Philippine taekwondo team that will compete in two tournaments in South Korea from July 9 to 17. Mangin,17, returns to the city of her biggest triumph so far when she and other battle-tested members of the PH team compete in the Chuncheon Korea Open Taekwondo Championships (for poomsae and kyorugi) at the Songam Sports Town Air Dome.

Justlike in her riveting 2-1 win against Korean Kim Hyang Gi last year, the lanky but speedy Mangin competes in the -49kg, while Barbosa vies in the -54kg category.

Challenge starting on July 11.

to work with them in growing the game for our country.”

The Philippine team boasts of a diverse lineup of junior golfers across various age categories, eager to showcase their skills on the international stage. They are (15-18 BOYS) TJ Padilla, Patrick Tambalque, Emil Hernandez, Charles Serdenia; (1518 GIRLS) Reese Ng, Alessa Luciano, LL Go, Rafa Anciano; (13-14 BOYS) Apollo Batican, Mico Ungco, Zian Edoc, David Teves, Lujo Gomez; (13-14 GIRLS) Lisa Sarines, Mona Sarines, Blair Uyking, Precious Zaragosa, Tiffany Bernardino; and (11-12 BOYS) Race Manhit, Vito Sarines, Chan Ahn, Juanton Cruz, Manny Maligaya. Also in the delegation are (1112 GIRLS) CC Gonzales, Kelsey Bernardino, Elliana Dumalaog, Athena Batican; (9-10 BOYS)

Ethan Lago, Zoji Edoc, Asher Abad and (7-8 GIRLS) Tyly Bernardino.

The Philippines has a proud history of producing talented junior golfers who have achieved success on the international stage, including at the Junior World Championships.

Some of the more prominent Filipino golfers who have won at the Junior World Championships in the past include Aidric Chan in the Boys’ 15-18 division of the 2019 IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championships; Daniella Uy in the Girls’ 15-17 category in 2014 and Jed Dy in the Boys’ 7-8 division in 2012, to name a few.

Filipinas qualify for AFC Women’s Asian Cup ‘26

By Peter Atencio

A MISSION has been accomplished again. Chandler McDaniel said this after the Philippine National Women’s Football Team repulsed Hong Kong, 1-0, in Group G of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers on Saturday.

“The team had a goal. And it was to win all three games, and do the best we can,” said McDaniel when action ended at the National Sports Complex of Cambodia in Phnom Penh.

The victory over Hong Kong allowed the Philippines top its Group with a three-game sweep.

The Filipinas scored early, and in the fourth minute when Alexa Pino passed the ball to McDaniel, who slotted home past goalkeeper Leung Wai Nga.

This will be the Philippines’ second successive appearance at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup since 2022.

In advancing to the tournament proper, the Filipinas earlier hurdled Saudi Arabia and host Cambodia.

Reigning Southeast Asian Games champion Vietnam also reached the tournament proper after prevailing over Guam, 4-0, to sweep Group E over at Phu Tho, South Vietnam. India knocked out Thailand, 2-1, for a four-game sweep in Group B in Chiang Mai.

Bangladesh emerged as a new qualifier, after winning three straight matches, including a 7-0 rout of Turkmenistan in Group C hostilities in Yangon.

Chinese Taipei eased out Indonesia, 2-1, over at Tangerang Province in Indonesia.

Before the PH jins take part in the Chuncheon Korea Open, Philippine Taekwondo Association said Paris Paralympian Allain Keanu Ganapin will participate in the Gangwon-Chuncheon World Para Taekwondo Open

Other members of the kyorugi (free sparring) team that is backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and Milo are Reymundo CalambaIII (-54kg), Aljen Aynaga (-58kg), Kurt Mykel Curata, (-58kg), Kenneth Riley Buenavides (-63kg), Sturdy Jay Gilbuena (-63kg), Nusair Lao (-68kg), Dave Cea (-74kg), Carl Justine Williams (-74kg), and Justin Mark Agno (-80 kg).

Aside from Mangin, other members of the women’s team are Clarence Sarza (-46kg),Caitlin Julia Carlos (-46kg), Rizza Rose Collado (-49kg), Baby Jessica Canabal (-53kg), Laizel Angela Abucay (-57kg), Czarina Mae Danganan (-57kg), Jubilee Briones (-62kg), Merica Lillyn Chan (-62kg) and Laila Delo (-67kg).

Comprising the poomsae (forms) team are 2023 Asian Games bronze medalist Patrick KingPerez, Rodolfo Reyes, Jr. Ian Matthew Corton, King Nash Alcairo, DariusVenerable, Justin Kobe Macario, World champ Mangin leads

Stella Nicole Yape.

The South Korea event is part of team’s preparation for the World Tae-

kwondo Championships scheduled on Oct. 24 to 30, 2025 in Wuxi, China and the SEA Games in Bangkok this Decmber.

Heading the delegation is former top player Roberto Cruz while tasked to call the shots for the teams are Rani Ann Ortega, Christian Al Dela Cruz, Kirstie ElaineAlora, and Gershon Bautista.

Filipino jungolfers are shown with NGAP

Secretary General Bones Floro (center) during their sendoff rites.

Marco Angheng, Kael Hortel, Matteo Dela Cruz, Jacob Sy; (9-10 GIRLS) Brie Macasaet, Mavis Espedido, Maurysse Abalos, Andrea Dee; (7-8 BOYS) Zach Guico,

The Filipinas celebrate their win.

Jeus Gabriel Derick Yape, Joaquin Dominic Tuzon, Jocel Lyn Ninobla, Aidaine Krishia Laxa, Maria Nicole Anne Labayne, Sofia Ysabelle Sarmiento, Juvenile Faye Crisostomo, Janna Dominique Oliva, Zyka Angelica Santiago, and

Led by world junior champion Tachiana Keizha Mangin (standing far left), the Philippine taekwondo team members and officials are shown prior to a recent training session.

Erika Burgos Armand Copok

Maynilad in talks with 2 investors for P37.4-b initial public offering

Power prices stable in second half with new gas plants, solar farms

general corporate purposes.

P37.4 billion

By Alena Mae S. Flores

PExpected size of Maynilad’s IPO Common shares to be sold

By Jenniffer B. Austria M

OWER prices at the spot market are expected to stabilize at P4 to P5 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in the second half of 2025 on stable supply margins, the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) said.

1.66 billion 30%

“From what we are seeing, we hope to see a stable supply margin for the rest of the year. We’ll be having some maintenance this third quarter… However, from what we are seeing, there is still an ample margin,” said IEMOP vice president for trading operations Isidro Cacho.

Cacho said power supply received a boost last year with the entry of 1,400 megawatts (MW) of gas plants and an increase of around 700 MW in solar generation capacity.

Expected public float of Maynilad

AYNILAD Water Services Inc. is in talks with two potential investors for its planned P37.4billion initial public offering (IPO), a top executive said.

showed that in June, systemwide average prices in the WESM declined 3.9 percent on lower demand and ample supply.

Maynilad chairman Manuel Pangilinan said in a recent interview the investors had “signified a significant amount to be invested,” prompting the company to delay the IPO from its initial target of July.

“We have also seen a huge improvement in the supply margin, not just because of the additional plants, but because of our usual conventional plants, we have seen improvements in terms of unplanned outages,” he said.

P4 to P5 per kWh

Under its concession agreement with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), Maynilad is required to offer at least 30 percent of its shares to the public on or before January 2027.

Average system-wide rates at the WESM fell P0.16 per kWh to P3.86 for the period of May 26 to June 25, 2025, from P4.01.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved Maynilad’s maiden share offering earlier this month.

Both system-wide supply and demand decreased by 3.5 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively.

He did not provide additional information about the potential investors, who have requested more time to complete internal approvals.

System-wide available supply reached 21,432 MW, down from 22,218 MW in May. Demand reached 14,545 MW, down from 15,169 MW.

Pangilinan said the tensions in the Middle East also factored into Maynilad’s decision to move the IPO no later than October this year.

These factors led to a decrease in Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) prices this year compared to last year, Cacho said.

“Even if it [price] increases, it will still play within P4 and P5 [per kWh],” he said. Data

Under the plan, Maynilad will sell up to 1.66 billion common shares priced at P20 apiece, with an overallotment option for another 249 million shares and a preferential offer of up to 24.904 million shares.

Average electricity prices in Luzon followed the system-wide trend, dropping 7.5 percent to P3.91 per kWh from P4.23 per kWh in the previous month.

Maynilad could set a firmer price range for the IPO once it finalizes a deal with these cornerstone investors, Pangilinan said.

Calories don’t count in Richard Yee’s business

By Jimmy L. Montejo

By Jimmy L. Montejo

By Alena Mae S. Flores

Expected spot market price in second half

1,400 MW

Maynilad tapped BPI Capital Corp., Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Morgan Stanley Asia (Singapore) Pte. and UBS AG Singapore Branch as joint global coordinators and joint bookrunners for the offer.

THE Makati Business Club (MBC) warned that persistent challenges related to costs, regulations and supply are undermining the feasibility of waste-to-energy (WTE) projects in the Philippines, despite increasing interest in the sector.

A recent roundtable convened by the MBC brought together government agencies, private sector participants and development partners to discuss critical issues that could impede the progress of WTE initiatives.

The company expects the listing to occur on the main board of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) under the trading symbol “MYNLD.”

Luzon’s available supply declined 3.5 percent to 15,076 MW, while demand also went down 5.4 percent to 10,400 MW.

Proceeds from the IPO will fund Maynilad’s capital expenditures and for

The company, which provides water services in the west zone of Metro Manila, is owned by Metro Pacific Investments Corp., DMCI Holdings of the Consunji Group and Japan’s Marubeni Corp.

Additional gas plant capacity

700 MW

Earlier this month, Maynilad secured approval for a 10-year extension of its revised concession agreement. The Economy and Development Council (EDC) approved the MWSS’s request to extend the concession to Jan. 21, 2047.

New solar power capacity

out-of-the-box solutions for each. As plant manager for two years, he learned the intricacies of technical production and gained an appreciation for the corporate commitment to total quality management throughout the manufacturing process.

He said these experiences provided him with a “well-rounded understanding of the overall business landscape of Goldilocks, which has been invaluable in my current role as company president.”

Discussions at the meeting revealed that cost remains the primary obstacle. According to an MBC policy note, WTE is considerably more expensive than landfill disposal, which remains the preferred waste management solution for local government units (LGUs) due to its lower initial outlay. Regulatory clarity was also highlighted as a significant concern. The MBC’s policy note stressed the need for clearly-defined regulations and improved coordination between national agencies and LGUs.

“A system-wide view of procurement, infrastructure and governance can help reduce risks and improve project outcomes,” it said. Another key challenge for WTE projects is the consistent supply of waste, or feedstock. Most LGUs do not generate sufficient waste independently to sustain a WTE facility. The MBC said enhanced regional cooperation, such as clustering LGUs to pool waste, would be crucial for supporting larger-scale WTE projects.

BATTER up, bake a cake and make the world a little better. This playful saying, though new, seems to fit Goldilocks, now a beloved Filipino household brand of cakes and pastries.

AMANDO Maglalang Tetangco Jr., chairman of SM Investments Corp., is more prominently known as the third governor of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Goldilocks and a second-generation owner, cited the importance of their franchise model.

Born Nov. 14, 1952, he has the rare distinction of having served as BSP governor for two consecutive six-year terms under two Philippine presidents — Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III. He was a distinguished career central banker for more than four decades, beginning March 25, 1974.

In April 2021, he was elected vice chairman and independent director of SM Prime.

“We realized that to fulfill our strategic growth plans and to transition to the next generation, we had to partner with highly motivated entrepreneurs who shared the principles and values of Goldilocks,” he said.

Yee, son of founder Milagros, attributes their robust franchise network to the “strong partnership and positive relationship we have with our franchisees.”

At present, he sits as a director of Manila Hotel and Toyota Motor Philippines, and is a trustee of St. Luke’s Medical Center, the Tan Yan Kee Foundation and the Foundation for Liberty and Prosperity. He is also a member of the international advisory board of the Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo, Japan, and the Asia School of Business in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The story of Goldilocks began in 1966, not with a jingle, but with the entrepreneurial spirit of sisters Milagros and Clarita Leelin, along with their sister-in-law Doris Wilson. What started as a modest 70-square-meter space on Pasong Tamo Street in Makati, with just 10 employees, has since blossomed into a global enterprise.

Simply put, he has a dizzying list of executive portfolios both in the Philippines and abroad.

He was the country’s representative to the ASEAN Central Bank Forum; the Executives’ Meeting of East Asia and Pacific Central Banks; the South East Asia Central Banks; the South East Asia, New Zealand and Australia; and the Center for Latin American Monetary Studies.

“In a manner of speaking, therefore, we made sure that our family business would grow by adopting more members through franchising,” he said.

He was governor for the Philippines at the International Monetary Fund and the alternate governor at the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. At the Bank for International Settlements, he was chair of the Meeting of Small Open Economies.

Tetangco was also an independent director of Converge ICT Solutions Inc., Shell Pilipinas Corp., Belle Corp. and CIBI Information Inc.

For Clarita, baking was a passion ignited at the tender age of 10, when her parents, Pascual Leelin and Trinidad Tancioco, gifted her an oven. This early interest eventually led Clarita and Milagros to start a small cottage industry, baking delicacies in their Makati apartment and selling them to doctors, nurses and patients at a nearby hospital. This marked the crucial first step in an epic entrepreneurial journey that would eventually reach far and wide across the globe.

In 2006, Pancake House International made an offer to acquire Goldilocks for P2 billion, but the talks ultimately fell through. Later, in 2018, SM Investments acquired a 34-percent stake in the chain. The Sy-led conglomerate solidified its control by acquiring a majority stake in 2021, making Goldilocks its subsidiary.

He chaired various international committees, notably the BIS Asian Consultative Council; the Financial Stability Board Regional Consultative Group for Asia; and the Alliance for Financial Inclusion Steering Committee.

Last year, Goldilocks announced ambitious plans to launch 60 more stores, aiming to cap the year with 986 branches worldwide.

Tetangco graduated top of his class from Ateneo de Manila University with an AB Economics degree and completed his Master’s in Public Policy and Administration (Development Economics) from the University of Wisconsin in the United States as a BSP scholar.

In 1976, Goldilocks opened its first overseas branch in Los Angeles, California, followed by additional outlets in San Francisco, San Jose and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Yee’s ascent to the presidency of Goldilocks was a testament to his comprehensive understanding of the business.

As a financial manager, Tetangco believed that having so much money on hand has its own setbacks.

He didn’t just step into the top role; he earned it by serving in various capacities, including plant manager, director for marketing, sales and finance, and then vice president.

“I enjoyed all of my previous posts for their own unique reasons,” Yee recalled.

In a speech, he expressed his conviction that “the rationale espoused by the US Federal Reserve is that making money so cheap would force more businesses to borrow, and hopefully use these funds to expand operations, hire more people and encourage growthinducing consumption.”

The brand further accelerated its expansion in 1991 with the launch of its franchising program. This led to a remarkable proliferation of branches both domestically and internationally, totaling 964 as of 2024. Globally, Goldilocks has established 12 stores in the continental USA, two in Canada and six in Thailand.

Richard Yee, the current president of

He said each position presented its own set of challenges, and he found great satisfaction in developing innovative,

He recalled that by 2011, dollars “merrily flowed into the Philippines, partly encouraged by the government’s promise to spend the funds for a massive infrastructure build-up.”

“But the Philippine economy was not structurally ready to absorb all these inflows,” Tetangco noted. “Since these funds were not being used productively, they could be inflationary, and we don’t want that,” he added.

THE Department of Energy (DOE) has released a draft circular outlining a framework for integrating nuclear energy into the Philippines’ power generation mix to implement the clean energy scenario (CES) under the Philippine Energy Plan 2023-2050.

The CES envisions a more diverse energy mix, with nuclear energy entering in phases. The plan targets 1,200 megawatts (MW) of nuclear capacity by 2032, increasing to 2,600 MW by 2035 and 4,800 MW by 2050. The DOE said a well-defined framework is crucial to attract investor interest in the first nuclear power generation facility and ensure its smooth integration into the power grid. Under the draft policy, the first

commercially-developed and operated nuclear power plant in the Philippines will be designated a “pioneer project.”

This classification aims to provide a favorable and competitive environment to encourage further development in the country’s energy sector.

“The pioneer NPP shall be considered a baseload plant and shall be granted priority dispatch, in coordination with the DOE and the system operator, regardless of the nuclear technology to be considered for development,” the draft circular says. The circular suggests that the commercial operation of a nuclear power plant, when optimally blended with the generation costs of distribution utilities (DUs), could effectively lower electricity rates. Alena Mae S. Flores

SM Investments Corp. chairman Amando

and group chief executive Charles Tan (third

right) and Cordillara Basic Sector Transport Cooperative (CBSTC) chief executive Jude Wal

from left) show the latter’s purchase order for the LEXSWITCH EV6

electric modern jeepney

Salunga, Wilson Klint of CBSTC, Bank of Makati area head Charlie Mendoza and LexSWITCH corporate secretary Hezekiah Alis. Joseph Muego

Goldilocks president Richard Yee

PH stocks face narrow range as investors stay cautious

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PHILIPPINE share prices are expected to continue trading within a narrow range as investors remain cautious about overseas developments.

Wendy Estacio-Cruz, head of research at Unicapital Securities Inc., said investors are wary due to the potential reinstatement of U.S. tariffs on July 8.

Another key local economic indicator investors will closely monitor is the Philippine unemployment rate, also scheduled for release on June 8.

“We expect the index to trade within the 6,400 to 6,500 range next week,” Estacio-Cruz said.

Philstocks Financial Inc. research head Japhet Tantiangco said prospects of further easing by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) this year, following a tepid June inflation report, may also provide support to the bourse this week.”

Moving forward, the market may further test the 6,400 level,” Tantiangco said. “If it is unable to get back above the line, the market may test its next support level.”

Last week, the Philippine Stock Exchange index climbed 0.29 percent to close at 6,395.57, while the broader all-shares index declined 0.38 percent to 3,764.71.

Average daily value traded improved to P8 billion from the previous week’s average of P5.87 billion. Foreign investors were net buyers for the week, with inflows reaching P2.74 billion.

DITO spending P15b to expand 5G coverage

By Darwin G. Amojelar

DITO Telecommunity Corp. is spending P15 billion this year to further expand its 5G coverage nationwide, aiming to deliver highspeed mobile broadband services.

Eric Alberto, DITO president said the company’s capital expenditure for 2025 is between P10 billion and P15 billion, with the final amount depending on demand.

“Most of our investment will be in 5G. Naturally, not only here in the Philippines but all over the world, people are investing more in 5G technologies, particularly in markets like ours where fiber isn’t viable,” he said.

DITO’s network covers over 86 percent of the population, with 25 percent of its network being 5Gcapable.

Alberto said DITO expects to generate over P20 billion in revenue this year, attributing this to effective cost management.

“ We’ve managed to keep our cost down,” he said.

Meanwhile, Alberto voiced his support for the industry’s stance on the Konektadong Pinoy Bill.

“I share the industry’s views. As I’ve heard some senior regulatory executives express, especially in a developing country like ours, it’s crucial to maintain a level playing field and apply the same rules to all players, including incumbents,” he said.

Alberto emphasized the rigorous process DITO underwent.

“We had to go through a rigid selection process, satisfy regulatory audits on coverage and speed, and we pay supervisory and regulatory fees, and so on.”

He argued against altering existing regulations without careful consideration.

“There are many rules governing telco players in this country. To liberalize them with complete disregard for the rules imposed on existing players doesn’t create a fair and level playing field,” Alberto said.

“This is essential if we want to entice serious investment and avoid changing the rules for an industry that, as I mentioned, is capital-intensive, even more so as technologies advance,” he said.

Tetra Pak to launch smaller, sustainable packaging in PH

By Othel V. Campos

BINH DUONG, Vietnam—Tetra Pak, a global leader in sustainable packaging, is preparing to introduce a new, smaller, and more sustainable packaging format for the Philippine market, a top official announced. This initiative aligns with the company’s broader commitment to affordability, nutrition, and food safety.

Speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration of Tetra Pak’s second packaging line at its Binh Duong facility in Vietnam, Michael Wu, managing director for Tetra Pak in the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia, said the company is collaborating with local partners to roll out downsized packaging options for Filipino consumers.”

Without disclosing the specific customer or brand, we are trying to introduce smaller packs to the Philippine market,” Wu said during the July 3, 2025, inauguration. “There’s still a lot of affordability challenges in the country, but at the same time, a clear need to improve nutrition and provide safe products.”

Wu said the upcoming format will be “even smaller” than what is currently common in the Philippines. He said it will complement larger, family-size packs, offering more variety to cater to different market segments, from premium to mass and low-end.

He noted that despite the country’s population of 100 million and a per capita income comparable to its ASEAN neighbors, the Philippines remains a largely powder-based market, with many beverage products sold in sachets.

THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business organization, has joined calls for the immediate enactment of the Open Access in Data Transmission Act, also known as the “Konektadong Pinoy” bill. In a statement, the chamber expressed its full and unequivocal support for the measure, describing it as landmark legislation that will reshape the country’s digital infrastructure by enabling faster, more reliable, and more affordable

MORE than 132,000 jobs will be made available to those seeking employment from the P3.38 trillion worth of investments approved under the Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) from June 2022 to December 2024.

The investments will further help fuel employment and advance the country’s goal of building a more competitive and sustainable economy.

A substantial portion of the projected employment will be in administrative and support services, power, and manufacturing sectors. In terms of investment value, the power sector accounted for the largest share of the total approved investments at 76.33 percent. Other significant sectors drawing considerable capital include information and communication, transport and storage, and mining and quarrying. Trade Secretary and Board of In-

In contrast, Wu pointed out that while Vietnam consumes around 8 billion Tetra Pak packages annually, mainly in liquid formats, the Philippines is still an emerging market for liquid packaging. Tetra Pak has no immediate plans to establish a local manufacturing facility.”

In the Philippines, most products are still in powder form,” he said.

“But we hope that one day, we can convert more of those into ready-todrink liquid products, together with our customers.”

Key customers in the Philippines currently include Del Monte, Nestlé, and Vita Coco.

Wu also emphasized the importance of collaboration among Tetra Pak, its customers, and the Philippine government to promote nutritious, safe, and affordable food options.”

It’s not just Tetra Pak, it has to be a joint effort with customers and the government,” he said. “We can do a lot more if the government plays a stronger role as the invisible hand pushing for better nutrition and food safety standards.”

CUSTOMERS-

in mind at the 1st Mansmith Product Masters Summit. Alongside Bangit, the event also featured leaders from Nestlé, JS Unitrade, and Ipsos, offering crossindustry insights on innovation, research, and vision-driven product development.

GOVERNORS

SPEAK.

internet access for all Filipinos.”

We commend the Konektadong Pinoy Bill for streamlining processes and eliminating outdated barriers that have long hindered the entry of new players into the internet service market,” said PCCI President Enunina Mangio.

Mangio said that by opening the sector to more qualified providers and encouraging healthy competition, the law would spur investments in digital infrastructure and expand access to underserved and remote areas.

The PCCI emphasized that greater

vestments (BOI) chairman Cristina Roque emphasized that these investments translate into tangible benefits for Filipinos by providing livelihoods and strengthening the country’s economic resilience.

“These investments mean thousands of livelihoods for Filipinos and stronger foundations for our economy. As we work to attract strategic projects, our focus remains on translating these into real opportunities for our people,” Roque said.

Trade Undersecretary and BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo highlighted the SIPP’s strategic role in positioning the Philippines as a hub for smart and sustainable manufacturing and services.

“Beyond the numbers, the SIPP is shaping the Philippines’ future as a hub for innovation and green growth. We are committed to ensuring that these invest

ments drive not only economic gains but inclusive development,” Rodolfo said.

participation from information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure players will give Filipino consumers more choices and better service, addressing long-standing issues of slow and costly internet.

The chamber also underscored the need for a strong regulatory framework to support the sector’s liberalization.

While supporting the removal of the legislative franchise requirement for data transmission providers, the PCCI stressed that only capable and responsible entities should be allowed to operate.

Fil-Chinese group warns against trade wars, rising tariffs

THE Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) is urging the Philippine government to implement immediate and decisive reforms to protect the economy from escalating global trade protectionism.

The FFCCCII, led by president Victor Lim, raised concerns about rising tariffs and trade wars, which it said are “roiling international markets.”

Following a dialogue with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Aldeguer Roque, the federation welcomed government support for the private sector but stressed the need for proactive measures.

The group lauded the DTI’s recent anti-dumping actions to safeguard the Philippine cement industry and called for similar protections for other vulnerable domestic manufacturing sectors facing “aggressive, low-priced imports.”

“The reckless tariff policies of major economies — particularly the U.S. and reactive countermeasures by China — have shattered the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules order, leaving smaller nations like the Philippines exposed to severe economic disruptions,” Lim said. “We must respond with urgency, innovation, and unwavering resolve to shield our Philippine industries from collapse.”

The FFCCCII recommended several strategies for the DTI, Tariff Commission, and related agencies such as emergency safeguard measures and anti-dumping duties for domestic manufacturing sectors affected by cheap imported products; aggressive export marketing and diversification, prioritizing ASEAN, Asian, and RCEP markets to mitigate Western volatility; and rapid industrial modernization, leveraging automation, research and development (R&D), and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enhance competitiveness.”

“Open access must not come at the cost of our national security or the integrity of our critical digital infrastructure,” it said. The chamber also called for a transparent and forward-looking implementation of the law, urging that the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) be crafted with care and that the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) be fully empowered to enforce oversight and establish clear standards for service providers.

Othel V. Campos

NUTRITION PROGRAM. Bell-Kenz

the Bell-Kenz Foundation, PHINMA Education, and PHINMA Foundation seal their partnership to launch the First 1000 Days Nutrition Program. Attending the memorandum signing are from left, Adele Traspe, PHINMA University of Pangasinan CSDL; Heide Foulc, PHINMA Education community

Bongalonta Caberte, Bell-Kenz Pharma CSR manager.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona, Jr. (second from right) with (from left) former BSP Governors Benjamin Diokno, and AmandoTetangco, Jr. at the launching of ‘The Governors Speak’ at the BSP head office in Manila on July 3, 2025. The publication recounts the evolution of central banking in the Philippines through speeches of its former trustees. It also provides an insight into the role of the central bank in the historic moments of the country’s economy.

BUSINESS Lawmakers urged to boost agri support

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI) is calling on lawmakers in the 20th Congress to prioritize legislative measures that will boost the country’s agriculture sector, beginning with earmarking tariff collections for the development of corresponding local industries.

PCAFI president Danilo Fausto said tariff revenues from imported commodities should be allocated to the domestic sectors where they were generated, following the model of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) and the Salt Industry Development and Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (SIDCEF).”

Tariff collections should be directed back to the commodity sector where they were collected to support its growth and competitiveness,” Fausto said. He noted that industries such as cacao, coffee, sugar, tobacco, and vegetables receive minimal budget support compared to rice, despite their economic potential.

PCAFI said the government has failed to earmark funds from imports entering under the Minimum Access Volume (MAV) system since the expiration of the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund in December 2022, with revenues now going to the general fund instead.

The group also pushed for the passage of the proposed Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act, which seeks to establish a 20-billion-peso fund to support the livestock, poultry, dairy, and corn industries. The measure would help revitalize the hog sector, which has been affected by African Swine Fever, and provide long-overdue support to poultry and

dairy, which have largely relied on private investments.

PCAFI further called for the abolition of the MAV system for pork, chicken, and corn, saying it is no longer relevant. “The volume of imports is more than 15 times the MAV. There is no more need to reassure our trading partners of access through MAV quotas,” Fausto said, adding that inquota and out-quota tariff rates are now practically the same, making the system obsolete.Other proposals include the creation of a national virology center to boost local vaccine production, especially for African Swine Fever and avian influenza.

PCAFI also urged the full implementation of Republic Act 7884, which requires commercial milk processors to source at least 5% of their supply from local producers.

The group also called for amendments to Republic Act 1556, or the Livestock and Poultry Feeds Act, to reflect current feed industry practices and cover other animals such as aquaculture species, pets, and game animals, as well as government support to farm laborers.

Thriving in the age of AI: Why upskilling is every professional’s edge

GREEN LIGHT

Armando J. Aguado

IT was English naturalist and geologist Charles Darwin who once laid out this concept: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”

On 30 November 2022, ChatGPT was released to the general public, and the world has since then changed drastically. The sheer explosion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into all aspects of our lives is proof enough of this, and the names Siri, Alexa, Cortana, Copilot, and Gemini are now well known and used by many in their day-to-day lives. The stories of companies jumping onto the bandwagon of leveraging automation and AI multiply by the day, and the thought of AI taking over people’s jobs, once a distant thought relegated to science fiction, now hovers over many.

As we therefore find ourselves in an era getting more and more defined by the capabilities of digital transformation through generative and agentic AI, many find themselves asking the question: are we actually ready for what’s to come? What used to be a regular buzzword at HR events – upskilling – now takes on renewed importance, and equipping the workforce with the right skills is an even greater imperative than it was before. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 forecasts that by 2030, technological shifts will displace 92 million roles while creating 170 million new ones, resulting in a net gain of 78 million jobs, but only if workers are prepared to reskill and upskill continuously. For the Philippines, this challenge is even more acute: the same WEF report reveals that 68 percent of Filipino workers will need reskilling or upskilling by 2030, yet just 38 percent have actually completed any training so far.

This need to reskill (or upskill) also ties directly into Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, which calls for a “sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”. In the Philippines particularly, meeting SDG 8 requires closing the upskilling gap, improving access to lifelong learning, and aligning educational and corporate training with the evolving needs of a digital economy. So where does AI come in? The very technology threatening to disrupt millions of jobs worldwide is also actually revolutionizing how we can close said skills gap. AI-powered platforms are now able

Staying employable no longer depends primarily on what we learn in school and formal environments, but also on our ability to continuously learn, unlearn, and adapt.

to deliver personalized, “bite-sized” modules that fit into busy schedules, while generative AI tools offer on-demand coaching and real-time feedback. A classic example cited in LinkedIn’s 2025 Workplace Learning Report is the implementation of Visa to leverage AI for their sales teams, where AI-powered coaching has led to a whopping 78% increase in confidence among their sales personnel to talk about Visa’s products. Generative AI models can also now teach you how to code, become your language tutor, simulate being a behavioral interviewer, generate practice questions for certification exams, and role play difficult exams – all for free and from the comfort of your device or home.

Embracing a mindset to regularly upskill one’s self is thus even more crucial today because digital transformation and AI are going to continue to change the nature of work. Agentic AI, automation, and big data are now managing tasks that used to rely solely on human effort, from routine administrative work to more advanced functions like data analysis. As a result, many traditional skills are becoming obsolete faster than ever, while new skills, such as AI fl uency, data literacy, digital collaboration, and complex problem-solving are in high demand. So what does this tell us? Staying employable no longer depends primarily on what we learn in school and formal environments, but also on our ability to continuously learn, unlearn, and adapt. Upskilling is no longer a “nice to have”, but a must-have for anyone who wants to stay relevant, competitive, and resilient in today’s rapidly evolving world of work.

Dr. Armando Ricardo J. Aguado is a Professional Lecturer at De La Salle University. He is a senior HR manager of Australia’s leading telecommunications company. For nearly two decades, he has held corporate roles in strategic HR management, business partnering, and organizational transformation, while educating young minds and taking the opportunity to also learn from the next generation of working professionals. He may be reached at armando.aguado@dlsu.edu.ph. The perspectives shared in this piece are solely the author’s and do not necessarily represent the official views of De La Salle University, its faculty, or its administration.

Globe expands connectivity to underserved areas in PH

By Darwin G. Amojelar

GLOBE Telecom said it is expanding mobile connectivity in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) and underserved communities, supporting the country’s digital transformation where it’s needed most.

“We’re no longer connecting only where it’s profitable—we’re connecting where it matters most,” Carl Cruz, Globe president and chief executive said.

“We’re building more than infrastructure—we’re enabling opportunity. We are opening doors for millions of Filipinos to participate meaningfully in the digital economy,” he said.

Globe’s vision of widespread connectivity is actively realized through its support for the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s Bayanihan SIM initiative.

This program provides vital mobile access to students, teachers, health workers, and

local government units (LGUs) in remote communities.

Currently, 7,063 barangays are classified as Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs), encompassing nearly 25 million residents. As of 2024, Globe had already activated over 600 cell sites within these GIDAs, significantly boosting connectivity where it’s needed most.

Despite the Philippines being one of Southeast Asia’s most active digital populations—with Filipinos spending an average of 8 hours and 52 minutes online daily, according to the Digital 2025 report—access remains highly uneven.

Only 33 percent of households nationwide were subscribed to fixed broadband as of 2024, based on the latest figures from the DICT. Mobile connectivity in many GIDAs remains unreliable or unavailable, leaving vast segments of the population excluded from the country’s digital momentum.

Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held on 17 July 2024

Management Report

Approval of Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of HSSSI and its subsidiaries as of 31 December 2024

6. Ratification of all acts, resolutions and proceedings of the Board of Directors and of Management, done in ordinary course of business since the 17 July 2024 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting up to 30 July 2025

7. Election of Directors

8. Appointment of External Auditor

9. Other Matters

10. Adjournment

The Board of Directors has fixed 30 June 2025 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to be notified, participate, and vote at the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting (“Stockholders of Record”).

Stockholders of Record may only attend/participate via proxy, remote communication or vote in absentia, subject to validation procedures.2 Only validated stockholders will be provided access to the Zoom meeting platform and can cast their votes in absentia on or before 23 July 2025 via the Corporation’s secure online voting facility.

Stockholders who wish to participate in the meeting via the Zoom online meeting platform and to vote in absentia should notify the Office of the Corporate Secretary through a Letter of Intent to be sent via e-mail to asm-2025@harborstar.com.ph or fill up the registration form at www.harborstar.com.ph/asm2025registrationform on or before 15 July 2025.

HSSSI is not soliciting proxies. Stockholders who are unable to join the meeting but wish to vote on items in the agenda by proxy must submit their duly accomplished proxy forms via email to asm-2025@ harborstar.com.ph on or before 23 July 2025.

Stockholders may send their queries and comments to the Management Report and other items in the Agenda to asm-2025@ harborstar.com.ph on or before 24 July 2025.

The Definitive Information Statement containing the attendance, voting, and election procedures, along with the Notice, Agenda, Proxy, Management Report, SEC Form 17-A, SEC Form 17-Q and other information related to the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting can be accessed at http://www.harborstar.com.ph/investors/pse_disclosures. Very truly yours,

TRADE DISCUSSIONS. O cers of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) meet with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Aldeguer Roque to discuss trade issues such as the arbitrary US tari hikes and trade war.

RCBC shifts from coal to RE loans

By Jenni er B. Austria

RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) said its renewable energy (RE) loan portfolio has exceeded its coal loan exposure for the first time, driven by significant growth in sustainable financing.

The bank’s RE loans surged 80 percent year-on-year to about P52.7 billion by end-2024, up from P28 billion in 2023, RCBC said in a statement. It said that as of March 2025, re-

newable energy projects accounted for 44 percent of the bank’s sustainable finance portfolio.

“For the first time, our renewable energy portfolio has surpassed the coal portfolio. The

Meralco preferred power provider in Batangas—independent survey

AN independent survey by Capstone-Intel Corp. shows Manila Electric Company (Meralco) is becoming the preferred electricity provider among residents in Batangas province.

The survey highlights disparities in service reliability and customer satisfaction, particularly concerning frequent power outages experienced by customers of local cooperatives.

The study, conducted in April 2025, surveyed 1,200 respondents across 34 cities and municipalities in Batangas. It used probability proportional to size sampling to ensure accuracy and equal representation of male and female respondents.

A majority of households in areas served by Batangas Electric Cooperative I (BATELEC 1) and Batangas Electric Cooperative II (BATELEC 2) reported frequent power disruptions. Sixty-two percent of these customers experienced one to two outages per month, with some reporting up to ten.

About 93 percent of BATELEC 2 customers and 81 percent of BATELEC 1

IN BRIEF

steady decline in coal exposure reflects our continued shift toward sustainable investments,” said RCBC chief sustainability officer Armi Lamberte.

RCBC committed in 2020 to stop funding new coal power plant projects and to phase out coal financing entirely by 2031. Since then, it has prioritized lending to renewable energy projects.

By end-2024, RCBC had fi nanced 22 RE projects, up from 14 the previous year. These include wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric projects with a combined capacity

customers reported repeated interruptions. In contrast, 54 percent of Meralco customers said they experienced no outages at all, underscoring Meralco’s more reliable service in the province.

“These findings underscore a widening gap in electricity service across Batangas. Reliable electricity is not just a convenience—it’s a prerequisite for economic growth and quality of life,” said Dr. Guido David, chief data scientist of Capstone-Intel.

Service satisfaction scores mirrored the reliability gap. BATELEC 1 and BATELEC 2 scored below the provincial average of 4.09, with ratings of 3.96 and 3.90, respectively. For customer service, they also lagged behind the average of 4.04, earning scores of 3.80 and 3.90. When asked which provider they would choose if given the option, 61 percent of BATELEC 2 respondents expressed a preference for Meralco. This indicates a clear demand for better-performing utilities, especially in areas most affected by recurring outages.

of more than 2,000 megawatts.

In June, RCBC extended P498 million in funding for San Jose Green Energy Corp.’s (SJGEC) 19.6-megawatt solar power project in Nueva Ecija province.

SJGEC is part of Rizal Green Energy Corp., a joint venture between Yuchengco-owned PetroGreen Energy Corp. (PGEC) and Japanese contractor Taisei Corp.

The government aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s power generation mix to 35 percent in the next five years, from 22 percent.

CREATIVE MOMENTUM. SM Prime Holdings executive committee chairman Hans Sy welcomes celebrated Filipino artist Anna Vergel RS for what was meant to be a simple courtesy visit to SM Prime’s headquarters—but what unfolded quickly became a moment of a rmation and inspiration for the artist. Sy has been collecting Vergel RS’s artworks over the years, including this acclaimed ‘Ve-nus Stones Series’ piece.

REAL ESTATE

South Palms Resorts & Spa Panglao to open in August

By Darwin G. Amojelar

SOUTH Palms Resort & Spa Panglao –

MGallery Collection is set to open next month, introducing a new luxury hospitality offering in Bohol.

The resort, a new addition to the MGallery Collection, is strategically located on Panglao’s most beautiful beach, less than 5km from Bohol-Panglao International Airport. It seeks to blend sustainable luxury with the island’s captivating tropical scenery, vibrant coral reefs, and unique landmarks like the UNESCO-listed Chocolate Hills.

“South Palms Resort & Spa PanglaoMGallery Collection is more than just a destination; it’s a living narrative. We offer signature experiences that bring the story of Bohol to every guest journey,” Danish Khan, the resort’s general manager said.

“We have created a place where local culture comes alive, where nature and luxury exist in harmony, and where guests can create meaningful connections that transform every stay into a personal story,” he added.

The 188-room resort is inspired by the local legend of Sirenna, a mythical guardian of the sea, and is designed to reflect Bohol’s cultural identity. Architectural features include low-rise buildings constructed from local materials, a spiraled walkway called the Walk Bridge, and open spaces such as a banyan treeshaded lobby and lemongrass garden.

Guests will have access to coral-rich waters and nearby attractions, including a sunken plane site featured in Boholano folklore. Rooms and suites will include native design elements such as bamboo, coconut wood, and handwoven accents.

As part of MGallery’s “M Moments” program, the resort will also offer cultural experiences like a guided activity focused on asin tibuok, a rare, traditional sea salt produced only in Bohol. The opening is expected to strengthen the province’s appeal as a high-end destination while promoting local craftsmanship and heritage tourism.

FEDERAL Land NRE Global, Inc.

(FNG), a joint venture between Federal Land Inc. and Japan’s Nomura Real Estate Development Co. Ltd., has sold out all of its commercial lots at Riverpark North in General Trias, Cavite.

The property firm said the commercial lots at Riverpark North have been completely sold out as of May 2025, signaling strong investor interest and confidence in the area’s booming potential. The lots were fully sold ahead of the completion of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) interchange, a game-changing infrastructure upgrade expected to boost accessibility and drive commercial momentum throughout the area. Ranging from 1,000 to 2,600

RLC launches new hotel in Pangasinan

ROBINSONS Land Corp.

(RLC) is strengthening its presence in Northern Luzon with the launch of Grand Summit Pangasinan, its first Grand Summit hotel in Luzon and the only branded hotel of its kind in the region.

The move highlights RLC’s commitment to bringing upscale hospitality to Northern and Central Luzon, through its hotel group, Robinsons Hotels and Resorts (RHR).

Opening in 2027, Grand Summit Pangasinan will rise along the Dagupan–Urdaneta Road in Calasiao, Pangasinan.

The hotel will be part of the Robinsons Pangasinan Mall complex, making it a convenient stay for both tourists and business travelers. It will feature 100 rooms, including standard, junior, and executive suites, plus amenities like a restaurant, ballroom, gym, spa, meeting rooms, and a swimming pool.

The hotel will break ground on July 7, 2025, marking the start of construction for what will be a major hospitality destination in the area.

“The expansion of our Grand Summit brand is a key part of our growing hotel portfolio and further bolsters RLC’s leadership position in the Philippine hospitality sector,” said Mybelle V. Aragon-GoBio,

TOPLINE Equity Corp., the parent company of listed firm Top Line Business Development Corp., marked a key milestone with the soft opening of Bay Mall on June 27, 2025. The three-story mall is a flagship development by Topline’s subsidiary, Vikingland Corp., and is expected to boost commercial activity in Northern Cebu.

president and chief executive of RLC Grand

joins the growing Grand

portfolio,

includes the Grand Summit Hotel in General Santos.

Supporting growth

Strategically located along the Dagupan–Urdaneta Road in the municipality of Calasiao, the planned Grand Summit Pangasinan will support the increasing number of tourists visiting the province. It offers guests easy access to local attractions like the Saints Peter and Paul Church, the town’s famous puto Calasiao, and nearby cities such as San Carlos and Lingayen. Tourists can also visit nearby destinations like Hundred Islands and Cape Bolinao.

“We purposefully design our hotels to reflect the unique energy of the places they rise in—and in Calasiao, we saw the perfect opportunity to create something that speaks to both leisure and business travelers,” said Barun Jolly, RLC senior vice president and business unit general manager for RHR. Bigger vision RLC’s expansion in Luzon goes beyond hotels. The company already has malls in Pampanga, Tarlac, La Union, and Ilocos Norte, along with residential communities and office spaces in provinces like Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, and Ilocos Norte. RLC is also developing the Montclair Destination Estate in Porac, Pampanga—a 216-hectare mixed-use community that includes homes, offices, retail spaces, a hotel, and an RLX industrial park.

“Our developments across Northern and Central Luzon reflect Robinsons Land’s long-term vision of inclusive growth,” said Aragon-GoBio.

“By seamlessly integrating our businesses across retail, residential, hospitality, offices, and logistics, we aim to foster thriving communities and contribute to broader national progress,” she said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Topline Group opens Bay Mall in northern part of Cebu

Aljew Fernando Frasco during the opening.

The Topline Group will operate the mall under a 50-year concession period.

“Bay Mall is a catalyst for progress in Liloan. We are very happy and excited about this vision turned into reality,” said Liloan Municipal Mayor

Bay Mall is strategically located at the heart of Liloan, facing the town’s scenic coastline. It was built on municipal-owned land through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the local government under a buildoperate-and-transfer agreement.

Investors snap up Riverpark North commercial lots

square meters, the parcels will be home to future office, retail, and mixed-use developments.

“We commend FNG for the successful 100% sale of its commercial lots at Riverpark North, a significant milestone that not only strengthens our business portfolio but also unlocks new opportunities for development and economic activity in the area,” said GT Capital Senior Vice President and Investor Relations Head Jose B. Crisol, Jr. “This milestone reflects our continued commitment to creating long-term value for our stakeholders and contributing to the growth of the communities we serve,” he added.

FNG said this quick sell-out reflects strategic positioning by investors who foresee the benefits

of the upcoming completion of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) interchange.

With all commercial lots fully sold out, FNG said it is now preparing to launch the Phase 2 of the project by the second quarter of 2026

This next phase will coincide with the opening of the CALAX interchange, the new UNIQLO Logistics Facility, and SM City General Trias, which are all major developments that are expected to drive even greater business activity in the township.

“We are thrilled to see such strong interest in Riverpark’s Central Business District,” said FNG President Thomas F. Mirasol. “We share the vision of our clients in the near-term potential of General Trias and Cavite as a growth hub and commercial cen-

The mall features Robinsons Supermarket as its anchor tenant, along with food stations, wellness centers, fashion retailers, and financial service providers on its first two floors. The third floor includes a 1,000-seater BPO facility, the first of its kind in Northern Cebu.

“Bay Mall, the new landmark in Northern Cebu, is a symbol of what

Summit Pangasinan

Summit

which

The resort is inspired by Sirenna, the ‘spirit of the sea’

Topline Group’s chairman, president and chief executive officer Eugene Erik Lim leads the soft opening ceremony of Bay Mall.

PAINTING THE PHILIPPINE ARENA GREEN.

BINI (center stage), joined by G22 (left stage), KAIA (right stage), and the rest of the starstudded lineup across four stages, closed the show with an epic production number

Massive crowd, diverse music, and surprise collabs

What went down at Puregold OPM Con 2025 at the Philippine Arena

By Nickie Wang

THERE’S something powerful about seeing artists and fans come together in one massive venue to celebrate what’s ours— Original Pinoy Music (OPM).

At Puregold OPM Con 2025, that connection was clear. Performers gave their all onstage, and the crowd answered with thunderous cheers, dancing, and full-on singalongs. It was a shared experience that showed how OPM continues to resonate across generations.

welcomed James Reid to the stage for a performance of their collaboration “Secrets.”

Reid, dressed in a brown suede top and vintage pants, delivered his verses with ease and charm, matching BINI’s polished energy as the crowd roared in approval.

Surprise collaborations kept fans on their feet throughout the night.

BINI, SB19’s Stell, G22’s Alfea, and KAIA’s Charlotte joined forces for a joint dance number to “Shagidi.”

G22 delivered a strong set with a mix of their signature style and intensity, followed by a joint performance of “Salamat” with Yeng Constantino. KAIA kept the

The production matched the scale of the event. Massive video walls lit up the Philippine Arena in full color and motion, bringing each set to life. But what truly elevated the atmosphere were the LED wristbands worn by every attendee. These bands synced with the music, shifting from green to purple to red and blue, depending on the mood and energy of the songs. As the beats dropped and choruses soared, the arena pulsed with waves of color, turning the audience into part of the performance.

On Saturday, not even the rainy weather could dampen the crowd’s energy as more than 30,000 fans trooped to the Philippine Arena for Puregold OPM Con 2025, a massive celebration of Original Pinoy Music with BINI opening the show and SB19 closing the night. The concert was part of Puregold’s “Nasa Atin Ang Panalo” campaign.

BINI kicked off the show with “Karera,” followed by fan favorites “Cherry on Top” and “Pantropiko.” They later

drew loud cheers from the crowd.

momentum going with a tightly choreographed set, then teamed up with Mayonnaise on a crowd-favorite rendition of “Jopay.”

SunKissed Lola brought breezy charm to the arena with their distinct marked his Philippine Arena debut with a highSkusta Clee joined him onstage for a collaborative set that

SB19’s set featured “DAM,” “8TonBall,” and “CRIMZONE,” delivering one of the night’s loudest responses. The group later performed “Liwanag sa Dilim” with OPM rock icon Rico Blanco in one of the most talked-about moments of the night.

P-pop girl group G22 performs a strong set, including a joint performance of ‘Salamat’ with Yeng Constantino

For the finale, Blanco returned to the stage to dance with SB19, BINI’s Sheena, and members of G22, capping the show on a celebratory high.

Fans flew in from different parts of the country and abroad, including

KAIA performs a choreographed set and collaborates with OPM band Mayonnaise on ‘Jopay’

BINI dances its latest single ‘Shagidi’ together with SB19’s Stell

Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, underscoring the growing global reach of OPM and Puregold’s expanding presence in the live music scene.

“This wasn’t just a concert—it was a service for our shoppers and music fans,” said Ivy HayaganPiedad, Puregold’s senior marketing manager. “We’ve always believed our relationship with customers goes far beyond the checkout counter.”

“Nasa Atin Ang Panalo has evolved into something more purposeful than a campaign. It’s now a crusade—one that celebrates the strength, dreams, and talents of Filipinos,” said Hayagan-Piedad. “Through this platform, we hope to showcase our homegrown artists and inspire Puregold members and customers as they relish original panalo music on a world-class stage.”

sound, while Flow G energy performance.

(center), G22’s Alfea (right), and KAIA’s Charlotte (left)

OPM artists pose for a photo at the backstage

SHOWBIZ

‘Beauty Empire’ takes over primetime

By Nickie Wang

ANEW revenge drama series, Beauty Empire , is making its television premiere tonight on GMA Prime. The series is a co-production between GMA Network, streaming platform Viu Philippines, and CreaZion Studios.

Beauty Empire features a story about ambition, betrayal, and the harsh realities of the local beauty industry. The series, which features Barbie Forteza in the lead, had some scenes filmed in South Korea.

“Filming in Korea was fun. It was challenging, of course, because it was unfamiliar territory, so it wasn’t as comfortable as when we shoot here in the Philippines,” Barbie said.

“But it was fun because, first of all, everything was efficient, and of course, I was with Kyline [Alcantara], so I knew I had someone to talk to and lean on when things got tiring. We were feeding off each other’s energy and stories,” she added.

In the series, Barbie is Noreen Alfonso, a self-made beauty entrepreneur who sets out to bring down her former idol, Velma Imperial (Ruffa Gutierrez), a well-established industry figure. Noreen finds herself in direct conflict with Shari De Jesus (Kyline Alcantara), a popular beauty CEO mentored by Velma. Their rivalry unfolds both online and

‘Lasik’ propels Filipino indie rock band HEY JUNE! into mainstream

INDIE rock band HEY JUNE! is gaining ground in the local music scene after its single “Lasik” reached No. 1 on Spotify Philippines’ Viral 50 chart and entered the Billboard Philippines charts this July.

Originally released in 2023, “Lasik” found new life in 2025 after being widely used in TikTok and Instagram reels. The track has been featured by BINI, Sharlene San Pedro, Zild, and Adie, as well as Pinoy Big Brother: Celeb Collab Edition alumni Shuvee Etrata and Bianca De Vera

The song is part of HEY JUNE!’s debut album Curiosity Killed the Cat , which includes tracks “Orasan” and “Asan Ang Gana Ko.” Billboard Philippines listed the album among its Top 15 Albums and EPs of 2023. The project was produced with support from Eunice Jorge of Gracenote

Barbie Forteza plays the character of Noreen, a selfmade beauty entrepreneur

Formed in June 2021 during the pandemic, the band is composed of Jim Mase (vocals, guitar), Coey Ballesteros (bass), and Aci Fodra (drums). Their name references the month they began performing together.

HEY JUNE! received the Breakthrough Artist of the Year recognition at the 36th Awit Awards in 2023.

The group’s recent performances include REV Music Festival at the University of the Philippines, Fusion: The Philippine Music Festival, Malaya Music Fest 2025 at Okada Manila, and 25 Years of Torete, where they opened for Moonstar88

The band held its first major fan event on June 29 at UP Town Center, drawing hundreds of supporters. As of July, HEY JUNE! has reached 1.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

in real life, with personal secrets and unexpected alliances coming into play.

By Jasper Valdez

“The story is full of heart and family love. At its core, it’s about fashion and beauty, but we also deal with murder, mystery, and revenge,” Barbie said of the series’ theme The ensemble also includes Sid Lucero, Sam Concepcion, Chai Fonacier, Gabby Padilla, and Isay Alvarez, with Gloria Diaz and South Korean actor and K-pop idol Choi Bo-Min joining in special roles. Choi makes his debut in a Filipino production.

The series was created by filmmaker Real Florido and writer Rona Co, and directed by Mark Sicat Dela Cruz Beauty Empire first became available on Viu Philippines on June 16 before its free TV debut. The show airs Mondays to Thursdays at 9:35 p.m. on GMA Prime. It is also available to international viewers via GMA Pinoy TV and can be streamed on Viu Philippines.

Ruffa Gutierrez (left) and Sid Lucero take the roles of antagonists in ‘Beauty Empire’

Rabin Angeles’ career builds momentum

ACTOR Rabin Angeles has added a new milestone to his rising showbiz career after being named the first Filipino endorser of a well-known Japanese restaurant chain in the country.

The 21-year-old, best known for his roles in the hit TV adaptations of Wattpad bestsellers Ang Mutya ng Section E and Seducing Drake Palma, was officially launched as the face of Botejyu Philippines’ newest campaign during the #RabinLovesRamen event held on June 17 at the SM City Manila Event Center.

For Angeles, the endorsement is more than just another gig. Speaking at the launch, he

recalled being a fan of the brand long before stepping into the spotlight.

“I was only 17 when I became a big fan of their ramen. I used to go to their SM Clark branch all the time,” he said. The actor shared that he was caught off guard when he saw himself featured on a signboard at one of the branches

“I was just passing by, then I saw myself. Even now, it still doesn’t feel real,” he said, laughing. “It’s fun, but also a little surreal.”

The campaign leans on Angeles’ down-to-earth appeal and his connection with younger audiences.

While he’s often seen in polished roles on screen, here

he’s simply a guy who loves ramen—a quality that made him a natural fit.

Director and campaign creative Paul Basinillo said the decision to have a celebrity endorser came after nearly a decade of staying away from that route.

“This is the first time we’ve done something like this in the last 10 years,” he said. “We felt Rabin was the right choice— sincere, humble, and someone who connects with people.” Angeles, who hails from Pampanga, has steadily gained attention for both his acting and off-screen charm.

“I really didn’t expect this,” he said. “That’s why I’m so thankful. It’s truly an honor.”

HEY JUNE!’s ‘Lasik’ reaches No. 1 on Spotify Philippines’ Viral 50 chart

Rising actor Rabin Angeles is known for his roles in ‘Ang Mutya

Barbie Forteza (left) and Sam Concepcion in a scene from the series ‘Beauty Empire’

Kyline Alcantara is Shari De Jesus, a popular beauty CEO mentored by Ruffa’s character

MONDAY, JULY 7, 2025

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

By Nickie Wang

JUST when we thought Ortigas couldn’t get any busier, The Podium’s sixth floor quietly transformed into a culinary cluster called Podium Social. It’s the metro’s newest dining spot that offers variety, atmosphere, and a view of the city skyline all in one well-curated space.

Where Ortigas eats now

“Thoughtfully designed with the Ortigas community in mind, Podium Social offers a welcoming space to gather, unwind, and connect. Featuring a curated selection of five restaurants, it is perfect for family gettogethers, after-work unwinding, or simply enjoying time with friends,” said Steven Tan , president of SM Supermalls.

Podium Social is the kind of place you’d take your boss to lunch at one moment and meet your college friends for drinks the next.

There’s Bistro Aurora, which isn’t exactly flying under the radar. It’s already hailed as Best New Restaurant in the 2024 Tatler Philippines Dining Guide. The menu reads like a love letter to regional Asian food but is plated with finesse.

Brotzeit is for when comfort comes in the form of sausages, schnitzels, and a cold German brew. It’s been around since 2007, but its presence here feels especially at home, tucked in a corner.

Over at Lazy Suzy, Chef Patrick Go leads

a kitchen that doesn’t shy away from bold flavors. The East Asian mashup (Japanese, Korean, and Cantonese) works. Whether it’s a solo lunch or midnight snack, it delivers both style and substance, where you can pretend you’re somewhere in Munich, even if only for an hour.

H Proper makes its Manila debut soon, bringing its Cagayan de Oro roots with it. Known for coffee roasted in-house and brunch plates that mean business (think Turkish eggs and croissant sandwiches), this one’s worth waiting for.

Finally, Osteria Antica brings Wildflour Hospitality’s Italian concept to the fold. Think brick-oven dishes, a reverence for traditional cooking, and seasonal ingredients that remind you why Italian food rarely goes out of style.

It’s good to note that Podium Social is not trying to be a food park or a bar strip. But that’s exactly what makes it work. It’s Ortigas knowing how to take a break.

THE word halal is often associated with Islamic dietary laws, particularly meat and fowl that are slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines, although it has expanded beyond dietary restrictions to become a global industry, particularly in the food sector. Fish and seafood are generally considered halal ; the same goes for fruits and vegetables, grains, nuts, rice, wheat, beans, and lentils.

Halal food is always considered a healthier option because it is free from harmful additives and contaminants. In fact, its strict dietary laws ensure that the animals are raised and processed without harmful chemicals, antibiotics, or hormones. This strict adherence to procedures lessens the meat’s exposure to substances that could negatively impact a person’s health.

Many years ago, the Philippines lost out to our neighboring countries in our bids to host high-yield international Muslim events because we did not serve halal food. There were hardly any halal restaurants in the country that could cater to the dietary requirements of our Muslim visitors.

These past few years, however, we’ve had to find ways to compete with other countries to attract more Muslim visitors.

Getting our share of halal

Our country’s leading hotels have put up measures that cater to Muslim families and individuals who abide by the rules of Islam.

Late last year, the Department of Tourism designated a separate Muslim-friendly cove in Boracay to compete with the halal beaches in the Maldives and Thailand.

Marhaba Boracay, located at Newcoast, is the first-ever halal beach in the country. It’s a special-use area for Muslim families and individuals, taking into consideration their adherence to Islamic laws. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco declared the area “a safe, serene, and respectful environment where our Muslim guests can fully enjoy their time at the beach following their beliefs.”

I was also pleasantly surprised that, late last year, The Heritage Hotel Manila announced the launch of their halal buffet on selected days of the week. Curious as I was—because it was my first exposure to halal food—I tried every single item on the buffet. I wanted to find out how it tasted. I enjoyed every single one of them because they didn’t taste any different from the usual recipes. The steak

tourism

was still as juicy and excellent, and I was very happy to know that one of my favorite desserts, baklava, is halal

In the middle of last month, the Philippine Halal Trade and Tourism Expo celebrated its 10th anniversary at the SMX in Davao. This event promotes trade and tourism by

showcasing a wide range of halal food, products, and services. It aims to further strengthen halal businesses in the country by promoting halal -certified products, as well as the development, processing, and marketing of agricultural products. The other day, a similar event took place at the Quantum Skyview of Gateway Mall 2 at Araneta Center. The Salaam Expo featured the best of halal -certified products, Muslim-friendly travel deals, and culinary delights, and served as a vibrant celebration of culture and community.

Hundreds of eager visitors crowded the venue on its opening day, especially because the ceremonies had government luminaries participating — Senator Robin Padilla, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (both represented by their alter-egos), Tawi-Tawi Governor Yshmael Sali, Isabela Mayor Sitti Djalia Hataman, and, of course, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who led the ceremonial ringing of the gong.

Upon Secretary Frasco’s directive, Tourism Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa Abubakar has worked hard in putting these events together, from the beach in Boracay to the expos in Davao and Quezon City. Kudos to her for her relentless efforts in lifting halal events to the consciousness of our countrymen and tourism stakeholders, highlighting their importance if we are to compete for our share of the lucrative halal tourism sector. For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

Officials and community

leaders lead the ribbon cutting at Marhaba Beach in Boracay, the country’s first Muslim-friendly beach destination

Tourism Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa Abubakar delivers remarks at a halal tourism event, echoing Secretary Frasco’s directive to expand Muslim-friendly travel

YOUR MONDAY

Performers showcase vibrant traditional attire and choreography during the cultural segment of the Salaam Expo at Gateway Mall

Mercury Rising Bob Zozobrado

Coffee lovers get a sneak peek of H Proper’s brews and beans ahead of its Manila debut

The bar at Bistro Aurora buzzes with activity as diners enjoy signature drinks in an upscale setting

Guests gather near Lazy Suzy’s entrance for bold East Asian bites and a vibrant after-hours vibe

Bistro Aurora greets guests with refined interiors and Asian flavors that earned it a Tatler 2024 nod